One of the most ludicrous incidents of Lord Cardigan's tempestuous tenure of command of the 11th Hussars occurred in 1840. At dinner in the mess one evening, Cardigan observed an officer being served with wine from a bottle, rather than a decanter. He immediately assumed that he was drinking beer, and reprimanded him in a particularly crass and indiscreet manner. The incident came to the attention of the Inspector-General of Cavalry; the story reached the Press and became a nine-days wonder, provoking a number of cartoons.