diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 01:26:57 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 01:26:57 -0800 |
| commit | 4c2f926d3b810eb8c8e1a12513cbfed06c0f4d5c (patch) | |
| tree | a9a54dce8fd0f49e12cf211259200c007627518e | |
| parent | cac836d617451de6968d265362026a93fadd1494 (diff) | |
33 files changed, 17 insertions, 21260 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f589fc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52473 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52473) diff --git a/old/52473-8.txt b/old/52473-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b50c87b..0000000 --- a/old/52473-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9767 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Recollections of a Military Life, by John Adye, (Gen. Sir) - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Recollections of a Military Life - -Author: John Adye, (Gen. Sir) - -Release Date: July 1, 2016 [EBook #52473] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF A MILITARY LIFE *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by University of California libraries) - - - - - - - - - - - RECOLLECTIONS - - OF - - A MILITARY LIFE - -[Illustration: HEAD QUARTERS, CRIMEA. WINTER OF 1854 - -_Farm House, in which Lord Raglan died_] - - - - - RECOLLECTIONS - - OF - - A MILITARY LIFE - - - BY - - GENERAL SIR JOHN ADYE, G.C.B., R.A. - - - LONDON - SMITH, ELDER, & CO., 15 WATERLOO PLACE - 1895 - - _All rights reserved_ - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -Having served for many years in the Royal Artillery, and taken part in -some of the campaigns in which the British army has been engaged during -my period of service, I am in hopes that my recollections may be of -some interest, and my views on military subjects worthy of record; and -I therefore publish them, dedicating my book to the Officers and Men of -the Regiment amongst whom I have passed my career. - - 1895. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. DAYS OF PEACE 1 - - II. COMMENCEMENT OF CRIMEAN WAR--INTERVIEW WITH - NAPOLEON III. AT PARIS 10 - - III. BATTLE OF ALMA 23 - - IV. THE FLANK MARCH 34 - - V. BATTLE OF BALACLAVA 44 - - VI. BATTLE OF INKERMAN 55 - - VII. THE WINTER OF 1854 66 - - VIII. BOMBARDMENT OF APRIL, 1855 78 - - IX. CAPTURE OF THE MAMELON AND QUARRIES--INTERVIEW - WITH GENERAL PÉLISSIER 87 - - X. BATTLE OF JUNE 18, AND DEATH OF LORD RAGLAN 96 - - XI. BATTLE OF CHERNAYA AND THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL 106 - - XII. THE INDIAN MUTINY 121 - - XIII. THE BATTLES AT CAWNPORE 129 - - XIV. CAUSES OF THE MUTINY, AND POLICY OF LORD CANNING 147 - - XV. RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY 171 - - XVI. RETURN TO BENGAL--AMALGAMATION OF THE ARTILLERY - REGIMENTS 180 - - XVII. FRONTIER CAMPAIGN IN THE AFGHAN MOUNTAINS--ITS - ORIGIN--POLITICAL AND MILITARY DIFFICULTIES 185 - - XVIII. HARD FIGHTING IN THE MOUNTAINS 195 - - XIX. POLITICAL COMPLICATIONS--END OF THE WAR 205 - - XX. VISIT TO PESHAWUR--SIR HUGH ROSE RETURNS TO - ENGLAND--SIR WILLIAM MANSFIELD APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 221 - - XXI. THE WAR IN BOOTAN 230 - - XXII. FAREWELL TO INDIA--RETURN TO REGIMENTAL DUTY - AT WOOLWICH--APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF ARTILLERY--WAR - OFFICE ORGANISATION 239 - - XXIII. SHORT SERVICE AND RESERVE 254 - - XXIV. LOCALISATION AND COUNTY REGIMENTS--INTERVIEW - WITH NAPOLEON III. 265 - - XXV. VISIT TO THE CRIMEA WITH CHARLES GORDON, 1872--REPORT - ON THE CEMETERIES 273 - - XXVI. RIFLED ORDNANCE AND NAVAL AND MILITARY RESERVES--APPOINTED - GOVERNOR, ROYAL MILITARY - ACADEMY--THE BRITISH ARMY IN 1875 284 - - XXVII. CENTRAL ASIA AND THE AFGHAN WAR OF 1878-79 300 - - XXVIII. APPOINTED SURVEYOR GENERAL OF THE ORDNANCE--PRINCIPLES - OF ARMY PROMOTION--EGYPTIAN WAR - OF 1882 322 - - XXIX. GIBRALTAR--ITS VALUE FROM A NAVAL AND COMMERCIAL - POINT OF VIEW--ZOBEHR PASHA A STATE - PRISONER--SANITARY CONDITION OF GIBRALTAR 359 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - -FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS - - HEAD QUARTERS, CRIMEA, WINTER OF 1854. FARM - HOUSE IN WHICH LORD RAGLAN DIED _Frontispiece_ - - BATTLE OF ALMA, SEPTEMBER 20, 1854 _To face p._ 28 - - BALACLAVA. SCENE OF LIGHT CAVALRY CHARGE, OCTOBER - 25, 1854 " 46 - - THE GARRISON OF LUCKNOW RETURNING TO CAWNPORE, - NOVEMBER 1857 " 143 - - GOING TO THE WAR. CROSSING THE INDUS AT ATTOCK, - NOVEMBER 1863 " 207 - - AFGHAN FRONTIER CAMPAIGN. STORMING THE CONICAL - PEAK, DECEMBER 1863 " 213 - - SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE TOUR IN BOOTAN, JANUARY - 1866 " 234 - - WAR IN BOOTAN, 1866. OUTPOST IN VALLEY OF THE - CHIN-CHU " 238 - - RUINS OF THE TUILERIES, NOVEMBER 1872. - LIBERTÉ--EGALITÉ--FRATERNITÉ " 282 - - EVE OF TEL-EL-KEBIR. ENCAMPMENT OF BRITISH - ARMY AT KASSASSIN LOCK " 346 - - GIBRALTAR FROM QUEEN OF SPAIN'S CHAIR " 361 - - ZOBEHR PASHA " 373 - - -ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT - - PAGE - - DIAGRAM OF FRENCH AND ENGLISH ARMIES 20 - - FORMATION OF LIGHT BRIGADE UNDER THE EARL OF CARDIGAN 48 - - PLAN OF CAWNPORE, TO ILLUSTRATE BATTLE OF NOVEMBER 27, - 1857 136 - - DUTCH MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION 175 - - SKETCH MAP OF NORTH-WEST FRONTIER 186 - - COPY OF SKETCH BY NAPOLEON III. 269 - - SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE BATTLE OF TEL-EL-KEBIR 345 - - VISITING CARD OF ARABI PASHA FOUND AT TEL-EL-KEBIR 356 - - ARMS OF GIBRALTAR 359 - - -MAPS - - BATTLE OF ALMA _To face p._ 25 - - SKETCH SHOWING THE POSITION OF THE ALLIED - ARMIES BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, OCTOBER 1854 " 39 - - SKETCH TO ILLUSTRATE THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN " 52 - - - - - RECOLLECTIONS - OF - A MILITARY LIFE - - - - -CHAPTER I - -DAYS OF PEACE - - 'Wakening the echoes of joys long fled.' - - - -In recording personal recollections of the varied scenes and events -in which, during a long military service, it has been my lot to take -part, it is scarcely necessary to enter into family details, and I will -therefore merely state that my grandfather, Stephen Payne Adye, entered -the Royal Artillery in 1762, and served in the war in Germany and in -America; and since that date various members of the family have served -in uninterrupted succession in the regiment down to the present day. - -Of his four sons, three became officers of artillery. The eldest, -Ralph Willett Adye, was the author of the 'Pocket Gunner,' which was -a standard book of reference for many years. He died at Gibraltar in -1804, and his monument still exists there, in the so-called Trafalgar -Cemetery. - -The second son, Stephen Gallwey Adye, saw much active service. He was -with Sir Ralph Abercromby in Egypt in 1801, and was slightly wounded -in action near Alexandria. He was also at Walcheren in 1809, at Cadiz -in 1813, and at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. He died a Major General and -Superintendent of the Laboratory, Woolwich Arsenal, in 1838. - -The third son, John Miller Adye, was an officer in the Royal Navy. He -served as a Lieutenant in Lord Nelson's flagship, the 'Vanguard,' at -the battle of the Nile, and was wounded. In 1815 he was in command of -the 'Partridge' corvette cruising off the Island of Elba, and conveyed -Sir Neil Campbell (who was British Commissioner there) to Leghorn in -February. Sir Neil, having received information that Napoleon intended -to escape, returned hastily to Elba, but owing to light winds was -delayed, and only arrived on the morning of February 28th to find that -Napoleon had left on the night of the 26th. The 'Partridge' went in -pursuit towards the Antibes, but, it being uncertain to what part of -the coast he had sailed, failed to overtake him.[1] - -The fourth son, James Pattison Adye (my father), was also in the -Artillery, and was present at Copenhagen in 1806, and served for -several years in the Mediterranean. - -In 1834 I received a nomination to a cadetship at the Royal Military -Academy Woolwich from the Master General of the Ordnance, Sir James -Kempt, and went up for examination in February, at the age of fourteen. -There was no competition fortunately in those days, and the whole -affair, including medical examination, only lasted an hour and a half, -and I was reported as having passed very satisfactorily. My career at -the Academy was a happy one. I was treated with much kindness, and -experienced none of the bullying or ill-usage which was supposed to -exist. An amusing incident occurred soon after I joined. Each room -contained four cadets, the head of my room being the late General -William Gardner, R.A. He was at that time about twenty-one years of -age, and having quarrelled with another cadet, who was a good fighter -with his fists, a meeting was arranged in the Racket Court. Gardner, -however, said that a pugilistic encounter was very well for boys, but -as a man he claimed to fight with pistols. - -This gave a more serious turn to the matter, and I, as junior of -the room, was ordered to prepare the bullets for the duel, and well -remember remaining up late at night, melting lead in the fire shovel, -and pouring it into bullet moulds. These serious preparations led to -some arrangement, and the affair never came off. - -Colonel Parker was at that time Captain of the Cadets, and Wilford one -of the subalterns. Parker, a fine old soldier, had lost his leg at -Waterloo and wore a wooden one. He was nicknamed Peg Parker. - -One Sunday afternoon the cadets were being marched to church across -the 'barrack field' at Woolwich, Parker as usual riding in front on a -small white pony. All at once Wilford ran up to him and said, 'Beg your -pardon, sir, but you have lost your leg!' and sure enough, on looking -down, Parker saw that his wooden one was missing. It had tumbled off. -Wilford, however, who had picked it up, screwed it on again, and the -march was resumed. - -In December 1836, after nearly three years' residence, I received my -commission as a second lieutenant. I was head of the Academy, and just -seventeen. The late Sir Frederic Campbell was second, and we both -selected the Royal Artillery. - -In the spring of 1837 I attended a levee of William IV., and, to my -surprise, on hearing my name he kindly spoke to me and asked what -relation I was to General Adye. The current story was that the king -asked me what relation I was to my uncle, and that in my confusion I -replied grandson; but this is apocryphal. - -Speaking of William IV. reminds me of a story about him which I believe -is well founded. Soon after becoming king he one day visited Woolwich, -and after inspecting the Artillery, &c., inquired who was Commanding -Officer of the Marines, and was told it was Sir John McCleverty. The -king said that Sir John was an old friend and comrade of his, and went -off at once to call on him at the Barracks. He expressed great pleasure -at seeing his old companion, and asked if he could do anything for him, -adding, 'You know I am a king now, and can do what I like.' Old Sir -John McCleverty replied: 'Yes, your Majesty, you can do something for -me. My son not long ago was a lieutenant on board a man-of-war, and in -the Channel one night in a thick fog, when he was on watch, they came -into collision with another ship, and the Admiralty have in consequence -tried him by Court Martial, cancelled his commission, and have nearly -broken my heart, for he is an excellent officer.' The king promised -that he should be restored, was as good as his word, and the son rose -afterwards to some distinction, commanding the 'Terrible' in the Black -Sea during the Crimean war. - -As the earlier years of my service were passed during a period of -peace, they call for little remark. Towards the end of 1840 I embarked -at Woolwich with my company for Malta in an old sailing transport, the -'Numa Pompilius,' and, owing chiefly to bad weather in the bay, the -voyage occupied no less than two months. We sailed into Malta on the -same morning that the British fleet under Sir Robert Stopford arrived -from the capture of Acre. - -In 1843, having returned home, I was appointed Adjutant of the -Artillery in Dublin, and was present when Daniel O'Connell was put into -prison in Richmond Bridewell, and made a sketch of the building, which -was published in the 'Illustrated London News.' I also witnessed the -great procession through the streets of Dublin when O'Connell and the -other prisoners were released. - -In 1845 I was appointed to C Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, at Woolwich. -There were three troops there, each consisting of two guns, a waggon, -and forty horses. They were all commanded by officers who had been -present at Waterloo thirty years before--Fox Strangways, Frank Warde, -and Ingilby; but only one of them (Strangways) was even a Brevet Major, -and they were all between fifty and sixty years of age. Those were days -of slow promotion. - -On one occasion Major Chalmers, R.A., had an interview with William -IV., who incidentally asked him how long he had been a Captain of -Artillery. 'Twenty-three years, your Majesty,' replied Chalmers. The -king hastily said, 'I didn't ask you how long it was since you were -born, but how long you had been a captain.' 'Well, your Majesty,' says -Chalmers, 'I am very sorry, but I have been twenty-three years in -that rank.' The king, who apparently could hardly believe it, laughed -and said, 'And a very fine position, too.' 'Oh yes,' said Chalmers, -'undoubtedly so.' - -In the spring of 1848 I was in command of an artillery detachment in -the Tower of London. There was at that time much anxiety about the -Chartists, and as to the result of a meeting under Fergus O'Connor -which took place on Kennington Common on April 10. The walls of the -Tower and the top of the Bank and the Mansion House were to some extent -prepared for defence, and sandbags were placed to form loop-holes -for musketry, an attack by the mob being apprehended. The Lord Mayor -applied for some hand-grenades to be thrown from the Mansion House in -case of need, and I sent him a boxful in a cab, at the same time giving -a hint that in using them he should not hold them too long in his hand, -as they might explode prematurely. This caused a little uneasiness, and -subsequently a bombardier was ordered to give him instructions as to -throwing them. - -The clerks in the Ordnance Department at the Tower were sworn in as -special constables, and were served out with batons cut out of old -mop-sticks. On the morning of April 10 Sir George Cathcart, then -Lieutenant of the Tower, sent for me. He had three large canvas frames -in his drawing-room, and on them was painted in great letters: 'The -Tower guns are loaded to the muzzle. If you attempt to enter, they -will be fired!' He said his intention was, when the expected mob came, -to hang them (the frames, not the mob) over the walls, with a bit of -string. I ventured to point out that, if loaded as stated, the guns, -which were old cast-iron carronades, would infallibly burst, but he -replied that it was only to frighten the people, who would probably run -away. We waited all day, but no crowd ever came near the Tower, and the -whole affair collapsed. - -It is often said that extravagance prevails amongst the officers in -some regiments of the army, and there is probably a good deal of truth -in the remark. But at all events in the earlier days of my service -real economy prevailed in the Artillery, as is proved by the following -facsimile copy of my mess-bill in Dublin in May 1850, now in my -possession. - - _May 1850_ - - £ _s._ _d._ - - Share of Mess Guest 2-1/2 - To Ale 4 - 2 Cigars 10 - Luncheon 2 0 - Share of H.R.H. Prince George's Luncheon 6-1/2 - 3 Breakfasts 3 9 - 1 Cigar 5 - 2 Cigars 10 - Luncheon and Soda Water 1 11 - 19 Dinners 1 18 0 - -------------- - 2 8 10 - -------------- - -Entertaining royalty for 6-1/2_d._ can hardly be considered -extravagant. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: _Napoleon at Elba_, Sir Neil Campbell.] - - - - -CHAPTER II - -COMMENCEMENT OF CRIMEAN WAR--INTERVIEW WITH NAPOLEON III - - -It is time now to pass on from the early reminiscences of a period of -peace to the more interesting and important events of active service, -in which for some years it was my good fortune to share. - -In the spring of 1854, after a peace which in Europe had lasted nearly -forty years, the British navy and army were again called upon to take -part in a great war; and the whole nation soon became deeply absorbed -in the stirring events of the Crimean campaign. Lord Raglan at that -time was Master General of the Ordnance and was also appointed to -command the expedition, and I had the good fortune to be selected as -Brigade Major to the artillery under General Cator. - -There is perhaps no operation of war more difficult than that which -this country has to undertake in the embarkation of its army for a -continental campaign. It is not merely as regards its _personnel_; -but large reserves of ammunition and stores, and the armaments and -equipments of the artillery, engineers, medical, commissariat, -clothing, and other departments have to be embarked, and all so -arranged as to be prepared for rapid landing after a long voyage, and -possibly in the face of an enemy. In proceeding to the Crimea eight -batteries of horse and field artillery, several siege train companies, -and large reserves of munitions for the army were embarked in Woolwich -dockyard during March and April. The combined naval and military -arrangements were efficiently carried out; and although the field -artillery were conveyed in sailing vessels, and were several weeks at -sea before arrival at Constantinople, the loss of horses was only 4 per -cent. out of about 1,600 embarked. - -Towards the end of April Colonels Strangways and Lake, Captains Patton, -Gordon, and myself (all artillery officers) were directed to proceed -_viâ_ France to Marseilles for Malta. On arrival at Paris, Colonel -Strangways, who was personally known to the Emperor Napoleon, received -a message that his Majesty wished to receive him and his brother -officers at the Tuileries. Strangways informed our ambassador, Lord -Cowley, who, however, said it was not according to etiquette, and that -we ought to attend a levee in the usual way, and declined to go with -us; so we put on our uniforms and drove to the Tuileries in a _fiacre_ -without him. The servant at the entrance seemed rather surprised when -we said we had come to see the Emperor; but after conference with a -staff officer, we were conducted through the 'Salle des Maréchaux' -to an inner room, and were received very kindly by Napoleon, who was -in the uniform of a general. He made inquiries about the amount of -artillery we had embarked for the East; spoke about the difficulty -of conveying horses for a long voyage; and expressed a hope that the -French and English armies combined would be able to act decisively--and -then, wishing us prosperity, he invited us to come and see him again on -our return. Alas! we were not destined to do so. Strangways was killed -at Inkerman; Lake, who had a horse shot under him at Alma, and another -at Inkerman, was invalided and died soon after; Captain Patton died -of cholera at Balaclava; and many years elapsed before I had another -interview with Napoleon, under very altered conditions, shortly before -his death at Chiselhurst. - -We arrived at Malta about the middle of May. The streets were full of -French soldiers on their way to the East; and there was a great deal of -cheering and enthusiasm. On the 15th we embarked in the 'Medway' for -Constantinople with the 55th regiment. As we approached the Dardanelles -we passed a sailing transport, with part of a cavalry regiment on -board, and as they had been some weeks at sea, and were making no -progress owing to calm weather, we induced our captain to take her -in tow. The officers in the transport made signs of their wish to -communicate, so we lowered a bottle tied to a long string, which they -picked up as it floated past, and we then pulled it back. We expected -their inquiries might be as to the position of the Russians and the -progress of the war, but their message was: 'Can you tell us who won -the Two Thousand Guineas? We have several bets, and are very anxious!' -As we entered the Dardanelles we were boarded by two French officers -from a small transport, who begged assistance, as they were short of -provisions, having only biscuits, and no water. We provided them with -what was requisite, and also took them in tow. They belonged to the -Chasseurs d'Afrique, and had been forty days on passage from Algiers. -Passing Gallipoli, where there were several men-of-war at anchor and -considerable French and English encampments on shore, we arrived at -Constantinople on May 20. - -Our troops of the various arms were now arriving daily, and were -accommodated either in the great barrack at Scutari, or encamped on the -plain outside, in close proximity to large Turkish cemeteries. All was -bustle and animation. The scene, however, soon changed, and at the end -of May the Light Division under Sir George Brown re-embarked, entered -the Black Sea, and landed at Varna, followed shortly after by the whole -of the allied armies. - -Until my arrival at Constantinople, I had never seen Lord Raglan. -Owing, however, to the failure of General Cator's health almost -immediately on his landing, and to the numerous artillery matters which -required discussion and decision, it so happened that I had from that -time almost daily interviews with the Commander-in-chief. In fact, -during the succeeding twelve months, and until his death in June 1855, -it was my good fortune to be closely associated with Lord Raglan in -the great events which rapidly succeeded each other. General Cator's -advice to me was, never to trouble Lord Raglan more than absolutely -necessary with details, to listen carefully to his remarks, to try and -anticipate his wishes, and at all times to make as light as possible of -difficulties. These excellent suggestions I did my best to carry out. - -The original intention in massing the allied armies at Varna was -with a view of an advance to the Danube, although, in regard to -land transport, the English force was but little prepared for rapid -movement. However, the raising of the siege of Silistria towards the -end of June and the retreat of the Russians led to an entire change -of plan, and the expedition to the Crimea was decided on. The Duke -of Newcastle was then Minister for War, and in his despatch to Lord -Raglan, of June 29,[2] he gave instructions that no campaign in the -Principalities should be undertaken, but that measures should at -once be concerted for the siege of Sebastopol.' Lord Raglan's reply -on July 19 said, that 'the descent on the Crimea is decided upon, -more in deference to the views of the British Government than to any -information in the possession of the naval and military authorities as -to the extent of the enemy's forces or to their state of preparation.' - -Owing to the continued and severe illness of General Cator he was -invalided home in August, and had to be carried on board ship in -a hammock, being succeeded in command of the artillery by General -Strangways. Lord de Ros, Quartermaster General, went home ill at the -same time. During the month of August incessant preparations were made -for the embarkation of the great expedition. The fleets of the allied -powers arrived, and the bay of Varna was crowded with hundreds of -transports, steam-tugs, flat-bottomed boats, and rafts; and the beach -was strewn with thousands of gabions, fascines, and baggage of all -kinds. Towards the end of the month the troops commenced embarking. One -morning early, whilst superintending the departure of some batteries -from the shore, Lord Raglan came up and spoke to me. He remarked that -the artillery staff was insufficient, and that I had too much to do; -and added, 'If you were a field officer I would appoint you Assistant -Adjutant General, and give you help.' Having heard a rumour that an -officer of high rank was coming from England as chief of the artillery -staff, I ventured to say that I hoped Lord Raglan would not supersede -me. He replied at once: 'Certainly not. I will take good care that you -are not superseded.' The next day he sent for me, and said, 'I have -got the Duke of Newcastle in a corner.' This rather puzzled me for the -moment, but he continued: 'I have requested him at once to give you -either brevet or local rank as a Major, and then the difficulty will be -met.' The result of this was that within a month I was gazetted as a -Major.' - -After the expedition had been decided on, and even after it had -embarked, great difference of opinion existed amongst the generals and -admirals of both nations as to its expediency. The late season of the -year, the want of accurate information as to the actual force of the -Russians and of the condition of the defences of Sebastopol, all were -matters of grave concern. The prevalence of cholera and fever--which -had greatly weakened the allied armies and fleets, and which -continued after leaving Varna--also added to the difficulties. These -considerations, however, were not allowed to prevail, and on August -25 Marshal Saint-Arnaud issued a proclamation to the French army, in -which he said that Providence had called them to the Crimea, a country -healthy as France, and that ere long the three united flags should -float over the ramparts of Sebastopol. Lord Raglan also issued his -instructions, which were as follows: 'The invasion of the Crimea having -been determined on, the troops will embark in such ships as shall be -provided for their conveyance.' - -Notwithstanding his proclamation, Saint-Arnaud, even when approaching -the shore of the Crimea, remained in a somewhat vacillating condition -of mind. During the voyage across, he made a signal requesting Lord -Raglan and Admiral Dundas to come and see him on board the 'Ville de -Paris.' They proceeded alongside in the 'Caradoc,' but Lord Raglan, -having only one arm, was unable to go on board.[3] Admiral Dundas, -however, visited Saint-Arnaud, who at the time was very ill and in -great pain, and unable to converse. He handed the Admiral a paper -without signature, in which it was urged that it would be too hazardous -to land in face of a powerful enemy having a numerous cavalry; that the -season was too late for a siege of Sebastopol, which, moreover, was -known to be stronger than anticipated; and that consequently it was -necessary to reconsider the situation and the measures to be adopted. - -Admiral Dundas, accompanied by some French generals, then returned to -the 'Caradoc,' and a long debate took place with Lord Raglan, who at -length ended the discussion by declaring that he would not now consent -to alter a decision which had been come to after careful consideration -at the last council at Varna. Without doubt the enterprise was a bold -and dangerous one, undertaken at a late period of the year, with troops -that were physically weak from cholera and fever. The orders of the -French and English Governments were, however, peremptory, and therefore -the allied generals had in reality no option in the matter. - -On the morning of September 14 the allied fleets and transports arrived -off the coast of the Crimea, and the troops at once commenced landing -on the shore about twenty-five miles from Sebastopol. The French were -very quick in their movements, and, on our part, the Light Division -under Sir George Brown lost no time; by the end of the day almost -the whole of the British infantry, and twenty field guns horsed and -equipped, were on shore. Just as the disembarkation commenced in the -early morning a Russian officer with a Cossack orderly, rode up on some -high ground between the French and English landing places, dismounted, -and leisurely surveyed the scene; and then as our men on landing -approached, he remounted and quietly trotted away. With that solitary -exception, no enemy came near us during the five days occupied in -disembarkation. - -The first night on shore it rained heavily, our troops were without -tents or shelter, and the operations on several subsequent days were -considerably retarded by rough weather and a heavy surf, rendering our -position somewhat precarious. It has always appeared inexplicable why -Prince Menschikoff should have allowed so critical an operation on the -part of the allies to be completed, without any attempt on his part to -oppose or delay it; for nothing can be more helpless than an army with -men, horses, and material of all kinds huddled together in boats, and -landing on an open beach. The probabilities are that he was occupied in -concentrating his troops at the strong position on the Alma, and felt -himself unable to disturb our operations. One morning after landing, I -rode with General Strangways inland for a mile or two to get water for -our horses, and found a battalion of the Rifle Brigade in possession of -a large farm. The officers complained that some of the French soldiers -were pillaging the neighbourhood, and driving off the cattle, &c. Sir -George Brown had sent a remonstrance to the French on the subject. As -we left the farm we saw a French staff officer, evidently very angry -and in pursuit of some of his men, and General Strangways recognised -Prince Jerome Napoleon, who was in command of the division close by. - -At length, on September 19, all being ready, the allied armies -commenced their celebrated march on Sebastopol. The French were close -to the shore, and the order of march is shown on the following plan. - -[Illustration: - - English Army. French Army. - - Sir Sir de Prince - G. Brown L. Evans Napoleon Canrobert Bosquet - +-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+ - |Light| |2nd. | |3rd. | |1st | |2nd. | - |Div. | |Div. | |Div. | |Div. | |Div. | - +-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+ +-----+ - - Duke of Sir - Cambridge R. England - +-----+ +-----+ +---------+ - |1st. | |3rd. | | Baggage | _Black - |Div. | |Div. | | | Sea_ - +-----+ +-----+ +---------+ - - Earl of Sir - Cardigan G. Cathcart Forey - +---------+ +-----+ +---------+ +-----+ - | Cavalry | |4th. | | Baggage | |4th. | - | | |Div. | | | |Div. | - +---------+ +-----+ +---------+ +-----+ - - +-----+ - |Turks| - | | - +-----+ - -DIAGRAM OF FRENCH AND ENGLISH ARMIES] - -The strength of the British Army was approximately as follows: - - Officers and men - Cavalry 1,200 - Artillery 60 guns 2,000 - Infantry 25,000 - ------ - Total 28,200 - -The French were rather stronger in infantry, but had no cavalry. The -division of Turks was about 6,000 strong. - -The troops were in excellent spirits at the prospect of immediate -action. The country was open and undulating; the distant smoke of -burning villages, and the occasional appearance of a few Cossacks -hovering about on the flank, were the only evidences that we were in -an enemy's country. The arrival in the afternoon at the small fresh -stream of the Bulganac was most welcome to the men and horses of the -allies, who for days had suffered from a scanty supply of indifferent -water. Late in the afternoon the enemy's cavalry showed in considerable -force, at a distance almost out of range, beyond the stream, and Lord -Raglan with his staff moved to the front, accompanied by the Light -Cavalry under Lord Cardigan. Suddenly a Russian battery opened fire and -a round shot passed through the Light Cavalry, taking off a man's leg, -and bounding like a cricket ball over the heads of the staff. That was -the first shot of the campaign in the Crimea. Two batteries of Horse -Artillery were at once sent forward, and on their coming into action -the enemy fell back out of range, covered by a cloud of skirmishers. -Our loss was four troopers severely wounded. It was almost dusk, and -Lord Raglan, being anxious to inform Prince Napoleon of what had -occurred, as he was with his division about a mile distant, directed -Colonel Count Lagondie, the French military attaché, to ride over and -give him the necessary information. The French colonel was riding a fat -Flemish mare which he called 'Medore,' and as he cantered leisurely off -the remark was made, 'If Lagondie does not move a little faster it -will be a long time before he comes back.' He never did come back, as -will be explained presently. - -Shortly after dusk all staff officers were directed to attend at head -quarters, which were established in a small hut close to the Bulganac. -General Airey, the Quartermaster General received us, and desired that -all general officers should be informed that the enemy in considerable -numbers being in the vicinity, a good look-out must be kept during the -night, and that there should be no sounds of drums or trumpets. He then -went on to say that the Russian army, computed at 45,000 men with a -powerful artillery, occupied a strong entrenched position on heights -beyond the Alma, a few miles distant, and that a general action was -imminent on the morrow. The night passed quietly. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 2: Committee of the House of Commons on the state of the army -before Sebastopol.] - -[Footnote 3: This account is taken from a pamphlet written by the -late General Sir W. Brereton, R.A., who was on board Admiral Dundas's -flagship at the time.] - - - - -CHAPTER III - -BATTLE OF ALMA - - 'Though till now ungraced in story, - Scant although thy waters be, - Alma, roll those waters proudly; - Roll them proudly to the sea.' - - -_September 20._--In the early morning the allied armies formed up in -position as on the previous day's march, in readiness for the battle. -It was then discovered that Colonel Lagondie was absent from head -quarters, and inquiries were made without result. As it was supposed -he might have remained during the night with his French comrades, a -message was sent to Prince Napoleon. The prince, however, said that -Lagondie had arrived the previous evening with Lord Raglan's message, -and then left. The mystery of his absence remained for the time -inexplicable. Soon after the battle of the Alma, however, Menschikoff's -carriage, containing a number of his papers and letters, was captured, -and amongst them a note from a lady in Sebastopol saying how much -pleased they were with the charming French colonel he had sent in to -them, and hoping he would soon send some more. This at once cleared -up the mystery of our friend Lagondie; and it subsequently transpired -that on leaving Napoleon at dusk, being short-sighted, he had missed -his way, and had ridden straight into the Russian cavalry and was made -prisoner. - -Considerable delay occurred on the morning of September 20, before our -troops were prepared to advance, owing to numerous cases of cholera -and fever amongst the men during the previous night, and the necessity -of conveying them to the shore, for embarkation in the transports. -The French, being close to the sea, had a considerable advantage in -this respect. During the morning Marshal Saint-Arnaud, with a large -staff and an officer carrying a silk tricolor standard, rode along the -front of the British Army to confer with Lord Raglan, and was loudly -cheered by our men. Whether the French marshal was a great general or -not, I had no means of judging; but when we consider that he was then -suffering from a mortal disease--of which, indeed, he died a few days -later on board a French man-of-war--I think that he evinced a brave -and heroic spirit under such circumstances in leading and commanding a -French army in a great and successful battle. - -[Illustration: BATTLE OF ALMA.] - -At about eleven o'clock the allied armies advanced, the whole front -covered by a cloud of skirmishers. The order of battle was an -_échelon_ from the right. General Bosquet's division led off, marching -along the sea shore, with the Turkish force in rear. Then came the -divisions of Canrobert and Prince Napoleon, with that of General Forey -in rear in reserve. The English then took up the _échelon_; the second -division under De Lacy Evans being next to that of Napoleon, then the -Light Division under Sir George Brown, followed in a second line by -the troops of Sir Richard England and the Guards and Highlanders under -the Duke of Cambridge, the batteries of artillery in the intervals of -brigades--the fourth division under Sir George Cathcart and the cavalry -under Lord Lucan being held in reserve on the outward flank, which was -three or four miles from the shore. - -As the armies thus advanced to the attack we were able to take a more -complete survey of the Russian position, and whilst the ground in -front of the French was seen to be precipitous and difficult, it was -evident that the main body of the Russians was in position, and partly -entrenched, on slopes which the English forces were about to storm. - -It has sometimes been argued that the English ought to have attempted a -movement turning the Russian right; but when it is considered that our -base was the sea, it is, I think, evident that the only prudent course -in attacking a strong, partially entrenched position on the other side -of a river, was the _échelon_ movement as described. It was about noon -when the first gun was fired; Bosquet's brigades crossed the river near -its mouth, and commenced climbing the precipitous slopes, their advance -being assisted by the fire of some vessels of the fleet. The enemy, -however, were not in great force at this point, and the French gained -the crest with comparatively few casualties. The divisions of Canrobert -and Prince Napoleon as they reached the river crossed in succession, -and were vigorously opposed as they swarmed up the heights. Great -difficulties also were encountered in bringing up their artillery; but -a flank movement of Bosquet's troops along the crest finally enabled -the French Army to make good the ascent, although with considerable -loss, and the Russians were compelled to yield the ground.[4] - -So far the battle had satisfactorily progressed, but a sterner and -far more terrible struggle had commenced on the left. The two leading -English divisions as they approached the river and came within long -range of the enemy's guns were deployed into line, and, whilst waiting -for the completion of the French attack, were ordered to lie down. -The English batteries came into action; but the enemy's guns were -both powerful and numerous, and on commanding ground, so that at the -beginning we were rather at a disadvantage. - -Urgent messages having been received from the French, it was apparent -that the moment of action had at length arrived, and Lord Raglan -then gave the order for the advance of the whole army. The village -of Burliuk on our side of the river, in front of Sir De Lacy Evans' -division, was set on fire by the enemy, and led to the temporary -separation of his two brigades, one passing it on either side. Lord -Raglan, having given the order, passed with his staff through the -burning village to the right, and by a narrow lane came suddenly down -to a ford of the river. In riding through the village we passed the -body of Lieutenant Cockerell, a young officer of artillery, who with -his horse had just been killed by a round shot from the heights. A -sharp skirmish was going on between the Russian outposts and the -Zouaves of Napoleon's division as we reached and crossed the ford. At -that moment Lieutenant Leslie, of the Life Guards, orderly officer -to Lord Raglan, fell from his horse, shot through the shoulder, and -was laid under the bank on the opposite side. The horse of Captain -Fortescue, R.A., was killed at the same time by a bullet in the -head.[5] Lord Raglan pressed on, and passing some French skirmishers -in the vineyards, soon reached high ground, from which he had an -excellent view of the Russian position. Perceiving the important -advantage he should gain by artillery fire from this spot, he consulted -General Strangways and then sent me back for some guns. Fortunately -Captain Turner's battery was just crossing the ford, and two guns -were quickly brought up, followed shortly by the others. Their fire, -directed against the Russian columns and batteries, who were now -heavily engaged with the advance of the Light and Second Divisions, -had a powerful effect, not only materially but morally, as showing the -Russians that whilst their front was being stormed their flank was -already turned. Lieutenant Walsham, R.A., was killed whilst with these -guns. - -[Illustration: BATTLE OF ALMA, 20TH SEPTEMBER, 1854] - -In the meantime the two leading divisions, covered by skirmishers, -moved steadily across the plain. Their ranks became somewhat -disarranged by the gardens and vineyards as they approached the river, -and still more so as they waded across the stream, which was fordable -at many places. They, however, found a momentary shelter behind the -broken ground on the opposite bank, and then the great crisis began. -It was a moment of intense anxiety as the men of the Light and part -of the Second Divisions jumped from their cover, and with a rattling -fire commenced the charge. The ground over which they had to pass was -of the nature of a smooth, steep glacis, and was swept by infantry -and artillery fire. Three of our batteries, however, had converged -towards the bridge over the Alma, and gave material support to the -advancing troops. Up to this time every advantage had been on the side -of the enemy. The scale, however, now began to turn. As the English -line approached the Russian columns, its formation, straggling and -irregular as it was, enabled it to open a continuous line of fire. The -enemy's forces could be seen opening out and endeavouring to deploy; -but it was too late--our regiments were close upon them. Then the -Russian masses began to shake; then men from the rear were seen to run; -then whole columns would turn and retire, halting and facing about at -short intervals, but, with artillery smashing on their flank, and with -Codrington's and Pennefather's brigades still streaming upwards, the -enemy's troops could no longer hold their ground, but fled disordered -up the hill. The converging fire of their batteries, however, still -made a fearful havoc in the English ranks, and a wide street of dead -and wounded, the whole way from the river upwards, showed the terrific -nature of the fight. Breathless, decimated and much broken, but with -victory crowning their efforts, the centre regiments at length dashed -over the main entrenchment and captured two guns. But the battle was -even then by no means over. The Russian reserves moved down, and -Codrington's brigade, whose force was almost expended, was obliged to -give way, and victory for a moment seemed doubtful. Succour, however, -was at hand. The three regiments of Guards, with the Highlanders on -the left, the whole under the Duke of Cambridge, were now advancing up -the hill in grand array. Some slight delay occurred until Codrington's -brigade had fallen back and cleared the front, during which time the -casualties were numerous, but then the chance of the Russians was over -and their whole army retreated in some confusion. Lord Raglan in the -meantime had left his position on the hill and joined his victorious -troops, and by his orders five batteries of artillery were concentrated -and fired on the broken columns of the enemy until they were out of -range. It was a great victory, not only in its immediate result, but in -its general effect on the Russian army. - -Our losses in killed, wounded, and missing were very severe--amounting -to 2,006 officers and men. About half of the entire number occurred in -the Light Division alone. - -The following diagram gives the position of the infantry regiments -chiefly engaged, and of the casualties in each: - - 19th 23rd 33rd 7th Fus 95th 55th - 226 210 239 222 193 115 - - Coldstream Guards Scots Guards Grenadier Guards - 80 181 122 - -The joy and excitement of the English troops were intense as Lord -Raglan rode along the line formed on the heights they had just won. On -coming to the Highland Brigade rather an amusing incident occurred. Sir -Colin Campbell addressed the Commander-in-Chief, and begged him to do -him a favour. Lord Raglan, in reply, said it would give him pleasure -to serve him in any way. Sir Colin then said: 'My lord, you have in -years gone by shown me kindness when I was a young officer, and now I -am an old one. My request is that, so long as I am at the head of the -Highland Brigade, I may be allowed to wear the Highland bonnet.' This -delighted the Scotchmen, and great cheering followed. - -In addition to the two guns captured, two Russian generals were taken -prisoners and about 900 of their wounded men were left on the field. -The total loss of the Russians in the battle is stated to have been -upwards of 5,000. The battle ended about four o'clock in the afternoon, -the head quarters camp being pitched near the river, and Lord Raglan -then went in search of his orderly officer, Lieutenant Tom Leslie, and -with the help of some guardsmen, with a stretcher, brought him to his -tent. Lord Raglan asked me if I knew Tom's mother, and on my replying -in the negative, he said: 'A charming woman. I must write to her. How -proud she will be to hear that he has a bullet in his shoulder!' - -Several years after the battle, when in India, I met an old artillery -man at Delhi, who claimed my acquaintance, and reminded me of the -incident of bringing up Turner's guns from the ford. He said he was one -of the drivers of the battery at the time, and that I rode up to him -in the river and said: '"Johnson," says you, "you'll not spare whip -nor spur till you get to the top of that hill, for Lord Raglan wants -you."' I cannot vouch for the absolute correctness of his personal -reminiscences, but the main fact is correct enough. - -The two days following the victory were passed in collecting our -wounded (upwards of 1,400), and carrying them in hammocks and -stretchers to the beach for embarkation. Amongst others I remember -saying a few words to Baring of the Coldstream Guards, as he was -carried away from the field. He had lost an arm. Reserves of ammunition -were also landed from the transports to meet the expenditure, which, -however, was not large, the infantry having fired about six rounds a -man and the artillery fifteen rounds a gun. The Russians' muskets, -lying about the field in thousands (many of them with the old flint -lock) were broken, and the accoutrements, knapsacks, &c., collected in -heaps and burned. - -The Russian Commander-in-Chief having omitted to send in a flag of -truce, or to make any inquiry as to his wounded left on the ground, -they were collected in a field and as far as possible attended to. An -English medical officer, having volunteered, was left in charge of -them as we marched away; a message being sent to Prince Menschikoff -informing him of the arrangement. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 4: General Canrobert was slightly wounded during the attack.] - -[Footnote 5: Nearly two years afterwards, when peace was signed, I -re-visited the scene of the battle, and found the skeleton of the horse -lying in the lane, with its skull pierced by a bullet.] - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE FLANK MARCH - - -On the morning of, September 23 the allied armies left their position -on the Alma, and after a march of about seven miles arrived at the -Katcha, meeting with no opposition, and on the following day reached -the Belbec, a small stream within a short distance of Sebastopol. -From our pickets on the heights we could see the harbour and their -line-of-battle ships at anchor. - -Hitherto the intention of the allies had been to attack the forts -on the north side, but the plans were suddenly altered, chiefly in -consequence of the recommendation of Sir John Burgoyne. In a very able -memorandum, written the day after the Alma, he pointed out in the first -place, that the city of Sebastopol, with its docks, wharves, reserve -armaments and stores--in fact, its chief resources--were on the south -side of the harbour, and that the land defences there were imperfect -and incomplete. In the second place, that the harbours of Kameisch and -Balaclava would give the allied forces a safe base of operations, and -free communication with the fleet, whereas on the north they had only -the sea shore to rely on. Under these circumstances he recommended the -abandonment of the north altogether, and establishing ourselves to -the south of the city. The strategical advantages of this course were -apparent, and the plan was adopted, and on September 25 the flank march -began, the English army leading off, and proceeding for some miles in a -south easterly direction through the woods. I remember when the Duke of -Cambridge received the order to march south-east through the forest, he -remarked that he had received many orders in his day, but that was the -first time he had ever marched by compass. - -It so happened that on the same morning Prince Menschikoff, ignorant of -our sudden change of plan, was moving a considerable force inland from -Sebastopol, in order to take the allies in flank, and as we emerged -from the woods on the open ground at Mackenzie's farm, our advanced -troops suddenly ran into the rear guard of the Russians. In fact, both -the opposing armies were making a flank march at the same time, and -the head of one came into collision with the tail of the other. Both -sides were taken unawares, but some of our cavalry and Maude's troop -of Horse Artillery at once pursued and captured a few prisoners and a -considerable number of waggons, with ammunition, supplies, and baggage. -This unexpected encounter must have rather mystified the enemy; but -Lord Raglan, knowing that his forces were scattered for some miles on -a long thin line, pushed on, and towards sunset the Light and First -Divisions reached the bridge over the Chernaya on the road leading to -Balaclava, and bivouacked for the night.[6] - -The following morning the march was resumed across the plain for two -or three miles to Balaclava, that small fishing village, with its -land-locked harbour scarcely larger than a dock, which was destined -to be the British base throughout the war. As the staff and leading -troops approached the village, a deputation of the inhabitants came -out bearing bread and salt as a token of submission. Almost at the -same time a gun was suddenly fired from the ruins of the old castle on -the heights, and a shell splashed into the marshes close by, followed -by another. Lord Raglan, through an interpreter, asked the deputation -the reason of this unexpected demonstration, as bread and salt and -bursting shells seemed inconsistent with each other; but the only -explanation they could give was that the small garrison had not been -formally summoned to surrender. The troops of the Light Division at -once swarmed up the heights, and half of C troop of Horse Artillery, -under Brandling, came into action; the other half I took, by Lord -Raglan's orders, up the steep hill overlooking the castle. Just as -we got into action, the 'Agamemnon,' with Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, -arrived off the harbour, and the small garrison, finding themselves -under a converging fire from three sides, hoisted a white handkerchief -on a pole in token of surrender. Their armament consisted of four -antiquated brass mortars. The commandant, an old Greek colonel, had -been wounded in the foot, and was carried down to Balaclava, where he -met the staff who had just ridden in. The commandant's wife, on seeing -her husband's condition, rushed out of her house in a flood of tears, -fell on his neck, and kissed him repeatedly. Lord Raglan, however, -spoke kindly and reassured her. In the meantime some Russian ladies who -had left Sebastopol and taken refuge in Balaclava, terrified by our -sudden arrival, crossed the harbour in a small boat in the vain hope -of escape. Accompanied by another officer I followed them across, and -we tried to reassure them. Knowing nothing of their language this was -a difficulty. We tried 'Buono, Russ buono,' but it was not sufficient. -Fortunately, at length we found one who spoke a little French, and then -they became comforted and returned with us to the village, and were -taken care of. Such was the capture of Balaclava. - -Many years after, in 1872, on re-visiting the Crimea with the late -Colonel Charles Gordon of Khartoum, we found that the old commandant -(Colonel Mammoo) was still alive, being over eighty, and we called -on him. He was much pleased to see us and to talk over old days, and -said that he should never forget the kindness he had received from the -English when a prisoner of war. The officers and men of the navy in the -man-of-war which took him to Constantinople treated him, he said, like -a prince. - -In the meantime the condition of Marshal Saint-Arnaud had become -critical, and on September 25 he resigned the command of the French -army, and was succeeded by General Canrobert, who was then forty-five -years of age. Saint-Arnaud embarked at Balaclava on board the -'Berthollet,' and was visited by Lord Raglan and Sir Edmund Lyons. -He was then almost at the point of death, and his last words to Lord -Raglan were: 'Je vous suivrai toujours par la pensée.'[7] He died on -board on September 29. - -At the end of September the allied armies took up their position on the -plateau in front of Sebastopol, the French on the left with their base -at Kameisch; Lord Raglan establishing his head quarters at a farm house. - -[Illustration: - - SKETCH - showing the position of the - ALLIED ARMIES - before - SEBASTOPOL - Oct. 1854.] - -[Illustration: Russian Names. - -T. _Malakoff Tower_ _Kornileff Bas._ - -M. _Mamelon. Gordon's Hill_ - -R. _Great Redan_ _Bastion No. 3_ - -D. _Barrack Batteries_ - -G. _Garden Batteries_ - -B. _Bastion du mât_ _Bastion No. 4_ - -C. _Bastion Centrale_ _Bastion No. 5_ - -L. _Lancaster Battery_ - -X. _Left Attack. Chapman's Batteries_ - -Y. _Right Attack. Gordon's Batteries_ - -S. _Sand bag Battery at Inkerman._ - -_English_ - -_French._ - -References to Balaclava. - - _A. B. C. D. E. F._ {_English - {Batteries._ - - 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. {_Redoubts - {manned by Turks._] - -The land defences of the city at the time were incomplete and not -continuous. On the east stood a round tower with four guns (the -Malakoff), and on the west a crenelated wall, with another tower -overlooking Quarantine bay, and between these were some earthworks -(called afterwards the Redan, Bastion du Mât, &c.), unfinished and -unarmed. These defences were not formidable, and the idea of an -immediate assault suggested itself and was advocated by some officers -of high rank. On the other hand, the garrison was almost equal in -number to the allies; the approaches were commanded by guns, although -few, of heavy calibre; and the enemy had so placed their line-of-battle -ships in the harbour as to sweep the ravines leading down to the city. -On the whole it was considered more prudent to land the French and -English siege trains, with a view to a bombardment, to be followed by a -general assault. - -As to the general plan of attack, Sir John Burgoyne, having, with -Lord Raglan, surveyed the position, drew up a memorandum in which he -indicated the Malakoff as the chief point for consideration. He said: -'On the right, the great tower appears to be the key of the whole -position, and the only work to prevent an assault at any time; a good -site, or sites for not less than eight guns ... must be sought for to -demolish that tower.' The French, however, demurred to this view, and -it was finally decided that the main attack should be made by them on -the Bastion du Mât, an earthwork in their immediate front on the left. -When we remember that at the end of the siege, which lasted nearly a -twelve-month, the city fell chiefly by an assault on the very position -originally indicated by Sir John Burgoyne, we have a striking proof of -the clear insight and great ability of that distinguished soldier. - -During the first fortnight of October the allied armies were -incessantly occupied in landing and moving up heavy guns and ammunition -from Kameisch and Balaclava, and in constructing batteries and trenches -in front of Sebastopol, and it was arranged that the bombardment -should open on the 17th, to be followed by a general assault, the -combined fleets simultaneously attacking the forts at the mouth of the -harbour. Lord Raglan's order was as follows: 'The fire upon Sebastopol -to commence at 6.30 A.M. from the French and English batteries, in -co-operation with the allied fleets--the signal to be the discharge of -three mortars by the French. The troops off duty to be ready to fall in -at a moment's notice. Horses of the field batteries to be harnessed.' A -thousand seamen with heavy guns were landed from the British fleet, and -formed a naval brigade to act in co-operation with the Royal Artillery -in the trenches. - -The enemy, however, were equally energetic in developing and completing -their earthworks, and, having an almost unlimited supply of heavy -ordnance and munitions close at hand, they were in reality, as the -event proved, able to strengthen their defensive position faster than -the allies could concentrate their powers of attack. - -The bombardment commenced at daylight on October 17, the infantry and -field artillery being held in readiness for a general assault during -the day. Our hopes and expectations were, however, destined to a great -and speedy disappointment. The French siege batteries in front of the -Bastion du Mât were soon seen to be in difficulties, being over-matched -by those of the enemy; and early in the morning one of their magazines -exploded, followed by a second, resulting in great loss of life, and -practically putting an end for the time to their fire. The Russians, -having thus gained a considerable advantage in one direction, turned -their attention more immediately towards the English position, and a -vigorous bombardment was maintained on both sides. Lord Raglan, in his -despatch of October 18, alluding to the British batteries, speaks in -high terms of the conduct of the sailors and of the Royal Artillery. He -says that they kept up their fire with unremitting energy throughout -the day, to his own and the general satisfaction, and to the admiration -of the French army. - -About three o'clock in the afternoon, a magazine blew up in the Redan, -and for a time the Russian guns were silent. Lord Raglan said that, -under other circumstances, this explosion would have been the proper -moment for assault. The combined fleets during the day also engaged the -sea forts and suffered considerably, but from our inability to take -advantage of their action no decisive results were achieved. In short, -the great bombardment of October 17 was a _coup manqué_, and although -the conflict was still vigorously maintained, and although the French -in a few days partially re-opened fire, it began to be apparent that -the allies were growing weaker by the wearing out of their guns and -carriages and the exhaustion of their ammunition, whilst the Russian -defences were becoming consolidated and their armaments augmented. - -General Canrobert did not at first take so gloomy a view of the -position. Writing a few days after, he stated that his means of attack -were concentrated on the Bastion du Mât, and that, assisted by the -English, he hoped soon to gain possession of it. Lord Raglan, however, -writing on the 23rd, said that the fire of the enemy was not seriously -diminished; that, with plenty of men and unlimited resources, they -were able to repair their works, remount guns, and re-open fire from -batteries which had been silenced, and that consequently, he was unable -to say when ulterior measures could be undertaken. The situation was -growing serious. - -In the meantime the enemy were also beginning to appear in strength on -the Chernaya, in the direction of Balaclava. Since our arrival, at the -end of September, considerable attention had been given to the defence -of this important base of our operations. Defensive entrenchments were -constructed on the heights immediately surrounding and overlooking the -harbour, armed with guns of position, and held by a force of marines; -whilst the 93rd Highlanders and a battery of artillery were in front -of Kadikoi, the whole under the command of Sir Colin Campbell. In the -plain beyond, and about a mile in advance, a girdle of small detached -hills extended in a curve across the valley, and upon these, several -battalions of Turks were distributed and began to entrench themselves. -As they had no ordnance suitable, some cast-iron howitzers were by Lord -Raglan's direction lent to them for the purpose. Such were the main -outlines of the precautions taken for the defence of Balaclava. They -were by no means too strong; but what with the incessant duties before -Sebastopol and the great extent of ground to be covered, our troops -were overworked, and no more were available for the defence of this -flank of the position, covering, indeed, the sole base of our supplies -of food and munitions. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 6: Lord Raglan's Despatch, September 28, 1854.] - -[Footnote 7: Bazancourt, ii. 276.] - - - - -CHAPTER V - -BATTLE OF BALACLAVA - - 'Not once or twice in our rough island story, - The path of duty was the way to glory.' - - -Early on the morning of October 25, the Russian army having received -large reinforcements, General Liprandi advanced in force and attacked -the unfinished redoubts held by the Turks; and although the latter were -supported in the plain by the British cavalry and Maude's troop of -Horse Artillery, they were not able to hold their ground, and, after a -short defence, fell back disordered to Balaclava, leaving their guns -behind, many of the Turks calling out 'Ship--Johnnie--Russ no bono' as -they ran past our troops. It was during this early part of the action -that Captain Maude[8] was seriously wounded and had his horse killed -under him. - -Soon after the commencement of the battle, Lord Raglan, General -Canrobert, and their staffs, arrived, and took up a position on -the edge of the Sebastopol plateau overlooking the plain, and thus -gained a complete panoramic view of the scene below. Lord Raglan, -on perceiving the defeat of the Turks in the outlying forts, at once -ordered the First Division under the Duke of Cambridge, and the Fourth -under Sir George Cathcart, to proceed from the front to strengthen -the force at Balaclava. The enemy, having somewhat easily gained an -important advantage by the capture of the Turkish position, after a -short delay made a further movement towards the inner line of defence, -and a large mass of Russian cavalry advanced rapidly and with great -boldness across the plain. One portion approached the 93rd, who -were in line in front of Kadikoi, but, being received with perfect -steadiness by the Highlanders, they did not follow up the attack. The -main body bore down towards the English Heavy Cavalry under General -Scarlett, who, however, wheeled into line as the Russians approached, -and charged straight into them. Having been sent with an order to -Brandling's C Battery of Horse Artillery, it so happened that I was at -the moment only a few hundred yards distant, and witnessed the whole -affair. For a few minutes it seemed as if our cavalry, owing to the -great superiority of the enemy's numbers (estimated at three to one), -were almost surrounded. Then small bodies of red-coats could be seen -vigorously fighting and in close personal combat with the Russians. At -length the latter gave way, their retreat being hastened by the fire -of two batteries of Horse Artillery. Lord Raglan in his despatch said -that the charge was one of the most successful he had ever witnessed. -It was made at an opportune moment, and completely checked the enemy's -movements, their infantry remaining at a distance, partially concealed -behind the captured Turkish forts. A pause now ensued. - -Whilst the events just related were taking place, the First and -Fourth Divisions were marching down, and arrived in the plain. In -the meantime, the Light Cavalry under Lord Cardigan had moved to the -outer valley, just beyond the Turkish forts. A small force of French -Chasseurs d'Afrique was on their left. Lord Raglan, being anxious to -recover the position lost by the Turks, sent the following order in -writing to the Earl of Lucan, who was in chief command of the cavalry: -'The cavalry to advance and take advantage of every opportunity to -recover the heights. They will be supported by infantry, which has -been ordered to advance on two fronts.' Instructions of a similar -purport were sent to the infantry divisions. As some delay occurred -and the object was not accomplished, and, further, as Lord Raglan from -his position on the heights observed that the enemy were removing the -captured guns, he sent a second order, _also in writing_, to Lord -Lucan, by Captain Nolan, as follows: 'Lord Raglan wishes the cavalry -to advance rapidly to the front, follow the enemy, and try to prevent -them carrying away the guns. Troop of Horse Artillery may accompany, -French cavalry on your left. Immediate.' - -[Illustration: BALACLAVA. SCENE OF LIGHT CAVALRY CHARGE, 25th OCTOBER, -1854] - -The fair construction of the above orders would appear to be that the -cavalry were to follow the retreating enemy, and that they were to be -supported by artillery and two divisions of infantry. What followed -is thus related by Lord Lucan himself. 'After carefully reading this -order, I hesitated, and urged the uselessness of such an attack and the -dangers attending it. The aide-de-camp, in a most authoritative tone, -stated that they were Lord Raglan's orders that the cavalry should -attack immediately. I asked, where and what to do, neither enemy nor -guns being in sight? He replied in a most disrespectful but significant -manner, pointing to the further end of the valley: "There, my Lord, -is your enemy; there are your guns." So distinct, in my opinion, was -your written instruction, and so positive and urgent were the orders -delivered by the aide-de-camp, that I felt it was imperative on me to -obey, and I informed Lord Cardigan that he was to advance, and to the -objections he made, and in which I entirely agreed, I replied that the -order was from your Lordship.' - -Such are the main outlines of the circumstances which led to the -celebrated Light Cavalry charge. - -Formed as shown in the diagram, they moved rapidly and steadily -down the plain. They did not attack the enemy behind the Turkish -entrenchments, nor did they attempt to intercept the captured howitzers -which were being withdrawn, but rode straight into the main body of -the Russian army, far away at the other end of the valley. Artillery -opened upon them on either flank and in front, but still they rode -on, and at length passed right through the enemy's guns; but assailed -by artillery, infantry, and cavalry they were at length almost broken -up, and only scattered fragments of each regiment ever came back. -The Chasseurs d'Afrique, who were on the flank of the Light Brigade, -gallantly charged the enemy on the Fedhukine heights, and thus made -an important diversion, in which they suffered severely. The loss of -the cavalry during the day amounted to 40 officers and 353 men killed, -wounded, and missing; and 381 horses killed. - - Formation of Light Brigade - under the Earl of Cardigan. - - 17th. Lancers 13th. Light Dragoons - +-----------+ +------------+ - | | | | - +-----------+ +------------+ - - 11th. Hussars 4th. Light Dragoons - +-----------+ +------------+ - | | | | - +-----------+ +------------+ - - 8th. Hussars - +-----------+ - | | - +-----------+ - -Having been sent a second time to Balaclava with orders and my horse -becoming lame, I was returning leisurely just as the charge took -place, but, owing to the ridge of intervening hills intercepting the -view, was not aware of it. Meeting H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge a few -minutes afterwards at the head of the Guards, he spoke of the sad loss -the army had just sustained; and, seeing that I was ignorant of the -circumstances, went forward a little and pointed down the outer valley, -where small groups could be seen in the distance of men and horses of -the Light Cavalry lying about, and in some cases being attended to by -the Russians. The Duke added: 'The officer who brought the order lies -dead in that ditch.' There, a few yards off, was the body of Captain -Nolan, with a large wound in his chest. In the course of the afternoon -part of Sir George Cathcart's division advanced a short distance, and -re-took one of the outlying forts, in which were found two of the lost -howitzers upset in the half-formed entrenchment. - -Lord Raglan, in his despatch of the Battle of Balaclava, alluding -to the circumstances which led to the Light Cavalry charge, limited -his remarks to the statement that 'from some misconception of the -instruction to advance, the Lieutenant-General considered that he was -bound to attack at all hazards.' The Earl of Lucan, however, took -exception to this description of his action in the matter, and, -persisting in his objections, was ultimately recalled. - -The consequences immediately resulting from the battle of the 25th were -not of a decisive character. The enemy had no doubt achieved a partial -success in getting possession of the outer line of defence, but had -not obtained their main object--the capture of Balaclava. The position -however, was precarious, and two regiments of Highlanders were added to -Sir Colin's force, and a brigade of French infantry were encamped on -the heights in rear. Still Lord Raglan was anxious, and in his despatch -of November 3 says that he should be more satisfied if he could have -occupied the position in considerably greater strength. Greater -anxieties were, however, awaiting him. - -On the afternoon following the battle of Balaclava the Russians came -out in considerable strength from Sebastopol (about 6,000 men and -16 guns) and attacked the right of our position on the heights of -Inkerman, but were vigorously met by the artillery and infantry of the -Guards and Second Division, and were driven back into the city with -a loss of about 600 men. This attempt of the enemy proved to be the -shadow of a coming event. - -During the next few days no incident of special importance occurred, -but the crisis was approaching, and the Russians, having received -large reinforcements, on November 5 made another determined attack -in great force on the right of the English position, which, had it -succeeded, would not only have raised the siege, but would probably -have entailed the abandonment of the Crimea by the allies. Indeed, -although unsuccessful in its main purpose, still the results of the -great battle on that day were by no means insignificant. The allies -were compelled to postpone any idea of assault, and they thus afforded -the enemy time to complete their defences, which enabled the city to -hold out for ten months longer. In connection with this subject there -is another point which deserves consideration. Although probably -fortuitous, still it is a fact that both on landing in the Crimea, and -on taking up ground in front of Sebastopol, the English army occupied -on each occasion the exposed flank, so that at the three successive -battles the brunt of the actions, and consequently the chief losses, -fell upon them. Not only that, but whilst their numbers--owing to -deaths, wounds, and sickness--were constantly and rapidly diminishing, -they had, in addition to their work in the trenches, to guard a very -extended position. General Canrobert, perhaps unduly cautious, did not -feel able at that time to give us any more assistance in the defence of -Balaclava.[9] Lord Raglan himself so informed me at the time. - -As regards the ground at Inkerman on which the great conflict took -place, it did not in itself offer any very inviting facilities to an -enemy's attack. It formed the right-hand corner, as it were, of our -position on the elevated plateau south of the city; and the ascent to -it from Sebastopol and the Chernaya was precipitous, its area being -restricted by the Careening Bay ravine on one side, and by steep slopes -on the other--so that the enemy's columns as they arrived were rather -huddled together, and got in each other's way. - -Todleben wrote: 'Although the nature of the ground rendered this -position a strong one in itself, it was to be considered that the -number of English troops which occupied it was very weak.'[10] - -The general plan was as follows:[11] - -[Illustration: SKETCH TO ILLUSTRATE THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN] - -Two corps of the Russian army under General Dannenberg, computed at -40,000 infantry and 135 guns, were detailed for the attack. One under -Dannenberg and Pauloff was to cross the marsh at the mouth of the -Chernaya, climb the heights, and force the English right; whilst the -other, under Soimonoff, was to leave Sebastopol, near the Malakoff, -and advance up the _left side_ of the Careening Bay ravine. These -arrangements would appear to be simple enough, but as it turned out -they were in a great measure frustrated by a singular mistake. It -appears that General Soimonoff, looking from Sebastopol, imagined -that he was to advance up the _left side_ of the ravine as he saw -it from that point of view, whereas the intention was precisely the -reverse. The intention of General Dannenberg seems clear from the -following short extract from his instructions to Soimonoff, issued the -day before. He says: 'Votre flanc gauche sera parfaitement couvert par -le ravin du Carénage, et la coopération des troupes qui traversent la -Chernaya.' Again he says: 'Un ravin profond et très long, connu sous le -nom de ravin du Carénage, nous sépare, le général Soimonoff et moi, au -commencement de l'attaque.' - -As it was, however, before daybreak on the 5th Soimonoff led his corps -across the ravine, and marched up on the other side, so that when -Pauloff arrived immediately after he found the heights already occupied -and the battle begun. This initial blunder (although we were of course -ignorant of it at the time) hampered the Russians throughout the day; -and the death of Soimonoff early in the action probably rather added to -their confusion. A Russian account quite confirms this view. It says: -'The disadvantage of this false direction was that from the confined -nature of the ground Soimonoff's troops were very much in the way of -Pauloff's columns, and neither the one nor the other could find space -to deploy.' ... 'While the Russians were moving about in columns, the -English were drawn up in a line two deep, and their long-ranging guns -enabled them to inflict mortal wounds on the Russians at a time when -the latter were unable to reach them at all with their firearms.' - -As regards the arrangements of the English previous to the battle, 500 -men of the Second Division and three guns were detailed daily to watch -the ground at Inkerman, and one or two slight earthworks were thrown -up; a picket of the Light Division being also posted in the Careening -Bay ravine, which, however, was captured on the morning of the 5th. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 8: The late Sir George Maude, Crown Equerry.] - -[Footnote 9: See Lord Raglan to the Duke of Newcastle, November 3, -Kinglake's _Inkerman_, p. 45.] - -[Footnote 10: Kinglake's _Inkerman_, p. 56.] - -[Footnote 11: See Kinglake's _Inkerman_, pp. 110 and 498; Dannenberg's -orders to Soimonoff.] - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -BATTLE OF INKERMAN - - -Before giving a slight sketch of the events of this momentous day, it -is necessary to bear in mind that the original numbers of the English -army had become much reduced since their landing, by the casualties -of war and by sickness; that they had also to guard the trenches day -and night, and to be ready to defend the extended position in front -of Balaclava. In short, their numbers were not by any means adequate -to the various and widely detached duties they were called upon to -perform. The consequence was that on the day of Inkerman they had only -8,000 infantry and 36 guns available for the defence of the position. - -It was dark and wet and a thick fog lay on the ground as day dawned -on Sunday, November 5. My servant came into my tent and woke me about -daylight, saying that heavy firing had just commenced not far away. -In a few minutes I was off, but found that Lord Raglan and General -Strangways had already left. On approaching the scene, and riding -through the camp of the Second Division, it was apparent that the enemy -were close at hand. Round shot were bounding along, tents were being -knocked over, horses killed at their pickets, whilst blankets and great -coats were lying about among the brushwood, thrown down, apparently, -as our men had hastily fallen in and hurried to the front. The centre -of our position on the ridge was held by the Second Division under -Pennefather, with the Guards in advance on the right under the Duke of -Cambridge and Bentinck, and one brigade of the Light Division under -Buller on the left--six batteries of artillery being in action in the -intervals. On joining Lord Raglan about 7 A.M. it was evident from the -very heavy fire both of infantry and artillery that the Russian columns -were close upon us, and were indeed forcing our position at various -points. In fact, owing to the rain and thick mist, the troops of both -the opposing forces were in immediate proximity several times during -the day almost before they were aware of it. - -On the extreme right, and in advance, a small sandbag work had been -established and armed with two 18-pounders many days previously, not -with a view to local defence, but to silence some Russian guns on the -other side of the Chernaya which annoyed our camp, and having achieved -the object our guns had been withdrawn. It was in the neighbourhood -of this earthwork that very severe fighting took place, and it was -captured and re-taken several times, the Guards especially sustaining -the brunt of the conflict and suffering great losses. The Russian -account says: 'The battle raged forward, backward, beneath, above, -among bushes and underwood; above all, the sandbag battery on the wing -had been the object of many an attack, until at length General Bentinck -led up his Guards, the _élite_ of the English army. These chosen troops -pressed irresistibly forward to the redoubt, and tore it from the -Russians....' - -In the meantime Sir George Cathcart, with part of the Fourth Division, -arrived to the support of our hardly pressed troops. Conceiving the -extreme right to be the point most open to danger, he was marching in -that direction when he received urgent messages requesting assistance -in the centre and on the left. He accordingly detached the greater -part of his brigade and a battery towards these points, but proceeded -himself, with a small number of men, to reinforce the Guards. The -enemy, in fact, were forcing our line at several places at once. Hardly -had the battery just named got into action and fired a few rounds of -case than it was run into and three of its guns momentarily captured, -the officer commanding (Major Townsend) being killed. Three guns of -Turner's battery were also taken and some of the gunners bayonetted at -their posts; but in both instances the guns were re-taken immediately -afterwards by the 77th and 88th Regiments.[14] - -Sir George Cathcart, under the impression that he could assist the -Guards by a flank movement, moved for some distance down the slopes, -near the sandbag battery, but suddenly found himself surrounded by a -superior force, and fell, shot through the heart; General Torrens, who -was with him, being also severely wounded.[12] - -At about 8 o'clock A.M., Lord Raglan with his staff was moving along -the ridge, and halted about the centre of the line. Perceiving the -advantage he should gain by the fire of heavy guns from such commanding -ground, he sent an order for the two 18-pounders, which were near at -hand at the mill, to be brought up. It so happened that the officers -in charge of them, anticipating his wishes, had already packed the -necessary ammunition in waggons, and were, therefore, ready when his -message came. Colonel Gambier, R.A., in command, was wounded, and had -to retire as they moved up; but under Colonel Collingwood Dickson[13] -and Captain D'Aguilar these guns were speedily brought into action -on the ridge, and rendered excellent service throughout the day. -Prince Menschikoff, in his despatch after the battle, makes special -allusion to the fire of the British heavy guns. There were no less -than seventeen casualties with these two guns, and they fired about 84 -rounds a gun. - -Just before the arrival of the 18-pounders, Lord Raglan, accompanied -by his staff, was on the ridge surveying the position, having General -Strangways on his right. At that moment a shell, supposed to have -been fired at long range from a Russian vessel in the harbour, passed -between them and burst amongst the staff, killing the horses of -Colonels Gordon and Paulet Somerset. These two officers, however, were -unhurt.[14] A few seconds afterwards General Strangways turned round to -me, saying, quite calmly, 'Help me off my horse,' and he was then seen -to be falling. General Estcourt and myself jumped off and caught him as -he fell; and we then found that his left leg had been taken off below -the knee by the shell as it passed between him and Lord Raglan. We laid -him on the ground and I tied my handkerchief round his shattered limb. -The staff moved on a short distance, and I was left with him alone. The -enemy at the time were close upon us. After looking about in vain for -a doctor, or a stretcher to carry him away, I at length saw two men -bearing a wounded comrade, and, when they had deposited him in a tent, -induced them to return with me. A medical officer also arrived. We gave -the General some wine and water from a flask, which temporarily revived -him. He did not seem to suffer pain, gave me many messages to his wife -and daughter, and begged me to take him to the siege train camp, which -was done. Almost his last words were, 'Take me to the gunners, let me -die amongst the gunners.' As we were carrying him off we passed the -body of another officer on a stretcher, and it proved to be that of Sir -George Cathcart. On arrival at the hospital tent, General Strangways -became faint and insensible; it was evident that no operation could be -performed, and soon afterwards he passed away, with wounded gunners -lying round him, Lord Raglan coming to see him just before he died. He -was much beloved and respected by all his officers and men, and his -death at such a critical time was a great misfortune. When General -Strangways fell on the ridge, his horse got away in the confusion, but -was afterwards recovered, and singularly enough, was untouched, not -even the stirrup leather being cut. - -On going up to rejoin Lord Raglan, after the death of Strangways, I met -Sir Edmund Lyons, Captain Drummond, and other naval officers on ponies, -and conducted them, at their request, to the front. Subsequent to the -events just sketched out, from which it will be apparent that our -position was very critical, the battle still continued with unabated -energy for several hours. The arrival of some French battalions and -batteries under Generals Bosquet and Bourbaki, however, gave valuable -support to our sorely pressed troops, and Lord Raglan, in his despatch -of November 8, drew special attention 'to the brilliant conduct of the -allied troops.' 'French and English,' he said, 'vied with each other in -displaying their gallantry and manifesting their zealous devotion to -duty, notwithstanding that they had to contend against an infinitely -superior force, and were exposed for many hours to a very galling -fire....' General Canrobert also joined Lord Raglan on the field, and -was again slightly wounded. I remember his inquiring of me how many -guns we had in action, and I replied: 'thirty-six, in addition to the -two 18-pounders.' - -The Russian account, though not altogether correct, is worth perusal. -It says: 'The battle had now attained its climax. Most of the English -generals were _hors de combat_. The Britons, sadly reduced in numbers -and exhausted by the struggle, defended themselves but faintly. More -and more the fortunes of the day inclined to the Russians. It was -about 11 o'clock when, on a sudden, the shrill tones of horns were -heard above the rolling and rattling of the fire. The third act, the -turning point of the battle, commenced. The French arrived. In the -same proportion as the assurance of their timely aid revived the -sinking spirits of the English, it discouraged the Russians, who felt -themselves at once on the point of being deprived of the fruit of five -hours' hard fighting.' - -About noon I was directed by Lord Raglan to go to General Codrington, -whose brigade was on the other side of the Careening Bay ravine, to -inquire how he was getting on, and whether he required assistance. -Codrington's brigade, be it observed, was on the very ground up which -it had been intended that Soimonoff should advance. I found his troops -lying down, and temporarily out of action. General Codrington informed -me that he had been occasionally attacked by Russian troops coming -suddenly out of the ravine, but that he had driven them back, and that -they were not in great force. As the fog was lifting he invited me -to go with him some distance to the front, to try and gain a better -general view of the Russian position. We did so, and looking across -the ravine to Inkerman were able, for the first time, to see the great -masses of the enemy. Whilst carefully observing their movements, the -Russian batteries were seen to be retreating in _échelon_. Codrington -looked at his watch--it was ten minutes to one. He then desired me to -return forthwith to Lord Raglan and let him know what we had seen. On -delivering the message to the Commander-in-Chief, and saying that the -battle seemed coming to an end, his reply was: 'Yes, I believe so,' -showing that he had already become aware of the commencement of the -retreat. - -Lord Raglan's despatch, speaking of the latter part of the battle, -said: 'Subsequently to this, the battle continued with unabated vigour -and with no positive result, the enemy bringing upon our line, not only -the fire of all their field batteries, but those in front of the works -of the place, and the ship guns, till the afternoon, when the symptoms -of giving way first became apparent; and shortly after, although the -fire did not cease, the retreat became general, and heavy masses were -observed retiring over the bridge of the Chernaya, and ascending the -opposite heights, abandoning on the field of battle 5,000 or 6,000 dead -and wounded, multitudes of the latter having already been carried off -by them.' - -The Russian account says: 'Thus ended the battle, one of the most -sanguinary on record, at 2 o'clock P.M., after lasting eight hours.' -It attributed their defeat partly to the bravery and steadiness of the -English and French troops, partly to the superiority of their arms, -and finally to the wrong direction of Soimonoff. When it is considered -that the English had only 8,000 infantry and 38 guns available for the -defence of the position, and with this small force had to bear the -brunt in all the earlier hours of the battle, it is not necessary to -dwell on the courage and discipline of the officers and men; the facts -speak for themselves. And the quotation I have given from Lord Raglan's -despatch is sufficient proof of the timely support and great gallantry -of our brave allies. - -The English losses were very serious: no less than eight generals and -2,614 officers and men were killed, wounded, or missing.[15] - -The names of the generals are as follows: - - {Sir George Cathcart - Killed {Fox Strangways - {Goldie - - {Sir George Brown - {Adams, died of his wounds - Wounded {Torrens, died of his wounds - {Bentinck - {Buller - -The losses of the Russians are computed to have been between 11,000 -and 12,000. We also captured one gun-carriage and five ammunition -carts, left on the heights. Our allies, the French, lost about 930 -officers and men, killed and wounded. Late at night on the 5th I was -sent for by Lord Raglan, who wished for information as to the supply -of ammunition at Inkerman, in the event of a second attack. H.R.H. -the Duke of Cambridge was with him. I was able to give a satisfactory -statement, and to inform him that Captain Gage, R.A., who had been sent -during the battle down to Balaclava to bring up a large supply, both -for infantry and artillery, had just returned, reporting that the mill, -which was our magazine at the front, was amply stocked. - -It appears that Prince Menschikoff and two Russian Grand Dukes were -present on the field of Inkerman during the day; and that reminds me of -a curious incident which occurred in relation to one of them long years -afterwards. A gunner of the Royal Artillery served throughout the war, -and was wounded, receiving the Victoria Cross for his gallant conduct. -Subsequently he served during the Indian mutiny, and was again wounded. -After he was pensioned I was partially instrumental in obtaining for -him an appointment in the Yeomen of the Guard. Being on one occasion -on duty in one of the corridors of Buckingham Palace (at a State Ball, -if I remember rightly), a foreign officer, who proved to be a Russian -Grand Duke, came up, spoke to him, and examined his decorations. He -asked him about his Victoria Cross, and then, seeing he had the Crimean -medal and clasp for Inkerman, said: 'Were you at that battle?' 'Yes, -sir,' was the reply. 'So was I,' said the Grand Duke. The old Yeoman, -in telling me the story, said he thought he might be so bold, so he -replied to the Grand Duke, 'Well, sir, if you was at Inkerman, I hope -we may never meet again on so unpleasant an occasion.' - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 12: Lord Raglan's despatch, November 8, 1854.] - -[Footnote 13: Now Generals Sir C. Dickson and Sir C. D'Aguilar.] - -[Footnote 14: It is interesting to note that nearly forty years before -this day Lord Raglan and Strangways, then both young men of twenty-six -years of age, had been present at Waterloo, when both were severely -wounded, Lord Raglan losing his right arm. - -The staff present were as follows: Sir John Burgoyne, Generals -Estcourt, Strangways, and Airey; Colonels Steele, Paulet Somerset -and the Hon. A. Gordon; Captains N. Kingscote, Lord Burghersh, Hon. -L. Curzon, Hon. E. Gage, Wetherall, Stopford, Hon. S. Calthorpe, E. -Gordon, and myself.] - -[Footnote 15: Eighty artillery horses were killed.] - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE WINTER OF 1854 - - -Whatever hopes or expectations might have been previously entertained -as to the speedy fall of Sebastopol, the battle of Inkerman, at all -events, utterly and rudely dispelled them. The facts were now plain -enough--nearly 100,000 Russians were on the spot, with an almost -unlimited supply of guns and ammunition to defend their city, whilst -the allies had not much more than half the number of men; and their -siege material was nearly worn out and its ammunition expended. The -fortresses in the Mediterranean might in some degree help us to -replenish our batteries, but there was no hope of efficient operations -being renewed until the allied armies had been largely reinforced, both -with men and material. Months must thus elapse, during which time the -enemy would have leisure to strengthen their armaments and complete -their defences. Thus the first attempt on Sebastopol had failed. -But even these were by no means the worst features of the case. The -allies had open trenches to maintain, and at the same moment a widely -extended frontier to guard from attack. - -It is as well to pause for a moment and to consider the circumstances -of the English army at the time. In the first place the force sent -to the East had been raised with difficulty, was quite inadequate to -the occasion, and was insufficiently provided with commissariat and -transport. Mr. Sidney Herbert, Minister for War, said: 'The army in the -East has been created by discounting the future. Every regiment at home -or within reach, and not forming part of the army, has been robbed to -complete it.' Again, it was entirely devoid of reserves. The House of -Commons Committee of 1855 reported 'that the men sent to reinforce the -army were recruits who had not yet become fit for foreign service. When -the Duke of Newcastle acquainted Lord Raglan that he had 2,000 recruits -to send him, he replied that those last sent were so young and unformed -that they fell victims to disease, and were swept away like flies--he -preferred to wait....' - -We must, however, go further. It will be remembered that the expedition -proceeded to the Crimea at a late season, and after much sickness -at Varna, in obedience to the orders of the Home Government--who -apparently did not foresee the probability of a winter campaign with -open trenches before a half-beleaguered city, and the inevitable -hardships and losses which must ensue. For some time during the winter -of 1854 the English army was diminishing from invaliding and casualties -at the rate of 100 men a day. In short the winter was upon them, and -standing on the bare plateau, with greatly diminished numbers, several -miles from their base, and without proper food, shelter, or clothing, -they must now be prepared to maintain their dangerous position. A -consideration of these circumstances will enable us to form some -idea of the difficult position of Lord Raglan at that time. He had, -moreover, other anxieties pressing upon him--anxieties of divided -councils, and of indecision in his French colleague--who, however brave -as a soldier, allowed himself to be swayed and overborne by incessant -and rash proposals from Paris, and even by subordinates on the spot. -These latter facts were not generally known at the time, and the people -of England were misled; but in proof of them I will shortly enter into -some details, quoting official documents published afterwards. There is -almost always an element of weakness in allied operations, but during -the earlier part of the Crimean War they became more than usually -apparent and mischievous. - -On the death of General Strangways, Colonel Dacres[16] succeeded to -the command of the artillery, and one morning soon after, he waited on -Lord Raglan, who, in his usual good-natured way, asked him how he was -getting on. 'My Lord,' said Dacres, 'when a man has been twenty-one -years a subaltern, he never can get on.' However, his turn came at -last. At the beginning of 1855 he was only a Lieutenant-Colonel, -but before the year was at an end he had been promoted to Colonel, -Brigadier-General, Major-General, and Lieutenant-General, and had -received the Order of the Bath, the Legion of Honour, the Medjidi, and -an Italian order. - -The English army had hardly begun to realise the difficulties and -sufferings it was destined to endure throughout the winter when an -additional misfortune was caused by a terrific gale on November 14, -during which no less than fifteen transports containing clothing, food, -ammunition, forage, and other stores were sunk in the Black Sea. A -large number of tents on the plateau were also blown down, and great -misery ensued. Notwithstanding all our troubles, there were occasional -incidents of an odd and amusing kind, which now and then helped to -enliven us. Among others was one relating to a dead man, who came to -life and appeared at Woolwich. Soon after our arrival before Sebastopol -it was found that many men of the different regiments were unaccounted -for, some having died on the march, others been carried on board ship -sick, and some taken prisoners. Courts of Inquiry were held, and as -regards the artillery the results sent home. Some time afterwards a -letter was received from the Horse Guards that a Gunner Brown, who -was reported as dead, had arrived at Woolwich, and an explanation was -requested. The officer commanding the battery, in reply to the query, -stated to the effect 'that Brown was an old comrade of his, that he had -visited him when he was dying, and attended his funeral; therefore,' -he said, 'I know he is dead, and am surprised to hear of his return to -Woolwich, but am not responsible for his subsequent movements.' - -On December 26 I had the gratification of receiving a note from Lord -Raglan of which the following is a copy: 'December 26, 1854. My dear -Adye,--I have great satisfaction in announcing your promotion to the -rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and that of Captains Fortescue, Gordon, -and Gage to the rank of Major. Captains Paynter,[17] Wodehouse, Maude, -Swinton, D'Aguilar, Brandling, Turner, Anderson, Morris, Hamley, Hoste, -Yates, and Pennycuick have also got a step. A pretty Christmas box for -you all. Pray accept my congratulations, and offer them to Captains -Fortescue, Gordon, and Gage. Yours faithfully, Raglan.' - -The rations served out by the Commissariat during the winter of 1854 -were not very varied or specially inviting, and consisted chiefly -of lumps of salt beef or pork (with occasional fresh meat), ship's -biscuits and rum, but no bread or milk. Luxuries of any kind were -difficult to obtain at Balaclava, and were expensive. A ham cost -two guineas, beer three shillings a bottle, and so on. Our chief -difficulty, however, was fuel. There were several English travellers, -called T.G.'s (travelling gentlemen), who paid the Crimea a visit -during the winter. On one occasion I was asked if I would entertain -one of these travellers at dinner, as the Headquarters' Farm was full -and the accommodation limited, and of course consented. My friend -turned out to be an old gentleman of position and large fortune, but of -delicate health, and was accompanied by a valet. What induced him to -come out at such a time is inexplicable. As my tent was rather larger -than the others, the three or four officers of the Artillery Staff -usually dined together in it. The table was a plank, and the seats -chiefly empty boxes on end. As soon as our friend arrived, dinner was -served, cooked, of course, in a hole in the open air, and consisted of -a lump of salt pork, more or less boiled. It was soon apparent that the -old gentleman was making a wretched effort, and I tried to encourage -him with a glass of rum and some biscuit; but he said he had a poor -appetite, which was evident. Presently he turned round to me and said, -'You won't be offended, will you?' I replied, 'Not in the least. What -is it?' 'Well,' he said, 'I don't mind for myself, but I know my valet -can't eat salt pork; if I were to give him a sovereign, do you think -he could go to some place of refreshment near, and buy some food?' -I assured him that there was nothing better to be had nearer than -Constantinople, which was several hundred miles away. After that he -collapsed, and left for England the next morning. - -The history of the siege for the next few months is a record of -hardships and privations nobly borne. The officers and men of the -naval brigade, the artillery and infantry, who had to take their turn -of duty in the trenches for twenty-four hours at a time, were the -chief sufferers; having to lie in muddy ditches and batteries, without -shelter, with scanty clothing, and very indifferent food. There were -officers and men, however, in all branches of the service who, in spite -of hardships, went through the whole siege and never missed a tour of -duty. In January 1855 the English sick list amounted to 13,000 men. The -country was often deep in snow, and the road to Balaclava became almost -impassable. Four fifths of the artillery horses died. - -Pending the arrival of wooden huts from England several officers dug -holes in the ground, and by means of planks and tarpaulins obtained -rather better shelter than was afforded by a tent. Among others, -Colonel Wood, R.A.,[18] constructed a rough hut of the kind. He -had brought out a French cook, whom he accommodated in the hut, -living himself in a covered cart. On being asked his object in this -arrangement, his reply was that if he could save the life of the cook, -the latter in return would do the same for him by giving him good food, -otherwise both would probably perish. His precaution proved successful. -Warm clothing, in large quantities, was sent out from England, and as -the weather began to hold up in February the condition of the troops -gradually improved. In addition to Government supplies, many persons -in England, deeply affected by the sufferings of the army, sent out -bales of mitts, comforters, flannels, under-garments, and even plum -puddings. Occasionally the distribution was somewhat embarrassing. For -instance, on one occasion, in opening some parcels for the artillery, -we found a warm pair of drawers ticketed, 'For the brave Jones in the -trenches.' Who was the brave Jones? We also sometimes received curious -letters and inquiries about artillerymen, of which the following is -an example:--'To the Right Honourable Colonel, Commanding the 12th -Battalion Royal Artillery, field of Battle, Crimea. Your Honour--Your -Petitioner is extremely anxious to know if James Winch under your -command is still alive, if otherwise, by sword or epidemic.' - -Subsequently to the great battle of November 5 it became evident that -the English army, which was so rapidly diminishing in numbers, could -not adequately guard the positions at Balaclava and on the heights, in -addition to the hard work in the trenches. Consequently, the ridges -and slopes of Inkerman were gradually occupied by a portion of the -French army. The Russians, ever on the alert, came out in February, -and established outworks near the harbour, beyond the Careening Bay -ravine--known subsequently as the 'ouvrages blancs'--and it became -necessary to dislodge them. The duty was undertaken by the French, -and on the night of February 23, after a severe fight, in which -they suffered considerable loss, the position was captured, but was -not held, so that a few days afterwards it was again occupied and -strengthened by the Russians; and it is important to bear in mind -that no further attempt was made to dislodge them until after General -Canrobert had resigned his command at the end of May. In fact, the -Russians, who had received large reinforcements, became more bold and -aggressive daily, and during March commenced and armed a formidable -outwork on the Mamelon, considerably in advance of the Malakoff. Their -night sorties against the trenches of the allies were both vigorous -and frequent, with severe losses on all sides. It is computed that the -Russian army in April amounted to nearly 150,000 men. - -The English batteries during the long severe winter only maintained -a desultory fire on the city, waiting for fresh armaments; and as -ammunition ran short we had frequently to obtain supplies from the navy -for current use. I was sent on many occasions to Admiral Sir Edmund -Lyons in connection with these details. On one occasion, on being shown -into his cabin on board the flagship, he said: 'Colonel Adye, whenever -I see your face it always reminds me of a 68-pounder shot.' I thought -at first he meant that it was too round, or was wanting in expression, -and began to explain that I was not altogether responsible; but he said -it was not that, but whenever I came to see him I always wanted a fresh -supply of 68-pounder shot. My reply was that he had exactly foreseen my -request, and promised if he would meet our wishes they should be safely -delivered the next day into Sebastopol. The argument convinced him, and -he complied at once. - -_Flag of Truce._--The following extract from my journal refers -to rather an interesting event. '23rd of March. Accompanied Lord -Burghersh, A.D.C., with a flag of truce, by order of Lord Raglan. We -first went to the advanced French trenches on the left, near the sea, -hoisted a white flag, and sounded a bugle. In a few minutes firing -ceased on both sides. We stepped over the parapet, advanced about -100 yards, and were met by the enemy's riflemen out of their pits. A -Russian officer on horseback, with two orderlies, galloped out to meet -us, dismounted, and the conversation was then carried on in French. -We handed him some letters, clothes, and money for French and English -officers who had been taken prisoners, also a letter for Madame -Osten-Sacken from Lord Raglan. His letter enclosed one from the mother -of the midshipman (Giffard) who was killed in the fight at Odessa. It -appears that Madame Osten-Sacken had cut off a lock of the poor boy's -hair, and had sent it to his mother, who sent a letter of thanks. We -offered the Russian officer a cigar, which he declined, and we also -asked him a few questions, but his manner was stiff, and he shortly -remounted and rode off. We returned to the trenches; the white flag was -pulled down, and firing re-commenced. The French soldiers were always -cheerful and good-natured in their monotonous duties. Lord Burghersh, -as we passed along through their trenches, heard two of them chatting. -One, looking over the parapet, said to his comrade: "Alphonse, -êtes-vous prêt?" "Oui, mon ami, toujours prêt." "Eh bien! Allons faire -la guerre;" and then they both jumped up and fired away through the -loop-holes at the Russians.' - -During the month of March strenuous efforts were made by the allies to -prepare for a second bombardment, and, fresh armaments having arrived, -it was decided to re-open with nearly 500 guns on April 9. It was, -however, at this period that considerable hesitation and conflicting -opinions became more or less evident at French Head Quarters. It was -understood that the Emperor of the French would shortly arrive and take -the command, and De Bazancourt, in his history of the campaign, states -that General Canrobert received secret instructions which tied his -hands. Their general scope was that the siege should be turned into a -blockade, and a campaign undertaken in the interior of the Crimea.[19] -The French army had about this time received large reinforcements, and -was divided into two corps, one under Bosquet on the extreme right, the -other under General Pélissier (who arrived in March) on the left; the -English holding the centre of the position. The French strength was -estimated at about 80,000 men. Omar Pasha also arrived in April with -20,000 Turkish troops. Great events were therefore anticipated. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 16: The late Field-Marshal Sir Richard Dacres, G.C.B.] - -[Footnote 17: These were all artillery officers.] - -[Footnote 18: The late General Sir David Wood, G.C.B., R.H.A.] - -[Footnote 19: The history of the Crimean campaign by the Baron de -Bazancourt is often incorrect, and sometimes unjust as regards the -British army, and is therefore not altogether to be relied on. But in -his account of the French views and proposals he has more complete -knowledge, and, in fact, usually quotes official documents, and I have -therefore made some quotations from his work, especially as to this -critical juncture.] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -BOMBARDMENT OF APRIL - - -On April 9 the second bombardment, for which such incessant -preparations had been made during the winter, at length commenced, and -was vigorously maintained for the following ten days; and although the -Russians carried out numerous sorties, and were also unceasing each -night in repairing their shattered batteries, still it became evident -that the allies had achieved a virtual mastery and had laid open paths -for a general assault. It was a momentous crisis. As regards the -condition of Sebastopol at that time, Todleben, writing of the Bastion -du Mât, said[20] 'that after having undergone a constant and violent -bombardment, the work was in a desperate plight. Its artillery had been -dismounted, its embrasures and its merlons almost entirely demolished, -and a part of its salient had fallen in,' ... 'that they were -constantly expecting to see the enemy take advantage of the critical -state to which the bastion was reduced, and advance to the assault of -the work.' He adds, that the French might have advanced to the assault -of the bastion with an absolute certainty of success ... and that would -have carried with it the fall of Sebastopol.' ... - -The allied armies were indeed in full expectation of being at length -led to the assault, and the result was almost a foregone conclusion, -but no order was issued and no decisive action taken. The real history -of the case was not known at the time, but the accounts published by -De Bazancourt in 1856, and confirmed long afterwards by Kinglake's -account, have cleared up the mystery. De Bazancourt[21] said: 'La -pensée d'une opération à l'extérieur planait toujours, on le voit, -sur les décisions, et empêchait de tenter contre la place une action -décisive. Les instructions secrètes du général Canrobert lui liaient -les mains, à moins de force majeure.' Again, he quotes a despatch of -Canrobert of April 24 as follows: 'Les officiers généraux des armes -spéciales des deux armées, les chefs de nos deux corps d'armée, ont été -unanimes pour céder dans cette circonstance aux cris de nos soldats -français et anglais, demandant l'assaut. Lord Raglan partage fermement -leur avis. J'ai pensé que mon devoir était de m'y joindre....' It -seems remarkable, considering the unanimity which prevailed amongst -the allied generals, and that the French Commander-in-Chief himself -said he felt it his duty to join them, that no assault took place. -Kinglake,[22] however, by means of French official documents brought to -light after the fall of the Empire, proves that General Canrobert was -in reality held back by instructions from Paris and by the influence -of General Niel, and, in view of the expected arrival of the Emperor, -would not join in a general assault. - -Lord Raglan had apparently been informed of the expected arrival of -the Emperor Napoleon, which he considered ill-advised, but both he and -the English Government were kept for some time in the dark as to the -special instructions which fettered the action of General Canrobert. -Various interviews took place towards the end of April between the two -Commanders-in-Chief, and in my journal I find a remark as follows: 'Met -Lord Raglan out riding; he invited me to dinner, but added: "Canrobert -is coming to a Council of War at half-past six, so we shall be late." -The Council did not break up till ten P.M.' - -Days thus passed away, and the allies were gradually losing the -opportunity for which they had so long waited. In fact, the second -bombardment of Sebastopol failed, from causes, however, very different -from those which prevailed in the first. In October, 1854, our failure -was due to want of power; in April, 1855, it was from want of will. -Events, however, were hurrying on, and the crisis soon came. - -Towards the end of April the Emperor Napoleon[23] relinquished his -intention of coming to the Crimea, but sent out his proposed plan -of an external campaign, to which, however, Lord Raglan strongly -objected.[24] Whilst matters thus drifted, and whilst the batteries of -the allies were again becoming weak and their ammunition exhausted, a -new actor appeared on the scene in the person of General Pélissier, who -was commanding the French _corps d'armée_ on the left. Amongst other -matters, he pointed out to Canrobert in clear and forcible language[25] -that the Russians were establishing counter approaches in his front, -and that he, and those under him, were fully convinced that the enemy's -new position must be taken by a _coup de main_. He concluded: 'S'il -m'était donner de décider, je n'hésiterais pas.' General Canrobert -wavered, but at length accepted the responsibility, and the order for -the attack was given for May 1. In my journal is a record as follows: -'Returned from Balaclava about 10 o'clock P.M. on the 1st of May and -had an interview with Lord Raglan. Lord Stratford was there, when a -message came that a severe battle was going on in front of the French -trenches near the sea. We went off to a post of observation. The scene -was striking. The sky was lit up with constant flashes--shells whizzing -through the air; and amidst the incessant rattle of musketry could be -heard the cheers of the troops as they stormed the works. It lasted -four hours. Canrobert was with us, walking up and down, flourishing his -stick and greatly excited. The result was that the French captured an -outwork, and took eight mortars, and also five officers prisoners.' - -In addition to the many difficulties of Lord Raglan's position at this -time, he was also much worried by receiving a notification that Lord -Panmure was about to abolish the Master-General and Board of Ordnance, -and to absorb their duties in the newly constructed War Department. -Speaking to me one day, he deplored the change, and said that the -Ordnance was one of the most efficient and economical departments of -the State, and that a much greater man than himself, the late Duke of -Wellington, was of the same opinion.[26] - -In the meantime, Lord Raglan, backed by the opinions of Admirals Bruat -and Sir Edmund Lyons, strongly advocated a naval and military force -being sent to Kertch at the entrance to the Sea of Azov, with a view -of cutting the Russian communications and stopping their supplies; and -the expedition, consisting of about 12,000 troops (one-fourth being -English) started at the beginning of May. Hardly had it got out to sea -than General Canrobert received an order by telegraph from Paris to -concentrate all his troops for an external attack, and in consequence -recalled the Kertch expedition, to the dismay, not only of Lord Raglan, -but of the admirals and generals, and indeed of the officers and men of -the allied fleets and armies.[27] Matters were evidently coming to a -deadlock. - -On May 14 Lord Raglan, Canrobert, and Omar Pasha had a long and final -consultation as to the proposal of the Emperor Napoleon, which was -in effect to separate the allied forces into three armies acting -independently--one to blockade Sebastopol, the second to storm the -Mackenzie Heights, and the third to march to the centre of the Crimea. -The scheme was rejected on the broad ground that it would render -each separate force liable to attack and defeat in detail.[28] This -decision brought affairs to a crisis, and on May 16 General Canrobert -telegraphed to the Emperor resigning his command, partly on the plea -of ill health, but chiefly because his recall of the Kertch expedition -and the rejection of the Emperor's scheme had placed him in a false -position.[29] General Canrobert's resignation was accepted, and by his -own wish he resumed command of his old division. - -On May 19 General Pélissier was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the -French army, and the situation was at once completely altered. Writing -to Marshal Vaillant, Minister for War at Paris, he said: 'I have -already seen Lord Raglan, and we are in complete accord; please ask the -Emperor to give me liberty of action indispensable under the actual -conditions of the war, and especially in view of the preservation -of the intimate alliance of the two countries.' Efforts, however, -were still made from Paris to regulate the strategy of the campaign, -but they were virtually disregarded, and General Pélissier, acting -with Lord Raglan, in the course of a few days carried out a series -of important movements which put an end not only to the delays and -disappointments that had so long trammelled the actions of the allies, -but entirely altered the conditions of the campaign. The strength of -the allies towards the end of May was approximately as follows: - - French 100,000 - English 25,000 - Sardinians 15,000 - Turks 45,000 - -_May 18._--Accompanied Lord Raglan and La Marmora round the English -trenches. - -The first movement by Pélissier was a renewed attack on the Russian -counter approaches in front of the French left, on the night of May -23; and as, owing to the desperate nature of the fighting, the object -was not fully accomplished he refused an armistice to bury the dead, -and followed it up the following evening with complete success, and -his troops then entrenched themselves in the captured cemetery. I -accompanied Lord Raglan and Omar Pasha on the second night to the -French post of observation. The losses on both sides were very severe, -being computed at 2,303 on the part of the French, and at 3,081 of the -Russians.[30] - -On May 25 General Canrobert was ordered to take up the line of the -Chernaya, which he accomplished with ease and almost without loss. In -this operation he was assisted by the Sardinians under La Marmora, who -had arrived some days previously. I remember riding in the morning down -to the Chernaya with Lord Raglan and his staff on the occasion. General -Canrobert galloped up to meet him, in the highest spirits, and speaking -in French said: 'My Lord, when I was a great man and Commander-in-Chief -you used to come and visit me, and now when I am only commanding a -division you again come to see me.' Lord Raglan, in reply, expressed -his pleasure that Canrobert had gained so extended a position, and -with such trifling loss. He afterwards joined General La Marmora, and -made a reconnoissance towards Baidar, being altogether ten hours in -the saddle. This movement in advance was of the greatest benefit to -the allies, who, instead of being cooped up in a corner, had now ample -space in a fertile valley, with plenty of grass, fuel, and fresh water -at their disposal. - -On May 24 the expedition to Kertch re-embarked, and sailed the -following day. It consisted of 7,000 French, 3,000 English, and -5,000 Turks, with 5 batteries of artillery, and was attended with -complete success. Kertch and Yenikale were captured without loss, the -Russians retreating, after destroying large depots of supplies, &c. -A considerable number of guns were taken, the Sea of Azov was opened -to our fleets, and the enemy's communications interrupted. Sir Edmund -Lyons reported that in four days the squadron had destroyed 241 vessels -employed in transporting provisions to the Crimea, besides four war -steamers and six million rations of flour and corn.[31] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 20: Kinglake, vii. 192.] - -[Footnote 21: Bazancourt, ii. 239-242.] - -[Footnote 22: Kinglake, vii. 121.] - -[Footnote 23: Kinglake, vii. 245, and De Bazancourt, ii. 266.] - -[Footnote 24: De Bazancourt, ii. 266-274.] - -[Footnote 25: _Ibid._ ii. 252.] - -[Footnote 26: See also Clode's _Military Forces of the Crown_, ii. 237.] - -[Footnote 27: Kinglake, vii. 260-273.] - -[Footnote 28: Kinglake, vii. 287; also De Bazancourt, ii. 273-276.] - -[Footnote 29: _Ibid._ 278.] - -[Footnote 30: Kinglake, viii. 25.] - -[Footnote 31: Lord Raglan's despatch, June 2, 1855.] - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -CAPTURE OF THE MAMELON AND QUARRIES--INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL PÉLISSIER - - -The next combined action of the allied forces took place against the -Mamelon, the _ouvrages blancs_, and the quarries in front of the Redan. -As the capture of these important outworks involved not only a partial -re-armament of the siege batteries and a renewal of their munitions, -but also a careful consideration of engineer arrangements, some short -delay necessarily followed before decisive action could be taken. -Towards the end of May a meeting was arranged to take place at the -French head quarters between the senior artillery and engineer officers -of the two armies, with a view to discuss the various details. As -General Dacres was temporarily absent, owing to illness, and had gone -for a few days to Constantinople, Lord Raglan directed me to accompany -General Harry Jones, the Commanding Engineer. The meeting took place in -a hut, at 6 A.M. To my surprise General Pélissier came in and presided; -and, instead of the conference being limited to officers of the -special arms, the following were present: French Generals Martimprey, -Niel, Bosquet, Trochu, Frossard, Beuret, and Thiry, and one or two -more; General Jones and myself being the only English officers at the -meeting. Major Claremont and Prince Polignac were also in the room, to -act as interpreters if required. - -General Pélissier, in opening the proceedings, said it was decided that -in a few days the French were to attack the Mamelon and other adjacent -positions, whilst the English would seize the quarries in front of the -Redan; and he invited those present to offer any remarks on details. -A plan of Sebastopol was lying on the table for reference. General -Niel began the discussion, stating that on an important occasion like -the present it was necessary to take a general survey of the allied -position and of the trenches, and he would begin with the left attack. -Pélissier stopped him at once, and declined to enter into any such -general considerations, saying that all he wanted was assistance as -to details. He then took a ruler, laid it across the left attack, -and said: 'L'attaque gauche n'existe plus.' General Niel under these -circumstances abstained from taking any further part in the discussion. - -General Bosquet having made a few remarks as to the troops to be -detailed for the assault of the Mamelon, in which the Zouaves were to -occupy a conspicuous place, Pélissier objected to the arrangement, -contending that the Zouaves were not the best troops--'Pourquoi -toujours les Zouaves?' he added. He went on to say that these, however, -were small questions of detail to be settled afterwards. He was -evidently determined to assert his position as Commander-in-Chief, -and told us that there were persons in France of the highest position -(evidently alluding to the Emperor) who read history and studied -campaigns, and then sent him out their ideas as to what should be -done. He told us that he had written respectfully to the Minister -for War that, so long as he commanded the French army in the field, -he declined to carry out any plans except such as were arranged and -concerted between Lord Raglan and himself. A few other officers -offered some observations, and then Pélissier turned to General -Harry Jones. Apparently he had some difficulty in pronouncing his -name, and approximately addressed him as General Hairy-Joze.[32] -The General--who, I found afterwards, was considerably ruffled by -Pélissier's arbitrary language--speaking in somewhat moderate French, -said that when the French were ready to take the Mamelon the British -troops were prepared to storm and capture the quarries in front of the -Redan, and then sat down. Pélissier at once expressed his pleasure at -hearing the statement of General Hairy-Joze. The English, he added, -were evidently waiting for their allies, and with that 'solidité' which -so distinguished them would no doubt succeed in what they undertook. -The day and hour of the attack were known only to Lord Raglan and -himself, but they should not have long to wait. Pélissier ended by -stating that the discussion had been very interesting (no one having -practically spoken except himself), and then he wished us all good -morning. - -Lord Raglan was much interested and amused when he heard of the -interview, saying that had he known General Pélissier would be present -he would have gone himself to listen to his lecture. It was known at -the time that considerable differences existed between Pélissier and -Niel. Years afterwards, in Kinglake's 'History of the Crimea,'[33] he -quotes extracts of letters written at this time by General Niel to the -Emperor Napoleon, and which evidently refer to the conference I have -just described. In one General Niel says: 'At a meeting which took -place yesterday he, General Pélissier, ordered me to be silent with -a harshness not to be characterised.... We were in the presence of -English officers.' Again, he writes to the Minister for War: 'Knowing -nothing of what is going on, I abstain from all reflections. I asked -leave to offer some observations on the state of the siege, and was -told that it was not the time....' - -It must be borne in mind that the active measures which had been -carried out by the allied generals during the latter part of May were -by no means approved of in Paris, so much so that on June 5 Napoleon -telegraphed to Pélissier as follows:[34] 'Je vous donne l'ordre -positif, de ne point vous acharner au siège, avant d'avoir investi la -place.' General Pélissier, however, entirely ignoring the veto, simply -replied that he was in perfect accord with Lord Raglan, and was making -final dispositions for the assault of the white redoubts, the Mamelon, -and the quarries; and adds, that he should commence on the 7th and push -on with the utmost vigour. And so he did. - -A few days later, in writing to Paris, he speaks of himself as being -at the paralysing extremity of an electric wire.[35] Lord Panmure, the -Minister for War, however, about this time informed Lord Raglan that -the English and French Governments had arranged that no orders should -be sent out as to operations, without mutual consent,[36] and it seems -curious that so obvious and common-sense a plan had not been in force -throughout. - -On the afternoon of June 6 the third great bombardment of Sebastopol -commenced. My brother, Captain Mortimer Adye, R.A., was in command of -an advanced battery in the trenches, and, the weather being hot, was -fighting his guns in his shirt sleeves, when a shell from the enemy -burst in the battery, exploding some loose gunpowder which was lying -there, and burned him and two sergeants seriously; in fact, nearly -blew them away. His face, neck, and arms were scorched, blackened, and -blistered, and his flannel shirt smouldering. Some infantry soldiers, -seeing his condition, threw some water over him, and he was then -conveyed to camp; but some weeks elapsed before he was able to resume -his duties. - -The fire of the allied batteries soon obtained a mastery, and the -Mamelon especially was in ruins. Todleben, speaking of the bombardment, -said that more terrific than all else was the fire of the English.[37] -It was arranged that the assault of the Russian advanced works should -take place shortly before sunset, and during the afternoon of the -7th the French columns, in the highest spirits, marched under cover -and unobserved down the ravines in readiness. The signal was given -about half-past six, and the French first attacked and occupied the -_ouvrages blancs_, near the Careening Bay ravine, taking several -hundred prisoners. They then assaulted the Mamelon, took it with great -rapidity and comparative ease, and hoisted their flag on the work; but, -led away by success, they impetuously, and contrary to the intention, -followed the enemy even up to the glacis of the Malakoff. The Russians, -however, came out in great force, and not only drove back the French -columns, but followed them into the Mamelon and recaptured it, the -French retreating down the slopes in disorder and with great loss. It -was a critical moment, but Pélissier was equal to the occasion. Having -large reserves in the adjoining ravine, he at once sent them forward -and for a second time occupied the great outwork; and, darkness coming -on, its entrenchments were turned during the night and the position -firmly held. At the same time, whilst these serious battles were taking -place, the English troops, consisting of part of the Light and Second -Divisions, stormed the quarries in front of the Redan in the most -brilliant manner; and although they were furiously attacked several -times during the night by sorties from the Russian adjacent works, and -suffered great loss, they resisted all efforts to dislodge them, and -the next morning found them firmly established in comparatively close -proximity to the Redan. - -The great energy and activity of the allies during the fortnight since -Pélissier had been in command of the French army and in full accord -with Lord Raglan had thus been attended with important results, not -only on the Chernaya and at Kertch, but also in depriving the enemy of -the outworks in front of the city which they had established during -the previous winter. Within a day or two of the successful actions of -June 7, another meeting took place of the senior artillery and engineer -officers of the two armies, at which I was present with General -Dacres. The subject considered had reference to the arrangements in -the trenches necessary for the further prosecution of the siege. -Opinions rather differed, some considering that in view of the recent -success, and its moral effect on the Russians, a general assault should -speedily follow. Colonel Frossard, a distinguished engineer of the -French army, however, urged that as we were still at a distance of some -hundred yards from the Malakoff and Redan we should continue to advance -cautiously by means of sap and trench as heretofore. He pointed out -that an assault from our present position would involve the carrying of -scaling ladders and woolbags to fill the ditches, for a considerable -distance in the open under heavy fire, and that under all the -circumstances we might be liable to defeat in assaulting prematurely. -General Dacres entirely concurred in the views of Colonel Frossard, and -the event proved that their misgivings were justified. - -Some days passed away, during which time the batteries in the trenches -were augmented and again prepared for a fresh effort, and it was -finally decided that a general assault should be made on the Malakoff -and Redan on June 18, to be preceded by a vigorous bombardment at -daylight for two or three hours, so as to smash and silence the enemy's -batteries and open a road for the attacking columns. It is important, -however, to bear in mind that General Pélissier declined to make a -simultaneous movement against the Bastion du Mât. A heavy fire was -opened at daylight on June 17 from the English and French trenches, -and continued throughout the day. In the evening Lord Raglan sent for -me, and directed orders to be issued at once to all the batteries, -that the renewed bombardment at daylight the next morning was not to -be carried out. I ventured to remark that every preparation had been -made, and that it would not only be a great disappointment to the navy -and artillery, but it seemed to me that a concentrated fire for two or -three hours on the points to be assaulted would produce a great effect. -Lord Raglan replied that he entirely agreed with me, but, he added, it -was useless to argue the question, as he had just received a message -from General Pélissier altering previous arrangements, and saying that -the French columns would attack at daylight.[38] The necessary orders -were, of course, given. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 32: Soon afterwards, when he was knighted, he called him -'Sairey-Joze'! (Sir Harry Jones).] - -[Footnote 33: 'Extracts from French Official Documents,' Kinglake, -viii. 32 and 88.] - -[Footnote 34: Kinglake, viii. 89-90.] - -[Footnote 35: _Ibid._ viii. 129.] - -[Footnote 36: _Ibid._ 236.] - -[Footnote 37: Kinglake, viii. 94.] - -[Footnote 38: See Lord Raglan's despatch, June 19, 1855. Also Kinglake, -viii. 310.] - - - - -CHAPTER X - -BATTLE OF JUNE 18 AND DEATH OF LORD RAGLAN - - -The night of the 17th was passed in concentrating the allied forces -destined for the great assault. Lord Raglan and his staff arrived -in the English trenches shortly before daylight. Two important -circumstances occurred at the very outset, both of bad omen for the -allies. One, that the Russians by some means had become aware of, and -were consequently prepared for, the attack; the other, that one of the -French generals, under a mistaken idea that the signal had been given, -led his troops to the assault prematurely, and before all was ready. -It was, in fact, still dark, when the ground in front of the Malakoff -became suddenly the scene of a terrific conflict, of which for some -time it was not possible to form a judgment, or to forecast the result. - -As the day dawned it soon became apparent that the French were in -difficulties, and were not within the Malakoff. Lord Raglan had always -reserved to himself freedom of action as to the proper moment for -ordering the advance of the English. As he wrote to Lord Panmure -afterwards, he felt that there ought to be some hope of the French -success before committing his troops.[39] However, when he observed -the serious condition of affairs, and that his allies were in dire -conflict and suffering great losses, but were still persisting in their -attack on the dominating position of the Malakoff, he felt that it was -impossible for the English troops to remain inactive, and therefore -gave the requisite signal. Our troops, composed of parts of the Light, -Second and Fourth Divisions, accompanied by a storming party of seamen -carrying scaling ladders and of gunners with means for spiking guns, -jumped from their cover and made straight for the Redan; but the whole -ground was torn and swept with grape and musketry from the enemy's -works, both in front and on the flanks, and our men, gallantly as they -were led and bravely as they advanced, were quite unable to enter the -work. Lord Raglan, when the advance commenced, desired his staff to sit -down in the trench; but he and General Jones, R.E., stood up together, -anxiously watching the event. In the midst of the carnage, General -Jones was struck on the forehead with a glancing grape-shot, and for -a moment as he fell back it was feared the wound was mortal. He was -taken away for medical aid, but in a minute or two suddenly returned -with the blood streaming down his face, being anxious to speak to the -Commander-in-Chief on some point which he deemed important; and it was -with difficulty that he could be induced to have his wound attended to. -It was about this time that Captain William Peel, R.N., who had led -the seamen with the scaling ladders, passed us on his return, wounded, -together with a great many other officers and men. The battle continued -for some time, but at length ended in the failure of the allies at -every point, and Lord Raglan then directed the batteries to re-open -fire, in order to cover the retreat and to hold in check the Russian -forces. - -Soon after the termination of the various attacks, General Hugh -Rose,[40] the British Commissioner at French head quarters, came to -Lord Raglan with a message from General Pélissier, to ascertain his -views on the situation. Lord Raglan said that in his opinion Pélissier -had made two great mistakes--one, in attacking prematurely before a -bombardment and the other that he had not simultaneously assaulted the -Bastion du Mât. 'However,' he added, 'I will go myself and see him,' -and he then left the trenches with General Harry Jones, who in the -meantime had returned, having tied a handkerchief over his forehead, -making light of his wound. The losses during the day were serious. -Of the English--General Sir John Campbell was killed, with many other -officers of rank, and our total casualties were 1,443. The French -suffered far more, their losses amounting to no less than 3,500. In -fact, during the month that General Pélissier had been in command -of the French army it is estimated that their casualties in killed, -wounded, and missing amounted to upwards of 12,000 officers and men. - -The failure of the great assault on Sebastopol on June 18 was -undoubtedly the severest blow which the allies had received since their -landing in the Crimea; and indeed it became difficult to forecast the -future, as the activity, courage, and great resources of the Russians -in men and material apparently rendered the capture of the city a -somewhat remote and uncertain speculation. The British army were, -however, destined in a few days to suffer another great misfortune, -by the death of their beloved Commander-in-Chief on June 28. There is -no doubt that the failure of the attack on Sebastopol, and the great -losses on that eventful morning, had a serious effect upon Lord Raglan, -following, as they did, on the accumulated anxieties of the previous -months; so that his strong constitution at length gave way. Within a -few hours of his death he happened to send for me on some matter of -business, and then complained of illness and of great thirst; but he -made light of it, and I had no idea that his condition was serious, or -that it was destined to be my last interview with one with whom I had -been so closely associated. - -It will be well to consider briefly some of the great events which -had occurred during the period of his command, as illustrative of his -conduct and character during the campaign. In the first place, it -must always be remembered that we entered into a war against a great -Power after a peace in Europe of nearly forty years, when we had with -difficulty collected about 30,000 men for the purpose; and when even -these were inadequately provided with commissariat and transport, and -there were no reserves existent to replace casualties as they arose. -Again, the order to proceed to the Crimea came from home, without any -specific knowledge of the resources and preparations of the Russians; -it was given at a late season, and when the troops were physically -weak; and as the Government did not anticipate a winter campaign, no -provision had been made to meet it. In view of these circumstances -Marshal Saint-Arnaud, as I have shown, hesitated at the last moment. It -is true that he was then very ill--in fact, a dying man--but this must -have added greatly to Lord Raglan's responsibilities at a critical time. - -When the siege of Sebastopol commenced, the failure of the first -bombardment was due in a measure to the weakness of the French siege -train, and to the unfortunate explosion of some of their magazines. -In the three great battles of Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman, the -English lost about 5,000 men, and as the winter came on, and found -the allies with open trenches, it was evident not only that great -sickness and suffering must ensue, but that our numbers and means -were quite inadequate. In short, the English and French Governments -entered into the war apparently under the impression that with a force -of 60,000 men they could crush an empire, and that Sebastopol would -fall by a _coup-de-main_. As regards the events which followed, I have -quoted official documents which prove that General Canrobert, brave -and good soldier as he was, still allowed himself to be constantly -controlled and over-influenced by secret orders from Paris, which -practically set at naught the plans of the allied generals and at -last brought matters to a dead lock; and it is important to bear in -mind also that, steadfast as Lord Raglan was in his opinions, yet so -loyal was he to his colleague, and so magnanimous, that no word in -his public despatches gave a hint of the enormous difficulties caused -by the circumstance I have described. He submitted to great personal -injustice, rather than say or do anything to weaken the _entente -cordiale_ between the two Powers, or to attach blame to others. Again, -when the allies landed in the Crimea their numbers were approximately -equal, but, as the English had no reserves to replenish their rapidly -diminishing ranks, the equality soon disappeared, and early in 1855 the -French forces were at least three times greater than ours; and this -disparity, whilst it gave increased authority to their views, must have -tended to complicate Lord Raglan's position in council. - -There is another point to be noticed--namely, that all the commanders -of the allied armies and fleets, French, Sardinian, and Turkish, -entertained the highest opinion of the ability, high courage, and -character of Lord Raglan. I had good means of knowing, and believe -there was no difference of opinion on the subject. General Canrobert -always expressed these views, and indeed was anxious that Lord Raglan -should be appointed to command all the allied forces. Pélissier, from -the day he assumed command of the French army, was in complete accord -with him, and so stated over and over again. Lord Lyons, I remember -well, after the war told me that it was the proudest boast of his life -that he should have been closely associated with Lord Raglan, during -all the exceptional difficulties and dangers of his position. - -I have recapitulated these points because they were by no means known -to the people of England at the time; in fact, it was not until -years afterwards, on the fall of the Empire, and by the publication -of the French despatches, that many of the circumstances were brought -to light. Finally, Lord Raglan, during all these months of incessant -and harassing anxiety, had to bear a trial even greater than those -I have attempted to describe. The English Press at home, and their -correspondents in the Crimea, day after day continued to criticise his -conduct, and to misrepresent his character in violent and unmeasured -terms; describing him as indifferent, incompetent, and unfit for -command; and attributing to his supposed incapacity and want of -foresight the sufferings of the troops and the delays of the campaign, -whilst during the whole time the facts were all the other way. Having -been closely associated with Lord Raglan, and knowing a good deal of -the circumstances, I feel it a matter of common justice to defend the -memory of a great and distinguished man, the close of whose life was -embittered by the feeling that the Government at home would not defend -him, and that the people, grossly misled as they were, had withdrawn -from him their confidence. One day, not long before his death, in -conversation with him I expressed a hope that he would soon return to -England, and have the opportunity of defending himself against the -unjust attacks of which he was the object, when he replied--smiling, -perhaps, rather bitterly--'Return home? I shall never return home. Why, -I should be stoned to death before I could get to Stanhope Street.' - -But there is a still more important aspect of the case than the -personal one. It is a great injury to the public service that a -Commander-in-Chief in the field, surrounded, as he must be, by constant -difficulties and anxieties, should be thus misjudged by violent and -erroneous statements, and be attacked behind his back at a time when -from absence, want of leisure, and from the nature of his position he -is unable to reply. I must add that in almost every campaign in which I -have borne a part, the same tendency to hasty criticism has been more -or less observable, and always at moments when the people at home, -being naturally anxious, are all the more susceptible and easily misled. - -The death of Lord Raglan tended, no doubt, to diminish the influence -of England in the councils of the war at a critical period of the -campaign, and the _entente cordiale_ between the generals of the -allied armies which his influence and high character had done so much -to maintain, gradually weakened. It was in every sense a calamity. -The appointment, however, of General Simpson as his successor at all -events prevented any divergence of opinion as regarded the immediate -operations against Sebastopol. General Pélissier and himself were -in entire accord that the Malakoff was the dominant feature of the -situation; and although other parts of the enceinte, such as the Great -and Little Redans and the Bastion du Mât, could not be left out of -account, still in the final assault the attacks on these points would -not necessarily lead to the fall of the place, and would, therefore, -be subsidiary diversions, as it were, to the capture of the central -position. In one of his first despatches General Simpson said that -'we were repairing and improving our works, to be in readiness to -co-operate with the French, when their approaches towards the Malakoff -shall be completed.' The opinion given at the beginning of the siege -by Sir John Burgoyne, that 'the great tower was the key of the whole -position,' had at length become the axiom of all.[41] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 39: See Lord Raglan's despatch, June 19, 1855. Also Kinglake, -viii. 161.] - -[Footnote 40: Afterwards Field Marshal Lord Strathnairn.] - -[Footnote 41: General Pélissier, in his despatch of September 11 on the -fall of Sebastopol, specially says that the Malakoff was the key of the -defences, and that the other attacks were subordinate.] - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -BATTLE OF CHERNAYA AND THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL. - - -During the month of July and the early part of August the allies were -occupied in pushing on their trenches, in obtaining fresh armaments and -munitions, and adding to their batteries. About this time I was present -at several interesting councils connected with these preparations, and -partly with the consideration of suggestions from home. In my journal -is a record as follows:-- - -First Conference, August 3, 1855. Present: Generals Pélissier, Simpson, -Niel, Thiry, Barnard, Airey, Sir H. Jones;[42] Colonels Dupuis, -Steele, and Adye. Subject: 'Whether, in case the town should not -fall before the winter, it may not be necessary to raise the siege?' -General Pélissier refused to entertain the idea, and the meeting -broke up unsatisfactorily. The conference took place at the English -head quarters, and during the discussion one of the French generals -having made some remarks as to the great losses daily in the trenches, -General Pélissier turned to him and said, 'Did you ever hear of a war -without losses? We are not here to make war _à la_ Monsieur Cobden!' -After the meeting, in passing through General Simpson's room, Pélissier -took up a book, and asked me what was the inscription on its cover. It -was a Bible, and I told him the words were 'Society for the Promotion -of Christian Knowledge.' He laughed, and said it was a good society, -but whether he was a subscriber I do not know. - -Second Conference, August 5. Present: Artillery and engineer officers -of both armies only. Subject considered: 'A telegraphic despatch from -England, Can the town be destroyed? Can it be taken? What will you do -next?' - -Answer: No amount of fire, both vertical and horizontal, would destroy -the town--that is to say, the forts, docks, basins, and all that give -importance to Sebastopol. - -Answer to second question: This question is one for the -Commanders-in-Chief to decide. The meeting stated the general condition -of the trenches for their information. The third question was also for -the Generals-in-Chief. - -Third Conference, August 7. 'Two hundred mortars being expected from -France and England, can the town be destroyed by this means and an -assault obviated?' - -Answer: No. - -Fourth Conference, August 14. The French state that their batteries on -the Mamelon and Careening Bay are ready to open. Proposed, therefore, -that we open on the 17th all round, and then push forward our -approaches. - -In the meantime, and before the final preparations for the assault of -Sebastopol were quite complete, the Russians determined to make one -more effort to raise the siege by an attack on the position of the -allies on the Chernaya. It was a desperate movement on their part. -In the first place, the Fedhukine heights were held by 18,000 French -troops with 48 guns, and the Sardinians on the hills to their right -near Tchergoum were 9,000 strong with 36 guns, and in rear were 10,000 -Turks in reserve. The heights themselves, which were well adapted -for defence, had been strengthened by entrenchments, and the river -Chernaya, as well as a narrow canal, acted as wet ditches along the -front, and rendered an assault very difficult. It so happened also -that a few days before the battle the allied generals had received -information through spies of the intentions of the enemy, and were -therefore fully prepared. - -On August 12 I was sent to Balaclava to call upon General La Marmora, -who wished that some English guns should be placed at his disposal, -and by his invitation rode with him to the heights occupied by the -Sardinian army, and received his directions as to the position to be -taken up by the battery in the event of an assault. At daylight on -August 16 the Russians advanced with great courage to the attack. -General Pélissier, in his General Order to the French army on the -following day, estimated the forces of the Russians as being 60,000 -strong, with a numerous artillery and considerable masses of cavalry. -Notwithstanding all the obstacles, the enemy succeeded in temporarily -capturing the _tête-du-pont_, and in advancing for a considerable -distance up the heights; but, after five hours' fighting, were -ultimately driven back and defeated all along the line, losing more -than 6,000 men, some of whom were drowned, and leaving 2,200 wounded -and prisoners behind. General Pélissier specially alluded to the good -service rendered by the English heavy battery, which took part in the -action in co-operation with the Sardinians. C troop Horse Artillery was -also present towards the close of the battle. - -On the following day the allies commenced another bombardment, and -in three days alone threw 10,000 shells from mortars into the doomed -city, independently of the fire from the heavy guns. The batteries of -the Malakoff and Redan were reduced to ruins and were almost silent. -The end was approaching. The English artillery at this time, having -been largely reinforced, were about 7,000 strong, and, in addition to -200 pieces of ordnance in the trenches, they had 92 guns horsed and -ready for the field. Under cover of this great bombardment, work in -the trenches was actively carried on, and the French approached close -to the counter scarps of the Malakoff. Their losses, however, were -reckoned at 100 daily. In view of the crisis which was at hand, the -Russians, towards the end of August, constructed a bridge of rafts -across the harbour; an evident symptom of a possible withdrawal of the -garrison and surrender of the city. - -At the beginning of September a final meeting of the French and -English officers of artillery and engineers took place, and a -careful memorandum was then drawn up for the consideration of the -Commanders-in-Chief. After recapitulating the general condition of the -trenches, and pointing out that the French were within twenty-five -yards of the place, they recommended that the whole of the batteries -should re-open at once and maintain a vigorous fire for three days, and -that the assault should then be given without delay; the Malakoff to be -first attacked and captured, and then the Great and Little Redans, and -the works near the Bastion du Mât, so as to divide the Russian forces -as much as possible.[43] - -The end had come at last. On September 5 the bombardment re-commenced, -and the Russians were speedily driven to seek refuge in their numerous -underground shelters, in the midst of crumbling ruins and dismantled -batteries. On the morning of the 8th the troops of the allies marched -quietly down to their allotted positions; and at noon, all being -ready, General Mac Mahon led his division straight to the Malakoff, -and in a few minutes entered it and hoisted the tricolor. This was -the preconcerted signal, and then the other columns also rushed to -the assault. On the extreme right, the French in great force attacked -the Little Redan and works near the harbour, but, after a prolonged -struggle and heavy losses, failed to maintain their ground. The -English troops, composed of parts of the Light and Second Divisions -and accompanied by a ladder and spiking party, advanced on the salient -of the Great Redan, entered the work, and held it for some time. The -interior of the work, however, was swept by the fire of artillery and -infantry in rear, and they were ultimately forced back with great loss. -At the same time, far away on the left, the Bastions Centrale and Du -Mât were stormed by French columns, but also without success--in fact, -the three subordinate assaults on the city all failed. - -Mac Mahon, however, having once gained possession of the redoubt -surrounding the old Malakoff tower, held it in spite of the furious -efforts of the Russians for hours to drive him out. As one cause of the -failure of the subsidiary attacks, it is as well to point out that they -were all open works, swept by batteries and interior entrenchments; -whilst, on the other hand, the ground round the Malakoff had been -converted by the Russians into a closed redoubt which, whilst it may, -at the outset, have added to the difficulties of its capture, still, -when once taken, gave the French under Mac Mahon the advantage of -comparative shelter. - -The losses on all sides were very severe, and were as follows: - - French 7,567 - English 2,271 - Russians 12,913 - ------ - 22,751 - -Thus ended, after a siege of eleven months, the series of battles in -front of Sebastopol. The Russians, aware that their position on the -south side was no longer tenable, during the night set fire to the -city, exploded their magazines, sunk their fleet, and, having withdrawn -the garrison by means of the floating bridge across the harbour, -then destroyed it, leaving their arsenal, docks, and large remaining -supplies of guns and stores in the hands of the allies. As Pélissier -said in his order of the day, 'Le boulevard de la Puissance Russe dans -la Mer Noir n'existe plus.' In the afternoon of the 9th Fort Paul blew -up with a great explosion, and then all was still. What a comfort it -was, after months of incessant anxiety, that the uproar had for a time -ceased, and that there was nothing to do! - -During the next few days we buried the dead, wandered about the -desolate city, took stock of the armaments and reserves, and were -occasionally shelled by the enemy at long range from the north side of -the harbour. One large hospital which I visited presented a dreadful -spectacle. There were hundreds of dead bodies of Russians lying in the -beds; of men who had been wounded before the retreat, and then left at -the last to die unheeded and alone. In a few of the beds were found -wounded men still living! - -With the fall of Sebastopol the Crimean war had virtually reached -its termination, although several months elapsed before this was -recognised. The Emperor of the French still hankered after a campaign -in the interior; but the season was late, and the corner occupied -by the allied armies formed a bad base for operations in the field. -Marshal Pélissier, obstinate and determined as ever, would have none -of it, and wrote to Paris: 'Thank God! it is not difficulties which -frighten me.... But here the situation is not the same. I see the -obstacles, but I do not perceive the success, nor even the hope of it. -I should be perplexed to form a plan of campaign, still more to carry -it out.' In short, the fall of Sebastopol had destroyed the power of -Russia in the Black Sea; and therefore the occupation of the Crimea, -whilst it would entail great losses and considerable risk, would be of -no special value. - -The two allied Commanders-in-Chief, Simpson and Pélissier, were men of -very different character and also of general appearance. The one was a -tall, thin Scotchman; the other a short, stout, thick-set Norman. The -first time they met after the capture of the city, Pélissier rushed -up to the English general and embraced him with great fervour, having -almost to climb up to reach his cheek. The English staff were amused at -this demonstration, and said to Simpson, 'Why General, Pélissier kissed -you!' And his reply, with a strong national dialect, was: 'Well, it was -a great occasion, and I could na' resist him.' - -As there was nothing specially to be done--at all events, until the -English and French Governments had made up what they were pleased to -call their minds as to future operations--I was fortunate enough in -November to obtain a few weeks' leave, and went off to Malta for a -holiday. On arriving at Constantinople I embarked in a small store -steamer, in which there was only one passenger besides myself--a -private soldier on his way to England. So, we talked of the war, and -on my asking who had ordered him home, he replied: 'The Minister for -War, sir.' On my asking why, he said, 'I'm in charge of his brother, -sir.' This seemed rather incomprehensible, so I added, 'Where is his -brother?' 'Sure, he's in the hold, sir.' This bewildered me still more; -but it appeared that the soldier had been present at the funeral of -Colonel the Honourable Lauderdale Maule, who died of cholera at Varna -just before we left in the autumn of 1854, and had been sent to exhume -the body and bring it to England at the request of his brother, Lord -Panmure. - -When I returned to the Crimea at the end of the year, although active -operations were necessarily suspended for the winter, we were busily -occupied in blowing up the docks, forts, and barracks, and in carrying -off the Russian guns out of the arsenal (about 2,000 in number) and -thus completing the destruction of Sebastopol. Preparations were also -being made for a renewal of hostilities in the spring in some other -part of the Russian Empire. But in reality a change was coming over -the scene, and, instead of action, reaction had set in. In the first -place, France was tired of the war. Her finances were exhausted and -her troops anxious to return home. On the other hand, Russia also was -crippled, both as to men and means. England, so tardy at the outset -and so unprepared, was indeed the only Power which apparently had the -will or vigour left to continue the contest. Our troops during the -second winter were well clothed, housed, and fed, and as healthy as -at home; and their numbers were daily increasing. At the beginning of -1856 we had upwards of 50,000 men and 96 field guns in the Crimea, with -considerable reserves both at Malta and in England. The administrative -departments, also, were becoming models of efficiency; and the -transport branch, which hardly existed at the outset, had no less than -28,000 animals collected and ready for the field. - -In the meantime the Turkish contingent had occupied Kertch and Enikale, -at the entrance to the Sea of Azov; and in January 1856 I was sent -by Sir William Codrington (who had succeeded Sir James Simpson as -Commander-in-Chief) on a mission to General Vivian in command of the -troops there. A French officer accompanied me, and we were conveyed -in H.M.S. 'Stromboli,' our instructions being, in the first place, to -make a rapid survey along the coast of the Crimea in order to ascertain -if the Bay of Kaffa, or its neighbourhood, were fortified and held in -strength by the Russians; and, if not, whether it offered facilities -for landing. On arrival at Kertch, we were directed to confer with -General Vivian as to the defences and to inquire whether he desired -reinforcements or assistance of any kind, naval or military, and then -to return forthwith to Sebastopol. The fact was, that information had -been received that Kertch was shortly to be attacked by the Russians in -force, and the Commander-in-Chief was desirous of ascertaining General -Vivian's views on the position. I remember when handing him the letter -from Sir William Codrington, he confirmed the rumour of the expected -attack, and as to holding out said, 'I can tell you at once; I shall -be able to hold out for about five-and-twenty minutes.' He did not, -of course, intend his words to be taken literally, but explained that -in his opinion the place was not tenable against a powerful assault. -Extensive earthworks had been constructed and armed on some of the -heights; but they were commanded by others, and there was an entire -deficiency of water in the outlying forts. However, after remaining a -few days at Kertch, information was received of the probabilities of -peace, and in February the representatives of the allied powers having -met at Paris, towards the end of March an armistice was proclaimed, and -the war came to an end. - -So ended the great Crimea campaign, of which my narrative necessarily -gives but a short and imperfect sketch. To the present generation it is -now a mere matter of history, and few remain of all those who took part -in a contest which, at the time, so deeply affected the people of this -country, and, indeed, of the whole of Europe. The long siege, with its -battles, vicissitudes, and sufferings, forms, however, a remarkable -page in the annals of war. Of my own corps, 13 officers were killed[44] -and 29 wounded. Altogether, no less than 10,508 officers and men of the -Royal Artillery served during the campaign, of whom 1,520 died, either -killed in action or from wounds and sickness. - -Many weeks elapsed before the allied armies had altogether quitted the -Crimea; and in the meantime we wandered about and formed acquaintances -with the Russians, who were always civil and good-natured. At the end -of the harbour of Sebastopol were extensive marshes, filled with frogs, -which kept up an incessant croaking. The French soldiers were in the -habit of catching and eating them in large quantities, but the English -despised such food. It was said that the frogs, after a time, learnt -to distinguish between the two nations, and that when our men appeared -in their _red_ coats the frogs chirped away merrily, but when they saw -soldiers in _red_ trousers approaching, down they went, and remained -perfectly mute till the danger had passed away. _Se non è vero, è ben -trovato._ - -I did not leave the Crimea until June, and then embarked with a battery -of Horse Artillery for home. The weather was beautiful, and, after -passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, we were steaming along -past the Greek Islands when my servant one morning came into the cabin -and said I had better get up. As it was only just daylight I did not -take the hint. Presently, however, he looked in again, repeating his -suggestion. On my asking why he disturbed me at such an early hour, -he replied: 'I beg your pardon, sir, but the ship is on fire!' This -altered the situation; I lost no time in jumping into my clothes, went -on deck, where I perceived smoke coming up through the hatch-ways. -Going on to the bridge I inquired of the captain, who informed me that -the fire was in the powder magazine! It seems that having all the -ammunition boxes and stores of a battery of Horse Artillery on board, -the ordinary magazine was insufficient, and a temporary arrangement had -been made on the lower deck. It is supposed that by some accident a -box of lucifer matches had ignited, and set fire to the whole concern. -Captain Dyneley, R.H.A., with a few men at once went below, and passing -down buckets of water the fire was gradually extinguished, the boxes -hauled up and laid on deck, several of them considerably burnt. It -was a critical half-hour, but nothing could be more quiet and steady -than the conduct of all on board. In the midst of our trouble the -'Charlemagne,' a French line-of-battle ship, came up close to us, -crammed with troops, and offered help. We, however, explained that we -had plenty of men on board, and in a short time we were able to say -that all danger was at an end, and separated with three cheers from -both vessels. That was my last adventure connected with the Crimean -war. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 42: General Dacres was at Constantinople sick.] - -[Footnote 43: General Simpson's despatch of September 9, 1855, -specially alludes to this report, which, he says, was agreed to and -acted on.] - -[Footnote 44: Names of artillery officers killed: Brig.-General -Strangways, Major Townsend; Captains Oldfield, Fitzroy, Childers, Dew, -A. Gordon, and Snow; Lieutenants Cockerell, Walsham, Luce, Mitchell, -and Asst.-Commissary Hayter.] - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE INDIAN MUTINY - - -In the early part of 1857 I was stationed at Cork Harbour in command -of a few men on Spike Island, a period of tranquillity after all the -anxieties of the great Crimean war. The tranquillity, however, was not -destined to last very long. One day towards the end of May I crossed -the harbour to call on a gentleman in the neighbourhood who had just -returned from Cork, and on my asking if there was any news, he said -that a remarkable telegram had been received from India that a native -regiment at Meerut had killed its English officers and was marching on -Delhi. That was the first news of the great Mutiny. It also stated that -the natives in parts of India were passing chew-patties from village -to village. What was a chew-patty? Nobody could tell us. It turned out -to be a sort of pancake; but why the natives should specially pass -round pancakes, and presumably eat them, as a signal of rebellion no -one could explain. Week after week the news became more serious, and -troops of all arms were sent off in large numbers round the Cape. -Towards the end of July, being in London, I received information that -the Duke of Cambridge had appointed me Assistant Adjutant-General of -the batteries of Royal Artillery, then on their voyage; and about the -middle of August I left _viâ_ Egypt. There was, of course, no Suez -canal in those days, and the railway from Alexandria only went as far -as Cairo. - -Generals Dupuis and Windham, and many other officers, were of the -party; and from Cairo we had to cross the desert (about ninety miles) -in uncomfortable carriages like bathing machines. There was no steamer -at Suez, and we were detained a week at that dismal village of the -desert, receiving occasional news that matters were becoming worse -and worse in India. The only hotel was crowded with English officers, -with little to eat and not a drop of water except what was brought in -skins on camels from the Nile, nearly 100 miles away. At last, however, -the 'Bentinck' arrived, carried us slowly down the Red Sea, with the -thermometer at 96 degrees; in a week we were at Aden, thermometer still -rising, and ten days afterwards at Galle. At Madras we heard of the -fall of Delhi, and on October 5 our long voyage in the 'Bentinck' came -to an end, and we steamed up the Hoogly to Calcutta. Several years -afterwards, when inspecting the defences of the river with Sir William -Mansfield, the Commander-in-Chief, we came across the wreck of the -'Bentinck' lying in a field at some distance from shore, and found that -a short time previously she had been caught by a tidal wave called 'a -great bore,' and was thrown up high and dry in the field. In the course -of my career I have occasionally met a great bore, but never to be so -completely stranded as was the case with the old steamer. - -Matters were in a somewhat critical condition on our arrival at -Calcutta, for although the fall of Delhi had given a severe blow to the -mutineers, still we had no force of much strength to take the field; -and the garrison of Lucknow under Outram and Havelock, with many women -and children, were entirely surrounded, mere scraps of intelligence -only arriving from them occasionally. I had several interviews with Sir -Colin Campbell, who was very anxious to collect a sufficient force for -the relief of Lucknow. During October troops of all arms arrived in -quick succession after a three months' voyage round the Cape, but the -great difficulty was transport. The railway extended to Raneegunge, 120 -miles up country, but beyond that point our means only enabled us to -push forward about 100 men a day, either in bullock carts or by march. -Another difficulty was the provision of horses for the artillery. In -fact, the whole of Central India from Delhi to Lucknow was practically -in the possession of the mutineers, who fortunately had no generals -to lead them, and were content for the most part to hover about and -pillage as they could. Slowly, however, as our forces in a long thin -line marched upwards towards Allahabad and Cawnpore, the tide began to -turn, and on October 27 the Commander-in-Chief left Calcutta for the -North. - -The general conditions of the Mutiny campaign formed, indeed, a -striking contrast to those of the Crimean war. In the latter case, -the allied armies--English, French, Sardinian, and Turkish--amounting -to nearly 200,000 men, had been virtually shut up in a corner, and -compelled to fight a series of battles on the same ground, in order -to gain possession of the Russian stronghold. In the present instance -the circumstances were all the other way. A vast continent was in a -great measure over-run, and its munitions and military stores were -temporarily in the hands of a great mutinous army, more or less in -sympathy with the inhabitants; whilst the English troops in small -scattered detachments, often hundreds of miles apart, were fighting a -succession of battles, with their communications precarious, and for -the moment without the power of concentration. - -To a stranger landing in India for the first time, knowing nothing of -the language or the customs of the people, more especially in the -middle of a revolution, there were many minor personal perplexities, -especially about servants. Their very titles were embarrassing. -Bearers, kitmagars, dhobies, durzees, bheesties, chuprassies, -punkah-wallahs, hookahbadars, syces, and others. What were their -duties? That was the point. Because in India, as we soon found, one -man will only do his own mite of work, and scorns the idea of making -himself generally useful. Any attempt to enlarge the sphere of their -duties would lead, so we were told, to loss of caste. There were, of -course, exceptional cases, such as that of the native servant who, on -being asked by a new-comer as to his caste, replied, 'Same caste as -master, drink brandy sahib.' Owing to the great influx of officers from -home, all in a hurry to be off, servants were especially difficult -to find. I was fortunate enough to get an old fellow whose name was -Buktum Hassan to take care of me. He could not speak a word of English, -and slept away his time on a mat outside my door. I believe he was a -bearer, and a Hindoo, but he would not come near me at dinner time. -Subsequently I procured another servant, who condescended to wait on -me at dinner, but I was cautioned not on any account to eat ham in -his presence. Curry and rice he did not object to. Two Sepoys, also, -were appropriated for my service as orderlies. They were tall, dark, -spare men, and all day waited patiently in the corridor in uniform, -strictly buttoned up, with belts and boots. The first evening they said -something, which being interpreted was that they wished to go home: -they then proceeded to take off all their clothes, except a loin cloth, -made them up into a bundle, and leaving them in a corner of my room, -marched happily away. - -The greater portion of the batteries from England having arrived, -General Dupuis and his staff followed the Commander-in-Chief up country -on November 12. The journey to Benares occupied five days, and from -Raneegunge we were conveyed in dawk gharries about eighty miles a day, -passing on the road every few hours detachments of troops of all arms, -hurrying forward, some in bullock carts, some on the march. Portions -of the road, especially near the river Soane, were unsafe from the -vicinity of straggling parties of mutineers, and we had to be protected -occasionally by an escort. - -Remaining a few hours in a bungalow outside Benares, we found time -to pay a hurried visit to this celebrated city. As an instance of -the precarious nature of our long line of communications, it may be -mentioned that although its inhabitants were in a restless, disaffected -condition, the garrison only consisted of a weak company of infantry -and two field guns. On the morning after our arrival I was informed -that 'the elephant was at the door,' in readiness to take us into the -city. It had no howdah, so we climbed up and sat on a large stuffed -mattress. The environs consisted of tombs, temples, ruins, mosques, and -gardens. The streets were crammed with people, and with little Brahminy -bulls wandering about; in some parts the elephant was too wide for the -narrow, tortuous passages, so that we had to dismount and walk. In one -Hindoo temple which we visited, a fanatic, or possibly a lunatic, was -seated in a niche. He was quite naked and covered with dust, but, oddly -enough, had a fuschia flower lying on the top of his shaven head. He -sat perfectly mute and still, and took no apparent notice of anybody, -so that it was impossible to ascertain what object he expected to -accomplish by so sedentary and monotonous an existence. - -We were rather a large party at the hotel bungalow, some being officers -newly arrived and others who had served for years in the country, and -who were very good natured in giving us information. Colonel David -Wood, of the Horse Artillery, was one of the newcomers, and had a habit -occasionally of assuming ignorance on minor points which perhaps was -not always genuine. During dinner he turned gravely to one of the old -Indian officers and said, 'Can you tell me, what is a dhobie?' They -all laughed, and it was explained that a dhobie was a man who washed -your clothes. Wood, still quite grave, said: 'Oh, that accounts for -the difficulty. I told mine to clean my horse, and he refused. I will -discharge him tomorrow.' The old Indian officer, however, assured him -that a dhobie was absolutely necessary. Wood replied that he never -required washing on active service. 'You must surely have your shirts -washed,' was the rejoinder. 'Not at all,' said Wood. 'I always wear a -flannel shirt in the field, and as soon as it gets dirty or worn out I -throw it away and put on another.' - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE BATTLES AT CAWNPORE - - -On November 19 we reached Allahabad, an interesting old fortress -at the junction of the Ganges and Jumna; but important events were -taking place, and we hurried on and reached Cawnpore on the 21st. On -our arrival we found that Sir Colin Campbell, with nearly all the -troops available, had left a few days previously for Lucknow, and -that serious fighting had taken place there on the 16th and 17th; but -the communications were subsequently interrupted by the mutineers in -Oude, and for some days no further information could be obtained as -to the progress of affairs. It was a critical period of the campaign. -As already explained, the garrison of Lucknow, with many women and -children, fifty miles distant, had been entirely shut up and surrounded -by multitudes of mutineers for weeks past, and was running short of -provisions, so that its relief had become a very urgent necessity. On -the other hand, the great bulk of our troops, anxious as they were to -reach the scene, owing to want of means of rapid conveyance, were -still moving up in driblets along the 600 miles of road from Calcutta -to Cawnpore. So that when the Commander-in-Chief had crossed the Ganges -on his adventurous march to Lucknow, he was only able to take with him -about 6,000 infantry and a moderate force of cavalry and artillery. - -But that was not all. Cawnpore, his only base, was in a precarious, -defenceless condition, and when Sir Colin had left and placed Windham -in command of it, there were only 450 infantry remaining for its -protection. The defences of Cawnpore were insignificant. A small -incomplete earthwork had been made on the bank of the river with a view -to protect the bridge of boats, and lying all round it were the ruins -of burnt bungalows and a general scene of confusion and desolation; and -beyond again, at a few hundred yards, stood the large city, composed, -as usual, of a wilderness of narrow tortuous streets, and devoid of -any external defences. So that it was not a favourable position to -hold, even had a considerable force been available. The difficulties -and dangers of the situation were indeed obvious. No sooner had the -Commander-in-Chief crossed the Ganges and marched in one direction, -than the Gwalior contingent--a well trained force which, joined -by other mutineers, amounted to about 25,000 men--with a powerful -artillery of 40 guns, field and heavy, was reported as advancing in -several columns from Calpee forty-six miles distant on the other side. - -The instructions given to General Windham were as follows. The force -at his command for the time was estimated at about 500 men; and the -detachments of troops as they arrived up country were to be sent on to -Sir Colin Campbell at Lucknow. Windham was directed to strengthen the -entrenchment, and also to watch carefully the movements of the Gwalior -contingent; and should it indicate an intention of advancing, he was -to make as great a show as possible by encamping his small detachments -conspicuously outside the city, leaving a guard in the earthwork. If -he should be seriously threatened, he was to communicate with the -Commander-in-Chief as to detaining some of the troops arriving, to -assist in the defence. From a military point of view, it is evident -that, whilst Sir Colin's position was somewhat critical, that of -Windham was far more so. The general, however, lost no time in carrying -out his orders. The entrenchment was extended and strengthened with a -few guns, and its glacis cleared. The troops were encamped outside; but -whether this rather transparent artifice would have much moral effect -on the enemy may be doubted, especially as they had ample means of -obtaining correct information from their friends in Cawnpore. On the -other hand, it was very difficult to procure accurate accounts of the -movements of the Gwalior force. In the absence of cavalry, native spies -were the only resource; but some of these were caught and mutilated -by the enemy; besides which, under the circumstances of the general -disaffection, their fidelity could not in all cases be relied on. - -The duty of obtaining intelligence was entrusted to Captain Bruce, -commonly called 'the intelligent Bruce,' an excellent officer who was -also a magistrate. As all the prisons had been destroyed, the only -punishments available for criminal natives were hanging and flogging, -and in this horrible occupation he was engaged every day. He held his -court in the open air in the yard of a ruined bungalow, surrounded by -the _débris_ of smashed furniture. Amongst others, he captured a native -of rank, a friend of Nana Sahib's, and on threatening him with death, -the native reluctantly gave information which led to the discovery of -about £10,000 in money and a quantity of jewellery, &c., which had -been looted and hidden away. I paid one or two visits to the bungalow, -which had been the scene of the massacre, a few months previously, of -the English women and children by Nana Sahib. The well into which their -bodies were thrown had been filled up and closed; but on the walls of -the house were still remaining some half-obliterated writing and stains -of blood, and in the bushes of the garden, fragments of children's -clothing. - -Events were now hurrying on to a climax. General Windham, a few days -after the departure of Sir Colin, sent a message informing him of the -rapid approach of the Gwalior contingent, and obtained authority to -detain some of the new arrivals, so that by November 26, when the first -battle occurred, he had about 1,700 men and 10 guns drawn by bullocks -at his disposal. But of these, four companies of infantry and a few -artillerymen had to be left on guard in the entrenchments, so that his -movable field force was still very limited. In the meantime, however, -the road to Lucknow became closed, and for several days after November -19 no information whatever was received. On the night of the 23rd a -tiny note, rolled up and concealed in a quill (which was the method -commonly adopted), was brought in by a native from Lucknow. It proved -to be from a commissariat officer, who asked for more provisions at -once, but said he could give no opinion on military matters, except -that they were complicated. The native who brought the note received 50 -rupees (£5). - -On the other side the mutineers from Calpee were now rapidly -approaching in distinct divisions, and had arrived at several villages -within a few miles of Cawnpore, and General Windham felt he could no -longer remain inactive. On the 24th he advanced his camp a few miles -along the Calpee road up to the Ganges canal, which runs across the -country, and when its bridges were guarded it served as a wide wet -ditch along his front. The Gwalior contingent, however, began to assume -the offensive, and spies reported the advance of their main body from -Akbarpore to Suchonlee, and that their leading division was on the -Pandoo river, only three miles from the British camp. At daybreak on -November 26 our men were under arms, and Windham, with ten men of the -9th Lancers and a few sowars, went forward to reconnoitre, and, finding -that the mutineers were on the move, led forward his troops at once to -the attack. His force consisted of about 1,200 men, being detachments -of the 34th, 82nd, 88th, and Rifle Brigade. He also had eight guns, all -drawn by bullocks; four manned by natives from Madras, the others by a -few gunners of the Royal and Bengal Artillery and some Sikhs--a sort of -improvised battery got up for the occasion. The British troops advanced -cheerfully to the attack. When these reached the enemy's position, -which was on the other side of the almost dry bed of the Pandoo river, -the mutineers opened fire from some heavy guns, and poured in several -rounds of grape, as we neared them. Our artillery at once replied. -Nothing, however, could restrain the eagerness of our men, who came on -with a rush, cheering as they went, crossed the river, and captured -the position. The enemy retreated in haste, leaving three guns and -some ammunition waggons in our hands. We followed them for some -distance, and Windham, having halted for a couple of hours to rest -his men, then withdrew, as he had intended, to his original position -outside Cawnpore, taking the captured guns with him. The mutineers were -evidently in considerable strength, and, notwithstanding their defeat, -followed us at a distance as we withdrew. Our loss was rather severe, -considering the rapidity with which the attack had been carried out. -One young officer, Captain Day of the 88th, was killed, being struck by -a round shot and knocked down a well. - -Our total casualties were:-- - - Killed 1 officer 13 men - Wounded 5 officers 73 " - ------------- - 6 86 = 92 - -General Windham on his return at length received the long desired -letter from Lucknow. It was a short note from General Mansfield, chief -of the Staff, saying that all was well and they were coming back at -once to Cawnpore. - -[Illustration: - - Plan of Cawnpore - to illustrate - Battle of 27th. Nov. 1857.] - -November 27 proved to be a very eventful day. Our small field force, -as I have explained, was encamped outside the city, not far from -the point where the great trunk road crossed that from Cawnpore to -Calpee. General Windham naturally hoped that the successful blow he -had delivered on the previous day would at all events so far tend to -discourage the mutineers as to delay their movements and give time -for the return of the Commander-in-Chief. The position, however, was -critical. Whilst desirous of presenting a bold front and of protecting -the city, it was evident not only that our force was insufficient, but -that the right flank towards the Ganges was open to attack and liable -to be turned. At daylight the troops were again under arms, and part of -the 34th and 82nd regiments, with four Madras guns, were detached to -the flank, to watch the road from Bithoor. Two 24-pounder heavy guns on -travelling carriages, each drawn by a string of bullocks and manned by -seamen of the 'Shannon,' under Lieutenant Hay, R.N., were brought out -from the entrenchment to strengthen the position in front. Lieutenant -Hay had a difficult duty to perform. In the first place, his guns were -very heavy for field work; and the draught animals, though obedient -to native drivers, were so timid that if an English soldier or sailor -approached, they at once began to bolt, and became unmanageable. I -remember discussing the matter with him in the morning, and suggested -that in the event of a fight he should, if possible, bring his guns -into action on the high road, as if he were to leave it, and get into -heavy ground and were pressed, he might be in difficulties. He quite -concurred, and during the battle, which lasted all day, he acted -accordingly, and performed excellent service, he himself being twice -wounded.[45] - -About 10 A.M. a cannonade suddenly commenced away on the right, -followed shortly afterwards by a similar demonstration in front. The -mutineers were evidently determined to make a simultaneous attack on -both points, and although for the time they held back their infantry, -their artillery fire was very severe and continuous. Windham, -conceiving that the flank attack might prove the more dangerous of the -two, proceeded there himself in the first instance, but on his return -to the front an hour afterwards, found that matters were becoming -serious. Not only was the fire incessant, but there were indications -that our left as well as our right was threatened--in fact, the enemy -were in great strength (in a semicircle) all round us. The battle -continued for several hours without signs of abatement, our ammunition -was running short, and the bullock drivers began to desert. - -Under these circumstances General Windham directed his troops to fall -back a short distance, until they found a temporary shelter under cover -of some mounds and remains of old brick kilns just outside the city. -It seemed now that the position might be held. Still anxious about -the right flank, late in the afternoon he sent an aide-de-camp to -obtain information, and shortly afterwards directed me to ride through -the streets and ascertain the state of affairs. Whilst threading the -narrow lanes, I suddenly met the aide-de-camp coming back in haste, who -informed me that the mutineers were in possession of the lower parts -of the town and had just fired a volley at him. At this moment Windham -himself joined us. Whilst deliberating on the critical position, two -companies of the Rifle Brigade also appeared on the scene, as if they -had dropped from the clouds. They had been marching all day up the -trunk road, hearing firing in various directions, but unable to find -anyone to give them information. Windham said a few words to them, -and, placing himself at their head, away they went cheering, and soon -cleared the streets of the enemy. It was, however, becoming dusk, and -the general, feeling that it was impossible to remain in the exposed -position outside the city, especially as his troops were exhausted -and the ammunition running short, sent me to General Dupuis, who was -for the moment in command at the front, with orders to withdraw the -whole force and return to the entrenchment on the Ganges, as otherwise -the position might be lost and the bridge of boats destroyed. The -retirement through the streets was conducted without haste and in -good order, and was not interfered with by the enemy. It was rather -remarkable that although so closely hemmed in by the mutineers, they -did not at first take the precaution of cutting the telegraph wires, -so that messages were sent to Lord Canning at Calcutta of the results -of each day's fighting. During the evening General Windham held a -consultation with the senior officers with a view to a night attack on -the mutineers, but in the absence of reliable information as to their -position the idea was relinquished. - -The chief officers of the staff were temporarily accommodated in a -bungalow outside the Fort; and late at night Windham came in and stated -that one of the heavy naval 24-pounders had been upset somewhere in the -streets during our retreat and had been left behind, and he requested -me to go out and if possible recover it, giving me _carte blanche_ to -make any arrangements necessary for the purpose. It was rather like -looking for a needle in a bundle of hay. I went to the entrenchment, -obtained the assistance of some seamen under Midshipman Garvey[46] and -a guard of 50 infantry, and, with a cart containing a triangle-gyn and -the necessary tackle, we prepared to start. Most fortunately at the -last moment we found one of the native bullock drivers, who said he -knew the position of the lost gun, and on a promise of a few rupees -agreed to conduct us to the spot; and so under his friendly guidance we -marched off into the darkness. Our friendly native, however, instead -of entering the city, led us for a considerable distance through its -outskirts, along the banks of the Ganges canal, and some doubts arose -as to whether he was not wilfully misleading and taking us into the -enemy's camp. However, there was nothing for it but to go on, and at -length, becoming very excited, he turned sharply into the town, and -after wandering through some of the narrow lanes, sure enough there -was the gun lying upset against a small shop, with its wheel sunk in -a narrow, deep, perpendicular drain. There were planks lying about, -and indications that the enemy had been trying to extricate it. Small -parties of the infantry were immediately placed at the corners of -the adjacent streets, so as to isolate us from sudden attack. Their -orders were to keep perfectly silent, but should an attempt be made to -force their position they were to fire a volley and charge. As time -was precious, and as mounting a gyn with its tackle, &c., in the dark -would cause delay, it was decided to try and pull the gun out of its -awkward position by main force; and, the seamen having fastened a rope -to the trail and working with a will, the attempt succeeded, and so, -withdrawing the infantry, we marched back to the fort in triumph. The -coolie got his rupees and every man a glass of grog, and thus all ended -well. On returning very late to the bungalow, the staff were all lying -about asleep on the floor in the various rooms. The only one who woke -was Colonel Charles Woodford, of the Rifles, to whom I mentioned our -successful adventure. Poor fellow! he was out at daylight the next -morning, engaged in the severe contest which took place, and was killed -in capturing some guns from the mutineers in the open plain. - -The fighting was incessant. On the morning of the 28th it re-commenced -on both sides of the city simultaneously, and for the third day in -succession. Away on the left in the open plain, near the ruins of -the 'old Dragoon lines,' the Rifles, with part of the 82nd and a -battery, after a hard contested fight drove back the mutineers in -a brilliant manner and captured two 18-pounder guns. On the right, -along the Bithoor road, a second battle was going on at the same time, -and continued all day. Brigadier Carthew, with parts of the 34th -and 82nd regiments and the Madras battery, held a position somewhat -in advance, between the city and the Ganges, and was attacked with -overwhelming numbers, but maintained the position until sunset. Carthew -was supported by a part of the 64th, commanded by Colonel Wilson, who -during the day, in endeavouring to capture some of the enemy's guns, -was killed, together with three of his officers and many men. Our -losses during the three days' fighting were 9 officers killed, and -upwards of 300 officers and men killed and wounded. - -[Illustration: THE GARRISON OF LUCKNOW RETURNING TO CAWNPORE, NOVEMBER -1857] - -I have thus related as shortly and clearly as possible the general -features of the battles round Cawnpore, at the end of November, as -they came under my notice; because, in my opinion, much injustice was -done at the time to General Windham, who was a brave soldier and an -excellent leader, and whose difficulties were by no means understood -and appreciated. General Windham, in anticipation of the return -of Sir Colin Campbell from Lucknow, had sent him several messages, -pointing out the serious nature of the attack on Cawnpore; and on the -evening of the 28th the Commander-in-Chief at length arrived, and -with the chief part of his force encamped on the other side of the -Ganges. What with the women and children, the wounded (amounting in -all to 2,000 people), and the usual accumulations of camp equipage and -stores which are inseparable from an Indian army in the field, his -line of march extended for about twenty miles; and when the strings of -elephants, camels, bullock waggons, palanquins, &c., began to cross the -bridge of boats the following day, the scene was more like the emptying -of Noah's ark than anything else. - -The mutineers, who had now full possession of the city and its suburbs, -brought some heavy guns to bear on the bridge, and struck the boats -several times. However, on November 29 and 30 the whole force crossed -the Ganges from Oude and encamped outside Cawnpore, near the 'old -Dragoon lines.' Although all pressing danger was at an end on the -return of Sir Colin's force, still the Commander-in-Chief had to -proceed with considerable caution. His great anxiety, before assuming -the offensive, was to provide for the safety of the women, children, -and wounded. On December 3 they were sent under convoy down the road -to Allahabad, and the Commander-in-Chief at length was free to act -against the mutineers, who, in the meantime, had harassed the camp by -occasional demonstrations and artillery fire. Although the enemy were -in full possession of Cawnpore, their main position was on the plain -outside, and the Ganges canal between us acted as a wet ditch along -their front. Sir Colin Campbell computed their numbers as about 25,000 -men with 36 guns. - -On the morning of December 6 the British camp was struck, and about -noon the whole force, consisting of 5,000 infantry, 600 cavalry, and -35 guns, advanced across the open to the attack. The cavalry and horse -artillery made a detour to the left, so as to pass over the canal by a -bridge a mile and a half distant, and threaten the enemy's flank. The -brigades of infantry supported by the artillery, advanced steadily in -line across the plain, but were somewhat delayed at the Ganges canal -owing to there being but one bridge within reach. This obstacle and -the necessary crowding once overcome, they rapidly regained their -formation, and, spreading out like a fan, soon drove the enemy back, -and ran into their main camp at 1 P.M., Sir Colin, fine old soldier as -he was, riding in front with his helmet off, cheering on his panting -troops. The mutineers were disorganised, the retreat became a rout, -and they fled in all directions, being pursued by Sir Colin and staff -with the cavalry and horse artillery up to the fourteenth mile-stone -along the Calpee road, every gun and ammunition waggon which had gone -in that direction falling into our hands. Heartily tired, we returned -and bivouacked that night in the plain outside Cawnpore. I could not -help admiring the toughness of old Sir Colin, who rolled himself up in -a blanket, lay down to sleep in a hole in a field, and seemed to enjoy -it. The following day Brigadier-General Hope Grant, with the cavalry -and horse artillery, followed up such of the mutineers as had retreated -by the Bithoor road, caught them just as they were about to cross the -Ganges, capturing the remainder of their guns without any casualties -on our side. That was the end of the Gwalior contingent as a fighting -force. - -The loss of the British troops on the 6th was about 100, and 37 -guns[47] in all were taken, besides quantities of munitions and stores. - -The following is a translation of a Hindostani document issued by the -Gwalior contingent, and found on the field of battle outside Cawnpore: - -'Cawnpore. By order of the great rajah--the leader.[48] May his -shadow never be less. Let all the lords of the manor and the rajahs -of this country know that a dromedary rider, for the purpose of -finding out all about the roads, and defiles, and ferries, is about -to be sent, in consequence of the departure of the Gwalior contingent -towards Cawnpore; that no person is to molest or hurt in any way the -above-mentioned dromedary rider; and let them, in fact, assist him to -the best of their power.... It is written on the 3rd of the month of -Suffer, and it corresponds with 1274 of the year of the Flight.' - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 45: This gallant officer was killed in action two years -subsequently, in the New Zealand war, where he had command of the -'Harrier.'] - -[Footnote 46: This young officer was subsequently killed at Lucknow, in -March 1858.] - -[Footnote 47: Guns captured from the Gwalior contingent-- - - By General Windham, November 26 3 - " " " " 28 2 - Battle of December 6 17 - By Sir Hope Grant 15 - -- - Total 37] - -[Footnote 48: Probably the Nana Sahib.] - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -CAUSES OF THE MUTINY AND POLICY OF LORD CANNING - - -The fall of Delhi in September, the relief of Lucknow in November, and -the severe conflicts round Cawnpore, had shattered, as it were, the -main force of the Mutiny; and although during 1858 active military -measures were carried out in various parts of the country, still in -reality the great crisis was past. The absence on the part of the -natives of any men of military genius to lead them, the want of mutual -confidence amongst their widely dispersed forces, and their tendency -to marauding expeditions rather than to combined operations, all led -to their final defeat in detail. On the other hand, the vigour of our -movements, and the large reserves of men, arms, and munitions brought -from England, at length restored our shaken power, and enabled us -gradually, but firmly, to re-establish our authority throughout the -numerous provinces under our rule. - -Owing to the wide distribution of the large force of artillery which -had arrived from home, it was considered necessary, for administrative -purposes, that General Dupuis and his staff should return to the seat -of Government at Calcutta; and therefore, after the battles at Cawnpore -in November and December, I took no further active part in operations -in the field. Residence in India, however, was full of interest at -that time, when the causes of the revolution, together with the -military changes which ensued, were matters of constant discussion and -consideration. The idea that the serving out of greased cartridges to -the native soldiery was a dominant factor in the crisis is of course a -mere exaggeration of a minor ultimate detail. It may possibly have been -the final exciting cause, in the same way that a lucifer match suddenly -lighted in a powder magazine may lead to a great explosion; but the -causes which conduced to the revolution had been accumulating long -before 1857, and were partly political, partly military; and it will be -interesting to quote briefly the opinions of various statesmen and high -authorities who took part in and studied the history of our conquests, -and who traced the results caused by our gradual absorption of the -kingdoms, principalities, and provinces into which, until our advent, -the vast peninsula of India was divided. - -Sir John Malcolm, in his 'Political History of India,' in 1826, -wrote: 'The great empire which England has established in the East -will be the theme of wonder to succeeding ages. That a small island -in the Atlantic should have conquered and held the vast continent of -India as a subject province, is in itself a fact which can never be -stated without exciting astonishment. But that astonishment will be -increased when it is added that this great conquest was made, not by -the collective force of the nation, but by a company of merchants, -who, originally vested with a charter of exclusive commerce and with -the privilege and right to protect their property by arms, in a few -years actually found themselves called upon to act in the character -of sovereigns over extended dominions before they had ceased to be -the mercantile directors of petty factories.'[49] Sir John goes on -to show that our rapid progress was due in a great measure to two -leading causes: one, that coming originally as unpretending traders, -we disarmed suspicion, and were, indeed, welcomed by the natives; the -other, that the gradual rise of our power was coincident with the -decline of the Mogul empire. - -General Sir Thomas Munro--an officer who entered the Madras service of -the East India Company as a cadet in 1780, and who by his genius and -statesmanlike qualities rose to be Governor of that Presidency--writing -in 1817 to the Governor General on the effects of our policy, said: -'The strength of the British Government enables it to put down every -rebellion, to repel foreign invasion, and to give to its subjects a -degree of protection which those of no native power enjoy. Its laws -and institutions also afford them a security from domestic oppression -unknown in those States; but these advantages are dearly bought. -They are purchased by the sacrifice of independence of national -character, and of whatever renders a people respectable. The natives -of the British provinces may without fear pursue their different -occupations as traders, meerassidars, or husbandmen, and enjoy the -fruits of their labours in tranquillity; but none of them can aspire -to anything beyond this mere animal state of thriving in peace, none -of them can look forward to any share in the legislation, or civil or -military government of their country.'[50] ... 'It is from men who -either hold, or are eligible to hold, public office that natives take -their character; where no such men exist, there can be no energy in -any other class of the community. The effect of this state of things -is observable in all the British provinces, whose inhabitants are -certainly the most abject race in India. No elevation of character can -be expected among men who, in the military line, cannot attain to any -rank above that of subadar, where they are as much below an ensign as -an ensign is below the Commander-in-Chief, and who in the civil line -can hope for nothing beyond some petty judicial or revenue office, in -which they may, by corrupt means, make up for their slender salary. The -consequence, therefore, of the conquest of India by the British arms -would be, in place of raising, to debase the whole people. There is, -perhaps, no example of any conquest in which the natives have been so -completely excluded from all share of the government of their country -as in British India.' - -Again in 1818, in a letter to Lord Hastings, he says: 'Our Government -will always be respected from the influence of our military power, -but it will never be popular while it offers no employment to the -natives that can stimulate the ambition of the better class of them. -Foreign conquerors have treated the natives with violence and often -with great cruelty, but none has treated them with so much scorn as -we; none has stigmatised the whole people as unworthy of trust, as -incapable of honesty, and as fit to be employed only when we cannot do -without them. It seems to be not only ungenerous, but impolitic, to -debase the character of a people fallen under our dominion.' Again in -1824: 'With what grace can we talk of our paternal government if we -exclude them from every important office, and say, as we did till very -lately, that in a country containing 150,000,000 of inhabitants no man -but a European shall be trusted with so much authority as to order -the punishment of a single stroke of a rattan? Such an interdiction -is to pass a sentence of degradation on a whole people for which no -benefit can ever compensate. There is no instance in the world of so -humiliating a sentence having ever been passed upon any nation....' -'The advocates of improvement do not seem to have perceived the great -springs on which it depends; they propose to place no confidence in -the natives, to give them no authority, and to exclude them from -office as much as possible; but they are ardent in their zeal for -enlightening them by the general diffusion of knowledge. No conceit -more wild and absurd than this was ever engendered in the darkest -ages, for what is in every age and every country the great stimulus -to the pursuit of knowledge, but the prospect of fame, or wealth, or -power?' ... 'In proportion as we exclude them, we lose our hold upon -them; and were the exclusion entire we should have their hatred in -place of their attachment, their feeling would be communicated to the -whole population and to the native troops, and would excite a spirit -of discontent too powerful for us to subdue or resist....' 'It would' -(he says) 'certainly be more desirable that we should be expelled from -the country altogether than that the result of our system of government -should be made a debasement of a whole people.' The above are wise and -weighty words, and it would be well perhaps, even in these days, if -more heed were taken of these outspoken opinions of Sir Thomas Munro. - -There is, however, another and more recent authority, greater perhaps -than any; one who, year after year, and not long before the Mutiny, -urged that we should give opportunities to the natives, and enable -them to rise to power, civil and military; and who predicted that -unless this were done our system must collapse, either in a mutiny or -in general despair. That authority is Sir Henry Lawrence, who fell at -his post in the Residency of Lucknow, killed by the mutineers in the -very crisis which he had, as it were, foretold. Writing in 1855[51] -he pointed out that the natives had no outlet for their talents and -ambition as of old, and said: 'These outlets for restlessness and -ability are gone; others are closing. It behoves us therefore now, -more than ever, to give legitimate rewards, and as far as practicable -employment, to the energetic few, to that leaven that is in every -lump--the leaven that may secure our empire, or may disturb, nay even -destroy, it.' Again, he says: 'Legitimate outlets for military energy -and ability in all ranks and even among all classes must be given. -The minds of subadars and resseldars, sepoys and sowars, can no more -with safety be for ever cramped, trammelled, and restricted as at -present than can a twenty-foot embankment restrain the Atlantic. It is -simply a question of time. The question is only whether justice is to -be gracefully conceded or violently seized. Ten or twenty years must -settle the point.' - -Leaving for the moment the political results of our conquests in India, -it will be well now to consider its military aspects; to trace the -formation and services of our native armies, and to watch the signs of -their gradual decline both in efficiency and loyalty; and I will again -give short quotations from the writings of recognised authorities as -conveying clear outlines of this interesting and important subject. - -Sir John Malcolm, writing of our early levies, said: 'A jacket of -English broadcloth made up in the shape of his own dress, the knowledge -of his manual exercise and a few military evolutions, constituted the -original Sepoy.' He goes on to tell us that the only English officers -were a captain and adjutant per battalion; that the native officers -were treated with great kindness and consideration, were often in high -command, and that many of the oldest regiments were known by the names -of their former native commandants. After dwelling on the efficiency -of our original native corps, he points out that their constitution -was gradually changed by the increase of European officers, involving -alterations of dress, more rigid rules, and with so-called -improvements in discipline, until at length in 1796 they were organised -like the king's regiments, with the full complement of officers, and -with the expectation of greatly increased efficiency--an expectation -which was never fulfilled. He wrote in 1826: 'In the native army, as -it is at present constituted, no native can rise to the enjoyment of -any military command.' Again, he says, the danger lies in 'confiding -too exclusively in our European troops and altogether undervaluing and -neglecting our native army. From the day of that fatal error we may -date the downfall of our Eastern empire.' - -Sir John Kaye, in his history of the Mutiny, says[52]: 'Our first Sepoy -levies were raised in the Southern peninsula, where the English and -French powers were contending for the dominant influence in that part -of the country. They were few in number, and at the outset commonly -held in reserve to support our English fighting men. But little by -little they proved that they were worthy to be entrusted with higher -duties; and once trusted they went boldly to the front. Under native -commandants, for the most part Mohammedans or high caste Rajpoot -Hindoos, but disciplined and directed by the English captains, their -pride was flattered and their energies stimulated by the victories they -gained. All the power and all the responsibility, all the honours -and rewards, were not then monopolised by the English captains. Large -bodies of troops were sometimes despatched on hazardous enterprises, -under the independent command of a native leader; and it was not -thought an offence to a European soldier to send him to fight under a -black commandant. That black commandant was then a great man in spite -of his colour. He rode on horseback at the head of his men, and a -mounted staff officer, a native adjutant, carried his commands to the -subadars of the respective companies. And a brave man or a skilful -leader was honoured for his bravery or his skill as much under the -folds of a turban as under a round hat.' Again he writes: 'The founders -of the native army had conceived the idea of a force recruited from -among the people of the country, and commanded for the most part by -men of their own race but of a higher social position.... But it was -the inevitable tendency of our increasing power in India to oust the -native functionary from his seat, or to lift him from his saddle, that -the white man might fix himself there, with all the remarkable tenacity -of his race.... So it happened in due course that the native officers -who had exercised real authority in their battalions, who had enjoyed -opportunities of personal distinction, who had felt an honourable -pride in their position, were pushed aside by an incursion of English -gentlemen who took all the substantive power into their hands. As the -degradation of the native officer was thus accomplished, the whole -character of the Sepoy army was changed. It ceased to be a profession -in which men of high position accustomed to command might satisfy the -aspirations and expend the energies of their lives.... Thenceforth, -therefore, we dug out the materials for our army from the lower strata -of society.' Captain Macan, an officer who had long experience and -knew the Sepoys well, gave evidence before a Parliamentary Committee -in 1832, and declared that 'in all the higher qualifications of -soldiers, in devotedness to the service, cheerfulness under privation, -confidence and attachment to their officers, and unhesitating bravery -in the field, the native soldier is allowed by all the best informed -officers of the service, and by those who have most experience, to have -infinitely deteriorated.' - -The late Rev. Mr. Gleig, in a remarkable article in the 'Edinburgh -Review' in 1853, wrote: 'The original native army consisted chiefly -of infantry, who, though drilled after European fashion, worked both -in peace and war under chiefs connected with the men by ties of -consanguinity and friendship.' He goes on to point out that the English -element gradually increased until 1784, when a European subaltern was -allotted to command each company, and he says: 'Though the subalterns -thus disposed of were carefully selected, and the feelings of the -subadars spared as much as possible, the native gentleman could no -longer disguise from himself or from his men that his shadow was -growing less. He supported himself, however, tolerably well till the -tide which had begun to set in against him acquired greater force. In -1790, and again in 1796, the European element became still stronger, -and then, and not till then, the spirit of the native sank within -him. The effect produced by these changes upon the native officers, -and ultimately upon the service at large, has been deplorable.' Mr. -Gleig's article--written, be it borne in mind, in 1853, shortly before -the Mutiny--concludes as follows: 'We have won an enormous empire with -the sword, which is growing continually larger. We have established -a system of civil administration there which protects the peasant -and disgusts all the classes above him.... With a large body of -discontented gentry everywhere, and whole clusters of native princes -and chiefs interspersed through our dominions, it is idle to say that -the continuance of our sovereignty depends from one day to another on -anything except the army. Now the army is admitted by all competent -judges to be very far in many respects from what it ought to be.' - -The extracts which I have quoted of the opinions of various -authorities all appear to point in the same direction, and to prove -that both in a political and a military sense the various races under -our rule in India were gradually becoming degraded and demoralised, -and that these results were observed years before the crisis came, -and when our power was, for the time, subverted by the general Mutiny -of 1857. Our intentions throughout were doubtless good. We introduced -sound laws for the people, though not perhaps always in accordance -with their customs and prejudices. We also gave them security of life -and property, such as they had not enjoyed for centuries; and to some -extent we promoted education and commerce and more general prosperity. -These benefits are by no means to be ignored. But, on the other hand, -in our advance across the great continent we had dethroned kings, upset -hereditary princes, and had removed from positions of authority not -only men of high rank, great possessions, and ancient lineage, but also -men of vast influence, religious and other, and often of great ability -and courage. These all found themselves pushed aside and superseded; -whilst the various races of people, Hindoo and Mohammedan, not only -perceived that their ancient leaders were gone, but that their new -governors were aliens in race, religion, language, and customs. All -these considerations cannot be carelessly disregarded. The situation -is undoubtedly difficult. There is, indeed, one solution, and one -only, which must ever be kept steadily in view--namely, that men -such as I have indicated must gradually be admitted to positions of -responsibility and power, both civil and military; that the people -of all ranks, classes, and religions may feel that a career is open -to them, and that they are to be allowed to participate in the -government of their own country. I do not urge that the time has by -any means arrived when the natives should be admitted to the public -service by competitive examinations. It is not a system adapted to the -circumstances. That, however, is comparatively a minor detail; but -there are many other and better modes by which they can and ought to be -selected for service under the Government. - -In the ultimate reorganisation of the native armies after the Mutiny, -the number of English officers to each regiment was restricted to six, -so that in some degree the influence of native officers was recognised; -but the restriction did not amount to much, and the apparently -inevitable tendency is to an augmentation of the English element, the -present number being eight. It is also to be observed that there is no -instance of a native regiment commanded and led entirely by officers -of their own race and faith, so that no opening exists for the many -brave and loyal chiefs, men of ability and influence, to serve in the -army. Whether under such circumstances we can hope to maintain the -military virtues of our Indian troops is a grave question on which -opinions differ. Judging by the history of the past, by the views of -the soldiers and statesmen which I have quoted, and by the culminating -experience of the Mutiny, it seems to me that our policy is rather -timid and retrograde, and that we can only govern successfully by -gradually entrusting power to the natural leaders of the people. - -There is yet another consideration, which relates specially to India of -the present day. Education and enlightenment are progressing all over -the country, not only by means of schools and colleges, but also by the -establishment of railways, roads, and river communications, so that the -people now move about freely and exchange ideas to a degree formerly -unknown. Literature and the press, the telegraph and the post office, -are also exercising increasing influence; and these various causes are -somewhat rapidly undermining many ancient prejudices and superstitions. -All these are, doubtless, beneficial influences in themselves, and are -likely to produce great results, but they require watching, as they -inevitably will tend to increase the legitimate desire of the people -for more self-government. We cannot stand still. - -I have heard it said sometimes that such principles as I advocate -would, if carried out, cause to us the loss of the Empire of India; and -my reply is, that if such principles are _not_ carried out, we shall -not only lose India, but shall deserve to do so. Others talk of the -people of India as being composed of inferior races. I am not aware -that God has created any races of men who are inferior; but at all -events in India, we know that centuries ago they were civilised and -distinguished in arts and sciences, in government, and in war--long, -indeed, before we had become so. We hear a great deal nowadays of the -depreciation of the rupee; but in our government of India, unless -we act on the principles which I have endeavoured to illustrate, by -quotations from the writings of statesmen of the highest authority and -experience of India, we may find in the days to come that we have a -far more dangerous result to face, and that is the depreciation in the -character of the millions under our rule. Sir Henry Lawrence wrote: 'We -cannot expect to hold India for ever. Let us so conduct ourselves in -our civil and military relations, as, when the connection ceases, it -may do so not with convulsions, but with mutual esteem and affection; -and that England may then have in India a noble ally, enlightened, and -brought into the scale of nations under her guidance and fostering -care.' - -Finally, before leaving this part of the subject I will quote extracts -from the noble proclamation issued by the Queen in 1858, on the -termination of the Mutiny, and which should ever be considered as the -Magna Charta of the people of India: 'We declare it to be our Royal -will and pleasure, that none be in any wise favoured, none molested or -disquieted, by reason of their religious faith or observances, but that -all shall enjoy the equal and impartial protection of the law.... And -it is further our will that, so far as may be, our subjects of whatever -race or creed be freely and impartially admitted to offices in our -service, the duties of which they may be qualified by their education, -ability, and integrity duly to discharge.' It is often said that India -has been won by the sword, and must be governed by the sword. The first -statement is in a great measure true; but to the second, as laying down -a principle of government, I demur. No nation can be permanently or -successfully governed by the sword. - -As the crisis of the Mutiny gradually passed away, and as the people -of the various provinces, though still violently agitated, began to -realise that the British authority was being firmly re-established, -it became evident to the Viceroy that the time had arrived when the -summary powers which had been exercised, and the severe punishments -which had been inflicted, all over the country, must be modified, and -that a policy of conciliation should gradually replace that of stern -repression. These views of Lord Canning were, however, by no means in -accord with the general sentiments of the European population, and -of the Press of Calcutta at the time, and his policy was strongly -condemned. This feeling on their part is perhaps not altogether -surprising. The terrible scenes which had been enacted in so many -parts of the country on the outbreak of the Mutiny--the cruel murders, -and the atrocious conduct of the natives, not only to men, but to -innocent and defenceless English women and children--all these sad -events had naturally roused feelings of intense anger; and the idea -of conciliation was repugnant to the minds of the great majority. So -much was this the case, that even at the end of 1857 the Europeans of -Calcutta and Bengal sent home a petition to the Queen, urging that, -owing to the weakness of the Government and in disapproval of the views -of the Viceroy, he should be recalled. Lord Canning, however, fully -convinced that a policy of vengeance was not only wrong in principle, -but impossible, was by no means persuaded or moved from his purpose. -Writing to the Queen in September 1858,[53] he said: 'There is a rabid -and indiscriminate vindictiveness abroad, even among those who ought -to set a better example.' Again, to Lord Granville he wrote: 'As long -as I have breath in my body, I will pursue no other policy than that I -have been following.... I will not govern in anger.... Whilst we are -prepared, as the first duty of all, to strike down resistance without -mercy wherever it shows itself, we acknowledge that, resistance over, -deliberate justice and calm patient reason are to resume their sway; -that we are not going, either in anger or from indolence, to punish -wholesale, whether by wholesale hangings and burnings, or by the less -violent, but not one bit less offensive, course of refusing trust and -countenance and favour to a man because he is of a class or a creed.' - -The violent opponents of the Viceroy at the time were in the habit of -calling him 'Clemency Canning' as a term of reproach. They did not seem -to be aware that, under the circumstances, it was the highest honour -they could pay him. In my opinion, Lord Canning proved himself to be a -wise and courageous Viceroy, and in a period of great difficulty and -danger rose superior to the violence of many of those by whom he was -surrounded. - -When the Mutiny was at an end a thanksgiving service was held in -the cathedral at Calcutta, and a special collection made for some -charitable purpose to commemorate its termination. There was at -that time, and probably is now, a peculiar system of collecting -subscriptions at the church services there. It was not the custom to -carry money in your pocket. I asked the reason, and was told that the -climate was too hot. The consequence was that when a collection was -made, the persons who carried round the plates also brought packets of -small pieces of paper and bundles of pencils, and each person had to -write down and sign the amount of their gift. It was a tedious, but -possibly an advantageous, process from a charitable point of view. -The following day the collectors went round and called for the amount -subscribed. On the occasion in question Lord Canning's secretary -informed me that when the collector presented his paper at Government -House, the sum inscribed was so large that, imagining there was an -error, he took it to the Viceroy, who, however, merely remarked that -the occasion was a memorable one, and the amount was paid accordingly. -It was for 10,000 rupees (1,000_l._). I doubt whether many instances -can be given of such a sum having been put into the plate at a church -collection. - -During my residence at Calcutta I became acquainted with an English -official who appeared to possess an extraordinary amount of intuitive -knowledge. Whatever the subject discussed, he was always at home, and -could lay down the law, and did so. It is not, perhaps, agreeable to -find yourself always in a position of ignorance and inferiority. Still, -on the whole, society, it may be presumed, benefits. I inquired of an -old Indian officer what position this exceptional person held. 'Oh!' he -replied, 'that's what in India is called a "sub-janta"--a man who knows -everything better than anyone else--be careful not to contradict him.' -However, I found that you must have been thirty years in the country -and speak all the languages before becoming qualified for the position, -so that, fortunately, there are very few sub-jantas to be found. - -I occasionally received invitations from natives of rank at Calcutta -to be present at family festivities, and the following is a copy of -one of them: 'Wedding Party. Cowar Kallykissen Bahadoor presents his -respectful compliments to Colonel Adye and requests the favour of his -company to a dinner at 7.30 P.M., and a nautch and fireworks at 8.30 -P.M., in honour of his daughter's marriage, on Monday, February 22, at -Rajah Badinath Bahadoor's garden house at Cossipore.' - -On one occasion I paid a visit to the celebrated Chinese Commissioner -Yeh, who was a state prisoner at Calcutta, and lived in a large house -in the environs. He was dressed in loose white Chinese clothes, with -wooden shoes, and was very polite but extremely cautious. We conversed -by means of an interpreter. Nothing would induce Yeh to leave his -house, although a carriage and horses were kept for him. My efforts to -interest him in various subjects entirely failed. I asked if he liked -the Indian climate, and he replied that he had not turned his thoughts -in that direction. I described the bazaars and shops, and recommended -him to go out in his carriage and visit them; but he only said he had -heard about them, and would send his secretary to make a report. He -told me he was much occupied, and on my asking what he did, he replied -that he liked to 'sit down.' He was offered books to be translated -to him, but remarked that the contents of all the best ones were -already in his stomach, so that he did not require them. He died soon -afterwards, presumably of indigestion. - -In the early part of 1859 another serious and untoward event occurred, -in the discontent of the men of the local European forces at many of -the large stations all over the country. Hitherto, in each presidency, -the artillery and three regiments of infantry consisted of men -recruited at home, but who served continuously in India--in fact, a -local European army distinct from the Queen's troops. In the years -gone by, and during the Mutiny, they had performed great services, and -were deservedly held in high esteem. When, however, in 1858 the rule -of the old East India Company came to an end, the great majority of -these men considered that, as the Queen had assumed direct authority -over the local armies, they were entitled either to their discharge, -or, at all events, to a bounty on the transfer of their services to -the Crown. Their claims were referred to England for consideration, but -were ultimately refused by the Home Government; and, as a consequence, -serious disaffection, combined in some cases with violence and a -refusal to perform their duties, ensued. It may perhaps be conceded -that the curt refusal of their claim was not altogether judicious, -but in reality the causes of discontent lay deeper and had been -accumulating for some time. The Commander-in-Chief, who was ill at -Simla, was much impressed with this unfortunate state of affairs, and -was in frequent communication with Lord Canning at Calcutta. Writing in -May 1859, he said:[54] 'I am irresistibly led to the conclusion that -henceforth it will be dangerous to the State to maintain a European -local army.... We cannot afford to attend to any other consideration -than those of discipline and loyalty, which may be constantly -renovated by the periodical return to England of all the regiments in -every branch of the service.' The Viceroy was much pressed by some -authorities at the time to grant the bounty, notwithstanding the -refusal of the Home Government; but to have done so and to have given -way to violence would have been a virtual abnegation of authority, and -would not in reality have removed the disaffection. In this dilemma, -Lord Canning at length gave a free discharge and passage home to all -who wished it, and about 10,000 men then left for England. The cost is -said to have been a million sterling. Many of these men, after a short -holiday at home, re-enlisted in various Queen's regiments and returned -to India. The general result, however, was that ere long the local -European troops ceased to exist as a separate force, and became merged -in the army of the Empire. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 49: _Political History of India_, Major General Sir John -Malcolm, K.C.B. (John Murray, 1826.)] - -[Footnote 50: Gleig's _Life of Sir Thomas Munro, Bart, K.C.B._] - -[Footnote 51: _Essays_, by Sir Henry Lawrence, 1859.] - -[Footnote 52: Kaye's _Sepoy War_, 1865, vol. i.] - -[Footnote 53: _Rulers of India: Earl Canning_, by Sir H.S. Cunningham, -K.C.S.I.] - -[Footnote 54: Shadwell, _Life of Lord Clyde_, ii. 419.] - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY - - -In May 1859 I left Calcutta, having been appointed to command the Royal -Artillery in the Madras Presidency. Speaking generally, the affairs, -both civil and military, of Southern India had remained for many years -in a condition of comparative inaction and tranquillity. Indeed, ever -since the great campaigns towards the close of the last century, ending -with the fall of Seringapatam and the death of Tippoo Sahib, the tide -of war had drifted away to the north-west, and the Madras army had thus -been deprived of much active experience in the field. Fortunately, -even the Mutiny had failed to entangle the southern native troops in -its disastrous meshes. As a term, perhaps, of undeserved reproach, -Madras was often called the benighted presidency. Shortly before my -arrival a new Governor, Sir Charles Trevelyan had been appointed, and -being a man of great energy and ability, soon succeeded in temporarily -galvanising the administration into unwonted life and activity. His -somewhat abnormal qualities were not, however, generally appreciated. -One of his first efforts was to improve the sanitary condition of the -large native city, which stretches for a mile or two along the flat, -sandy, surf-beaten shore. During the latter years of the last century -the city had been enclosed on its land front with a series of old -bastions and curtains and a continuous stagnant ditch--works which were -intended as a defence against the hordes of Mahrattas and Pindarees who -were then in the habit of swooping down on our cities and settlements. -But these hostile races had long ceased their swoopings and lootings, -and the decaying fortifications were not only obsolete, but by their -existence prevented a due circulation of light and air, and were highly -insanitary. Sir Charles accordingly decided on their entire removal, -and the conversion of the vacant space and of the ancient glacis into -a People's Park. The idea was received with considerable scorn. Few -people in Madras had ever heard of people's parks in those days. I, -however, had the satisfaction of being present at the destruction by -successive explosions of the old, useless bastions, and in my opinion -the Governor conferred a great benefit on the city by his enlightened -policy. More serious events, however, soon followed. - -When the Mutiny came to an end, its financial bearings and the enormous -expenditure incurred, not only on account of the large reinforcements -from home, but also in the arrangements which had been necessary -for the due prosecution of active operations all over the country, -pressed heavily on the Government of India; and it became an urgent -duty to meet the financial deficit, which amounted to several millions -sterling. Amongst other measures it was decided to introduce an income -tax. Sir Charles Trevelyan, backed by his council, protested against -such a policy. In his opinion, an income tax, in the condition of the -native feeling, was likely to revive dangerous discontent; further -than this, he argued in successive despatches to Calcutta that, as -the Mutiny was over, the proper way of meeting the deficit was by -a reduction not only of the English reinforcements, but also by -disbanding many of the new native regiments which had been hastily and -temporarily raised during the crisis. Finding that his remonstrances -were in vain, he at length published the entire correspondence in one -of the Madras daily journals. As Governor of a presidency containing -fifty millions of people, he considered it his duty that his views -should be made public. The result was that in a few days he received a -message by telegraph from Sir Charles Wood, the then Secretary of State -for India, announcing his recall. Whether the Governor acted with due -discretion in the measure he took to ensure publicity for his views, -may be questioned; but, in my opinion, he was perfectly right in his -main principle that, the crisis being over, the financial equilibrium -could best be attained, not by unusual and obnoxious taxation, but by a -reduction of the enormous military expenditure, the necessity for which -had passed away, and which was eating up the resources of our empire in -the East. His recall was a public misfortune. - -Soon after my arrival in Madras I made the acquaintance of an old -colonel, who had served many years in the country and was an excellent -officer, but who, owing to absence of mind or partial loss of memory, -had great difficulty in correctly remembering people's names. For -instance, one morning he came into the club, and told us that he had -just met Sir John Trelawney taking a walk in the park. As there was no -one of that name in Madras we were rather puzzled, but on inquiry found -he alluded to the Governor, Sir Charles Trevelyan. That was harmless -enough, but on another occasion he fell into a more serious error. It -occurred in the Neilgherries. There was a lady residing there, a Mrs. -Coffin, the wife of a general officer. It is the fashion up in the -hills for ladies to be carried about by coolies in a sort of sedan -chair, called a tonjon. One afternoon, the general's wife was paying -a visit to a neighbour, where she met the colonel, and on her rising -to take leave the old officer jumped up, and, meaning to be extremely -polite, said, 'Mrs. Tonjon, allow me to hand you to your coffin!' - -Military service in the tropical climate of the Madras Presidency in -time of peace, and with the thermometer never below 80 degrees, is -not an exhilarating experience. There were no railways to speak of -in those days, and no bridges over the rivers, so that during tours -of inspection I had constantly to pass many weary days and nights in -travelling hundreds of miles, along bad roads, over dusty plains, in -what is called a bullock bandy, at the rate of two miles an hour, not -including accidents, and probably without meeting a single Englishman. -On one occasion, I went from Madras northwards by steamer along the -coast to Masulipatam, on my way to the Deccan, and found the tomb of an -old Dutch admiral, the inscription on it being as follows: - - HIER LEYT BEGRA VEN DEN. E. JACOB DEDEL - -[Illustration] - - IN SYN LEVEN RAET VAN IN DIEN ENDE OPPER HOOFT TE WATER ENDE TE LANDE - OVER DE NEDER LANTSE NEGOTIE DE SER CUST CORMANDEL. OVER LEDEN. DEN. - 29. AUGUSTY ANNO. 1624. - -(Here lies buried E. Jacob Dedel, in his lifetime Councillor of the -Indies, and Commander-in-Chief on sea and land, over the Dutch Company -of the Coromandel Coast. Died, 29th August, 1624.) - -During 1862 I was in command of the artillery at Secunderabad, a large -station near Hyderabad in the Deccan, the latter city being supposed -to contain a somewhat turbulent dangerous population, but who in -reality gave no trouble. The monotony of life was occasionally varied -by hunting wild animals in the hills and jungles. Although a very bad -shot, I took part in the sport on two special occasions. The one was -in pursuit of a bear, and the other of a tiger. In the first case -we rode by night to some distant hills, and were posted in the dark -behind rocks by the shikarree; and, being a novice, I was given the -place of honour, the native kindly remaining at my side, and explaining -that the cave of the bears was just above and behind me, and that at -daylight I should find several coming straight up the hill on their -way home. Sure enough, as day dawned, two large black objects appeared -leisurely crossing the plain, snuffing about, as they slouched along, -and presently they began the ascent. The critical moment had arrived, -and, on a signal from the shikarree, I fired, and the bears immediately -bolted. The shikarree threw up his hands, and, much disappointed, -said that my shot had missed. It was not so, however, for on going -to the spot we discovered traces of blood, and were able to track -the wounded animal up the hill to his home--a dark, narrow, steep -cleft in the rock. Here a consultation was held, and it was decided -by the experts that we must follow up the track, and enter the den. -A procession was formed accordingly. First came a coolie with a long -lighted torch, which he waved about and pushed into the crevices; then -I followed, crawling on all fours with a gun on full-cock ready for all -emergencies. Two or three companions came on similarly prepared. All at -once we heard a scream and a rush, and I was about to fire at anybody -or anything, and should probably have killed the coolie, when it turned -out to be merely a bat fluttering against the lighted torch. The smell -of bears, bats, rats, and other creatures was horrible. Still we -struggled on, until the narrow tortuous passage gradually ramified into -large fissures, and we then discovered that the bear had passed out of -its home by another opening, and so escaped. The adventure ended, and -we were glad to crawl back into the open air again. - -The other expedition was also exciting in its way. In hunting tigers -in Bengal it is the custom to be seated in a howdah on the back of an -elephant, so as to stamp through the jungle and shoot the animals from -a commanding position in comparative safety. In Madras, however, it -is considered fairer to advance on foot, on the principle, I presume, -of giving both sides a chance. One afternoon we were again conducted -by the shikarree to a distant hill, and on an elevated plateau were -all posted in a large semicircle, each hidden behind a rock, and in -the centre a young kid was tied to a stone. The expectation was that -the tiger would come to eat the kid, and then we were all to fire and -kill the tiger. As this was my first experience, I inquired, with some -interest, whether possibly the animal might not approach from behind, -and begin to eat me instead of the kid. The suggestion, however, was -scouted, and I was assured that it would much prefer the latter. So we -took up our positions, and remained on watch. After a time the young -goat, finding the entertainment dull, laid down and tried to go to -sleep; but the shikarree advanced and with a knife cut a small slit in -its ear, which made it bleat piteously; and this, it was hoped, would -afford an additional attraction. Again we waited, and I could not -refrain from occasionally looking over my shoulder, to assure myself -that the expected wild beast was not surreptitiously altering the -programme. It was getting dark when a breathless coolie arriving from -a distant hill, brought the news that the tiger was asleep in a cave a -long way off; so the kid escaped, and we all went home. I thought the -sequel rather flat. - -Society at Secunderabad was occasionally enlivened by amateur -theatricals in the assembly rooms, and, being fond of painting, I was -induced on one occasion to produce a drop-scene for the stage. One -afternoon I was seated accordingly, in some old clothes, on the top -of a step-ladder, with a large brush and a bucketful of sky-blue, -attempting to produce some lovely cloud effects, when a private soldier -of the 18th Royal Irish strolled in smoking his pipe. After admiring -the scenery for some time, and evidently taking me for a professional, -he remarked: 'I say, guv'nor, is that a good business out here?' My -reply was, 'No, it isn't a very permanent affair, but I like it.' Then -he went on, 'I think I've seed you afore' (which was probable). 'Was -you ever engaged at the Surrey in London?' I said that I had been at -that theatre, but had never been engaged. 'Well, then, I _have_ seed -you afore,' he continued; 'you was acting the part of Belphegor.' -What play he was alluding to I had no idea, or who Belphegor was, but -unfortunately at that moment a brother officer casually looked in and -said, 'Well, Colonel, how are you getting on?' The soldier at once took -in the situation, stood up, saluted, and saying, 'I'm thinking I'm in -the presence of my sup_a_riors,' faced about and left the room. The -drop-scene was finished, and was considered a great success. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -RETURN TO BENGAL--AMALGAMATION OF THE ARTILLERY REGIMENTS - - -Towards the end of 1862 I left the Deccan on a pleasant visit to -Sir William Denison, then Governor of Madras, and in February 1863, -having served upwards of five years in India, was on the eve of -embarkation for England when a telegram came from Sir Hugh Rose, -Commander-in-Chief, inviting me to return to Bengal to become -Adjutant-General of all the artillery in India. My plans were therefore -entirely altered, and I embarked for Calcutta instead of England, and, -after a long journey up to Meerut, joined Sir Hugh, and went with him -to Simla in the Himalayas. - -At this time great changes had become necessary in the army in India in -consequence of the Mutiny of 1857, and of the subsequent discontent of -the local European forces in 1859. In fact, the whole administration, -both civil and military, was undergoing revision and reform. The -direct assumption of the government of India by the Crown, and the -disappearance of the old East India Company, though a beneficial -change in itself, still naturally caused some confusion and revived -old controversies. Hitherto there had been two armies in the country, -serving side by side, with two separate staffs, with somewhat different -sentiments, and not devoid of feelings of jealousy. The artillery -were specially affected by the contemplated changes. Although in the -early days of the East India Company a battery or two from England -had occasionally served in India, still they were exceptions, and -for many years each presidency had maintained a regiment of its own, -partly English, partly native; and as we gradually conquered one -province after another, they took part in many campaigns, performing -distinguished services, and were deservedly held in high esteem. -Therefore, when it became evident that unity of administration must be -introduced as regards our military forces, and when, in the autumn of -1862, the three regiments of Indian artillery were incorporated with -the Royal--losing, as it were, their separate individuality--it was -only natural that the officers and men of all the four corps should -have felt some regret at an arrangement which, however necessary it -might be, was not in accord with old feelings and sentiments. All -organised bodies may be said to be conservative, in so far that they -dislike change. - -The foregoing remarks may be sufficient to indicate the general -conditions of the artillery problem when I was invited to become the -chief staff officer, and to carry out the amalgamation. There were not -only sentimental feelings and differences to be considered, but the -systems of training, discipline, and even the _matériel_, were all to -some extent different. Still, all these were comparatively minor and -transient questions; and I fully recognised in the first place that -whilst the batteries of old Royal Artillery would benefit by the wide -experience of service in India--from which, previous to the Mutiny, -they had been debarred--those of the local regiments would, on the -other hand, benefit even more largely by periodical return to England, -especially in these days of constant change and progress in the science -of artillery. It was with these views that I entered on the somewhat -difficult task of producing unity of system and of feeling in the -hundred and four batteries which at that time were serving in India. -Sir Hugh Rose, the Commander-in-Chief in India, and H.R.H. the Duke of -Cambridge, the head of the Army at home, were in full accord in these -matters; and notwithstanding certain differences of opinion, I also -received loyal support from the officers of artillery all over the -country, so that in the course of 1863 all real difficulties gradually -disappeared. My great desire was, as far as possible, to respect the -interests of all, and to promote unity, not only as good in itself, -but also as conducing to the efficiency of the regiment and to the -advantage of the State. It was not altogether an easy task, but I was -amply rewarded by the generous confidence of my brother officers. -Reminiscences of the bygone system of the East India Company still, -however, prevailed more or less in the councils of the Government of -India, and nothing could be more difficult than the position of Sir -Hugh Rose at that period of change; and it was a pleasure to me to -serve under, and if possible to assist, so distinguished a soldier -and one with whom I had been in frequent association during the -Crimean war. Lord Elgin was at that time Viceroy, and I had one or two -conversations with him regarding the alleged danger from the turbulent -population of Hyderabad, and gave my opinion that these fears were -exaggerated, and that, especially with a Prime Minister such as Salar -Jung, there need be no real apprehension of an outbreak. - -It is sometimes supposed that red tape is peculiar to official -departments at home, but that is an error. There are large consignments -of it sent to India, and I will give an instance. One day at Simla an -old artillery officer called and requested me to give him a certificate -of his being alive, as the audit office refused to give him his pay -without it. He seemed to be well and lively, and I therefore complied -at once; and as his visit was in August, dated it accordingly. On -looking at it, he remarked: 'Ah, you have dated it August. That is -of no use. I have already sent them one of that kind, but what they -require is a certificate that I was alive in July.' This opened out a -new aspect of the case, but, after consideration, I certified that to -the best of my belief he was living the previous month. Whether he ever -received his pay, I am not sure. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -FRONTIER CAMPAIGN IN THE AFGHAN MOUNTAINS--ITS ORIGIN--POLITICAL AND -MILITARY DIFFICULTIES - - -In the autumn of 1863 our somewhat tedious devotion to military -administration in all its complicated details was suddenly interrupted -by the outbreak of hostilities on the north-west frontier, which -rapidly and unexpectedly developed into a war of considerable magnitude -in the Afghan mountains. Its origin was of a rather singular and -exceptional character. For many years previously a number of violent -fanatical outlaws, chiefly from the lower provinces of Bengal, hundreds -of miles away, had fled from our territories, and settled amongst the -independent Afghan tribes who live in the countries across the border. -These outlaws, occasionally reinforced by disaffected Mohammedans from -the plains, lived chiefly in a village called 'Sitana' on the lower -slopes of the Mahabun mountain, about forty miles north of the old -Mogul fortress of Attock, and on the western side of the Indus--hence -their name of Sitana fanatics. Their ordinary occupation consisted of -incursions into the plains of Eusofzye, and in robbing and murdering -peaceful traders in our territories. In 1858 the late Sir Sydney Cotton -led an expedition against them and burnt some of their villages; but -as they were harboured, and probably to some extent encouraged, by -their Afghan neighbours, and as the country of their adoption was -devoid of roads and almost inaccessible, they soon re-established -themselves in the large new village of Mulka, high up on the slopes of -the mountain, and re-commenced their depredations. It was under these -circumstances that a fresh expedition was determined on; and as, from -causes which were not foreseen at the outset, it rapidly developed into -a considerable campaign, it will be interesting to take a short survey -of the conditions, military and political, of our north-west border. - -[Illustration: SKETCH MAP OF NORTH-WEST FRONTIER] - -A glance at the map will show that our frontier in that part of India -is composed of great rugged mountain ridges which, radiating southerly -from the Hindoo Koosh, terminate somewhat abruptly in the plains, -and form, as it were, a great natural boundary of the Empire. These -mountains are inhabited by tribes who, though Afghan in language, -religion, and race, are for the most part independent of the ruler at -Cabul. They are poor but brave, fanatical, and half civilised, and -are governed by native 'jirgahs' or councils; and, although turbulent -and difficult to deal with, still have a great love of their country -and cherish its independence, possessing qualities that we admire in -ourselves, and which deserve consideration and respect. Except in the -narrow and secluded valleys there is little cultivation, and the whole -country is almost devoid of roads, beyond mere goat paths. Military -operations are therefore difficult. The Commander-in-Chief, when the -expedition was under consideration, pointed out that the season was -late, as snow falls in November, and that to march a force through such -a country of scant resources would necessitate careful preparations -and ample transport, and he advised postponement until the following -spring; but his views were disregarded by the Punjab Government, -who entered into the campaign in a somewhat heedless, lighthearted -fashion, which speedily brought its own punishment. It is further to -be remembered that in those days our line of frontier for hundreds of -miles was guarded chiefly by the Punjab Irregular Force, consisting of -about 10,000 men of all arms recruited from the martial races within -our border, many of whom were really Afghans in religion and race. -Strange to relate, also, this army was under the orders of the Punjab -Government, and altogether independent of the Commander-in-Chief. -To guard a long and exposed frontier by native levies raised on the -spot, and to the almost total exclusion of English soldiers, was a -bold and possibly a dangerous policy; but to increase the risk by a -complex division of military authority appears to be a violation of all -commonly received maxims of war. - -The force decided on for the Sitana expedition consisted of about 6,000 -men, chiefly of the Punjab force just mentioned, to which, however, -was added the 71st Highlanders, the 101st Bengal Fusiliers, and a -battery of Royal Artillery, with its field guns carried on elephants. -The Government were fortunate in one respect, that the expedition was -placed under the command of Sir Neville Chamberlain, an officer of long -experience and of the highest ability and courage. Indeed, it was a -happy circumstance that in the serious complications and hard fighting -which ensued a man of such great qualities should have been at the -head of affairs; and although he was struck down and severely wounded -before the operations came to an end, still it may be admitted, without -disparagement of his successor, that the neck of the confederacy had -been broken by his vigorous measures, and that the tribes were sick at -heart and weary of the combat. - -In entering on a campaign against the Sitana fanatics, who doubtless -were tolerated and harboured by the inhabitants, it must still be borne -in mind that in crossing the border we were entering upon foreign -territory; and a question therefore arose as to the light in which our -suspicious Afghan neighbours would regard our advance. There was also -another important point which must not be overlooked. In determining -the exact direction of our march, it was considered, as a matter of -strategy, that instead of moving straight up the mountain, towards the -enemy's stronghold, we should enter the country by the Umbeylah Pass, a -narrow gorge to the west of the Mahabun, and proceed through the Chumla -Valley on its north side (see map); and thus by a flank march, as it -were, attack the fanatics in rear and cut off their line of retreat. -Our intentions in this respect were kept secret. In a military point of -view the proposal had advantages, but politically it had quite another -aspect--it being evident that we were thus entering the territory of -neighbours, many miles distant from the real object of the expedition, -who might, and indeed did, at once take violent exception to our -proceedings. Official documents published afterwards explain this -clearly. Speaking of the intended march through the pass, Colonel -Taylor, the commissioner with the expedition, wrote: 'It was, under the -circumstances, impossible to examine the proposed route by questioning -those of our own territories best acquainted with it, without raising -suspicions as to the line we proposed to take in entering the hills.' -Again, General Chamberlain's first despatch after the advance of -the force, on October 20, said: 'I should here mention that on the -afternoon of the 19th,[55] when it would be too late for the Chumla or -other tribes to make any preparations on a large scale for impeding -the march of the troops through the Umbeylah Pass, a proclamation was -forwarded by the commissioner, to the Chumla and Bonair tribes, stating -the object with which the force was about to enter the Chumla Valley, -and assuring them that it was with no intention of injuring them, or of -interfering with their independence; but solely because it was the most -convenient route by which to reach the Hindostanee fanatics, and to -effect their expulsion from the Mahabun.' - -But the question was, in what light were the Bonairs and others likely -to regard our sudden and unexpected arrival at the door of their -house, our purpose having been carefully hid until the time for their -objecting or defending themselves had passed away? The late Major -James, who was the commissioner when peace was made, alluding to these -circumstances, makes a significant remark: 'Even supposing, therefore,' -he says, 'that the proclamations actually reached their destination, -was it likely that a brave race of ignorant men would pause to consider -the purport of a paper they could not read, when the arms of a supposed -invader were glistening at their doors?' It so happened, also, that the -fanatics, when they heard of the assembly of our troops in the plains -and became aware that we were about to call them to account, although -not cognisant of our exact plan, nevertheless wrote a very crafty -letter to their neighbours, which subsequently fell into our hands, -as follows: 'The evil-doing infidels[56] will plunder and devastate -the whole of the hilly tract, especially the provinces of Chumla, -Bonair, Swat, &c., and annex those countries to their dominions, and -then our religion and worldly possessions would entirely be subverted. -Consequently, keeping in consideration a regard for Islam, the dictates -of faith, and worldly affairs, you ought by no means to neglect the -opportunity. The infidels are extremely deceitful and treacherous, and -will by whatever means they can come into these hills, and declare -to the people of the country that they have no concerns with them, -that their quarrel is with the Hindostanees, that they will not molest -the people, even as much as touch a hair of their heads, but will -return immediately after having extirpated the Hindostanees, and that -they will not interfere with their country. They will also tempt the -people with wealth. It is therefore proper for you not to give in to -their deceit, or else, when they should get an opportunity, they will -entirely ruin, torment, and put you to many indignities, appropriate to -themselves your entire wealth and possessions, and injure your faith.' - -From the foregoing remarks it will, I think, be evident that our policy -was not only somewhat rash, but was not altogether straightforward. In -the first place, we undertook the expedition with an inadequate force, -chiefly comprised of native troops, raised on the spot, at a late -season of the year, and without sufficient preparations as to supplies -and transport; in the next, we attempted to march through a country -inhabited by tribes with whom we had no cause of quarrel, and from whom -we carefully concealed our intentions. The result of the first day's -march (October 20) brought matters to a climax, and instead of being -able to cut off the 'Sitana' fanatics, we found ourselves face to face -with the Bonair and other tribes, whose territory we had invaded, and -who, scoffing at our professed strategy, at once united and determined -if possible to drive us out of their country. The whole condition -of affairs was thus entirely altered, and General Chamberlain found -himself holding the end of a narrow gorge, with steep mountains running -up several thousand feet on either side, and attacked incessantly day -and night, not only in front, but on either flank. - -In the meantime another unfortunate circumstance had occurred. It so -happened that towards the end of October both the Viceroy and Sir Hugh -Rose had left Simla, on short expeditions towards the distant ranges -of the Himalayas. Accidentally I had seen Lord Elgin when he started, -and he appeared to be in good health; soon afterwards, however, owing, -it was supposed, to his having ascended and crossed some high passes, -or whatever the cause, he suddenly became dangerously ill with an -affection of the heart, and when he arrived at Drumsala in the Kangra -Valley, his case was deemed hopeless. Sir Hugh also, for the moment, -was almost out of reach, but on hearing of the untoward development -of the military operations, he at once proceeded to Lahore, where his -staff joined him in November. The successive despatches of General -Chamberlain give a clear account of the altered condition of affairs. -Writing on October 23, he said: 'The Bonair people having thus taken -a hostile part against us is extremely serious, and has altered our -whole position and probably our plan of operations.' He then goes on to -explain the necessity of guarding his communications through the pass, -and asks for reinforcements. Again, on October 25, he writes: 'There -appears to be reason to believe that the Bonair people have applied -to the Akoond of Swat for aid, and should they succeed in enlisting -him in their cause--which is not improbable, as they are his spiritual -followers--the object with which this force took the road to the Chumla -Valley would be still more difficult of attainment.' - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 55: October 19, 1863.] - -[Footnote 56: Meaning the English.] - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -HARD FIGHTING IN THE MOUNTAINS - - -General Chamberlain now took steps to clear himself of encumbrances, -and to prepare for hard fighting. The sick, the baggage, and spare -transport animals were sent back to the plains, and the road was -improved. A breastwork was thrown across the front of the camp and -flanked with guns; the steep slopes on either side were occupied by -strong pickets, stockaded and entrenched. Still the position was -weak. Far above on the extreme left our troops held a post called the -'Eagle's Nest;' and opposite, on the right, another named the 'Crag -Picket,' a commanding pinnacle of rocks scantily clothed with pines -and towering up into the sky. Both were vital points to hold, for they -entirely overlooked the lower defences. But high as they both were, -there were other ridges and dominant points still far above, and our -troops were thus exposed to sudden overwhelming attacks, from enemies -who could collect unseen at their leisure and choose their time for an -assault. - -The men of the tribes were brave and worthy foes. These bold -mountaineers, ignorant of what is termed discipline, or of any -regular art of war, armed only with old matchlocks and short swords, -nevertheless, by a kind of rude instinct, discovered at once our weak -points; and by feints at the centre, combined with furious assaults -on the isolated flanks, not only inflicted heavy loss upon us, but -succeeded occasionally in endangering the whole position. The Crag -Picket alone fell three times into their hands by direct assault in -open daylight, at different periods of the campaign, although in each -case we drove them out again. The despatches received day after day, -though hastily written, gave a vivid reality to the scenes depicted, -and extracts from them will perhaps convey the best idea of the fierce -nature of the contest and of its vicissitudes. On October 24 large -bodies of men, with numerous standards, appeared in the Chumla Valley, -and were ascertained to be arrivals from some of the minor hill tribes, -and a portion of the fanatics under Mobarik Shah. At daylight the next -morning they appeared above our right defences on the Mahabun, but were -driven off by Major Keyes,[57] who chased them along the ridges and -forced them back precipitately into the valley. - -The events of the following day (October 26) were serious. Chamberlain, -having some reason to apprehend an attack on the Eagle's Nest, -reinforced the troops on the mountain, sending up 200 of the 71st -Highlanders, the 5th and 6th Punjab regiments, and a mountain battery. -The Eagle's Nest itself was held by 230 men under Major Brownlow.[58] -The enemy, who had established a breastwork of their own on the heights -above and were in great strength, no sooner observed our preparations -for battle than they joyfully accepted the challenge. The scene is well -described by Colonel Vaughan, who was in command: 'The troops were -hardly in position when a very large body of the enemy rushed down the -steep slopes, and, with loud cries, attacked at once the picket and the -troops. The mountain train guns fired upon them with shrapnel, common -case, and round shot, and this fire checked those advancing against the -troops in position, but not those advancing against the picket. The -latter were attacked with the greatest determination, and two of the -enemy's standards were planted close under the parapet. All the efforts -of the picket failed to dislodge them for some time, notwithstanding -that the direct fire from the picket was aided by a flanking fire from -the mountain train guns and from the Enfield rifles of the 71st.... -When the enemy had been checked by the guns, they were charged by the -6th Punjab Infantry, but the regiment was unfortunately carried too -far in the ardour of pursuit, and lost heavily before it could regain -the position.' Major Brownlow, who was standing at bay in the Eagle's -Nest, gives a simple and vivid account of the attack upon him. 'About -12 o'clock (noon) the Bonairwals commenced to move down from their -position, matchlock men posting themselves advantageously in the wood, -and opening a very galling fire upon us, whilst their swordsmen and -others advanced boldly to the attack, charging across the plateau in -our front, and planting their standard behind a rock, within a few feet -of our wall. The steady fire, however, with which they were received -rendered their very gallant efforts unavailing, and they were driven -back and up the hill, leaving the ground covered with their dead.' - -Our casualties on this occasion were as follows: - - Killed Wounded Total - English officers 2 2 4 - Native officers 1 9 10 - Men 28 129 157 - -- --- --- - 31 140 171 - -The great losses incurred by the native corps in this as in every -action during the campaign, are proofs of the loyalty of the men to our -cause. General Chamberlain, in his despatches, bears warm testimony -to their devotion; and points out that although there were men in the -native regiments of almost every tribe on the frontier, including those -which were fighting against us, still there were no desertions, nor -was there any instance of backwardness in engaging the enemy. - -After the 25th there was a lull for a few days, but the storm soon -gathered again, and important events followed each other in rapid -succession. General Chamberlain, in his despatch of October 31, reports -'that the Akoond has joined and has brought with him upwards of 100 -standards from Swat, each standard representing probably from twenty -to thirty footmen.' Other distant tribes had also been summoned, and -in fact there was a general combination all along the border against -us. He goes on to say: 'It is necessary that I should place the state -of affairs thus distinctly before His Excellency, in order that he -may understand how entirely the situation has altered since the force -entered the Umbeylah Pass.' And he goes on to explain that with his -present numbers he could only stand on the defensive. During the early -part of November vigorous efforts were made to strengthen our outposts -and to improve the communication to the plains of Eusofzye; but the -confederate tribes jealously watched our movements and incessantly -attacked us day and night; and on the morning of the 13th succeeded -a second time in capturing the Crag Picket. General Chamberlain in -his despatch said: 'I was in the camp when the picket fell into the -hands of the enemy, and my attention having been accidentally drawn -to the unusual dust and confusion caused by the rush of camp followers -down the hill, I felt convinced that some reverse had occurred, and -immediately sent forward Her Majesty's Royal Bengal Fusiliers.' -Lieutenant-Colonel Salisbury[59] was in command of the regiment, and -his orders were to push on and retake the position at any cost. The -ascent was long and steep, but the Fusiliers never halted, and in -five-and-twenty minutes the key of the position was recovered. - -An important change was now made in the disposition of the force. As -already explained, the prolonged halt in the pass was due to unforeseen -causes, and the general had to make the best of it, its great weakness -consisting in the isolation of its flanks. As some delay must occur -before sufficient reserves could arrive, so as to enable Chamberlain -to resume the offensive, he determined to abandon the gorge and also -the pickets on the mountain to his left, and to concentrate his whole -force on the slopes of the Mahabun. In a military point of view this -was a judicious arrangement. Instead of holding a series of straggling -posts, perched upon rocks, on two separate mountains, and with his main -body far down in a hollow gorge, our troops would thus be concentrated -and able to reinforce any point required. The movement was quietly -carried out during the night of November 17. The vigilance of the -tribes for once failed them, and when daylight broke on the 18th, to -their astonishment the Eagle's Nest and all the pickets on that side -were silent and empty. Exasperated by the success of our manoeuvre, -and imagining probably that it was the precursor of a general retreat, -the enemy swarmed up the Mahabun ridges, and before our troops were -well settled in their new positions, attacked them fiercely, and for -the moment with some success, but were finally driven off. General -Chamberlain, writing at the time, said: 'The troops have now been -hard-worked both day and night for a month, and having to meet fresh -enemies with loss is telling. We much need reinforcements. I find it -difficult to meet the enemy's attacks, and provide convoys for supplies -and wounded sent to the rear.... This is urgent.' - -The confederate tribes, consisting of the fanatics, the men of the -Mahabun, of Bonair, Swat, Bajour, and of other distant secluded -valleys, joined also by a sprinkling of men from our own border -villages, were now in such numbers that the hill sides literally -swarmed with them; and although they had failed in their efforts -to capture the position they had not lost heart, but again made a -vigorous effort; and on November 20 advanced on the Crag Picket, coming -boldly up, with their standards flying, to within a few feet of our -breastworks; and at length, after a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, -for the third time took possession, amidst shouts of triumph from the -Afghans on the hills all round. Victory, however, did not long remain -with them. The 71st Highlanders, who had taken a full share in every -action of the campaign, were selected, with a regiment of Goorkas, to -retrieve the fortunes of the day, and they were not wanting in this -hour of need. Whilst the troops were being assembled for the assault -of the captured work, the field and mountain guns were turned on the -enemy, who were thus forced to lie close under cover of the rocks. -Under a perfect storm of matchlock balls and of stones hurled from -the summit, Colonel Hope, the gallant leader of the Highlanders, -deliberately formed his men at the foot of the Crag; and sending -the Goorkas to turn the flank, he placed himself at the head of his -corps, and, with a cool determination which excited the admiration of -every soldier of the force, proceeded to march up the rocky height. -The mountaineers throughout the war had shown themselves ready to do -and to dare a great deal, but they were not quite prepared for the -direct assault of a Highland regiment which in open day, with its -colonel at its head, was steadily approaching, and would infallibly -in a few seconds close upon them, with a volley and a bayonet charge. -The storm of shells which had been raining on them for the preceding -half hour, shattering the rocks and trees, had somewhat shaken their -confidence; and almost as soon as the Highlanders reached the summit -the mountaineers evacuated the position, and were chased along the -ridges. Sir Neville Chamberlain, ever foremost in danger, having felt -it his duty to accompany the troops in so critical an attack, was -unfortunately severely wounded, and Colonel Hope was also dangerously -wounded in the thigh. Our lost ground was thus recovered, but at the -cost of two distinguished men, the first and second in command, who -were rendered unable to take any further part in the war. Our losses -up to this time had been considerable; no less than 14 English[60] and -4 native officers, with 213 men, had been killed, whilst 15 English, -17 native officers, and 468 men were wounded, making a total of 731 -casualties, and so far as the original object of the war was concerned, -we had as yet really accomplished nothing. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 57: Now General Sir Charles Keyes, G.C.B.] - -[Footnote 58: Now General Sir Charles Brownlow, G.C.B.] - -[Footnote 59: Now General Salisbury, C.B.] - -[Footnote 60: The following officers were killed: Lieutenant Gillies, -R.A., Captains C. Smith and Aldridge, and Ensign C. Murray, 71st -Highland Light Infantry; Lieutenants Dougal and Jones, 79th Highlanders -(doing duty with 71st); Lieutenant H. Chapman, Ensign A. Sanderson, -and Surgeon Pile, 101st Bengal Fusiliers; Lieutenant J. Davidson, 1st -Punjab Infantry; Lieutenant Clifford, 3rd Punjab Infantry; Lieutenant -W. Moseley, 14th Ferozepore Regiment; Lieutenant Richmond, 20th Native -Infantry, and Major G. Harding, Bombay Staff Corps.] - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -POLITICAL COMPLICATIONS--END OF THE WAR - - -The preceding remarks will be sufficient to give a general idea of -the difficulties, both military and political, which had ensued on -our crossing the border. The situation was undoubtedly grave. Major -James, the commissioner, wrote, that it was a truly formidable and -dangerous combination, and that immediate action was necessary to -save the Government from a war involving us not only with all the -tribes on the border, but also in all probability with Afghanistan. -The Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, Sir Robert Montgomery, had -doubtless long and anxiously considered the untoward aspect of affairs; -and at length, when the telegrams arrived announcing the severe -actions just described, he looked upon the matter as so serious, that -he was actually prepared to order an immediate withdrawal of the -whole force to the plains; and in this view he was supported by some -members of the Viceroy's Council; in fact an order to that effect -was sent to the Commander-in-Chief. What Sir Hugh Rose thought of -the proposition is plain enough. In the first place he remonstrated -against the withdrawal, pointing out the danger of such a policy -and the loss of prestige which would result. In the next he ordered -large reinforcements to proceed by forced marches to the frontier, -so that the great northern road from Lahore to Peshawur was crowded -with cavalry, artillery, and infantry, all hurrying upwards. At the -beginning of December there were five-and-twenty thousand men north of -the Jhelum. - -Soon after my arrival at Lahore in November, I had written to my old -friend Sir William Denison at Madras, giving him a short description -of the state of affairs.[61] On November 20 Lord Elgin died, and -Sir William, as the senior governor present in India, was summoned -by telegraph to Calcutta, and assumed temporarily the functions of -Viceroy. His reply to my letter is dated Calcutta, December 7, and is -interesting as giving his views on the situation. - -It is as follows:-- - -'My dear Adye,--Thanks for your letter. I got the whole of the papers -relating to the business in the North-west on my way up the river, -and spent my time in reading them and making notes. It is hardly -worth while to say anything about the commencement of the affair -beyond this, that if any move was to have been made at all, the -plan proposed by Sir H. Rose was clearly that which should have been -adopted. With reference, however, to the future, I trust I have been -in time to check further evil.... I found an order had been sent to -the Commander-in-Chief, telling him that their wish was that the -force should be withdrawn, thrusting upon the Commander-in-Chief the -responsibility of deciding not only the mode of doing this, and the -time, but also that of determining whether such a move would peril our -reputation. The first step I took was to press for a modification of -the order. I pointed out that it was unfair to the Commander-in-Chief; -and that, as we had a sufficient force, it would be decidedly impolitic -to withdraw, until we had accomplished the design for which we had made -our inroad into the country. After a good deal of talk, I carried with -me the majority of the council, and it was decided to bring the Bonairs -to terms before withdrawing the troops. To leave without doing this -would almost insure another campaign in the spring, and this would be -expensive and useless. I trust that our orders may arrive in time to -prevent any hasty move to the rear.'[62] - -[Illustration: GOING TO THE WAR. CROSSING THE INDUS AT ATTOCK, NOVEMBER -1863] - -Many days, however, before I received Sir William's letter, -circumstances had occurred at Lahore which led to my making a long and -rapid journey of several hundred miles northwards, and joining the -force in the mountains during the remainder of the war. - -On November 19 Sir Hugh spoke to me of his difficulties and of the -suggested retreat, which seemed both impolitic and unnecessary. -The letters and telegrams received from the front were, however, -necessarily somewhat short and hasty, and did not give full details -of the position; and I offered my services as a staff officer, to pay -a rapid visit to Chamberlain, hear his views, take a personal survey -of the country, and then return. The Commander-in-Chief accepted my -offer, and also selected Major Roberts,[63] who knew the people and -the language, to accompany me. He was a delightful companion. On the -evening of the 20th we left Lahore on the mail cart, placing the driver -behind, and ourselves driving each stage alternately. We galloped up -the trunk road all night, and all the next day, crossing the Ravee, the -Chenab, and the Jhelum, and were nearly done up from want of sleep, -when we fortunately drove into the camp of a battery of Horse Artillery -and obtained a few hours' rest. Before daylight we were off again, -passed through Rawul-Pindee, and in the afternoon crossed the Indus -by a bridge of boats close under the old Mogul fortress of Attock; -and at sunset on the second day our long drive of nearly 300 miles -came to an end at Nowshera, on the Cabul river, where the officers -of a battery under Captain Nairne, R.A.,[64] hospitably received us. -Until our arrival at Nowshera, we had not heard of the latest fight -at the Crag Picket, and that Chamberlain and Hope were severely -wounded. In the meantime horses had been laid out for our use across -the plains of Eusofzye; and, crossing the Cabul river, we galloped -about thirty miles, passing numerous detachments of Seiks and Pathans, -with elephants and camels, and on the evening of November 23 reached -the camp of Major Probyn,[65] in command of a native cavalry regiment -at the foot of the mountains. The weather was fine but cold, and -altogether the long journey was very enjoyable. - -Sir Neville Chamberlain's force was about ten miles distant on the -heights of the Mahabun, whose ridges run up to 8,000 feet. Our -instructions were urgent, and we were very anxious to be off. Probyn, -however, whose troops were patrolling the frontier, pointed out that -the communications were uncertain, and that the road, such as it -was, was only opened occasionally by armed convoys taking up food -and munitions to the front. However, as delay was unadvisable, after -considering the matter, he said: 'You can, if you like, go up with the -"catch-em-alive-ohs."' I inquired who these interesting people were, -and his reply was that they were Afghans--in fact, the same people we -were fighting against; but he added that these were friendly and in our -pay, and would take care of us. He had them paraded for our inspection. -These 'catch-em-alive-ohs' were a rough, handsome, picturesque lot of -fellows, armed with old matchlocks, shields, and short knives, and -seemed very good-natured and friendly; so, in default of better, we -determined on accepting their escort, and away we went, accompanied by -the Reverend Mr. Cowie, afterwards Bishop of New Zealand. The mountain -was steep and rugged, and the route a mere goat path, so that our -progress was slow. After climbing for some miles, we suddenly observed -a large number of people on a high, distant ridge, but whether friends -or enemies was not so certain. The body of a native just killed was -lying in the path. At that moment a messenger ran up bringing me a -small note in pencil, and reading it hastily I made it out to be 'the -road is _now_ safe, push on as fast as you can.' This was satisfactory, -but on looking more carefully we found the message really was, 'the -road is _not_ safe, push on,' &c. This rather altered the conditions; -but fortunately the men we had observed on the heights were a party of -Goorkas, and the note was from the officer in command, who was looking -out for us, so that our journey soon came to an end, and we arrived -safely in camp. - -The next morning I paid a visit to Chamberlain. We had been cadets -together many years before at Woolwich, but he left the Academy -before obtaining a commission, joining the Bengal army, and we had -never met since those early days. His wound, however, was severe and -his condition serious, so that I was unable to discuss the position -of affairs with him, as had been intended, and in a few days he was -carried down to the plains. I found a strong and unanimous feeling -amongst the officers against any withdrawal. Although the tribes were -in great force in the valley, with their standards flying, it was -evident that we only required reinforcements; and that a movement in -advance would soon scatter the brave but badly armed, undisciplined -hosts of our mountain foes. I lost no time in sending day by day, -detailed reports, sketches, and plans of the position to Sir Hugh Rose, -urging also the necessity for an early forward movement, and in reply -received an order by telegraph, to remain with the force until the -termination of the war. - -The scenery all round us from our elevated camp was very varied, and -had many elements of grandeur. Looking back to the south through the -dark defiles of the pass, we could see the fertile plain of Eusofzye -stretching away to the Indus and Cabul rivers, whilst in front the -sheltered Chumla valley and the village of Umbeylah were lying beneath -us; and away in the distance to the north, high ranges of mountains, -capped by the snowy peaks of the Hindoo Koosh, closed in the horizon. -Owing to the success which had been achieved on several occasions by -the tribes in capturing our outlying breastworks--due, perhaps, in some -cases, to want of vigilance on our part--strict instructions had been -given that our pickets were to hold their ground at all hazards; and on -one occasion a soldier coming on duty was heard to say to his comrade, -'Well, Jim, what's the orders at this post?' and Jim replied, 'Why, the -orders is, you're never to leave it till you're killed, and if you see -any other man leaving it, you're to kill him.' - -Our life was a very open-air kind of existence, a sort of prolonged -picnic, and we lived partly in small tents and partly in caves, always -sleeping in our clothes; our dinners such as they were, being cooked -and laid out on the rocks. The Afghans perched themselves about, and -now and then made long shots at us with their matchlocks. One old -fellow took up his position every day on an elevated spot, on the other -side of the pass, at a distance, and watched the proceedings. Our men -frequently fired at him, but apparently without effect; so at last -they gave it up, and nicknamed him 'Oh! Willie, we have missed you.' -There was another peculiarity amongst the tribes which is, perhaps, -unusual in warfare. Some of our native troops, when on isolated pickets -at night, used to pass away the dreary hours by singing some of their -national airs; and the enemy, apparently not wishing to be left out, -would cheerily join in the chorus. - -[Illustration: AFGHAN FRONTIER CAMPAIGN. STORMING THE CONICAL PEAK, -DECEMBER 1863] - -At the end of November General Garvock[66] arrived, taking command -of the expedition; and during the next few days considerable -reinforcements marched up from the plains, including amongst others the -7th Fusiliers, the 93rd Highlanders, and Probyn's Horse, 400 strong. -Our total force was over 8,000 men, with 16 light guns, some carried -on elephants and the rest on mules. The men of the tribes, no doubt, -were quite aware of these accessions to our strength; and although -Guzzhan Khan, from the distant province of Dher, had joined them with -6,000 followers, they hesitated to attack our position, which was now -strongly entrenched and vigilantly guarded. Early in December a small -deputation of Bonair chiefs came into camp to confer with Major James, -the commissioner, with a view to peace; and after a parley withdrew -to consult the other tribes as to the terms we offered; which were -the destruction of Mulka, and that the fanatics should no longer be -harboured and protected by the Afghans. We could hardly demand less. It -was understood that there were considerable dissensions amongst the -native chiefs, and on the afternoon of December 14 a solitary messenger -returned, stating that our proposals were rejected. It was also known -that an attack by the combined tribes was imminent on the morrow. - -The moment of action had at length arrived. General Garvock, -forestalling the intentions of the enemy, assembled a force of 5,000 -men, including the 7th and 101st Fusiliers, at daylight near the Crag -picket, leaving the remainder to guard the camp, and at 8 A.M. led -off his troops along the ridges to the attack. About two miles beyond -the Crag stood the small village of Laloo, and a few hundred yards in -front of it, one of the great spurs running up from the Chumla valley, -terminated in a lofty peak dominating the whole ridge. On this natural -stronghold the men of the tribes had established themselves in great -force, flying their standards, and prepared to abide the last issues -of war. The ordinary difficulties of the ascent had been increased by -numerous 'sungas' (breastworks), so that it was a formidable position -to take by assault. Our skirmishers, who had easily driven in the -outlying mountaineers, then halted about 600 yards in front of and -looking up at the conical peak, and, supported by the mountain guns, -waited for the arrival of the main body. - -These mountain batteries rendered great service during the war. Their -light ordnance, carriages, and ammunition being all carried on mule -back, they are thus independent of roads, can accompany infantry over -any ground, and come into action on the most restricted space. As the -several regiments came up they sought a momentary shelter in the broken -ground, and when all was ready, General Garvock sounded the 'advance.' -At that signal 5,000 men rose from their cover, and with loud cheers -and volleys of musketry, rushed to the assault; the regiments of -Pathans, Seiks, and Goorkas vieing with the English soldiers as to -who should first reach the enemy. From behind every rock and shrub -at the foot of the peak small parties of mountaineers jumped up, and -fled as the advancing columns approached. It took but a few minutes -to cross the open ground, and then the steep ascent began, our men -having to climb from rock to rock, and their formation necessarily -becoming much broken. Foremost among the many could be distinguished -the scarlet uniforms of the 101st Fusiliers, who, led by Colonel -Salisbury, steadily swarmed up the mountain and captured the defences -in succession at the point of the bayonet, the enemy's standards -dropping as their outworks fell; whilst here and there the prostrate -figures of our men scattered about the rocks, proved that the hill-men -were striking hard to the last. Nothing, however, could withstand the -impetuosity of the assault, and ere many minutes had elapsed the -conical peak from foot to summit was in the possession of British -soldiers. I had the misfortune during the assault to fall over a large -rock, seriously injuring my right knee and tearing the ligaments, -becoming for the moment incapable of climbing; but by the help of a -mule, lent from one of the batteries, managed to reach the crest of -the mountain. Our panting troops still pushed on, captured the village -of Laloo, and the mountaineers were then driven headlong in thousands, -down the steep glades, through the pine forests to the Chumla valley, -many hundred feet below. - -This was the first general defeat the enemy had experienced, and they -were not left long to recover from its effects. At daylight the next -morning our troops were again in movement; one brigade marching down -direct on Umbeylah, accompanied by Probyn's cavalry, who, however, had -to lead their horses down the precipitous slopes until they reached -the valley. In the meantime the other brigade descended from Laloo -and deployed at the foot. The tribes, although at first they seemed -inclined to make a stand, gradually fell back. The brigade from Laloo -followed them up, passed the village of Umbeylah, and approached the -hills leading to Bonair. The enemy, who had been lying concealed in the -ravines and broken ground, suddenly rushed out, sword in hand, wildly -attacked one of our Seik regiments, and for the moment even penetrated -its ranks. The Seiks, however, were rallied by their officers, and -supported by the 7th Fusiliers, and the enemy in a few minutes were -driven back with great loss. In the meantime three field guns, under -Captain Griffin, R.A., which had been brought down on elephants, got -into action and shelled the crowded heights, the tribes withdrawing out -of range. Our losses during the two days were: one officer killed,[67] -four wounded, and there were 172 casualties amongst the men. As -all tents and baggage had been left on the mountain, we bivouacked -for the night outside Umbeylah, which was set on fire. The weather -unfortunately was wet and cold, so that lying in the open wrapped up -in a blanket was not luxurious; and, to add to my discomfort, all at -once I felt what seemed to be a snake crawling about my legs. Having -with difficulty obtained a lighted match, I suddenly threw aside the -blanket, when a huge black rat darted out, but, as I found the next -morning, had eaten large holes in my only pair of trousers, so that I -presented altogether a somewhat damp and dilapidated appearance. These, -however, were but minor incidents in a very interesting campaign. - -The effect of our vigorous movements on the 15th and 16th was immediate -and decisive. The men of Bajour and Dher, who had come so far and -were so eager for war, now fled to their native fastnesses. The Akoond -and his followers were no more to be seen; and the chiefs of Bonair, -relieved from the presence of overbearing allies, came into camp the -next day to discuss terms of peace. Under ordinary circumstances a -force of sufficient strength would no doubt have been sent forward -to drive away the original offenders, and to destroy their chief -village--Mulka. But the Punjab Government were anxious to limit -the scope of the expedition, and to withdraw from the mountains. -Consequently a somewhat hazardous compromise ensued; Colonel Reynell -Taylor, the commissioner, proceeding with one native regiment, about -400 strong, accompanied by an escort of the Bonairs, to burn the -distant village. Roberts and myself, being anxious to visit a part of -the country hitherto unexplored, joined the party. The first day's -march, on December 20, was along the Chumla Valley to Kooria. We saw -little of our new friends the Bonairs, but the inhabitants were civil -and met our requirements as to food; the next morning we commenced our -long and toilsome march up the mountain to Mulka; which proved to be -a large, new, well-built village of wood, where we remained for the -night. The inhabitants had all fled. The following morning the whole -place was set on fire; the hill tribes of the Mahabun, armed and in -large numbers, however, watching us at a distance. The native officers -of our regiment represented that the tribes were greatly exasperated, -and might at any moment fire off their matchlocks and make a rush at -us. However, we kept well together, and as soon as the village had -been destroyed, steadily marched back to the valley, and rejoined the -main force under General Garvock. On Christmas day the British troops -left the mountains and once more stood on the plains of Eusofzye, the -Bonairs destroying the entrenchments and breaking up the roads as we -marched away. - -Thus ended the frontier war of 1863. Intended at the outset as a mere -excursion against fanatical robbers, who had long infested the border, -it speedily grew into a considerable war, the Mohammedan tribes, -under the impression that their independence was in danger, combining -against us. The campaign was interesting in its military aspect, in -giving experience of the extreme difficulty and expense of carrying out -offensive operations in a country composed of mountain ranges, devoid -of communications, and inhabited by races of men whom we may consider -half civilised, but who, at all events, possess the virtues of courage, -independence, and love of their country, and physically are as active -and handsome a people as exists anywhere. From a political point of -view the north-west frontier of India is also full of interest. After -a century of conquest, with dominions now extending 1,600 miles from -Calcutta to Peshawur, we have at length arrived at a region which seems -marked out by nature as the boundary of our Empire. The conditions of -the north-west frontier no doubt involve difficult considerations, -but it seems to me clear that, whilst guarding against incursions, -our policy towards our somewhat turbulent neighbours should be one of -forbearance and conciliation, combined in some cases with subsidies. - -As Sir Charles Wood, the Secretary of State for India, wrote in 1864: -'Our true course ought to be, not to interfere in their internal -concerns, but to cultivate friendly relations with them, and to -endeavour to convince them, by our forbearance and kindly conduct, that -their wisest plan is to be on good terms with us, in order that they -may derive those advantages from intercourse with us which are sure -to follow from the interchange of commodities and mutual benefits.' -It is a policy necessarily requiring patience and somewhat slow in -its effect, but will in due time bring its reward, and indeed it has -already done so of late years. Our trans-Indus districts, which were -formerly harried by the neighbouring tribes, are now comparatively safe -and prosperous; and many Afghans who have served in our ranks have -returned to their native villages with pensions, and with a kindly -feeling and remembrance of those under whom they have served. Before -leaving this subject, it may be well to point out that there is another -and a far larger question beyond that of the immediate frontier which -must be kept steadily in view by the British Government, and that is -our relations with the ruler of Afghanistan in connection with the -advance of Russia in Central Asia. I propose, however, to defer the -consideration of those important questions until a later period, when -the Afghan war of 1878-9 brought matters to a crisis. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 61: My letter was published _in extenso_ in _Varieties of -Viceregal Life_, by Sir W. Denison. 1870.] - -[Footnote 62: Sir Hugh Rose, in writing to me from Lahore on the same -date as Sir William Denison (Dec. 7), said that the Governor General -had entirely approved of his not consenting, although hard pressed, to -give up the Umbeylah Pass and retreat to the plains.] - -[Footnote 63: Now General Lord Roberts, G.C.B.] - -[Footnote 64: Now General Nairne, C.B., Commander-in-Chief, Bombay.] - -[Footnote 65: Now General Sir Dighton Probyn, V.C.] - -[Footnote 66: The late Sir John Garvock.] - -[Footnote 67: The names of the officers were, Lieutenant Alexander -killed; Major Wheeler, Captain Chamberlain, Lieutenants Nott and Marsh -wounded.] - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -VISIT TO PESHAWUR--SIR HUGH ROSE RETURNS TO ENGLAND--SIR WILLIAM -MANSFIELD APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF - - -The good sense and judgment of Sir William Denison, with the cordial -co-operation and support of Sir Hugh Rose, had extricated the -Government of India from a somewhat dangerous military and political -crisis on the north-west border; and although the fierce passions of -the tribes had been considerably roused, the excitement gradually -cooled down when our troops returned to the plains. One hill chief, -however, had the temerity to come into the open, and make a dash -at one of our patrolling columns, but was speedily driven back. I -forget his exact name, but by the English soldiers he was commonly -called Sawdust Khan. In the unsettled condition of the frontier, the -Commander-in-Chief found it necessary to remain for some weeks at the -large and important station of Peshawur, which stands half encircled -by the Afghan mountains and only a few miles distant from the entrance -to the celebrated Kyber Pass. Peshawur, the central military position -at this part of our territory, has a large old-fashioned mud fort, -containing considerable reserves of armaments, munitions, and stores. -It is probably strong enough to resist the desultory attacks of Afghan -tribes; but in my opinion it would be more convenient, and more prudent -from a military point of view, were the chief reserves of the district -withdrawn to Attock, on the other side of the Indus. - -The Afghan hill-men at the time of our visit were in a very lively -condition, and constantly robbing the station. The very first night -that the large camp of the Commander-in-Chief was pitched on the plain -outside, although guards and patrols were plentiful, they succeeded in -carrying off some bullocks and two camels, and the theft of horses was -not of rare occurrence. The frontier chiefs, however, were friendly to -a limited extent, and on one occasion accompanied a party of us for a -few miles within the rocky defiles of the Kyber, which at that time had -not been visited by any Englishman for years. They made it a condition, -however, that we should trust ourselves entirely to their protection, -and not take any military escort; and they loyally carried out the -compact. Our relations with them at the time, were, in fact, a curious -mixture of friendship by day, combined with occasional brigandage on -the part of their followers by night. - -Towards the end of February the camp of Sir Hugh Rose and the staff -marched slowly southwards through the Punjab, crossing in succession -by bridges of boats, the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers to Lahore. -What with the elephants, camels, horses, bullocks, sheep, and goats -which, combined with hundreds of followers, form essential features -of military out-of-door life in India, the camp resembled an Oriental -fair and menagerie more than anything else; and, owing to the vast -impedimenta considered essential, the marches did not exceed twelve -miles a day. - -We took the opportunity one day of visiting the sandy plain of -Chilianwallah, on which in 1849 the great battle had been fought -between the British army and the Seiks. The 24th Regiment specially -suffered great losses on that occasion, and an officer who had been -present, informed me that on the evening of the battle the bodies -of thirteen officers of that regiment were laid side by side in -the mess-tent, including the colonel (Pennycuick) and his son, the -adjutant. The obelisk erected on the plain in memory of the conflict -bears the following inscription: 'Around this tomb was fought the -sanguinary battle of Chilianwallah, 13th January, 1849, between the -British forces under Lord Gough, and the Seiks under Rajah Sher-Sing. -On both sides did innumerable warriors pass from this life dying in -mortal combat. Honoured be the graves of these heroic soldiers! In -memory of those who fell in the ranks of the Anglo-Indian Army, this -monument has been raised by their surviving comrades, at whose side -they perished, comrades who glory in their glory, and lament their -fate.' - -Having served for six years and a half continuously in India, and -having obtained leave of absence, I left the camp on its arrival at -Lahore, hurried to Calcutta, and embarked for England in April. As, -however, many changes were still in progress, in respect both to the -_personnel_ and _matériel_ of artillery, and in the Ordnance Department -in India, it was deemed expedient that I should cut short my visit -home; and in October I accordingly returned to resume my duties and -landed in Bombay. As regards the Ordnance Department, the fact was -that, owing to the triplicate system of military administration, -which had prevailed in the days of the old East India Company, the -arrangements in each presidency varied; and the armaments, munitions, -and stores were not identical in pattern, whilst many were old and -obsolete. The depots were scattered about without much reference to -strategical considerations, and were too numerous. The system was -not only costly but inefficient; and, in view of the great advances -of artillery science, a general reorganisation had become necessary. -During my visit to England, I had been in communication with Sir -Charles Wood, the then Secretary of State for India, on these matters. - -On arrival at Bombay I had an interesting conversation with the -Governor, Sir Bartle Frere, on military subjects; more especially as to -whether the native troops should be thoroughly trusted and armed with -the best modern weapons, or be relegated, as it were, to an inferior -position, and be looked on as more or less subordinate auxiliaries. -I gave my opinion that a policy of mistrust was not only a mistake, -but would in reality defeat itself; that the native regiments should -be armed and equipped like the English soldiers in every respect; the -numbers to be maintained, and their nationalities, resting of course -with the Government. It was a satisfaction to find that Sir Bartle -Frere entirely concurred in these views. - -Leaving Bombay, and being anxious to rejoin Sir Hugh Rose quickly, I -travelled through Central India, first of all for about three hundred -miles on a partly finished railway, with occasional breaks; and then -for five hundred miles outside a mail-cart, passing hastily through -Indore, Gwalior, Agra, and Delhi to Meerut. Although I found time to -make a few hasty sketches, it has always been a matter of regret that -military exigencies rendered me unable to pay more than mere flying -visits to so many native cities of great historical and architectural -interest. Delhi and its neighbourhood especially is rich in picturesque -mosques, tombs, palaces, and forts of the former Mogul dynasties. - -On arrival at Meerut I found that Sir Hugh Rose had seriously injured -himself, having broken several ribs by a fall out hunting, so that for -the time our movements were at a standstill. However, early in 1865, as -soon as he had recovered, the head quarters staff continued their tour, -and arrived at Lucknow, where a somewhat amusing incident occurred. -During the Mutiny, an officer had gained the Victoria Cross for gallant -conduct in the residency, but owing to some delay had not actually -received the decoration; and the Commander-in-Chief was therefore glad -of the opportunity of presenting it to him on the very spot where he -had gained it. A general parade was ordered, the troops to be formed -up round the ruins of the residency; and all the civilians and ladies -of Lucknow were invited to be present. On the morning, when the hour -of parade was at hand, the staff assembled in readiness in a bungalow, -and it was understood that the Commander-in-Chief was preparing an -appropriate speech for the occasion. Search was then made for the box -containing the Victoria Cross, but it was nowhere to be found, and -after an anxious hurried inquiry we discovered that by some mistake -it had been left behind at Simla in the Himalayas. This was awkward, -especially as Sir Hugh would naturally be annoyed at so unfortunate -an error. The suggestion was made that some officer of the garrison -should be asked to lend his for the occasion; but that also failed, no -officer nearer than Cawnpore (fifty miles off) having gained one. There -was no time to be lost, and at length Colonel Donald Stewart,[68] the -Deputy Adjutant General, volunteered to inform the Commander-in-Chief: -an offer which was at once accepted. Stewart on entering the room -found Sir Hugh engaged in considering his speech, and then cautiously -and gently announced that a slight mistake had occurred, and that -the Victoria Cross had been left behind. The Commander-in-Chief, as -anticipated, was angry, and complained that he had been treated with -neglect. However, after he had cooled down, Donald Stewart said that in -his opinion the difficulty could readily be got over; and, taking the -cross of the Companionship of the Bath from his breast, suggested that -it should be presented to the officer on parade, in lieu temporarily of -the other; pointing out that the troops and the assembled company would -not be near enough to distinguish the difference. Sir Hugh at once took -in the situation, accepted the compromise, and acted accordingly. The -decoration was presented, the Commander-in-Chief made an appropriate -speech, and the demonstration altogether was a success. My remark to -the officer afterwards was that as the Queen had given him the Victoria -Cross, and the Commander-in-Chief the Bath, I thought he was entitled -to wear both for the future. There was a ball in the evening in honour -of the occasion, and in default of a real cross he had to wear a -painted leather imitation one. - -In March 1866 the term of office of Sir Hugh Rose came to a close. His -services in India had been of an eventful and distinguished character, -not only in the field, in his celebrated march through Central India -during the Mutiny, but also in military administration at a period -of important changes. The position of a Commander-in-Chief in India, -always a difficult one, was peculiarly so during his term of office. -The extinction of a great institution such as that of the old East -India Company could not be accomplished without considerable difficulty -and delay; prejudices had to be overcome, and vested interests to be -considered. All these circumstances must be borne in mind in judging -the career of Sir Hugh Rose from 1857 to 1865. The appointment of Sir -William Mansfield as his successor, an officer of long experience -in the country, and of great ability as an administrator, tended to -complete the work, and to produce unity of system, so essential -an element of military efficiency. As he acted in concert with the -Viceroy Sir John Lawrence, old prejudices and difficulties gradually -disappeared, to the great advantage of the army and to the security of -the Empire. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 68: Now Field-Marshal Sir Donald Stewart, G.C.B.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -THE WAR IN BOOTAN - - -During 1865 another border war occurred in India; not as usual on the -north-west frontier, but with Bootan, an almost unknown country away -in the far East, and north of the great river Brahmapootra. The causes -were of the usual character--incessant depredations in our districts -of Assam and Cooch-Behar. The territory of Bootan, with a length of -about 250 miles, lies amidst the southern slopes of the highest ranges -of the Himalayas, the eternal snows forming its frontier towards -Thibet. It is, in fact, a country of stupendous mountains, intersected -by narrow, precipitous valleys and rapid streams. The rainfall is -excessive;[69] and all along its southern border, in the low grounds -at the foot of the mountains, are dense forests and marshy jungles, -almost impenetrable and choked with vegetation. The whole of the -lower district is very unhealthy, and is the home of wild elephants, -rhinoceros, and tigers--natural zoological gardens, in short, free -of charge. The people of Bootan have little or no organised military -force, and such fighting men as exist are only armed with knives, bows -and arrows, and a few matchlocks; so that in a military sense they -are not at all formidable. The inaccessible nature of the country is -its best, and indeed almost its only, defence. The people are Chinese -in type, and nominally Buddhists in religion; but, though brave and -hardy, are almost entirely uncivilised, and the ruling authorities -are weak and treacherous. The government of Bootan appears to be of a -duplicate character; one rajah being a kind of spiritual head of the -State without power, whilst another has all the power but apparently -no head. The result, as might be expected, is frequent anarchy, whilst -the subordinate rulers along the frontier district tyrannise over -the people and plunder their neighbours at discretion. For a century -past, indeed, the people, instigated by their chiefs, had incessantly -committed depredations in our territories in the plains: carrying off -men and women as slaves, and also elephants, buffaloes, and property -of all kinds. Remonstrances had been made time out of mind, and -missions sent to try and bring them to reason; but all our efforts -were met by incivility, almost amounting to insult, and by evasion. -The rulers of the country, no doubt, relied in a great measure on its -inaccessibility; and, ignorant more or less of our power, were defiant -and treacherous accordingly. - -In 1864 the Government of India decided on sending a mission, under the -Honourable Ashley Eden, to Poonaka, the capital. His instructions were -to demand the release of all captives, and to endeavour to arrange for -peaceful commercial intercourse in the future. Leaving Darjeeling in -January, he crossed the river Teesta, the western boundary of Bootan; -but throughout his long and difficult journey to the interior, although -he succeeded in reaching Poonaka, and although the poor villagers -appeared well-disposed, he was met with evasion and constant delay from -those in authority; and, when he arrived at length at the capital, the -conduct of the Government was so threatening and grossly insulting -that he only got away with difficulty, having under compulsion signed -an obnoxious treaty, which, on his return to India in April, was -immediately disavowed and repudiated. - -It was quite evident that, unless we were content to submit to violence -and insult, the time had fully arrived for a recourse to arms. An -expedition was arranged accordingly, and our troops entered Bootan from -the plains in three separate, widely detached columns, of no great -strength.[70] The one in the East marched a few miles up a gorge to -Dewanghiri, and took it; but subsequently, on being attacked, abandoned -the position, and fell back with the loss of two guns. The temporary -defeat was, however, speedily avenged by a force under the command -of the late General Tombs, of which the 55th Regiment under Colonel -Hume[71] formed part, and the place was re-taken and held. The centre -column also advanced into the hills and established itself at Buxa; -whilst the third assaulted and captured Dalimkote, an old fort on a -mountain ridge in the western ranges, and about 5,000 feet above the -sea. - -Dalimkote, a few miles from the plains, was only formidable owing to -its almost inaccessible position; and our troops engaged in its capture -had to climb the steep sides of the mountain, by tortuous and narrow -paths, and through thick jungles. In fact, the whole neighbourhood was -a mass of dense forest and luxurious undergrowth. The officers and men -of a battery of artillery had managed with difficulty to carry a small -mortar up the hill-side with a view to a short bombardment, preceding -assault. Hardly had it been brought into action near the entrance gate -than by some unfortunate accident a barrel of gunpowder exploded, -killing Captain Griffin, R.A.,[72] both his lieutenants, and six -gunners, besides wounding several others. The small garrison, however, -did not wait for an assault, but bolted, and the fort fell into our -hands. - -Our columns had not penetrated for any great distance into the country, -still the occupation of three important passes not only prevented the -Booteas from plundering, but also put a stop to their commerce, which, -though comparatively trifling in amount, proved a great blow to these -isolated mountaineers; so that, after many attempts at evasion, towards -the end of 1865 they were prepared to come to terms. Being desirous -of visiting a part of the country so little known, and of so much -interest at the time, I left Calcutta in January, made a rapid journey -of about 400 miles due north to Darjeeling, and from that hill station -started on an expedition for a fortnight along the Bootan frontier, -returning by a voyage down the river Brahmapootra. The first part -of the journey from Calcutta to the Ganges was by rail; and having -crossed the river to Caragola, I was then carried by coolies in a -palanquin, a sort of elongated bandbox, for 120 miles to the foot of -the mountains, not meeting a single Englishman during the journey. -The country was perfectly flat, and at night a native walked in front -with a lighted torch, in order, so it was stated, to scare away the -tigers. The coolies as they carried me along sometimes broke out into a -low monotonous chant, occasionally varied by a dismal moaning chorus. -I tried to ascertain the burden of their song, and found that it was -myself, and that the coolie refrain was somewhat as follows: 'This -is a heavy man. Oh! what a fat man,' and so on. Colonel Bourchier, -R.A.,[73] joined me in the 'Terai,' a narrow belt of marshy forest -lying at the foot of the slopes; and then, on a couple of mules, we -ascended the Himalayas to Darjeeling. Not being encumbered with any -baggage to speak of, our arrangements for the expedition were simple. -Leaving Darjeeling, we rode due East for about twenty miles, and by a -gradual descent reached the banks of the Teesta, a rapid river about -100 yards wide, remaining for the night in the hut of a young officer -who, with a picket of native troops, was in charge of this corner of -the frontier. The scenery was charming, and we met occasional parties -of Booteas carrying fruit to the Darjeeling market. - -[Illustration: SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE TOUR IN BOOTAN, JANUARY 1866] - -The passage across the Teesta was by means of a cane bridge; and, -considering that the inhabitants are ignorant and uncivilised, was a -wonderful specimen of ingenuity and skill. These bridges, of which -there are several in different parts of the country, are on the -suspension principle, and made entirely of bamboo canes fastened -together. There is not a nail or a single piece of rope used in the -whole construction. They swing about in an uneasy way in passing -over them; and as the canes soon become rotten, the whole structure -gradually perishes and falls into the river, and has to be renewed. -Indeed, as I understood, they require re-building annually. Our -mules were pushed into the rapid torrent and pulled across by a long -line, also made of flexible bamboos and devoid of string. Altogether -it was a curious experience; and we felt much sympathy for the young -officer who had to pass months on guard in this secluded valley, -without a fellow-countryman to speak to. After crossing the Teesta, -we entered Bootan territory, began a long ascent, and at the top of a -mountain found another officer with a picket in a solitary stockaded -fort. The scenery all round was magnificent. Dense forests filled -the deep valleys, and far away to the north stood the snowy crest of -Kinchinjunga, 28,000 feet high, standing out clear in the horizon. - -Proceeding along over the mountains, we passed an old monastery at -Tasigimpoo, and in the evening reached a deserted Bootea stockade, -where we remained for the night. The country seemed to be thinly -inhabited, but the few people we met were good-natured and friendly. I -had been warned not to sleep in the jungle, as we should be devoured -by leeches; so, what with possible tigers on the one hand, and hungry -leeches on the other, caution was necessary. However, I escaped, except -that on one occasion a superfluous leech--not a tiger--attacked my leg -during the night. Otherwise all went well, and the following evening, -passing through glades of oak, we came in sight of the picturesque -old walled fort of Dalimkote, overlooking the plains of Bengal, and -surrounded with feathery woods of bamboo. - -Although the war was supposed to be virtually at an end, I had been -informed by Sir John Lawrence before leaving Calcutta that their chief -warrior Tongso Penlow was still at large and defiant, and sure enough -on arrival at Dalimkote it was found impossible to advance further -into the country. Consequently, in order to reach the next column at -Buxa we were compelled to return to the plains, and after a ride of -fifty miles reached Julpigoree on the Teesta. During the night horses -were placed along the road eastwards to Cooch Behar; and, sending on -our baggage with a native servant on an elephant, we started early -the following morning, galloped for sixty miles over the plains, and, -crossing several rivers on rafts, reached Cooch Behar in the afternoon. -There was no time to spare, so after a few hours' rest we turned our -faces again northwards, and after another long ride reached the centre -column at Buxa. The hostility of Tongso Penlow had thus compelled us -to make a detour of about 150 miles; but leaving Buxa, pushing on -over the mountains, and then down to the deep secluded valley of the -Chin-chu, we at length reached our most advanced post at the small -village of Tapsee, and were rewarded by a view of the magnificent -scenery of a country hitherto unknown and unexplored. Our pioneers had -for some months past been engaged in constructing a road towards the -interior, cutting through forests, blowing up rocks, and constructing -temporary bridges over precipitous gorges and mountain torrents. We -were, in short, advancing steadily through a remarkable and very -difficult country towards Poonaka; and the perception of this fact no -doubt compelled the Bootan Government at length to sue for peace, and -caused even the warlike Tongso to cease his opposition. Hurrying back -by forced marches, I took leave of Colonel Bourchier at Cooch Behar; -and then finally, after a long solitary gallop, reached Dobree, on the -Brahmapootra, just in time to get on board a steamer on its return -voyage. Although several hundred miles from its mouth, the river at -Dobree resembled a great inland sea. Its navigation, owing to numerous -sandbanks, is somewhat dangerous, so that we could only move during -daylight, passing numerous picturesque native boats and occasional -alligators, lying like logs of grey wood along its banks. After a -few days we arrived at Kooshtea, near the junction of the Ganges and -Brahmapootra, and then reached Calcutta by railway. The expedition was -hurriedly carried out; still it was most interesting in its variety, -and in giving a glimpse, at all events, of a country so peculiar and -hitherto so little known. - -[Illustration: WAR IN BOOTAN, 1866. OUTPOST IN VALLEY OF THE CHINCHU] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 69: The rainfall in that part of India is said to exceed 600 -inches a year.] - -[Footnote 70: See map of Bootan.] - -[Footnote 71: Now General Sir Henry Hume, K.C.B.] - -[Footnote 72: Captain Griffin had been in command of a battery, and had -done excellent service during the previous frontier war of Umbeylah. -The names of the two lieutenants were E. Walker and E.A. Anderson.] - -[Footnote 73: Now General Sir George Bourchier, K.C.B.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -FAREWELL TO INDIA--RETURN TO REGIMENTAL DUTY AT WOOLWICH--APPOINTED -DIRECTOR OF ARTILLERY--WAR OFFICE ORGANIZATION - - -Having completed an almost continuous service of nine years in India, -the time had at length arrived for my return to England. After many -wanderings in distant lands, it is always a happiness to return home; -still, no one, I think, can derive other than benefit from a residence -for a time in the great empire which England has established in the -East. To a soldier the experience gained is invaluable, not only in -regard to the incidents of camp life and of marching, but also from the -exceptional character of the campaigns in which our troops are so often -engaged. Desirous as the Government may be for peace, still even now -other military expeditions may be looming in the future; and under any -circumstances the preparations for possible wars require constant care -and watchfulness. Indeed, in the wide range of their duties in India, -the officers and men of the British forces gain a varied experience -such as does not fall to the lot of any other European army. - -The subjects of interest in our Eastern dominions are, however, by no -means confined to arrangements for military expeditions. The various -races of people whose customs, laws, and religions are so diverse in -themselves, and so different from our own, the remarkable history of -the country in the years gone by, and its successive invasions--all -these are matters of a specially interesting character; and never more -so than at the present time, when the results of our conquest, and the -effects of modern civilisation, are beginning to exert so powerful an -influence amongst the millions over whom we hold sway. Old customs and -ancient superstitions are being rapidly and almost violently disturbed. -In short, the establishment of our rule in the country is not only an -unprecedented event, but involves a gradual and an almost entire change -in the views and habits of the people. We have given them internal -peace, sound laws, and safety of life and property, such as they have -never enjoyed before; but we cannot stand still. Enlightenment, and -the diffusion of what is termed education, are gravely affecting the -character of the people; and it is not sufficient to guarantee them a -mere peaceful existence; we must look forward to the results as they -develop, and as we commenced by a bold policy, to subjugate a vast -continent, so we must equally boldly be prepared to trust the people, -and gradually to allow all ranks and classes to take part in the -political, civil, and military events as they arise. By consistently -and courageously following out such a policy, we shall present a noble -spectacle to the world of a great, prosperous, and, what is more, an -enduring empire established by England in the East. We have, indeed, -but one course to pursue. - -Military service at home in time of peace is naturally of a less -interesting character than travels and occasional expeditions in -distant lands; and the training of young soldiers at Woolwich, which -fell to my lot for some time after my return to England, did not -present incidents of a striking character. At one period, I remember, -there was a considerable dearth of recruits, especially of drivers -for the horse artillery, partially due to the frequent changes in war -office regulations as to the height and dimensions of the men enlisted. -We were allowed to take short men, provided they were of exceptional -width of chest and shoulders. Meeting an old recruiting serjeant one -day, I inquired if he had been successful, but he was by no means -sanguine; and, on my pressing him for the reason of his comparative -failure, he replied: 'Beg your pardon, sir, but the Almighty doesn't -make the men the shape you order 'em.' - -I received occasional curious letters from soldiers, one or two of -which are worth quotation. The first was from a gunner who was anxious -to be married, as in the days of long service it was necessary to -obtain previous permission from the commanding officer. It is as -follows: 'Sir, I beg you will pardon the liberty I take, in requesting -the favour of your permission on a subject which depends on my future -happiness. During my stay in Winchester, I have formed an attachment -with a highly respectable young person, to whom I wish to develop my -sentiments, by a matrimonial engagement, for which purpose may I beg, -sir, the favour of your liberty?' The man, so far as my recollection -goes, was duly married, and happy ever afterwards. - -The second letter accidentally fell into my hands, and is of a romantic -character, from a soldier to a girl to whom he was devoted. 'My darling -Jane, it is with great Plesur that I sit down to right a fue lines to -you, with the intenchun of cheering your drooping sperits, for the -tempest that ranges before you, the storm is hie, the tempest's winds -blows through the parish, the throushes is warbling their songs of -melode, but by far the sweetest song thare singing, his hover the water -to Charley' ... and so on. - -Whilst stationed at Woolwich an incident occurred connected with a -young artillery officer, of Irish family, who had been absent for some -years on foreign service; and who, on his return to Woolwich, was -taken to the large handsome messroom to see some recent improvements. -Amongst other things, a new patent stove was pointed out to him; and it -was explained that, whilst it gave the same amount of heat as the old -fireplace, there was a considerable economy of coal--in fact, there was -a saving of half the fuel. The officer at once remarked: 'If one stove -saves half the fuel, why don't you buy two of them, and save the whole -of it?' This view had never occurred to the Mess Committee. - -It was not until the early part of 1870 that I again took an active -part in military administration, being unexpectedly offered the -appointment of Director of Artillery at the War Office, by the Minister -for War, Mr. Cardwell, whom until then I had never seen. It happened -to be a period when considerable reforms in the army were under -consideration; and I was fortunate in being associated for three or -four years with a statesman of resolution and great ability, who, -in the face of much opposition, parliamentary and other, laid the -foundation of several important and beneficial changes, not only in -the War Office itself, but also in the terms of soldiers' service and -in general improvement of their condition. In order to understand the -general bearing and scope of some of the chief reforms inaugurated -by the late Lord Cardwell during his term of office as Minister, it -will be desirable to give short accounts of the arrangements formerly -existing in each case; and as some of his measures, from their nature, -only arrived at maturity years after he had ceased to be Secretary of -State, I propose to trace their gradual development, and the results -achieved, down to the present day. - -One of the first subjects which engaged the attention of Mr. Cardwell -was the difficult one of War Office administration. The authority over -the army was formerly more or less of a dual character; the _personnel_ -of the infantry and cavalry being under a Commander-in-Chief, whilst -a Master General had charge of the ordnance corps, as well as the -provision of armaments for the naval and military services. These -arrangements would not in themselves at first sight appear to have much -to recommend them, the responsibility being rather diffused. Still it -must be remembered that they bore successfully the stress of the great -wars at the end of the last and in the earlier years of the present -century. As the Master General was always a distinguished officer, -and was often a member of the Cabinet, and further was assisted by a -board, some of whom were men of military experience and in Parliament, -the system apparently suited itself more or less to our constitutional -form of government. The great Duke of Wellington, who was for some -time Master General, stated that the Ordnance Department was careful, -economical, and efficient. He spoke of it as one of the most ancient -departments of the monarchy, and that it was a pattern for others.[74] -When, in 1849, a proposal had been made to abolish the board, he -strongly opposed it, and said: 'I warn the Government of the danger -of this alteration in a military view.' Sir Henry Hardinge, and other -experienced General Officers who had held the same office, were of -similar opinions. - -When at length, after a peace of nearly forty years, we again in 1854 -took part in a great European war, the difficulties which at once -ensued, the enormous cost involved, and the sufferings of our troops -during the winter in the Crimea, led the Government of the day suddenly -to inaugurate a new _régime_; and early in 1855 the administration of -the army in all its departments was vested in a Minister for War. In -short, we made the somewhat hazardous experiment of swopping horses -when crossing a stream. As a matter of general principle, it is -probable that some such arrangement was desirable, an army being a -department of the State which requires concentration of authority. But -it is to be observed that the Minister for War is usually a civilian, -and changes with each Government, so that neither concentration -of knowledge nor unity of purpose necessarily followed on the -change; and, further, when the new system came into force the Master -General and board, instead of being simply absorbed, were abolished, -their duties being divided in a slap-dash fashion amongst various -departments. Mr. Clode[75] says that after the first Cabinet of Lord -Palmerston as Premier, early in 1855, the Secretary-at-War 'brought -home half a sheet of paper, containing a memorandum that the Ordnance -Department was to be abolished.' - -It is hardly a matter of wonder that this sudden concentration of -the military departments in a new War Office, under a parliamentary -chief, and in the midst of a great war, should have led to some -confusion, which continued for several years. Soon after Mr. Cardwell -became Minister, he appointed a committee under Lord Northbrook -(then Under-Secretary) to investigate the matter; and the results -of their inquiries led to a reconstruction, in 1870, of the various -departments on an intelligible and sound basis. The War Office was -then divided into three main branches: (1) _personnel_, under the -Commander-in-Chief; (2) _matériel_, that is, armaments for navy and -army, fortifications, barracks, commissariat and clothing, under a -Surveyor General of Ordnance, who it was specially stated should be an -experienced officer--in fact, it was a virtual revival of the office -of Master General; (3) finance, to be represented by an Under-Secretary -in Parliament. - -The arrangement was simple, and soon in working order; but, -unfortunately, after Mr. Cardwell had ceased to be War Minister one of -its main principles was ignored, and the office of Surveyor General, -which obviously required military experience, came to be regarded -chiefly as a civil and political appointment, and was usually conferred -on a member of Parliament, coming and going, of course, with the -Government of the day. The result was a gradual weakening of the whole -organisation. As a proof of the numerous changes which may occur, I -may point out that between 1883 and 1887 there were no less than five -Ministers for War, and four Surveyors General, all civilians, in office -in rapid succession. - -It so happens that in 1887 there were two Royal Commissions, the one -under the late Sir James Stephen, and the other under Sir Matthew -Ridley; both of whom advised the revival of the Master General. Sir -James Stephen's Commission said: 'The office of Master General of the -Ordnance should be revived, so far as the management of the stores and -manufacturing departments is concerned. He should be a soldier of the -highest eminence....' Sir Matthew Ridley said: 'That the intentions -of Lord Northbrook's Committee of 1870 have not been carried out, -and the idea of securing the highest professional acquirements for -the position has been entirely abandoned.... We are of opinion that -the Surveyor General of the Ordnance should in future be what he -was intended to be, viz. a military officer of high standing and -experience, and that he should not be a member of the House of Commons.' - -Their views, however, were not acted on; and in 1888 the office of -Surveyor General was abolished, and its numerous duties sub-divided, -some being transferred to the already over-burdened shoulders of the -military staff, and the rest handed over to the Financial Secretary; -and this condition of affairs exists to this day. In short, the War -Office is now divided into two branches: the one military, with great -responsibilities; the other civil and financial, with great power.[76] -In my judgment, should war occur, such a system would inevitably break -down at once. Further evidence, however, exists, which will, I think, -be conclusive on this point. In 1890 still another Royal Commission, -that of Lord Hartington, examined and reported on this question, so -vital to military efficiency; and it is to be observed that of its -members three had already held the office of Minister for War--namely, -Lord Hartington, the late Mr. W.H. Smith, and Mr. Campbell Bannerman. -In their report they practically condemn the system then and now -existing. In the first place, they point out that the various heads -of the spending departments have no direct access to the Secretary of -State and are subordinate one to the other. They consider that the -present organisation of the War Office is defective in principle, -and they go on to recommend that the heads of departments should be -directly associated with the Minister for War[77]--in short, a board of -officers, such as now exists at the Admiralty. - -In considering this great national question I would point out that this -country holds quite an exceptional position as regards its military -arrangements and preparations for war. Other nations maintain far -larger armies, but their troops as a rule have no foreign duties, or -distant possessions to protect. Our condition is much the reverse. -We are a great naval, military, Indian, and colonial empire; with -fleets, troops, fortresses, and reserves of munitions to maintain in -every quarter of the world; and it is essential, not only that the two -fighting services should act in unity, but that their armaments should -be identical in pattern, and that the reserves at home and abroad be -available for both. Then, again, on entering on a foreign expedition, -we have at once to undertake a most difficult operation in the rapid -embarkation of men, horses, guns, munitions, engineer, medical -and commissariat stores; so that from every point of view a strong -administration is required, and one in which the unrivalled experience -of our officers should be fully utilised and trusted. - -No doubt the requirements of constitutional government must be -considered and provided for. Indeed, it is essential that the naval and -military services should be adequately represented in Parliament, and -this principle was fully recognised in the years gone by. For instance, -in 1829, when the Duke of Wellington was Prime Minister, and when our -military expenditure was far less than now, the army was officially -represented in the two Houses of Parliament as follows:-- - - Secretary of State, War, and Colonies General Sir George Murray,G.C.B. - Commander-in-Chief General Lord Hill,G.C.B. - Master General of Ordnance General Lord Beresford,G.C.B. - Secretary at War General Sir Henry Hardinge,K.C.B. - Clerk of Ordnance Rt. Hon. Spencer Percival - Lieut.-General of Ordnance Lieut.-Gen. Lord Edward Somerset - Surveyor General of Ordnance Major-Gen. Sir Henry Fane,K.C.B. - Principal Storekeeper Colonel Trench - Clerk of Deliveries General Phipps - Secretary to Master General Colonel Lord Downes - Treasurer of Ordnance William Holmes - Paymaster-General Rt. Hon. J. Calcraft - Judge Advocate General Rt. Hon. Sir John Beckett - -We must always bear in mind that the army is no mere inanimate piece of -machinery. On the contrary, it is one of the most vital and powerful -elements of the State; and its efficiency can only be maintained by -placing the administration of its various departments in the hands -of competent and experienced general officers, and investing them -with adequate power. If I have dwelt at some length on this abstruse -subject, it is because, having served both as Director of Artillery -and Surveyor General of Ordnance, I have gained some insight into its -difficulties, and feel earnestly the necessity of reorganising the -department. - -Although the War Office, as will be seen, is a department of hard work -and great responsibility, still even within its gloomy portals there -are now and then incidents and stories of an amusing character. Many -years ago, when the late Sir Cornewall Lewis was Minister for War, on -one occasion he visited the infantry depot at Warley in Essex, and was -shown a handsome room.[78] After admiring its proportions he inquired -as to its use, when, suddenly observing a wooden vaulting horse at the -far end of the building, he said: 'Oh! I see--the riding school.' - -The late Lord Longford, who had seen much active service both in -the Crimea and India, was Under-Secretary for War in 1867. He was -an excellent administrator, and occasionally very humorous in his -minutes. At the period in question it so happened that there were two -officers of high rank and position in the War Office who disagreed -in their views on almost every subject, and were constantly in -collision--on paper. The correspondence became so voluminous, and -the difficulty so perplexing, that at length the whole matter was -placed before Lord Longford. I am unable to give his exact words, but -his minute to Sir John Pakington, then Minister for War, was to the -following effect. 'Secretary of State,--This is a very interesting -correspondence. From a careful perusal I have arrived at the conclusion -that both these gentlemen are in the _right_. The case is now for your -disposal.' - -On another occasion, another Under-Secretary wrote a minute as -follows: 'Secretary of State,--This is a very important subject. You -will observe that the paper is folded the wrong way.' When Sir Henry -Storks was Surveyor General of the Ordnance, he was waited upon by an -excellent old messenger, who, however, in his conversation was apt to -omit his h's. One day he came into the room, and said: 'Sir 'Enery, Mr. -Owl wishes to see you.' 'Who?' asked Sir Henry. 'I never heard of him.' -'Beg your pardon--it is Mr. Owl, the Director of Contracts.' 'Oh, Mr. -Howell; show him in!'[79] - -Some years ago the Minister for War, so it is said, being desirous of -acquainting himself with the work of the different branches, visited -the various rooms and inquired as to the details. Meeting a gentleman -in the passage, he asked at what hour he usually came to his duty. -'Oh!' said the gentleman in reply, 'I usually stroll in about eleven -or twelve o'clock.' 'Stroll in,' said the minister, in surprise; 'then -I presume you do not leave until a late hour?' 'Well,' replied the -gentleman, 'I generally slip off about three o'clock.' 'Slip off at -three?' said the minister, much scandalised. 'Pray, sir, may I ask what -department you belong to?' 'Certainly,' said the young man; 'I come -every Saturday to wind up the clocks!' - -I also remember a curious incident which happened to Lord Cardwell, -but which is social rather than military. After he had ceased to be -minister, it so happened that the wife of one of his former colleagues -in the Government gave birth to a child, and Lord Cardwell called to -make inquiries. When the butler opened the door, he announced that -her Ladyship was going on well. 'A girl?' said Cardwell, inquiringly. -'No, my Lord.' 'Oh, a boy?' remarked Cardwell. 'No, my Lord.' 'Why, -surely--' but before he could say more, the butler interposed, 'Beg -pardon, my Lord, but it's a little hare' (heir). - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 74: Clode's _Military Forces of the Crown_, ii. 765.] - -[Footnote 75: Clode's _Military Forces of the Crown_, ii. 251.] - -[Footnote 76: See evidence of H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief (_Second -Report of Committee of the House of Commons on Army Estimates_, 1888, -pp. 27, 35, 36, and 52.)] - -[Footnote 77: See _Commission on the Administration of the Naval and -Military Departments_, February 1890, pp. 57, 67, 70, 73, and 114.] - -[Footnote 78: The gymnasium.] - -[Footnote 79: I once knew a gentleman of far higher rank than a War -Office messenger who laboured under the same defect. We were at one -time interested in an association which, though useful, constantly met -with opposition. Coming across him one day after a meeting which he -had attended, I inquired how matters were going on, and he replied, 'I -was determined there should be no 'itch, so I brought them up to the -scratch.'] - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -SHORT SERVICE AND RESERVE - - -Among the numerous measures carried out by the late Lord Cardwell -during the period of his administration of the War Department, none has -exercised a wider or more beneficial influence than the introduction -of short service and reserve for the non-commissioned officers and men -of the army. Indeed, when we consider the results achieved, it seems -rather surprising that such a change had not been made long ago, not -only in the interests of the men, but also in the reserve of strength -which it gives to the country in the event of war. - -In considering the subject in its various bearings, both military and -financial, it will be desirable to refer shortly to the methods by -which we had endeavoured to maintain our forces in former days. During -the great wars in which this country was engaged at the end of the -last and in the earlier years of the present century, although the -arrangements for recruiting occasionally varied, the main principle -adopted was one of long service with high bounties on enlistment, and -small pensions on retirement. Yet, so difficult was it found to keep -the ranks complete, that debtors and even criminals were pardoned on -condition of serving abroad.[80] The cost was enormous. For instance, -in 1808 the levy and bounty money alone exceeded 40_l._ for each man, -before he had been trained or had done a day's service. This was -not only wasteful, but led to drunkenness and desertion[81]; and, -notwithstanding its cost, the plan failed in providing sufficient -recruits, and the army at critical moments was lamentably behind the -numbers required. For instance, early in the Peninsular war it was -about 43,000[82] short of the desired establishment, and during the -Crimean war the deficiency was over 46,000.[83] - -The real fact was that the system of recruiting up to 1870 was, and -always had been, unpopular. The service was a very hard one. Regiments -were kept abroad for upwards of twenty years, often in tropical, -unhealthy climates; and of the thousands who enlisted yearly but few -ever returned, and even those were often prematurely aged and broken -down. It is no wonder that the poor people of the country looked upon -enlistment of their sons with dread, and as almost equivalent to a -sentence of banishment and of death. So great was the difficulty, -that between 1861 and 1869--although the men were then better paid, -fed, and clothed than in former years--the average number of recruits -obtained was only 12,546 per annum.[84] In 1867 General Peel, the -Minister for War, said that 'the question now is whether the British -army should be allowed to collapse.' In that year another Royal -Commission was appointed to consider the subject, and in their report -said: 'The military history of this country, even up to the date of the -last great war in which we were engaged, shows that it has been our -practice during periods of peace to reduce our military establishments -to the lowest possible point.... No preparations for a state of war -were thought of; and the consequence has been that, when war occurred, -everything had to be done in a hurry at the most lavish expense.... -Men were enrolled and sent half-trained into the field, material -manufactured, transport provided, and accommodation for the sick and -wounded devised and organised.' They went on to say that 'wars will be -sudden in their commencement and short in their duration, and woe to -that country which is unprepared to defend itself.' - -The above remarks will probably be sufficient to demonstrate the -difficulty which the country had experienced over and over again, not -only in maintaining its forces in the field during a campaign, but -even in providing sufficient numbers for our garrisons at home and -abroad in time of peace. But whatever may have been the merits or -shortcomings of the arrangements up to 1870, one point, at all events, -was perfectly clear--that the army had no reserve. One or two feeble -efforts in that direction had been made, but had failed. When a great -war came upon us, the only resource was to try and stimulate recruiting -by lowering the physical standard and by raising the bounties, so -that often the campaign was over before the desired numbers had been -obtained.[85] - -The time, indeed, had fully come for a change of system. In March -1869, Mr. Cardwell, speaking in the House of Commons, indicated -his intention of abolishing the plan of long enlistments, and the -following year introduced the bill affirming the principle of short -service and reserve. What he said was 'that in time of peace the army -would feed the reserve, and in time of war the reserve would feed -the army.' Having confidence in the scheme, he boldly abolished the -old costly system of bounty on enlistment. The principle, when first -established, was tentative and optional, and naturally required time -before a correct opinion could be formed of its progress; indeed, it -is only within the last few years that the reserve has developed to -its normal figure. The change was much criticised at the time, and -it was confidently asserted that men would not care to engage for a -short period; and that even were they to do so, the reserves would -not be forthcoming if called out. No sooner, however, had the system -been adopted than its success year by year became apparent. Not only -did the numbers enlisting largely increase, but the proportion of -those selecting long service rapidly declined. Then again, although -the formation of a reserve was necessarily gradual, we have had two -proofs of its reliable nature; the men composing it having been called -out, first in 1878 under apprehension of war, and again partially in -1882 during the Egyptian campaign; and in both cases the percentage -of absentees was very small. I have already mentioned that during -the last years of the long service system the average annual number -of recruits was only 12,546, whereas in 1892 no less than 41,659 men -joined the army, and the reserve had in January 1894 reached the large -figure of 80,349. Before leaving the subject of reserves, it will be as -well to mention that Lord Cardwell, in 1870, also gave effect to the -Militia Act of 1867, by which a certain number of men of that force, -on receiving a small annual bounty, engage to join the regular army in -case of war. This reserve now amounts to 30,103, in addition to the -numbers just quoted. - -These facts are undeniable proofs, not only of the popularity of the -present arrangement, but also that the army can at once be largely -augmented in case of necessity by men thoroughly trained and in the -prime of life. There are, however, other satisfactory elements in -the present system. The old feeling that the man who enlisted was -virtually lost to his family is becoming a tradition of the past. In -former times, as I have said, but few returned, and even they were -often prematurely aged by long residence in unhealthy climates; whereas -nowadays the men who come back to civil life are, on an average, little -over twenty-six years old, and their numbers amount to more than -17,000 per annum, whilst their few years passed in the army have been -beneficial in giving them habits of discipline and obedience. - -From a financial point of view--which, it is needless to say, is -an important feature--the results are equally satisfactory. In the -first place, the enormous sums formerly spent in bounties and levy -money are now in a great measure saved. Then, again, the pension -list is decreasing. Had the old plan continued, with the army at its -present strength, the annual cost of pensions would have been nearly -3,000,000_l._ per annum. It will now gradually decrease to less than -one-third of that amount. By an actuarial[86] calculation it is -estimated that, taking all charges into consideration, the economy of -the present system over the old one will be a saving in the normal of -21·71 per cent. for Great Britain and of 47·2 for India. The above -statements are made, not as mere matters of opinion, but as facts -founded on official records and parliamentary reports; and afford -proofs that whilst military service is more popular, and our strength -and elasticity for war considerably greater than formerly, at the same -time the annual cost is much less. It may, perhaps, be said that the -army estimates are increasing; and my reply is that as the Empire is -expanding, it requires not only more men, but more numerous and costly -armaments for defence, than in the past. - -Even the results just quoted do not conclude the story. Several other -incidental advantages arise from the abandonment of long service, which -may be shortly alluded to. Many persons, for instance, appear to be -under the impression that a large proportion of the men now serving are -less efficient in point of age than formerly, but the evidence points -the other way. - -The following are the ages of the non-commissioned officers and men -serving in January 1871 and 1894 respectively.[87] - -_Proportion per 1,000 men_ - - +------+----------+-----------------+---------+-------+ - | Year | Under 20 | Between 20 & 30 | Over 30 | Total | - +------+----------+-----------------+---------+-------+ - | 1871 | 190 | 490 | 320 | 1,000 | - | 1894 | 170 | 742 | 88 | 1,000 | - +------+----------+-----------------+---------+-------+ - -The above figures are somewhat remarkable, as showing that the number -of men of the most serviceable ages (that is, between 20 and 30) has -largely increased since the introduction of short service; and I -believe that experienced officers will concur with me that the army of -1894 is, in respect of age, superior to that of former days. - -Then, again, in the consideration of the foreign duties which devolve -on our forces, it is often urged that long service, at all events, -is best adapted to meet Indian requirements, on the two grounds that -young soldiers cannot stand tropical climates and that frequent reliefs -are costly. Neither of these views will bear the test of examination. -The report of the sanitary condition of the army in India said that -'upon the whole, early entry into India appears to be an advantage, -not only at first, but in after life.'[88] At a subsequent period, Sir -Ranald Martin stated that 'all statistical observations go to disprove -anything like acclimatisation in the East Indies.' On the contrary, -he declares that 'disease and death increase with length of service -and age.' Dr. Brydon also said: 'The death-rate of 1871 shows that the -death-rate for the men above thirty has been consistently double that -of men below that age.' - -Lord Airey's Commission of 1880[89] quoted figures proving that the -proportion of deaths, and of invalids sent home, increases in a rapid -ratio with age. For instance, the number of deaths and invalids per -1,000 men on the average of ten years is-- - - Deaths Invalids - Under 25 years old 16·06 25·84 - Over 35 and under 40 33·71 76·11 - -The above figures indicate that men should be sent to India young, and -not be kept there beyond a few years. If men, whose service in India -is prolonged, die twice as fast after thirty as they do when under -that age, it is evident that, as they must be replaced by drafts from -home, even from a financial point of view such a system is not to be -commended. So far from a short period not being adapted for India, -it is the only one which ought to be allowed, on grounds alike of -humanity, efficiency, and economy. - -There still remain a few other points, regarding the men serving in the -present day, which are worthy of notice. The effects of the Education -Act of 1870 have been very marked on the Army. For instance, the -proportion of men in the ranks of what is termed 'superior education' -was in 1861 74 per thousand, whereas in 1889 it had risen to 854.[90] -Again, as regards crime, in 1868[91] the proportion of courts-martial -per thousand was 144, whereas in 1892 it was only 54. - -Desertions also are steadily decreasing. In 1858[92] upwards of 20,000 -men disappeared. In 1874 the net loss from desertion per thousand was -20. In 1893 it was 12.[93] Finally, there remains one more subject -regarding the men in the army on which I would say a few words, and -that is the marriage question. So long as a system of long service -prevailed, a married establishment of only 7 per cent. was recognised -by the Government. The virtual result was, that the great majority of -men serving year after year were not allowed to marry; and this state -of affairs was neither natural nor desirable, tending also to render -military service unpopular. Under the present system, as the great -majority of the men only remain for a few years in the ranks, they are -for the most part single, and on return to civil life can marry at -will. - -The foregoing remarks will, I hope, be of some interest in indicating -the beneficial effect of the changes introduced as regards service in -the army by the late Lord Cardwell, when Minister for War in 1870. -The men who now enter the ranks are probably of much the same class -as formerly, but they serve under improved conditions; and whilst I -believe that they retain all the enterprise and courage of those who -preceded them, they are undoubtedly far better educated, and therefore -to some extent require more discrimination in their treatment than -formerly prevailed. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 80: Clode's _Military Forces of the Crown_, vol. ii., pp. -25-60.] - -[Footnote 81: _Commissions on Recruiting_, 1861, p. xiii., and 1867, p. -x.] - -[Footnote 82: _Militia Report of 1877_, app. xvii., p. 546.] - -[Footnote 83: _Commission on Recruiting_, 1867, p. 221.] - -[Footnote 84: _Army Return for 1880._] - -[Footnote 85: See _Commission on Recruiting_, 1861, p. iii.] - -[Footnote 86: _Actuarial War Office Report_, January 1889.] - -[Footnote 87: _Annual Army Returns_, 1880 and 1894.] - -[Footnote 88: _Sanitary Condition of the Army in India_, 1863, p. xxxi.] - -[Footnote 89: _Lord Airey's Committee of 1880_, p. 19.] - -[Footnote 90: _Army Annual Returns_, 1881 and 1893.] - -[Footnote 91: _Army Annual Returns_, 1880 and 1894.] - -[Footnote 92: _Recruiting Commission of 1861_, p. iii.] - -[Footnote 93: _Annual Army Return of 1894._] - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -LOCALISATION AND COUNTY REGIMENTS.--INTERVIEW WITH THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON -III. - - -Another important measure introduced during the administration of the -late Lord Cardwell was that of localisation. In the old days, when -the infantry regiments were scattered all over the world, and for the -most part consisted of single battalions, it had been the custom, on -their proceeding abroad, to leave behind a small depot, which was -constantly moved about in the United Kingdom and obtained recruits -as best it could, without regard to local ties or associations; so -that, although many of the older regiments bore county titles, which -had been given them so long ago as 1782 by King George the Third, in -reality men of the various counties and nationalities served together -indiscriminately. Field Marshal Conway, who was Commander-in-Chief at -the time in question, specially stated that the object of the King was -'to create a mutual attachment between the county and the regiment, -which may at all times be useful towards recruiting.' - -The scheme, however, for all practical purposes had no force or reality -until 1871. Lord Cardwell first of all established fixed depots in -the counties, each representing two battalions; and thus not only -engendered local ties, but also brought the regular army into permanent -association with the militia and volunteers. In his speech in the House -of Commons in February 1871 he emphasised the desirability of combining -our military institutions. He said: 'There is the standing army, with -its historical association and glorious memories, and having a larger -amount of foreign service than any other army in the world; there -is the militia, whose theory is conscription, but whose practice is -voluntary enlistment; and then there are the volunteers, who have most -of the attributes of military life, and all the independence of the -most perfect civil freedom. To combine these different institutions in -one complete whole is, as I believe, the desire of the House of Commons -and of the English nation.' He quoted Mr. Pitt, who in 1803 spoke -as follows: 'I am of opinion that to a regular army alone, however -superior, however excellent, we ought not solely to trust; but that in -a moment so eventful we ought to super-add to the regular army some -permanent system of national defence.... The army must be the rallying -point; the army must furnish example, must furnish instruction, must -give us the principles on which that national system of defence must -be formed; and by which the voluntary forces of this country, though in -a military view inferior to a regular army, would, fighting on their -own soil, for everything dear to individuals and important to a State, -be invincible.' - -These quotations will, I think, give a general idea of the views -which were uppermost in the mind of the Minister for War when he gave -vitality to the principle of localisation. The change, like many -others, was criticised and somewhat retarded, and was not brought into -full maturity until several years afterwards. In 1877 a committee on -the militia, of which Colonel Stanley[94] was chairman, however, gave -the subject a fresh impetus. In their report they spoke strongly of -the advantage of unity between the line and the militia, and said: 'We -have no hesitation in replying that they should be constituent parts -of one body.... We consider that this is best to be effected by their -being treated as one regiment, such regiment bearing a territorial -designation; the line battalions being the first and second, the -militia the third and fourth, of such territorial regiment, the depot -being common to all.' There was still hesitation and delay, but on -Mr. Childers becoming Minister for War in 1880 the recommendations of -Colonel Stanley's committee were adopted, and are now in full force; -and the beneficial results are becoming more apparent year by year. -For instance, General Sir Edward Bulwer, in his report on recruiting -in 1887,[95] stated 'that the number of men in infantry regiments, who -were born in the district to which the regiment belongs, increases -every year.' He also mentions, that upwards of 14,000 militiamen -transferred their service to the regular army in the preceding twelve -months. The most recent Committee on Army Service, that of Lord Wantage -of 1892, speaks plainly on the subject. It says 'the evidence as to the -value of the territorial connection is overwhelming;' and added, that -the double battalion system is the most economical and best machinery -for furnishing foreign drafts and reliefs.[96] - -I might go on to allude to other measures connected with the army and -its administration which were introduced by Lord Cardwell--to the -vigour and influence which he imparted to the Intelligence Department, -to the doubling the Field Artillery at home, to the rank of field -officer given to captains of batteries, and so on--but it is perhaps -hardly necessary. Lord Cardwell did not live to witness the results of -some of his measures; but there was hardly a branch of the army which -did not feel the benefit of his wise and far-seeing administration.[97] - -In May 1872 I had an interesting interview with the late Emperor -Napoleon III. at Chislehurst, only a few months before his death. -During his career, he had always shown great interest in artillery -questions, and had published works on the subject.[98] In May he -expressed a wish to see me, being desirous of discussing a plan for -checking the recoil of guns, by means of water compressed within the -bore. The nature of his proposal is contained in the following letter. - -[Illustration: Copy of Sketch by Napoleon III.] - - Camden Place, Chislehurst: Mai 1872. - - 'Mon cher Général,--Il y aurait une expérience d'artillerie, assez - intéressant à faire, et qui, si elle réussissait, pourrait diminuer - le recul des grosses bouches à feu. Il s'agirait comme dans le dessin - cijoint de prendre un ancien canon, de forer au point A un trou d'un - certain diamètre, de forer à un point B une lumière pour mettre le - feu. La partie O près de la culasse serait remplie d'eau. On mettrait - auparavant à K une rondelle à gutta-perka pour séparer la poudre de - l'eau, et en chargeant le canon comme à l'ordinaire. - - 'En mettant le feu, à la charge, l'eau jaillirait en dehors par - l'orifice A, et la force employée pour rejeter l'eau en dehors du - canon diminuerait d'autant le recul. Je ne prétends pas que ce système - soit très pratique, mais il serait néanmoins assez intéressant de - l'essayer. Je vous confie cette idée pour que vous en fassiez l'usage - que vous croirez convenable. Je vous renouvelle, Général, l'assurance - de mes sentiments d'amitié. - - 'NAPOLÉON. - - 'La question serait de savoir quelle est la quantité d'eau qu'il - faudrait introduire dans le canon, et quel diamètre il faudrait donner - à l'orifice.' - -During the interview, which lasted about half-an-hour, we were quite -alone; and he made some pen-and-ink sketches, which he gave me, to -illustrate his views. The proposal was ingenious, although it would -probably be difficult to apply it in the field. - -The Emperor also referred shortly to one or two incidents of the great -war of 1870, especially as to the employment of mitrailleurs; and I -ventured to point out that, although of use against savage races, -they had not, in my opinion, much future in a campaign against a -modern army; as, although efficacious for short distances, they were -of limited range and power, having neither shattering nor incendiary -force, as compared to artillery, whilst they would add considerably to -the impedimenta of troops in the field. I was particularly struck by -the quiet unimpassioned way in which he alluded to the past; and he -certainly appeared to bear his great reverses with fortitude and calm -resignation. When the interview ended, I left with him at his request, -a small pamphlet on rifled ordnance; and on returning it he sent me the -following note: - - Camden Place, Chislehurst: le 8 Mai, 1872. - - 'Je vous renvoie, Général, avec mes remercîments, la brochure que vous - avez bien voulu me prêter, et je vous prie de recevoir l'assurance de - mes sentiments distingués. - - NAPOLÉON.' - - Monsieur le Général Adye, Woolwich. - -Subsequently, Her Majesty the Empress Eugénie was kind enough to -present me with the Emperor's work, 'Organisation Militaire,' dated -'Wilhelmshoehe, 1871,' with her name inscribed upon it. - -It so happened that a few months before seeing the Emperor Napoleon I -had had an opportunity of discussing the subject of mitrailleurs with -General von Blumenthal, who had been chief of the staff to the Crown -Prince of Germany during the war; and his views agreed with those I -have just expressed. He said that the German soldiers at the outset -were considerably impressed with the numerous batteries of mitrailleurs -with which the French began the campaign of 1870; but they soon found -out that their range was limited, and that by concentrating the distant -fire of field guns upon them the mitrailleurs could not hold their -ground, but were driven off the field. Prince Frederick Charles said -'that for near ranges he would rather have ten good riflemen; for far -ranges a field gun.' - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 94: Now Earl of Derby.] - -[Footnote 95: _Report of Inspector-General of Recruiting_, 1887.] - -[Footnote 96: _Report of Lord Wantage's Committee_, pp. 11 and 18.] - -[Footnote 97: An important reform carried out by Lord Cardwell was that -of the abolition of purchase; but I do not propose to enter into the -question, as it had been virtually decided before I entered the War -Office.] - -[Footnote 98: One of his works is entitled _A New System of Field -Artillery_, by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, 1854.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -VISIT TO THE CRIMEA WITH CHARLES GORDON. REPORT ON THE CEMETERIES - - -In the autumn of 1872 I was sent by the Government to the Crimea, -to report on the condition of the British cemeteries and monuments, -and also as to their restoration and care for the future. Colonel -Charles Gordon (of Khartoum), an old friend of mine, was associated -with me in the work. He was at that time a member of the International -Commission for improving the navigation at the mouth of the Danube. -Travelling rapidly through Europe, I met him at Galatz at the end of -August; and we embarked on board H.M.S. 'Antelope,' which had been -sent from Constantinople to convey us across the Black Sea. Gordon's -views about the work of the Danube Commission were, as usual, rather -peculiar. He explained to me that, as the river had been adequately -dredged and buoyed, and as the lighthouse at its mouth was completed, -there was really nothing more to do; and that the Commission was -practically useless. As I understood, he had written to the Foreign -Office to that effect, adding also that his salary was too large. In -the ordinary concerns of life he was actuated by one principle which -is rare--namely, a contempt for the accumulation of money. In fact, -he gave it away almost as fast as he received it. His experience in -Eastern countries, also, had given him a distrust of pashas and men in -high places; and all his sympathies were for the poor and friendless. -Soon after our visit to the Crimea he was appointed Governor-General -of the Soudan, and it is said that at an interview with Ismail Pasha -before starting for Khartoum he objected to the large amount of his -salary, as being more than necessary; and when he left, the Khedive -remarked: 'What an extraordinary Englishman! He doesn't want money!' - -On leaving Galatz, we went first of all to Odessa, to call on General -Kotzebue, the Governor-General of Southern Russia, who, however, was -unfortunately absent; but we had an opportunity of meeting, and of -receiving assistance from him later on. Indeed, during the whole of our -visit to the Crimea, every attention was paid to us by the authorities; -and two Russian officers were specially detailed to accompany and -assist us in our investigations. We arrived at Sebastopol on August 29, -and found the city in ruins, and almost exactly in the same condition -as when the allied armies had left it seventeen years before. The -churches, barracks, theatres, and store-houses were all roofless; and -the Malakoff, Redan, and other defences mere crumbling earthworks. All -was so quiet and still, and such a contrast to the stirring times of -the years gone by, in the hardships and vicissitudes of which Gordon -and myself had shared. We seemed to know every inch of the ground, and -for many days wandered about, taking notes of the various cemeteries, -great and small, scattered over the country. - -Although comparatively few officers and men remain of all those -who took part in the great Crimean war of forty years ago, its -reminiscences will still, no doubt, be of interest to many in the -present day; and I will therefore quote some extracts from the report -made by Gordon and myself on our return home:[99] 'From the day of -our arrival until September 9, we were engaged many hours each day -in making a careful inspection of every cemetery and memorial of the -British Army in the vicinity of Sebastopol.' 'It will be remembered -that after the battle of the Alma the Allies marched on Sebastopol, -and in consequence of their long detention before that city the great -body of the British Army did not move again during the war, but -remained encamped on the plateau on the south side; consequently, -with the exception of a few monuments at the Alma and at Kertch, the -whole of the cemeteries, one hundred and thirty in number, are to -be found on the ground which extends from Sebastopol to Balaclava, -and from Kamiesch to the Tchernaya.' 'The cemeteries vary much both -in their position and size. Some are in the rocky ravines leading -down to the trenches, whilst others are on the hills and downs which -surround Balaclava. Some lie in the sheltered valleys about Kadikoi and -Karani; but by far the greater number extend along the bare plateau in -front of the city, upon which the army so long remained encamped; and -pre-eminent among them is that on Cathcart's Hill, distinguished alike -by its commanding central position and by the numerous monuments it -contains, many of them to officers of high rank and distinction.'[100] - -'The cemeteries also differ considerably in the number of graves -and monuments which they relatively contain. Some are large, with -hundreds of graves, and many inscribed tablets and crosses; others -in isolated spots with only a few. A considerable number contain no -monuments whatever. The majority are those to officers; but there -are also many to soldiers, and a few to women, nurses, or the wives -of soldiers.' 'A small proportion of the monuments have been erected -since the termination of the war. Some are of marble, but as a rule -they are of the soft stone found upon the spot. They were for the -most part hurriedly erected toward the end of the campaign, often by -unskilful hands, without sufficient foundations, and with slightly -cut inscriptions. Originally there were also a considerable number of -wooden crosses. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that, -exposed to the vicissitudes of climate, especially to the rigour of -Crimean winters, a large number of them have perished, and almost -all of those remaining show signs of weather and decay.' 'The walls -which enclose the cemeteries were in the first instance roughly built, -without mortar or foundations, and of the loose uncut stones in the -neighbourhood. Time and weather have led to their rapid decay, and -the shepherds have occasionally hastened the destruction by making -entrances for their flocks.' 'We endeavoured to visit every cemetery -and memorial of which we could find a record; the total number in the -neighbourhood of Sebastopol and Balaclava amounting to 130.[101] The -farm-house which was so long the head-quarters of the British Army is -well cared for, and in good preservation; and in the room in which Lord -Raglan died a marble slab has been inserted in the wall, with the -following inscription: "In this room died Field-Marshal Lord Raglan, -G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in the Crimea, June 28, -1855."' - -'The circumstances of the French Army were very similar to our own, and -they had numerous cemeteries widely dispersed from Kamiesch to Baidar. -Feeling the inconvenience and difficulty as regards their care and -preservation which have so long perplexed ourselves, they determined to -disinter the remains of their officers and men, and to remove them to -one central spot near the former French head-quarters. This arrangement -was carried out in 1863, each cemetery being denuded of its dead, and -then abandoned. About 28,000 bodies are said to have been removed; -those of the officers having been as far as possible identified.' ... - -'Although a course similar to that followed by the French has been from -time to time advocated, with regard to the remains of our officers and -men, it does not appear to Colonel Gordon and myself that any general -disinterment or removal is necessary or even desirable. Independently -of the difficulty, it might almost be called impossibility, after -the lapse of so many years, of collecting the remains or of in any -way identifying them, we believe that it would be repugnant to the -feelings of the Army and of the British public generally that any such -plan should be attempted. Our officers and men were buried by their -comrades on the ground where they fell; the whole scene is sacred and -historical; and the remains of the dead should not be disturbed. As -regards the cemeteries generally, our view is that those which contain -no monuments should be covered with mounds of earth and turf, and that -the ruined walls should be removed.' ... 'We are of opinion that the -larger cemeteries, which contain numerous mementoes and tombstones, -should be preserved, a substantial wall being built round them, and -that all monuments, tablets, and crosses should be repaired and -the inscriptions renewed. The three memorial obelisks at Inkerman, -Balaclava, and the Redan, should be protected by a good wall, with a -substantial railing....' - -These extracts will probably suffice as a general view of the condition -of the British cemeteries in the Crimea at the time of our visit, and -of the proposals for their restoration, which were subsequently adopted -and carried out by the Government. The cost was estimated at 5,000_l._ - -Leaving Sebastopol in the 'Antelope,' we called at Yalta, and had an -interview with General Kotzebue, who was much interested in our work, -and anxious that the British memorials should be respected, at the -same time pointing out the difficulty of adequately guarding so large -a number. The late Empress of Russia was at the time residing at the -Palace of Livadia at Yalta, and sent us a kind message, regretting her -inability owing to illness to receive us, and wishing us _bon voyage_. -Having paid a short visit to Kertch and Yenikale, at the entrance -of the Sea of Azoff, we then returned to Constantinople, and were -immediately, for some inscrutable reason, placed in quarantine for a -week, although we were all perfectly well. - -As soon as we were free, the British Ambassador, Sir Henry Elliot, -kindly received us for a few days at his palace at Therapia, on the -Bosphorus; and at his request, I paid a visit, accompanied by an -interpreter, to the Grand Vizier, Midhat Pasha, who was anxious to -discuss the Turkish armaments and defences. I had previously inspected -the arsenal and manufacturing departments; and frankly told him that -they were in considerable confusion, and that a great deal of money had -apparently been wasted in the purchase of second-rate half-obsolete -material, partly on the Continent and partly in America; and that, in -view of the rapid advances in the science of artillery, and in small -arms, I advised prudence and economy. He listened attentively, and -his reply was 'Pekki,' which I found meant approbation (literally, -'Very good'); and went on to say, that the lavish expenditure had -been incurred by his predecessors, but that he would be careful. He -then alluded to the defence of Constantinople against naval attack; -and I pointed out that, considering the comparative narrowness of the -Bosphorus, it offered great facilities for the employment of ground -torpedoes. Midhat Pasha was apparently ignorant on the subject, so -I explained as lucidly as possible that a torpedo was a case of -gunpowder, which, placed at the bottom of the channel, could be -exploded by electricity as the enemy's vessel passed over it; and that -such defence was simple, efficient, and cheap. This gave him much -satisfaction, and he replied, 'Pekki, Pekki,' with great fervour. I -heard afterwards that he had been pleased with the interview, and -especially with my economical views. He had, however, no opportunity of -acting on them, having been dismissed from office almost immediately -afterwards. - -Having taken leave of Gordon, who returned to his improvements on -the Danube, I then proceeded to Smyrna, where a few British tombs -and memorials of the war existed; and on my arrival called on the -British Consul, who lived in a charming house overlooking the bay. On -expressing my admiration of his residence, the Consul's wife explained -that there was a difficulty in keeping it in order, on account of -incessant earthquakes; although lately they had been more free from -them. Hardly had I returned to the hotel than I heard a rumbling noise. -Then the whole house commenced rocking violently to and fro, and it -became evident that the overdue earthquake had arrived. Fortunately not -much damage was done. - -During my stay at Smyrna I paid a visit to Ephesus, meeting Mr. Wood, -who had been sent out by the authorities of the British Museum, and -was excavating the recently discovered ruins of the temple of Diana. -My duties, however, required me to return home; and travelling through -France, I took an opportunity, when at Paris, of sketching ruins of -a very different character--those of the Tuileries, on which were -inscribed in large letters, 'Liberté--Egalité--Fraternité.' - -On arriving in England I was invited by Mr. Lowe, the Chancellor of -the Exchequer, to call in Downing Street to discuss the purport of my -report. The conversation began by his inquiring, somewhat abruptly, -whether I considered it one of the duties of the British Government to -keep in repair the cemeteries and monuments of the Army in all parts -of the world. My reply was that I had never considered so wide and -interesting a question, but had limited myself simply to those in the -Crimea. He at once said, that the report was sensible enough, involved -no great expenditure, and should be carried out; and so we amicably -left the main problem unsolved. - -[Illustration: RUINS OF THE TUILERIES, NOVEMBER 1872 - -_Liberté--Egalité--Fraternité_] - -Subsequently I sent a few copies of the report and some photographs -to those who had assisted us at Sebastopol; and one of the Russian -officers sent me a reply, which, although not altogether perfect in its -English, is very friendly in its tone: 'My General,--I have the honour -to accept your lovely letter, with the photographie of mitrailleuse, -and I your transport my deep thanksgiving. I observe of your letter, -that you forget not Sebastopol and cemetery, who to ask by repair. Your -report of British Cemetery I have forward of General Kotzebue, and if -you possess one copy, take my,' &c. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 99: _Report on the Crimean Cemeteries_, December 1872.] - -[Footnote 100: We found no less than 122 graves of English officers -on Cathcart's Hill, including those of Generals Sir George Cathcart, -Fox-Strangways, Goldie, and Sir John Campbell.] - -[Footnote 101: To those persons who had relations or friends buried -during the Crimean war, it may be interesting to know that, in the -report of 1872 details are given of all the names found on the various -tombstones.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -RIFLED ORDNANCE AND NAVAL AND MILITARY RESERVES--APPOINTED GOVERNOR, -ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY--THE BRITISH ARMY IN 1875 - - -One of the most important and interesting subjects connected with the -Navy and Army of late years, and with the changes in which I was at -one time much associated, is that of the gradual advance of modern -armaments, not only in size, but in range, power, and accuracy. Until -forty years ago the science of artillery had practically remained -stagnant ever since the time of the Tudors. Indeed, it may be said that -the guns used during the Crimean War, although less cumbersome, were in -all essential particulars much of the same type as those of the days -of Queen Elizabeth. The introduction, however, of rifled small-arms, -and of armour-plating for vessels of war, indicated the necessity -of improved ordnance; and what may almost be termed a revolution -commenced, which has had many vicissitudes, and even now has hardly -reached its final solution. - -It was in 1854 that Lord Armstrong first took up the subject, of which -he has ever since been acknowledged as one of the chief authorities. He -has also rendered good service in the establishment of a manufacturing -arsenal at Elswick, which, in the event of a great war, would become of -national advantage. The first rifled breech-loading guns of his pattern -were adopted in 1859, and gave results in range and accuracy far beyond -anything that had hitherto been achieved. They were followed by the -introduction of others of a larger calibre; and so enthusiastic were -the navy and artillery, that many of our vessels of war and fortresses -were speedily supplied with them. Between 1859 and 1862, two millions -and a half sterling were expended on new armaments. - -Notwithstanding their great success and superiority, however, they -developed considerable defects in regard to breech mechanism; and -numerous accidents occurred both by sea and land, due in a measure to -want of skill in their handling. It became evident from experience -in the war in China in 1860, and in Japan in 1862-3, that they were -somewhat delicate weapons.[102] - -In 1863 the Armstrong and Whitworth competition took place, in which -both firms were represented on the committee; and after lengthened -trials they reported[103] in 1865 that the breech-loading system was -inferior for purposes of war to that of muzzle-loading, and was more -expensive. Other experiments followed, leading to a similar conclusion, -and as a consequence the latter was adopted, and continued in force -for many years; the guns rising rapidly in size and in weight from -five up to one hundred tons. In 1867 a committee of thirteen artillery -officers, under the late Field-Marshal Sir Richard Dacres, inquired -into the subject as regards field guns, and reported unanimously in -favour of muzzle-loaders. In 1868 the Admiralty were asked whether they -wished the subject re-opened as regards naval guns, but they declined. - -Having served in India from 1857 to 1866, I had, of course, no -practical knowledge of the earlier stages of this difficult and -much-debated subject; but on becoming Director of Artillery in 1870, -I found that the two services were in practical unanimity as to the -advantages of the rifled muzzle-loading system--that it was simpler, -better adapted for war, and cheaper than the other. In 1871 the -Admiralty were again consulted on the question, but with the same -result as before. In that year, a German 9-pounder breech-loading field -gun was obtained for comparison with our own; and after a long series -of trials the committee reported that the English gun was superior, -not only in simplicity, but in range and power, and in rapidity of -fire.[104] It was also known that during the great war of 1870 upwards -of two hundred German guns had become unserviceable. All experience, -therefore, appeared at the time to point in one direction; but a change -gradually arose, the causes of which were partly scientific, partly -mechanical. - -Whilst the attention of experts was engaged in the effort to produce -the best gun, it ultimately proved that the real solution rested not -so much with the weapon as with the motive power which gives life and -force to the projectile. The question of gunpowder had until about -1870 remained much in the same stagnant, neglected condition as that -of ordnance. Long and careful researches were, however, carried out -at that time, chiefly by Sir Andrew Noble and Sir Frederick Abel, -which led to the introduction of a comparatively mild and slow-burning -explosive, and finally determined the system of gun-construction. -In the first place, owing to its gradual combustion, the excessive -strain on the breech mechanism was much diminished; and further, as -an improved system of closing had been adopted, the difficulties, -and the accidents at critical moments, which had been so perplexing, -were in a great measure at an end. That was one important result; -but there was a second. As the explosion was no longer instantaneous, -but comparatively gradual, it followed that larger charges could be -employed, and in order to utilise them greater length of bore became -necessary, as, within limits, the longer the gun the greater the -initial velocity and consequent range and power. - -These altered conditions were manifestly both in favour of -breech-loading, not so much as a matter of principle, but of -convenience. Sir Andrew Noble, in writing to me on the subject in -1875, said: 'As regards the effects to be produced from a gun, -precisely the same results can be attained, whether it be made in the -form of a muzzle or a breech-loader. There is no magic, as many seem -to imagine, in one form or the other.... As regards convenience in -using, there may be, and undoubtedly are, differences.' Between 1875 -and 1880 experiments were somewhat slowly carried out, with a view to -re-introducing breech-loading. Having been appointed Surveyor-General -of the Ordnance in the latter year, I advised that the experiments -should be pushed on vigorously, and on a larger scale. The adoption of -steel, to the exclusion of wrought iron, in the construction of guns, -was another important change about to take place; and, with a view to -a full consideration of these great questions, Mr. Childers in 1881 -re-established a permanent Ordnance Committee, which for some reason -had been abolished in 1867. The main principles thus established, the -naval and military armaments have since proceeded uninterruptedly. Many -improvements, especially as regards quick firing, have recently been -introduced; and we have every reason to believe that they are fully -equal in all respects to those of any other nation. - -That this subject has been a difficult and an anxious one is evident. -Lord Armstrong, in his address to the Civil Engineers in 1882, said: -'All breech-loading mechanism is of a nature to require very accurate -fittings, and require care both in use and for preservation.' Again, in -a work published as late as 1893 by Commander Lloyd, R.N., and Mr. A. -Hadcock, late R.A., of the Elswick establishment, they say 'that it has -taken all the ingenuity, backed by all the mechanical resources of the -present day, to obtain a satisfactory breech-loading arrangement.'[105] -The whole question is extremely technical; but I have endeavoured to -give an outline of its broad characteristics; and it is evident that -the consideration of so vital a question requires a permanent committee -of naval and artillery officers, and of scientific civil engineers; we -may then feel confidence that the requirements of the two services will -be adequately dealt with. - -Even the placid and scientific temperament of an Ordnance Committee -may, however, occasionally be subject to a severe strain. Many years -ago, a proposal was submitted by some inventor that a small gun, -strapped broadside across a horse's back, and fired from that position, -would be useful, especially in mountain campaigns. The experiment was -made in the Arsenal at Woolwich, the horse's head being tied to a -post, with the muzzle of the gun pointed to an old earthen butt; the -Committee standing on the other side of the horse to watch the result. -The gun was loaded, and, in order to give time, a slow-burning fuse was -used to fire it. The Committee, however, in tying the animal's head, -had omitted to take the precaution of also making fast its tail. The -first result was that, when the horse heard the fizzing of the fuse -on its back, it became uneasy and walked round the post, so that the -gun, instead of pointing at the butt, was thus directed straight at -the heads of the Committee. Not a moment was to be lost; down went the -chairman and members, lying flat and low on their stomachs. The gun -went off; the shot passed over the town of Woolwich, and fell in the -Dockyard; the horse being found lying on its back several yards away. -The Committee were fortunately unhurt, and gradually recovered their -equilibrium, but reported unanimously against any further trial. - -_Armaments and Reserves._--Amongst the many subjects which constantly -occupy the attention of the War Department is the provision of adequate -reserves of armaments, small arms, gunpowder, accoutrements, camp -equipage, harness, clothing, and the numerous Engineer, medical, and -commissariat stores which have to be maintained in readiness for war, -not only in the United Kingdom, but at our stations in various parts of -the world. The great majority of these reserves are required for both -the fighting services; and until recently have been provided and cared -for by the War Office, acting in co-operation with the Admiralty. The -subject is not only complex, but very little is known by the public -as to its administration and cost. Formerly, the provision of these -costly armaments and stores rested with the Ordnance Department; and, -as the successive Master Generals were men of the highest distinction -and experience in war, the country had a guarantee that the national -requirements would be duly considered and maintained. As the Duke of -Wellington wrote in 1843, 'the Ordnance Department and the office of -Master General is constituted for the service of the Navy as well as -that of the Army.' - -It is not necessary, nor indeed would it be proper, to give details -of the amount of these various reserves, which, of course, have been -modified and increased from time to time according to circumstances. -It may be sufficient to say that in 1858[106] their value was reckoned -as being upwards of eleven millions sterling; and since that date has -undoubtedly risen, partly from the increased cost of modern armaments -and appliances, and partly from the additional requirements of our -enlarged empire. - -It is sometimes asserted that, owing to financial pressure, or to false -ideas of economy, the maintenance of these essential requisites for -defence is apt to be starved and neglected. My experience does not -confirm this view. Having served at the War Office for years, under -three Ministers of War, statesmen of divergent political views, I have -found them all of one mind as to the necessary provision year by year -of sufficient funds for the purpose. Naturally and properly they looked -into the details. The estimates are presented to Parliament annually, -and no reluctance is shown to vote the requisite supplies. Indeed, -there are many influences in the House of Commons which rather tend the -other way--that is, to extravagance. - -An unfortunate change, however, was made a few years ago--namely, in -the separation of the naval and military reserves at home and abroad; -and duplicate establishments, store-houses, and staff, now exist, -which are leading to increased cost, some loss of efficiency, and -eventually to diversity of patterns. As a great naval, military, and -colonial Power, with fleets, fortresses, and depôts all over the world, -it seems apparent that, both in regard to efficiency and economy, -unity of system is essential. Not only the great Duke of Wellington, -but successive Master Generals of Ordnance, concurred in this view, -and agreed that the Ordnance was an efficient department of the -State,[107] and should hold the reserves of both services. According to -my judgment, we should revert at once to the former arrangements, and -indeed, should war unfortunately arise, we should in all probability be -compelled to do so. - -Having been appointed Governor of the Royal Military Academy at -Woolwich in July 1875, I left the War Office, and did so with -much regret. Although, as I have tried to explain, its system of -administration is not altogether adapted to meet the requirements -of parliamentary government, and although in some respects the Navy -and Army are not in such close association as seems desirable, still -these defects are capable of remedy, and, at all events, are in no way -attributable to the chiefs of the various departments, military and -civil, of the War Office, who are men of the highest character and -experience, and who carry out very difficult duties with loyalty and -success, even under a somewhat imperfect system. - -During my five years of office as Director of Artillery, the following -sovereigns and foreign princes visited the manufacturing departments -of the Arsenal: the late Emperor Alexander II. of Russia--the late -Emperor Napoleon III.--the late Emperor of Brazil--the late Grand Duke -Constantine of Russia--the late Comte de Paris--and the Shah of Persia. - -Some years after the inspection of the Arsenal by the Shah he paid -a second visit to England, in 1889, and I had then an interesting -interview with him at Lord Armstrong's in Northumberland. Having -heard that I had served in India, the Shah came up during the evening -and alluded to our position on the North-West Frontier. It must be -understood that the conversation was entirely through a Persian -interpreter, the Shah knowing only a few English words. He discussed -the subject in a very sensible manner, and said we should avoid -entering into war with the Afghans, and should endeavour to keep on -terms of friendship with the Ameer at Cabul; to which I cordially -assented. - -Looking about the room, and seeing a general officer at some distance, -he inquired: 'Who is that great man in a red coat?' I replied that it -was Sir Edward Blackett, High Sheriff of the county. Perhaps that did -not convey much to his mind, so I said to the interpreter: 'Tell the -Shah that five and thirty years ago, Sir Edward was in the Crimean war, -and one day a shot came and took off his leg.' The Shah threw up his -hands and was much impressed, but presently the interpreter said that -his Majesty couldn't understand it, as he had two legs now. 'That is -quite correct,' I observed; 'but tell the Shah that one of them is made -of wood.' His Majesty said at once: 'I must go and talk to that great -man.' He went up to Sir Edward, and remarked: 'You lost your leg in the -Crimea?' to which Blackett assented. 'Ah,' says the Shah, 'I remember. -It was in the same battle that Lord Raglan lost his arm!' - -The late Emperor of Brazil also paid a second visit to England, after -he was dethroned, and on one occasion was shown a wheel by Lord -Armstrong, which by some scientific arrangement made rapid revolutions, -and he remarked: 'How very interesting. Its revolutions appear to me to -be quicker even than those in South America.' - -The record of the Royal Military Academy during my period of command -was like that of a nation without a history. As the Governor has been -invested of late years with adequate power, and is assisted by a -competent staff, civil and military, he has only himself to blame if -its administration is not successful. The two hundred gentlemen cadets, -youths just rising to manhood, no doubt require tact and discretion -in those having authority over them; but if they are treated with -confidence and kindness, we may feel assured that no real difficulties -will arise. Indeed, during my period of office, speaking generally, -the conduct of the cadets was admirable throughout; and it is a -gratification to me to know that many of those who were then at the -institution are now becoming distinguished as officers of Artillery -and Engineers. As regards education, the cadets, in my opinion, have -too many subjects imposed upon them during their two years' residence -at Woolwich. In addition to following up their previous studies -in mathematics, French, and German, they have to learn artillery, -fortification, military surveying, landscape drawing, chemistry, -military history, riding, gymnastics, and drills of all kinds. There -is, however, another point, not due to any defect in the regulations, -which injuriously affects candidates for the military colleges--namely, -the apathy of many of the great public schools, in not teaching the -boys who may desire to follow a military career the subjects which are -held to be essential to the profession. The result is that a large -proportion of those who go up for the competitive examinations are -compelled to leave the colleges at a critical period, and to be hastily -educated by special teachers. Unjust criticisms are often made on -what are commonly called the 'crammers,' whilst the real fault lies -elsewhere; and if those in authority at the public schools would take -more pains to have the boys educated for the profession in which they -are ultimately to serve, the army and other branches of the public -service would reap the benefit. - -During the year 1875, the late Mr. John Holms, then member of -Parliament for Hackney, constituted himself a vigorous critic of the -army reforms which had been instituted by Lord Cardwell, and also -put forward a distinct plan of his own of military organisation. His -view was that we should maintain three separate armies--one for home, -a second for the Colonies, and a third for India--all recruited and -organised on different systems. It is not necessary now to discuss -these proposals; but as his criticisms at the time attracted some -attention, I was asked by Lord Cardwell in 1876 to publish a short -reply; and as soon as it was ready he gave me a letter of introduction -to the late Mr. John Murray, the well-known publisher of Albemarle -Street, with a view to his bringing it out. When Mr. Murray had read -Lord Cardwell's note, he turned to me and said: 'So you wish to publish -a pamphlet--why, an archangel wouldn't read a pamphlet!' My reply was -that we were not thinking so much at the present moment of archangels, -as of members of Parliament and others, who were of quite a different -class. The argument was so conclusive that he published the article -in the course of a few days, and it may, perhaps, to some extent have -accomplished the intended object.[108] At all events, I received many -letters of approval of its contents, and amongst others, the following -from my old friend the late Lord Airey, who had been Governor of -Gibraltar:-- - - 'Lowndes Square, March 1876. - - 'My dear Adye,--You were so kind as to send me and ask me to read - your reply to Mr. Holms. When I was at Gibraltar, Drummond Hay, our - Minister at the Court of Morocco, sent me over the Grand Vizier and - the Commander-in-Chief of the Moorish Army. - - 'They were solemn, silent, but not unobservant parties. Amongst other - things, I showed them some long-range seaward artillery practice. When - they saw the little flag shot down two or three times, they turned to - me, and simply said, "The Spaniards may go to bed!" I think Mr. Holms - may go to bed. - - 'Yours truly, my dear Adye, - 'RICHARD AIREY.' - -I also received the following letter from Mr. Gladstone:-- - - 'September 1876. - - 'Dear Sir John Adye,--Amidst a great pressure and many interruptions, - I have been able to gather very interesting information from your - valuable pamphlet. For the last three years my attention to current - public questions has been much relaxed, while the work of dilapidation - incident to an unrefreshed memory has gone on. I do not now recollect - as I ought, the precise terms of the present contract of the soldier - with regard to the three years, which I have been accustomed to - regard as the proper term of short service. To reaching that term - for the British Army, I attach (ignorantly) a great value, with this - idea among others, that it will very greatly popularise the service, - besides its favourable bearing on the question of marriage. - - 'It will be a great pleasure as well as advantage to me, if I should - have an opportunity of resuming the conversation which we began under - Lord Sydney's hospitable roof. - - 'Believe me, faithfully yours, - 'W.E. GLADSTONE.' - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 102: _Treatise on Construction of Ordnance_, 1877.] - -[Footnote 103: _Textbook on Rifled Ordnance_, 1872.] - -[Footnote 104: _Treatise on Construction of Ordnance_, 1877.] - -[Footnote 105: _Artillery, its Progress and Present Position_, 1893. By -Commander Lloyd, R.N., and A.C. Hadcock, late R.A.] - -[Footnote 106: Clode's _Military Forces of the Crown_, ii. 214.] - -[Footnote 107: See Appendix to Fifth Report of Committee of House of -Commons on Army and Navy Estimates, 1887, in which correspondence is -quoted between the Treasury, War Office, and Admiralty, confirming the -above views.] - -[Footnote 108: _The British Army in 1875: a Reply to Mr. John Holms, -M.P._] - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -CENTRAL ASIA AND THE AFGHAN WAR OF 1878-79 - - -The gradual advance of Russia, and its conquest of the ancient -principalities of Central Asia during the present century, have from -time to time formed subjects of great interest to the people of this -country, chiefly on account of the possible effect of the Russian -approach to the borders of our Indian empire; and, having studied the -question for many years, I propose to give a short summary of its rise, -progress, and present position, more especially from a military point -of view. At the beginning of the century, the southern boundary of -Russia extended from the north of the Caspian by Orenburg and Orsk, and -then across to the old Mongolian city of Semipalatinsk, and was guarded -by a cordon of forts and Cossack outposts. This line was no less than -2,000 miles in length, and abutted on the great Kirghis steppe, and -to a certain extent controlled the tribes pasturing in its vicinity, -but by no means established the hold of Russia on that pathless, and -for the most part lifeless waste. Nevertheless, even in those early -days, we experienced occasional alarms from imaginary invasions of our -Eastern possessions. In 1801 we were threatened with a joint attack of -the French, Persian, and Afghan armies; but finally we made a treaty -with the Shah, in which it was stipulated that 'should an army of the -French nation, actuated by design and deceit,' attempt to establish -themselves in Persia, a conjoint force of English and Persians should -be appointed to put an end to them. - -In 1808, another great expedition against the East India Company's -possessions was planned--on paper--between Napoleon and the Emperor -Alexander of Russia; but this danger was also averted by a second -treaty at Teheran in 1809, in which the Shah covenanted 'not to permit -any European force whatever to pass through Persia.' Again, for a third -time, in 1837, we were supposed to be threatened by a combined attack -of Persians, Russians, and Afghans, of which Kaye gives the following -account: 'It was believed,' he says, 'that the danger was great and -imminent. There was a Persian army, under the command of the King of -kings himself, investing Herat, and threatening to march upon Candahar -and Cabul. There were Russian diplomatists and Russian engineers in -his camp, directing the councils of the Shah and the operations of -the siege. The Barukzye sirdars of Afghanistan were intriguing with -the Persian Court; and far out in the distance, beyond the mountains -of the Hindoo Koosh, there was the shadow of a great northern army, -tremendous in its indistinctness, sweeping across the wilds and deserts -of Central Asia towards the frontier of Hindostan.'[109] All these -shadows, however, passed harmlessly away; and the so-called great -northern army, as we now know, but as we did not know then, was the -Russian column of Perofski, consisting of a few thousand men, which -had left Orenburg with a view to chastise the Khan of Khiva, and which -perished from famine and pestilence in the snowy wastes of the Barsuk -desert, north of the Aral. - -It was not until 1847, contemporaneously with our final conquest of the -Punjab, that the Russian advances in Central Asia assumed an important -aspect. She had held nominal sway since 1730 over the Kirghis tribes in -the western division of the great steppe; but, except in the vicinity -of Orenburg, had little real control. In 1847-8, however, Russia -erected three fortresses in the heart of the steppe--thus forming a -connecting link with the Sir Daria--and established Fort Aralsk, near -the embouchure of the river. The Russians having thus crossed the -great desert, came permanently into contact with the three khanates of -Central Asia, and their progress and conquests since that date have -been comparatively easy and rapid. The principalities had no military -strength which could long withstand the advance of a great Power, and -the Russians are now predominant in that part of the world, and are -masters on the Aral and Caspian Seas. Drawing a line from east to west, -their outposts are dotted along the crests of the Tian-Shan mountains, -looking down on Kashgar; in the centre their frontier touches the -outlying provinces of Afghanistan which lie to the north of the Hindoo -Koosh; whilst on the west their possessions run along the border of -Persia. - -What we have to consider, therefore, is the fact that a great Power, -within the last forty or fifty years, has virtually advanced its -old frontier for many hundred miles southwards, rapidly overrunning -the country like a tidal wave over sands; absorbing decaying -principalities, establishing forts at strategic points, taking -possession of inland seas, routes, and river communications, until its -frontier posts not only approach our own, but are on the confines of -countries with which we are closely associated, and some of which are -more or less under our direct influence and control. Her long line -of frontier is devious, and not always perfectly defined; it wanders -along the crests of mountains, is marked sometimes by the course of -rivers, and occasionally almost lost in pathless deserts. So far as -the principalities themselves are concerned, it is admitted that their -conquest by Russia is an unmixed blessing to the inhabitants. In -their bare outline these changes are certainly matters of interest to -us; but they do not necessarily constitute a great danger. There is -undoubtedly a difference between the present and the past. The military -forces of a great Power are now in comparative proximity to our Indian -empire, and hold ground formerly in possession of governments which, -although usually unfriendly, had no real means of injuring us. We need -not now discuss the causes of Russian activity; whether they have -been the result of the apocryphal will of Peter the Great, or of the -military restlessness and ambition of her generals on the spot, or -the inevitable consequence of collision with half-civilised decaying -States. What we have to consider is the effect on our position in India. - -Perhaps the most striking feature is the vast extent of country -absorbed by Russia. From Orenburg in the north to Samarcand in the -south is more than 1,000 miles in a straight line, and from the Caspian -to Kuldja, west to east, about 1,500 miles. Increased military power is -not, however, a necessary result of extended dominion. The annexation -of a country well peopled, fertile, rich, and civilised, and whose -inhabitants are in accord with their new rulers, may give a great -accession of strength, but when none of these conditions are fulfilled, -conquest may lead to military weakness. The population of Central -Asia is not only extremely sparse, but, owing to extensive deserts -and to the vicissitudes of climate, many of the tribes are nomadic in -their habits. The whole population is estimated not to exceed four -millions and a half. When we consider that our empire of India, which -approximately is of about the same geographical area as Russian Central -Asia, contains a population of over 250 millions, we have at once a -striking example presented to us of the difference of the two regions. - -The power of conducting military operations on a great scale depends -not only on the resources of the country to be traversed as regards -supplies of food, pasture, fuel, and water, but also on facilities of -communication and transport. In discussing, therefore, the possible -future danger to our Eastern possessions from a further advance of -Russia, the sterility and general characteristics of the country in -which she has established herself, and also the great distance of -her troops from the main resources of the empire, become important -elements for consideration. War is a science which depends for its -success not only on the courage of well armed, disciplined hosts, -and of skilled generals as leaders, but also on the means of rapid -concentration and of bringing up reserves of munitions and _matériel_. -Modern armies are specially tied by such considerations. Now Central -Asia is exceptionally deficient in all these essential requirements, -and these conditions are abiding. It therefore forms a very weak -base of operations against a great empire like India, whose general -characteristics are of an exactly contrary character; and although the -construction in recent years of a railway from the Caspian to Samarcand -will to a certain extent give facility for transport, still it will not -in itself alter the general features of the pathless deserts of which -the greater part of the country consists. - -Between the recently conquered provinces of Russia and our empire of -India lies the mountainous country of Afghanistan, inhabited by warlike -tribes of brave, fanatical Mohammedans who certainly have no love -for Russia. In a geographical and indeed in every sense, it is laid -out, as it were, as the natural frontier of an empire. All along its -northern provinces stands the snow-capped range of the Hindoo Koosh, -stretching away from east to west: a line of mountains between 15,000 -and 20,000 feet high, with few practicable passes, and even these are -closed in winter. It thus presents for the greater part of its length -a natural barrier against aggression, which a few military works at -the passes would render impregnable. Even as far west as Herat, the -ranges to the north of it are several thousand feet high. But this is -not all. The great ridges which run away in a south-westerly direction -from the Hindoo Koosh, and which, enclosing long narrow valleys of -limited fertility, form the greater part of Afghanistan--all these -present a series of additional natural defences. Afghanistan resembles -Switzerland, but its mountains are higher, its defiles more difficult, -its resources very scanty, and it has no roads properly so called; -so that an enemy advancing from the north can only come in any force -by one route--that is, by skirting the successive ridges where they -sink into the southern deserts. It is indeed remarkable that India is -surrounded for hundreds of miles to the north-west by a vast zone of -barren country, including Afghanistan, Persia, and the principalities; -territories unequalled perhaps in the world for their misery and -desolation; but which, regarded from a purely military point of view, -offer a great impediment to projects of invasion. The Afghans are -poor, but brave, hardy, fanatical, and no doubt somewhat turbulent. -They hate all intruders. In former days the hordes of Asia, composed -chiefly of cavalry, could disregard bases of support and supply, and, -being unencumbered with siege trains or other modern appliances, could -sally out from these desert wastes, and, braving all risks, overflow -the comparatively rich fertile plains of India. But all such incursions -are now happily impossible. Circumstances have entirely altered. -Modern science has so expanded the means of defence that armies of -invasion must necessarily bring with them a corresponding power; and -this entails vast encumbrances, numerous depôts, good roads, and safe -communications. - -It now becomes time to consider the military position of our empire in -India, and here we are met at once by conditions the very opposite of -those I have described as prevailing in Central Asia. Whilst Russia -has been engaged for many years past in the almost futile effort of -establishing her power amongst the remains of decaying principalities, -and of introducing civilisation in regions where almost every element -of prosperity is deficient, we have also consolidated our empire in the -East. Order now reigns in India in place of anarchy, the government -of the law has replaced that of the sword, and provinces formerly -almost depopulated by depredations and misrule have become fertile and -prosperous. Life is safe, and religion and property respected. The -value of land has increased; great commercial cities have arisen and -trade flourishes.[110] Good civil government, in causing contentment -to the people and in developing the resources of the country, gives -vast additional strength to our military power. In addition to the -British troops, we maintain highly efficient armies recruited from -the many martial races under our rule, and are able to increase them -almost at will. At the same time, the improved means of communication -by railways, roads, and rivers enable us to concentrate our forces, -supplies, and munitions with comparative ease. It may seem almost -unnecessary to dwell upon facts so well known; but judging from much of -what we often hear and read, the enormous latent strength we possess in -India appears not to be fully appreciated. - -We hold a central position of great concentration and power, whilst -that of Russia is necessarily much the opposite; so even were the -two empires in contact, the danger would not be on our side. We are -the great and predominant naval and military power in the East, and -Russia is comparatively the weak one; and there is nothing in the -present aspect and condition of affairs likely to cause any important -alteration in these respects. Russia may not have the wish to attack -us in India, but she has not the power, which is a far more important -consideration. But the two empires are not in contact, or near it. The -most advanced Cossack outpost on the Murghab is several hundred miles -from the Indus; so that, far as the Russians have already advanced, and -far removed as their outposts are from the bases of supply, they have -still a whole continent of very difficult country to traverse before -they would even be in sight of our frontier river and of the plains of -India. - -The views on this important question which I had formed and published -years ago, were fully confirmed in 1887 by Sir West Ridgeway, who was -our representative at the Joint Commission, which, between 1885 and -1887, finally marked out the northern frontier of Afghanistan; and -who, from his position and the accurate knowledge he obtained of the -country, was able to give an authoritative opinion. He wrote: 'If any -Russian general were so reckless as to attempt the invasion of India, -and, relying on the single line of lightly constructed rails which -connect the Caspian with the Oxus--and which are liable in summer to -be blocked by the moving sands of the desert, and in winter by the -falling snows of heaven--if, relying on this frail and precarious base, -he were to move an army through the barren plains bordering the Oxus, -and, leaving in his rear the various hostile and excited races of -Central Asia, he were to cross the difficult passes of the Hindoo Koosh -and entangle his army in the barren mountain homes of the fanatical -and treacherous Afghan, then indeed our fortunate generals may well -congratulate themselves that the Lord has delivered the enemy into -their hand. The same objection applies to an invasion of India by the -Herat road. Imagine the plight of the Russian army when it arrived -before our entrenched camp at Candahar, connected, as it would be, by -railway with our immense resources in India. The Russian army would -find itself in a country stripped of supplies and carriage, with a -powerful enemy in its front, and fanatical tribes waging a guerilla war -on its flanks and rear.'[111] Sir West Ridgeway also bore testimony to -the beneficial rule of Russia in Central Asia, and that her officers on -the frontier were conciliatory, moderate gentlemen. - -If the foregoing statements and the opinions which I have offered upon -them are sound, then it is evident that our general line of policy -towards the people of Afghanistan is simple and clear. They hold -important outworks, as it were, just outside our frontier; and, whilst -not interfering with their independence, we should do all in our power -not only to maintain the authority of their ruler, the Ameer of Cabul, -but also to keep on friendly terms with the tribes, many of whom, -especially those along our frontier, are more or less independent. Our -policy should be one of conciliation and of subsidies; and although -in dealing with half-civilised, turbulent chiefs and tribes the -beneficial results are achieved slowly, still, year by year, a patient -and forbearing policy will bear good fruit, and indeed is now doing so -in a marked degree. It is important to note that in our dealings with -the Ameer, and in granting him subsidies and arms, we only claimed -in return that his foreign policy should be under our guidance. Our -principle for years past had been that Afghanistan should be strong, -friendly, and independent. - -The gradual approach of the Russian frontier towards India led to a -diplomatic correspondence in 1872-3[112] between Lord Granville, then -Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Prince Gortchakoff, with a -view to a clearer definition of the Afghan frontier north of the Hindoo -Koosh. It was not that the forces of either Power were then on the -ground, nor had the country been accurately surveyed; but the object -was to avoid complications in the future, and it is to be observed that -the Russian Government ultimately acquiesced in all Lord Granville's -proposals as to the provinces and districts which were to be considered -as Afghan territory. Though Russia claimed independence of action so -far as the principalities[113] were concerned, it also fully accepted -the principle that Afghanistan was within the sphere of our influence. - -During the period from 1864 to 1876, when Lords Lawrence, Mayo, and -Northbrook were successively Viceroys of India, the general policy -which I have indicated was carefully pursued, but in the latter -year a serious change occurred which eventually led to a great war -in Afghanistan in 1878-9. There were apparently two main causes for -the alteration in the views of the British Government. One was a -restless feeling that we were somewhat in the dark as to the conduct -of affairs in Cabul, and that the then Ameer Shere Ali was becoming -unfriendly; the other that the long range of the Suliman mountains -trans-Indus formed a somewhat insecure border line, and that we should -take possession of some of the passes with a view of establishing what -was called a scientific frontier. In pursuance of the first a violent -effort was made to force English representatives on the Ameer at -Cabul, Candahar, and Herat, a policy known to be specially feared by -the Afghans, and which we had hitherto engaged more than once not to -adopt.[114] In January 1877 an Afghan envoy, Noor Mahomed Khan, held -prolonged meetings with the late Sir Lewis Pelly on the subject at -Peshawur, and begged that the proposal might be dropped. He said: 'Why -all this pressing to send British officers, when you declare that you -have no wish to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan? It -has roused the suspicion of the Ameer.... He is now convinced that to -allow British officers to reside in his country will be to relinquish -his own authority.' ... Again he said: 'Your Government is a powerful -and a great one; ours is a small and weak one. We have long been on -terms of friendship, and the Ameer clings to the skirt of the British -Government, and till his hand be cut off he will not relax his hold -of it.' Sir Lewis Pelly, however, stated that the presence of English -officers in Afghanistan was a _sine quâ non_; and as Lord Lytton, the -Viceroy, had already, in speaking of the position of Shere Ali between -Russia and England, described it as that 'of an earthen pipkin between -two iron pots,' it was evident that no friendly arrangement was likely -to ensue. During 1877 our native agent at Cabul was withdrawn, our -subsidy ceased, and Shere Ali remained in a position of isolation, and -was left to form friendship elsewhere. In fact, we washed our hands of -him and were evidently drifting into war. - -As regards the other cause of dispute--the rectification of the -trans-Indus frontier--the opinion of our Government at the time was -that we should march into Afghanistan, and establish what was termed a -strategical triangle between Cabul, Ghuznee and Jellalabad, and thus -guard, as it were, the avenues to India.[115] Being greatly interested -in the proposed military operations at the period in question, I -wrote a letter to the Times,[116] pointing out the serious results -which were likely to ensue on our advance into Afghanistan, and of -which the following are extracts. 'In my opinion such an idea is a -dangerous delusion. Afghanistan is a country of mountains, and the -Suliman range, which forms our boundary, is merely the first of a -series of great ridges running down south-westerly from the Hindoo -Koosh. If we enter the country and merely hold the nearest passes, we -shall at once find ourselves in a maze of mountains, with dozens of -other passes and strong positions in our front. Not only that, but -we shall become involved with other tribes; and as soon as our flag -is seen flying within the Afghan mountains, our influence will begin -to extend, political and military complications will arise, and we -shall inevitably be carried forward.' Alluding to the policy which had -for some years past been followed, I went on to point out that 'the -frontier throughout its length is far quieter now than in the years -gone by. Occasional acts of outrage and robbery are treated as matters -of police. Many of the men of the Afghan tribes beyond the border now -enter our service, and do their duty well.... Therefore, I maintain -that a conciliatory policy has been in a great measure successful, -and was leading straight to the object we had in view, although time, -patience, and forbearance are required before the results become -palpable and confirmed.' Lord Lawrence, the greatest authority then -living on the subject, wrote several letters to the 'Times' in 1878 -strongly deprecating our change of policy, and I had the satisfaction -of receiving from him a note expressing his entire agreement with the -military views which I had put forward. - -Whilst the two causes I have described gradually led to the -estrangement of the Ameer of Cabul, an additional fear arose in his -mind owing to our dealings with the ruler of the neighbouring country -of Beluchistan.[117] Here also we had for many years past, and amidst -some difficulties, pursued a course of conciliation and subsidies with -the ruler, the Khan of Khelat; one of our objects being to insure -the safe passage of caravans with goods through the Bolam. In 1877, -however, a new treaty having been made, a small British force entered -the country, and, marching through the Pass, occupied and fortified -Quetta, on the borders of Afghanistan, ostensibly as a protection -to our representative. It was, perhaps, only natural under the -circumstances, that Shere Ali should look with some distrust at the -presence of our troops on his immediate southern border, and on the -direct road to Candahar. Matters drifted on during 1878, but Shere Ali -having finally rejected our ultimatum, war was declared in November, -and British troops entered Afghanistan in three columns--one by the -Khyber as far as Jellalabad, the second occupied the Koorum valley, -whilst the third, marching through the Bolam, reached Candahar in -January 1879. These operations were accomplished with comparative ease, -and for the moment our success seemed complete. Shere Ali fled from -Cabul, and died soon afterwards, and his son and successor, Yakoob -Khan, having sued for peace, a treaty was signed in May, the chief -items of which were that we should permanently retain the Koorum and -Pisheen valleys, and also send an English officer with a suitable -escort as our representative at Cabul, Major Cavagnari being selected -for the purpose.[118] So far all seemed well; but in reality the war, -instead of being at an end, was only at its commencement. In September, -Cavagnari and his escort were surrounded and murdered, and the whole -country was disorganised and seething with excitement. The treaty of -peace was torn up,[119] and the Khyber and Koorum columns marched at -once upon Cabul, and after severe fighting established our authority at -the capital. - -So completely had these serious and untoward events changed the aspect -of affairs that Lord Lytton, the Viceroy, in January 1880 stated that -we must recognise disintegration as the basis of our policy. The -province of Cabul was to be given over to one Afghan chief, Candahar -to another, and as to Herat, the most flourishing and important -district of all, it was proposed to hand it over to Persia. It is not -necessary to describe the military measures which followed, which were -brilliantly carried out, but towards the close of the campaign we had -about 60,000 men either actually in Afghanistan or on the frontier, -and even then we only commanded the ground on which we stood; whilst -the cost of the war amounted to nearly twenty millions sterling. In -the end, and after much discussion, however, the British Government -reverted to the original policy of a strong, friendly, and independent -Afghanistan; and Abdul Rahman Khan, who had been a refugee for years in -Russian territory, was acknowledged by us as the ruler of the country. -Our forces were withdrawn early in 1881, and the strategical triangle -was, by common consent, consigned to the waste paper basket.[120] - -In my opinion the war of 1878-9 was bad in policy and unjust in -principle from beginning to end. It is a matter of history now, but we -not only were fighting against those we ought to have conciliated, but -nearly ended in disintegrating the country and taking a large portion -of it ourselves. Subsequent to the withdrawal of our army the country -became more settled, although the position of Abdul Rahman was for -some time precarious. By our support, financial and other, however, -he slowly established his authority, and has continued on terms of -friendship with our Government. - -Reverting to Central Asia, the capture of Merv by the Russians and -their gradual approximation to the northern provinces of Afghanistan, -combined with the somewhat overbearing conduct of their military -subordinates on the spot, led in 1885 to a conflict at Penjdeh between -the Russian and Afghan outposts, which at one time threatened to -lead to a great war. I have already explained that although by the -Granville-Gortchakoff agreement of 1873 the northern Afghan provinces -were settled, their actual boundaries, in the absence of full -information, remained somewhat indefinite. Indeed, in countries chiefly -inhabited by nomadic tribes, wandering about in search of pasture, such -questions are often more or less uncertain. As a proof of the doubtful -nature of the facts at that time, I may point out that in the official -English maps published a few years before the Penjdeh incident, that -hitherto almost unknown village was marked as outside the Afghan -frontier. It would answer no good purpose to re-open a subject which -involved no great principle, and the issues of which were exaggerated -at the time by violent and imprudent language, both in England and -Russia. It was eminently one for diplomatic arrangement and not for -war, and found its solution in the joint Boundary Commission which was -originated by Lord Granville,[121] and brought to a friendly conclusion -in 1887. The Marquis of Salisbury, who was Prime Minister at the time, -alluding to the arrangement, said: 'I believe a more well-balanced -and equable settlement could hardly have been arrived at. There has -been no great sacrifice on either side; but I value the settlement for -this reason, not because I attach much importance to the square miles -of desert with which we have been dealing--and which probably after -ten generations of mankind will not yield the slightest value to any -human being--but because it indicates on both sides that spirit which -in the two Governments is consistent with continued peace.' That, in -my judgment is the spirit in which two great Powers should always be -prepared to act in international disagreements. - -One more subject remains, as regards Central Asia, which deserves a -few remarks--that of the Pamirs, on the north eastern confines of -Afghanistan. The country, until recently very little known, is an -elevated desolate plateau ringed round with snowy ridges, and is the -point of junction of the three great mountain ranges--the Himalayas, -the Hindoo Koosh, and the Tian-Shan. The fact that some of the lakes -on this elevated region are over 12,000 feet above the sea is a proof -of its exceptional character. The climate is very severe, and its -inhabitants appear to be chiefly nomadic tribes from Afghanistan, -Russia, and China respectively, who bring their flocks there for -pasture during the three or four summer months. The actual delimitation -of the frontiers, it is understood, is now being amicably arranged -between the Powers concerned. As a base for military operations for an -advance on India, the very nature of the country offers insurmountable -obstacles and hardly needs discussion. I have dealt in some detail with -the subject of Central Asia, as one of great and general interest, and -have endeavoured to explain the military aspect of the case, because it -is the one perhaps not so generally understood. There are people who -say that war, sooner or later, is inevitable. As the late Lord Derby -once very sensibly remarked: 'Of the two I prefer it later.' It appears -to me that there is no cause for war, or indeed probability of it, -between Russia and England in that part of the world; but should such -unfortunately arise, the danger would not lie on our side. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 109: Kaye's _History of the War in Afghanistan in 1838_.] - -[Footnote 110: _What England has done for India_, Dr. W. Hunter, 1879.] - -[Footnote 111: 'The New Afghan Frontier,' by Col. Sir West Ridgeway, -K.C.S.I., C.B.; _Nineteenth Century_, October 1887.] - -[Footnote 112: _Parliamentary Paper_: Central Asia, C 2164, 1878; also -C 699, 1873.] - -[Footnote 113: Central Asia, No. 1, 1878.] - -[Footnote 114: _Parliamentary Paper_: Afghanistan, 1878.] - -[Footnote 115: _Parliamentary Paper_: Afghanistan, No. 2, 1881, C 2811.] - -[Footnote 116: _Times_, October 18, 1878.] - -[Footnote 117: _Parliamentary Paper_: Beluchistan, February 1878.] - -[Footnote 118: Afghanistan, No. 7, 1879, C 2401.] - -[Footnote 119: Afghanistan, No. 1, 1881, C 2776, and No. 2, 2811.] - -[Footnote 120: _Afghanistan_, 1881, No. 1, pp. 60-87.] - -[Footnote 121: _Central Asia_: No. 2, 1885, C 4387; and No. 1, 1887, C -5114.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -APPOINTED SURVEYOR GENERAL OF THE ORDNANCE--PRINCIPLES OF ARMY -PROMOTION--EGYPTIAN WAR OF 1882 - - -On the formation of Mr. Gladstone's Government in 1880 I was offered by -him, and accepted, the appointment of Surveyor General of the Ordnance. - -Mr. Childers, on becoming Minister for War in 1880, at once took -vigorous measures to bring to maturity the changes which had been -instituted by Lord Cardwell, but of which some, from one cause or -another, had been rather retarded. One of his first acts was to -complete the localisation of the infantry regiments in counties, which -had been so strongly recommended by Colonel Stanley's[122] Commission -of 1877; and which is now exercising so beneficial an influence in -welding the regular and militia forces, and in the gradual formation -of local ties and associations. Another measure, introduced in 1881, -was an increase in the pay and pension of non-commissioned officers, -and the appointment of those in the higher grades as warrant officers. -Essential as it is to maintain the system of short service for private -soldiers, as affording the only method of creating a reserve and of -giving strength and elasticity to the army in war, it is at the same -time desirable that a proportion of the non-commissioned officers -should be induced to prolong their duties in the ranks. The same -difficulty, it may be observed, is felt, and the same remedy adopted, -in the chief European armies, where considerable advantages as to pay, -pensions, and ultimate civil employment are given to non-commissioned -officers who extend their service. - - -_Principles of Promotion and Retirement of Officers_ - -Amongst the many problems which have to be considered and solved by -the War Office, none perhaps is more complex than that of providing a -system of promotion for officers in order that a sufficient proportion -of the most capable may attain to the higher positions at a time of -life when their previous experience can be fully utilised. The great -and real difficulty may be explained in a few words. In the army, as -probably in every profession more or less, the number of employments -available for the higher ranks is comparatively limited, whilst the -junior branches are crowded with young men, all full of life and -energy, gradually gaining experience, and all animated with the one -laudable hope of rising to the top. In the military profession perhaps -more than in others, the organisation of ranks is strictly defined -as to numbers, and is supposed to require a considerable excess of -officers in the lower grades, who, in time of peace at all events, -have not adequate occupation, and some of whom as the years pass away, -losing their zeal and activity, become unfitted for responsible posts, -when their long deferred opportunity arrives. - -There are two methods of partially solving the difficulty: one, which -is now mainly in force in the British army, is a graduated scale of -compulsory retirements with pensions at certain fixed ages. No doubt it -tends to clear the list, and thus to make room for the juniors. But it -has great drawbacks; first of all in its excessive cost, and secondly, -that it does not in reality discriminate between the efficient and -the inefficient. Age alone being the criterion, it often happens that -promising officers who have no wish to retire, are compelled to do -so--and this is not only a hardship on individuals, but injurious to -the State, in depriving it of men who carry away with them into private -life valuable experience gained in various parts of the world. It -is, in short, a system which, if rigidly enforced, is costly in both -senses, without adequate benefit to the army. In 1876 a commission -under Lord Penzance investigated and reported on the subject, and it -is chiefly on their recommendations that the above arrangements were -adopted. - -There are, however, other ways of meeting the difficulty which would at -all events tend to remove some of these objections. In the first place -it must be remembered that the duties of the British army are far more -varied and severe than is the case with the Continental powers. More -than half our troops are always at foreign stations. Many officers, -therefore, as they arrive at middle life, and whose health has suffered -from tropical climates, find themselves compelled to retire; and -a scheme of voluntary, in lieu of compulsory, pensions would meet -their cases without injuring capable officers, and without inflicting -individual hardships. But there is another and a more efficacious mode -of meeting the difficulty; namely, by a careful reorganisation of -ranks. Lord Penzance's Commission was quite alive to this alternative, -and said that a reorganisation of ranks would meet the question in -another way, would be less costly, and would prevent the loss of -valuable officers, but that it was beyond their instructions. As I have -already mentioned, the present organisation rests on the hypothesis -that a fixed proportion of officers is requisite in each rank, with a -vast preponderance of juniors. But is this really essential? Now it so -happens that of late years considerable modifications have been made in -every army in Europe except our own, tending to reduce the disparity. -On the Continent the infantry regiments, for instance, are now -organised in double companies under mounted officers, and the cavalry -in squadrons. It is held that under the modern system of fighting such -arrangements are more efficient; and they virtually lead to an increase -in the upper, and a diminution in the lower, ranks, which in point of -promotion is exactly the remedy wanted. - -Mr. Childers in 1881 introduced changes with this two-fold object in -view, and the following table exemplifies the result in an infantry -regiment of two battalions. - - +---------------+-------------------------+------------------------+ - | Ranks |Establishment before 1881|Establishment after 1881| - +---------------+-------------------------+------------------------+ - |Lieut.-Colonels| 2 } | 4 } | - |Majors | 4 } 6 | 8 } 12 | - |Captains | 20 } | 14 } | - |Lieutenants | 32 } 52 | 30 } 44 | - +---------------+-------------------------+------------------------+ - |Total | 58 | 56 | - +---------------+-------------------------+------------------------+ - -By the old plan the number of field officers to juniors was, as will be -seen, 6 to 52--or 1 to 8-2/3. By the new one it became 12 to 44 or 1 -to 3-2/3. It will be evident at once that the prospects of the juniors -as regards promotion were greatly improved, and it had the additional -merit of being more economical as regards pensions, and further, as it -is held by many that the new organisation is more efficient for war, it -would appear to have everything in its favour. Unfortunately, owing to -diversities of opinion, although the ranks were thus re-arranged, the -battalions have never been divided into double companies; so that the -most important part of the scheme has not been completed and remains -untried. Indeed, the tendency during the last few years has been of a -retrograde nature. In my opinion, the proportion of the ranks should -be rigidly enforced so as to reduce the juniors to a minimum in time -of peace, as being better in the interests of the officers, more in -accordance with the requirements of modern warfare, and more economical -to the State. The following figures giving the proportion of senior -officers to juniors in the army in 1884 and 1894 respectively, will -illustrate my argument, and will afford proof that the changes made -three or four years ago have injuriously affected the prospects of -young officers in respect to promotion. - - +------------------------------------+-------+-------+ - | -- | 1884 | 1894 | - +------------------------------------+-------+-------+ - |Number of General and Field Officers| 2,586 | 2,128 | - |Number of Captains and Lieutenants | 5,601 | 6,723 | - +------------------------------------+-------+-------+ - | -- | 8,187 | 8,851 | - +------------------------------------+-------+-------+ - -It will be observed that the proportion of seniors to juniors in -1884 was nearly 1 to 2, whereas in 1894 it is about 1 to 3. Again, -the annual cost of pensions in 1884 was about £737,000, but in 1894 -it has risen to about £1,000,000. So that not only are the prospects -of promotions less, but at the same time the cost to the country -in pensions is greater. There remains one more point connected with -the subject which must be mentioned--namely, that of selection. The -principle is a valuable one, and should be carefully carried out in the -higher ranks. It will affect individuals and be beneficial to the army; -but it will not in itself have much bearing on promotion generally. - -Speaking of retirement, it is related that some years ago the late Lord -Airey went to the German manoeuvres, and on being introduced to the -old Emperor William, his Majesty said: 'I hear, Lord Airey, you are -going to retire. What is your reason?' Lord Airey replied that, being -seventy years old, by the regulations he had no option in the matter. -'Retire at seventy!' said the Emperor; 'why, all my best generals are -over that age!' 'Oh yes, your Majesty,' said Airey, 'I quite agree with -you, but in England they get tired of us at seventy, and get rid of us.' - - -_Expedition to Egypt_ - -At the beginning of 1882 the War Office in Pall Mall had for a time -to put aside what may be called its domestic reforms, and, in concert -with the Admiralty, to prepare for an expedition to Egypt, in which our -naval and military forces were destined before the close of the year -to take a leading and a successful part. The causes of the revolution -in Egypt (which commenced in 1881) appear to have been a complicated -mixture of intrigues, military discontent, and a sham national -uprising; and it is difficult now to understand how a man like Arabi -Pasha, who had neither political experience nor military skill, could, -even for a time, have become the virtual master of the situation. But -if the local causes are somewhat obscure, the diplomatic action, or -rather inaction, of the various Powers of Europe is almost equally -strange. England alone from the first seems to have perceived the true -issue, and by denouncing Arabi as a mere mutinous adventurer, and by -insisting on the necessity of crushing the rebellion and restoring the -authority of the Khedive, she protected not only her own interests -in the country, but also those of Turkey, and, indeed, of Europe -generally. The Government of France at the outset appeared to be quite -in accord with our own. In January a joint assurance was given to the -Khedive of adequate support, and in May the French and English fleets -accordingly arrived at Alexandria for the maintenance of order. It is -further to be observed that the other European powers, recognising the -superior interests of France and England, acquiesced in their proposed -intervention. So far unanimity apparently prevailed. And yet, when -an insurrection headed by Arabi occurred in Alexandria the following -month, France for some reason withdrew her ships and left England -alone. And again, when it became evident in July that a military force -could alone restore order, notwithstanding the oft repeated desire of -the British Government that the two nations should act in concert, -the French Chamber, which on the 19th of July had voted the necessary -supplies for their part of the expedition, on the 29th reversed their -policy, and by a majority of 375 declined to take any part in the -campaign. - -Judging by the debates in the French Chamber at the time, it would -appear that their Ministers were disinclined to embark on a distant -expedition on two grounds: (1) that they had anxieties nearer home and -wished to keep themselves free; (2) that the people of France were -really sick of campaigns, and would not therefore give their support to -a policy of distant adventure--not perhaps an unnatural view on their -part. So uncertain, indeed, was the policy of the French Government up -to the last moment that towards the end of July, when I was appointed -Chief of the Staff to the expedition, I received instructions to -proceed to Paris, to discuss with the French military authorities as -to the place of landing, and to ascertain their views on the joint -operations. The vote of the Chamber on the 29th, however, of course -rendered my visit unnecessary. - -The policy of Turkey as to Egypt was still more uncertain. It would -naturally have been supposed that when one of its tributary States had -broken out into insurrection, and when the power of the local ruler -had been subverted, the Sultan's Government would have been anxious to -quell the revolution, as we invited them to do, and would have welcomed -the assistance of allies like ourselves who had a similar object in -view. Instead of that the Turkish Government not only hesitated, but -after the outbreak at Alexandria in June actually conferred the Grand -Cordon of the Medjidi on Arabi Pasha, the rebel leader. The Sultan, -however, must be a man of great impartiality and discrimination, for -when I arrived at Cairo in September, after the short desert campaign, -he also conferred on me the Grand Cordon of the Medjidi. Whether he was -under the impression that I was a friend or an enemy of Arabi I never -cared to inquire. - -Before proceeding to give details of the preparations for the -expedition to Egypt, it will be as well to allude shortly to certain -misconceptions which appear to prevail as to the supposed want of -concert between the navy and army in war. Even as recently as 1890 -these misconceptions were prominently alluded to, and indeed endorsed -in the report of Lord Harrington's Commission.[123] Whilst pointing -out that the two services are 'to a large extent dependent on each -other,' the report goes on to say that 'little or no attempt has ever -been made to establish settled and regular relations between them.' -This, if correct, would be serious. My experience in the Crimea, in -Egypt, and at the War Office does not lead me at all to the conclusion -stated by the commission. The two professions are so distinct in -themselves that they require separate administration, but that does not -necessarily entail any want of co-operation in war. On the contrary, -they thoroughly understand their relative positions; and whether as -regards preparations for national defence, or in operations for the -expansion of the empire in various parts of the world, our success has -been remarkable, and the results are due to the united efforts of the -navy and army. The present arrangements are, in my opinion, efficient, -and should be left alone. - -The Egyptian expedition of 1882 affords the most recent proof of what -I have urged. No sooner was it determined on, than the Minister for -War and the First Lord of the Admiralty, with their chief advisers, -held constant meetings, and discussed and decided difficulties and -details day by day, and nothing could be more complete than the -cordial co-operation of the two departments--a co-operation which was -not limited to the authorities at home, but was equally conspicuous -at the seat of war. Throughout the operations the naval and military -authorities on the spot fully appreciated their relative positions; -and it was due to their combined efforts, backed by the discipline and -courage of the officers and men of both services, that the campaign was -carried to a speedy and successful conclusion. - -Although the Egyptian expedition of 1882 bears no comparison either -as to its duration, difficulties, or hard fighting with that of the -Crimea, still in respect to the number of troops embarked at the outset -the two closely approximate. The force sent to Egypt from England, -and from the Mediterranean garrisons, amounted to about 26,000 men, -with 54 field guns and 5,000 cavalry and artillery horses. To these -were shortly added about 8,000 men from India, consisting of the -Seaforth Highlanders, a battery of artillery, and several regiments of -native cavalry and infantry. The troops from home commenced embarking -towards the end of July; and so complete and satisfactory were the -arrangements of the Admiralty, due in great measure to the energy and -experience of Admiral Sir William Mends, the Director of Transports, -that after a voyage of 3,000 miles they arrived at Alexandria without -a _contretemps_ of any kind. - -The general outline of the campaign and of the movements to be -undertaken had been discussed before the departure of the expedition, -and it was virtually decided to take temporary possession of the -Suez Canal; Ismailia becoming the base of operations with a view to -an advance upon Cairo. There were obvious political and strategical -reasons for the decision. In the first place the occupation of the -canal would secure its safety, and prevent its being blocked or injured -by the enemy--a most important European interest in itself; and it is -curious that the late Monsieur de Lesseps, who was in communication -with Arabi and who was at Ismailia at the time of our arrival, was -violently opposed to our action in this respect. In the next place -Cairo was then the centre of disaffection, and as it was known that the -Egyptian army, reinforced by Bedouins, was in considerable strength -and entrenching at Tel-el-Kebir, on the verge of the desert, it was -probable that a rapid advance from Ismailia and a severe defeat of the -enemy would cause a general collapse, and thus save Cairo from fire -and pillage. These various considerations determined the general plan -of the operations, and the result amply justified the anticipations -formed. To have advanced from Alexandria, or from the neighbouring Bay -of Aboukir, would have entailed a long and difficult march south, -through the Delta of the Nile, a country without roads and intersected -by irrigating canals. Further, the distance to Cairo was about 120 -miles, as compared with 75 from Ismailia. In short, no striking or -rapid result could be anticipated by an advance from Alexandria, and -in the meantime Cairo would have been left at the mercy of a mutinous -army, and of other elements of disaffection and disorder. - -It was very important that the decision as to entering the canal, -and using it as a base, should be kept secret; and therefore, on -the arrival of our troops at Alexandria, during August, it was -ostentatiously announced that our great object was to land in strength -at Aboukir Bay, and from that position and from Alexandria to attack -Arabi Pasha, who with a large force was entrenched at Kaffr-Dewar, a -few miles distant; and fortunately the device succeeded. - -All being ready, the British fleet and transports left Alexandria on -the afternoon of August 19, a considerable force having to be left -behind temporarily for the protection of the city. In order still -further to mislead Arabi Pasha, the fleet and the great majority of the -transports proceeded in the first instance to Aboukir Bay, and anchored -for the night; a few shots being fired at the works on shore. One -brigade, however, went on to Port Said, which was reached on the 20th, -when the two ends of the canal were temporarily closed. On August 21, -Sir Garnet Wolseley[124] and staff arrived at Ismailia with the brigade -of General Graham, which was landed, pushed on at once, and seized the -railway station at Neficè, two miles outside. From the moment, indeed, -of our arrival it became an urgent necessity to land troops of all arms -as fast as possible, in order to take possession of what was called -(somewhat figuratively) the Sweet-Water canal and also the single line -of railway which ran parallel to each other in the direct line of our -destined march across the desert. - -Ismailia, from its limited resources and with only a small wooden -pier, was not well adapted for the disembarkation of an army. However, -in the course of three days nearly 9,000 men, with a portion of the -Household Cavalry and two Horse Artillery guns, had been landed. As the -water in the Sweet-Water canal began to fall rapidly, it was evident -that the enemy were at work not far off and were obstructing its flow. -Accordingly, at daylight on the 24th a small force advanced into the -desert, and found the enemy in considerable strength at Magfar, about -six miles from Ismailia. They had constructed a dam across the canal, -which after some sharp fighting was captured, the Egyptians falling -back two or three miles to some sandhills at Mahuta, where they were in -considerable numbers and entrenched. - -As a serious engagement was likely to take place at Mahuta, -reinforcements of all arms were pushed on during the day and following -night as soon as landed; the Brigade of Guards under H.R.H. the Duke -of Connaught having to make a hurried and harassing march across the -desert in the extreme heat, on the afternoon of the 24th. At daylight -on the 25th the British troops were formed up across the desert at -Magfar in order of battle, and advanced to the attack on Tel-el-Mahuta. -But the Egyptians at once lost heart, and were observed to be retiring -in haste, partly by rail; and, being followed by the cavalry and horse -artillery, they not only evacuated their strong position at Mahuta, but -were driven out of Mahsamah, eight miles further on, where seven Krupp -guns, large numbers of rifles, and a quantity of ammunition, food, -stores, camp equipment, and seventy-five railway waggons fell into our -possession. Considering that the troops had only just landed, that the -heat was extreme, and that the cavalry and artillery horses were in -bad condition from their long voyage, these operations of the 24th and -25th were not only highly successful, but were very creditable to the -various arms engaged. - -Sir Garnet Wolseley did not fail to take full advantage of the -demoralisation and feeble tactics of the enemy, and on the following -day General Graham's brigade made a farther advance of two or three -miles to Kassassin Lock on the canal, and within a few miles of the -Egyptian main position at Tel-el-Kebir. Thus, within five days of -our arrival at Ismailia, notwithstanding the restricted facilities -for landing, and in spite of the difficulties of marching during the -hottest season of the year across the desert, we had been able to -drive away the enemy and to take possession of twenty miles of the -fresh-water canal, and of the railway and telegraph line. - -As an interval of some days now elapsed before further movements of -importance took place, it may be interesting to give a short summary -of the strategy of the Egyptian leaders, which appears to have been -faulty throughout. In the first place they divided their main forces -into two parts far removed from each other, one being placed in front -of Alexandria, and the other behind a long weak line of entrenchments -across the desert at Tel-el-Kebir. They may no doubt have been somewhat -uncertain at the outset as to our general plan; but at all events, when -the arrival at Ismailia had made our intentions clear, their troops -outside Alexandria should have gone forthwith to the scene of active -operations. Instead of doing so, they remained stationary throughout -the short campaign, with the result that they had eventually to -disband without firing a shot. In the desert they were equally blind -to the real position. If on our arrival they had at once blocked -the fresh-water canal, diverted its stream before it had reached the -desert, and had entirely destroyed the railway and telegraphic lines, -they would at all events have greatly added to the difficulties and -hardships of our march. By neglecting these obvious precautions, they -enabled us within a week to advance and hold these important resources, -and to establish ourselves at Kassassin Lock, where, as soon as our -army was concentrated, we crushed their power by capturing their main -position and brought the war to an end. - -In addition to the guns, ammunition, and railway plant secured at -Mahsamah on the 25th, we were fortunate also in taking prisoner -Mahmoud Fehmi Pasha, one of the chief leaders of the insurrection. I -had a short interview with him on his being brought to Ismailia. He -was naturally rather excited, and, speaking in French, said that as -he had been fighting against us we could dispose of him as we chose. -'Fusillez-moi, si vous voulez,' he remarked; but he begged not to be -handed over to the Khedive's Government, as they would torture him. He -added, that he knew the English were just people; and I replied that -he might feel sure that the British Government would treat him as a -prisoner of war, and give him a fair trial. - -In sketching the history of a campaign, it is always desirable, if -possible, to ascertain the views of the combatants on both sides; and -as regards the earlier incidents in the desert, it so happens that -we were fortunate enough to find at the railway stations copies in -Arabic of various telegrams which had been sent from Cairo, and also -from Arabi Pasha to the Egyptian leaders on the spot; and I will quote -English translations of a few of them, as examples of the different -conclusions which two opponents may come to on the same events. - -1. 'From Under Minister of War, Cairo, to Mahmoud Pasha Fehmi, -informing him that his telegram had been read in council, and -complimenting him on his victory over the English at Mahsamah.' - -2. 'From the Military Commander, Cairo, to H.E. Rashid Pasha Husni. We, -and the entire Egyptian nation, congratulate your Excellency on your -defeat of the enemy. May God be pleased to bless your crusade.' - -3. 'Telegram of three pages from Arabi Pasha, complimenting Rashid -Pasha Husni, the Commander of the Eastern Division, on his frequent -defeats of the English, who are the enemies of religion and of -humanity. Hopes the honour of the Egyptian nation may be written with -the blood of the English.' - -Speaking of telegrams, towards the end of September, when the British -army had arrived at Cairo a rather bewildering message was received -by us from Kaffir-Zoyat. 'Atrocity has taken place in all the stations -from the inhabitants and immigrants. The station master is helpless, -and now is the time for the arrival of local train. The station master -requires help soon. A copy has been sent to Sultan Pasha.' - -Notwithstanding the congratulations which the Egyptian generals in the -desert had received on their imaginary victories, they became gradually -alive to the necessity of making an effort to recover their lost -positions, and on August 28, Arabi Pasha having arrived, they seriously -attacked Kassassin with about 10,000 men and 12 guns. The battle lasted -all day, with occasional intervals, but General Graham (who had rather -less than 2,000 men under his command), supported by the cavalry and -horse artillery from Mahsamah under Sir Drury Lowe, at length drove off -the enemy, and their retreat was hastened by a brilliant cavalry charge -after dark in the desert. Our losses on the occasion in killed and -wounded were 97. - -Subsequent to this attack on Kassassin there was a lull in active -operations for about a fortnight. Although the rapidity of our -earlier movements had gained us possession of the fresh-water -canal and railway, still, as both had been blocked with large dams -and embankments, they were for the moment of limited service for -transport, and in reality we had, as it were, out-run our commissariat. -Consequently for a few days the troops suffered some hardships, -although their general health was not apparently affected, the sick -list being less than six per cent. There were no resources, of course, -in the desert, and it was calculated that we had to send forward about -sixty tons a day of food and forage. By incessant exertions, however, -the obstructions were removed, and early in September many barges were -placed on the fresh-water canal; and, the single line of rail and -the telegraph having been repaired, the chief difficulties were thus -overcome, and we were able to send up about 250 tons of supplies daily. -From that moment we became masters of the situation, and gradually -accumulated a large reserve of food, forage, munitions, medical and -other stores. - -The Highland Brigade of four battalions, with Sir Edward Hamley and Sir -Archibald Alison, had arrived at Ismailia on September 1, and by the -12th the British forces were concentrated at Kassassin in readiness for -decisive action. Previously, however, on September 9, a considerable -portion of the Egyptian army from Tel-el-Kebir again attacked the -position at Kassassin at daylight; but we were too strong for them, -their opportunity was gone, and under the orders of General Willis our -troops advanced boldly across the desert, and drove the enemy back, -capturing three of their guns. - -Our losses on the occasion were: killed, 3; wounded, 77; total, 80. - -Arabi's estimate was very different. In his telegram, September 12, to -the Ministry of War, Cairo, he says: 'Moreover, from true observation -it has been proved to us that the number of the enemy killed and -remaining on the field of battle is about 2,500, and their carts were -insufficient for carrying off the wounded.' - -During the early part of September, reconnoissances were made with a -view of ascertaining the general position of the enemy's defences, and, -as far as possible, their armament and progress. Our reconnoitring -parties consisted of one or two officers with a small mounted escort, -who approached the Egpytian entrenchments at daylight and made -careful observations from different parts of the desert; the enemy -taking little or no notice of their appearance. Indeed, it was rather -remarkable that, although the Egyptian leaders must have been aware -of the near approach of the British army, they apparently sent out no -cavalry at night, and even their infantry pickets were, as a rule, -lying about close to their works and only roused themselves at dawn. -The right of the enemy's earthworks rested on the fresh-water canal, -and then stretched away northerly for nearly four miles across the -desert, their left being _en l'air_. Their very extent was a great -weakness. So far as could be ascertained before the battle, the -entrenchments towards the canal, which were subsequently stormed by the -Highlanders, were the most complete and formidable, being armed with -many Krupp field-guns, and supported by retrenchments inside. About -1,000 yards in advance of that part of the defences the Egyptians had -constructed and armed a detached outwork, which, curiously enough, -escaped the observation of our reconnoitring parties. Most fortunately -when we advanced on the 13th, and when a portion of our troops must -have passed close to it just before daylight, they were not discovered; -otherwise our great object of reaching the main line of works -unperceived might have been prematurely divulged at a critical moment. -The Egyptian forces were estimated as being about 38,000 men, with 60 -guns, of which we captured 59. - -[Illustration:] - -The plan of attack of the lines of Tel-el-Kebir was one requiring the -greatest care and consideration. The enemy had been for several weeks -on the spot, and had not only entrenched their position and armed -it with many guns, but the whole of the ground in their front was a -flat, sandy desert, without cover of any kind. An attack by us in open -daylight under such circumstances must inevitably have entailed a -prolonged conflict and enormous losses. By a wide flank movement we -might, no doubt, have turned their left with comparative ease, and have -captured the position without great loss, experience at Tel-el-Mahuta -and elsewhere having proved that the enemy were not prepared for, and -in fact would not stand against such a manoeuvre; but, as Sir Garnet -Wolseley clearly stated in his dispatch after the battle, 'It would not -have accomplished the object I had in view--namely, to grapple with -the enemy at such close quarters that he should not be able to shake -himself free from our clutches except by a general flight of all his -army. I wished to make the battle a final one.... My desire was to -fight him decisively when he was in the open desert, before he could -take up fresh positions, more difficult of access, in the cultivated -country in his rear.' All these considerations led to the decision to -make a night march across the desert, to be followed by an assault -along the whole line of entrenchments at dawn. No doubt there was risk, -but the object to be attained was supreme, and Wolseley relied, and -with good reason, on the steadiness and courage of his troops. - -Early on the morning of September 12 (twenty-four hours before the -battle) Sir Garnet Wolseley, accompanied by all the general officers, -rode out towards Tel-el-Kebir, so as to arrive at daylight in sight of -the works, and as near as prudence would allow; and he then explained -to them his plan of attack, and gave to each a rough sketch of the -intended formation, which is shown by the diagram on preceding page. - -The day preceding the battle passed quietly, and no movements of any -kind gave signs of the coming event. As soon as it was dark the whole -of the tents were struck, rolled up, and, with the baggage, stacked -alongside the railway and left behind. The strength of the army was -about 12,000 infantry, 2,700 cavalry, and 2,400 artillery, with 60 guns. - -[Illustration: EVE OF TEL-EL-KEBIR. ENCAMPMENT OF BRITISH ARMY AT -KASSASSIN LOCK] - -During the early part of the night the troops moved out about -2,000 yards into the desert, and, having taken up their respective -positions, bivouacked. Perfect silence was maintained; no lights -were permitted, the men not being even allowed to smoke. Except the -occasional neighing of a horse, all was still. The general direction -of the march was west and by north; and as the night was dark with -occasional clouds, and as the stars were our only guides, Lieutenant -Rawson, the naval _aide-de-camp_, volunteered to accompany the Highland -brigade, and gave them the benefit of his experience in regulating -their course.[125] At half-past one in the morning the march was -resumed; Admirals Sir Beauchamp Seymour,[126] Sir Anthony Hoskins, -and several other naval officers who had done so much to assist us -in all the difficulties of disembarkation and transport, joined the -head quarter staff and accompanied us during the operations. The enemy -apparently kept no look-out, and were quite unaware of our approach. - -Sir Garnet Wolseley and the staff during the latter part of the march -rode in company with the Highlanders, and when about 1,500 yards -from the entrenchments halted and dismounted, in order to watch the -development of the attack and to give such orders as circumstances -might render necessary. A battalion of the Royal Marine Artillery -under Colonel Tuson remained in reserve with head quarters. The -troops, who were now approaching the Egyptian position, moved steadily -forward over the firm, dry sand, and so complete was the silence that -it was difficult to realise the fact that two armies were close to -each other and just about to meet in dire conflict. At about 4.45 -A.M. the first faint glimmerings of the dawn were observed, and in -the course of a few minutes some straggling musket shots were heard, -fired evidently by the feeble pickets of the enemy just outside their -works. Then all along the line in front of the Highlanders a perfect -blaze of musketry fire commenced, and continued for the next half-hour -without intermission. The Egyptian artillery were also in action, but, -being fired at a high elevation, their shells for the most part burst -wildly all over the desert. General Graham's brigade on the right had -slightly deviated from its course in the darkness. This, however, was -soon rectified, and as the day dawned the leading brigades, in the most -gallant and determined manner, stormed the whole line of the enemy's -works; and followed up by the Guards under the Duke of Connaught, -and by Colonel Ashburnham's brigade in rear of the Highlanders, they -swarmed over the parapets and held their ground inside. In the meantime -the seven batteries of artillery under General Goodenough, in the -centre of the line, had also continued their advance; and although -from the nature of the assault they were unable to give active support -to the infantry at the first onset, they watched their opportunity, and -as soon as our men were on the crest of the parapets, several batteries -succeeded in getting through the works, and, by following up the -Egyptians, contributed to their defeat and flight. One battery, just -before entering the entrenchments, was brought into action against the -detached outwork which I have previously mentioned, and, taking it in -reverse, led to its immediate abandonment by the enemy. - -At length came the opportunity for the cavalry and horse artillery -under General Drury Lowe. They had purposely been held back until the -infantry had established their footing on the works, but then, sweeping -round the northern extremity, they charged the retreating Egyptians, -who were now in headlong flight all over the country, and also captured -several trains and locomotives on the railway. It is necessary now to -turn to the movements of Sir Herbert McPherson, who, with the Seaforth -Highlanders and part of the Indian contingent, marched from Kassassin -during the night on the south side of the canal, supported on their -right by a naval battery of Gatlings, which moved along the railway. -Their advance was never checked, and after some smart skirmishing in -the cultivated ground near the village, and taking twelve guns, they -arrived at the bridge at Tel-el-Kebir on one side, just as our other -victorious troops had reached it on the opposite bank. - -The short account I have given of the various movements in the field -during the eventful night march, and the battle at the dawn, will, I -think, afford proofs not only of the gallantry and perfect discipline -of the troops of all arms engaged, but also of the skill and care with -which the general officers in command had carried out their arduous -and anxious duties. The severe fight within the entrenchments did not -last much more than half an hour, and the Egyptians, finding their -works and guns all captured, broke and fled in thousands, throwing away -their arms, Arabi having been one of the first to make his escape. -The entrenchments inside were crowded with dead and wounded; and in -addition to 59 guns, an immense quantity of arms, ammunition, and -stores, together with the whole of their large camp, fell into our -possession. The Egyptian losses amounted to 1,500 killed and about -3,000 prisoners, large numbers of them being wounded. The losses of the -British army in killed, wounded, and missing were 459. - -The victory was complete, but no time was lost in taking advantage -of the flight and utter disorganisation of the enemy. Sir Herbert -McPherson's force, strengthened by a battery of artillery, marched -at once along the line of railway to Zagazig, and, arriving during -the afternoon, captured several trains and locomotives, the Egyptian -soldiers bolting without firing a shot. The movements of the cavalry -division are graphically described in Sir Garnet Wolseley's despatch: -'Major General Lowe was ordered to push on with all possible speed to -Cairo.... These orders were ably carried out, General Lowe reaching -the great barracks of Abbassich just outside Cairo, at 4.45 P.M. on -the 14th instant. The cavalry marched 65 miles in these two days. The -garrison of about 10,000 men, summoned by Lieutenant Colonel H. Stewart -to surrender, laid down their arms, and our troops took possession of -the citadel. A message was sent to Arabi Pasha calling upon him to -surrender forthwith, which he did unconditionally. He was accompanied -by Toulba Pasha, who was also one of the leading rebels in arms against -the Khedive.' - -The divisions of General McPherson and Drury Lowe having thus been -despatched to Zagazig and Cairo, the head quarter staff and remainder -of the army rested for the day on the field of Tel-el-Kebir, awaiting -the final _dénouement_. In fact, the result of the battle of the -13th and the flight of the Egyptian forces became known by telegraph -throughout the country in the course of a few hours, and the war came -to a sudden termination. The medical arrangements at Tel-el-Kebir -were admirably carried out. As soon as the position had been taken, -large marquees were erected close to the fresh-water canal, and our -wounded officers and men, having been attended to, were then conveyed -in covered barges to Ismailia; thus avoiding a long rough journey in -carts across the sandy desert. Late in the afternoon, I rode along the -captured entrenchments, the ground being covered with dead and wounded -Egyptians--the latter faint and helpless, and praying for water. -Parties of our men had been sent out during the day with carts of -provisions and barrels of water, and did all in their power to mitigate -the sufferings of these poor creatures. Thousands of muskets and vast -quantities of ammunition lying about were broken up, and then buried. - -On the afternoon of the 14th the head quarter staff, accompanied by -the Duke of Connaught and Prince Teck, with a part of the Brigade of -Guards, left the field of battle by rail for Zagazig; but the line was -a single one and in disorder, so that we were constantly delayed, and -did not arrive till 9 o'clock P.M. Our baggage animals were wandering -about somewhere in the desert, and none of us had even a change of -clothes; and, with the exception of a tin of meat, a few biscuits, and -bottle of claret--fortunately brought by the Duke of Connaught, who -kindly shared his scanty supplies with us--we had no food. Our troops -of all arms were marching along the line of railway, and once, when -we were detained, a weary gunner passed the carriage, and on being -asked where he was going replied, 'To Zig-zag.' Two other gunners -had captured a dromedary, and were riding along in high spirits. -The inhabitants of the villages as we passed through the cultivated -country came out and salaamed, and seemed quite happy. They had stuck -poles with white rags flying on the tops of their houses in token of -surrender. Altogether it was an interesting and amusing scene. I slept -that night on the railway platform at Zagazig, surrounded by myriads of -flies. However, these were the last of our hardships, if such they can -be called; and on the following morning we arrived by train at Cairo, -and were cordially received; in fact, the whole population had turned -out in the streets to give us welcome. Every English soldier walking -about was followed by an admiring crowd. The Khedive, telegraphing -from Alexandria, placed the Abdin Palace at the disposal of the staff -and begged us to consider ourselves as his guests. From a small tent -in the desert to a royal palace in two days--with a battle in the -interval--was certainly an unusual but welcome change of scene. There -was, however, one drawback. Although the Abdin Palace contained suites -of handsome state apartments, gorgeous in satin and gold, there were -no bed-rooms! Whether rulers in Egypt never sleep, or whatever the -explanation, we had to make the best of it, and I took possession of -one large state room; but my little camp-bed looked very shabby and -insignificant amidst such splendid surroundings. There were upwards of -100 wax candles in glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. - -As several thousand Egyptian soldiers were still in arms on our arrival -at Cairo, many of them in a large barrack just opposite the palace, an -order was sent over that they were to give up their muskets and were -then free to return to their homes. Hardly had the order been received -than it was acted on, and crowds of them, divested of their uniforms, -were seen running as if for their lives, and in a few minutes the -barrack was deserted. I inquired the reason of their extreme haste, and -was informed that the news was so good they could hardly believe it to -be true, and were afraid we might change our minds and detain them. The -incident I have mentioned affords a good indication of the real feeling -of the inhabitants, who were not anxious to fight anybody, but rather -to be allowed to return and live in peace in their native villages. -Egypt is probably not the only country in which these sentiments -largely prevail, but do not always find expression. - -In the prison within the citadel we found a large number of people in -chains; criminals, political prisoners, even Arab women and children, -and two English subjects (Maltese) all jumbled together, ill-treated, -and nearly starved. Separating the real criminals, after inquiry, the -remainder were set free, and by way of a change the jailor was placed -in one of the cells. - -In some small rooms in a corner of the great barrack, in Abdin Square, -Arabi and Toulba Pashas were confined as prisoners, with an English -guard over them. As there were several passages and staircases about -the place, with Arab servants and others constantly going to and fro, -and as, to an English sentry, one native is very like another, there -seemed a possibility of Arabi's attempting to escape. So, under pretext -of calling to inquire as to his health (for he had been unwell), I paid -him a visit, with an interpreter, in order to inspect the premises. -Arabi came up and shook hands, and, on my asking if he were better, he -replied that now I had come to see him he was quite well--which was -encouraging. Then he went on to say that the English were famous for -their love of freedom, of liberty, and of justice, and that, relying -on our honour, he had surrendered unconditionally. He seemed inclined -to enter into a discussion, so I replied that no doubt his case would -receive careful consideration and justice from the British Government. -He did not strike me as a man of much education or intelligence. -Subsequently, Colonel Thynne, Grenadier Guards, was specially -appointed to take charge of him.[127] - -Although during the short period of active operations our troops had -enjoyed excellent health, notwithstanding the heat and the occasional -hardships they had undergone, soon after their arrival at Cairo -considerable numbers were struck down by fever and dysentery; probably -attributable to the bad water in the canal at Kassassin, and partly -to the insanitary condition of Cairo itself. Acting on advice, large -numbers of the sick were conveyed by rail to Alexandria, embarked for -home, and speedily recovered at sea. - -Without wishing to exaggerate the events of the campaign, I think -it will be admitted that the difficult arrangements connected with -the embarkation of our troops were carefully carried out; and that -the expedition was conducted with great promptitude and success. -These results testify to the efficiency of the naval and military -administration at home, and also to the courage and discipline of the -two services under somewhat trying circumstances. From a financial -point of view, the rapidity of the operations enabled us on arrival at -Cairo at once largely to reduce expenditure, by cancelling contracts -for food, forage, transport animals, and stores at various ports in -the Mediterranean. So sudden, indeed, was the transition from war to -peace, and so completely had the insurrection collapsed, that in the -course of a few weeks a large proportion of our forces were withdrawn -from the country and returned to England. The campaign being at an end, -I left Egypt early in October in order to resume my duties as Surveyor -General in the War Office; but before embarking had a farewell audience -with the Khedive, Ibrahim Tew-fik. I had had interviews with him on -one or two occasions previously. He was quiet and friendly in manner, -and apparently of a gentle disposition; was cordial in his recognition -of the good services rendered to him by the British forces. I said I -hoped that the conduct of our men since their arrival at Cairo had been -satisfactory, and he at once expressed his admiration of their good -discipline, and remarked that in every respect, whether in the streets -or in the bazaars, their conduct had been most orderly. What vexed -him was that some of his people in the bazaars cheated our men, and -demanded extravagant prices for their goods. I assured him, however, -that he need not worry himself on that point, as the English soldiers -would readily discover the market value, and matters would soon find -their level; and that they enjoyed their visit to Cairo. - -Statements were current at the time that the Khedive was not really -loyal to England. On this being brought to his notice, it is said, and -I believe truly, that he observed: "Not loyal to the English? When my -country was in insurrection and my authority and life in danger, there -was only one power in Europe which would move a finger to help me--and -that was England. If I am not faithful to them it would be strange -indeed!" - -[Illustration] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 122: Now Earl of Derby.] - -[Footnote 123: _Report of Royal Commission on the Relations of the -Naval and Military Departments to Each Other_, 1890.] - -[Footnote 124: Now Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, G.C.B.] - -[Footnote 125: This gallant young naval officer, whose services were -so valuable during the night march, unfortunately received a wound on -entering the works, of which he died a few days afterwards.] - -[Footnote 126: Now Lord Alcester.] - -[Footnote 127: Visiting card of Arabi Pasha, found at Tel-el-Kebir. - -[Illustration]] - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -GIBRALTAR--ITS VALUE FROM A NAVAL AND COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW--ZOBEHR -PASHA A STATE PRISONER--SANITARY CONDITION OF GIBRALTAR. - - -Soon after my return from the expedition to Egypt I was appointed -Governor of Gibraltar, and on January 2, 1883, took over the command -from my distinguished predecessor, Field Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala. - -Before alluding to the present position of Gibraltar, and to the duties -in connection with it during my tenure of office, it may be as well -to refer shortly to its eventful history in the past. One of the most -ancient fortresses in Europe, it owes its exceptional interest and -importance partly to its position at the entrance to the Mediterranean -and partly from its vicinity to the kingdom of Morocco. From the early -part of the eighth century, when first occupied and fortified by the -Moors, it became, as it were, their chief base of operations in the -gradual conquest of the greater part of Spain. Its history in those -days is indeed one continual record for several centuries of sieges, -and of battles fought in its vicinity; and although re-taken in 1309, -and held for a few years by the Spanish forces, it may be said to have -been in possession of the Moors during almost the whole of the eight -hundred years of their rule in that country. During that long period -its value was chiefly of a military character; and it is only in more -recent times, as circumstances in Europe gradually changed, that its -unique position in regard to naval power in the Mediterranean has been -fully recognised and developed. - -Subsequently to the expulsion of the Moors in the sixteenth century it -was held by the Spanish Government, but its defences were apparently -neglected and its importance little appreciated; so that when attacked -by the British fleet under Admiral Rooke in 1704 it was captured with -comparative ease, its possession being confirmed to us by the Treaty -of Utrecht in 1713. Since that date, although it has undergone several -sieges--notably that by the allied armies and fleets of France and -Spain, which lasted from 1779 to 1782, it has successfully resisted all -attacks; and its past history would appear to prove that, if properly -armed and resolutely held, it is practically safe from capture by land -or sea. - -[Illustration: GIBRALTAR FROM QUEEN OF SPAIN'S CHAIR] - -Coming down to modern days, the first and perhaps the most important -point relates to its value as a harbour; and in this respect it is, and -always has been, somewhat defective from a naval point of view in time -of war. Although its anchorage is so far good that well-found vessels -can remain there in safety during the heaviest weather, still it cannot -be considered a harbour in the ordinary technical sense. It has no -narrow entrance or channel which by means of land armaments, lines -of torpedoes, or other means can be absolutely denied to a hostile -fleet. In fact, it is an open bay several miles wide. These general -conditions are, of course, permanent; but it is to be observed that the -increased range, power, and accuracy of modern ordnance have to some -extent given the fortress a greater command over the sea approaches -than it had in former days; so that, although hostile vessels cannot -be absolutely interdicted from paying flying visits in war, they would -be unable without great risk to remain for any length of time within -range. The conditions of modern warfare, therefore, have not been of -an unfavourable character in that respect. Another point has to be -noticed. The shores of the bay consist for the most part of territory -belonging to Spain; consequently, its waters are more or less under -the command of that country, and the improvement in modern artillery, -no doubt, has extended their power in this respect. It is, however, -clear that only in the event of war with Spain would this aspect of -the case assume importance; and, as a matter of fact, so little is the -contingency regarded that no batteries containing modern armaments have -been erected along their coast. On the whole, although the position -of Gibraltar may not in all respects be an ideal one, its general -conditions remain very much as they always have been; and to a great -naval, colonial, and commercial nation such as Great Britain it is of -the highest value, not only in war, but also in peace. - -Its possession gives us a place of rendezvous and of observation -for our fleets; so that in time of war, with ordinary vigilance, no -hostile vessels can enter or leave the Mediterranean without our -knowledge. That of itself is an important consideration. We are also -enabled to maintain within the fortress reserves of naval munitions, -food, coals, and stores, available for our vessels of war, either in -the Mediterranean or coming from the Atlantic. Its value, however, is -not limited to a period of war. Gibraltar has been for many a year to -a certain extent a centre of trade, not only with the neighbouring -towns of Spain, but also with the ports along the coast of Morocco. -And since the opening of the Suez Canal its mercantile interests have -greatly increased, the number of trading and passenger vessels of all -nations calling in daily for provisions and coals and other requisites -being much larger than of yore, as will be seen by the following table, -giving the number and tonnage of vessels calling at Gibraltar during -1868 and 1893 respectively:-- - - +------- +-------------------------- +-------------- + - | Year |Number of vessels calling |Total tonnage | - +----------------------------------- +-------------- + - | 1868 | 4,471 | 1,519,046 | - | 1893 | 5,172 | 4,637,454 | - +--------+-------------------------- +-------------- + - -As a proof of its commercial activity I may point out that Linea, which -five and twenty years ago was a mere Spanish village at the other end -of the neutral ground, is now a town of twelve thousand people, large -numbers of whom visit Gibraltar daily, bringing in supplies of food, -forage, vegetables, and fruit, &c., and leaving again at night with -English goods. In fact, it has become a suburb, as it were, of the -city. The trading facilities of Gibraltar are beneficial to the country -round, and are fully appreciated by the inhabitants of that part of -Andalusia. Taking all these matters into consideration, it will, I -think, be apparent that the value of the city and fortress to this -country are greater now even than in former days. - -It is no doubt quite natural that the Government and people of Spain -should feel regret at the permanent occupation of Gibraltar by a -foreign power; and it has been suggested that we should accept in -exchange the town and fortress of Ceuta, which holds a somewhat -analogous position on the other side of the Straits and which belongs -to Spain, and thus remove any cause for unfriendly feeling on their -part. The question, however, is not so simple as at first sight it -would appear. Assuming for the moment that the strategical value of -Ceuta as a naval station equals that of Gibraltar, on which I offer no -decided opinion, it is by no means certain that the proposal if made -by us would be accepted. The Spanish Government are very tenacious -of their possessions on the coast of Morocco, as giving them great -influence in that country. Their apparent desire is to hold a powerful, -if not a predominating, influence on both sides of the straits; and, -although they would no doubt gladly obtain possession of Gibraltar, it -does not therefore follow that they would give up possession of one of -their most valuable positions on the opposite coast in exchange. Other -Mediterranean powers also are carefully watching events in Morocco, -and it is very possible they might not acquiesce in our occupation of -Ceuta. These are diplomatic rather than military questions, and I only -allude to them as proofs that the subject is rather involved and goes -beyond a mere exchange of territory. So far as Morocco is concerned, -its present condition is deplorable. It is a country situated only a -few miles from Europe, with an excellent climate and great agricultural -and mineral resources; inhabited, moreover, by a fine, brave race of -people, and yet, notwithstanding these advantages, owing partly to the -jealousies of its neighbours, its resources remain undeveloped, whilst -its government is weak and cruel to a degree. - -In considering the two-fold aspect of Gibraltar as a fortress and -a commercial city combined, it is sometimes argued that its dual -interests are antagonistic, and that the presence of a large civil -population would add to the difficulties of its defence. To a certain -extent no doubt the position is anomalous, as in other fortified -cities. Should hostilities occur, and should the fortress be seriously -threatened, its trade would certainly suffer and a considerable -proportion of the inhabitants would probably seek temporary refuge -elsewhere. Still we must bear in mind that war is the exception; and -as not a shot has been fired at Gibraltar for upwards of a century, it -would appear senseless to paralyse its commercial advantages in time of -peace in anticipation of what an enemy might attempt to accomplish in -war. In short, the remedy would be far worse than the disease. - -The shipping trade of Gibraltar in the present day is subject to -one disadvantage, from the absence of any wharves for coaling the -numerous steam vessels which call daily throughout the year. In order -to remedy this deficiency, the coal reserves of the mercantile marine -are stored in large old wooden hulks, about thirty-five in number, -which are moored in _échelon_ down the bay, inconveniently crowding -the anchorage. The arrangement is not only costly in the purchase and -maintenance of the hulks, but in time of war they would be liable to be -sunk either by ramming or by torpedoes. The difficulty, however, could -be met by an extension of the new mole pier, and by the construction -of a wharf from the Ragged Staff bastion; which would not only enclose -a considerable area of deep water and give facilities for coaling -vessels, both of war and of commerce, but would also enable a large -reserve of coals to be maintained on shore, under protection of the -guns of the fortress. The enclosed area would also be an appropriate -site for the proposed dock. - -One of the first subjects brought to my consideration on arrival as -Governor, was that of coaling merchant vessels at night. Ever since the -days of the great siege it had been the custom to close and lock up -all the gates of the city at sunset, and to prevent any communication -with the outer world until the following morning; just as if an enemy -at the gate outside were waiting to rush in and take possession. One -consequence of this extreme vigilance was that all vessels arriving -after dark had to remain at anchor for many hours before their wants -could be supplied. A deputation of merchants represented to me that -great advantage would arise if the detention could be avoided. Their -request seemed reasonable enough, and as on inquiry it appeared that -their wishes could be met by permitting a few coal-heavers to leave -the city at night, orders were given accordingly; and the result not -only obviated the inconvenience, but led to an increase in the vessels -visiting the port, thus adding considerably to the harbour dues. - -The old records of Gibraltar[128] during the eighteenth century contain -some interesting and amusing regulations concerning matters both of -civil administration and army discipline, and I will quote a few -examples. - -'Any donkeys loose in the town are to be the property of the person -taking them away, and any straying on the ramparts are to be shot by -the sentries. - -'Fishermen are only to sell their fish after the servant of the -Governor has bought what he requires. - -'Whatever suttler doth not inform against men that swear in their -houses contrary to the orders given out shall be turned out of town. - -'A hat having been taken from the Convent by some gentleman who left -his own instead, Mr.---- takes this method that the gentleman may -exchange hats _if he pleases_. - -'No gaming to be allowed in wine houses, particularly including the -games of the devil-and-the-taylors and skuttles. - -'All oysters which come from Portugal are to lie in the sea for at -least a fortnight before they are brought into the garrison, as they -are found very unwholesome without this precaution. - -'If sentries are attacked by bullocks in the streets or on the Line -Wall, they are to retire into an embrasure or get upon the parapet; but -they are not to fire inconsiderately. - -'A loose ball and a charge of powder in a cane is to be issued to each -man on guard to save their cartridges. The loose ball to be carried in -the cock of their hats. - -'On account of the scarcity of flour soldiers are not to have their -hair powdered till further orders. - -'Officers and non-commissioned officers commanding guards are -frequently to send out patrols through the day with their arms unloaded -to kill every dog they see going about the streets. - -'The Governor recommends it to the commanding officers of regiments -to give directions that the cartridges may not be made too large for -firing at exercise or reviews, some barrels of firelocks having split -in firing. - -'No person whatever is to be suffered to go on the Line Wall or -ramparts in a night-gown, night-cap, or binyan on any pretence -whatever, and all sentries are to turn off such as shall attempt to -come near their posts in any of the said dresses without distinction of -persons. - -'All sentinels who do not call out "All's well" every half minute shall -be punished with two hundred lashes. - -'The queue is to be fixed to the hair of the head, but when an -officer's hair is not long enough for this purpose he may be allowed to -fix the queue otherwise till his hair is sufficiently long, but this is -not to continue longer than two months on any account. - -'No one to suffer any person to stand at their doors or go into the -streets that has marks of the smallpox. No mackerel to be suffered to -come into town. - -'No woman to beat a soldier; the first that doth shall be whipped and -turned out of town. - -'Any man who has the misfortune to be killed is to be buried by the -guard where it happens, and his clothes to be sent to his regiment. - -'Officers at guard-mounting will bring their espantoons to a half -recover and come to the right about together upon a flam and not upon -the ruffle, which will be previous to it.' (The terms are meant for -certain beats on the drum. The espantoon for officers was done away -with in 1786.) - -The conditions under which our soldiers serve in the present day -as compared with those of the last century are certainly of a -much improved character, and the results in all respects are very -satisfactory. They are better paid, clothed, fed, and generally cared -for than in the days gone by. During my residence at Gibraltar, -I obtained permission from the War Office to convert some old -store-houses within the city into reading and recreation rooms for -the garrison, and it was carried out on a considerable scale. The -chief room was capable of seating 1,200 persons; and every week a free -smoking concert or entertainment was given, open to all soldiers, -their wives, and friends; each regiment taking its turn to arrange -a programme. Ladies and officers were sometimes kind enough to take -part in the concerts, which were always crowded. The institution also -contained a library, a billiard room, and was provided with games, such -as bagatelle, chess, draughts, &c. Tea, coffee, and non-intoxicating -drinks, at moderate prices were sold all day at a buffet; and after -sunset until roll-call a bar was opened, at which the men could get -glasses of beer, &c. - -The expenses were not large, and the financial results were -satisfactory. The non-commissioned officers and men of the garrison -only paid one halfpenny a month each, and were then free to use the -institution every day during their leisure hours; and to attend the -free concerts and other entertainments at will. Their subscriptions, -added to contributions from officers and to the profits from sale -of beer and refreshments, &c., were found to be sufficient for the -purpose. The furniture and gas were supplied by Government. During -the period of my command there was not a single case of disturbance -or trouble of any kind; and in my opinion such institutions are -excellent in every way, not only as places of innocent recreation, but, -especially in a place like Gibraltar, as tending to draw the men away -from the numerous wine-shops in the lower parts of the town. I may add -that during the visits of the Channel fleet the seamen and marines -were invited to make free use of the rooms, and did so in considerable -numbers: the institution thus contributing to promote that friendly -association between the men of the two services which is so desirable -from every point of view. - -A somewhat singular story is told of General Sir Robert Wilson on his -arrival as Governor of Gibraltar in 1843. It may be premised that -Sir Robert's services in the army had been of a very distinguished -character. Born in 1777, he was appointed a cornet of dragoons in -1794, and saw active service in Flanders and in Holland, and then in -Egypt in 1801. In 1802 he became a Lieutenant Colonel and went to -Brazil, and was also at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806. -In subsequent years he served in Poland, and also in Portugal and Spain -during the Peninsular war. He was with the Russians in the campaign -of 1812, and with the allied armies on the Continent up to 1814. From -1818 to 1830 he was Member of Parliament for Southwark. In September -1821, however, he was dismissed from the service by King George IV. -on account of his participation in the London riots which occurred on -the death of Queen Caroline. On the accession of William IV, in 1830, -he was restored to his rank in the army, and in 1843, was appointed -Governor of Gibraltar, in succession to Sir Alexander Woodford. It -is related that on his arrival he inquired of Sir Alexander if he -remembered the last occasion on which they had met? Woodford's reply -was that so many years had elapsed that he was unable to recall the -exact time or incident. Sir Robert Wilson then said: 'The last time we -met was in 1821, when you were at the head of the Guards and I was with -the mob, and you were driving us through the streets of London!' It is -not often, perhaps, that two general officers meet on two occasions -under such very different circumstances. - -[Illustration: ZOBEHR PASHA] - -In March 1885 Zobehr Pasha, accompanied by two sons, an interpreter, -and several servants, arrived at Gibraltar from Egypt as a state -prisoner by order of the British Government, and he was detained there -during the remainder of my period of office. I had many conversations -with him on the subject of the Soudan, and found him to be a man of -considerable ability; and, although cautious in the expression of his -views on Egyptian affairs, I gathered from him that the people of the -Soudan specially detested the rule of the Egyptian Pashas, and that -the cause of their hostility to us arose solely from a belief that in -sending an expedition up the Nile to Khartoum in 1884, our object was -to reinstate the rule of Egypt in that country. - -Without entering at any length into this much discussed question, it -must be borne in mind that until conquered in 1821 by the late Mohammed -Ali the Soudan was entirely independent of Egypt, and separated -from it by a great desert. Colonel Charles Gordon wrote: 'From Wady -Halfa southwards to Hannek, a distance of 180 miles, an utter desert -extends, spreading also for miles eastwards and westwards, on both -sides of the Nile.... It was this boundary that kept the warlike and -independent tribes of the Soudan quite apart from the inhabitants of -Egypt proper, and made the Soudanese and the Egyptians two distinct -peoples that have not the least sympathy one with the other.' Of the -result of Egyptian rule, the late Sir Samuel Baker, writing in 1864, -drew a melancholy picture. He described the provinces as utterly -ruined and only governed by military force, the revenue unequal to -the expenditure, and the country paralysed by taxation; shut in by -deserts, all communication with the outer world was most difficult, and -the existing conditions rendered these countries so worthless to the -State that their annexation could only be accounted for by the fruits -of the slave trade. Zobehr Pasha's opinion as expressed to me was, -that if the people of the Soudan were assured that no attempt would be -made to restore the authority of Egypt, their hostility would cease, -and they would be anxious to open their country to trade. Speaking -generally, it appeared to me that his views were sound, and that if we -were to proclaim a policy of peace at Souakim, combined possibly with -some annual payment to the neighbouring chiefs, the road to Berber and -Khartoum would soon re-open and commerce be renewed. At all events I -cannot see that it is any part of our duty to assist the Egyptians to -reconquer the Soudan. - -Gibraltar, like many another ancient fortress, has undergone frequent -changes in its defences from time to time, owing to the advances in -military science, and to the constantly increasing power of modern -artillery. These changes have been incessant during the present -century, and it has been re-fortified and re-armed over and over again. -It is said that many years ago the Inspector General of Fortifications -of the day, desirous of bringing it up to date, recommended an extra -expenditure of 100,000_l._, and had an interview with the Chancellor of -the Exchequer for the purpose of obtaining his consent. He explained -to the Chancellor the steep and isolated nature of the rock, and, -after giving him a graphic account of its numerous sieges, asked his -opinion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer's reply was discouraging, -and he said that, from the lucid and interesting description of the -Inspector General, it appeared to him that Gibraltar would be perfectly -impregnable if the military authorities would only leave it alone. -The money, however, was ultimately granted, and I only mention it as -an example of the different conclusions which financial and military -authorities may arrive at from a consideration of the same facts. The -one was evidently thinking of bastions and the other of budgets. - -Gibraltar has a population of about twenty-four thousand persons, of -which between four and five thousand are military, and as it is said -to be one of the most thickly inhabited places in the world[129] its -sanitary condition is a matter not only of importance, but under -the circumstances one of some difficulty. In the early part of the -century it was frequently visited by severe epidemics of fever, and -more recently by serious attacks of cholera. Of late years, however, -its sanitation has been under the careful supervision of a Sanitary -Commission, which during my period of office consisted of twelve -members, four official, and eight civilians selected from the grand -jury list, and all unpaid. They had charge of the drainage, water, -gas, and general improvements of the city; and, under the authority -of the Governor, levied an annual rate on the inhabitants to meet the -necessary expenditure. It is evident that their duties were arduous -and responsible. The Sanitary Commission may be said to be the only -form of representation given to the people, and it is one which should -be carefully preserved. However necessary it may be that the governor -of a city, such as Gibraltar, enclosed within a fortress should have -full power and authority, still it must be an advantage to him and to -the public service that in a matter of vital interest to the people, -in which also their local knowledge can be utilised, they should be -consulted and associated with the Government. I may go farther and -record my opinion that at Gibraltar, as elsewhere, it is desirable that -representatives of the people should be freely consulted, not only -in regard to sanitation, but also in commercial and other matters; -and during my residence there I derived much assistance from their -knowledge and friendly co-operation. - -The results of the care bestowed, for many years past, on the sanitary -arrangements at Gibraltar have been very satisfactory. Not only is its -condition far better than that of the neighbouring towns of Spain, but -it is now one of the healthiest stations of the British army at home or -abroad, as the following statistics will prove. - -Annual death rate per thousand of the troops at various stations at -home and abroad, on the average of ten years from 1882 to 1891--[130] - - United Kingdom 5·73 - Gibraltar 6·03 - Malta 8·18 - Egypt[131] 23·78 - Bermuda 10·11 - Ceylon 12·38 - India 14·78 - -A striking proof of the excellent sanitary condition of the city was -afforded in 1885, when the greater part of Spain was visited by a -severe attack of cholera, which gradually spread southwards; and early -in August several cases suddenly occurred both in Gibraltar and in the -neighbouring town of Linea. Bearing in mind the crowded population, -the matter was very serious, and certain additional precautions were -at once taken in order as far as possible to mitigate the severity of -the attack. One difficulty which has always existed more or less is -that of good drinking water. The chief supply is obtained from rain -water, collected from the surface of the rock during the wet season, -and stored in large reservoirs above the town. A considerable quantity -is also pumped up from shallow wells on the north front, but although -available for flushing, washing, &c., it is brackish and unfit for -drinking. As a consequence of this scarcity, there always has been a -considerable trade in water brought from Spain in barrels and sold in -the streets; but as on analysis it was found to be very impure, its -introduction on the appearance of cholera was stopped. Fortunately, -my predecessor, Lord Napier of Magdala, with a view to the possible -requirements of a state of siege, had commenced in 1882 the erection -of works for distilling sea water in large quantities; and, as they -were just completed, they were put into operation, and for some weeks -about 8,000 gallons a day were distilled and sold to all comers at the -rate of six gallons for a penny. A medical authority, speaking not long -since, said that 'cholera is an exclusively water-carried disease, and -all European countries may be rendered impervious to its attacks by -close attention to the purity of water.' That, I may say, was the view -of my medical advisers at Gibraltar at the time, and I attribute our -escape from a severe attack very much to this supply of pure water to -the inhabitants. - -Another precaution taken was the establishment of a camp just outside -the fortress for the inhabitants of the houses attacked. Indian -experience has proved that it is very advantageous to regiments when -visited by cholera to move them out of their barracks and place them -under canvas on fresh ground. The cases at Gibraltar nearly all -occurred among the poorer inhabitants living in very crowded dwellings; -and the families attacked being at once sent to the camp and supplied -with pure water, the disease was immediately checked. Their houses were -temporarily closed, the drains disinfected, cisterns emptied, and rags -and rubbish burnt; and in the course of a few days they returned home, -and the cholera, so far as they were concerned, was at an end. - -The epidemic at Gibraltar lasted for about two months, and great -misery resulted amongst the poorer classes, owing to the city being -placed in quarantine by the other ports of Europe. As a consequence -very few vessels called, and large numbers of the inhabitants were -out of employment. So great was the poverty that public soup kitchens -were established, and for some time about 2,000 persons a day received -free rations of soup and bread. In the meantime the disease was raging -at Linea and other neighbouring towns, and, considerable alarm being -felt, I was constantly urged to establish a cordon of troops across -the neutral ground, and to prevent all communication from the outside. -But although the precise causes of cholera may be somewhat obscure, it -appeared to me that, as the chief supplies of food came from Spain, had -a cordon been established, prices would have risen at once, and the -misery already existing would have been considerably increased. All -Indian experience proves that such arrangements are useless. In fact, -a line of sentries cannot stop the march of a disease; and therefore, -advised by experienced medical officers who had served in the East, I -refused to close the communications with Spain. - -The actual cases of cholera at Gibraltar and at Linea respectively in -the autumn of 1885 were as follows: - - +-----------+-------------+--------------------+------------------+ - | | Population, | Number of cases of | Number of deaths | - | | Approximate | cholera | | - +-----------+-------------+--------------------+------------------+ - | Gibraltar | 24,000 | 32 | 24 | - | Linea | 12,000 | 429 | 206[132] | - +-----------+-------------+--------------------+------------------+ - -So that whilst in Gibraltar one person in 750 was attacked, in Linea -it was one in 28. These facts speak for themselves, and prove that -adequate sanitary measures and precautions will to a great extent serve -to prevent the spread of epidemic disease. - -Before leaving this subject, I would mention that at the end of 1885 a -numerous committee of distinguished members of the medical profession, -including amongst others, Sir William Jenner, Sir William Gull, and -Sir Joseph Fayrer, conducted an inquiry into the subject of Asiatic -cholera, and at the end of their report they state as follows: 'The -Committee feel that they ought not to separate without expressing their -conviction that sanitary measures in their true sense, and sanitary -measures alone, are the only trustworthy means to prevent outbreaks -of the disease, and to restrain its spread and mitigate its severity -when it is prevalent. Experience in Europe and in the East has shown -that sanitary cordons and quarantine restrictions (under whatsoever -form) are not only useless as means for arresting the progress of -cholera, but positively injurious; and this not merely because of -the many unavoidable hardships which their enforcement involves, but -also because they tend to create alarm during periods of epidemics of -the disease and to divert public attention at other times from the -necessity which constantly exists for the prosecution of sanitary -measures of assured value--measures which, moreover, tend to mitigate -the incidence of all forms of disease.' - -The story of my 'Recollections' now draws to a close. Whatever -vicissitudes or occasional hardships I may have experienced during my -long service in various parts of the world, I was in great measure -free from them during the period of my government of Gibraltar. There -were, of course, numerous duties, and sometimes anxieties, connected -with its administration, but these were rendered comparatively easy by -the warm support of all classes which was so heartily given during the -four years of my residence amongst them. They are a loyal people, and -were most grateful for any efforts of mine to promote their welfare. -The conduct of the troops in garrison throughout was excellent, and a -friendly spirit prevailed at all times between the civil and military -population. I left Gibraltar with much regret, feeling deeply the -kindness shown to my family and myself by the inhabitants who came to -bid us farewell on our embarkation for England in November 1886. - -I hope that the narrative which I have given of the campaigns in which -I bore a small part, and the views which I have expressed on military -and political matters, may be of some interest to the public generally. -It will always be a gratification to me that throughout my career -I have been so closely associated with the officers and men of the -Royal Artillery, a corps in which members of my family have served in -uninterrupted succession from 1762 down to the present day. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 128: See _Gibraltar Directory_, in which many others are -recorded.] - -[Footnote 129: _Colonial Office Book_, 1894.] - -[Footnote 130: _Army Medical Department Report_, 1892.] - -[Footnote 131: Average of nine years.] - -[Footnote 132: These figures were given me by the Spanish authorities.] - - - _Spottiswoode & Co. Printers, New-street Square, London._ - - - - -SMITH, ELDER, & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. - - - THE LIFE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE CONSORT. By Sir THEODORE - MARTIN, K.C.B. With Portrait and Views. 5 vols. Demy 8vo. 18s. each. - -Also a 'People's Edition,' in 1 vol., bound in cloth, 4_s._ -6_d._; or in six parts, 6_d._ each. Cloth Cases for binding, 1_s._ each. - - MORE LEAVES FROM THE JOURNAL OF A LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS, from 1862 to - 1882. Fifth Edition. With Portraits and Woodcut Illustrations. 8vo. - 10_s._ 6_d._ - -Also the Popular Edition, with Portrait and Woodcut -Illustrations, fcp. 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - THE LIFE OF LORD LAWRENCE. By R. BOSWORTH SMITH, M.A., late Fellow of - Trinity College, Oxford; Assistant Master at Harrow School; Author of - 'Mohammed and Mohammedanism,' 'Carthage and the Carthaginians,' &c. - Revised and Cheaper Edition, being the Sixth Edition. 2 vols. large - crown 8vo. with 2 Portraits and 2 Maps, 21_s._ - - LIFE OF SIR HENRY LAWRENCE. By Major-General Sir HERBERT BENJAMIN - EDWARDES, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., and HERMAN MERIVALE, C.B. With Two - Portraits. 8vo. 12_s._ - - LIFE OF LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR JAMES OUTRAM. By Major-General Sir FREDERIC - J. GOLDSMID, C.B., K.C.S.I. Second Edition. 2 vols. demy 8vo. 32S. - - THE LIFE OF MAHOMET. From Original Sources. By Sir WM. MUIR, K.C.S.I. - Third Edition, with a New Map and several Illustrations. 8vo. 16_s._ - - THE MERV OASIS: Travels and Adventures East of the Caspian during the - Years 1879-80-81, including Five Months' Residence among the Tekkes of - Merv. By EDMOND O'DONOVAN, Special Correspondent of the _Daily News_. - In 2 vols. demy 8vo. with Portrait, Maps, and Facsimiles of State - Documents, 36_s._ - - MERV: a Story of Adventures and Captivity. Epitomised from 'The Merv - Oasis.' By EDMOND O'DONOVAN, Special Correspondent of the _Daily - News_. With a Portrait. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - ESSAYS ON THE EXTERNAL POLICY OF INDIA. By the late J.W.S. WYLLIE, - C.S.I., India Civil Service, sometime Acting Foreign Secretary to the - Government of India. Edited, with a brief Life, by Sir W.W. HUNTER, - B.A., LL.D. With a Portrait of the Author. 8vo. 14_s._ - - THE INDIA DIRECTORY. For the Guidance of Commanders of Steamers and - Sailing Vessels. Compiled from latest British Official Publications. - PART I. From England to the East Indies by the Mediterranean and - Suez Canal, also by the Cape of Good Hope, with Interjacent Ports in - Africa and the Brazil Coast of South America. Illustrated by Charts - of Winds, Currents Tides, Passages, and Compass Variation. Revised - Edition, with Supplementary Chapter, Super royal 8vo. 28_s._ PART II. - From Singapore through the China Sea, with all Passages through the - Eastern (Asiatic) Archipelago; also Malacca, Sunda, Bali, Lombok, and - Alilas Straits, with Java, Borneo, Sulu Sea, and the Philippines. - Illustrated by Charts of Currents in opposite Monsoons. Super royal - 8vo. 28_s._ By Commander ALFRED DUNDAS TAYLOR, F.R.G.S., Indian Navy, - late Superintendent of Marine Surveys to the Government of India. - - THE ANNALS OF RURAL BENGAL. From Official Records and the Archives - of Ancient Families. By Sir W.W. HUNTER, LL.D. Vol. I. The Ethnical - Frontier. Fifth Edition. Demy 8vo. 18_s._ - -_By the same Author._ - - ORISSA; or, The Vicissitudes of an Indian Province under Native and - British Rule. Being the Second and Third Volumes of 'Annals of Rural - Bengal.' With Illustrations. 2 vols. demy 8vo. 32_s._ - - A LIFE OF THE EARL OF MAYO, Fourth Viceroy of India. 2 vols. Second - Edition. Demy 8vo. 24_s._ - - AN ARTIST'S REMINISCENCES. By RUDOLF LEHMANN. With Portrait. Demy 8vo. - 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - - A SHORT HISTORY OF THE RENAISSANCE IN ITALY. Taken from the work of - JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS. By Lieut.-Col. ALFRED PEARSON. With a Steel - Engraving of a recent Portrait of Mr. Symonds. Demy 8vo. 12_s._ 6_d._ - - VOLTAIRE'S VISIT TO ENGLAND, 1726-1729. By ARCHIBALD BALLANTYNE. Crown - 8vo. 8_s._ 6_d._ - - THE JOCKEY CLUB AND ITS FOUNDERS. By ROBERT BLACK, M.A., Author of - 'Horse Racing in France,' &c. Crown 8vo. 10_s._ 6_d._ - - THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF ROBERT BROWNING. By Mrs. SUTHERLAND ORR. With - Portrait, and Steel Engraving of Mr. Browning's Study in De Vere - Gardens. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 12_s._ 6_d._ - - ENGLISH PROSE: its Elements, History and Usage. By JOHN EARLE, M.A., - Rector of Swanswick, formerly Fellow and Tutor of Oriel College, - Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University of Oxford. 8vo. 16_s._ - - THE HISTORIC NOTE-BOOK; with an Appendix of Battles. By the Rev. E. - COBHAM BREWER, LL.D., Author of 'The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,' - 'The Reader's Handbook,' &c. Crown 8vo. over 1,000 pp., 7_s._ 6_d._ - - SEA AND LAND: Features of Coasts and Oceans, with special reference - to the Life of Man. By N.S. SHALER, Professor of Geology in Harvard - University. With Illustrations. Royal 8vo. 10_s._ 6_d._ net. - -_By the same Author._ - - ASPECTS OF THE EARTH: a Popular Account of some Familiar Geological - Phenomena. With 100 Illustrations. Royal 8vo. 16_s._ - - NATURE AND MAN IN AMERICA. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE VOLCANIC ISLANDS AND PARTS OF SOUTH - AMERICA, visited during the Voyage of H.M.S. 'Beagle.' By CHARLES - DARWIN, M.A., F.R.S. Third Edition. With Maps and Illustrations. Crown - 8vo. 12_s._ 6_d._ - - THE STRUCTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CORAL REEFS. By CHARLES DARWIN, - M.A., F.R.S., F.G.S. With an Introduction by Professor T.G. BONNEY, - D.Sc., F.R.S., F.G.S. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 8_s._ 6_d._ - - HAYTI; or, the Black Republic. By Sir SPENSER ST. JOHN, G.C.M.G., - formerly Her Majesty's Minister Resident and Consul-General in Hayti, - now Her Majesty's Special Envoy to Mexico. Second Edition, revised. - With a Map. Large crown 8vo. 8_s._ 6_d._ - - THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA: a Survey of Fifty Years of Progress. - Edited by T. HUMPHRY WARD. 2 vols. 8vo. 32_s._ - - A COLLECTION OF LETTERS OF W.M. THACKERAY, 1847-1855. With Portraits - and Reproductions of Letters and Drawings. Second Edition. Imperial - 8vo. 12_s._ 6_d._ - - A JOURNAL KEPT BY DICK DOYLE IN THE YEAR 1840. Illustrated by several - hundred Sketches by the Author. With an Introduction by J. HUNGERFORD - POLLEN, and a Portrait. Second Edition. Demy 4to. 21_s._ - - LIFE OF FRANK BUCKLAND. By his Brother-in-Law, GEORGE C. BOMPAS, - Editor of 'Notes and Jottings from Animal Life.' With a Portrait. - Crown 8vo. 5_s._; gilt edges, 6_s._ - - THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN, DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA. By MIGUEL DE - CERVANTES SAAVEDRA. A Translation, with Introduction and Notes, by - JOHN ORMSBY, Translator of 'The Poem of the Ci_d._' Complete in 4 - vols. 8vo., £2. 10_s._ - - SHAKESPEARE. Certain Selected Plays Abridged for the Use of the Young. - By SAMUEL BRANDRAM, M.A. Oxon. Fourth and Cheaper Edition. Large crown - 8vo. 5_s._ - -Also the 9 Plays separately, crown 8vo. neatly bound in cloth -limp, price 6_d._ each. - - SHAKSPEARE COMMENTARIES. By Dr. G.G. GERVINUS, Professor at - Heidelberg. Translated, under the Author's superintendence, by F.E. - BUNNETT. With a Preface by F.J. FURNIVALL. Fifth Edition. 8vo. 14_s._ - - THE WHITE COMPANY. By A. CONAN DOYLE, Author of 'Micah Clarke' &c. - Thirteenth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - STANHOPE OF CHESTER: a Mystery. By PERCY ANDREAE. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - THE MASK AND THE MAN. By PERCY ANDREAE, Author of 'Stanhope of - Chester.' Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - THE VAGABONDS. By MARGARET L. WOODS, Author of 'A Village Tragedy' &c. - Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - WITH EDGED TOOLS. By HENRY SETON MERRIMAN, Author of 'The Slave of the - Lamp,' 'From One Generation to Another,' &c. Popular Edition. Crown - 8vo. 6_s._ - - THE HAWARDEN HORACE. By CHARLES L. GRAVES, Author of 'The Blarney - Ballads,' 'The Green above the Red,' &c. Third Edition. Small post - 8vo. 3_s._ 6_d._ - - GLEAMS OF MEMORY; with some Reflections. By JAMES PAYN. Second - Edition. Crown 8vo. 3_s._ 6_d._ - - GRANIA: the Story of an Island. By the Hon. EMILY LAWLESS. Crown 8vo. - 3_s._ 6_d._ - - ROBERT ELSMERE. By Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD, Author of 'Marcella,' 'The - History of David Grieve,' &c. Popular Edition, crown 8vo. 6_s._; CHEAP - EDITION, crown 8vo. limp cloth, 2_s._ 6_d._; Cabinet Edition, 2 vols. - small 8vo. 12_s._ - -_By the same Author._ - - THE HISTORY OF DAVID Grieve. Popular Edition. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ Cheap - Edition. Crown 8vo. limp cloth, 2_s._ 6_d._ - - MARCELLA. Popular Edition. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME; or, Sketches of Natural History, Poaching, and - Rural Life. By RICHARD JEFFERIES. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 5_s._ - - A PAIR OF LOVERS; and other Tales. 'The Short and Simple Annals of the - Poor.' By IDA LEMON. Crown 8vo. 4_s._ 6_d._ - - WHAT OUR DAUGHTERS CAN DO FOR THEMSELVES: a Handbook of Women's - Employments. By Mrs. H. COLEMAN DAVIDSON, Author of 'Dainties: English - and Foreign,' 'Eggs,' &c. Crown 8vo. 3_s._ 6_d._ - - A BRIDE FROM THE BUSH. By E.W. HORNUNG. Crown 8vo. limp red cloth, - 2_s._ 6_d._ - - JESS. By H. RIDER HAGGARD, Author of 'King Solomon's Mines,' &c. Crown - 8vo. limp red cloth, 2_s._ 6_d._ - - VICE VERSÂ; or, a Lesson to Fathers. By F. ANSTEY. Crown 8vo. limp red - cloth, 2_s._ 6_d._ - -_By the same Author._ - - A FALLEN IDOL. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ Cheap Edition, crown 8vo. limp red - cloth, 2_s._ 6_d._ - - THE PARIAH. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ Cheap Edition, crown 8vo. limp red cloth, - 2_s._ 6_d._ - - THE GIANT'S ROBE. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ Cheap Edition, crown 8vo. limp red - cloth, 2_s._ 6_d._ - - THE TALKING HORSE, and other Tales. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ Cheap Edition, - cr. 8vo. limp red cloth, 2_s._ 6_d._ - - MORE T LEAVES; a Collection of Pieces for Public Reading. By EDWARD F. - TURNER, Author of 'T Leaves' &c. Second Edition. Cr. 8vo. 4_s._ 6_d._ - -_By the same Author._ - - T LEAVES; a Collection of Pieces for Public Reading. Sixth Edition. - Crown 8vo. 3_s._ 6_d._ - - TANTLER'S SISTER; AND OTHER UNTRUTHFUL STORIES: being a Collection of - Pieces written for Public Reading. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 3_s._ - 6_d._ - - AN AGNOSTIC'S APOLOGY; and other Essays. By LESLIE STEPHEN. Large - crown 8vo. 10_s._ 6_d._ - - LIFE OF HENRY FAWCETT. By LESLIE STEPHEN. With 2 Steel Portraits. - Fifth Edition. Large crown 8vo. 12_s._ 6_d._ - - HOURS IN A LIBRARY. By LESLIE STEPHEN. Revised, Rearranged, and - Cheaper Edition, with additional Chapters. 3 volume Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - each. - - A HISTORY OF ENGLISH THOUGHT IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. Second - Edition. By LESLIE STEPHEN. 2 vols. demy 8vo. 28_s._ - - THE SCIENCE OF ETHICS: an Essay upon Ethical Theory, as Modified by - the Doctrine of Evolution. By LESLIE STEPHEN. Demy 8vo. 16_s._ - - RENAISSANCE IN ITALY. By JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS. THE REVIVAL OF - LEARNING. Second Edition. Demy 8vo. 16_s._ THE FINE ARTS. Second - Edition. Demy 8vo. 16_s._ THE CATHOLIC REACTION. 2 vols. demy 8vo. - 32_s._ - - SHAKSPERE'S PREDECESSORS IN THE ENGLISH DRAMA. By JOHN ADDINGTON - SYMONDS. Demy 8vo. 16_s._ - - LITERATURE AND DOGMA: an Essay towards a better Apprehension of the - Bible. By MATTHEW ARNOLD. Popular Edition, with a New Preface. Crown - 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - GOD AND THE BIBLE: a Sequel to 'Literature and Dogma.' By MATTHEW - ARNOLD. Popular Edition, with a new Preface. Crown 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - ST. PAUL AND PROTESTANTISM; with other Essays. By MATTHEW ARNOLD. - Popular Edition, with a new Preface. Crown 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - CULTURE AND ANARCHY: an Essay in Political and Social Criticism. By - MATTHEW ARNOLD. Popular Edition. Crown 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - IRISH ESSAYS, AND OTHERS. By MATTHEW ARNOLD. Popular Edition. Crown - 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - ON THE STUDY OF CELTIC LITERATURE. By MATTHEW ARNOLD. Popular Edition. - Crown 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - THE STORY OF GOETHE'S LIFE. By GEORGE HENRY LEWES. Second Edition. - Crown 8vo. 7_s._ 6_d._ - - THE LIFE OF GOETHE. By GEORGE HENRY LEWES. Fourth Edition, Revised - according to the latest Documents, with Portrait. 8vo. 16_s._ - - LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY. By Sir JAMES FITZJAMES STEPHEN, - K.C.S.I. Second Edition, with a new Preface. Demy 8vo. 14_s._ - - UNDERGROUND RUSSIA. Revolutionary Profiles and Sketches from Life. - By STEPNIAK, formerly Editor of 'Zemlia i Volia' (Land and Liberty). - With a Preface by PETER LAVROFF. Translated from the Italian. Third - Edition. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - THE WESTERN AVERNUS; or, Toil and Travel in Further North America. By - MORLEY ROBERTS. Crown 8vo. 7_s._ 6_d._ - - LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JOSEPH MAZZINI. In 6 vols. Crown 8vo. 4_s._ 6_d._ - each. - - THE SCIENTIFIC SPIRIT OF THE AGE; and other Pleas and Discussions, - including an Essay on 'THE EDUCATION OF THE EMOTIONS.' By FRANCES - POWER COBBE. Crown 8vo. 6_s._ - - EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF W.M. THACKERAY. Chiefly Philosophical - and Reflective. Cheap Edition. Fcp. 8vo. 2_s._ 6_d._ - - LIBERALISM IN RELIGION; and other Sermons. By W. PAGE ROBERTS, M.A., - Minister of St. Peter's, Vere Street, London. Second Edition. Crown - 8vo. 6_s._ - -_By the same Author._ - - LAW AND GOD. Fifth Edition. Crown 8vo. 5_s._ - -WORKS BY MISS THACKERAY. - - -Uniform Edition, each Volume Illustrated with a Vignette Title-page. -Large Crown 8vo. 6s. each. - - OLD KENSINGTON. - THE VILLAGE ON THE CLIFF. - FIVE OLD FRIENDS AND A YOUNG PRINCE. - TO ESTHER; and other Sketches. - THE STORY OF ELIZABETH: TWO HOURS: FROM AN ISLAND. - BLUEBEARD'S KEYS; and other Stories. - TOILERS AND SPINSTERS. - MISS ANGEL; FULHAM LAWN. - MISS WILLIAMSON'S DIVAGATIONS - MRS. DYMOND. - - -ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THE - -LIFE AND WORKS OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË - -(CURRER BELL) AND HER SISTERS - -EMILY and ANNE BRONTË - -(ELLIS AND ACTON BELL). - -In Seven Volumes, large crown 8vo. handsomely bound in cloth, price 5s. -each. - - 1. JANE EYRE. By CHARLOTTE BRONTË. With Five Illustrations. - - 2. SHIRLEY. By CHARLOTTE BRONTË. With Five Illustrations. - - 3. VILLETTE. By CHARLOTTE BRONTË. With Five Illustrations. - - 4. THE PROFESSOR, and POEMS. By CHARLOTTE BRONTË. With - Poems by her Sisters and Father. With Five Illustrations. - - 5. WUTHERING HEIGHTS. By EMILY BRONTË. AGNES GREY. By - ANNE BRONTË. With a Preface and Biographical Notice of both Authors by - CHARLOTTE BRONTË. With Five Illustrations. - - 6. THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL. By ANNE BRONTË. With Five - Illustrations. - - 7. LIFE OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË. By Mrs. GASKELL. With Seven - Illustrations. - - The Volumes are also to be had in small post 8vo. limp cloth, - or cloth boards, gilt top, price 2s. 6d. each: and in small fcp. 8vo. - bound in half cloth, with Frontispiece to each volume, cut or uncut - edges, price 1s. 6d. each; or the Set bound in cloth, with gilt top, - in gold-lettered cloth case, 12s. 6d. - - -ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF - -MRS. GASKELL'S NOVELS AND TALES. - -In Seven Volumes, bound in cloth, each containing Four Illustrations, -price 3s. 6d. each. - - -CONTENTS OF THE VOLUMES: - - VOL. I. WIVES AND DAUGHTERS. - VOL. II. NORTH AND SOUTH. - VOL. III. SYLVIA'S LOVERS. - VOL. IV. CRANFORD. - -Company Manners--The Well of Pen-Morpha--The Heart of John -Middleton--Traits and Stories of the Huguenots--Six Weeks at -Heppenheim--The Squire's Story--Libbie Marsh's Three Eras--Curious if -True--The Moorland Cottage--The Sexton's Hero--Disappearances--Right at -Last--The Manchester Marriage--Lois the Witch--The Crooked Branch. - -VOL. V. MARY BARTON. - -Cousin Phillis--My French Master--The Old Nurse's Story--Bessy's -Troubles at Home--Christmas Storms and Sunshine. - -VOL. VI. RUTH. - -The Grey Woman--Morton Hall--Mr. Harrison's Confessions--Hand and Heart. - -VOL. VII. LIZZIE LEIGH. - -A Dark Night's Work--Round the Sofa--My Lady Ludlow--An Accursed -Race--The Doom of the Griffiths--Half a Lifetime Ago--The Poor -Clare--The Half-Brothers. - - The Volumes are also to be had in small post 8vo. limp cloth, - or cloth boards, gilt top, price 2s. 6d. each: and in Eight Volumes, - small fcp. 8vo. bound in half-cloth, cut or uncut edges, price 1s. 6d. - each; or the Set bound in cloth, with gilt top, in gold-lettered cloth - case, 14s. - - -W.M. THACKERAY'S WORKS. - - - THE ÉDITION DE LUXE. Twenty-six Volumes, imperial 8vo. - Containing 248 Steel Engravings, 1,620 Wood Engravings, and 88 - Coloured Illustrations. The steel and wood engravings are all printed - on real China paper. The NUMBER of COPIES PRINTED is LIMITED to ONE - THOUSAND, each copy being numbered. The work can only be obtained - through booksellers, who will furnish information regarding terms, &c. - - THE STANDARD EDITION. Twenty-six Volumes, large 8vo. 10_s._ - 6_d._ each. This Edition contains some of Mr. Thackeray's writings - which had not been previously collected, with many additional - Illustrations. It has been printed from new type, on fine paper; and, - with the exception of the Édition de Luxe, it is the largest and - handsomest edition that has been published. - - THE LIBRARY EDITION. Twenty-four Volumes, large crown 8vo. - handsomely bound in cloth, price £9; or half-russia, marbled edges, - £13. 13_s._ With Illustrations by the Author, RICHARD DOYLE, and - FREDERICK WALKER. - - _The Volumes are sold separately, in cloth, price 7s. 6d. -each._ - - THE POPULAR EDITION. Thirteen Volumes, crown 8vo. with - Frontispiece to each volume, scarlet cloth, gilt top, price £3. 5_s._; - or half-morocco, gilt, price £5. 10_s._ - - _The Volumes are sold separately, in green cloth, price 5s. -each._ - - CHEAPER ILLUSTRATED EDITION. Twenty-six Volumes, crown 8vo. - bound in cloth, price £4. 11_s._; or handsomely bound in half-morocco, - price £8. 8_s._ Containing nearly all the small Woodcut Illustrations - of the former Editions and many new Illustrations by Eminent Artists. - - THIS EDITION CONTAINS ALTOGETHER 1,773 ILLUSTRATIONS #/ - -By the AUTHOR; LUKE FILDES, A.R.A.; Lady BUTLER (Miss Elizabeth -Thompson); GEORGE DU MAURIER; RICHARD DOYLE; FREDERICK WALKER, A.R.A.; -GEORGE CRUIKSHANK; JOHN LEECH; FRANK DICKSEE; LINDLEY SAMBOURNE; F. -BARNARD; E.J. WHEELER; F.A. FRASER; CHARLES KEENE; R.B. WALLACE; J.P. -ATKINSON; W.J. WEBB; T.R. MACQUOID; M. FITZGERALD; W. RALSTON; JOHN -COLLIER; H. FURNISS; G.G. KILBURNE, &c., &c., &c. - - _The Volumes are sold separately, in cloth, price 3s. 6d. -each._ - - THE POCKET EDITION. Twenty-seven Volumes. Price 1_s._ 6_d._ - each, in half-cloth, cut or uncut edges; or 1_s._ in paper cover. - - _The Set of 27 Volumes can be had in a Handsome Ebonised -Case, price £2. 12s. 6d._ - -_They are also supplied, elegantly bound in cloth, with gilt top, as -follows_: - - THE NOVELS. 13 volumes, in gold-lettered cloth case, 21_s._ - - THE MISCELLANIES. 14 volumes, in gold-lettered cloth case, - 21_s._ - - -W.M. THACKERAY'S LETTERS. - - A COLLECTION OF LETTERS OF W.M. THACKERAY, 1847-1855. With - Portraits and Reproductions of Letters and Drawings. Second Edition. - Imperial 8vo. 12_s._ 6_d._ - - BALLADS. By WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. With a Portrait of - the Author, and 56 Illustrations by the Author; Lady BUTLER (Miss - Elizabeth Thompson); GEORGE DU MAURIER; JOHN COLLIER; H. FURNISS; G.G. - KILBURNE; M. FITZGERALD; and J.P. ATKINSON. Printed on toned paper by - Clay, Sons, & Taylor; and elegantly bound in cloth, gilt edges, by - Burn. Small 4to. 16_s._ - - -W.M. THACKERAY'S SKETCHES. - - THE ORPHAN OF PIMLICO, and other Sketches, Fragments, and - Drawings. By WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. Copied by a process that - gives a faithful reproduction of the originals. With a Preface and - Editorial Notes by Miss Thackeray. A New Edition, in a new style of - binding, bevelled boards, gilt edges, royal 4to. price One Guinea. - -London: SMITH, ELDER & CO., 15 Waterloo Place. - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Recollections of a Military Life, by -John Adye, (Gen. Sir) - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF A MILITARY LIFE *** - -***** This file should be named 52473-8.txt or 52473-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/4/7/52473/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by University of California libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/52473-8.zip b/old/52473-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4090469..0000000 --- a/old/52473-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h.zip b/old/52473-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 22b798e..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/52473-h.htm b/old/52473-h/52473-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 86d28c6..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/52473-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11493 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Recollections of a Military Life, by General Sir John Adye. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} -.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -.ph1, .ph2, .ph3, .ph4 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph1 { font-size: xx-large; margin: .67em auto; } -.ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } -.ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } -.ph4 { font-size: medium; margin: 1.12em auto; } - - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%} -hr.full {width: 95%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -hr.r65 {width: 65%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em;} - - - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - - .tdl {text-align: left;} - .tdr {text-align: right;} - .tdc {text-align: center;} - -#toc -{ - margin: auto; -} - -#toc th -{ - text-align: right; - font-weight: normal; - font-size: small; -} - -#toc td -{ - padding-top: 0.75em; - vertical-align: top; -} - -#toc td.chapnum -{ - text-align: right; - padding-right: 0.5em; -} - -.small-caps -{ - font-variant: small-caps; -} - - - - - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - - - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - - - - - -.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} - - - - - - - - - -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Recollections of a Military Life, by John Adye, (Gen. Sir) - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Recollections of a Military Life - -Author: John Adye, (Gen. Sir) - -Release Date: July 1, 2016 [EBook #52473] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF A MILITARY LIFE *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by University of California libraries) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - -<p class="ph3"> -RECOLLECTIONS</p> - -<p class="ph4">OF</p> -<p class="ph2">A MILITARY LIFE</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/farm_house.jpg" alt="farm_house"/> -<a id="farm_house" name="farm_house"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> HEAD QUARTERS, CRIMEA. WINTER OF 1854<br /> - -<i>Farm House, in which Lord Raglan died</i></p> - - - - -<p class="ph3" style="margin-top: 10em;"> -RECOLLECTIONS</p> - -<p class="ph4">OF</p> -<h1>A MILITARY LIFE</h1> - -<p class="ph4" style="margin-top: 10em;">BY</p> - -<p class="ph3">GENERAL SIR JOHN ADYE, G.C.B., R.A.</p> - -<p class="center" style="margin-top: 15em;"><small> -LONDON<br /> -SMITH, ELDER, & CO., 15 WATERLOO PLACE<br /> -1895<br /> -<br /> -<i>All rights reserved</i></small><br /> -</p> - - - - -<h2 style="margin-top: 10em;"><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a></h2> - - -<p>Having served for many years in the Royal Artillery, and taken part in -some of the campaigns in which the British army has been engaged during -my period of service, I am in hopes that my recollections may be of -some interest, and my views on military subjects worthy of record; and -I therefore publish them, dedicating my book to the Officers and Men of -the Regiment amongst whom I have passed my career.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>1895.</p></blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table id="toc" summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <th>CHAPTER</th> - <th> </th> - <th>PAGE</th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="chapnum">I.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Days of Peace</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">II.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Commencement of Crimean War— Interview with Napoleon III. at Paris</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">III.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Battle of Alma</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">IV.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">The Flank March</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">V.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Battle of Balaclava</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">VI.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Battle of Inkerman</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">VII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">The Winter of 1854</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">VIII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Bombardment of April, 1855</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">IX.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Capture of the Mamelon and Quarries—Interview with General Pélissier</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">X.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Battle of June 18, and Death of Lord Raglan</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XI.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Battle of Chernaya and the Fall of Sebastopol</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">The Indian Mutiny</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XIII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">The Battles at Cawnpore</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XIV.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Causes of the Mutiny, and Policy of Lord Canning</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="chapnum">XV.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Recollections of the Madras Presidency</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XVI.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Return to Bengal—Amalgamation of the Artillery Regiments</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XVII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Frontier Campaign in the Afghan Mountains—its Origin—Political and Military Difficulties</a> </td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_185">185</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XVIII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Hard Fighting in the Mountains</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_195">195</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XIX.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Political Complications—End of the War</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XX.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">Visit to Peshawur—Sir Hugh Rose returns to England—Sir William Mansfield appointed Commander-in-Chief</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXI.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">The War in Bootan</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">Farewell to India—Return to Regimental Duty -at Woolwich—Appointed Director of Artillery—War Office Organisation</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_239">239</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXIII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Short Service and Reserve</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXIV.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">Localisation and County Regiments—Interview with Napoleon III.</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td> - </tr> - -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXV</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Visit to the Crimea with Charles Gordon, 1872—Report on the Cemeteries</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXVI.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">Rifled Ordnance and Naval and Military Reserves—Appointed -Governor, Royal Military Academy—The British Army in 1875</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXVII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">Central Asia and the Afghan War of 1878-79</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_300">300</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXVIII.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">Appointed Surveyor General of the Ordnance—Principles -of Army Promotion—Egyptian War of 1882</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_322">322</a></td> - </tr> -<tr> - <td class="chapnum">XXIX.</td> - <td class="small-caps"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Gibraltar—Its Value from a Naval and Commercial -Point of View—Zobehr Pasha a State Prisoner—Sanitary Condition of Gibraltar</a></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_359">359</a></td> - </tr> - -</table> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> - - -<p class="center">FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS</p> - -<p> -<a href="#farm_house"><span class="smcap">Head Quarters, Crimea, Winter of 1854. Farm -House in which Lord Raglan died</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#battle_of_alma"><span class="smcap">Battle of Alma, September 20, 1854</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#balaclava"><span class="smcap">Balaclava. Scene of Light Cavalry Charge, October -25, 1854</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#garrison"><span class="smcap">The Garrison of Lucknow Returning to Cawnpore, -November 1857</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#attock"> <span class="smcap">Going to the War. Crossing the Indus at Attock, -November 1863</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#peak"><span class="smcap">Afghan Frontier Campaign. Storming the Conical -Peak, December 1863</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#tour"><span class="smcap">Sketch Map to Illustrate Tour in Bootan, January -1866</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#war"><span class="smcap">War in Bootan, 1866. Outpost in Valley of the -Chin-chu</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#ruins"><span class="smcap">Ruins of the Tuileries, November 1872. -Liberté—Egalité—Fraternité</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#eve"><span class="smcap">Eve of Tel-el-Kebir. Encampment of British -Army at Kassassin Lock</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#gibraltar"> <span class="smcap">Gibraltar from Queen of Spain's Chair</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#pasha"> <span class="smcap">Zobehr Pasha</span></a><br /> -</p> - - - - -<p class="center" style="margin-top: 5em;">ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span></p> - -<p> -<a href="#armies"><span class="smcap">Diagram of French and English Armies</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#light_brigade"><span class="smcap">Formation of Light Brigade under the Earl of Cardigan</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#cawnpore"> <span class="smcap">Plan of Cawnpore, to Illustrate Battle of November 27, -1857</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#grave"><span class="smcap">Dutch Monumental Inscription</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#frontier"><span class="smcap">Sketch Map of North-West Frontier</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#sketch"><span class="smcap">Copy of Sketch by Napoleon III.</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#tel-el-kebir"><span class="smcap">Sketch Map to Illustrate Battle of Tel-el-Kebir</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#card"> <span class="smcap">Visiting Card of Arabi Pasha found at Tel-el-Kebir</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#arms"> <span class="smcap">Arms of Gibraltar</span></a><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center" style="margin-top: 5em;">MAPS</p> - -<p> -<a href="#alma"><span class="smcap">Battle of Alma</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#sebastapol"><span class="smcap">Sketch Showing the Position of the Allied -Armies before Sebastopol, October 1854</span></a><br /> -<br /> -<a href="#inkerman"><span class="smcap">Sketch to Illustrate the Battle of Inkerman</span></a><br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<p class = "ph3"> -RECOLLECTIONS</p> -<p class="ph4">OF</p> -<p class="ph2">A MILITARY LIFE</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a></h2> - -<p class="center">DAYS OF PEACE<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"> 'Wakening the echoes of joys long fled.'</p> - - -<p>In recording personal recollections of the varied scenes and events -in which, during a long military service, it has been my lot to take -part, it is scarcely necessary to enter into family details, and I will -therefore merely state that my grandfather, Stephen Payne Adye, entered -the Royal Artillery in 1762, and served in the war in Germany and in -America; and since that date various members of the family have served -in uninterrupted succession in the regiment down to the present day.</p> - -<p>Of his four sons, three became officers of artillery. The eldest, -Ralph Willett Adye, was the author of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> the 'Pocket Gunner,' which was -a standard book of reference for many years. He died at Gibraltar in -1804, and his monument still exists there, in the so-called Trafalgar -Cemetery.</p> - -<p>The second son, Stephen Gallwey Adye, saw much active service. He was -with Sir Ralph Abercromby in Egypt in 1801, and was slightly wounded -in action near Alexandria. He was also at Walcheren in 1809, at Cadiz -in 1813, and at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. He died a Major General and -Superintendent of the Laboratory, Woolwich Arsenal, in 1838.</p> - -<p>The third son, John Miller Adye, was an officer in the Royal Navy. He -served as a Lieutenant in Lord Nelson's flagship, the 'Vanguard,' at -the battle of the Nile, and was wounded. In 1815 he was in command of -the 'Partridge' corvette cruising off the Island of Elba, and conveyed -Sir Neil Campbell (who was British Commissioner there) to Leghorn in -February. Sir Neil, having received information that Napoleon intended -to escape, returned hastily to Elba, but owing to light winds was -delayed, and only arrived on the morning of February 28th to find that -Napoleon had left on the night of the 26th. The 'Partridge' went in -pursuit towards the Antibes, but, it being uncertain to what part of -the coast he had sailed, failed to overtake him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>The fourth son, James Pattison Adye (my father), was also in the -Artillery, and was present at Copenhagen in 1806, and served for -several years in the Mediterranean.</p> - -<p>In 1834 I received a nomination to a cadetship at the Royal Military -Academy Woolwich from the Master General of the Ordnance, Sir James -Kempt, and went up for examination in February, at the age of fourteen. -There was no competition fortunately in those days, and the whole -affair, including medical examination, only lasted an hour and a half, -and I was reported as having passed very satisfactorily. My career at -the Academy was a happy one. I was treated with much kindness, and -experienced none of the bullying or ill-usage which was supposed to -exist. An amusing incident occurred soon after I joined. Each room -contained four cadets, the head of my room being the late General -William Gardner, R.A. He was at that time about twenty-one years of -age, and having quarrelled with another cadet, who was a good fighter -with his fists, a meeting was arranged in the Racket Court. Gardner, -however, said that a pugilistic encounter was very well for boys, but -as a man he claimed to fight with pistols.</p> - -<p>This gave a more serious turn to the matter, and I, as junior of -the room, was ordered to prepare the bullets for the duel, and well -remember remaining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> up late at night, melting lead in the fire shovel, -and pouring it into bullet moulds. These serious preparations led to -some arrangement, and the affair never came off.</p> - -<p>Colonel Parker was at that time Captain of the Cadets, and Wilford one -of the subalterns. Parker, a fine old soldier, had lost his leg at -Waterloo and wore a wooden one. He was nicknamed Peg Parker.</p> - -<p>One Sunday afternoon the cadets were being marched to church across -the 'barrack field' at Woolwich, Parker as usual riding in front on a -small white pony. All at once Wilford ran up to him and said, 'Beg your -pardon, sir, but you have lost your leg!' and sure enough, on looking -down, Parker saw that his wooden one was missing. It had tumbled off. -Wilford, however, who had picked it up, screwed it on again, and the -march was resumed.</p> - -<p>In December 1836, after nearly three years' residence, I received my -commission as a second lieutenant. I was head of the Academy, and just -seventeen. The late Sir Frederic Campbell was second, and we both -selected the Royal Artillery.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1837 I attended a levee of William IV., and, to my -surprise, on hearing my name he kindly spoke to me and asked what -relation I was to General Adye. The current story was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> that the king -asked me what relation I was to my uncle, and that in my confusion I -replied grandson; but this is apocryphal.</p> - -<p>Speaking of William IV. reminds me of a story about him which I believe -is well founded. Soon after becoming king he one day visited Woolwich, -and after inspecting the Artillery, &c., inquired who was Commanding -Officer of the Marines, and was told it was Sir John McCleverty. The -king said that Sir John was an old friend and comrade of his, and went -off at once to call on him at the Barracks. He expressed great pleasure -at seeing his old companion, and asked if he could do anything for him, -adding, 'You know I am a king now, and can do what I like.' Old Sir -John McCleverty replied: 'Yes, your Majesty, you can do something for -me. My son not long ago was a lieutenant on board a man-of-war, and in -the Channel one night in a thick fog, when he was on watch, they came -into collision with another ship, and the Admiralty have in consequence -tried him by Court Martial, cancelled his commission, and have nearly -broken my heart, for he is an excellent officer.' The king promised -that he should be restored, was as good as his word, and the son rose -afterwards to some distinction, commanding the 'Terrible' in the Black -Sea during the Crimean war.</p> - -<p>As the earlier years of my service were passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> during a period of -peace, they call for little remark. Towards the end of 1840 I embarked -at Woolwich with my company for Malta in an old sailing transport, the -'Numa Pompilius,' and, owing chiefly to bad weather in the bay, the -voyage occupied no less than two months. We sailed into Malta on the -same morning that the British fleet under Sir Robert Stopford arrived -from the capture of Acre.</p> - -<p>In 1843, having returned home, I was appointed Adjutant of the -Artillery in Dublin, and was present when Daniel O'Connell was put into -prison in Richmond Bridewell, and made a sketch of the building, which -was published in the 'Illustrated London News.' I also witnessed the -great procession through the streets of Dublin when O'Connell and the -other prisoners were released.</p> - -<p>In 1845 I was appointed to C Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, at Woolwich. -There were three troops there, each consisting of two guns, a waggon, -and forty horses. They were all commanded by officers who had been -present at Waterloo thirty years before—Fox Strangways, Frank Warde, -and Ingilby; but only one of them (Strangways) was even a Brevet Major, -and they were all between fifty and sixty years of age. Those were days -of slow promotion.</p> - -<p>On one occasion Major Chalmers, R.A., had an interview with William -IV., who incidentally asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> him how long he had been a Captain of -Artillery. 'Twenty-three years, your Majesty,' replied Chalmers. The -king hastily said, 'I didn't ask you how long it was since you were -born, but how long you had been a captain.' 'Well, your Majesty,' says -Chalmers, 'I am very sorry, but I have been twenty-three years in -that rank.' The king, who apparently could hardly believe it, laughed -and said, 'And a very fine position, too.' 'Oh yes,' said Chalmers, -'undoubtedly so.'</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1848 I was in command of an artillery detachment in -the Tower of London. There was at that time much anxiety about the -Chartists, and as to the result of a meeting under Fergus O'Connor -which took place on Kennington Common on April 10. The walls of the -Tower and the top of the Bank and the Mansion House were to some extent -prepared for defence, and sandbags were placed to form loop-holes -for musketry, an attack by the mob being apprehended. The Lord Mayor -applied for some hand-grenades to be thrown from the Mansion House in -case of need, and I sent him a boxful in a cab, at the same time giving -a hint that in using them he should not hold them too long in his hand, -as they might explode prematurely. This caused a little uneasiness, and -subsequently a bombardier was ordered to give him instructions as to -throwing them.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>The clerks in the Ordnance Department at the Tower were sworn in as -special constables, and were served out with batons cut out of old -mop-sticks. On the morning of April 10 Sir George Cathcart, then -Lieutenant of the Tower, sent for me. He had three large canvas frames -in his drawing-room, and on them was painted in great letters: 'The -Tower guns are loaded to the muzzle. If you attempt to enter, they -will be fired!' He said his intention was, when the expected mob came, -to hang them (the frames, not the mob) over the walls, with a bit of -string. I ventured to point out that, if loaded as stated, the guns, -which were old cast-iron carronades, would infallibly burst, but he -replied that it was only to frighten the people, who would probably run -away. We waited all day, but no crowd ever came near the Tower, and the -whole affair collapsed.</p> - -<p>It is often said that extravagance prevails amongst the officers in -some regiments of the army, and there is probably a good deal of truth -in the remark. But at all events in the earlier days of my service -real economy prevailed in the Artillery, as is proved by the following -facsimile copy of my mess-bill in Dublin in May 1850, now in my -possession.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - - - -<table width="60%" summary="messbill"> -<tr> -<td><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>May 1850</i></span> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">£ -</td> -<td align="right" ><i>s.</i> -</td> -<td align="right"><i>d.</i> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Share of Mess Guest -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">2½ -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>To Ale -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">4 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>2 Cigars -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">10 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Luncheon -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">2 -</td> -<td align="right">0 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Share of H.R.H. Prince George's Luncheon -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">6½ -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>3 Breakfast -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">3 -</td> -<td align="right">9 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>1 Cigar -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">5 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>2 Cigars -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">10 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Luncheon and Soda Water -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">1 -</td> -<td align="right">11 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>19 Dinners -</td> -<td align="right">1 -</td> -<td align="right">18 -</td> -<td align="right">0 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">2 -</td> -<td align="right">8 -</td> -<td align="right">10 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - -<p>Entertaining royalty for 6½<i>d.</i> can hardly be considered -extravagant.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>Napoleon at Elba</i>, Sir Neil Campbell.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></h2> - -<p class="center">COMMENCEMENT OF CRIMEAN WAR—INTERVIEW WITH NAPOLEON III<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - - -<p>It is time now to pass on from the early reminiscences of a period of -peace to the more interesting and important events of active service, -in which for some years it was my good fortune to share.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1854, after a peace which in Europe had lasted nearly -forty years, the British navy and army were again called upon to take -part in a great war; and the whole nation soon became deeply absorbed -in the stirring events of the Crimean campaign. Lord Raglan at that -time was Master General of the Ordnance and was also appointed to -command the expedition, and I had the good fortune to be selected as -Brigade Major to the artillery under General Cator.</p> - -<p>There is perhaps no operation of war more difficult than that which -this country has to undertake in the embarkation of its army for a -continental campaign. It is not merely as regards its <i>personnel</i>; -but large reserves of ammunition and stores, and the armaments and -equipments of the artillery, engineers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> medical, commissariat, -clothing, and other departments have to be embarked, and all so -arranged as to be prepared for rapid landing after a long voyage, and -possibly in the face of an enemy. In proceeding to the Crimea eight -batteries of horse and field artillery, several siege train companies, -and large reserves of munitions for the army were embarked in Woolwich -dockyard during March and April. The combined naval and military -arrangements were efficiently carried out; and although the field -artillery were conveyed in sailing vessels, and were several weeks at -sea before arrival at Constantinople, the loss of horses was only 4 per -cent. out of about 1,600 embarked.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of April Colonels Strangways and Lake, Captains Patton, -Gordon, and myself (all artillery officers) were directed to proceed -<i>viâ</i> France to Marseilles for Malta. On arrival at Paris, Colonel -Strangways, who was personally known to the Emperor Napoleon, received -a message that his Majesty wished to receive him and his brother -officers at the Tuileries. Strangways informed our ambassador, Lord -Cowley, who, however, said it was not according to etiquette, and that -we ought to attend a levee in the usual way, and declined to go with -us; so we put on our uniforms and drove to the Tuileries in a <i>fiacre</i> -without him. The servant at the entrance seemed rather surprised when -we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> said we had come to see the Emperor; but after conference with a -staff officer, we were conducted through the 'Salle des Maréchaux' -to an inner room, and were received very kindly by Napoleon, who was -in the uniform of a general. He made inquiries about the amount of -artillery we had embarked for the East; spoke about the difficulty -of conveying horses for a long voyage; and expressed a hope that the -French and English armies combined would be able to act decisively—and -then, wishing us prosperity, he invited us to come and see him again on -our return. Alas! we were not destined to do so. Strangways was killed -at Inkerman; Lake, who had a horse shot under him at Alma, and another -at Inkerman, was invalided and died soon after; Captain Patton died -of cholera at Balaclava; and many years elapsed before I had another -interview with Napoleon, under very altered conditions, shortly before -his death at Chiselhurst.</p> - -<p>We arrived at Malta about the middle of May. The streets were full of -French soldiers on their way to the East; and there was a great deal of -cheering and enthusiasm. On the 15th we embarked in the 'Medway' for -Constantinople with the 55th regiment. As we approached the Dardanelles -we passed a sailing transport, with part of a cavalry regiment on -board, and as they had been some weeks at sea, and were making no -progress owing to calm weather, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> induced our captain to take her -in tow. The officers in the transport made signs of their wish to -communicate, so we lowered a bottle tied to a long string, which they -picked up as it floated past, and we then pulled it back. We expected -their inquiries might be as to the position of the Russians and the -progress of the war, but their message was: 'Can you tell us who won -the Two Thousand Guineas? We have several bets, and are very anxious!' -As we entered the Dardanelles we were boarded by two French officers -from a small transport, who begged assistance, as they were short of -provisions, having only biscuits, and no water. We provided them with -what was requisite, and also took them in tow. They belonged to the -Chasseurs d'Afrique, and had been forty days on passage from Algiers. -Passing Gallipoli, where there were several men-of-war at anchor and -considerable French and English encampments on shore, we arrived at -Constantinople on May 20.</p> - -<p>Our troops of the various arms were now arriving daily, and were -accommodated either in the great barrack at Scutari, or encamped on the -plain outside, in close proximity to large Turkish cemeteries. All was -bustle and animation. The scene, however, soon changed, and at the end -of May the Light Division under Sir George Brown re-embarked, entered -the Black Sea, and landed at Varna, followed shortly after by the whole -of the allied armies.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>Until my arrival at Constantinople, I had never seen Lord Raglan. -Owing, however, to the failure of General Cator's health almost -immediately on his landing, and to the numerous artillery matters which -required discussion and decision, it so happened that I had from that -time almost daily interviews with the Commander-in-chief. In fact, -during the succeeding twelve months, and until his death in June 1855, -it was my good fortune to be closely associated with Lord Raglan in -the great events which rapidly succeeded each other. General Cator's -advice to me was, never to trouble Lord Raglan more than absolutely -necessary with details, to listen carefully to his remarks, to try and -anticipate his wishes, and at all times to make as light as possible of -difficulties. These excellent suggestions I did my best to carry out.</p> - -<p>The original intention in massing the allied armies at Varna was -with a view of an advance to the Danube, although, in regard to -land transport, the English force was but little prepared for rapid -movement. However, the raising of the siege of Silistria towards the -end of June and the retreat of the Russians led to an entire change -of plan, and the expedition to the Crimea was decided on. The Duke -of Newcastle was then Minister for War, and in his despatch to Lord -Raglan, of June 29,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> he gave instructions that no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> campaign in the -Principalities should be undertaken, but that measures should at -once be concerted for the siege of Sebastopol.' Lord Raglan's reply -on July 19 said, that 'the descent on the Crimea is decided upon, -more in deference to the views of the British Government than to any -information in the possession of the naval and military authorities as -to the extent of the enemy's forces or to their state of preparation.'</p> - -<p>Owing to the continued and severe illness of General Cator he was -invalided home in August, and had to be carried on board ship in -a hammock, being succeeded in command of the artillery by General -Strangways. Lord de Ros, Quartermaster General, went home ill at the -same time. During the month of August incessant preparations were made -for the embarkation of the great expedition. The fleets of the allied -powers arrived, and the bay of Varna was crowded with hundreds of -transports, steam-tugs, flat-bottomed boats, and rafts; and the beach -was strewn with thousands of gabions, fascines, and baggage of all -kinds. Towards the end of the month the troops commenced embarking. One -morning early, whilst superintending the departure of some batteries -from the shore, Lord Raglan came up and spoke to me. He remarked that -the artillery staff was insufficient, and that I had too much to do; -and added, 'If you were a field officer I would appoint you Assistant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -Adjutant General, and give you help.' Having heard a rumour that an -officer of high rank was coming from England as chief of the artillery -staff, I ventured to say that I hoped Lord Raglan would not supersede -me. He replied at once: 'Certainly not. I will take good care that you -are not superseded.' The next day he sent for me, and said, 'I have -got the Duke of Newcastle in a corner.' This rather puzzled me for the -moment, but he continued: 'I have requested him at once to give you -either brevet or local rank as a Major, and then the difficulty will be -met.' The result of this was that within a month I was gazetted as a -Major.'</p> - -<p>After the expedition had been decided on, and even after it had -embarked, great difference of opinion existed amongst the generals and -admirals of both nations as to its expediency. The late season of the -year, the want of accurate information as to the actual force of the -Russians and of the condition of the defences of Sebastopol, all were -matters of grave concern. The prevalence of cholera and fever—which -had greatly weakened the allied armies and fleets, and which -continued after leaving Varna—also added to the difficulties. These -considerations, however, were not allowed to prevail, and on August -25 Marshal Saint-Arnaud issued a proclamation to the French army, in -which he said that Providence had called them to the Crimea, a country -healthy as France,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> and that ere long the three united flags should -float over the ramparts of Sebastopol. Lord Raglan also issued his -instructions, which were as follows: 'The invasion of the Crimea having -been determined on, the troops will embark in such ships as shall be -provided for their conveyance.'</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding his proclamation, Saint-Arnaud, even when approaching -the shore of the Crimea, remained in a somewhat vacillating condition -of mind. During the voyage across, he made a signal requesting Lord -Raglan and Admiral Dundas to come and see him on board the 'Ville de -Paris.' They proceeded alongside in the 'Caradoc,' but Lord Raglan, -having only one arm, was unable to go on board.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> Admiral Dundas, -however, visited Saint-Arnaud, who at the time was very ill and in -great pain, and unable to converse. He handed the Admiral a paper -without signature, in which it was urged that it would be too hazardous -to land in face of a powerful enemy having a numerous cavalry; that the -season was too late for a siege of Sebastopol, which, moreover, was -known to be stronger than anticipated; and that consequently it was -necessary to reconsider the situation and the measures to be adopted.</p> - -<p>Admiral Dundas, accompanied by some French<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> generals, then returned to -the 'Caradoc,' and a long debate took place with Lord Raglan, who at -length ended the discussion by declaring that he would not now consent -to alter a decision which had been come to after careful consideration -at the last council at Varna. Without doubt the enterprise was a bold -and dangerous one, undertaken at a late period of the year, with troops -that were physically weak from cholera and fever. The orders of the -French and English Governments were, however, peremptory, and therefore -the allied generals had in reality no option in the matter.</p> - -<p>On the morning of September 14 the allied fleets and transports arrived -off the coast of the Crimea, and the troops at once commenced landing -on the shore about twenty-five miles from Sebastopol. The French were -very quick in their movements, and, on our part, the Light Division -under Sir George Brown lost no time; by the end of the day almost -the whole of the British infantry, and twenty field guns horsed and -equipped, were on shore. Just as the disembarkation commenced in the -early morning a Russian officer with a Cossack orderly, rode up on some -high ground between the French and English landing places, dismounted, -and leisurely surveyed the scene; and then as our men on landing -approached, he remounted and quietly trotted away. With that solitary -exception,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> no enemy came near us during the five days occupied in -disembarkation.</p> - -<p>The first night on shore it rained heavily, our troops were without -tents or shelter, and the operations on several subsequent days were -considerably retarded by rough weather and a heavy surf, rendering our -position somewhat precarious. It has always appeared inexplicable why -Prince Menschikoff should have allowed so critical an operation on the -part of the allies to be completed, without any attempt on his part to -oppose or delay it; for nothing can be more helpless than an army with -men, horses, and material of all kinds huddled together in boats, and -landing on an open beach. The probabilities are that he was occupied in -concentrating his troops at the strong position on the Alma, and felt -himself unable to disturb our operations. One morning after landing, I -rode with General Strangways inland for a mile or two to get water for -our horses, and found a battalion of the Rifle Brigade in possession of -a large farm. The officers complained that some of the French soldiers -were pillaging the neighbourhood, and driving off the cattle, &c. Sir -George Brown had sent a remonstrance to the French on the subject. As -we left the farm we saw a French staff officer, evidently very angry -and in pursuit of some of his men, and General Strangways recognised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -Prince Jerome Napoleon, who was in command of the division close by.</p> - -<p>At length, on September 19, all being ready, the allied armies -commenced their celebrated march on Sebastopol. The French were close -to the shore, and the order of march is shown on the following plan.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/armies.jpg" alt="armies" /> -<a id="armies" name="armies"></a> -</p> - - -<p class="caption">DIAGRAM OF FRENCH AND ENGLISH ARMIES</p> - -<p>The strength of the British Army was approximately as follows:</p> - -<table cellspacing="3" width="60%" summary="army strength"> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">Officers and men -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Cavalry -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">1200 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Artillery -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">60 guns 2,000 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Infantry -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">25,000 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">Total 28,200 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">—— -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>The French were rather stronger in infantry, but had no cavalry. The -division of Turks was about 6,000 strong.</p> - -<p>The troops were in excellent spirits at the prospect of immediate -action. The country was open<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> and undulating; the distant smoke of -burning villages, and the occasional appearance of a few Cossacks -hovering about on the flank, were the only evidences that we were in -an enemy's country. The arrival in the afternoon at the small fresh -stream of the Bulganac was most welcome to the men and horses of the -allies, who for days had suffered from a scanty supply of indifferent -water. Late in the afternoon the enemy's cavalry showed in considerable -force, at a distance almost out of range, beyond the stream, and Lord -Raglan with his staff moved to the front, accompanied by the Light -Cavalry under Lord Cardigan. Suddenly a Russian battery opened fire and -a round shot passed through the Light Cavalry, taking off a man's leg, -and bounding like a cricket ball over the heads of the staff. That was -the first shot of the campaign in the Crimea. Two batteries of Horse -Artillery were at once sent forward, and on their coming into action -the enemy fell back out of range, covered by a cloud of skirmishers. -Our loss was four troopers severely wounded. It was almost dusk, and -Lord Raglan, being anxious to inform Prince Napoleon of what had -occurred, as he was with his division about a mile distant, directed -Colonel Count Lagondie, the French military attaché, to ride over and -give him the necessary information. The French colonel was riding a fat -Flemish mare which he called 'Medore,' and as he cantered leisurely off -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> remark was made, 'If Lagondie does not move a little faster it -will be a long time before he comes back.' He never did come back, as -will be explained presently.</p> - -<p>Shortly after dusk all staff officers were directed to attend at head -quarters, which were established in a small hut close to the Bulganac. -General Airey, the Quartermaster General received us, and desired that -all general officers should be informed that the enemy in considerable -numbers being in the vicinity, a good look-out must be kept during the -night, and that there should be no sounds of drums or trumpets. He then -went on to say that the Russian army, computed at 45,000 men with a -powerful artillery, occupied a strong entrenched position on heights -beyond the Alma, a few miles distant, and that a general action was -imminent on the morrow. The night passed quietly.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Committee of the House of Commons on the state of the army -before Sebastopol.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> This account is taken from a pamphlet written by the -late General Sir W. Brereton, R.A., who was on board Admiral Dundas's -flagship at the time.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a></h2> - -<p class="center">BATTLE OF ALMA<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 36%;">'Though till now ungraced in story,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 38%;">Scant although thy waters be,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 36%;">Alma, roll those waters proudly;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 38%;">Roll them proudly to the sea.'</span><br /> -</p> - - -<p><i>September 20.</i>—In the early morning the allied armies formed up in -position as on the previous day's march, in readiness for the battle. -It was then discovered that Colonel Lagondie was absent from head -quarters, and inquiries were made without result. As it was supposed -he might have remained during the night with his French comrades, a -message was sent to Prince Napoleon. The prince, however, said that -Lagondie had arrived the previous evening with Lord Raglan's message, -and then left. The mystery of his absence remained for the time -inexplicable. Soon after the battle of the Alma, however, Menschikoff's -carriage, containing a number of his papers and letters, was captured, -and amongst them a note from a lady in Sebastopol saying how much -pleased they were with the charming French colonel he had sent in to -them, and hoping he would soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> send some more. This at once cleared -up the mystery of our friend Lagondie; and it subsequently transpired -that on leaving Napoleon at dusk, being short-sighted, he had missed -his way, and had ridden straight into the Russian cavalry and was made -prisoner.</p> - -<p>Considerable delay occurred on the morning of September 20, before our -troops were prepared to advance, owing to numerous cases of cholera -and fever amongst the men during the previous night, and the necessity -of conveying them to the shore, for embarkation in the transports. -The French, being close to the sea, had a considerable advantage in -this respect. During the morning Marshal Saint-Arnaud, with a large -staff and an officer carrying a silk tricolor standard, rode along the -front of the British Army to confer with Lord Raglan, and was loudly -cheered by our men. Whether the French marshal was a great general or -not, I had no means of judging; but when we consider that he was then -suffering from a mortal disease—of which, indeed, he died a few days -later on board a French man-of-war—I think that he evinced a brave -and heroic spirit under such circumstances in leading and commanding a -French army in a great and successful battle.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/alma.jpg" alt="alma" /> -<a id="alma" name="alma"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> BATTLE OF ALMA.</p> - -<p>At about eleven o'clock the allied armies advanced, the whole front -covered by a cloud of skir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>mishers. The order of battle was an -<i>échelon</i> from the right. General Bosquet's division led off, marching -along the sea shore, with the Turkish force in rear. Then came the -divisions of Canrobert and Prince Napoleon, with that of General Forey -in rear in reserve. The English then took up the <i>échelon</i>; the second -division under De Lacy Evans being next to that of Napoleon, then the -Light Division under Sir George Brown, followed in a second line by -the troops of Sir Richard England and the Guards and Highlanders under -the Duke of Cambridge, the batteries of artillery in the intervals of -brigades—the fourth division under Sir George Cathcart and the cavalry -under Lord Lucan being held in reserve on the outward flank, which was -three or four miles from the shore.</p> - -<p>As the armies thus advanced to the attack we were able to take a more -complete survey of the Russian position, and whilst the ground in -front of the French was seen to be precipitous and difficult, it was -evident that the main body of the Russians was in position, and partly -entrenched, on slopes which the English forces were about to storm.</p> - -<p>It has sometimes been argued that the English ought to have attempted a -movement turning the Russian right; but when it is considered that our -base was the sea, it is, I think, evident that the only prudent course -in attacking a strong, partially en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>trenched position on the other side -of a river, was the <i>échelon</i> movement as described. It was about noon -when the first gun was fired; Bosquet's brigades crossed the river near -its mouth, and commenced climbing the precipitous slopes, their advance -being assisted by the fire of some vessels of the fleet. The enemy, -however, were not in great force at this point, and the French gained -the crest with comparatively few casualties. The divisions of Canrobert -and Prince Napoleon as they reached the river crossed in succession, -and were vigorously opposed as they swarmed up the heights. Great -difficulties also were encountered in bringing up their artillery; but -a flank movement of Bosquet's troops along the crest finally enabled -the French Army to make good the ascent, although with considerable -loss, and the Russians were compelled to yield the ground.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> - -<p>So far the battle had satisfactorily progressed, but a sterner and -far more terrible struggle had commenced on the left. The two leading -English divisions as they approached the river and came within long -range of the enemy's guns were deployed into line, and, whilst waiting -for the completion of the French attack, were ordered to lie down. -The English batteries came into action; but the enemy's guns were -both powerful and numerous, and on command<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>ing ground, so that at the -beginning we were rather at a disadvantage.</p> - -<p>Urgent messages having been received from the French, it was apparent -that the moment of action had at length arrived, and Lord Raglan -then gave the order for the advance of the whole army. The village -of Burliuk on our side of the river, in front of Sir De Lacy Evans' -division, was set on fire by the enemy, and led to the temporary -separation of his two brigades, one passing it on either side. Lord -Raglan, having given the order, passed with his staff through the -burning village to the right, and by a narrow lane came suddenly down -to a ford of the river. In riding through the village we passed the -body of Lieutenant Cockerell, a young officer of artillery, who with -his horse had just been killed by a round shot from the heights. A -sharp skirmish was going on between the Russian outposts and the -Zouaves of Napoleon's division as we reached and crossed the ford. At -that moment Lieutenant Leslie, of the Life Guards, orderly officer -to Lord Raglan, fell from his horse, shot through the shoulder, and -was laid under the bank on the opposite side. The horse of Captain -Fortescue, R.A., was killed at the same time by a bullet in the -head.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> Lord Raglan pressed on, and passing some French skirmishers -in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> the vineyards, soon reached high ground, from which he had an -excellent view of the Russian position. Perceiving the important -advantage he should gain by artillery fire from this spot, he consulted -General Strangways and then sent me back for some guns. Fortunately -Captain Turner's battery was just crossing the ford, and two guns -were quickly brought up, followed shortly by the others. Their fire, -directed against the Russian columns and batteries, who were now -heavily engaged with the advance of the Light and Second Divisions, -had a powerful effect, not only materially but morally, as showing the -Russians that whilst their front was being stormed their flank was -already turned. Lieutenant Walsham, R.A., was killed whilst with these -guns.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/battle_of_alma.jpg" alt="battle of alma" /> -<a id="battle_of_alma" name="battle_of_alma"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> BATTLE OF ALMA, 20TH SEPTEMBER, 1854</p> - -<p>In the meantime the two leading divisions, covered by skirmishers, -moved steadily across the plain. Their ranks became somewhat -disarranged by the gardens and vineyards as they approached the river, -and still more so as they waded across the stream, which was fordable -at many places. They, however, found a momentary shelter behind the -broken ground on the opposite bank, and then the great crisis began. -It was a moment of intense anxiety as the men of the Light and part -of the Second Divisions jumped from their cover, and with a rattling -fire commenced the charge. The ground over which they had to pass was -of the nature of a smooth, steep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> glacis, and was swept by infantry -and artillery fire. Three of our batteries, however, had converged -towards the bridge over the Alma, and gave material support to the -advancing troops. Up to this time every advantage had been on the side -of the enemy. The scale, however, now began to turn. As the English -line approached the Russian columns, its formation, straggling and -irregular as it was, enabled it to open a continuous line of fire. The -enemy's forces could be seen opening out and endeavouring to deploy; -but it was too late—our regiments were close upon them. Then the -Russian masses began to shake; then men from the rear were seen to run; -then whole columns would turn and retire, halting and facing about at -short intervals, but, with artillery smashing on their flank, and with -Codrington's and Pennefather's brigades still streaming upwards, the -enemy's troops could no longer hold their ground, but fled disordered -up the hill. The converging fire of their batteries, however, still -made a fearful havoc in the English ranks, and a wide street of dead -and wounded, the whole way from the river upwards, showed the terrific -nature of the fight. Breathless, decimated and much broken, but with -victory crowning their efforts, the centre regiments at length dashed -over the main entrenchment and captured two guns. But the battle was -even then by no means over. The Russian reserves moved down, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -Codrington's brigade, whose force was almost expended, was obliged to -give way, and victory for a moment seemed doubtful. Succour, however, -was at hand. The three regiments of Guards, with the Highlanders on -the left, the whole under the Duke of Cambridge, were now advancing up -the hill in grand array. Some slight delay occurred until Codrington's -brigade had fallen back and cleared the front, during which time the -casualties were numerous, but then the chance of the Russians was over -and their whole army retreated in some confusion. Lord Raglan in the -meantime had left his position on the hill and joined his victorious -troops, and by his orders five batteries of artillery were concentrated -and fired on the broken columns of the enemy until they were out of -range. It was a great victory, not only in its immediate result, but in -its general effect on the Russian army.</p> - -<p>Our losses in killed, wounded, and missing were very severe—amounting -to 2,006 officers and men. About half of the entire number occurred in -the Light Division alone.</p> - -<p>The following diagram gives the position of the infantry regiments -chiefly engaged, and of the casualties in each:</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/order.jpg" alt="order" /> -</p> - - - - - -<p>The joy and excitement of the English troops were intense as Lord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -Raglan rode along the line formed on the heights they had just won. On -coming to the Highland Brigade rather an amusing incident occurred. Sir -Colin Campbell addressed the Commander-in-Chief, and begged him to do -him a favour. Lord Raglan, in reply, said it would give him pleasure -to serve him in any way. Sir Colin then said: 'My lord, you have in -years gone by shown me kindness when I was a young officer, and now I -am an old one. My request is that, so long as I am at the head of the -Highland Brigade, I may be allowed to wear the Highland bonnet.' This -delighted the Scotchmen, and great cheering followed.</p> - -<p>In addition to the two guns captured, two Russian generals were taken -prisoners and about 900 of their wounded men were left on the field. -The total loss of the Russians in the battle is stated to have been -upwards of 5,000. The battle ended about four o'clock in the afternoon, -the head quarters camp being pitched near the river, and Lord Raglan -then went in search of his orderly officer, Lieutenant Tom Leslie, and -with the help of some guardsmen, with a stretcher, brought him to his -tent. Lord Raglan asked me if I knew Tom's mother, and on my replying -in the negative, he said: 'A charming woman. I must write to her. How -proud she will be to hear that he has a bullet in his shoulder!'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - -<p>Several years after the battle, when in India, I met an old artillery -man at Delhi, who claimed my acquaintance, and reminded me of the -incident of bringing up Turner's guns from the ford. He said he was one -of the drivers of the battery at the time, and that I rode up to him -in the river and said: '"Johnson," says you, "you'll not spare whip -nor spur till you get to the top of that hill, for Lord Raglan wants -you."' I cannot vouch for the absolute correctness of his personal -reminiscences, but the main fact is correct enough.</p> - -<p>The two days following the victory were passed in collecting our -wounded (upwards of 1,400), and carrying them in hammocks and -stretchers to the beach for embarkation. Amongst others I remember -saying a few words to Baring of the Coldstream Guards, as he was -carried away from the field. He had lost an arm. Reserves of ammunition -were also landed from the transports to meet the expenditure, which, -however, was not large, the infantry having fired about six rounds a -man and the artillery fifteen rounds a gun. The Russians' muskets, -lying about the field in thousands (many of them with the old flint -lock) were broken, and the accoutrements, knapsacks, &c., collected in -heaps and burned.</p> - -<p>The Russian Commander-in-Chief having omitted to send in a flag of -truce, or to make any inquiry as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> to his wounded left on the ground, -they were collected in a field and as far as possible attended to. An -English medical officer, having volunteered, was left in charge of -them as we marched away; a message being sent to Prince Menschikoff -informing him of the arrangement.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> General Canrobert was slightly wounded during the attack.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Nearly two years afterwards, when peace was signed, I -re-visited the scene of the battle, and found the skeleton of the horse -lying in the lane, with its skull pierced by a bullet.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> - -<p class="center">THE FLANK MARCH<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - - -<p>On the morning of, September 23 the allied armies left their position -on the Alma, and after a march of about seven miles arrived at the -Katcha, meeting with no opposition, and on the following day reached -the Belbec, a small stream within a short distance of Sebastopol. -From our pickets on the heights we could see the harbour and their -line-of-battle ships at anchor.</p> - -<p>Hitherto the intention of the allies had been to attack the forts -on the north side, but the plans were suddenly altered, chiefly in -consequence of the recommendation of Sir John Burgoyne. In a very able -memorandum, written the day after the Alma, he pointed out in the first -place, that the city of Sebastopol, with its docks, wharves, reserve -armaments and stores—in fact, its chief resources—were on the south -side of the harbour, and that the land defences there were imperfect -and incomplete. In the second place, that the harbours of Kameisch and -Balaclava would give the allied forces a safe base of operations, and -free communication with the fleet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> whereas on the north they had only -the sea shore to rely on. Under these circumstances he recommended the -abandonment of the north altogether, and establishing ourselves to -the south of the city. The strategical advantages of this course were -apparent, and the plan was adopted, and on September 25 the flank march -began, the English army leading off, and proceeding for some miles in a -south easterly direction through the woods. I remember when the Duke of -Cambridge received the order to march south-east through the forest, he -remarked that he had received many orders in his day, but that was the -first time he had ever marched by compass.</p> - -<p>It so happened that on the same morning Prince Menschikoff, ignorant of -our sudden change of plan, was moving a considerable force inland from -Sebastopol, in order to take the allies in flank, and as we emerged -from the woods on the open ground at Mackenzie's farm, our advanced -troops suddenly ran into the rear guard of the Russians. In fact, both -the opposing armies were making a flank march at the same time, and -the head of one came into collision with the tail of the other. Both -sides were taken unawares, but some of our cavalry and Maude's troop -of Horse Artillery at once pursued and captured a few prisoners and a -considerable number of waggons, with ammunition, supplies, and baggage. -This unexpected encounter must have rather mystified the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> enemy; but -Lord Raglan, knowing that his forces were scattered for some miles on -a long thin line, pushed on, and towards sunset the Light and First -Divisions reached the bridge over the Chernaya on the road leading to -Balaclava, and bivouacked for the night.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> - -<p>The following morning the march was resumed across the plain for two -or three miles to Balaclava, that small fishing village, with its -land-locked harbour scarcely larger than a dock, which was destined -to be the British base throughout the war. As the staff and leading -troops approached the village, a deputation of the inhabitants came -out bearing bread and salt as a token of submission. Almost at the -same time a gun was suddenly fired from the ruins of the old castle on -the heights, and a shell splashed into the marshes close by, followed -by another. Lord Raglan, through an interpreter, asked the deputation -the reason of this unexpected demonstration, as bread and salt and -bursting shells seemed inconsistent with each other; but the only -explanation they could give was that the small garrison had not been -formally summoned to surrender. The troops of the Light Division at -once swarmed up the heights, and half of C troop of Horse Artillery, -under Brandling, came into action; the other half I took, by Lord -Raglan's orders, up the steep hill overlooking the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> castle. Just as -we got into action, the 'Agamemnon,' with Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, -arrived off the harbour, and the small garrison, finding themselves -under a converging fire from three sides, hoisted a white handkerchief -on a pole in token of surrender. Their armament consisted of four -antiquated brass mortars. The commandant, an old Greek colonel, had -been wounded in the foot, and was carried down to Balaclava, where he -met the staff who had just ridden in. The commandant's wife, on seeing -her husband's condition, rushed out of her house in a flood of tears, -fell on his neck, and kissed him repeatedly. Lord Raglan, however, -spoke kindly and reassured her. In the meantime some Russian ladies who -had left Sebastopol and taken refuge in Balaclava, terrified by our -sudden arrival, crossed the harbour in a small boat in the vain hope -of escape. Accompanied by another officer I followed them across, and -we tried to reassure them. Knowing nothing of their language this was -a difficulty. We tried 'Buono, Russ buono,' but it was not sufficient. -Fortunately, at length we found one who spoke a little French, and then -they became comforted and returned with us to the village, and were -taken care of. Such was the capture of Balaclava.</p> - -<p>Many years after, in 1872, on re-visiting the Crimea with the late -Colonel Charles Gordon of Khartoum, we found that the old commandant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -(Colonel Mammoo) was still alive, being over eighty, and we called -on him. He was much pleased to see us and to talk over old days, and -said that he should never forget the kindness he had received from the -English when a prisoner of war. The officers and men of the navy in the -man-of-war which took him to Constantinople treated him, he said, like -a prince.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the condition of Marshal Saint-Arnaud had become -critical, and on September 25 he resigned the command of the French -army, and was succeeded by General Canrobert, who was then forty-five -years of age. Saint-Arnaud embarked at Balaclava on board the -'Berthollet,' and was visited by Lord Raglan and Sir Edmund Lyons. -He was then almost at the point of death, and his last words to Lord -Raglan were: 'Je vous suivrai toujours par la pensée.'<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> He died on -board on September 29.</p> - -<p>At the end of September the allied armies took up their position on the -plateau in front of Sebastopol, the French on the left with their base -at Kameisch; Lord Raglan establishing his head quarters at a farm house.</p> - - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/sebastapol.jpg" alt="sebastapol" /> -<a id="sebastapol" name="sebastapol"></a> -</p> - -<p>Legend: Russian Names.</p> - -<p>T. <i>Malakoff Tower</i> <i>Kornileff Bas.</i><br /> - -M. <i>Mamelon. Gordon's Hill</i><br /> - -R. <i>Great Redan</i> <i>Bastion No. 3</i><br /> - -D. <i>Barrack Batteries</i><br /> - -G. <i>Garden Batteries</i><br /> - -B. <i>Bastion du mât</i> <i>Bastion No. 4</i><br /> - -C. <i>Bastion Centrale</i> <i>Bastion No. 5</i><br /> - -L. <i>Lancaster Battery</i><br /> - -X. <i>Left Attack. Chapman's Batteries</i><br /> - -Y. <i>Right Attack. Gordon's Batteries</i><br /> - -S. <i>Sand bag Battery at Inkerman.</i><br /> - -<i>English</i><br /> - -<i>French.</i><br /> -</p> - -<p>References to Balaclava.</p> - -<p> -<i>A. B. C. D. E. F.</i> {<i>English Batteries.</i><br /> -1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. {<i>Redoubts manned by Turks.</i> -</p> - - -<p>The land defences of the city at the time were incomplete and not -continuous. On the east stood a round tower with four guns (the -Malakoff), and on the west a crenelated wall, with another tower -over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>looking Quarantine bay, and between these were some earthworks -(called afterwards the Redan, Bastion du Mât, &c.), unfinished and -unarmed. These defences were not formidable, and the idea of an -immediate assault suggested itself and was advocated by some officers -of high rank. On the other hand, the garrison was almost equal in -number to the allies; the approaches were commanded by guns, although -few, of heavy calibre; and the enemy had so placed their line-of-battle -ships in the harbour as to sweep the ravines leading down to the city. -On the whole it was considered more prudent to land the French and -English siege trains, with a view to a bombardment, to be followed by a -general assault.</p> - -<p>As to the general plan of attack, Sir John Burgoyne, having, with -Lord Raglan, surveyed the position, drew up a memorandum in which he -indicated the Malakoff as the chief point for consideration. He said: -'On the right, the great tower appears to be the key of the whole -position, and the only work to prevent an assault at any time; a good -site, or sites for not less than eight guns ... must be sought for to -demolish that tower.' The French, however, demurred to this view, and -it was finally decided that the main attack should be made by them on -the Bastion du Mât, an earthwork in their immediate front on the left. -When we remember that at the end of the siege, which lasted nearly a -twelve-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>month, the city fell chiefly by an assault on the very position -originally indicated by Sir John Burgoyne, we have a striking proof of -the clear insight and great ability of that distinguished soldier.</p> - -<p>During the first fortnight of October the allied armies were -incessantly occupied in landing and moving up heavy guns and ammunition -from Kameisch and Balaclava, and in constructing batteries and trenches -in front of Sebastopol, and it was arranged that the bombardment should -open on the 17th, to be followed by a general assault, the combined -fleets simultaneously attacking the forts at the mouth of the harbour. -Lord Raglan's order was as follows: 'The fire upon Sebastopol to -commence at 6.30 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> from the French and English batteries, -in co-operation with the allied fleets—the signal to be the discharge -of three mortars by the French. The troops off duty to be ready to -fall in at a moment's notice. Horses of the field batteries to be -harnessed.' A thousand seamen with heavy guns were landed from the -British fleet, and formed a naval brigade to act in co-operation with -the Royal Artillery in the trenches.</p> - -<p>The enemy, however, were equally energetic in developing and completing -their earthworks, and, having an almost unlimited supply of heavy -ordnance and munitions close at hand, they were in reality, as the -event proved, able to strengthen their defensive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> position faster than -the allies could concentrate their powers of attack.</p> - -<p>The bombardment commenced at daylight on October 17, the infantry and -field artillery being held in readiness for a general assault during -the day. Our hopes and expectations were, however, destined to a great -and speedy disappointment. The French siege batteries in front of the -Bastion du Mât were soon seen to be in difficulties, being over-matched -by those of the enemy; and early in the morning one of their magazines -exploded, followed by a second, resulting in great loss of life, and -practically putting an end for the time to their fire. The Russians, -having thus gained a considerable advantage in one direction, turned -their attention more immediately towards the English position, and a -vigorous bombardment was maintained on both sides. Lord Raglan, in his -despatch of October 18, alluding to the British batteries, speaks in -high terms of the conduct of the sailors and of the Royal Artillery. He -says that they kept up their fire with unremitting energy throughout -the day, to his own and the general satisfaction, and to the admiration -of the French army.</p> - -<p>About three o'clock in the afternoon, a magazine blew up in the Redan, -and for a time the Russian guns were silent. Lord Raglan said that, -under other circumstances, this explosion would have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> the proper -moment for assault. The combined fleets during the day also engaged the -sea forts and suffered considerably, but from our inability to take -advantage of their action no decisive results were achieved. In short, -the great bombardment of October 17 was a <i>coup manqué</i>, and although -the conflict was still vigorously maintained, and although the French -in a few days partially re-opened fire, it began to be apparent that -the allies were growing weaker by the wearing out of their guns and -carriages and the exhaustion of their ammunition, whilst the Russian -defences were becoming consolidated and their armaments augmented.</p> - -<p>General Canrobert did not at first take so gloomy a view of the -position. Writing a few days after, he stated that his means of attack -were concentrated on the Bastion du Mât, and that, assisted by the -English, he hoped soon to gain possession of it. Lord Raglan, however, -writing on the 23rd, said that the fire of the enemy was not seriously -diminished; that, with plenty of men and unlimited resources, they -were able to repair their works, remount guns, and re-open fire from -batteries which had been silenced, and that consequently, he was unable -to say when ulterior measures could be undertaken. The situation was -growing serious.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the enemy were also beginning to appear in strength on -the Chernaya, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> direction of Balaclava. Since our arrival, at the -end of September, considerable attention had been given to the defence -of this important base of our operations. Defensive entrenchments were -constructed on the heights immediately surrounding and overlooking the -harbour, armed with guns of position, and held by a force of marines; -whilst the 93rd Highlanders and a battery of artillery were in front -of Kadikoi, the whole under the command of Sir Colin Campbell. In the -plain beyond, and about a mile in advance, a girdle of small detached -hills extended in a curve across the valley, and upon these, several -battalions of Turks were distributed and began to entrench themselves. -As they had no ordnance suitable, some cast-iron howitzers were by Lord -Raglan's direction lent to them for the purpose. Such were the main -outlines of the precautions taken for the defence of Balaclava. They -were by no means too strong; but what with the incessant duties before -Sebastopol and the great extent of ground to be covered, our troops -were overworked, and no more were available for the defence of this -flank of the position, covering, indeed, the sole base of our supplies -of food and munitions.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Lord Raglan's Despatch, September 28, 1854.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Bazancourt, ii. 276.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a></h2> - -<p class="center">BATTLE OF BALACLAVA<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - -<p style="margin-left:33%;"> -'Not once or twice in our rough island story,<br /> -The path of duty was the way to glory.' -</p> - - -<p>Early on the morning of October 25, the Russian army having received -large reinforcements, General Liprandi advanced in force and attacked -the unfinished redoubts held by the Turks; and although the latter were -supported in the plain by the British cavalry and Maude's troop of -Horse Artillery, they were not able to hold their ground, and, after a -short defence, fell back disordered to Balaclava, leaving their guns -behind, many of the Turks calling out 'Ship—Johnnie—Russ no bono' as -they ran past our troops. It was during this early part of the action -that Captain Maude<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> was seriously wounded and had his horse killed -under him.</p> - -<p>Soon after the commencement of the battle, Lord Raglan, General -Canrobert, and their staffs, arrived, and took up a position on -the edge of the Sebastopol plateau overlooking the plain, and thus -gained a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> complete panoramic view of the scene below. Lord Raglan, -on perceiving the defeat of the Turks in the outlying forts, at once -ordered the First Division under the Duke of Cambridge, and the Fourth -under Sir George Cathcart, to proceed from the front to strengthen -the force at Balaclava. The enemy, having somewhat easily gained an -important advantage by the capture of the Turkish position, after a -short delay made a further movement towards the inner line of defence, -and a large mass of Russian cavalry advanced rapidly and with great -boldness across the plain. One portion approached the 93rd, who -were in line in front of Kadikoi, but, being received with perfect -steadiness by the Highlanders, they did not follow up the attack. The -main body bore down towards the English Heavy Cavalry under General -Scarlett, who, however, wheeled into line as the Russians approached, -and charged straight into them. Having been sent with an order to -Brandling's C Battery of Horse Artillery, it so happened that I was at -the moment only a few hundred yards distant, and witnessed the whole -affair. For a few minutes it seemed as if our cavalry, owing to the -great superiority of the enemy's numbers (estimated at three to one), -were almost surrounded. Then small bodies of red-coats could be seen -vigorously fighting and in close personal combat with the Russians. At -length the latter gave way, their retreat being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> hastened by the fire -of two batteries of Horse Artillery. Lord Raglan in his despatch said -that the charge was one of the most successful he had ever witnessed. -It was made at an opportune moment, and completely checked the enemy's -movements, their infantry remaining at a distance, partially concealed -behind the captured Turkish forts. A pause now ensued.</p> - -<p>Whilst the events just related were taking place, the First and -Fourth Divisions were marching down, and arrived in the plain. In -the meantime, the Light Cavalry under Lord Cardigan had moved to the -outer valley, just beyond the Turkish forts. A small force of French -Chasseurs d'Afrique was on their left. Lord Raglan, being anxious to -recover the position lost by the Turks, sent the following order in -writing to the Earl of Lucan, who was in chief command of the cavalry: -'The cavalry to advance and take advantage of every opportunity to -recover the heights. They will be supported by infantry, which has -been ordered to advance on two fronts.' Instructions of a similar -purport were sent to the infantry divisions. As some delay occurred -and the object was not accomplished, and, further, as Lord Raglan from -his position on the heights observed that the enemy were removing the -captured guns, he sent a second order, <i>also in writing</i>, to Lord -Lucan, by Captain Nolan, as follows: 'Lord Raglan wishes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> the cavalry -to advance rapidly to the front, follow the enemy, and try to prevent -them carrying away the guns. Troop of Horse Artillery may accompany, -French cavalry on your left. Immediate.'</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/battle_of_balaclava.jpg" alt="balaclava" /> -<a id="balaclava" name="balaclava"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> BALACLAVA. SCENE OF LIGHT CAVALRY CHARGE, 25th OCTOBER, -1854</p> - -<p>The fair construction of the above orders would appear to be that the -cavalry were to follow the retreating enemy, and that they were to be -supported by artillery and two divisions of infantry. What followed -is thus related by Lord Lucan himself. 'After carefully reading this -order, I hesitated, and urged the uselessness of such an attack and the -dangers attending it. The aide-de-camp, in a most authoritative tone, -stated that they were Lord Raglan's orders that the cavalry should -attack immediately. I asked, where and what to do, neither enemy nor -guns being in sight? He replied in a most disrespectful but significant -manner, pointing to the further end of the valley: "There, my Lord, -is your enemy; there are your guns." So distinct, in my opinion, was -your written instruction, and so positive and urgent were the orders -delivered by the aide-de-camp, that I felt it was imperative on me to -obey, and I informed Lord Cardigan that he was to advance, and to the -objections he made, and in which I entirely agreed, I replied that the -order was from your Lordship.'</p> - -<p>Such are the main outlines of the circumstances which led to the -celebrated Light Cavalry charge.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> - -<p>Formed as shown in the diagram, they moved rapidly and steadily -down the plain. They did not attack the enemy behind the Turkish -entrenchments, nor did they attempt to intercept the captured howitzers -which were being withdrawn, but rode straight into the main body of -the Russian army, far away at the other end of the valley. Artillery -opened upon them on either flank and in front, but still they rode -on, and at length passed right through the enemy's guns; but assailed -by artillery, infantry, and cavalry they were at length almost broken -up, and only scattered fragments of each regiment ever came back. -The Chasseurs d'Afrique, who were on the flank of the Light Brigade, -gallantly charged the enemy on the Fedhukine heights, and thus made -an important diversion, in which they suffered severely. The loss of -the cavalry during the day amounted to 40 officers and 353 men killed, -wounded, and missing; and 381 horses killed.</p> - -<p class="center"> -Formation of Light Brigade<br /> -under the Earl of Cardigan.<br /> -</p> -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/light_brigade.jpg" alt="light brigade" /> -<a id="light_brigade" name="light_brigade"></a> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - -<p>Having been sent a second time to Balaclava with orders and my horse -becoming lame, I was returning leisurely just as the charge took -place, but, owing to the ridge of intervening hills intercepting the -view, was not aware of it. Meeting H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge a few -minutes afterwards at the head of the Guards, he spoke of the sad loss -the army had just sustained; and, seeing that I was ignorant of the -circumstances, went forward a little and pointed down the outer valley, -where small groups could be seen in the distance of men and horses of -the Light Cavalry lying about, and in some cases being attended to by -the Russians. The Duke added: 'The officer who brought the order lies -dead in that ditch.' There, a few yards off, was the body of Captain -Nolan, with a large wound in his chest. In the course of the afternoon -part of Sir George Cathcart's division advanced a short distance, and -re-took one of the outlying forts, in which were found two of the lost -howitzers upset in the half-formed entrenchment.</p> - -<p>Lord Raglan, in his despatch of the Battle of Balaclava, alluding -to the circumstances which led to the Light Cavalry charge, limited -his remarks to the statement that 'from some misconception of the -instruction to advance, the Lieutenant-General considered that he was -bound to attack at all hazards.' The Earl of Lucan, however, took -exception to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> this description of his action in the matter, and, -persisting in his objections, was ultimately recalled.</p> - -<p>The consequences immediately resulting from the battle of the 25th were -not of a decisive character. The enemy had no doubt achieved a partial -success in getting possession of the outer line of defence, but had -not obtained their main object—the capture of Balaclava. The position -however, was precarious, and two regiments of Highlanders were added to -Sir Colin's force, and a brigade of French infantry were encamped on -the heights in rear. Still Lord Raglan was anxious, and in his despatch -of November 3 says that he should be more satisfied if he could have -occupied the position in considerably greater strength. Greater -anxieties were, however, awaiting him.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon following the battle of Balaclava the Russians came -out in considerable strength from Sebastopol (about 6,000 men and -16 guns) and attacked the right of our position on the heights of -Inkerman, but were vigorously met by the artillery and infantry of the -Guards and Second Division, and were driven back into the city with -a loss of about 600 men. This attempt of the enemy proved to be the -shadow of a coming event.</p> - -<p>During the next few days no incident of special importance occurred, -but the crisis was approaching, and the Russians, having received -large reinforcements, on November 5 made another determined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> attack -in great force on the right of the English position, which, had it -succeeded, would not only have raised the siege, but would probably -have entailed the abandonment of the Crimea by the allies. Indeed, -although unsuccessful in its main purpose, still the results of the -great battle on that day were by no means insignificant. The allies -were compelled to postpone any idea of assault, and they thus afforded -the enemy time to complete their defences, which enabled the city to -hold out for ten months longer. In connection with this subject there -is another point which deserves consideration. Although probably -fortuitous, still it is a fact that both on landing in the Crimea, and -on taking up ground in front of Sebastopol, the English army occupied -on each occasion the exposed flank, so that at the three successive -battles the brunt of the actions, and consequently the chief losses, -fell upon them. Not only that, but whilst their numbers—owing to -deaths, wounds, and sickness—were constantly and rapidly diminishing, -they had, in addition to their work in the trenches, to guard a very -extended position. General Canrobert, perhaps unduly cautious, did not -feel able at that time to give us any more assistance in the defence of -Balaclava.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> Lord Raglan himself so informed me at the time.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> - -<p>As regards the ground at Inkerman on which the great conflict took -place, it did not in itself offer any very inviting facilities to an -enemy's attack. It formed the right-hand corner, as it were, of our -position on the elevated plateau south of the city; and the ascent to -it from Sebastopol and the Chernaya was precipitous, its area being -restricted by the Careening Bay ravine on one side, and by steep slopes -on the other—so that the enemy's columns as they arrived were rather -huddled together, and got in each other's way.</p> - -<p>Todleben wrote: 'Although the nature of the ground rendered this -position a strong one in itself, it was to be considered that the -number of English troops which occupied it was very weak.'<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p> - -<p>The general plan was as follows:<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/inkerman.jpg" alt="inkerman" /> -<a id="inkerman" name="inkerman"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption">SKETCH TO ILLUSTRATE THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN</p> - -<p>Two corps of the Russian army under General Dannenberg, computed at -40,000 infantry and 135 guns, were detailed for the attack. One under -Dannenberg and Pauloff was to cross the marsh at the mouth of the -Chernaya, climb the heights, and force the English right; whilst the -other, under Soimonoff, was to leave Sebastopol, near the Malakoff, -and advance up the <i>left side</i> of the Careening Bay ravine. These -arrangements would appear to be simple enough, but as it turned out -they were in a great measure frustrated by a singular mistake. It -appears that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> General Soimonoff, looking from Sebastopol, imagined -that he was to advance up the <i>left side</i> of the ravine as he saw -it from that point of view, whereas the intention was precisely the -reverse. The intention of General Dannenberg seems clear from the -following short extract from his instructions to Soimonoff, issued the -day before. He says: 'Votre flanc gauche sera parfaitement couvert par -le ravin du Carénage, et la coopération des troupes qui traversent la -Chernaya.' Again he says: 'Un ravin profond et très long, connu sous le -nom de ravin du Carénage, nous sépare, le général Soimonoff et moi, au -commencement de l'attaque.'</p> - -<p>As it was, however, before daybreak on the 5th Soimonoff led his corps -across the ravine, and marched up on the other side, so that when -Pauloff arrived immediately after he found the heights already occupied -and the battle begun. This initial blunder (although we were of course -ignorant of it at the time) hampered the Russians throughout the day; -and the death of Soimonoff early in the action probably rather added to -their confusion. A Russian account quite confirms this view. It says: -'The disadvantage of this false direction was that from the confined -nature of the ground Soimonoff's troops were very much in the way of -Pauloff's columns, and neither the one nor the other could <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>find space -to deploy.' ... 'While the Russians were moving about in columns, the -English were drawn up in a line two deep, and their long-ranging guns -enabled them to inflict mortal wounds on the Russians at a time when -the latter were unable to reach them at all with their firearms.'</p> - -<p>As regards the arrangements of the English previous to the battle, 500 -men of the Second Division and three guns were detailed daily to watch -the ground at Inkerman, and one or two slight earthworks were thrown -up; a picket of the Light Division being also posted in the Careening -Bay ravine, which, however, was captured on the morning of the 5th.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> The late Sir George Maude, Crown Equerry.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> See Lord Raglan to the Duke of Newcastle, November 3, -Kinglake's <i>Inkerman</i>, p. 45.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Kinglake's <i>Inkerman</i>, p. 56.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> See Kinglake's <i>Inkerman</i>, pp. 110 and 498; Dannenberg's -orders to Soimonoff.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> - -<p class="center">BATTLE OF INKERMAN<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - - -<p>Before giving a slight sketch of the events of this momentous day, it -is necessary to bear in mind that the original numbers of the English -army had become much reduced since their landing, by the casualties -of war and by sickness; that they had also to guard the trenches day -and night, and to be ready to defend the extended position in front -of Balaclava. In short, their numbers were not by any means adequate -to the various and widely detached duties they were called upon to -perform. The consequence was that on the day of Inkerman they had only -8,000 infantry and 36 guns available for the defence of the position.</p> - -<p>It was dark and wet and a thick fog lay on the ground as day dawned -on Sunday, November 5. My servant came into my tent and woke me about -daylight, saying that heavy firing had just commenced not far away. -In a few minutes I was off, but found that Lord Raglan and General -Strangways had already left. On approaching the scene, and riding -through the camp of the Second Division, it was apparent that the -enemy were close at hand. Round shot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> were bounding along, tents were -being knocked over, horses killed at their pickets, whilst blankets -and great coats were lying about among the brushwood, thrown down, -apparently, as our men had hastily fallen in and hurried to the front. -The centre of our position on the ridge was held by the Second Division -under Pennefather, with the Guards in advance on the right under the -Duke of Cambridge and Bentinck, and one brigade of the Light Division -under Buller on the left—six batteries of artillery being in action -in the intervals. On joining Lord Raglan about 7 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> it was -evident from the very heavy fire both of infantry and artillery that -the Russian columns were close upon us, and were indeed forcing our -position at various points. In fact, owing to the rain and thick mist, -the troops of both the opposing forces were in immediate proximity -several times during the day almost before they were aware of it.</p> - -<p>On the extreme right, and in advance, a small sandbag work had been -established and armed with two 18-pounders many days previously, not -with a view to local defence, but to silence some Russian guns on the -other side of the Chernaya which annoyed our camp, and having achieved -the object our guns had been withdrawn. It was in the neighbourhood -of this earthwork that very severe fighting took place, and it was -captured and re-taken several times, the Guards especially sustaining -the brunt of the conflict<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> and suffering great losses. The Russian -account says: 'The battle raged forward, backward, beneath, above, -among bushes and underwood; above all, the sandbag battery on the wing -had been the object of many an attack, until at length General Bentinck -led up his Guards, the <i>élite</i> of the English army. These chosen troops -pressed irresistibly forward to the redoubt, and tore it from the -Russians....'</p> - -<p>In the meantime Sir George Cathcart, with part of the Fourth Division, -arrived to the support of our hardly pressed troops. Conceiving the -extreme right to be the point most open to danger, he was marching in -that direction when he received urgent messages requesting assistance -in the centre and on the left. He accordingly detached the greater -part of his brigade and a battery towards these points, but proceeded -himself, with a small number of men, to reinforce the Guards. The -enemy, in fact, were forcing our line at several places at once. Hardly -had the battery just named got into action and fired a few rounds of -case than it was run into and three of its guns momentarily captured, -the officer commanding (Major Townsend) being killed. Three guns of -Turner's battery were also taken and some of the gunners bayonetted at -their posts; but in both instances the guns were re-taken immediately -afterwards by the 77th and 88th Regiments.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>[14]</p> - -<p>Sir George Cathcart, under the impression that he could assist the -Guards by a flank movement, moved for some distance down the slopes, -near the sandbag battery, but suddenly found himself surrounded by a -superior force, and fell, shot through the heart; General Torrens, who -was with him, being also severely wounded.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> - -<p>At about 8 o'clock <span class="smcap">A.M.</span>, Lord Raglan with his staff was moving -along the ridge, and halted about the centre of the line. Perceiving -the advantage he should gain by the fire of heavy guns from such -commanding ground, he sent an order for the two 18-pounders, which -were near at hand at the mill, to be brought up. It so happened that -the officers in charge of them, anticipating his wishes, had already -packed the necessary ammunition in waggons, and were, therefore, ready -when his message came. Colonel Gambier, R.A., in command, was wounded, -and had to retire as they moved up; but under Colonel Collingwood -Dickson<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> and Captain D'Aguilar these guns were speedily brought into -action on the ridge, and rendered excellent service throughout the day. -Prince Menschikoff, in his despatch after the battle, makes special -allusion to the fire of the British heavy guns. There were no less -than seventeen casualties with these two guns, and they fired about 84 -rounds a gun.</p> - - - -<p>Just before the arrival of the 18-pounders, Lord Raglan,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> accompanied -by his staff, was on the ridge surveying the position, having General -Strangways on his right. At that moment a shell, supposed to have -been fired at long range from a Russian vessel in the harbour, passed -between them and burst amongst the staff, killing the horses of -Colonels Gordon and Paulet Somerset. These two officers, however, were -unhurt.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> A few seconds afterwards General Strangways turned round to -me, saying, quite calmly, 'Help me off my horse,' and he was then seen -to be falling. General Estcourt and myself jumped off and caught him as -he fell; and we then found that his left leg had been taken off below -the knee by the shell as it passed between him and Lord Raglan. We laid -him on the ground and I tied my handkerchief round his shattered limb. -The staff moved on a short distance, and I was left with him alone. The -enemy at the time were close upon us. After looking about in vain for -a doctor, or a stretcher to carry him away, I at length saw two men -bearing a wounded comrade, and, when they had deposited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> him in a tent, -induced them to return with me. A medical officer also arrived. We gave -the General some wine and water from a flask, which temporarily revived -him. He did not seem to suffer pain, gave me many messages to his wife -and daughter, and begged me to take him to the siege train camp, which -was done. Almost his last words were, 'Take me to the gunners, let me -die amongst the gunners.' As we were carrying him off we passed the -body of another officer on a stretcher, and it proved to be that of Sir -George Cathcart. On arrival at the hospital tent, General Strangways -became faint and insensible; it was evident that no operation could be -performed, and soon afterwards he passed away, with wounded gunners -lying round him, Lord Raglan coming to see him just before he died. He -was much beloved and respected by all his officers and men, and his -death at such a critical time was a great misfortune. When General -Strangways fell on the ridge, his horse got away in the confusion, but -was afterwards recovered, and singularly enough, was untouched, not -even the stirrup leather being cut.</p> - -<p>On going up to rejoin Lord Raglan, after the death of Strangways, I met -Sir Edmund Lyons, Captain Drummond, and other naval officers on ponies, -and conducted them, at their request, to the front. Subsequent to the -events just sketched out, from which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> it will be apparent that our -position was very critical, the battle still continued with unabated -energy for several hours. The arrival of some French battalions and -batteries under Generals Bosquet and Bourbaki, however, gave valuable -support to our sorely pressed troops, and Lord Raglan, in his despatch -of November 8, drew special attention 'to the brilliant conduct of the -allied troops.' 'French and English,' he said, 'vied with each other in -displaying their gallantry and manifesting their zealous devotion to -duty, notwithstanding that they had to contend against an infinitely -superior force, and were exposed for many hours to a very galling -fire....' General Canrobert also joined Lord Raglan on the field, and -was again slightly wounded. I remember his inquiring of me how many -guns we had in action, and I replied: 'thirty-six, in addition to the -two 18-pounders.'</p> - -<p>The Russian account, though not altogether correct, is worth perusal. -It says: 'The battle had now attained its climax. Most of the English -generals were <i>hors de combat</i>. The Britons, sadly reduced in numbers -and exhausted by the struggle, defended themselves but faintly. More -and more the fortunes of the day inclined to the Russians. It was -about 11 o'clock when, on a sudden, the shrill tones of horns were -heard above the rolling and rattling of the fire. The third act, the -turning point of the battle, com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>menced. The French arrived. In the -same proportion as the assurance of their timely aid revived the -sinking spirits of the English, it discouraged the Russians, who felt -themselves at once on the point of being deprived of the fruit of five -hours' hard fighting.'</p> - -<p>About noon I was directed by Lord Raglan to go to General Codrington, -whose brigade was on the other side of the Careening Bay ravine, to -inquire how he was getting on, and whether he required assistance. -Codrington's brigade, be it observed, was on the very ground up which -it had been intended that Soimonoff should advance. I found his troops -lying down, and temporarily out of action. General Codrington informed -me that he had been occasionally attacked by Russian troops coming -suddenly out of the ravine, but that he had driven them back, and that -they were not in great force. As the fog was lifting he invited me -to go with him some distance to the front, to try and gain a better -general view of the Russian position. We did so, and looking across -the ravine to Inkerman were able, for the first time, to see the great -masses of the enemy. Whilst carefully observing their movements, the -Russian batteries were seen to be retreating in <i>échelon</i>. Codrington -looked at his watch—it was ten minutes to one. He then desired me to -return forthwith to Lord Raglan and let him know what we had seen. On -delivering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> the message to the Commander-in-Chief, and saying that the -battle seemed coming to an end, his reply was: 'Yes, I believe so,' -showing that he had already become aware of the commencement of the -retreat.</p> - -<p>Lord Raglan's despatch, speaking of the latter part of the battle, -said: 'Subsequently to this, the battle continued with unabated vigour -and with no positive result, the enemy bringing upon our line, not only -the fire of all their field batteries, but those in front of the works -of the place, and the ship guns, till the afternoon, when the symptoms -of giving way first became apparent; and shortly after, although the -fire did not cease, the retreat became general, and heavy masses were -observed retiring over the bridge of the Chernaya, and ascending the -opposite heights, abandoning on the field of battle 5,000 or 6,000 dead -and wounded, multitudes of the latter having already been carried off -by them.'</p> - -<p>The Russian account says: 'Thus ended the battle, one of the most -sanguinary on record, at 2 o'clock <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, after lasting -eight hours.' It attributed their defeat partly to the bravery and -steadiness of the English and French troops, partly to the superiority -of their arms, and finally to the wrong direction of Soimonoff. When -it is considered that the English had only 8,000 infantry and 38 guns -available for the defence of the position, and with this small force -had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> to bear the brunt in all the earlier hours of the battle, it is -not necessary to dwell on the courage and discipline of the officers -and men; the facts speak for themselves. And the quotation I have given -from Lord Raglan's despatch is sufficient proof of the timely support -and great gallantry of our brave allies.</p> - -<p>The English losses were very serious: no less than eight generals and -2,614 officers and men were killed, wounded, or missing.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> - -<p>The names of the generals are as follows:</p> - - -<table summary="generals" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td rowspan="4">Killed -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Sir George Cathcart -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Fox Strangways -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Goldie -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td rowspan="6">Wounded -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Sir George Brown -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Adams, died of his wounds -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Bentinck -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Torrens, died of his wounds -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Buller -</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>The losses of the Russians are computed to have been between 11,000 -and 12,000. We also captured one gun-carriage and five ammunition -carts, left on the heights. Our allies, the French, lost about 930 -officers and men, killed and wounded. Late at night on the 5th I was -sent for by Lord Raglan, who wished for information as to the supply -of ammunition at Inkerman, in the event of a second attack. H.R.H. -the Duke of Cambridge was with him. I was able to give a satisfactory -statement, and to inform him that Captain Gage, R.A., who had been sent -during the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> battle down to Balaclava to bring up a large supply, both -for infantry and artillery, had just returned, reporting that the mill, -which was our magazine at the front, was amply stocked.</p> - -<p>It appears that Prince Menschikoff and two Russian Grand Dukes were -present on the field of Inkerman during the day; and that reminds me of -a curious incident which occurred in relation to one of them long years -afterwards. A gunner of the Royal Artillery served throughout the war, -and was wounded, receiving the Victoria Cross for his gallant conduct. -Subsequently he served during the Indian mutiny, and was again wounded. -After he was pensioned I was partially instrumental in obtaining for -him an appointment in the Yeomen of the Guard. Being on one occasion -on duty in one of the corridors of Buckingham Palace (at a State Ball, -if I remember rightly), a foreign officer, who proved to be a Russian -Grand Duke, came up, spoke to him, and examined his decorations. He -asked him about his Victoria Cross, and then, seeing he had the Crimean -medal and clasp for Inkerman, said: 'Were you at that battle?' 'Yes, -sir,' was the reply. 'So was I,' said the Grand Duke. The old Yeoman, -in telling me the story, said he thought he might be so bold, so he -replied to the Grand Duke, 'Well, sir, if you was at Inkerman, I hope -we may never meet again on so unpleasant an occasion.'</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Lord Raglan's despatch, November 8, 1854.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Now Generals Sir C. Dickson and Sir C. D'Aguilar.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> It is interesting to note that nearly forty years before -this day Lord Raglan and Strangways, then both young men of twenty-six -years of age, had been present at Waterloo, when both were severely -wounded, Lord Raglan losing his right arm. -</p> -<p> -The staff present were as follows: Sir John Burgoyne, Generals -Estcourt, Strangways, and Airey; Colonels Steele, Paulet Somerset -and the Hon. A. Gordon; Captains N. Kingscote, Lord Burghersh, Hon. -L. Curzon, Hon. E. Gage, Wetherall, Stopford, Hon. S. Calthorpe, E. -Gordon, and myself.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Eighty artillery horses were killed.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">THE WINTER OF 1854<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - - -<p>Whatever hopes or expectations might have been previously entertained -as to the speedy fall of Sebastopol, the battle of Inkerman, at all -events, utterly and rudely dispelled them. The facts were now plain -enough—nearly 100,000 Russians were on the spot, with an almost -unlimited supply of guns and ammunition to defend their city, whilst -the allies had not much more than half the number of men; and their -siege material was nearly worn out and its ammunition expended. The -fortresses in the Mediterranean might in some degree help us to -replenish our batteries, but there was no hope of efficient operations -being renewed until the allied armies had been largely reinforced, both -with men and material. Months must thus elapse, during which time the -enemy would have leisure to strengthen their armaments and complete -their defences. Thus the first attempt on Sebastopol had failed. -But even these were by no means the worst features of the case. The -allies had open trenches to maintain, and at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> same moment a widely -extended frontier to guard from attack.</p> - -<p>It is as well to pause for a moment and to consider the circumstances -of the English army at the time. In the first place the force sent -to the East had been raised with difficulty, was quite inadequate to -the occasion, and was insufficiently provided with commissariat and -transport. Mr. Sidney Herbert, Minister for War, said: 'The army in the -East has been created by discounting the future. Every regiment at home -or within reach, and not forming part of the army, has been robbed to -complete it.' Again, it was entirely devoid of reserves. The House of -Commons Committee of 1855 reported 'that the men sent to reinforce the -army were recruits who had not yet become fit for foreign service. When -the Duke of Newcastle acquainted Lord Raglan that he had 2,000 recruits -to send him, he replied that those last sent were so young and unformed -that they fell victims to disease, and were swept away like flies—he -preferred to wait....'</p> - -<p>We must, however, go further. It will be remembered that the expedition -proceeded to the Crimea at a late season, and after much sickness -at Varna, in obedience to the orders of the Home Government—who -apparently did not foresee the probability of a winter campaign with -open trenches before a half-beleaguered city, and the inevitable -hardships and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> losses which must ensue. For some time during the winter -of 1854 the English army was diminishing from invaliding and casualties -at the rate of 100 men a day. In short the winter was upon them, and -standing on the bare plateau, with greatly diminished numbers, several -miles from their base, and without proper food, shelter, or clothing, -they must now be prepared to maintain their dangerous position. A -consideration of these circumstances will enable us to form some -idea of the difficult position of Lord Raglan at that time. He had, -moreover, other anxieties pressing upon him—anxieties of divided -councils, and of indecision in his French colleague—who, however brave -as a soldier, allowed himself to be swayed and overborne by incessant -and rash proposals from Paris, and even by subordinates on the spot. -These latter facts were not generally known at the time, and the people -of England were misled; but in proof of them I will shortly enter into -some details, quoting official documents published afterwards. There is -almost always an element of weakness in allied operations, but during -the earlier part of the Crimean War they became more than usually -apparent and mischievous.</p> - -<p>On the death of General Strangways, Colonel Dacres<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> succeeded to -the command of the artillery, and one morning soon after, he waited on -Lord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> Raglan, who, in his usual good-natured way, asked him how he was -getting on. 'My Lord,' said Dacres, 'when a man has been twenty-one -years a subaltern, he never can get on.' However, his turn came at -last. At the beginning of 1855 he was only a Lieutenant-Colonel, -but before the year was at an end he had been promoted to Colonel, -Brigadier-General, Major-General, and Lieutenant-General, and had -received the Order of the Bath, the Legion of Honour, the Medjidi, and -an Italian order.</p> - -<p>The English army had hardly begun to realise the difficulties and -sufferings it was destined to endure throughout the winter when an -additional misfortune was caused by a terrific gale on November 14, -during which no less than fifteen transports containing clothing, food, -ammunition, forage, and other stores were sunk in the Black Sea. A -large number of tents on the plateau were also blown down, and great -misery ensued. Notwithstanding all our troubles, there were occasional -incidents of an odd and amusing kind, which now and then helped to -enliven us. Among others was one relating to a dead man, who came to -life and appeared at Woolwich. Soon after our arrival before Sebastopol -it was found that many men of the different regiments were unaccounted -for, some having died on the march, others been carried on board ship -sick, and some taken prisoners. Courts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> of Inquiry were held, and as -regards the artillery the results sent home. Some time afterwards a -letter was received from the Horse Guards that a Gunner Brown, who -was reported as dead, had arrived at Woolwich, and an explanation was -requested. The officer commanding the battery, in reply to the query, -stated to the effect 'that Brown was an old comrade of his, that he had -visited him when he was dying, and attended his funeral; therefore,' -he said, 'I know he is dead, and am surprised to hear of his return to -Woolwich, but am not responsible for his subsequent movements.'</p> - -<p>On December 26 I had the gratification of receiving a note from Lord -Raglan of which the following is a copy: 'December 26, 1854. My dear -Adye,—I have great satisfaction in announcing your promotion to the -rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and that of Captains Fortescue, Gordon, -and Gage to the rank of Major. Captains Paynter,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> Wodehouse, Maude, -Swinton, D'Aguilar, Brandling, Turner, Anderson, Morris, Hamley, Hoste, -Yates, and Pennycuick have also got a step. A pretty Christmas box for -you all. Pray accept my congratulations, and offer them to Captains -Fortescue, Gordon, and Gage. Yours faithfully, Raglan.'</p> - -<p>The rations served out by the Commissariat during the winter of 1854 -were not very varied or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> specially inviting, and consisted chiefly -of lumps of salt beef or pork (with occasional fresh meat), ship's -biscuits and rum, but no bread or milk. Luxuries of any kind were -difficult to obtain at Balaclava, and were expensive. A ham cost -two guineas, beer three shillings a bottle, and so on. Our chief -difficulty, however, was fuel. There were several English travellers, -called T.G.'s (travelling gentlemen), who paid the Crimea a visit -during the winter. On one occasion I was asked if I would entertain -one of these travellers at dinner, as the Headquarters' Farm was full -and the accommodation limited, and of course consented. My friend -turned out to be an old gentleman of position and large fortune, but of -delicate health, and was accompanied by a valet. What induced him to -come out at such a time is inexplicable. As my tent was rather larger -than the others, the three or four officers of the Artillery Staff -usually dined together in it. The table was a plank, and the seats -chiefly empty boxes on end. As soon as our friend arrived, dinner was -served, cooked, of course, in a hole in the open air, and consisted of -a lump of salt pork, more or less boiled. It was soon apparent that the -old gentleman was making a wretched effort, and I tried to encourage -him with a glass of rum and some biscuit; but he said he had a poor -appetite, which was evident. Presently he turned round to me and said, -'You won't be offended,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> will you?' I replied, 'Not in the least. What -is it?' 'Well,' he said, 'I don't mind for myself, but I know my valet -can't eat salt pork; if I were to give him a sovereign, do you think -he could go to some place of refreshment near, and buy some food?' -I assured him that there was nothing better to be had nearer than -Constantinople, which was several hundred miles away. After that he -collapsed, and left for England the next morning.</p> - -<p>The history of the siege for the next few months is a record of -hardships and privations nobly borne. The officers and men of the -naval brigade, the artillery and infantry, who had to take their turn -of duty in the trenches for twenty-four hours at a time, were the -chief sufferers; having to lie in muddy ditches and batteries, without -shelter, with scanty clothing, and very indifferent food. There were -officers and men, however, in all branches of the service who, in spite -of hardships, went through the whole siege and never missed a tour of -duty. In January 1855 the English sick list amounted to 13,000 men. The -country was often deep in snow, and the road to Balaclava became almost -impassable. Four fifths of the artillery horses died.</p> - -<p>Pending the arrival of wooden huts from England several officers dug -holes in the ground, and by means of planks and tarpaulins obtained -rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> better shelter than was afforded by a tent. Among others, -Colonel Wood, R.A.,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> constructed a rough hut of the kind. He -had brought out a French cook, whom he accommodated in the hut, -living himself in a covered cart. On being asked his object in this -arrangement, his reply was that if he could save the life of the cook, -the latter in return would do the same for him by giving him good food, -otherwise both would probably perish. His precaution proved successful. -Warm clothing, in large quantities, was sent out from England, and as -the weather began to hold up in February the condition of the troops -gradually improved. In addition to Government supplies, many persons -in England, deeply affected by the sufferings of the army, sent out -bales of mitts, comforters, flannels, under-garments, and even plum -puddings. Occasionally the distribution was somewhat embarrassing. For -instance, on one occasion, in opening some parcels for the artillery, -we found a warm pair of drawers ticketed, 'For the brave Jones in the -trenches.' Who was the brave Jones? We also sometimes received curious -letters and inquiries about artillerymen, of which the following is -an example:—'To the Right Honourable Colonel, Commanding the 12th -Battalion Royal Artillery, field of Battle, Crimea. Your Honour—Your -Petitioner is extremely anxious to know if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> James Winch under your -command is still alive, if otherwise, by sword or epidemic.'</p> - -<p>Subsequently to the great battle of November 5 it became evident that -the English army, which was so rapidly diminishing in numbers, could -not adequately guard the positions at Balaclava and on the heights, in -addition to the hard work in the trenches. Consequently, the ridges -and slopes of Inkerman were gradually occupied by a portion of the -French army. The Russians, ever on the alert, came out in February, -and established outworks near the harbour, beyond the Careening Bay -ravine—known subsequently as the 'ouvrages blancs'—and it became -necessary to dislodge them. The duty was undertaken by the French, -and on the night of February 23, after a severe fight, in which -they suffered considerable loss, the position was captured, but was -not held, so that a few days afterwards it was again occupied and -strengthened by the Russians; and it is important to bear in mind -that no further attempt was made to dislodge them until after General -Canrobert had resigned his command at the end of May. In fact, the -Russians, who had received large reinforcements, became more bold and -aggressive daily, and during March commenced and armed a formidable -outwork on the Mamelon, considerably in advance of the Malakoff. Their -night sorties against the trenches of the allies were both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> vigorous -and frequent, with severe losses on all sides. It is computed that the -Russian army in April amounted to nearly 150,000 men.</p> - -<p>The English batteries during the long severe winter only maintained -a desultory fire on the city, waiting for fresh armaments; and as -ammunition ran short we had frequently to obtain supplies from the navy -for current use. I was sent on many occasions to Admiral Sir Edmund -Lyons in connection with these details. On one occasion, on being shown -into his cabin on board the flagship, he said: 'Colonel Adye, whenever -I see your face it always reminds me of a 68-pounder shot.' I thought -at first he meant that it was too round, or was wanting in expression, -and began to explain that I was not altogether responsible; but he said -it was not that, but whenever I came to see him I always wanted a fresh -supply of 68-pounder shot. My reply was that he had exactly foreseen my -request, and promised if he would meet our wishes they should be safely -delivered the next day into Sebastopol. The argument convinced him, and -he complied at once.</p> - -<p><i>Flag of Truce.</i>—The following extract from my journal refers -to rather an interesting event. '23rd of March. Accompanied Lord -Burghersh, A.D.C., with a flag of truce, by order of Lord Raglan. We -first went to the advanced French trenches on the left, near the sea, -hoisted a white flag, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> sounded a bugle. In a few minutes firing -ceased on both sides. We stepped over the parapet, advanced about -100 yards, and were met by the enemy's riflemen out of their pits. A -Russian officer on horseback, with two orderlies, galloped out to meet -us, dismounted, and the conversation was then carried on in French. -We handed him some letters, clothes, and money for French and English -officers who had been taken prisoners, also a letter for Madame -Osten-Sacken from Lord Raglan. His letter enclosed one from the mother -of the midshipman (Giffard) who was killed in the fight at Odessa. It -appears that Madame Osten-Sacken had cut off a lock of the poor boy's -hair, and had sent it to his mother, who sent a letter of thanks. We -offered the Russian officer a cigar, which he declined, and we also -asked him a few questions, but his manner was stiff, and he shortly -remounted and rode off. We returned to the trenches; the white flag was -pulled down, and firing re-commenced. The French soldiers were always -cheerful and good-natured in their monotonous duties. Lord Burghersh, -as we passed along through their trenches, heard two of them chatting. -One, looking over the parapet, said to his comrade: "Alphonse, -êtes-vous prêt?" "Oui, mon ami, toujours prêt." "Eh bien! Allons faire -la guerre;" and then they both jumped up and fired away through the -loop-holes at the Russians.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<p>During the month of March strenuous efforts were made by the allies to -prepare for a second bombardment, and, fresh armaments having arrived, -it was decided to re-open with nearly 500 guns on April 9. It was, -however, at this period that considerable hesitation and conflicting -opinions became more or less evident at French Head Quarters. It was -understood that the Emperor of the French would shortly arrive and take -the command, and De Bazancourt, in his history of the campaign, states -that General Canrobert received secret instructions which tied his -hands. Their general scope was that the siege should be turned into a -blockade, and a campaign undertaken in the interior of the Crimea.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> -The French army had about this time received large reinforcements, and -was divided into two corps, one under Bosquet on the extreme right, the -other under General Pélissier (who arrived in March) on the left; the -English holding the centre of the position. The French strength was -estimated at about 80,000 men. Omar Pasha also arrived in April with -20,000 Turkish troops. Great events were therefore anticipated.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> The late Field-Marshal Sir Richard Dacres, G.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> These were all artillery officers.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> The late General Sir David Wood, G.C.B., R.H.A.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> The history of the Crimean campaign by the Baron de -Bazancourt is often incorrect, and sometimes unjust as regards the -British army, and is therefore not altogether to be relied on. But in -his account of the French views and proposals he has more complete -knowledge, and, in fact, usually quotes official documents, and I have -therefore made some quotations from his work, especially as to this -critical juncture.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">BOMBARDMENT OF APRIL <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - - -<p>On April 9 the second bombardment, for which such incessant -preparations had been made during the winter, at length commenced, and -was vigorously maintained for the following ten days; and although the -Russians carried out numerous sorties, and were also unceasing each -night in repairing their shattered batteries, still it became evident -that the allies had achieved a virtual mastery and had laid open paths -for a general assault. It was a momentous crisis. As regards the -condition of Sebastopol at that time, Todleben, writing of the Bastion -du Mât, said<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> 'that after having undergone a constant and violent -bombardment, the work was in a desperate plight. Its artillery had been -dismounted, its embrasures and its merlons almost entirely demolished, -and a part of its salient had fallen in,' ... 'that they were -constantly expecting to see the enemy take advantage of the critical -state to which the bastion was reduced, and advance to the assault of -the work.' He adds,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> that the French might have advanced to the assault -of the bastion with an absolute certainty of success ... and that would -have carried with it the fall of Sebastopol.' ...</p> - -<p>The allied armies were indeed in full expectation of being at length -led to the assault, and the result was almost a foregone conclusion, -but no order was issued and no decisive action taken. The real history -of the case was not known at the time, but the accounts published by -De Bazancourt in 1856, and confirmed long afterwards by Kinglake's -account, have cleared up the mystery. De Bazancourt<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> said: 'La -pensée d'une opération à l'extérieur planait toujours, on le voit, -sur les décisions, et empêchait de tenter contre la place une action -décisive. Les instructions secrètes du général Canrobert lui liaient -les mains, à moins de force majeure.' Again, he quotes a despatch of -Canrobert of April 24 as follows: 'Les officiers généraux des armes -spéciales des deux armées, les chefs de nos deux corps d'armée, ont été -unanimes pour céder dans cette circonstance aux cris de nos soldats -français et anglais, demandant l'assaut. Lord Raglan partage fermement -leur avis. J'ai pensé que mon devoir était de m'y joindre....' It -seems remarkable, considering the unanimity which prevailed amongst -the allied generals, and that the French Commander-in-Chief himself -said he felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> it his duty to join them, that no assault took place. -Kinglake,<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> however, by means of French official documents brought to -light after the fall of the Empire, proves that General Canrobert was -in reality held back by instructions from Paris and by the influence -of General Niel, and, in view of the expected arrival of the Emperor, -would not join in a general assault.</p> - -<p>Lord Raglan had apparently been informed of the expected arrival of -the Emperor Napoleon, which he considered ill-advised, but both he and -the English Government were kept for some time in the dark as to the -special instructions which fettered the action of General Canrobert. -Various interviews took place towards the end of April between the two -Commanders-in-Chief, and in my journal I find a remark as follows: 'Met -Lord Raglan out riding; he invited me to dinner, but added: "Canrobert -is coming to a Council of War at half-past six, so we shall be late." -The Council did not break up till ten <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>'</p> - -<p>Days thus passed away, and the allies were gradually losing the -opportunity for which they had so long waited. In fact, the second -bombardment of Sebastopol failed, from causes, however, very different -from those which prevailed in the first. In October, 1854, our failure -was due to want of power; in April, 1855, it was from want of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> will. -Events, however, were hurrying on, and the crisis soon came.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of April the Emperor Napoleon<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> relinquished his -intention of coming to the Crimea, but sent out his proposed plan -of an external campaign, to which, however, Lord Raglan strongly -objected.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> Whilst matters thus drifted, and whilst the batteries of -the allies were again becoming weak and their ammunition exhausted, a -new actor appeared on the scene in the person of General Pélissier, who -was commanding the French <i>corps d'armée</i> on the left. Amongst other -matters, he pointed out to Canrobert in clear and forcible language<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> -that the Russians were establishing counter approaches in his front, -and that he, and those under him, were fully convinced that the enemy's -new position must be taken by a <i>coup de main</i>. He concluded: 'S'il -m'était donner de décider, je n'hésiterais pas.' General Canrobert -wavered, but at length accepted the responsibility, and the order -for the attack was given for May 1. In my journal is a record as -follows: 'Returned from Balaclava about 10 o'clock <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> on -the 1st of May and had an interview with Lord Raglan. Lord Stratford -was there, when a message came that a severe battle was going on in -front of the French trenches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> near the sea. We went off to a post of -observation. The scene was striking. The sky was lit up with constant -flashes—shells whizzing through the air; and amidst the incessant -rattle of musketry could be heard the cheers of the troops as they -stormed the works. It lasted four hours. Canrobert was with us, walking -up and down, flourishing his stick and greatly excited. The result was -that the French captured an outwork, and took eight mortars, and also -five officers prisoners.'</p> - -<p>In addition to the many difficulties of Lord Raglan's position at this -time, he was also much worried by receiving a notification that Lord -Panmure was about to abolish the Master-General and Board of Ordnance, -and to absorb their duties in the newly constructed War Department. -Speaking to me one day, he deplored the change, and said that the -Ordnance was one of the most efficient and economical departments of -the State, and that a much greater man than himself, the late Duke of -Wellington, was of the same opinion.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p> - -<p>In the meantime, Lord Raglan, backed by the opinions of Admirals Bruat -and Sir Edmund Lyons, strongly advocated a naval and military force -being sent to Kertch at the entrance to the Sea of Azov, with a view -of cutting the Russian communications and stopping their supplies; and -the expedition,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> consisting of about 12,000 troops (one-fourth being -English) started at the beginning of May. Hardly had it got out to sea -than General Canrobert received an order by telegraph from Paris to -concentrate all his troops for an external attack, and in consequence -recalled the Kertch expedition, to the dismay, not only of Lord Raglan, -but of the admirals and generals, and indeed of the officers and men of -the allied fleets and armies.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> Matters were evidently coming to a -deadlock.</p> - -<p>On May 14 Lord Raglan, Canrobert, and Omar Pasha had a long and final -consultation as to the proposal of the Emperor Napoleon, which was -in effect to separate the allied forces into three armies acting -independently—one to blockade Sebastopol, the second to storm the -Mackenzie Heights, and the third to march to the centre of the Crimea. -The scheme was rejected on the broad ground that it would render -each separate force liable to attack and defeat in detail.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> This -decision brought affairs to a crisis, and on May 16 General Canrobert -telegraphed to the Emperor resigning his command, partly on the plea -of ill health, but chiefly because his recall of the Kertch expedition -and the rejection of the Emperor's scheme had placed him in a false -position.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> General Canrobert's resignation was accepted,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> and by his -own wish he resumed command of his old division.</p> - -<p>On May 19 General Pélissier was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the -French army, and the situation was at once completely altered. Writing -to Marshal Vaillant, Minister for War at Paris, he said: 'I have -already seen Lord Raglan, and we are in complete accord; please ask the -Emperor to give me liberty of action indispensable under the actual -conditions of the war, and especially in view of the preservation -of the intimate alliance of the two countries.' Efforts, however, -were still made from Paris to regulate the strategy of the campaign, -but they were virtually disregarded, and General Pélissier, acting -with Lord Raglan, in the course of a few days carried out a series -of important movements which put an end not only to the delays and -disappointments that had so long trammelled the actions of the allies, -but entirely altered the conditions of the campaign. The strength of -the allies towards the end of May was approximately as follows:</p> - -<table summary="strength" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td>French -</td> -<td>100,000 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>English -</td> -<td>25,000 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Sardinians -</td> -<td>15,000 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Turks -</td> -<td>45,000 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p><i>May 18.</i>—Accompanied Lord Raglan and La Marmora round the English -trenches.</p> - -<p>The first movement by Pélissier was a renewed attack on the Russian -counter approaches in front of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> the French left, on the night of May -23; and as, owing to the desperate nature of the fighting, the object -was not fully accomplished he refused an armistice to bury the dead, -and followed it up the following evening with complete success, and -his troops then entrenched themselves in the captured cemetery. I -accompanied Lord Raglan and Omar Pasha on the second night to the -French post of observation. The losses on both sides were very severe, -being computed at 2,303 on the part of the French, and at 3,081 of the -Russians.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> - -<p>On May 25 General Canrobert was ordered to take up the line of the -Chernaya, which he accomplished with ease and almost without loss. In -this operation he was assisted by the Sardinians under La Marmora, who -had arrived some days previously. I remember riding in the morning down -to the Chernaya with Lord Raglan and his staff on the occasion. General -Canrobert galloped up to meet him, in the highest spirits, and speaking -in French said: 'My Lord, when I was a great man and Commander-in-Chief -you used to come and visit me, and now when I am only commanding a -division you again come to see me.' Lord Raglan, in reply, expressed -his pleasure that Canrobert had gained so extended a position, and -with such trifling loss. He afterwards joined General La Marmora, and -made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> a reconnoissance towards Baidar, being altogether ten hours in -the saddle. This movement in advance was of the greatest benefit to -the allies, who, instead of being cooped up in a corner, had now ample -space in a fertile valley, with plenty of grass, fuel, and fresh water -at their disposal.</p> - -<p>On May 24 the expedition to Kertch re-embarked, and sailed the -following day. It consisted of 7,000 French, 3,000 English, and -5,000 Turks, with 5 batteries of artillery, and was attended with -complete success. Kertch and Yenikale were captured without loss, the -Russians retreating, after destroying large depots of supplies, &c. -A considerable number of guns were taken, the Sea of Azov was opened -to our fleets, and the enemy's communications interrupted. Sir Edmund -Lyons reported that in four days the squadron had destroyed 241 vessels -employed in transporting provisions to the Crimea, besides four war -steamers and six million rations of flour and corn.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Kinglake, vii. 192.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Bazancourt, ii. 239-242.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Kinglake, vii. 121.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Kinglake, vii. 245, and De Bazancourt, ii. 266.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> De Bazancourt, ii. 266-274.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> ii. 252.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> See also Clode's <i>Military Forces of the Crown</i>, ii. 237.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Kinglake, vii. 260-273.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Kinglake, vii. 287; also De Bazancourt, ii. 273-276.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> 278.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Kinglake, viii. 25.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Lord Raglan's despatch, June 2, 1855.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> - -<p class="center">CAPTURE OF THE MAMELON AND QUARRIES—INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL PÉLISSIER<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - - -<p>The next combined action of the allied forces took place against the -Mamelon, the <i>ouvrages blancs</i>, and the quarries in front of the Redan. -As the capture of these important outworks involved not only a partial -re-armament of the siege batteries and a renewal of their munitions, -but also a careful consideration of engineer arrangements, some short -delay necessarily followed before decisive action could be taken. -Towards the end of May a meeting was arranged to take place at the -French head quarters between the senior artillery and engineer officers -of the two armies, with a view to discuss the various details. As -General Dacres was temporarily absent, owing to illness, and had gone -for a few days to Constantinople, Lord Raglan directed me to accompany -General Harry Jones, the Commanding Engineer. The meeting took place -in a hut, at 6 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> To my surprise General Pélissier came in -and presided; and, instead of the conference being limited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> to officers -of the special arms, the following were present: French Generals -Martimprey, Niel, Bosquet, Trochu, Frossard, Beuret, and Thiry, and one -or two more; General Jones and myself being the only English officers -at the meeting. Major Claremont and Prince Polignac were also in the -room, to act as interpreters if required.</p> - -<p>General Pélissier, in opening the proceedings, said it was decided that -in a few days the French were to attack the Mamelon and other adjacent -positions, whilst the English would seize the quarries in front of the -Redan; and he invited those present to offer any remarks on details. -A plan of Sebastopol was lying on the table for reference. General -Niel began the discussion, stating that on an important occasion like -the present it was necessary to take a general survey of the allied -position and of the trenches, and he would begin with the left attack. -Pélissier stopped him at once, and declined to enter into any such -general considerations, saying that all he wanted was assistance as -to details. He then took a ruler, laid it across the left attack, -and said: 'L'attaque gauche n'existe plus.' General Niel under these -circumstances abstained from taking any further part in the discussion.</p> - -<p>General Bosquet having made a few remarks as to the troops to be -detailed for the assault of the Mamelon, in which the Zouaves were to -occupy a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> conspicuous place, Pélissier objected to the arrangement, -contending that the Zouaves were not the best troops—'Pourquoi -toujours les Zouaves?' he added. He went on to say that these, however, -were small questions of detail to be settled afterwards. He was -evidently determined to assert his position as Commander-in-Chief, -and told us that there were persons in France of the highest position -(evidently alluding to the Emperor) who read history and studied -campaigns, and then sent him out their ideas as to what should be -done. He told us that he had written respectfully to the Minister -for War that, so long as he commanded the French army in the field, -he declined to carry out any plans except such as were arranged and -concerted between Lord Raglan and himself. A few other officers -offered some observations, and then Pélissier turned to General -Harry Jones. Apparently he had some difficulty in pronouncing his -name, and approximately addressed him as General Hairy-Joze.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> -The General—who, I found afterwards, was considerably ruffled by -Pélissier's arbitrary language—speaking in somewhat moderate French, -said that when the French were ready to take the Mamelon the British -troops were prepared to storm and capture the quarries in front of the -Redan, and then sat down. Pélissier at once expressed his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> pleasure at -hearing the statement of General Hairy-Joze. The English, he added, -were evidently waiting for their allies, and with that 'solidité' which -so distinguished them would no doubt succeed in what they undertook. -The day and hour of the attack were known only to Lord Raglan and -himself, but they should not have long to wait. Pélissier ended by -stating that the discussion had been very interesting (no one having -practically spoken except himself), and then he wished us all good -morning.</p> - -<p>Lord Raglan was much interested and amused when he heard of the -interview, saying that had he known General Pélissier would be present -he would have gone himself to listen to his lecture. It was known at -the time that considerable differences existed between Pélissier and -Niel. Years afterwards, in Kinglake's 'History of the Crimea,'<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> he -quotes extracts of letters written at this time by General Niel to the -Emperor Napoleon, and which evidently refer to the conference I have -just described. In one General Niel says: 'At a meeting which took -place yesterday he, General Pélissier, ordered me to be silent with -a harshness not to be characterised.... We were in the presence of -English officers.' Again, he writes to the Minister for War: 'Knowing -nothing of what is going on, I abstain from all reflections. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> asked -leave to offer some observations on the state of the siege, and was -told that it was not the time....'</p> - -<p>It must be borne in mind that the active measures which had been -carried out by the allied generals during the latter part of May were -by no means approved of in Paris, so much so that on June 5 Napoleon -telegraphed to Pélissier as follows:<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> 'Je vous donne l'ordre -positif, de ne point vous acharner au siège, avant d'avoir investi la -place.' General Pélissier, however, entirely ignoring the veto, simply -replied that he was in perfect accord with Lord Raglan, and was making -final dispositions for the assault of the white redoubts, the Mamelon, -and the quarries; and adds, that he should commence on the 7th and push -on with the utmost vigour. And so he did.</p> - -<p>A few days later, in writing to Paris, he speaks of himself as being -at the paralysing extremity of an electric wire.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> Lord Panmure, the -Minister for War, however, about this time informed Lord Raglan that -the English and French Governments had arranged that no orders should -be sent out as to operations, without mutual consent,<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> and it seems -curious that so obvious and common-sense a plan had not been in force -throughout.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of June 6 the third great bombardment of Sebastopol -commenced. My brother,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> Captain Mortimer Adye, R.A., was in command of -an advanced battery in the trenches, and, the weather being hot, was -fighting his guns in his shirt sleeves, when a shell from the enemy -burst in the battery, exploding some loose gunpowder which was lying -there, and burned him and two sergeants seriously; in fact, nearly -blew them away. His face, neck, and arms were scorched, blackened, and -blistered, and his flannel shirt smouldering. Some infantry soldiers, -seeing his condition, threw some water over him, and he was then -conveyed to camp; but some weeks elapsed before he was able to resume -his duties.</p> - -<p>The fire of the allied batteries soon obtained a mastery, and the -Mamelon especially was in ruins. Todleben, speaking of the bombardment, -said that more terrific than all else was the fire of the English.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> -It was arranged that the assault of the Russian advanced works should -take place shortly before sunset, and during the afternoon of the -7th the French columns, in the highest spirits, marched under cover -and unobserved down the ravines in readiness. The signal was given -about half-past six, and the French first attacked and occupied the -<i>ouvrages blancs</i>, near the Careening Bay ravine, taking several -hundred prisoners. They then assaulted the Mamelon, took it with great -rapidity and comparative ease, and hoisted their flag on the work; but, -led away by success, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> impetuously, and contrary to the intention, -followed the enemy even up to the glacis of the Malakoff. The Russians, -however, came out in great force, and not only drove back the French -columns, but followed them into the Mamelon and recaptured it, the -French retreating down the slopes in disorder and with great loss. It -was a critical moment, but Pélissier was equal to the occasion. Having -large reserves in the adjoining ravine, he at once sent them forward -and for a second time occupied the great outwork; and, darkness coming -on, its entrenchments were turned during the night and the position -firmly held. At the same time, whilst these serious battles were taking -place, the English troops, consisting of part of the Light and Second -Divisions, stormed the quarries in front of the Redan in the most -brilliant manner; and although they were furiously attacked several -times during the night by sorties from the Russian adjacent works, and -suffered great loss, they resisted all efforts to dislodge them, and -the next morning found them firmly established in comparatively close -proximity to the Redan.</p> - -<p>The great energy and activity of the allies during the fortnight since -Pélissier had been in command of the French army and in full accord -with Lord Raglan had thus been attended with important results, not -only on the Chernaya and at Kertch, but also in depriving the enemy of -the outworks in front of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> city which they had established during -the previous winter. Within a day or two of the successful actions of -June 7, another meeting took place of the senior artillery and engineer -officers of the two armies, at which I was present with General -Dacres. The subject considered had reference to the arrangements in -the trenches necessary for the further prosecution of the siege. -Opinions rather differed, some considering that in view of the recent -success, and its moral effect on the Russians, a general assault should -speedily follow. Colonel Frossard, a distinguished engineer of the -French army, however, urged that as we were still at a distance of some -hundred yards from the Malakoff and Redan we should continue to advance -cautiously by means of sap and trench as heretofore. He pointed out -that an assault from our present position would involve the carrying of -scaling ladders and woolbags to fill the ditches, for a considerable -distance in the open under heavy fire, and that under all the -circumstances we might be liable to defeat in assaulting prematurely. -General Dacres entirely concurred in the views of Colonel Frossard, and -the event proved that their misgivings were justified.</p> - -<p>Some days passed away, during which time the batteries in the trenches -were augmented and again prepared for a fresh effort, and it was -finally decided that a general assault should be made on the Malakoff -and Redan on June 18, to be preceded by a vigorous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> bombardment at -daylight for two or three hours, so as to smash and silence the enemy's -batteries and open a road for the attacking columns. It is important, -however, to bear in mind that General Pélissier declined to make a -simultaneous movement against the Bastion du Mât. A heavy fire was -opened at daylight on June 17 from the English and French trenches, -and continued throughout the day. In the evening Lord Raglan sent for -me, and directed orders to be issued at once to all the batteries, -that the renewed bombardment at daylight the next morning was not to -be carried out. I ventured to remark that every preparation had been -made, and that it would not only be a great disappointment to the navy -and artillery, but it seemed to me that a concentrated fire for two or -three hours on the points to be assaulted would produce a great effect. -Lord Raglan replied that he entirely agreed with me, but, he added, it -was useless to argue the question, as he had just received a message -from General Pélissier altering previous arrangements, and saying that -the French columns would attack at daylight.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> The necessary orders -were, of course, given.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Soon afterwards, when he was knighted, he called him -'Sairey-Joze'! (Sir Harry Jones).</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> 'Extracts from French Official Documents,' Kinglake, -viii. 32 and 88.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Kinglake, viii. 89-90.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> viii. 129.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> 236.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Kinglake, viii. 94.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> See Lord Raglan's despatch, June 19, 1855. Also Kinglake, -viii. 310.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a></h2> - -<p class="center">BATTLE OF JUNE 18 AND DEATH OF LORD RAGLAN<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - - -<p>The night of the 17th was passed in concentrating the allied forces -destined for the great assault. Lord Raglan and his staff arrived -in the English trenches shortly before daylight. Two important -circumstances occurred at the very outset, both of bad omen for the -allies. One, that the Russians by some means had become aware of, and -were consequently prepared for, the attack; the other, that one of the -French generals, under a mistaken idea that the signal had been given, -led his troops to the assault prematurely, and before all was ready. -It was, in fact, still dark, when the ground in front of the Malakoff -became suddenly the scene of a terrific conflict, of which for some -time it was not possible to form a judgment, or to forecast the result.</p> - -<p>As the day dawned it soon became apparent that the French were in -difficulties, and were not within the Malakoff. Lord Raglan had always -reserved to himself freedom of action as to the proper moment for -ordering the advance of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> English. As he wrote to Lord Panmure -afterwards, he felt that there ought to be some hope of the French -success before committing his troops.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> However, when he observed -the serious condition of affairs, and that his allies were in dire -conflict and suffering great losses, but were still persisting in their -attack on the dominating position of the Malakoff, he felt that it was -impossible for the English troops to remain inactive, and therefore -gave the requisite signal. Our troops, composed of parts of the Light, -Second and Fourth Divisions, accompanied by a storming party of seamen -carrying scaling ladders and of gunners with means for spiking guns, -jumped from their cover and made straight for the Redan; but the whole -ground was torn and swept with grape and musketry from the enemy's -works, both in front and on the flanks, and our men, gallantly as they -were led and bravely as they advanced, were quite unable to enter the -work. Lord Raglan, when the advance commenced, desired his staff to sit -down in the trench; but he and General Jones, R.E., stood up together, -anxiously watching the event. In the midst of the carnage, General -Jones was struck on the forehead with a glancing grape-shot, and for -a moment as he fell back it was feared the wound was mortal. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -taken away for medical aid, but in a minute or two suddenly returned -with the blood streaming down his face, being anxious to speak to the -Commander-in-Chief on some point which he deemed important; and it was -with difficulty that he could be induced to have his wound attended to. -It was about this time that Captain William Peel, R.N., who had led -the seamen with the scaling ladders, passed us on his return, wounded, -together with a great many other officers and men. The battle continued -for some time, but at length ended in the failure of the allies at -every point, and Lord Raglan then directed the batteries to re-open -fire, in order to cover the retreat and to hold in check the Russian -forces.</p> - -<p>Soon after the termination of the various attacks, General Hugh -Rose,<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> the British Commissioner at French head quarters, came to -Lord Raglan with a message from General Pélissier, to ascertain his -views on the situation. Lord Raglan said that in his opinion Pélissier -had made two great mistakes—one, in attacking prematurely before a -bombardment and the other that he had not simultaneously assaulted the -Bastion du Mât. 'However,' he added, 'I will go myself and see him,' -and he then left the trenches with General Harry Jones, who in the -meantime had returned, having tied a handkerchief over his forehead, -making light of his wound. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> losses during the day were serious. -Of the English—General Sir John Campbell was killed, with many other -officers of rank, and our total casualties were 1,443. The French -suffered far more, their losses amounting to no less than 3,500. In -fact, during the month that General Pélissier had been in command -of the French army it is estimated that their casualties in killed, -wounded, and missing amounted to upwards of 12,000 officers and men.</p> - -<p>The failure of the great assault on Sebastopol on June 18 was -undoubtedly the severest blow which the allies had received since their -landing in the Crimea; and indeed it became difficult to forecast the -future, as the activity, courage, and great resources of the Russians -in men and material apparently rendered the capture of the city a -somewhat remote and uncertain speculation. The British army were, -however, destined in a few days to suffer another great misfortune, -by the death of their beloved Commander-in-Chief on June 28. There is -no doubt that the failure of the attack on Sebastopol, and the great -losses on that eventful morning, had a serious effect upon Lord Raglan, -following, as they did, on the accumulated anxieties of the previous -months; so that his strong constitution at length gave way. Within a -few hours of his death he happened to send for me on some matter of -business, and then complained of illness and of great thirst; but he -made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> light of it, and I had no idea that his condition was serious, or -that it was destined to be my last interview with one with whom I had -been so closely associated.</p> - -<p>It will be well to consider briefly some of the great events which -had occurred during the period of his command, as illustrative of his -conduct and character during the campaign. In the first place, it -must always be remembered that we entered into a war against a great -Power after a peace in Europe of nearly forty years, when we had with -difficulty collected about 30,000 men for the purpose; and when even -these were inadequately provided with commissariat and transport, and -there were no reserves existent to replace casualties as they arose. -Again, the order to proceed to the Crimea came from home, without any -specific knowledge of the resources and preparations of the Russians; -it was given at a late season, and when the troops were physically -weak; and as the Government did not anticipate a winter campaign, no -provision had been made to meet it. In view of these circumstances -Marshal Saint-Arnaud, as I have shown, hesitated at the last moment. It -is true that he was then very ill—in fact, a dying man—but this must -have added greatly to Lord Raglan's responsibilities at a critical time.</p> - -<p>When the siege of Sebastopol commenced, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> failure of the first -bombardment was due in a measure to the weakness of the French siege -train, and to the unfortunate explosion of some of their magazines. -In the three great battles of Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman, the -English lost about 5,000 men, and as the winter came on, and found -the allies with open trenches, it was evident not only that great -sickness and suffering must ensue, but that our numbers and means -were quite inadequate. In short, the English and French Governments -entered into the war apparently under the impression that with a force -of 60,000 men they could crush an empire, and that Sebastopol would -fall by a <i>coup-de-main</i>. As regards the events which followed, I have -quoted official documents which prove that General Canrobert, brave -and good soldier as he was, still allowed himself to be constantly -controlled and over-influenced by secret orders from Paris, which -practically set at naught the plans of the allied generals and at -last brought matters to a dead lock; and it is important to bear in -mind also that, steadfast as Lord Raglan was in his opinions, yet so -loyal was he to his colleague, and so magnanimous, that no word in -his public despatches gave a hint of the enormous difficulties caused -by the circumstance I have described. He submitted to great personal -injustice, rather than say or do anything to weaken the <i>entente -cordiale</i> between the two Powers, or to attach blame to others.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> Again, -when the allies landed in the Crimea their numbers were approximately -equal, but, as the English had no reserves to replenish their rapidly -diminishing ranks, the equality soon disappeared, and early in 1855 the -French forces were at least three times greater than ours; and this -disparity, whilst it gave increased authority to their views, must have -tended to complicate Lord Raglan's position in council.</p> - -<p>There is another point to be noticed—namely, that all the commanders -of the allied armies and fleets, French, Sardinian, and Turkish, -entertained the highest opinion of the ability, high courage, and -character of Lord Raglan. I had good means of knowing, and believe -there was no difference of opinion on the subject. General Canrobert -always expressed these views, and indeed was anxious that Lord Raglan -should be appointed to command all the allied forces. Pélissier, from -the day he assumed command of the French army, was in complete accord -with him, and so stated over and over again. Lord Lyons, I remember -well, after the war told me that it was the proudest boast of his life -that he should have been closely associated with Lord Raglan, during -all the exceptional difficulties and dangers of his position.</p> - -<p>I have recapitulated these points because they were by no means known -to the people of England<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> at the time; in fact, it was not until -years afterwards, on the fall of the Empire, and by the publication -of the French despatches, that many of the circumstances were brought -to light. Finally, Lord Raglan, during all these months of incessant -and harassing anxiety, had to bear a trial even greater than those -I have attempted to describe. The English Press at home, and their -correspondents in the Crimea, day after day continued to criticise his -conduct, and to misrepresent his character in violent and unmeasured -terms; describing him as indifferent, incompetent, and unfit for -command; and attributing to his supposed incapacity and want of -foresight the sufferings of the troops and the delays of the campaign, -whilst during the whole time the facts were all the other way. Having -been closely associated with Lord Raglan, and knowing a good deal of -the circumstances, I feel it a matter of common justice to defend the -memory of a great and distinguished man, the close of whose life was -embittered by the feeling that the Government at home would not defend -him, and that the people, grossly misled as they were, had withdrawn -from him their confidence. One day, not long before his death, in -conversation with him I expressed a hope that he would soon return to -England, and have the opportunity of defending himself against the -unjust attacks of which he was the object, when he replied—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>smiling, -perhaps, rather bitterly—'Return home? I shall never return home. Why, -I should be stoned to death before I could get to Stanhope Street.'</p> - -<p>But there is a still more important aspect of the case than the -personal one. It is a great injury to the public service that a -Commander-in-Chief in the field, surrounded, as he must be, by constant -difficulties and anxieties, should be thus misjudged by violent and -erroneous statements, and be attacked behind his back at a time when -from absence, want of leisure, and from the nature of his position he -is unable to reply. I must add that in almost every campaign in which I -have borne a part, the same tendency to hasty criticism has been more -or less observable, and always at moments when the people at home, -being naturally anxious, are all the more susceptible and easily misled.</p> - -<p>The death of Lord Raglan tended, no doubt, to diminish the influence -of England in the councils of the war at a critical period of the -campaign, and the <i>entente cordiale</i> between the generals of the -allied armies which his influence and high character had done so much -to maintain, gradually weakened. It was in every sense a calamity. -The appointment, however, of General Simpson as his successor at all -events prevented any divergence of opinion as regarded the immediate -operations against Sebastopol. General Pélissier and himself were -in entire accord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> that the Malakoff was the dominant feature of the -situation; and although other parts of the enceinte, such as the Great -and Little Redans and the Bastion du Mât, could not be left out of -account, still in the final assault the attacks on these points would -not necessarily lead to the fall of the place, and would, therefore, -be subsidiary diversions, as it were, to the capture of the central -position. In one of his first despatches General Simpson said that -'we were repairing and improving our works, to be in readiness to -co-operate with the French, when their approaches towards the Malakoff -shall be completed.' The opinion given at the beginning of the siege -by Sir John Burgoyne, that 'the great tower was the key of the whole -position,' had at length become the axiom of all.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> See Lord Raglan's despatch, June 19, 1855. Also Kinglake, -viii. 161.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Afterwards Field Marshal Lord Strathnairn.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> General Pélissier, in his despatch of September 11 on the -fall of Sebastopol, specially says that the Malakoff was the key of the -defences, and that the other attacks were subordinate.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> - -<p class="center">BATTLE OF CHERNAYA AND THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - - -<p>During the month of July and the early part of August the allies were -occupied in pushing on their trenches, in obtaining fresh armaments and -munitions, and adding to their batteries. About this time I was present -at several interesting councils connected with these preparations, and -partly with the consideration of suggestions from home. In my journal -is a record as follows:—</p> - -<p>First Conference, August 3, 1855. Present: Generals Pélissier, Simpson, -Niel, Thiry, Barnard, Airey, Sir H. Jones;<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> Colonels Dupuis, -Steele, and Adye. Subject: 'Whether, in case the town should not -fall before the winter, it may not be necessary to raise the siege?' -General Pélissier refused to entertain the idea, and the meeting -broke up unsatisfactorily. The conference took place at the English -head quarters, and during the discussion one of the French generals -having made some remarks as to the great losses daily in the trenches, -General<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> Pélissier turned to him and said, 'Did you ever hear of a war -without losses? We are not here to make war <i>à la</i> Monsieur Cobden!' -After the meeting, in passing through General Simpson's room, Pélissier -took up a book, and asked me what was the inscription on its cover. It -was a Bible, and I told him the words were 'Society for the Promotion -of Christian Knowledge.' He laughed, and said it was a good society, -but whether he was a subscriber I do not know.</p> - -<p>Second Conference, August 5. Present: Artillery and engineer officers -of both armies only. Subject considered: 'A telegraphic despatch from -England, Can the town be destroyed? Can it be taken? What will you do -next?'</p> - -<p>Answer: No amount of fire, both vertical and horizontal, would destroy -the town—that is to say, the forts, docks, basins, and all that give -importance to Sebastopol.</p> - -<p>Answer to second question: This question is one for the -Commanders-in-Chief to decide. The meeting stated the general condition -of the trenches for their information. The third question was also for -the Generals-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>Third Conference, August 7. 'Two hundred mortars being expected from -France and England, can the town be destroyed by this means and an -assault obviated?'</p> - -<p>Answer: No.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - -<p>Fourth Conference, August 14. The French state that their batteries on -the Mamelon and Careening Bay are ready to open. Proposed, therefore, -that we open on the 17th all round, and then push forward our -approaches.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, and before the final preparations for the assault of -Sebastopol were quite complete, the Russians determined to make one -more effort to raise the siege by an attack on the position of the -allies on the Chernaya. It was a desperate movement on their part. -In the first place, the Fedhukine heights were held by 18,000 French -troops with 48 guns, and the Sardinians on the hills to their right -near Tchergoum were 9,000 strong with 36 guns, and in rear were 10,000 -Turks in reserve. The heights themselves, which were well adapted -for defence, had been strengthened by entrenchments, and the river -Chernaya, as well as a narrow canal, acted as wet ditches along the -front, and rendered an assault very difficult. It so happened also -that a few days before the battle the allied generals had received -information through spies of the intentions of the enemy, and were -therefore fully prepared.</p> - -<p>On August 12 I was sent to Balaclava to call upon General La Marmora, -who wished that some English guns should be placed at his disposal, -and by his invitation rode with him to the heights occu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>pied by the -Sardinian army, and received his directions as to the position to be -taken up by the battery in the event of an assault. At daylight on -August 16 the Russians advanced with great courage to the attack. -General Pélissier, in his General Order to the French army on the -following day, estimated the forces of the Russians as being 60,000 -strong, with a numerous artillery and considerable masses of cavalry. -Notwithstanding all the obstacles, the enemy succeeded in temporarily -capturing the <i>tête-du-pont</i>, and in advancing for a considerable -distance up the heights; but, after five hours' fighting, were -ultimately driven back and defeated all along the line, losing more -than 6,000 men, some of whom were drowned, and leaving 2,200 wounded -and prisoners behind. General Pélissier specially alluded to the good -service rendered by the English heavy battery, which took part in the -action in co-operation with the Sardinians. C troop Horse Artillery was -also present towards the close of the battle.</p> - -<p>On the following day the allies commenced another bombardment, and -in three days alone threw 10,000 shells from mortars into the doomed -city, independently of the fire from the heavy guns. The batteries of -the Malakoff and Redan were reduced to ruins and were almost silent. -The end was approaching. The English artillery at this time,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> having -been largely reinforced, were about 7,000 strong, and, in addition to -200 pieces of ordnance in the trenches, they had 92 guns horsed and -ready for the field. Under cover of this great bombardment, work in -the trenches was actively carried on, and the French approached close -to the counter scarps of the Malakoff. Their losses, however, were -reckoned at 100 daily. In view of the crisis which was at hand, the -Russians, towards the end of August, constructed a bridge of rafts -across the harbour; an evident symptom of a possible withdrawal of the -garrison and surrender of the city.</p> - -<p>At the beginning of September a final meeting of the French and -English officers of artillery and engineers took place, and a -careful memorandum was then drawn up for the consideration of the -Commanders-in-Chief. After recapitulating the general condition of the -trenches, and pointing out that the French were within twenty-five -yards of the place, they recommended that the whole of the batteries -should re-open at once and maintain a vigorous fire for three days, and -that the assault should then be given without delay; the Malakoff to be -first attacked and captured, and then the Great and Little Redans, and -the works near the Bastion du Mât, so as to divide the Russian forces -as much as possible.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p> - -<p>The end had come at last. On September 5 the bombardment re-commenced, -and the Russians were speedily driven to seek refuge in their numerous -underground shelters, in the midst of crumbling ruins and dismantled -batteries. On the morning of the 8th the troops of the allies marched -quietly down to their allotted positions; and at noon, all being -ready, General Mac Mahon led his division straight to the Malakoff, -and in a few minutes entered it and hoisted the tricolor. This was -the preconcerted signal, and then the other columns also rushed to -the assault. On the extreme right, the French in great force attacked -the Little Redan and works near the harbour, but, after a prolonged -struggle and heavy losses, failed to maintain their ground. The -English troops, composed of parts of the Light and Second Divisions -and accompanied by a ladder and spiking party, advanced on the salient -of the Great Redan, entered the work, and held it for some time. The -interior of the work, however, was swept by the fire of artillery and -infantry in rear, and they were ultimately forced back with great loss. -At the same time, far away on the left, the Bastions Centrale and Du -Mât were stormed by French columns, but also without success—in fact, -the three subordinate assaults on the city all failed.</p> - -<p>Mac Mahon, however, having once gained possession of the redoubt -surrounding the old Malakoff<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> tower, held it in spite of the furious -efforts of the Russians for hours to drive him out. As one cause of the -failure of the subsidiary attacks, it is as well to point out that they -were all open works, swept by batteries and interior entrenchments; -whilst, on the other hand, the ground round the Malakoff had been -converted by the Russians into a closed redoubt which, whilst it may, -at the outset, have added to the difficulties of its capture, still, -when once taken, gave the French under Mac Mahon the advantage of -comparative shelter.</p> - -<p>The losses on all sides were very severe, and were as follows:</p> - -<table summary="losses" width="25%"> -<tr> -<td>French -</td> -<td align="right">7,567 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>English -</td> -<td align="right">2,271 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Russians -</td> -<td align="right">12,913 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">——— -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">22,751 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>Thus ended, after a siege of eleven months, the series of battles in -front of Sebastopol. The Russians, aware that their position on the -south side was no longer tenable, during the night set fire to the -city, exploded their magazines, sunk their fleet, and, having withdrawn -the garrison by means of the floating bridge across the harbour, -then destroyed it, leaving their arsenal, docks, and large remaining -supplies of guns and stores in the hands of the allies. As Pélissier -said in his order of the day, 'Le boulevard de la Puissance Russe dans -la Mer Noir n'existe plus.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> In the afternoon of the 9th Fort Paul blew -up with a great explosion, and then all was still. What a comfort it -was, after months of incessant anxiety, that the uproar had for a time -ceased, and that there was nothing to do!</p> - -<p>During the next few days we buried the dead, wandered about the -desolate city, took stock of the armaments and reserves, and were -occasionally shelled by the enemy at long range from the north side of -the harbour. One large hospital which I visited presented a dreadful -spectacle. There were hundreds of dead bodies of Russians lying in the -beds; of men who had been wounded before the retreat, and then left at -the last to die unheeded and alone. In a few of the beds were found -wounded men still living!</p> - -<p>With the fall of Sebastopol the Crimean war had virtually reached -its termination, although several months elapsed before this was -recognised. The Emperor of the French still hankered after a campaign -in the interior; but the season was late, and the corner occupied -by the allied armies formed a bad base for operations in the field. -Marshal Pélissier, obstinate and determined as ever, would have none -of it, and wrote to Paris: 'Thank God! it is not difficulties which -frighten me.... But here the situation is not the same. I see the -obstacles, but I do not perceive the success, nor even the hope of it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> -I should be perplexed to form a plan of campaign, still more to carry -it out.' In short, the fall of Sebastopol had destroyed the power of -Russia in the Black Sea; and therefore the occupation of the Crimea, -whilst it would entail great losses and considerable risk, would be of -no special value.</p> - -<p>The two allied Commanders-in-Chief, Simpson and Pélissier, were men of -very different character and also of general appearance. The one was a -tall, thin Scotchman; the other a short, stout, thick-set Norman. The -first time they met after the capture of the city, Pélissier rushed -up to the English general and embraced him with great fervour, having -almost to climb up to reach his cheek. The English staff were amused at -this demonstration, and said to Simpson, 'Why General, Pélissier kissed -you!' And his reply, with a strong national dialect, was: 'Well, it was -a great occasion, and I could na' resist him.'</p> - -<p>As there was nothing specially to be done—at all events, until the -English and French Governments had made up what they were pleased to -call their minds as to future operations—I was fortunate enough in -November to obtain a few weeks' leave, and went off to Malta for a -holiday. On arriving at Constantinople I embarked in a small store -steamer, in which there was only one passenger besides myself—a -private soldier on his way to England. So, we talked of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> war, and -on my asking who had ordered him home, he replied: 'The Minister for -War, sir.' On my asking why, he said, 'I'm in charge of his brother, -sir.' This seemed rather incomprehensible, so I added, 'Where is his -brother?' 'Sure, he's in the hold, sir.' This bewildered me still more; -but it appeared that the soldier had been present at the funeral of -Colonel the Honourable Lauderdale Maule, who died of cholera at Varna -just before we left in the autumn of 1854, and had been sent to exhume -the body and bring it to England at the request of his brother, Lord -Panmure.</p> - -<p>When I returned to the Crimea at the end of the year, although active -operations were necessarily suspended for the winter, we were busily -occupied in blowing up the docks, forts, and barracks, and in carrying -off the Russian guns out of the arsenal (about 2,000 in number) and -thus completing the destruction of Sebastopol. Preparations were also -being made for a renewal of hostilities in the spring in some other -part of the Russian Empire. But in reality a change was coming over -the scene, and, instead of action, reaction had set in. In the first -place, France was tired of the war. Her finances were exhausted and -her troops anxious to return home. On the other hand, Russia also was -crippled, both as to men and means. England, so tardy at the outset -and so unprepared, was indeed the only Power<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> which apparently had the -will or vigour left to continue the contest. Our troops during the -second winter were well clothed, housed, and fed, and as healthy as -at home; and their numbers were daily increasing. At the beginning of -1856 we had upwards of 50,000 men and 96 field guns in the Crimea, with -considerable reserves both at Malta and in England. The administrative -departments, also, were becoming models of efficiency; and the -transport branch, which hardly existed at the outset, had no less than -28,000 animals collected and ready for the field.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the Turkish contingent had occupied Kertch and Enikale, -at the entrance to the Sea of Azov; and in January 1856 I was sent -by Sir William Codrington (who had succeeded Sir James Simpson as -Commander-in-Chief) on a mission to General Vivian in command of the -troops there. A French officer accompanied me, and we were conveyed -in H.M.S. 'Stromboli,' our instructions being, in the first place, to -make a rapid survey along the coast of the Crimea in order to ascertain -if the Bay of Kaffa, or its neighbourhood, were fortified and held in -strength by the Russians; and, if not, whether it offered facilities -for landing. On arrival at Kertch, we were directed to confer with -General Vivian as to the defences and to inquire whether he desired -reinforcements or assistance of any kind, naval or military, and then -to return forthwith to Sebastopol.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> The fact was, that information had -been received that Kertch was shortly to be attacked by the Russians in -force, and the Commander-in-Chief was desirous of ascertaining General -Vivian's views on the position. I remember when handing him the letter -from Sir William Codrington, he confirmed the rumour of the expected -attack, and as to holding out said, 'I can tell you at once; I shall -be able to hold out for about five-and-twenty minutes.' He did not, -of course, intend his words to be taken literally, but explained that -in his opinion the place was not tenable against a powerful assault. -Extensive earthworks had been constructed and armed on some of the -heights; but they were commanded by others, and there was an entire -deficiency of water in the outlying forts. However, after remaining a -few days at Kertch, information was received of the probabilities of -peace, and in February the representatives of the allied powers having -met at Paris, towards the end of March an armistice was proclaimed, and -the war came to an end.</p> - -<p>So ended the great Crimea campaign, of which my narrative necessarily -gives but a short and imperfect sketch. To the present generation it is -now a mere matter of history, and few remain of all those who took part -in a contest which, at the time, so deeply affected the people of this -country, and, indeed, of the whole of Europe. The long siege, with its -battles,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> vicissitudes, and sufferings, forms, however, a remarkable -page in the annals of war. Of my own corps, 13 officers were killed<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> -and 29 wounded. Altogether, no less than 10,508 officers and men of the -Royal Artillery served during the campaign, of whom 1,520 died, either -killed in action or from wounds and sickness.</p> - -<p>Many weeks elapsed before the allied armies had altogether quitted the -Crimea; and in the meantime we wandered about and formed acquaintances -with the Russians, who were always civil and good-natured. At the end -of the harbour of Sebastopol were extensive marshes, filled with frogs, -which kept up an incessant croaking. The French soldiers were in the -habit of catching and eating them in large quantities, but the English -despised such food. It was said that the frogs, after a time, learnt -to distinguish between the two nations, and that when our men appeared -in their <i>red</i> coats the frogs chirped away merrily, but when they saw -soldiers in <i>red</i> trousers approaching, down they went, and remained -perfectly mute till the danger had passed away. <i>Se non è vero, è ben -trovato.</i></p> - -<p>I did not leave the Crimea until June, and then embarked with a battery -of Horse Artillery for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> home. The weather was beautiful, and, after -passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, we were steaming along -past the Greek Islands when my servant one morning came into the cabin -and said I had better get up. As it was only just daylight I did not -take the hint. Presently, however, he looked in again, repeating his -suggestion. On my asking why he disturbed me at such an early hour, -he replied: 'I beg your pardon, sir, but the ship is on fire!' This -altered the situation; I lost no time in jumping into my clothes, went -on deck, where I perceived smoke coming up through the hatch-ways. -Going on to the bridge I inquired of the captain, who informed me that -the fire was in the powder magazine! It seems that having all the -ammunition boxes and stores of a battery of Horse Artillery on board, -the ordinary magazine was insufficient, and a temporary arrangement had -been made on the lower deck. It is supposed that by some accident a -box of lucifer matches had ignited, and set fire to the whole concern. -Captain Dyneley, R.H.A., with a few men at once went below, and passing -down buckets of water the fire was gradually extinguished, the boxes -hauled up and laid on deck, several of them considerably burnt. It -was a critical half-hour, but nothing could be more quiet and steady -than the conduct of all on board. In the midst of our trouble the -'Charle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>magne,' a French line-of-battle ship, came up close to us, -crammed with troops, and offered help. We, however, explained that we -had plenty of men on board, and in a short time we were able to say -that all danger was at an end, and separated with three cheers from -both vessels. That was my last adventure connected with the Crimean -war.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> General Dacres was at Constantinople sick.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> General Simpson's despatch of September 9, 1855, -specially alludes to this report, which, he says, was agreed to and -acted on.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Names of artillery officers killed: Brig.-General -Strangways, Major Townsend; Captains Oldfield, Fitzroy, Childers, Dew, -A. Gordon, and Snow; Lieutenants Cockerell, Walsham, Luce, Mitchell, -and Asst.-Commissary Hayter.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">THE INDIAN MUTINY<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> - - -<p>In the early part of 1857 I was stationed at Cork Harbour in command -of a few men on Spike Island, a period of tranquillity after all the -anxieties of the great Crimean war. The tranquillity, however, was not -destined to last very long. One day towards the end of May I crossed -the harbour to call on a gentleman in the neighbourhood who had just -returned from Cork, and on my asking if there was any news, he said -that a remarkable telegram had been received from India that a native -regiment at Meerut had killed its English officers and was marching on -Delhi. That was the first news of the great Mutiny. It also stated that -the natives in parts of India were passing chew-patties from village -to village. What was a chew-patty? Nobody could tell us. It turned out -to be a sort of pancake; but why the natives should specially pass -round pancakes, and presumably eat them, as a signal of rebellion no -one could explain. Week after week the news became more serious, and -troops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> of all arms were sent off in large numbers round the Cape. -Towards the end of July, being in London, I received information that -the Duke of Cambridge had appointed me Assistant Adjutant-General of -the batteries of Royal Artillery, then on their voyage; and about the -middle of August I left <i>viâ</i> Egypt. There was, of course, no Suez -canal in those days, and the railway from Alexandria only went as far -as Cairo.</p> - -<p>Generals Dupuis and Windham, and many other officers, were of the -party; and from Cairo we had to cross the desert (about ninety miles) -in uncomfortable carriages like bathing machines. There was no steamer -at Suez, and we were detained a week at that dismal village of the -desert, receiving occasional news that matters were becoming worse -and worse in India. The only hotel was crowded with English officers, -with little to eat and not a drop of water except what was brought in -skins on camels from the Nile, nearly 100 miles away. At last, however, -the 'Bentinck' arrived, carried us slowly down the Red Sea, with the -thermometer at 96 degrees; in a week we were at Aden, thermometer still -rising, and ten days afterwards at Galle. At Madras we heard of the -fall of Delhi, and on October 5 our long voyage in the 'Bentinck' came -to an end, and we steamed up the Hoogly to Calcutta. Several years -afterwards, when inspecting the de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>fences of the river with Sir William -Mansfield, the Commander-in-Chief, we came across the wreck of the -'Bentinck' lying in a field at some distance from shore, and found that -a short time previously she had been caught by a tidal wave called 'a -great bore,' and was thrown up high and dry in the field. In the course -of my career I have occasionally met a great bore, but never to be so -completely stranded as was the case with the old steamer.</p> - -<p>Matters were in a somewhat critical condition on our arrival at -Calcutta, for although the fall of Delhi had given a severe blow to the -mutineers, still we had no force of much strength to take the field; -and the garrison of Lucknow under Outram and Havelock, with many women -and children, were entirely surrounded, mere scraps of intelligence -only arriving from them occasionally. I had several interviews with Sir -Colin Campbell, who was very anxious to collect a sufficient force for -the relief of Lucknow. During October troops of all arms arrived in -quick succession after a three months' voyage round the Cape, but the -great difficulty was transport. The railway extended to Raneegunge, 120 -miles up country, but beyond that point our means only enabled us to -push forward about 100 men a day, either in bullock carts or by march. -Another difficulty was the provision of horses for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> artillery. In -fact, the whole of Central India from Delhi to Lucknow was practically -in the possession of the mutineers, who fortunately had no generals -to lead them, and were content for the most part to hover about and -pillage as they could. Slowly, however, as our forces in a long thin -line marched upwards towards Allahabad and Cawnpore, the tide began to -turn, and on October 27 the Commander-in-Chief left Calcutta for the -North.</p> - -<p>The general conditions of the Mutiny campaign formed, indeed, a -striking contrast to those of the Crimean war. In the latter case, -the allied armies—English, French, Sardinian, and Turkish—amounting -to nearly 200,000 men, had been virtually shut up in a corner, and -compelled to fight a series of battles on the same ground, in order -to gain possession of the Russian stronghold. In the present instance -the circumstances were all the other way. A vast continent was in a -great measure over-run, and its munitions and military stores were -temporarily in the hands of a great mutinous army, more or less in -sympathy with the inhabitants; whilst the English troops in small -scattered detachments, often hundreds of miles apart, were fighting a -succession of battles, with their communications precarious, and for -the moment without the power of concentration.</p> - -<p>To a stranger landing in India for the first time, knowing nothing of -the language or the customs of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> the people, more especially in the -middle of a revolution, there were many minor personal perplexities, -especially about servants. Their very titles were embarrassing. -Bearers, kitmagars, dhobies, durzees, bheesties, chuprassies, -punkah-wallahs, hookahbadars, syces, and others. What were their -duties? That was the point. Because in India, as we soon found, one -man will only do his own mite of work, and scorns the idea of making -himself generally useful. Any attempt to enlarge the sphere of their -duties would lead, so we were told, to loss of caste. There were, of -course, exceptional cases, such as that of the native servant who, on -being asked by a new-comer as to his caste, replied, 'Same caste as -master, drink brandy sahib.' Owing to the great influx of officers from -home, all in a hurry to be off, servants were especially difficult -to find. I was fortunate enough to get an old fellow whose name was -Buktum Hassan to take care of me. He could not speak a word of English, -and slept away his time on a mat outside my door. I believe he was a -bearer, and a Hindoo, but he would not come near me at dinner time. -Subsequently I procured another servant, who condescended to wait on -me at dinner, but I was cautioned not on any account to eat ham in -his presence. Curry and rice he did not object to. Two Sepoys, also, -were appropriated for my service as orderlies. They were tall, dark, -spare men, and all day waited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> patiently in the corridor in uniform, -strictly buttoned up, with belts and boots. The first evening they said -something, which being interpreted was that they wished to go home: -they then proceeded to take off all their clothes, except a loin cloth, -made them up into a bundle, and leaving them in a corner of my room, -marched happily away.</p> - -<p>The greater portion of the batteries from England having arrived, -General Dupuis and his staff followed the Commander-in-Chief up country -on November 12. The journey to Benares occupied five days, and from -Raneegunge we were conveyed in dawk gharries about eighty miles a day, -passing on the road every few hours detachments of troops of all arms, -hurrying forward, some in bullock carts, some on the march. Portions -of the road, especially near the river Soane, were unsafe from the -vicinity of straggling parties of mutineers, and we had to be protected -occasionally by an escort.</p> - -<p>Remaining a few hours in a bungalow outside Benares, we found time -to pay a hurried visit to this celebrated city. As an instance of -the precarious nature of our long line of communications, it may be -mentioned that although its inhabitants were in a restless, disaffected -condition, the garrison only consisted of a weak company of infantry -and two field guns. On the morning after our arrival I was informed -that 'the elephant was at the door,'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> in readiness to take us into the -city. It had no howdah, so we climbed up and sat on a large stuffed -mattress. The environs consisted of tombs, temples, ruins, mosques, and -gardens. The streets were crammed with people, and with little Brahminy -bulls wandering about; in some parts the elephant was too wide for the -narrow, tortuous passages, so that we had to dismount and walk. In one -Hindoo temple which we visited, a fanatic, or possibly a lunatic, was -seated in a niche. He was quite naked and covered with dust, but, oddly -enough, had a fuschia flower lying on the top of his shaven head. He -sat perfectly mute and still, and took no apparent notice of anybody, -so that it was impossible to ascertain what object he expected to -accomplish by so sedentary and monotonous an existence.</p> - -<p>We were rather a large party at the hotel bungalow, some being officers -newly arrived and others who had served for years in the country, and -who were very good natured in giving us information. Colonel David -Wood, of the Horse Artillery, was one of the newcomers, and had a habit -occasionally of assuming ignorance on minor points which perhaps was -not always genuine. During dinner he turned gravely to one of the old -Indian officers and said, 'Can you tell me, what is a dhobie?' They -all laughed, and it was explained that a dhobie was a man who washed -your clothes. Wood, still quite grave, said: 'Oh, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> accounts for -the difficulty. I told mine to clean my horse, and he refused. I will -discharge him tomorrow.' The old Indian officer, however, assured him -that a dhobie was absolutely necessary. Wood replied that he never -required washing on active service. 'You must surely have your shirts -washed,' was the rejoinder. 'Not at all,' said Wood. 'I always wear a -flannel shirt in the field, and as soon as it gets dirty or worn out I -throw it away and put on another.'</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">THE BATTLES AT CAWNPORE<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - - -<p>On November 19 we reached Allahabad, an interesting old fortress -at the junction of the Ganges and Jumna; but important events were -taking place, and we hurried on and reached Cawnpore on the 21st. On -our arrival we found that Sir Colin Campbell, with nearly all the -troops available, had left a few days previously for Lucknow, and -that serious fighting had taken place there on the 16th and 17th; but -the communications were subsequently interrupted by the mutineers in -Oude, and for some days no further information could be obtained as -to the progress of affairs. It was a critical period of the campaign. -As already explained, the garrison of Lucknow, with many women and -children, fifty miles distant, had been entirely shut up and surrounded -by multitudes of mutineers for weeks past, and was running short of -provisions, so that its relief had become a very urgent necessity. On -the other hand, the great bulk of our troops, anxious as they were to -reach the scene, owing to want of means of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> rapid conveyance, were -still moving up in driblets along the 600 miles of road from Calcutta -to Cawnpore. So that when the Commander-in-Chief had crossed the Ganges -on his adventurous march to Lucknow, he was only able to take with him -about 6,000 infantry and a moderate force of cavalry and artillery.</p> - -<p>But that was not all. Cawnpore, his only base, was in a precarious, -defenceless condition, and when Sir Colin had left and placed Windham -in command of it, there were only 450 infantry remaining for its -protection. The defences of Cawnpore were insignificant. A small -incomplete earthwork had been made on the bank of the river with a view -to protect the bridge of boats, and lying all round it were the ruins -of burnt bungalows and a general scene of confusion and desolation; and -beyond again, at a few hundred yards, stood the large city, composed, -as usual, of a wilderness of narrow tortuous streets, and devoid of -any external defences. So that it was not a favourable position to -hold, even had a considerable force been available. The difficulties -and dangers of the situation were indeed obvious. No sooner had the -Commander-in-Chief crossed the Ganges and marched in one direction, -than the Gwalior contingent—a well trained force which, joined -by other mutineers, amounted to about 25,000 men—with a powerful -artillery of 40 guns, field<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> and heavy, was reported as advancing in -several columns from Calpee forty-six miles distant on the other side.</p> - -<p>The instructions given to General Windham were as follows. The force -at his command for the time was estimated at about 500 men; and the -detachments of troops as they arrived up country were to be sent on to -Sir Colin Campbell at Lucknow. Windham was directed to strengthen the -entrenchment, and also to watch carefully the movements of the Gwalior -contingent; and should it indicate an intention of advancing, he was -to make as great a show as possible by encamping his small detachments -conspicuously outside the city, leaving a guard in the earthwork. If -he should be seriously threatened, he was to communicate with the -Commander-in-Chief as to detaining some of the troops arriving, to -assist in the defence. From a military point of view, it is evident -that, whilst Sir Colin's position was somewhat critical, that of -Windham was far more so. The general, however, lost no time in carrying -out his orders. The entrenchment was extended and strengthened with a -few guns, and its glacis cleared. The troops were encamped outside; but -whether this rather transparent artifice would have much moral effect -on the enemy may be doubted, especially as they had ample means of -obtaining correct information from their friends in Cawnpore. On the -other hand,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> it was very difficult to procure accurate accounts of the -movements of the Gwalior force. In the absence of cavalry, native spies -were the only resource; but some of these were caught and mutilated -by the enemy; besides which, under the circumstances of the general -disaffection, their fidelity could not in all cases be relied on.</p> - -<p>The duty of obtaining intelligence was entrusted to Captain Bruce, -commonly called 'the intelligent Bruce,' an excellent officer who was -also a magistrate. As all the prisons had been destroyed, the only -punishments available for criminal natives were hanging and flogging, -and in this horrible occupation he was engaged every day. He held his -court in the open air in the yard of a ruined bungalow, surrounded by -the <i>dêbris</i> of smashed furniture. Amongst others, he captured a native -of rank, a friend of Nana Sahib's, and on threatening him with death, -the native reluctantly gave information which led to the discovery of -about £10,000 in money and a quantity of jewellery, &c., which had -been looted and hidden away. I paid one or two visits to the bungalow, -which had been the scene of the massacre, a few months previously, of -the English women and children by Nana Sahib. The well into which their -bodies were thrown had been filled up and closed; but on the walls of -the house were still remaining some half-obliterated writing and stains -of blood,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> and in the bushes of the garden, fragments of children's -clothing.</p> - -<p>Events were now hurrying on to a climax. General Windham, a few days -after the departure of Sir Colin, sent a message informing him of the -rapid approach of the Gwalior contingent, and obtained authority to -detain some of the new arrivals, so that by November 26, when the first -battle occurred, he had about 1,700 men and 10 guns drawn by bullocks -at his disposal. But of these, four companies of infantry and a few -artillerymen had to be left on guard in the entrenchments, so that his -movable field force was still very limited. In the meantime, however, -the road to Lucknow became closed, and for several days after November -19 no information whatever was received. On the night of the 23rd a -tiny note, rolled up and concealed in a quill (which was the method -commonly adopted), was brought in by a native from Lucknow. It proved -to be from a commissariat officer, who asked for more provisions at -once, but said he could give no opinion on military matters, except -that they were complicated. The native who brought the note received 50 -rupees (£5).</p> - -<p>On the other side the mutineers from Calpee were now rapidly -approaching in distinct divisions, and had arrived at several villages -within a few miles of Cawnpore, and General Windham felt he could no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -longer remain inactive. On the 24th he advanced his camp a few miles -along the Calpee road up to the Ganges canal, which runs across the -country, and when its bridges were guarded it served as a wide wet -ditch along his front. The Gwalior contingent, however, began to assume -the offensive, and spies reported the advance of their main body from -Akbarpore to Suchonlee, and that their leading division was on the -Pandoo river, only three miles from the British camp. At daybreak on -November 26 our men were under arms, and Windham, with ten men of the -9th Lancers and a few sowars, went forward to reconnoitre, and, finding -that the mutineers were on the move, led forward his troops at once to -the attack. His force consisted of about 1,200 men, being detachments -of the 34th, 82nd, 88th, and Rifle Brigade. He also had eight guns, all -drawn by bullocks; four manned by natives from Madras, the others by a -few gunners of the Royal and Bengal Artillery and some Sikhs—a sort of -improvised battery got up for the occasion. The British troops advanced -cheerfully to the attack. When these reached the enemy's position, -which was on the other side of the almost dry bed of the Pandoo river, -the mutineers opened fire from some heavy guns, and poured in several -rounds of grape, as we neared them. Our artillery at once replied. -Nothing, however, could restrain the eagerness of our men, who came on -with a rush, cheering as they went, crossed the river,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> and captured -the position. The enemy retreated in haste, leaving three guns and -some ammunition waggons in our hands. We followed them for some -distance, and Windham, having halted for a couple of hours to rest -his men, then withdrew, as he had intended, to his original position -outside Cawnpore, taking the captured guns with him. The mutineers were -evidently in considerable strength, and, notwithstanding their defeat, -followed us at a distance as we withdrew. Our loss was rather severe, -considering the rapidity with which the attack had been carried out. -One young officer, Captain Day of the 88th, was killed, being struck by -a round shot and knocked down a well.</p> - -<p>Our total casualties were:—</p> - -<table summary="casualities" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td>Killed -</td> -<td align="right">1 -</td> -<td>officer -</td> -<td align="right">13 -</td> -<td>men -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Wounded -</td> -<td align="right">5 -</td> -<td>officers -</td> -<td align="right">73 -</td> -<td>" -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">——— -</td> -<td>——— -</td> -<td align="right">——— -</td> -<td>——— -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right" >6 -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">86 -</td> -<td> = 92 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>General Windham on his return at length received the long desired -letter from Lucknow. It was a short note from General Mansfield, chief -of the Staff, saying that all was well and they were coming back at -once to Cawnpore.</p> - - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/cawnpore.jpg" alt="cawnpore" /> -<a id="cawnpore" name="cawnpore"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption">Plan of Cawnpore to illustrate -Battle of 27th. Nov. 1857. -</p> - -<p>November 27 proved to be a very eventful day. Our small field force, -as I have explained, was encamped outside the city, not far from -the point where the great trunk road crossed that from Cawnpore to -Calpee. General Windham naturally hoped that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> successful blow he -had delivered on the previous day would at all events so far tend to -discourage the mutineers as to delay their movements and give time -for the return of the Commander-in-Chief. The position, however, was -critical. Whilst desirous of presenting a bold front and of protecting -the city, it was evident not only that our force was insufficient, but -that the right flank towards the Ganges was open to attack and liable -to be turned. At daylight the troops were again under arms, and part of -the 34th and 82nd regiments, with four Madras guns, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> detached to -the flank, to watch the road from Bithoor. Two 24-pounder heavy guns on -travelling carriages, each drawn by a string of bullocks and manned by -seamen of the 'Shannon,' under Lieutenant Hay, R.N., were brought out -from the entrenchment to strengthen the position in front. Lieutenant -Hay had a difficult duty to perform. In the first place, his guns were -very heavy for field work; and the draught animals, though obedient -to native drivers, were so timid that if an English soldier or sailor -approached, they at once began to bolt, and became unmanageable. I -remember discussing the matter with him in the morning, and suggested -that in the event of a fight he should, if possible, bring his guns -into action on the high road, as if he were to leave it, and get into -heavy ground and were pressed, he might be in difficulties. He quite -concurred, and during the battle, which lasted all day, he acted -accordingly, and performed excellent service, he himself being twice -wounded.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> - -<p>About 10 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> a cannonade suddenly commenced away on the -right, followed shortly afterwards by a similar demonstration in -front. The mutineers were evidently determined to make a simultaneous -attack on both points, and although for the time they held back their -infantry, their artillery fire was very severe and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> continuous. -Windham, conceiving that the flank attack might prove the more -dangerous of the two, proceeded there himself in the first instance, -but on his return to the front an hour afterwards, found that matters -were becoming serious. Not only was the fire incessant, but there were -indications that our left as well as our right was threatened—in fact, -the enemy were in great strength (in a semicircle) all round us. The -battle continued for several hours without signs of abatement, our -ammunition was running short, and the bullock drivers began to desert.</p> - -<p>Under these circumstances General Windham directed his troops to fall -back a short distance, until they found a temporary shelter under cover -of some mounds and remains of old brick kilns just outside the city. -It seemed now that the position might be held. Still anxious about -the right flank, late in the afternoon he sent an aide-de-camp to -obtain information, and shortly afterwards directed me to ride through -the streets and ascertain the state of affairs. Whilst threading the -narrow lanes, I suddenly met the aide-de-camp coming back in haste, who -informed me that the mutineers were in possession of the lower parts -of the town and had just fired a volley at him. At this moment Windham -himself joined us. Whilst deliberating on the critical position, two -companies of the Rifle Brigade also appeared on the scene, as if they -had dropped from the clouds. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> had been marching all day up the -trunk road, hearing firing in various directions, but unable to find -anyone to give them information. Windham said a few words to them, -and, placing himself at their head, away they went cheering, and soon -cleared the streets of the enemy. It was, however, becoming dusk, and -the general, feeling that it was impossible to remain in the exposed -position outside the city, especially as his troops were exhausted -and the ammunition running short, sent me to General Dupuis, who was -for the moment in command at the front, with orders to withdraw the -whole force and return to the entrenchment on the Ganges, as otherwise -the position might be lost and the bridge of boats destroyed. The -retirement through the streets was conducted without haste and in -good order, and was not interfered with by the enemy. It was rather -remarkable that although so closely hemmed in by the mutineers, they -did not at first take the precaution of cutting the telegraph wires, -so that messages were sent to Lord Canning at Calcutta of the results -of each day's fighting. During the evening General Windham held a -consultation with the senior officers with a view to a night attack on -the mutineers, but in the absence of reliable information as to their -position the idea was relinquished.</p> - -<p>The chief officers of the staff were temporarily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> accommodated in a -bungalow outside the Fort; and late at night Windham came in and stated -that one of the heavy naval 24-pounders had been upset somewhere in the -streets during our retreat and had been left behind, and he requested -me to go out and if possible recover it, giving me <i>carte blanche</i> to -make any arrangements necessary for the purpose. It was rather like -looking for a needle in a bundle of hay. I went to the entrenchment, -obtained the assistance of some seamen under Midshipman Garvey<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> and -a guard of 50 infantry, and, with a cart containing a triangle-gyn and -the necessary tackle, we prepared to start. Most fortunately at the -last moment we found one of the native bullock drivers, who said he -knew the position of the lost gun, and on a promise of a few rupees -agreed to conduct us to the spot; and so under his friendly guidance we -marched off into the darkness. Our friendly native, however, instead -of entering the city, led us for a considerable distance through its -outskirts, along the banks of the Ganges canal, and some doubts arose -as to whether he was not wilfully misleading and taking us into the -enemy's camp. However, there was nothing for it but to go on, and at -length, becoming very excited, he turned sharply into the town, and -after wandering through some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> the narrow lanes, sure enough there -was the gun lying upset against a small shop, with its wheel sunk in -a narrow, deep, perpendicular drain. There were planks lying about, -and indications that the enemy had been trying to extricate it. Small -parties of the infantry were immediately placed at the corners of -the adjacent streets, so as to isolate us from sudden attack. Their -orders were to keep perfectly silent, but should an attempt be made to -force their position they were to fire a volley and charge. As time -was precious, and as mounting a gyn with its tackle, &c., in the dark -would cause delay, it was decided to try and pull the gun out of its -awkward position by main force; and, the seamen having fastened a rope -to the trail and working with a will, the attempt succeeded, and so, -withdrawing the infantry, we marched back to the fort in triumph. The -coolie got his rupees and every man a glass of grog, and thus all ended -well. On returning very late to the bungalow, the staff were all lying -about asleep on the floor in the various rooms. The only one who woke -was Colonel Charles Woodford, of the Rifles, to whom I mentioned our -successful adventure. Poor fellow! he was out at daylight the next -morning, engaged in the severe contest which took place, and was killed -in capturing some guns from the mutineers in the open plain.</p> - -<p>The fighting was incessant. On the morning of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> the 28th it re-commenced -on both sides of the city simultaneously, and for the third day in -succession. Away on the left in the open plain, near the ruins of -the 'old Dragoon lines,' the Rifles, with part of the 82nd and a -battery, after a hard contested fight drove back the mutineers in -a brilliant manner and captured two 18-pounder guns. On the right, -along the Bithoor road, a second battle was going on at the same time, -and continued all day. Brigadier Carthew, with parts of the 34th -and 82nd regiments and the Madras battery, held a position somewhat -in advance, between the city and the Ganges, and was attacked with -overwhelming numbers, but maintained the position until sunset. Carthew -was supported by a part of the 64th, commanded by Colonel Wilson, who -during the day, in endeavouring to capture some of the enemy's guns, -was killed, together with three of his officers and many men. Our -losses during the three days' fighting were 9 officers killed, and -upwards of 300 officers and men killed and wounded.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/garrison.jpg" alt="garrison" /> -<a id="garrison" name="garrison"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> -THE GARRISON OF LUCKNOW RETURNING TO CAWNPORE, NOVEMBER -1857</p> - -<p>I have thus related as shortly and clearly as possible the general -features of the battles round Cawnpore, at the end of November, as -they came under my notice; because, in my opinion, much injustice was -done at the time to General Windham, who was a brave soldier and an -excellent leader, and whose difficulties were by no means understood -and appreciated. General Windham, in anticipation of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> return -of Sir Colin Campbell from Lucknow, had sent him several messages, -pointing out the serious nature of the attack on Cawnpore; and on the -evening of the 28th the Commander-in-Chief at length arrived, and -with the chief part of his force encamped on the other side of the -Ganges. What with the women and children, the wounded (amounting in -all to 2,000 people), and the usual accumulations of camp equipage and -stores which are inseparable from an Indian army in the field, his -line of march extended for about twenty miles; and when the strings of -elephants, camels, bullock waggons, palanquins, &c., began to cross the -bridge of boats the following day, the scene was more like the emptying -of Noah's ark than anything else.</p> - -<p>The mutineers, who had now full possession of the city and its suburbs, -brought some heavy guns to bear on the bridge, and struck the boats -several times. However, on November 29 and 30 the whole force crossed -the Ganges from Oude and encamped outside Cawnpore, near the 'old -Dragoon lines.' Although all pressing danger was at an end on the -return of Sir Colin's force, still the Commander-in-Chief had to -proceed with considerable caution. His great anxiety, before assuming -the offensive, was to provide for the safety of the women, children, -and wounded. On December 3 they were sent under convoy down the road -to Allahabad, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> Commander-in-Chief at length was free to act -against the mutineers, who, in the meantime, had harassed the camp by -occasional demonstrations and artillery fire. Although the enemy were -in full possession of Cawnpore, their main position was on the plain -outside, and the Ganges canal between us acted as a wet ditch along -their front. Sir Colin Campbell computed their numbers as about 25,000 -men with 36 guns.</p> - -<p>On the morning of December 6 the British camp was struck, and about -noon the whole force, consisting of 5,000 infantry, 600 cavalry, and -35 guns, advanced across the open to the attack. The cavalry and horse -artillery made a detour to the left, so as to pass over the canal by a -bridge a mile and a half distant, and threaten the enemy's flank. The -brigades of infantry supported by the artillery, advanced steadily in -line across the plain, but were somewhat delayed at the Ganges canal -owing to there being but one bridge within reach. This obstacle and -the necessary crowding once overcome, they rapidly regained their -formation, and, spreading out like a fan, soon drove the enemy back, -and ran into their main camp at 1 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, Sir Colin, fine old -soldier as he was, riding in front with his helmet off, cheering on his -panting troops. The mutineers were disorganised, the retreat became -a rout, and they fled in all directions, being pursued by Sir Colin -and staff with the cavalry and horse artillery up to the fourteenth -mile-stone along the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> Calpee road, every gun and ammunition waggon -which had gone in that direction falling into our hands. Heartily -tired, we returned and bivouacked that night in the plain outside -Cawnpore. I could not help admiring the toughness of old Sir Colin, who -rolled himself up in a blanket, lay down to sleep in a hole in a field, -and seemed to enjoy it. The following day Brigadier-General Hope Grant, -with the cavalry and horse artillery, followed up such of the mutineers -as had retreated by the Bithoor road, caught them just as they were -about to cross the Ganges, capturing the remainder of their guns -without any casualties on our side. That was the end of the Gwalior -contingent as a fighting force.</p> - -<p>The loss of the British troops on the 6th was about 100, and 37 -guns<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> in all were taken, besides quantities of munitions and stores.</p> - -<p>The following is a translation of a Hindostani document issued by the -Gwalior contingent, and found on the field of battle outside Cawnpore:</p> - -<p>'Cawnpore. By order of the great rajah—the leader.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> May his -shadow never be less. Let all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> lords of the manor and the rajahs -of this country know that a dromedary rider, for the purpose of -finding out all about the roads, and defiles, and ferries, is about -to be sent, in consequence of the departure of the Gwalior contingent -towards Cawnpore; that no person is to molest or hurt in any way the -above-mentioned dromedary rider; and let them, in fact, assist him to -the best of their power.... It is written on the 3rd of the month of -Suffer, and it corresponds with 1274 of the year of the Flight.'</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> This gallant officer was killed in action two years -subsequently, in the New Zealand war, where he had command of the -'Harrier.'</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> This young officer was subsequently killed at Lucknow, in -March 1858.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Guns captured from the Gwalior contingent— -</p> - -<table summary="guns"> -<tr> -<td>By General Windham, November 26 -</td> -<td align="right">3 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>" " " " 28 -</td> -<td align="right">2 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Battle of December 6 -</td> -<td align="right">17 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>By Sir Hope Grant -</td> -<td align="right" >15 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>— -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Total -</td> -<td align="right">37 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Probably the Nana Sahib.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a></h2> - -<p class="center">CAUSES OF THE MUTINY AND POLICY OF LORD CANNING<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - - -<p>The fall of Delhi in September, the relief of Lucknow in November, and -the severe conflicts round Cawnpore, had shattered, as it were, the -main force of the Mutiny; and although during 1858 active military -measures were carried out in various parts of the country, still in -reality the great crisis was past. The absence on the part of the -natives of any men of military genius to lead them, the want of mutual -confidence amongst their widely dispersed forces, and their tendency -to marauding expeditions rather than to combined operations, all led -to their final defeat in detail. On the other hand, the vigour of our -movements, and the large reserves of men, arms, and munitions brought -from England, at length restored our shaken power, and enabled us -gradually, but firmly, to re-establish our authority throughout the -numerous provinces under our rule.</p> - -<p>Owing to the wide distribution of the large force of artillery which -had arrived from home, it was considered necessary, for administrative -pur<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>poses, that General Dupuis and his staff should return to the seat -of Government at Calcutta; and therefore, after the battles at Cawnpore -in November and December, I took no further active part in operations -in the field. Residence in India, however, was full of interest at -that time, when the causes of the revolution, together with the -military changes which ensued, were matters of constant discussion and -consideration. The idea that the serving out of greased cartridges to -the native soldiery was a dominant factor in the crisis is of course a -mere exaggeration of a minor ultimate detail. It may possibly have been -the final exciting cause, in the same way that a lucifer match suddenly -lighted in a powder magazine may lead to a great explosion; but the -causes which conduced to the revolution had been accumulating long -before 1857, and were partly political, partly military; and it will be -interesting to quote briefly the opinions of various statesmen and high -authorities who took part in and studied the history of our conquests, -and who traced the results caused by our gradual absorption of the -kingdoms, principalities, and provinces into which, until our advent, -the vast peninsula of India was divided.</p> - -<p>Sir John Malcolm, in his 'Political History of India,' in 1826, -wrote: 'The great empire which England has established in the East -will be the theme of wonder to succeeding ages. That a small island -in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> the Atlantic should have conquered and held the vast continent of -India as a subject province, is in itself a fact which can never be -stated without exciting astonishment. But that astonishment will be -increased when it is added that this great conquest was made, not by -the collective force of the nation, but by a company of merchants, -who, originally vested with a charter of exclusive commerce and with -the privilege and right to protect their property by arms, in a few -years actually found themselves called upon to act in the character -of sovereigns over extended dominions before they had ceased to be -the mercantile directors of petty factories.'<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> Sir John goes on -to show that our rapid progress was due in a great measure to two -leading causes: one, that coming originally as unpretending traders, -we disarmed suspicion, and were, indeed, welcomed by the natives; the -other, that the gradual rise of our power was coincident with the -decline of the Mogul empire.</p> - -<p>General Sir Thomas Munro—an officer who entered the Madras service of -the East India Company as a cadet in 1780, and who by his genius and -statesmanlike qualities rose to be Governor of that Presidency—writing -in 1817 to the Governor General on the effects of our policy, said: -'The strength of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> the British Government enables it to put down every -rebellion, to repel foreign invasion, and to give to its subjects a -degree of protection which those of no native power enjoy. Its laws -and institutions also afford them a security from domestic oppression -unknown in those States; but these advantages are dearly bought. -They are purchased by the sacrifice of independence of national -character, and of whatever renders a people respectable. The natives -of the British provinces may without fear pursue their different -occupations as traders, meerassidars, or husbandmen, and enjoy the -fruits of their labours in tranquillity; but none of them can aspire -to anything beyond this mere animal state of thriving in peace, none -of them can look forward to any share in the legislation, or civil or -military government of their country.'<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> ... 'It is from men who -either hold, or are eligible to hold, public office that natives take -their character; where no such men exist, there can be no energy in -any other class of the community. The effect of this state of things -is observable in all the British provinces, whose inhabitants are -certainly the most abject race in India. No elevation of character can -be expected among men who, in the military line, cannot attain to any -rank above that of subadar, where they are as much below an ensign as -an ensign is below the Commander-in-Chief, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> who in the civil line -can hope for nothing beyond some petty judicial or revenue office, in -which they may, by corrupt means, make up for their slender salary. The -consequence, therefore, of the conquest of India by the British arms -would be, in place of raising, to debase the whole people. There is, -perhaps, no example of any conquest in which the natives have been so -completely excluded from all share of the government of their country -as in British India.'</p> - -<p>Again in 1818, in a letter to Lord Hastings, he says: 'Our Government -will always be respected from the influence of our military power, -but it will never be popular while it offers no employment to the -natives that can stimulate the ambition of the better class of them. -Foreign conquerors have treated the natives with violence and often -with great cruelty, but none has treated them with so much scorn as -we; none has stigmatised the whole people as unworthy of trust, as -incapable of honesty, and as fit to be employed only when we cannot do -without them. It seems to be not only ungenerous, but impolitic, to -debase the character of a people fallen under our dominion.' Again in -1824: 'With what grace can we talk of our paternal government if we -exclude them from every important office, and say, as we did till very -lately, that in a country containing 150,000,000 of inhabitants no man -but a European<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> shall be trusted with so much authority as to order -the punishment of a single stroke of a rattan? Such an interdiction -is to pass a sentence of degradation on a whole people for which no -benefit can ever compensate. There is no instance in the world of so -humiliating a sentence having ever been passed upon any nation....' -'The advocates of improvement do not seem to have perceived the great -springs on which it depends; they propose to place no confidence in -the natives, to give them no authority, and to exclude them from -office as much as possible; but they are ardent in their zeal for -enlightening them by the general diffusion of knowledge. No conceit -more wild and absurd than this was ever engendered in the darkest -ages, for what is in every age and every country the great stimulus -to the pursuit of knowledge, but the prospect of fame, or wealth, or -power?' ... 'In proportion as we exclude them, we lose our hold upon -them; and were the exclusion entire we should have their hatred in -place of their attachment, their feeling would be communicated to the -whole population and to the native troops, and would excite a spirit -of discontent too powerful for us to subdue or resist....' 'It would' -(he says) 'certainly be more desirable that we should be expelled from -the country altogether than that the result of our system of government -should be made a debasement of a whole people.' The above are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> wise and -weighty words, and it would be well perhaps, even in these days, if -more heed were taken of these outspoken opinions of Sir Thomas Munro.</p> - -<p>There is, however, another and more recent authority, greater perhaps -than any; one who, year after year, and not long before the Mutiny, -urged that we should give opportunities to the natives, and enable -them to rise to power, civil and military; and who predicted that -unless this were done our system must collapse, either in a mutiny or -in general despair. That authority is Sir Henry Lawrence, who fell at -his post in the Residency of Lucknow, killed by the mutineers in the -very crisis which he had, as it were, foretold. Writing in 1855<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> -he pointed out that the natives had no outlet for their talents and -ambition as of old, and said: 'These outlets for restlessness and -ability are gone; others are closing. It behoves us therefore now, -more than ever, to give legitimate rewards, and as far as practicable -employment, to the energetic few, to that leaven that is in every -lump—the leaven that may secure our empire, or may disturb, nay even -destroy, it.' Again, he says: 'Legitimate outlets for military energy -and ability in all ranks and even among all classes must be given. -The minds of subadars and resseldars, sepoys and sowars, can no more -with safety be for ever cramped, trammelled, and restricted as at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> -present than can a twenty-foot embankment restrain the Atlantic. It is -simply a question of time. The question is only whether justice is to -be gracefully conceded or violently seized. Ten or twenty years must -settle the point.'</p> - -<p>Leaving for the moment the political results of our conquests in India, -it will be well now to consider its military aspects; to trace the -formation and services of our native armies, and to watch the signs of -their gradual decline both in efficiency and loyalty; and I will again -give short quotations from the writings of recognised authorities as -conveying clear outlines of this interesting and important subject.</p> - -<p>Sir John Malcolm, writing of our early levies, said: 'A jacket of -English broadcloth made up in the shape of his own dress, the knowledge -of his manual exercise and a few military evolutions, constituted the -original Sepoy.' He goes on to tell us that the only English officers -were a captain and adjutant per battalion; that the native officers -were treated with great kindness and consideration, were often in high -command, and that many of the oldest regiments were known by the names -of their former native commandants. After dwelling on the efficiency -of our original native corps, he points out that their constitution -was gradually changed by the increase of European officers, involving -alterations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> of dress, more rigid rules, and with so-called -improvements in discipline, until at length in 1796 they were organised -like the king's regiments, with the full complement of officers, and -with the expectation of greatly increased efficiency—an expectation -which was never fulfilled. He wrote in 1826: 'In the native army, as -it is at present constituted, no native can rise to the enjoyment of -any military command.' Again, he says, the danger lies in 'confiding -too exclusively in our European troops and altogether undervaluing and -neglecting our native army. From the day of that fatal error we may -date the downfall of our Eastern empire.'</p> - -<p>Sir John Kaye, in his history of the Mutiny, says<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a>: 'Our first Sepoy -levies were raised in the Southern peninsula, where the English and -French powers were contending for the dominant influence in that part -of the country. They were few in number, and at the outset commonly -held in reserve to support our English fighting men. But little by -little they proved that they were worthy to be entrusted with higher -duties; and once trusted they went boldly to the front. Under native -commandants, for the most part Mohammedans or high caste Rajpoot -Hindoos, but disciplined and directed by the English captains, their -pride was flattered and their energies stimulated by the victories they -gained.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> All the power and all the responsibility, all the honours -and rewards, were not then monopolised by the English captains. Large -bodies of troops were sometimes despatched on hazardous enterprises, -under the independent command of a native leader; and it was not -thought an offence to a European soldier to send him to fight under a -black commandant. That black commandant was then a great man in spite -of his colour. He rode on horseback at the head of his men, and a -mounted staff officer, a native adjutant, carried his commands to the -subadars of the respective companies. And a brave man or a skilful -leader was honoured for his bravery or his skill as much under the -folds of a turban as under a round hat.' Again he writes: 'The founders -of the native army had conceived the idea of a force recruited from -among the people of the country, and commanded for the most part by -men of their own race but of a higher social position.... But it was -the inevitable tendency of our increasing power in India to oust the -native functionary from his seat, or to lift him from his saddle, that -the white man might fix himself there, with all the remarkable tenacity -of his race.... So it happened in due course that the native officers -who had exercised real authority in their battalions, who had enjoyed -opportunities of personal distinction, who had felt an honourable -pride in their position, were pushed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> aside by an incursion of English -gentlemen who took all the substantive power into their hands. As the -degradation of the native officer was thus accomplished, the whole -character of the Sepoy army was changed. It ceased to be a profession -in which men of high position accustomed to command might satisfy the -aspirations and expend the energies of their lives.... Thenceforth, -therefore, we dug out the materials for our army from the lower strata -of society.' Captain Macan, an officer who had long experience and -knew the Sepoys well, gave evidence before a Parliamentary Committee -in 1832, and declared that 'in all the higher qualifications of -soldiers, in devotedness to the service, cheerfulness under privation, -confidence and attachment to their officers, and unhesitating bravery -in the field, the native soldier is allowed by all the best informed -officers of the service, and by those who have most experience, to have -infinitely deteriorated.'</p> - -<p>The late Rev. Mr. Gleig, in a remarkable article in the 'Edinburgh -Review' in 1853, wrote: 'The original native army consisted chiefly -of infantry, who, though drilled after European fashion, worked both -in peace and war under chiefs connected with the men by ties of -consanguinity and friendship.' He goes on to point out that the English -element gradually increased until 1784, when a European subaltern was -allotted to command<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> each company, and he says: 'Though the subalterns -thus disposed of were carefully selected, and the feelings of the -subadars spared as much as possible, the native gentleman could no -longer disguise from himself or from his men that his shadow was -growing less. He supported himself, however, tolerably well till the -tide which had begun to set in against him acquired greater force. In -1790, and again in 1796, the European element became still stronger, -and then, and not till then, the spirit of the native sank within -him. The effect produced by these changes upon the native officers, -and ultimately upon the service at large, has been deplorable.' Mr. -Gleig's article—written, be it borne in mind, in 1853, shortly before -the Mutiny—concludes as follows: 'We have won an enormous empire with -the sword, which is growing continually larger. We have established -a system of civil administration there which protects the peasant -and disgusts all the classes above him.... With a large body of -discontented gentry everywhere, and whole clusters of native princes -and chiefs interspersed through our dominions, it is idle to say that -the continuance of our sovereignty depends from one day to another on -anything except the army. Now the army is admitted by all competent -judges to be very far in many respects from what it ought to be.'</p> - -<p>The extracts which I have quoted of the opinions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> of various -authorities all appear to point in the same direction, and to prove -that both in a political and a military sense the various races under -our rule in India were gradually becoming degraded and demoralised, -and that these results were observed years before the crisis came, -and when our power was, for the time, subverted by the general Mutiny -of 1857. Our intentions throughout were doubtless good. We introduced -sound laws for the people, though not perhaps always in accordance -with their customs and prejudices. We also gave them security of life -and property, such as they had not enjoyed for centuries; and to some -extent we promoted education and commerce and more general prosperity. -These benefits are by no means to be ignored. But, on the other hand, -in our advance across the great continent we had dethroned kings, upset -hereditary princes, and had removed from positions of authority not -only men of high rank, great possessions, and ancient lineage, but also -men of vast influence, religious and other, and often of great ability -and courage. These all found themselves pushed aside and superseded; -whilst the various races of people, Hindoo and Mohammedan, not only -perceived that their ancient leaders were gone, but that their new -governors were aliens in race, religion, language, and customs. All -these considerations cannot be carelessly disregarded. The situation -is undoubtedly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> difficult. There is, indeed, one solution, and one -only, which must ever be kept steadily in view—namely, that men -such as I have indicated must gradually be admitted to positions of -responsibility and power, both civil and military; that the people -of all ranks, classes, and religions may feel that a career is open -to them, and that they are to be allowed to participate in the -government of their own country. I do not urge that the time has by -any means arrived when the natives should be admitted to the public -service by competitive examinations. It is not a system adapted to the -circumstances. That, however, is comparatively a minor detail; but -there are many other and better modes by which they can and ought to be -selected for service under the Government.</p> - -<p>In the ultimate reorganisation of the native armies after the Mutiny, -the number of English officers to each regiment was restricted to six, -so that in some degree the influence of native officers was recognised; -but the restriction did not amount to much, and the apparently -inevitable tendency is to an augmentation of the English element, the -present number being eight. It is also to be observed that there is no -instance of a native regiment commanded and led entirely by officers -of their own race and faith, so that no opening exists for the many -brave and loyal chiefs, men of ability and influence, to serve in the -army.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> Whether under such circumstances we can hope to maintain the -military virtues of our Indian troops is a grave question on which -opinions differ. Judging by the history of the past, by the views of -the soldiers and statesmen which I have quoted, and by the culminating -experience of the Mutiny, it seems to me that our policy is rather -timid and retrograde, and that we can only govern successfully by -gradually entrusting power to the natural leaders of the people.</p> - -<p>There is yet another consideration, which relates specially to India of -the present day. Education and enlightenment are progressing all over -the country, not only by means of schools and colleges, but also by the -establishment of railways, roads, and river communications, so that the -people now move about freely and exchange ideas to a degree formerly -unknown. Literature and the press, the telegraph and the post office, -are also exercising increasing influence; and these various causes are -somewhat rapidly undermining many ancient prejudices and superstitions. -All these are, doubtless, beneficial influences in themselves, and are -likely to produce great results, but they require watching, as they -inevitably will tend to increase the legitimate desire of the people -for more self-government. We cannot stand still.</p> - -<p>I have heard it said sometimes that such principles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> as I advocate -would, if carried out, cause to us the loss of the Empire of India; and -my reply is, that if such principles are <i>not</i> carried out, we shall -not only lose India, but shall deserve to do so. Others talk of the -people of India as being composed of inferior races. I am not aware -that God has created any races of men who are inferior; but at all -events in India, we know that centuries ago they were civilised and -distinguished in arts and sciences, in government, and in war—long, -indeed, before we had become so. We hear a great deal nowadays of the -depreciation of the rupee; but in our government of India, unless -we act on the principles which I have endeavoured to illustrate, by -quotations from the writings of statesmen of the highest authority and -experience of India, we may find in the days to come that we have a -far more dangerous result to face, and that is the depreciation in the -character of the millions under our rule. Sir Henry Lawrence wrote: 'We -cannot expect to hold India for ever. Let us so conduct ourselves in -our civil and military relations, as, when the connection ceases, it -may do so not with convulsions, but with mutual esteem and affection; -and that England may then have in India a noble ally, enlightened, and -brought into the scale of nations under her guidance and fostering -care.'</p> - -<p>Finally, before leaving this part of the subject I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> will quote extracts -from the noble proclamation issued by the Queen in 1858, on the -termination of the Mutiny, and which should ever be considered as the -Magna Charta of the people of India: 'We declare it to be our Royal -will and pleasure, that none be in any wise favoured, none molested or -disquieted, by reason of their religious faith or observances, but that -all shall enjoy the equal and impartial protection of the law.... And -it is further our will that, so far as may be, our subjects of whatever -race or creed be freely and impartially admitted to offices in our -service, the duties of which they may be qualified by their education, -ability, and integrity duly to discharge.' It is often said that India -has been won by the sword, and must be governed by the sword. The first -statement is in a great measure true; but to the second, as laying down -a principle of government, I demur. No nation can be permanently or -successfully governed by the sword.</p> - -<p>As the crisis of the Mutiny gradually passed away, and as the people -of the various provinces, though still violently agitated, began to -realise that the British authority was being firmly re-established, -it became evident to the Viceroy that the time had arrived when the -summary powers which had been exercised, and the severe punishments -which had been inflicted, all over the country, must be modified, and -that a policy of conciliation should gradually<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> replace that of stern -repression. These views of Lord Canning were, however, by no means in -accord with the general sentiments of the European population, and -of the Press of Calcutta at the time, and his policy was strongly -condemned. This feeling on their part is perhaps not altogether -surprising. The terrible scenes which had been enacted in so many -parts of the country on the outbreak of the Mutiny—the cruel murders, -and the atrocious conduct of the natives, not only to men, but to -innocent and defenceless English women and children—all these sad -events had naturally roused feelings of intense anger; and the idea -of conciliation was repugnant to the minds of the great majority. So -much was this the case, that even at the end of 1857 the Europeans of -Calcutta and Bengal sent home a petition to the Queen, urging that, -owing to the weakness of the Government and in disapproval of the views -of the Viceroy, he should be recalled. Lord Canning, however, fully -convinced that a policy of vengeance was not only wrong in principle, -but impossible, was by no means persuaded or moved from his purpose. -Writing to the Queen in September 1858,<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> he said: 'There is a rabid -and indiscriminate vindictiveness abroad, even among those who ought -to set a better example.' Again, to Lord Granville he wrote: 'As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> long -as I have breath in my body, I will pursue no other policy than that I -have been following.... I will not govern in anger.... Whilst we are -prepared, as the first duty of all, to strike down resistance without -mercy wherever it shows itself, we acknowledge that, resistance over, -deliberate justice and calm patient reason are to resume their sway; -that we are not going, either in anger or from indolence, to punish -wholesale, whether by wholesale hangings and burnings, or by the less -violent, but not one bit less offensive, course of refusing trust and -countenance and favour to a man because he is of a class or a creed.'</p> - -<p>The violent opponents of the Viceroy at the time were in the habit of -calling him 'Clemency Canning' as a term of reproach. They did not seem -to be aware that, under the circumstances, it was the highest honour -they could pay him. In my opinion, Lord Canning proved himself to be a -wise and courageous Viceroy, and in a period of great difficulty and -danger rose superior to the violence of many of those by whom he was -surrounded.</p> - -<p>When the Mutiny was at an end a thanksgiving service was held in -the cathedral at Calcutta, and a special collection made for some -charitable purpose to commemorate its termination. There was at -that time, and probably is now, a peculiar system of collecting -subscriptions at the church services there.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> It was not the custom to -carry money in your pocket. I asked the reason, and was told that the -climate was too hot. The consequence was that when a collection was -made, the persons who carried round the plates also brought packets of -small pieces of paper and bundles of pencils, and each person had to -write down and sign the amount of their gift. It was a tedious, but -possibly an advantageous, process from a charitable point of view. -The following day the collectors went round and called for the amount -subscribed. On the occasion in question Lord Canning's secretary -informed me that when the collector presented his paper at Government -House, the sum inscribed was so large that, imagining there was an -error, he took it to the Viceroy, who, however, merely remarked that -the occasion was a memorable one, and the amount was paid accordingly. -It was for 10,000 rupees (1,000<i>l.</i>). I doubt whether many instances -can be given of such a sum having been put into the plate at a church -collection.</p> - -<p>During my residence at Calcutta I became acquainted with an English -official who appeared to possess an extraordinary amount of intuitive -knowledge. Whatever the subject discussed, he was always at home, and -could lay down the law, and did so. It is not, perhaps, agreeable to -find yourself always in a position of ignorance and inferiority. Still, -on the whole, society, it may be presumed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> benefits. I inquired of an -old Indian officer what position this exceptional person held. 'Oh!' he -replied, 'that's what in India is called a "sub-janta"—a man who knows -everything better than anyone else—be careful not to contradict him.' -However, I found that you must have been thirty years in the country -and speak all the languages before becoming qualified for the position, -so that, fortunately, there are very few sub-jantas to be found.</p> - -<p>I occasionally received invitations from natives of rank at Calcutta -to be present at family festivities, and the following is a copy of -one of them: 'Wedding Party. Cowar Kallykissen Bahadoor presents his -respectful compliments to Colonel Adye and requests the favour of his -company to a dinner at 7.30 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, and a nautch and fireworks -at 8.30 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span>, in honour of his daughter's marriage, on Monday, -February 22, at Rajah Badinath Bahadoor's garden house at Cossipore.'</p> - -<p>On one occasion I paid a visit to the celebrated Chinese Commissioner -Yeh, who was a state prisoner at Calcutta, and lived in a large house -in the environs. He was dressed in loose white Chinese clothes, with -wooden shoes, and was very polite but extremely cautious. We conversed -by means of an interpreter. Nothing would induce Yeh to leave his -house, although a carriage and horses were kept for him. My efforts to -interest him in various subjects<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> entirely failed. I asked if he liked -the Indian climate, and he replied that he had not turned his thoughts -in that direction. I described the bazaars and shops, and recommended -him to go out in his carriage and visit them; but he only said he had -heard about them, and would send his secretary to make a report. He -told me he was much occupied, and on my asking what he did, he replied -that he liked to 'sit down.' He was offered books to be translated -to him, but remarked that the contents of all the best ones were -already in his stomach, so that he did not require them. He died soon -afterwards, presumably of indigestion.</p> - -<p>In the early part of 1859 another serious and untoward event occurred, -in the discontent of the men of the local European forces at many of -the large stations all over the country. Hitherto, in each presidency, -the artillery and three regiments of infantry consisted of men -recruited at home, but who served continuously in India—in fact, a -local European army distinct from the Queen's troops. In the years -gone by, and during the Mutiny, they had performed great services, and -were deservedly held in high esteem. When, however, in 1858 the rule -of the old East India Company came to an end, the great majority of -these men considered that, as the Queen had assumed direct authority -over the local armies, they were entitled either to their discharge, -or, at all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> events, to a bounty on the transfer of their services to -the Crown. Their claims were referred to England for consideration, but -were ultimately refused by the Home Government; and, as a consequence, -serious disaffection, combined in some cases with violence and a -refusal to perform their duties, ensued. It may perhaps be conceded -that the curt refusal of their claim was not altogether judicious, -but in reality the causes of discontent lay deeper and had been -accumulating for some time. The Commander-in-Chief, who was ill at -Simla, was much impressed with this unfortunate state of affairs, and -was in frequent communication with Lord Canning at Calcutta. Writing in -May 1859, he said:<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> 'I am irresistibly led to the conclusion that -henceforth it will be dangerous to the State to maintain a European -local army.... We cannot afford to attend to any other consideration -than those of discipline and loyalty, which may be constantly -renovated by the periodical return to England of all the regiments in -every branch of the service.' The Viceroy was much pressed by some -authorities at the time to grant the bounty, notwithstanding the -refusal of the Home Government; but to have done so and to have given -way to violence would have been a virtual abnegation of authority, and -would not in reality have removed the disaffection. In this dilemma, -Lord Canning at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> length gave a free discharge and passage home to all -who wished it, and about 10,000 men then left for England. The cost is -said to have been a million sterling. Many of these men, after a short -holiday at home, re-enlisted in various Queen's regiments and returned -to India. The general result, however, was that ere long the local -European troops ceased to exist as a separate force, and became merged -in the army of the Empire.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> <i>Political History of India</i>, Major General Sir John -Malcolm, K.C.B. (John Murray, 1826.)</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Gleig's <i>Life of Sir Thomas Munro, Bart, K.C.B.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> <i>Essays</i>, by Sir Henry Lawrence, 1859.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Kaye's <i>Sepoy War</i>, 1865, vol. i.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> <i>Rulers of India: Earl Canning</i>, by Sir H.S. Cunningham, -K.C.S.I.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Shadwell, <i>Life of Lord Clyde</i>, ii. 419.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a></h2> - -<p class="center">RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - - -<p>In May 1859 I left Calcutta, having been appointed to command the Royal -Artillery in the Madras Presidency. Speaking generally, the affairs, -both civil and military, of Southern India had remained for many years -in a condition of comparative inaction and tranquillity. Indeed, ever -since the great campaigns towards the close of the last century, ending -with the fall of Seringapatam and the death of Tippoo Sahib, the tide -of war had drifted away to the north-west, and the Madras army had thus -been deprived of much active experience in the field. Fortunately, -even the Mutiny had failed to entangle the southern native troops in -its disastrous meshes. As a term, perhaps, of undeserved reproach, -Madras was often called the benighted presidency. Shortly before my -arrival a new Governor, Sir Charles Trevelyan had been appointed, and -being a man of great energy and ability, soon succeeded in temporarily -galvanising the administration into unwonted life and activity. His -somewhat abnormal qualities were not, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> generally appreciated. -One of his first efforts was to improve the sanitary condition of the -large native city, which stretches for a mile or two along the flat, -sandy, surf-beaten shore. During the latter years of the last century -the city had been enclosed on its land front with a series of old -bastions and curtains and a continuous stagnant ditch—works which were -intended as a defence against the hordes of Mahrattas and Pindarees who -were then in the habit of swooping down on our cities and settlements. -But these hostile races had long ceased their swoopings and lootings, -and the decaying fortifications were not only obsolete, but by their -existence prevented a due circulation of light and air, and were highly -insanitary. Sir Charles accordingly decided on their entire removal, -and the conversion of the vacant space and of the ancient glacis into -a People's Park. The idea was received with considerable scorn. Few -people in Madras had ever heard of people's parks in those days. I, -however, had the satisfaction of being present at the destruction by -successive explosions of the old, useless bastions, and in my opinion -the Governor conferred a great benefit on the city by his enlightened -policy. More serious events, however, soon followed.</p> - -<p>When the Mutiny came to an end, its financial bearings and the enormous -expenditure incurred, not only on account of the large reinforcements -from home, but also in the arrangements which had been neces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>sary -for the due prosecution of active operations all over the country, -pressed heavily on the Government of India; and it became an urgent -duty to meet the financial deficit, which amounted to several millions -sterling. Amongst other measures it was decided to introduce an income -tax. Sir Charles Trevelyan, backed by his council, protested against -such a policy. In his opinion, an income tax, in the condition of the -native feeling, was likely to revive dangerous discontent; further -than this, he argued in successive despatches to Calcutta that, as -the Mutiny was over, the proper way of meeting the deficit was by -a reduction not only of the English reinforcements, but also by -disbanding many of the new native regiments which had been hastily and -temporarily raised during the crisis. Finding that his remonstrances -were in vain, he at length published the entire correspondence in one -of the Madras daily journals. As Governor of a presidency containing -fifty millions of people, he considered it his duty that his views -should be made public. The result was that in a few days he received a -message by telegraph from Sir Charles Wood, the then Secretary of State -for India, announcing his recall. Whether the Governor acted with due -discretion in the measure he took to ensure publicity for his views, -may be questioned; but, in my opinion, he was perfectly right in his -main principle that, the crisis being over, the financial equilibrium<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -could best be attained, not by unusual and obnoxious taxation, but by a -reduction of the enormous military expenditure, the necessity for which -had passed away, and which was eating up the resources of our empire in -the East. His recall was a public misfortune.</p> - -<p>Soon after my arrival in Madras I made the acquaintance of an old -colonel, who had served many years in the country and was an excellent -officer, but who, owing to absence of mind or partial loss of memory, -had great difficulty in correctly remembering people's names. For -instance, one morning he came into the club, and told us that he had -just met Sir John Trelawney taking a walk in the park. As there was no -one of that name in Madras we were rather puzzled, but on inquiry found -he alluded to the Governor, Sir Charles Trevelyan. That was harmless -enough, but on another occasion he fell into a more serious error. It -occurred in the Neilgherries. There was a lady residing there, a Mrs. -Coffin, the wife of a general officer. It is the fashion up in the -hills for ladies to be carried about by coolies in a sort of sedan -chair, called a tonjon. One afternoon, the general's wife was paying -a visit to a neighbour, where she met the colonel, and on her rising -to take leave the old officer jumped up, and, meaning to be extremely -polite, said, 'Mrs. Tonjon, allow me to hand you to your coffin!'</p> - -<p>Military service in the tropical climate of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> Madras Presidency in -time of peace, and with the thermometer never below 80 degrees, is -not an exhilarating experience. There were no railways to speak of -in those days, and no bridges over the rivers, so that during tours -of inspection I had constantly to pass many weary days and nights in -travelling hundreds of miles, along bad roads, over dusty plains, in -what is called a bullock bandy, at the rate of two miles an hour, not -including accidents, and probably without meeting a single Englishman. -On one occasion, I went from Madras northwards by steamer along the -coast to Masulipatam, on my way to the Deccan, and found the tomb of an -old Dutch admiral, the inscription on it being as follows:</p> - -<p class="center">HIER LEYT BEGRA<br /> VEN DEN. E. JACOB<br /> DEDEL</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/grave.jpg" alt="grave" /> -<a id="grave" name="grave"></a> -</p> - - - - - -<p class="center">IN SYN LEVEN RAET VAN<br /> IN DIEN ENDE OPPER <br />HOOFT TE WATER ENDE<br /> TE LANDE -OVER DE NEDER<br /> LANTSE NEGOTIE DE SER <br />CUST CORMANDEL. OVER <br />LEDEN. DEN. -29. AUGUSTY <br />ANNO. 1624.</p> - -<p>(Here lies buried E. Jacob Dedel, in his lifetime Councillor of the -Indies, and Commander-in-Chief on sea and land, over the Dutch Company -of the Coromandel Coast. Died, 29th August, 1624.)</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>During 1862 I was in command of the artillery at Secunderabad, a large -station near Hyderabad in the Deccan, the latter city being supposed -to contain a somewhat turbulent dangerous population, but who in -reality gave no trouble. The monotony of life was occasionally varied -by hunting wild animals in the hills and jungles. Although a very bad -shot, I took part in the sport on two special occasions. The one was -in pursuit of a bear, and the other of a tiger. In the first case -we rode by night to some distant hills, and were posted in the dark -behind rocks by the shikarree; and, being a novice, I was given the -place of honour, the native kindly remaining at my side, and explaining -that the cave of the bears was just above and behind me, and that at -daylight I should find several coming straight up the hill on their -way home. Sure enough, as day dawned, two large black objects appeared -leisurely crossing the plain, snuffing about, as they slouched along, -and presently they began the ascent. The critical moment had arrived, -and, on a signal from the shikarree, I fired, and the bears immediately -bolted. The shikarree threw up his hands, and, much disappointed, -said that my shot had missed. It was not so, however, for on going -to the spot we discovered traces of blood, and were able to track -the wounded animal up the hill to his home—a dark, narrow, steep -cleft in the rock. Here a consultation was held, and it was decided -by the experts that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> must follow up the track, and enter the den. -A procession was formed accordingly. First came a coolie with a long -lighted torch, which he waved about and pushed into the crevices; then -I followed, crawling on all fours with a gun on full-cock ready for all -emergencies. Two or three companions came on similarly prepared. All at -once we heard a scream and a rush, and I was about to fire at anybody -or anything, and should probably have killed the coolie, when it turned -out to be merely a bat fluttering against the lighted torch. The smell -of bears, bats, rats, and other creatures was horrible. Still we -struggled on, until the narrow tortuous passage gradually ramified into -large fissures, and we then discovered that the bear had passed out of -its home by another opening, and so escaped. The adventure ended, and -we were glad to crawl back into the open air again.</p> - -<p>The other expedition was also exciting in its way. In hunting tigers -in Bengal it is the custom to be seated in a howdah on the back of an -elephant, so as to stamp through the jungle and shoot the animals from -a commanding position in comparative safety. In Madras, however, it -is considered fairer to advance on foot, on the principle, I presume, -of giving both sides a chance. One afternoon we were again conducted -by the shikarree to a distant hill, and on an elevated plateau were -all posted in a large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> semicircle, each hidden behind a rock, and in -the centre a young kid was tied to a stone. The expectation was that -the tiger would come to eat the kid, and then we were all to fire and -kill the tiger. As this was my first experience, I inquired, with some -interest, whether possibly the animal might not approach from behind, -and begin to eat me instead of the kid. The suggestion, however, was -scouted, and I was assured that it would much prefer the latter. So we -took up our positions, and remained on watch. After a time the young -goat, finding the entertainment dull, laid down and tried to go to -sleep; but the shikarree advanced and with a knife cut a small slit in -its ear, which made it bleat piteously; and this, it was hoped, would -afford an additional attraction. Again we waited, and I could not -refrain from occasionally looking over my shoulder, to assure myself -that the expected wild beast was not surreptitiously altering the -programme. It was getting dark when a breathless coolie arriving from -a distant hill, brought the news that the tiger was asleep in a cave a -long way off; so the kid escaped, and we all went home. I thought the -sequel rather flat.</p> - -<p>Society at Secunderabad was occasionally enlivened by amateur -theatricals in the assembly rooms, and, being fond of painting, I was -induced on one occasion to produce a drop-scene for the stage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> One -afternoon I was seated accordingly, in some old clothes, on the top -of a step-ladder, with a large brush and a bucketful of sky-blue, -attempting to produce some lovely cloud effects, when a private soldier -of the 18th Royal Irish strolled in smoking his pipe. After admiring -the scenery for some time, and evidently taking me for a professional, -he remarked: 'I say, guv'nor, is that a good business out here?' My -reply was, 'No, it isn't a very permanent affair, but I like it.' Then -he went on, 'I think I've seed you afore' (which was probable). 'Was -you ever engaged at the Surrey in London?' I said that I had been at -that theatre, but had never been engaged. 'Well, then, I <i>have</i> seed -you afore,' he continued; 'you was acting the part of Belphegor.' -What play he was alluding to I had no idea, or who Belphegor was, but -unfortunately at that moment a brother officer casually looked in and -said, 'Well, Colonel, how are you getting on?' The soldier at once took -in the situation, stood up, saluted, and saying, 'I'm thinking I'm in -the presence of my sup<i>a</i>riors,' faced about and left the room. The -drop-scene was finished, and was considered a great success.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a></h2> - -<p class="center">RETURN TO BENGAL—AMALGAMATION OF THE ARTILLERY REGIMENTS<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> - - -<p>Towards the end of 1862 I left the Deccan on a pleasant visit to -Sir William Denison, then Governor of Madras, and in February 1863, -having served upwards of five years in India, was on the eve of -embarkation for England when a telegram came from Sir Hugh Rose, -Commander-in-Chief, inviting me to return to Bengal to become -Adjutant-General of all the artillery in India. My plans were therefore -entirely altered, and I embarked for Calcutta instead of England, and, -after a long journey up to Meerut, joined Sir Hugh, and went with him -to Simla in the Himalayas.</p> - -<p>At this time great changes had become necessary in the army in India in -consequence of the Mutiny of 1857, and of the subsequent discontent of -the local European forces in 1859. In fact, the whole administration, -both civil and military, was undergoing revision and reform. The -direct assumption of the government of India by the Crown, and the -disappearance of the old East India Company,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> though a beneficial -change in itself, still naturally caused some confusion and revived -old controversies. Hitherto there had been two armies in the country, -serving side by side, with two separate staffs, with somewhat different -sentiments, and not devoid of feelings of jealousy. The artillery -were specially affected by the contemplated changes. Although in the -early days of the East India Company a battery or two from England -had occasionally served in India, still they were exceptions, and -for many years each presidency had maintained a regiment of its own, -partly English, partly native; and as we gradually conquered one -province after another, they took part in many campaigns, performing -distinguished services, and were deservedly held in high esteem. -Therefore, when it became evident that unity of administration must be -introduced as regards our military forces, and when, in the autumn of -1862, the three regiments of Indian artillery were incorporated with -the Royal—losing, as it were, their separate individuality—it was -only natural that the officers and men of all the four corps should -have felt some regret at an arrangement which, however necessary it -might be, was not in accord with old feelings and sentiments. All -organised bodies may be said to be conservative, in so far that they -dislike change.</p> - -<p>The foregoing remarks may be sufficient to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> indicate the general -conditions of the artillery problem when I was invited to become the -chief staff officer, and to carry out the amalgamation. There were not -only sentimental feelings and differences to be considered, but the -systems of training, discipline, and even the <i>matériel</i>, were all to -some extent different. Still, all these were comparatively minor and -transient questions; and I fully recognised in the first place that -whilst the batteries of old Royal Artillery would benefit by the wide -experience of service in India—from which, previous to the Mutiny, -they had been debarred—those of the local regiments would, on the -other hand, benefit even more largely by periodical return to England, -especially in these days of constant change and progress in the science -of artillery. It was with these views that I entered on the somewhat -difficult task of producing unity of system and of feeling in the -hundred and four batteries which at that time were serving in India. -Sir Hugh Rose, the Commander-in-Chief in India, and H.R.H. the Duke of -Cambridge, the head of the Army at home, were in full accord in these -matters; and notwithstanding certain differences of opinion, I also -received loyal support from the officers of artillery all over the -country, so that in the course of 1863 all real difficulties gradually -disappeared. My great desire was, as far as possible, to respect the -interests of all, and to promote unity, not only as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> good in itself, -but also as conducing to the efficiency of the regiment and to the -advantage of the State. It was not altogether an easy task, but I was -amply rewarded by the generous confidence of my brother officers. -Reminiscences of the bygone system of the East India Company still, -however, prevailed more or less in the councils of the Government of -India, and nothing could be more difficult than the position of Sir -Hugh Rose at that period of change; and it was a pleasure to me to -serve under, and if possible to assist, so distinguished a soldier -and one with whom I had been in frequent association during the -Crimean war. Lord Elgin was at that time Viceroy, and I had one or two -conversations with him regarding the alleged danger from the turbulent -population of Hyderabad, and gave my opinion that these fears were -exaggerated, and that, especially with a Prime Minister such as Salar -Jung, there need be no real apprehension of an outbreak.</p> - -<p>It is sometimes supposed that red tape is peculiar to official -departments at home, but that is an error. There are large consignments -of it sent to India, and I will give an instance. One day at Simla an -old artillery officer called and requested me to give him a certificate -of his being alive, as the audit office refused to give him his pay -without it. He seemed to be well and lively, and I therefore complied -at once; and as his visit was in August, dated it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> accordingly. On -looking at it, he remarked: 'Ah, you have dated it August. That is -of no use. I have already sent them one of that kind, but what they -require is a certificate that I was alive in July.' This opened out a -new aspect of the case, but, after consideration, I certified that to -the best of my belief he was living the previous month. Whether he ever -received his pay, I am not sure.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">FRONTIER CAMPAIGN IN THE AFGHAN MOUNTAINS—ITS ORIGIN—POLITICAL AND -MILITARY DIFFICULTIES<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> - - -<p>In the autumn of 1863 our somewhat tedious devotion to military -administration in all its complicated details was suddenly interrupted -by the outbreak of hostilities on the north-west frontier, which -rapidly and unexpectedly developed into a war of considerable magnitude -in the Afghan mountains. Its origin was of a rather singular and -exceptional character. For many years previously a number of violent -fanatical outlaws, chiefly from the lower provinces of Bengal, hundreds -of miles away, had fled from our territories, and settled amongst the -independent Afghan tribes who live in the countries across the border. -These outlaws, occasionally reinforced by disaffected Mohammedans from -the plains, lived chiefly in a village called 'Sitana' on the lower -slopes of the Mahabun mountain, about forty miles north of the old -Mogul fortress of Attock, and on the western side of the Indus—hence -their name of Sitana fanatics. Their ordinary occupation consisted of -incursions into the plains of Eusofzye, and in robbing and murdering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> -peaceful traders in our territories. In 1858 the late Sir Sydney Cotton -led an expedition against them and burnt some of their villages; but -as they were harboured, and probably to some extent encouraged, by -their Afghan neighbours, and as the country of their adoption was -devoid of roads and almost inaccessible, they soon re-established -themselves in the large new village of Mulka, high up on the slopes of -the mountain, and re-commenced their depredations. It was under these -circumstances that a fresh expedition was determined on; and as, from -causes which were not foreseen at the outset, it rapidly developed into -a considerable campaign, it will be interesting to take a short survey -of the conditions, military and political, of our north-west border.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/frontier.jpg" alt="frontier" /> -<a id="frontier" name="frontier"></a> -</p> - - -<p class="caption"> SKETCH MAP OF NORTH-WEST FRONTIER</p> - -<p>A glance at the map will show that our frontier in that part of India -is composed of great rugged mountain ridges which, radiating southerly -from the Hindoo Koosh, terminate somewhat abruptly in the plains, -and form, as it were, a great natural boundary of the Empire. These -mountains are inhabited by tribes who, though Afghan in language, -religion, and race, are for the most part independent of the ruler at -Cabul. They are poor but brave, fanatical, and half civilised, and -are governed by native 'jirgahs' or councils; and, although turbulent -and difficult to deal with, still have a great love of their country -and cherish its independence, possessing qualities that we admire in -ourselves, and which deserve consideration and respect. Except in the -narrow and secluded valleys there is little cultivation, and the whole -country is almost devoid of roads, beyond mere goat paths. Military -operations are therefore difficult. The Commander-in-Chief, when the -expedition was under consideration, pointed out that the season was -late, as snow falls in November, and that to march a force through such -a country of scant resources would necessitate careful preparations -and ample transport, and he advised postponement until the following -spring; but his views were disregarded by the Punjab Government, -who entered into the campaign in a somewhat heedless, lighthearted -fashion, which speedily brought its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> own punishment. It is further to -be remembered that in those days our line of frontier for hundreds of -miles was guarded chiefly by the Punjab Irregular Force, consisting of -about 10,000 men of all arms recruited from the martial races within -our border, many of whom were really Afghans in religion and race. -Strange to relate, also, this army was under the orders of the Punjab -Government, and altogether independent of the Commander-in-Chief. -To guard a long and exposed frontier by native levies raised on the -spot, and to the almost total exclusion of English soldiers, was a -bold and possibly a dangerous policy; but to increase the risk by a -complex division of military authority appears to be a violation of all -commonly received maxims of war.</p> - -<p>The force decided on for the Sitana expedition consisted of about 6,000 -men, chiefly of the Punjab force just mentioned, to which, however, -was added the 71st Highlanders, the 101st Bengal Fusiliers, and a -battery of Royal Artillery, with its field guns carried on elephants. -The Government were fortunate in one respect, that the expedition was -placed under the command of Sir Neville Chamberlain, an officer of long -experience and of the highest ability and courage. Indeed, it was a -happy circumstance that in the serious complications and hard fighting -which ensued a man of such great qualities should have been at the -head of affairs; and although he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> struck down and severely wounded -before the operations came to an end, still it may be admitted, without -disparagement of his successor, that the neck of the confederacy had -been broken by his vigorous measures, and that the tribes were sick at -heart and weary of the combat.</p> - -<p>In entering on a campaign against the Sitana fanatics, who doubtless -were tolerated and harboured by the inhabitants, it must still be borne -in mind that in crossing the border we were entering upon foreign -territory; and a question therefore arose as to the light in which our -suspicious Afghan neighbours would regard our advance. There was also -another important point which must not be overlooked. In determining -the exact direction of our march, it was considered, as a matter of -strategy, that instead of moving straight up the mountain, towards the -enemy's stronghold, we should enter the country by the Umbeylah Pass, a -narrow gorge to the west of the Mahabun, and proceed through the Chumla -Valley on its north side (see map); and thus by a flank march, as it -were, attack the fanatics in rear and cut off their line of retreat. -Our intentions in this respect were kept secret. In a military point of -view the proposal had advantages, but politically it had quite another -aspect—it being evident that we were thus entering the territory of -neighbours, many miles distant from the real object<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> of the expedition, -who might, and indeed did, at once take violent exception to our -proceedings. Official documents published afterwards explain this -clearly. Speaking of the intended march through the pass, Colonel -Taylor, the commissioner with the expedition, wrote: 'It was, under the -circumstances, impossible to examine the proposed route by questioning -those of our own territories best acquainted with it, without raising -suspicions as to the line we proposed to take in entering the hills.' -Again, General Chamberlain's first despatch after the advance of -the force, on October 20, said: 'I should here mention that on the -afternoon of the 19th,<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> when it would be too late for the Chumla or -other tribes to make any preparations on a large scale for impeding -the march of the troops through the Umbeylah Pass, a proclamation was -forwarded by the commissioner, to the Chumla and Bonair tribes, stating -the object with which the force was about to enter the Chumla Valley, -and assuring them that it was with no intention of injuring them, or of -interfering with their independence; but solely because it was the most -convenient route by which to reach the Hindostanee fanatics, and to -effect their expulsion from the Mahabun.'</p> - -<p>But the question was, in what light were the Bonairs and others likely -to regard our sudden and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> unexpected arrival at the door of their -house, our purpose having been carefully hid until the time for their -objecting or defending themselves had passed away? The late Major -James, who was the commissioner when peace was made, alluding to these -circumstances, makes a significant remark: 'Even supposing, therefore,' -he says, 'that the proclamations actually reached their destination, -was it likely that a brave race of ignorant men would pause to consider -the purport of a paper they could not read, when the arms of a supposed -invader were glistening at their doors?' It so happened, also, that the -fanatics, when they heard of the assembly of our troops in the plains -and became aware that we were about to call them to account, although -not cognisant of our exact plan, nevertheless wrote a very crafty -letter to their neighbours, which subsequently fell into our hands, -as follows: 'The evil-doing infidels<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> will plunder and devastate -the whole of the hilly tract, especially the provinces of Chumla, -Bonair, Swat, &c., and annex those countries to their dominions, and -then our religion and worldly possessions would entirely be subverted. -Consequently, keeping in consideration a regard for Islam, the dictates -of faith, and worldly affairs, you ought by no means to neglect the -opportunity. The infidels are extremely deceitful and treacherous, and -will by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> whatever means they can come into these hills, and declare -to the people of the country that they have no concerns with them, -that their quarrel is with the Hindostanees, that they will not molest -the people, even as much as touch a hair of their heads, but will -return immediately after having extirpated the Hindostanees, and that -they will not interfere with their country. They will also tempt the -people with wealth. It is therefore proper for you not to give in to -their deceit, or else, when they should get an opportunity, they will -entirely ruin, torment, and put you to many indignities, appropriate to -themselves your entire wealth and possessions, and injure your faith.'</p> - -<p>From the foregoing remarks it will, I think, be evident that our policy -was not only somewhat rash, but was not altogether straightforward. In -the first place, we undertook the expedition with an inadequate force, -chiefly comprised of native troops, raised on the spot, at a late -season of the year, and without sufficient preparations as to supplies -and transport; in the next, we attempted to march through a country -inhabited by tribes with whom we had no cause of quarrel, and from whom -we carefully concealed our intentions. The result of the first day's -march (October 20) brought matters to a climax, and instead of being -able to cut off the 'Sitana' fanatics, we found ourselves face to face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> -with the Bonair and other tribes, whose territory we had invaded, and -who, scoffing at our professed strategy, at once united and determined -if possible to drive us out of their country. The whole condition -of affairs was thus entirely altered, and General Chamberlain found -himself holding the end of a narrow gorge, with steep mountains running -up several thousand feet on either side, and attacked incessantly day -and night, not only in front, but on either flank.</p> - -<p>In the meantime another unfortunate circumstance had occurred. It so -happened that towards the end of October both the Viceroy and Sir Hugh -Rose had left Simla, on short expeditions towards the distant ranges -of the Himalayas. Accidentally I had seen Lord Elgin when he started, -and he appeared to be in good health; soon afterwards, however, owing, -it was supposed, to his having ascended and crossed some high passes, -or whatever the cause, he suddenly became dangerously ill with an -affection of the heart, and when he arrived at Drumsala in the Kangra -Valley, his case was deemed hopeless. Sir Hugh also, for the moment, -was almost out of reach, but on hearing of the untoward development -of the military operations, he at once proceeded to Lahore, where his -staff joined him in November. The successive despatches of General -Chamberlain give a clear account of the altered condition of affairs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -Writing on October 23, he said: 'The Bonair people having thus taken -a hostile part against us is extremely serious, and has altered our -whole position and probably our plan of operations.' He then goes on to -explain the necessity of guarding his communications through the pass, -and asks for reinforcements. Again, on October 25, he writes: 'There -appears to be reason to believe that the Bonair people have applied -to the Akoond of Swat for aid, and should they succeed in enlisting -him in their cause—which is not improbable, as they are his spiritual -followers—the object with which this force took the road to the Chumla -Valley would be still more difficult of attainment.'</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> October 19, 1863.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Meaning the English.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">HARD FIGHTING IN THE MOUNTAINS<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - - -<p>General Chamberlain now took steps to clear himself of encumbrances, -and to prepare for hard fighting. The sick, the baggage, and spare -transport animals were sent back to the plains, and the road was -improved. A breastwork was thrown across the front of the camp and -flanked with guns; the steep slopes on either side were occupied by -strong pickets, stockaded and entrenched. Still the position was -weak. Far above on the extreme left our troops held a post called the -'Eagle's Nest;' and opposite, on the right, another named the 'Crag -Picket,' a commanding pinnacle of rocks scantily clothed with pines -and towering up into the sky. Both were vital points to hold, for they -entirely overlooked the lower defences. But high as they both were, -there were other ridges and dominant points still far above, and our -troops were thus exposed to sudden overwhelming attacks, from enemies -who could collect unseen at their leisure and choose their time for an -assault.</p> - - - -<p>The men of the tribes were brave and worthy foes. These bold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -mountaineers, ignorant of what is termed discipline, or of any -regular art of war, armed only with old matchlocks and short swords, -nevertheless, by a kind of rude instinct, discovered at once our weak -points; and by feints at the centre, combined with furious assaults -on the isolated flanks, not only inflicted heavy loss upon us, but -succeeded occasionally in endangering the whole position. The Crag -Picket alone fell three times into their hands by direct assault in -open daylight, at different periods of the campaign, although in each -case we drove them out again. The despatches received day after day, -though hastily written, gave a vivid reality to the scenes depicted, -and extracts from them will perhaps convey the best idea of the fierce -nature of the contest and of its vicissitudes. On October 24 large -bodies of men, with numerous standards, appeared in the Chumla Valley, -and were ascertained to be arrivals from some of the minor hill tribes, -and a portion of the fanatics under Mobarik Shah. At daylight the next -morning they appeared above our right defences on the Mahabun, but were -driven off by Major Keyes,<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> who chased them along the ridges and -forced them back precipitately into the valley.</p> - -<p>The events of the following day (October 26) were serious. Chamberlain, -having some reason to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> apprehend an attack on the Eagle's Nest, -reinforced the troops on the mountain, sending up 200 of the 71st -Highlanders, the 5th and 6th Punjab regiments, and a mountain battery. -The Eagle's Nest itself was held by 230 men under Major Brownlow.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> -The enemy, who had established a breastwork of their own on the heights -above and were in great strength, no sooner observed our preparations -for battle than they joyfully accepted the challenge. The scene is well -described by Colonel Vaughan, who was in command: 'The troops were -hardly in position when a very large body of the enemy rushed down the -steep slopes, and, with loud cries, attacked at once the picket and the -troops. The mountain train guns fired upon them with shrapnel, common -case, and round shot, and this fire checked those advancing against the -troops in position, but not those advancing against the picket. The -latter were attacked with the greatest determination, and two of the -enemy's standards were planted close under the parapet. All the efforts -of the picket failed to dislodge them for some time, notwithstanding -that the direct fire from the picket was aided by a flanking fire from -the mountain train guns and from the Enfield rifles of the 71st.... -When the enemy had been checked by the guns, they were charged by the -6th Punjab Infantry, but the regiment was unfortunately carried too -far in the ardour<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> of pursuit, and lost heavily before it could regain -the position.' Major Brownlow, who was standing at bay in the Eagle's -Nest, gives a simple and vivid account of the attack upon him. 'About -12 o'clock (noon) the Bonairwals commenced to move down from their -position, matchlock men posting themselves advantageously in the wood, -and opening a very galling fire upon us, whilst their swordsmen and -others advanced boldly to the attack, charging across the plateau in -our front, and planting their standard behind a rock, within a few feet -of our wall. The steady fire, however, with which they were received -rendered their very gallant efforts unavailing, and they were driven -back and up the hill, leaving the ground covered with their dead.'</p> - -<p>Our casualties on this occasion were as follows:</p> - -<table summary="casualities" width="40%"> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Killed -</td> -<td>Wounded -</td> -<td>Total -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>English officers -</td> -<td align="center">2 -</td> -<td align="center">2 -</td> -<td align="center">4 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Native officers -</td> -<td align="center">1 -</td> -<td align="center">9 -</td> -<td align="center">10 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Men -</td> -<td align="center">28 -</td> -<td align="center">129 -</td> -<td align="center">157 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="center">— -</td> -<td align="center">— -</td> -<td align="center">— -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="center">31 -</td> -<td align="center">140 -</td> -<td align="center">171 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>The great losses incurred by the native corps in this as in every -action during the campaign, are proofs of the loyalty of the men to our -cause. General Chamberlain, in his despatches, bears warm testimony -to their devotion; and points out that although there were men in the -native regiments of almost every tribe on the frontier, including those -which were fighting against us, still there were no desertions, nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> -was there any instance of backwardness in engaging the enemy.</p> - -<p>After the 25th there was a lull for a few days, but the storm soon -gathered again, and important events followed each other in rapid -succession. General Chamberlain, in his despatch of October 31, reports -'that the Akoond has joined and has brought with him upwards of 100 -standards from Swat, each standard representing probably from twenty -to thirty footmen.' Other distant tribes had also been summoned, and -in fact there was a general combination all along the border against -us. He goes on to say: 'It is necessary that I should place the state -of affairs thus distinctly before His Excellency, in order that he -may understand how entirely the situation has altered since the force -entered the Umbeylah Pass.' And he goes on to explain that with his -present numbers he could only stand on the defensive. During the early -part of November vigorous efforts were made to strengthen our outposts -and to improve the communication to the plains of Eusofzye; but the -confederate tribes jealously watched our movements and incessantly -attacked us day and night; and on the morning of the 13th succeeded -a second time in capturing the Crag Picket. General Chamberlain in -his despatch said: 'I was in the camp when the picket fell into the -hands of the enemy, and my attention having been accidentally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> drawn -to the unusual dust and confusion caused by the rush of camp followers -down the hill, I felt convinced that some reverse had occurred, and -immediately sent forward Her Majesty's Royal Bengal Fusiliers.' -Lieutenant-Colonel Salisbury<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> was in command of the regiment, and -his orders were to push on and retake the position at any cost. The -ascent was long and steep, but the Fusiliers never halted, and in -five-and-twenty minutes the key of the position was recovered.</p> - -<p>An important change was now made in the disposition of the force. As -already explained, the prolonged halt in the pass was due to unforeseen -causes, and the general had to make the best of it, its great weakness -consisting in the isolation of its flanks. As some delay must occur -before sufficient reserves could arrive, so as to enable Chamberlain -to resume the offensive, he determined to abandon the gorge and also -the pickets on the mountain to his left, and to concentrate his whole -force on the slopes of the Mahabun. In a military point of view this -was a judicious arrangement. Instead of holding a series of straggling -posts, perched upon rocks, on two separate mountains, and with his main -body far down in a hollow gorge, our troops would thus be concentrated -and able to reinforce any point required. The movement was quietly -carried out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> during the night of November 17. The vigilance of the -tribes for once failed them, and when daylight broke on the 18th, to -their astonishment the Eagle's Nest and all the pickets on that side -were silent and empty. Exasperated by the success of our manœuvre, -and imagining probably that it was the precursor of a general retreat, -the enemy swarmed up the Mahabun ridges, and before our troops were -well settled in their new positions, attacked them fiercely, and for -the moment with some success, but were finally driven off. General -Chamberlain, writing at the time, said: 'The troops have now been -hard-worked both day and night for a month, and having to meet fresh -enemies with loss is telling. We much need reinforcements. I find it -difficult to meet the enemy's attacks, and provide convoys for supplies -and wounded sent to the rear.... This is urgent.'</p> - -<p>The confederate tribes, consisting of the fanatics, the men of the -Mahabun, of Bonair, Swat, Bajour, and of other distant secluded -valleys, joined also by a sprinkling of men from our own border -villages, were now in such numbers that the hill sides literally -swarmed with them; and although they had failed in their efforts -to capture the position they had not lost heart, but again made a -vigorous effort; and on November 20 advanced on the Crag Picket, coming -boldly up, with their standards flying, to within a few feet of our -breastworks; and at length, after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> desperate hand-to-hand encounter, -for the third time took possession, amidst shouts of triumph from the -Afghans on the hills all round. Victory, however, did not long remain -with them. The 71st Highlanders, who had taken a full share in every -action of the campaign, were selected, with a regiment of Goorkas, to -retrieve the fortunes of the day, and they were not wanting in this -hour of need. Whilst the troops were being assembled for the assault -of the captured work, the field and mountain guns were turned on the -enemy, who were thus forced to lie close under cover of the rocks. -Under a perfect storm of matchlock balls and of stones hurled from -the summit, Colonel Hope, the gallant leader of the Highlanders, -deliberately formed his men at the foot of the Crag; and sending -the Goorkas to turn the flank, he placed himself at the head of his -corps, and, with a cool determination which excited the admiration of -every soldier of the force, proceeded to march up the rocky height. -The mountaineers throughout the war had shown themselves ready to do -and to dare a great deal, but they were not quite prepared for the -direct assault of a Highland regiment which in open day, with its -colonel at its head, was steadily approaching, and would infallibly -in a few seconds close upon them, with a volley and a bayonet charge. -The storm of shells which had been raining on them for the preceding -half hour,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> shattering the rocks and trees, had somewhat shaken their -confidence; and almost as soon as the Highlanders reached the summit -the mountaineers evacuated the position, and were chased along the -ridges. Sir Neville Chamberlain, ever foremost in danger, having felt -it his duty to accompany the troops in so critical an attack, was -unfortunately severely wounded, and Colonel Hope was also dangerously -wounded in the thigh. Our lost ground was thus recovered, but at the -cost of two distinguished men, the first and second in command, who -were rendered unable to take any further part in the war. Our losses -up to this time had been considerable; no less than 14 English<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> and -4 native officers, with 213 men, had been killed, whilst 15 English, -17 native officers, and 468 men were wounded, making a total of 731 -casualties, and so far as the original object of the war was concerned, -we had as yet really accomplished nothing.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Now General Sir Charles Keyes, G.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> Now General Sir Charles Brownlow, G.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> Now General Salisbury, C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> The following officers were killed: Lieutenant Gillies, -R.A., Captains C. Smith and Aldridge, and Ensign C. Murray, 71st -Highland Light Infantry; Lieutenants Dougal and Jones, 79th Highlanders -(doing duty with 71st); Lieutenant H. Chapman, Ensign A. Sanderson, -and Surgeon Pile, 101st Bengal Fusiliers; Lieutenant J. Davidson, 1st -Punjab Infantry; Lieutenant Clifford, 3rd Punjab Infantry; Lieutenant -W. Moseley, 14th Ferozepore Regiment; Lieutenant Richmond, 20th Native -Infantry, and Major G. Harding, Bombay Staff Corps.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a></h2> - -<p class="center">POLITICAL COMPLICATIONS—END OF THE WAR<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> - - -<p>The preceding remarks will be sufficient to give a general idea of -the difficulties, both military and political, which had ensued on -our crossing the border. The situation was undoubtedly grave. Major -James, the commissioner, wrote, that it was a truly formidable and -dangerous combination, and that immediate action was necessary to -save the Government from a war involving us not only with all the -tribes on the border, but also in all probability with Afghanistan. -The Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, Sir Robert Montgomery, had -doubtless long and anxiously considered the untoward aspect of affairs; -and at length, when the telegrams arrived announcing the severe -actions just described, he looked upon the matter as so serious, that -he was actually prepared to order an immediate withdrawal of the -whole force to the plains; and in this view he was supported by some -members of the Viceroy's Council; in fact an order to that effect -was sent to the Commander-in-Chief. What Sir Hugh Rose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> thought of -the proposition is plain enough. In the first place he remonstrated -against the withdrawal, pointing out the danger of such a policy -and the loss of prestige which would result. In the next he ordered -large reinforcements to proceed by forced marches to the frontier, -so that the great northern road from Lahore to Peshawur was crowded -with cavalry, artillery, and infantry, all hurrying upwards. At the -beginning of December there were five-and-twenty thousand men north of -the Jhelum.</p> - -<p>Soon after my arrival at Lahore in November, I had written to my old -friend Sir William Denison at Madras, giving him a short description -of the state of affairs.<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> On November 20 Lord Elgin died, and -Sir William, as the senior governor present in India, was summoned -by telegraph to Calcutta, and assumed temporarily the functions of -Viceroy. His reply to my letter is dated Calcutta, December 7, and is -interesting as giving his views on the situation.</p> - -<p>It is as follows:—</p> - -<p>'My dear Adye,—Thanks for your letter. I got the whole of the papers -relating to the business in the North-west on my way up the river, -and spent my time in reading them and making notes. It is hardly -worth while to say anything about the commencement of the affair -beyond this, that if any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> move was to have been made at all, the -plan proposed by Sir H. Rose was clearly that which should have been -adopted. With reference, however, to the future, I trust I have been -in time to check further evil.... I found an order had been sent to -the Commander-in-Chief, telling him that their wish was that the -force should be withdrawn, thrusting upon the Commander-in-Chief the -responsibility of deciding not only the mode of doing this, and the -time, but also that of determining whether such a move would peril our -reputation. The first step I took was to press for a modification of -the order. I pointed out that it was unfair to the Commander-in-Chief; -and that, as we had a sufficient force, it would be decidedly impolitic -to withdraw, until we had accomplished the design for which we had made -our inroad into the country. After a good deal of talk, I carried with -me the majority of the council, and it was decided to bring the Bonairs -to terms before withdrawing the troops. To leave without doing this -would almost insure another campaign in the spring, and this would be -expensive and useless. I trust that our orders may arrive in time to -prevent any hasty move to the rear.'<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/attock.jpg" alt="attock" /> -<a id="attock" name="attock"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> GOING TO THE WAR. CROSSING THE INDUS AT ATTOCK, NOVEMBER -1863</p> - -<p>Many days, however, before I received Sir William's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> letter, -circumstances had occurred at Lahore which led to my making a long and -rapid journey of several hundred miles northwards, and joining the -force in the mountains during the remainder of the war.</p> - -<p>On November 19 Sir Hugh spoke to me of his difficulties and of the -suggested retreat, which seemed both impolitic and unnecessary. -The letters and telegrams received from the front were, however, -necessarily somewhat short and hasty, and did not give full details -of the position; and I offered my services as a staff officer, to pay -a rapid visit to Chamberlain, hear his views, take a personal survey -of the country, and then return. The Commander-in-Chief accepted my -offer, and also selected Major Roberts,<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> who knew the people and -the language, to accompany me. He was a delightful companion. On the -evening of the 20th we left Lahore on the mail cart, placing the driver -behind, and ourselves driving each stage alternately. We galloped up -the trunk road all night, and all the next day, crossing the Ravee, the -Chenab, and the Jhelum, and were nearly done up from want of sleep, -when we fortunately drove into the camp of a battery of Horse Artillery -and obtained a few hours' rest. Before daylight we were off again, -passed through Rawul-Pindee, and in the afternoon crossed the Indus -by a bridge of boats close under the old Mogul fortress of Attock; -and at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> sunset on the second day our long drive of nearly 300 miles -came to an end at Nowshera, on the Cabul river, where the officers -of a battery under Captain Nairne, R.A.,<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> hospitably received us. -Until our arrival at Nowshera, we had not heard of the latest fight -at the Crag Picket, and that Chamberlain and Hope were severely -wounded. In the meantime horses had been laid out for our use across -the plains of Eusofzye; and, crossing the Cabul river, we galloped -about thirty miles, passing numerous detachments of Seiks and Pathans, -with elephants and camels, and on the evening of November 23 reached -the camp of Major Probyn,<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> in command of a native cavalry regiment -at the foot of the mountains. The weather was fine but cold, and -altogether the long journey was very enjoyable.</p> - -<p>Sir Neville Chamberlain's force was about ten miles distant on the -heights of the Mahabun, whose ridges run up to 8,000 feet. Our -instructions were urgent, and we were very anxious to be off. Probyn, -however, whose troops were patrolling the frontier, pointed out that -the communications were uncertain, and that the road, such as it -was, was only opened occasionally by armed convoys taking up food -and munitions to the front. However, as delay was unadvisable, after -considering the matter, he said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> 'You can, if you like, go up with the -"catch-em-alive-ohs."' I inquired who these interesting people were, -and his reply was that they were Afghans—in fact, the same people we -were fighting against; but he added that these were friendly and in our -pay, and would take care of us. He had them paraded for our inspection. -These 'catch-em-alive-ohs' were a rough, handsome, picturesque lot of -fellows, armed with old matchlocks, shields, and short knives, and -seemed very good-natured and friendly; so, in default of better, we -determined on accepting their escort, and away we went, accompanied by -the Reverend Mr. Cowie, afterwards Bishop of New Zealand. The mountain -was steep and rugged, and the route a mere goat path, so that our -progress was slow. After climbing for some miles, we suddenly observed -a large number of people on a high, distant ridge, but whether friends -or enemies was not so certain. The body of a native just killed was -lying in the path. At that moment a messenger ran up bringing me a -small note in pencil, and reading it hastily I made it out to be 'the -road is <i>now</i> safe, push on as fast as you can.' This was satisfactory, -but on looking more carefully we found the message really was, 'the -road is <i>not</i> safe, push on,' &c. This rather altered the conditions; -but fortunately the men we had observed on the heights were a party of -Goorkas, and the note was from the officer in command, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> was looking -out for us, so that our journey soon came to an end, and we arrived -safely in camp.</p> - -<p>The next morning I paid a visit to Chamberlain. We had been cadets -together many years before at Woolwich, but he left the Academy -before obtaining a commission, joining the Bengal army, and we had -never met since those early days. His wound, however, was severe and -his condition serious, so that I was unable to discuss the position -of affairs with him, as had been intended, and in a few days he was -carried down to the plains. I found a strong and unanimous feeling -amongst the officers against any withdrawal. Although the tribes were -in great force in the valley, with their standards flying, it was -evident that we only required reinforcements; and that a movement in -advance would soon scatter the brave but badly armed, undisciplined -hosts of our mountain foes. I lost no time in sending day by day, -detailed reports, sketches, and plans of the position to Sir Hugh Rose, -urging also the necessity for an early forward movement, and in reply -received an order by telegraph, to remain with the force until the -termination of the war.</p> - -<p>The scenery all round us from our elevated camp was very varied, and -had many elements of grandeur. Looking back to the south through the -dark defiles of the pass, we could see the fertile plain of Eusofzye -stretching away to the Indus and Cabul rivers, whilst<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> in front the -sheltered Chumla valley and the village of Umbeylah were lying beneath -us; and away in the distance to the north, high ranges of mountains, -capped by the snowy peaks of the Hindoo Koosh, closed in the horizon. -Owing to the success which had been achieved on several occasions by -the tribes in capturing our outlying breastworks—due, perhaps, in some -cases, to want of vigilance on our part—strict instructions had been -given that our pickets were to hold their ground at all hazards; and on -one occasion a soldier coming on duty was heard to say to his comrade, -'Well, Jim, what's the orders at this post?' and Jim replied, 'Why, the -orders is, you're never to leave it till you're killed, and if you see -any other man leaving it, you're to kill him.'</p> - -<p>Our life was a very open-air kind of existence, a sort of prolonged -picnic, and we lived partly in small tents and partly in caves, always -sleeping in our clothes; our dinners such as they were, being cooked -and laid out on the rocks. The Afghans perched themselves about, and -now and then made long shots at us with their matchlocks. One old -fellow took up his position every day on an elevated spot, on the other -side of the pass, at a distance, and watched the proceedings. Our men -frequently fired at him, but apparently without effect; so at last -they gave it up, and nicknamed him 'Oh! Willie, we have missed you.' -There was another peculiarity amongst the tribes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> which is, perhaps, -unusual in warfare. Some of our native troops, when on isolated pickets -at night, used to pass away the dreary hours by singing some of their -national airs; and the enemy, apparently not wishing to be left out, -would cheerily join in the chorus.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/peak.jpg" alt="peak" /> -<a id="peak" name="peak"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> AFGHAN FRONTIER CAMPAIGN. STORMING THE CONICAL PEAK, -DECEMBER 1863</p> - -<p>At the end of November General Garvock<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> arrived, taking command -of the expedition; and during the next few days considerable -reinforcements marched up from the plains, including amongst others the -7th Fusiliers, the 93rd Highlanders, and Probyn's Horse, 400 strong. -Our total force was over 8,000 men, with 16 light guns, some carried -on elephants and the rest on mules. The men of the tribes, no doubt, -were quite aware of these accessions to our strength; and although -Guzzhan Khan, from the distant province of Dher, had joined them with -6,000 followers, they hesitated to attack our position, which was now -strongly entrenched and vigilantly guarded. Early in December a small -deputation of Bonair chiefs came into camp to confer with Major James, -the commissioner, with a view to peace; and after a parley withdrew -to consult the other tribes as to the terms we offered; which were -the destruction of Mulka, and that the fanatics should no longer be -harboured and protected by the Afghans. We could hardly demand less. It -was understood that there were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> considerable dissensions amongst the -native chiefs, and on the afternoon of December 14 a solitary messenger -returned, stating that our proposals were rejected. It was also known -that an attack by the combined tribes was imminent on the morrow.</p> - -<p>The moment of action had at length arrived. General Garvock, -forestalling the intentions of the enemy, assembled a force of 5,000 -men, including the 7th and 101st Fusiliers, at daylight near the Crag -picket, leaving the remainder to guard the camp, and at 8 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> -led off his troops along the ridges to the attack. About two miles -beyond the Crag stood the small village of Laloo, and a few hundred -yards in front of it, one of the great spurs running up from the -Chumla valley, terminated in a lofty peak dominating the whole ridge. -On this natural stronghold the men of the tribes had established -themselves in great force, flying their standards, and prepared to -abide the last issues of war. The ordinary difficulties of the ascent -had been increased by numerous 'sungas' (breastworks), so that it was -a formidable position to take by assault. Our skirmishers, who had -easily driven in the outlying mountaineers, then halted about 600 yards -in front of and looking up at the conical peak, and, supported by the -mountain guns, waited for the arrival of the main body.</p> - -<p>These mountain batteries rendered great service during the war. Their -light ordnance, carriages, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> ammunition being all carried on mule -back, they are thus independent of roads, can accompany infantry over -any ground, and come into action on the most restricted space. As the -several regiments came up they sought a momentary shelter in the broken -ground, and when all was ready, General Garvock sounded the 'advance.' -At that signal 5,000 men rose from their cover, and with loud cheers -and volleys of musketry, rushed to the assault; the regiments of -Pathans, Seiks, and Goorkas vieing with the English soldiers as to -who should first reach the enemy. From behind every rock and shrub -at the foot of the peak small parties of mountaineers jumped up, and -fled as the advancing columns approached. It took but a few minutes -to cross the open ground, and then the steep ascent began, our men -having to climb from rock to rock, and their formation necessarily -becoming much broken. Foremost among the many could be distinguished -the scarlet uniforms of the 101st Fusiliers, who, led by Colonel -Salisbury, steadily swarmed up the mountain and captured the defences -in succession at the point of the bayonet, the enemy's standards -dropping as their outworks fell; whilst here and there the prostrate -figures of our men scattered about the rocks, proved that the hill-men -were striking hard to the last. Nothing, however, could withstand the -impetuosity of the assault, and ere many minutes had elapsed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> -conical peak from foot to summit was in the possession of British -soldiers. I had the misfortune during the assault to fall over a large -rock, seriously injuring my right knee and tearing the ligaments, -becoming for the moment incapable of climbing; but by the help of a -mule, lent from one of the batteries, managed to reach the crest of -the mountain. Our panting troops still pushed on, captured the village -of Laloo, and the mountaineers were then driven headlong in thousands, -down the steep glades, through the pine forests to the Chumla valley, -many hundred feet below.</p> - -<p>This was the first general defeat the enemy had experienced, and they -were not left long to recover from its effects. At daylight the next -morning our troops were again in movement; one brigade marching down -direct on Umbeylah, accompanied by Probyn's cavalry, who, however, had -to lead their horses down the precipitous slopes until they reached -the valley. In the meantime the other brigade descended from Laloo -and deployed at the foot. The tribes, although at first they seemed -inclined to make a stand, gradually fell back. The brigade from Laloo -followed them up, passed the village of Umbeylah, and approached the -hills leading to Bonair. The enemy, who had been lying concealed in the -ravines and broken ground, suddenly rushed out, sword in hand, wildly -attacked one of our Seik regiments, and for the moment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> even penetrated -its ranks. The Seiks, however, were rallied by their officers, and -supported by the 7th Fusiliers, and the enemy in a few minutes were -driven back with great loss. In the meantime three field guns, under -Captain Griffin, R.A., which had been brought down on elephants, got -into action and shelled the crowded heights, the tribes withdrawing out -of range. Our losses during the two days were: one officer killed,<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> -four wounded, and there were 172 casualties amongst the men. As -all tents and baggage had been left on the mountain, we bivouacked -for the night outside Umbeylah, which was set on fire. The weather -unfortunately was wet and cold, so that lying in the open wrapped up -in a blanket was not luxurious; and, to add to my discomfort, all at -once I felt what seemed to be a snake crawling about my legs. Having -with difficulty obtained a lighted match, I suddenly threw aside the -blanket, when a huge black rat darted out, but, as I found the next -morning, had eaten large holes in my only pair of trousers, so that I -presented altogether a somewhat damp and dilapidated appearance. These, -however, were but minor incidents in a very interesting campaign.</p> - -<p>The effect of our vigorous movements on the 15th and 16th was immediate -and decisive. The men of Bajour and Dher, who had come so far and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -were so eager for war, now fled to their native fastnesses. The Akoond -and his followers were no more to be seen; and the chiefs of Bonair, -relieved from the presence of overbearing allies, came into camp the -next day to discuss terms of peace. Under ordinary circumstances a -force of sufficient strength would no doubt have been sent forward -to drive away the original offenders, and to destroy their chief -village—Mulka. But the Punjab Government were anxious to limit -the scope of the expedition, and to withdraw from the mountains. -Consequently a somewhat hazardous compromise ensued; Colonel Reynell -Taylor, the commissioner, proceeding with one native regiment, about -400 strong, accompanied by an escort of the Bonairs, to burn the -distant village. Roberts and myself, being anxious to visit a part of -the country hitherto unexplored, joined the party. The first day's -march, on December 20, was along the Chumla Valley to Kooria. We saw -little of our new friends the Bonairs, but the inhabitants were civil -and met our requirements as to food; the next morning we commenced our -long and toilsome march up the mountain to Mulka; which proved to be -a large, new, well-built village of wood, where we remained for the -night. The inhabitants had all fled. The following morning the whole -place was set on fire; the hill tribes of the Mahabun, armed and in -large numbers, however, watching us at a dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>tance. The native officers -of our regiment represented that the tribes were greatly exasperated, -and might at any moment fire off their matchlocks and make a rush at -us. However, we kept well together, and as soon as the village had -been destroyed, steadily marched back to the valley, and rejoined the -main force under General Garvock. On Christmas day the British troops -left the mountains and once more stood on the plains of Eusofzye, the -Bonairs destroying the entrenchments and breaking up the roads as we -marched away.</p> - -<p>Thus ended the frontier war of 1863. Intended at the outset as a mere -excursion against fanatical robbers, who had long infested the border, -it speedily grew into a considerable war, the Mohammedan tribes, -under the impression that their independence was in danger, combining -against us. The campaign was interesting in its military aspect, in -giving experience of the extreme difficulty and expense of carrying out -offensive operations in a country composed of mountain ranges, devoid -of communications, and inhabited by races of men whom we may consider -half civilised, but who, at all events, possess the virtues of courage, -independence, and love of their country, and physically are as active -and handsome a people as exists anywhere. From a political point of -view the north-west frontier of India is also full of interest. After -a century of conquest, with dominions now extending<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> 1,600 miles from -Calcutta to Peshawur, we have at length arrived at a region which seems -marked out by nature as the boundary of our Empire. The conditions of -the north-west frontier no doubt involve difficult considerations, -but it seems to me clear that, whilst guarding against incursions, -our policy towards our somewhat turbulent neighbours should be one of -forbearance and conciliation, combined in some cases with subsidies.</p> - -<p>As Sir Charles Wood, the Secretary of State for India, wrote in 1864: -'Our true course ought to be, not to interfere in their internal -concerns, but to cultivate friendly relations with them, and to -endeavour to convince them, by our forbearance and kindly conduct, that -their wisest plan is to be on good terms with us, in order that they -may derive those advantages from intercourse with us which are sure -to follow from the interchange of commodities and mutual benefits.' -It is a policy necessarily requiring patience and somewhat slow in -its effect, but will in due time bring its reward, and indeed it has -already done so of late years. Our trans-Indus districts, which were -formerly harried by the neighbouring tribes, are now comparatively safe -and prosperous; and many Afghans who have served in our ranks have -returned to their native villages with pensions, and with a kindly -feeling and remembrance of those under whom they have served. Before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -leaving this subject, it may be well to point out that there is another -and a far larger question beyond that of the immediate frontier which -must be kept steadily in view by the British Government, and that is -our relations with the ruler of Afghanistan in connection with the -advance of Russia in Central Asia. I propose, however, to defer the -consideration of those important questions until a later period, when -the Afghan war of 1878-9 brought matters to a crisis.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> My letter was published <i>in extenso</i> in <i>Varieties of -Viceregal Life</i>, by Sir W. Denison. 1870.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Sir Hugh Rose, in writing to me from Lahore on the same -date as Sir William Denison (Dec. 7), said that the Governor General -had entirely approved of his not consenting, although hard pressed, to -give up the Umbeylah Pass and retreat to the plains.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Now General Lord Roberts, G.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Now General Nairne, C.B., Commander-in-Chief, Bombay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Now General Sir Dighton Probyn, V.C.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> The late Sir John Garvock.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> The names of the officers were, Lieutenant Alexander -killed; Major Wheeler, Captain Chamberlain, Lieutenants Nott and Marsh -wounded.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a></h2> - -<p class="center">VISIT TO PESHAWUR—SIR HUGH ROSE RETURNS TO ENGLAND—SIR WILLIAM -MANSFIELD APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - - -<p>The good sense and judgment of Sir William Denison, with the cordial -co-operation and support of Sir Hugh Rose, had extricated the -Government of India from a somewhat dangerous military and political -crisis on the north-west border; and although the fierce passions of -the tribes had been considerably roused, the excitement gradually -cooled down when our troops returned to the plains. One hill chief, -however, had the temerity to come into the open, and make a dash -at one of our patrolling columns, but was speedily driven back. I -forget his exact name, but by the English soldiers he was commonly -called Sawdust Khan. In the unsettled condition of the frontier, the -Commander-in-Chief found it necessary to remain for some weeks at the -large and important station of Peshawur, which stands half encircled -by the Afghan mountains and only a few miles distant from the entrance -to the celebrated Kyber Pass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> Peshawur, the central military position -at this part of our territory, has a large old-fashioned mud fort, -containing considerable reserves of armaments, munitions, and stores. -It is probably strong enough to resist the desultory attacks of Afghan -tribes; but in my opinion it would be more convenient, and more prudent -from a military point of view, were the chief reserves of the district -withdrawn to Attock, on the other side of the Indus.</p> - -<p>The Afghan hill-men at the time of our visit were in a very lively -condition, and constantly robbing the station. The very first night -that the large camp of the Commander-in-Chief was pitched on the plain -outside, although guards and patrols were plentiful, they succeeded in -carrying off some bullocks and two camels, and the theft of horses was -not of rare occurrence. The frontier chiefs, however, were friendly to -a limited extent, and on one occasion accompanied a party of us for a -few miles within the rocky defiles of the Kyber, which at that time had -not been visited by any Englishman for years. They made it a condition, -however, that we should trust ourselves entirely to their protection, -and not take any military escort; and they loyally carried out the -compact. Our relations with them at the time, were, in fact, a curious -mixture of friendship by day, combined with occasional brigandage on -the part of their followers by night.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> - -<p>Towards the end of February the camp of Sir Hugh Rose and the staff -marched slowly southwards through the Punjab, crossing in succession -by bridges of boats, the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers to Lahore. -What with the elephants, camels, horses, bullocks, sheep, and goats -which, combined with hundreds of followers, form essential features -of military out-of-door life in India, the camp resembled an Oriental -fair and menagerie more than anything else; and, owing to the vast -impedimenta considered essential, the marches did not exceed twelve -miles a day.</p> - -<p>We took the opportunity one day of visiting the sandy plain of -Chilianwallah, on which in 1849 the great battle had been fought -between the British army and the Seiks. The 24th Regiment specially -suffered great losses on that occasion, and an officer who had been -present, informed me that on the evening of the battle the bodies -of thirteen officers of that regiment were laid side by side in -the mess-tent, including the colonel (Pennycuick) and his son, the -adjutant. The obelisk erected on the plain in memory of the conflict -bears the following inscription: 'Around this tomb was fought the -sanguinary battle of Chilianwallah, 13th January, 1849, between the -British forces under Lord Gough, and the Seiks under Rajah Sher-Sing. -On both sides did innumerable warriors pass from this life dying in -mortal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> combat. Honoured be the graves of these heroic soldiers! In -memory of those who fell in the ranks of the Anglo-Indian Army, this -monument has been raised by their surviving comrades, at whose side -they perished, comrades who glory in their glory, and lament their -fate.'</p> - -<p>Having served for six years and a half continuously in India, and -having obtained leave of absence, I left the camp on its arrival at -Lahore, hurried to Calcutta, and embarked for England in April. As, -however, many changes were still in progress, in respect both to the -<i>personnel</i> and <i>matériel</i> of artillery, and in the Ordnance Department -in India, it was deemed expedient that I should cut short my visit -home; and in October I accordingly returned to resume my duties and -landed in Bombay. As regards the Ordnance Department, the fact was -that, owing to the triplicate system of military administration, -which had prevailed in the days of the old East India Company, the -arrangements in each presidency varied; and the armaments, munitions, -and stores were not identical in pattern, whilst many were old and -obsolete. The depots were scattered about without much reference to -strategical considerations, and were too numerous. The system was -not only costly but inefficient; and, in view of the great advances -of artillery science, a general reorganisation had become necessary. -During my visit to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> England, I had been in communication with Sir -Charles Wood, the then Secretary of State for India, on these matters.</p> - -<p>On arrival at Bombay I had an interesting conversation with the -Governor, Sir Bartle Frere, on military subjects; more especially as to -whether the native troops should be thoroughly trusted and armed with -the best modern weapons, or be relegated, as it were, to an inferior -position, and be looked on as more or less subordinate auxiliaries. -I gave my opinion that a policy of mistrust was not only a mistake, -but would in reality defeat itself; that the native regiments should -be armed and equipped like the English soldiers in every respect; the -numbers to be maintained, and their nationalities, resting of course -with the Government. It was a satisfaction to find that Sir Bartle -Frere entirely concurred in these views.</p> - -<p>Leaving Bombay, and being anxious to rejoin Sir Hugh Rose quickly, I -travelled through Central India, first of all for about three hundred -miles on a partly finished railway, with occasional breaks; and then -for five hundred miles outside a mail-cart, passing hastily through -Indore, Gwalior, Agra, and Delhi to Meerut. Although I found time to -make a few hasty sketches, it has always been a matter of regret that -military exigencies rendered me unable to pay more than mere flying -visits to so many native cities of great historical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> and architectural -interest. Delhi and its neighbourhood especially is rich in picturesque -mosques, tombs, palaces, and forts of the former Mogul dynasties.</p> - -<p>On arrival at Meerut I found that Sir Hugh Rose had seriously injured -himself, having broken several ribs by a fall out hunting, so that for -the time our movements were at a standstill. However, early in 1865, as -soon as he had recovered, the head quarters staff continued their tour, -and arrived at Lucknow, where a somewhat amusing incident occurred. -During the Mutiny, an officer had gained the Victoria Cross for gallant -conduct in the residency, but owing to some delay had not actually -received the decoration; and the Commander-in-Chief was therefore glad -of the opportunity of presenting it to him on the very spot where he -had gained it. A general parade was ordered, the troops to be formed -up round the ruins of the residency; and all the civilians and ladies -of Lucknow were invited to be present. On the morning, when the hour -of parade was at hand, the staff assembled in readiness in a bungalow, -and it was understood that the Commander-in-Chief was preparing an -appropriate speech for the occasion. Search was then made for the box -containing the Victoria Cross, but it was nowhere to be found, and -after an anxious hurried inquiry we discovered that by some mistake -it had been left behind at Simla in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> the Himalayas. This was awkward, -especially as Sir Hugh would naturally be annoyed at so unfortunate -an error. The suggestion was made that some officer of the garrison -should be asked to lend his for the occasion; but that also failed, no -officer nearer than Cawnpore (fifty miles off) having gained one. There -was no time to be lost, and at length Colonel Donald Stewart,<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> the -Deputy Adjutant General, volunteered to inform the Commander-in-Chief: -an offer which was at once accepted. Stewart on entering the room -found Sir Hugh engaged in considering his speech, and then cautiously -and gently announced that a slight mistake had occurred, and that -the Victoria Cross had been left behind. The Commander-in-Chief, as -anticipated, was angry, and complained that he had been treated with -neglect. However, after he had cooled down, Donald Stewart said that in -his opinion the difficulty could readily be got over; and, taking the -cross of the Companionship of the Bath from his breast, suggested that -it should be presented to the officer on parade, in lieu temporarily of -the other; pointing out that the troops and the assembled company would -not be near enough to distinguish the difference. Sir Hugh at once took -in the situation, accepted the compromise, and acted accordingly. The -decoration was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> presented, the Commander-in-Chief made an appropriate -speech, and the demonstration altogether was a success. My remark to -the officer afterwards was that as the Queen had given him the Victoria -Cross, and the Commander-in-Chief the Bath, I thought he was entitled -to wear both for the future. There was a ball in the evening in honour -of the occasion, and in default of a real cross he had to wear a -painted leather imitation one.</p> - -<p>In March 1866 the term of office of Sir Hugh Rose came to a close. His -services in India had been of an eventful and distinguished character, -not only in the field, in his celebrated march through Central India -during the Mutiny, but also in military administration at a period -of important changes. The position of a Commander-in-Chief in India, -always a difficult one, was peculiarly so during his term of office. -The extinction of a great institution such as that of the old East -India Company could not be accomplished without considerable difficulty -and delay; prejudices had to be overcome, and vested interests to be -considered. All these circumstances must be borne in mind in judging -the career of Sir Hugh Rose from 1857 to 1865. The appointment of Sir -William Mansfield as his successor, an officer of long experience -in the country, and of great ability as an administrator, tended to -complete the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> work, and to produce unity of system, so essential -an element of military efficiency. As he acted in concert with the -Viceroy Sir John Lawrence, old prejudices and difficulties gradually -disappeared, to the great advantage of the army and to the security of -the Empire.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Now Field-Marshal Sir Donald Stewart, G.C.B.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a></h2> - -<p class="center">THE WAR IN BOOTAN<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> - - -<p>During 1865 another border war occurred in India; not as usual on the -north-west frontier, but with Bootan, an almost unknown country away -in the far East, and north of the great river Brahmapootra. The causes -were of the usual character—incessant depredations in our districts -of Assam and Cooch-Behar. The territory of Bootan, with a length of -about 250 miles, lies amidst the southern slopes of the highest ranges -of the Himalayas, the eternal snows forming its frontier towards -Thibet. It is, in fact, a country of stupendous mountains, intersected -by narrow, precipitous valleys and rapid streams. The rainfall is -excessive;<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> and all along its southern border, in the low grounds -at the foot of the mountains, are dense forests and marshy jungles, -almost impenetrable and choked with vegetation. The whole of the -lower district is very unhealthy, and is the home of wild elephants, -rhinoceros, and tigers—natural zoological gardens, in short, free -of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> charge. The people of Bootan have little or no organised military -force, and such fighting men as exist are only armed with knives, bows -and arrows, and a few matchlocks; so that in a military sense they -are not at all formidable. The inaccessible nature of the country is -its best, and indeed almost its only, defence. The people are Chinese -in type, and nominally Buddhists in religion; but, though brave and -hardy, are almost entirely uncivilised, and the ruling authorities -are weak and treacherous. The government of Bootan appears to be of a -duplicate character; one rajah being a kind of spiritual head of the -State without power, whilst another has all the power but apparently -no head. The result, as might be expected, is frequent anarchy, whilst -the subordinate rulers along the frontier district tyrannise over -the people and plunder their neighbours at discretion. For a century -past, indeed, the people, instigated by their chiefs, had incessantly -committed depredations in our territories in the plains: carrying off -men and women as slaves, and also elephants, buffaloes, and property -of all kinds. Remonstrances had been made time out of mind, and -missions sent to try and bring them to reason; but all our efforts -were met by incivility, almost amounting to insult, and by evasion. -The rulers of the country, no doubt, relied in a great measure on its -inaccessibility; and, ignorant more or less of our power, were defiant -and treacherous accordingly.</p> - - - -<p>In 1864 the Government of India decided on sending a mission, under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -Honourable Ashley Eden, to Poonaka, the capital. His instructions were -to demand the release of all captives, and to endeavour to arrange for -peaceful commercial intercourse in the future. Leaving Darjeeling in -January, he crossed the river Teesta, the western boundary of Bootan; -but throughout his long and difficult journey to the interior, although -he succeeded in reaching Poonaka, and although the poor villagers -appeared well-disposed, he was met with evasion and constant delay from -those in authority; and, when he arrived at length at the capital, the -conduct of the Government was so threatening and grossly insulting -that he only got away with difficulty, having under compulsion signed -an obnoxious treaty, which, on his return to India in April, was -immediately disavowed and repudiated.</p> - -<p>It was quite evident that, unless we were content to submit to violence -and insult, the time had fully arrived for a recourse to arms. An -expedition was arranged accordingly, and our troops entered Bootan from -the plains in three separate, widely detached columns, of no great -strength.<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> The one in the East marched a few miles up a gorge to -Dewanghiri, and took it; but subsequently, on being attacked, abandoned -the position, and fell back with the loss of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> two guns. The temporary -defeat was, however, speedily avenged by a force under the command -of the late General Tombs, of which the 55th Regiment under Colonel -Hume<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> formed part, and the place was re-taken and held. The centre -column also advanced into the hills and established itself at Buxa; -whilst the third assaulted and captured Dalimkote, an old fort on a -mountain ridge in the western ranges, and about 5,000 feet above the -sea.</p> - -<p>Dalimkote, a few miles from the plains, was only formidable owing to -its almost inaccessible position; and our troops engaged in its capture -had to climb the steep sides of the mountain, by tortuous and narrow -paths, and through thick jungles. In fact, the whole neighbourhood was -a mass of dense forest and luxurious undergrowth. The officers and men -of a battery of artillery had managed with difficulty to carry a small -mortar up the hill-side with a view to a short bombardment, preceding -assault. Hardly had it been brought into action near the entrance gate -than by some unfortunate accident a barrel of gunpowder exploded, -killing Captain Griffin, R.A.,<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> both his lieutenants, and six -gunners, besides wounding several others. The small garrison, however, -did not wait for an assault, but bolted, and the fort fell into our -hands.</p> - - - -<p>Our columns had not penetrated for any great distance into the country,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> -still the occupation of three important passes not only prevented the -Booteas from plundering, but also put a stop to their commerce, which, -though comparatively trifling in amount, proved a great blow to these -isolated mountaineers; so that, after many attempts at evasion, towards -the end of 1865 they were prepared to come to terms. Being desirous -of visiting a part of the country so little known, and of so much -interest at the time, I left Calcutta in January, made a rapid journey -of about 400 miles due north to Darjeeling, and from that hill station -started on an expedition for a fortnight along the Bootan frontier, -returning by a voyage down the river Brahmapootra. The first part -of the journey from Calcutta to the Ganges was by rail; and having -crossed the river to Caragola, I was then carried by coolies in a -palanquin, a sort of elongated bandbox, for 120 miles to the foot of -the mountains, not meeting a single Englishman during the journey. -The country was perfectly flat, and at night a native walked in front -with a lighted torch, in order, so it was stated, to scare away the -tigers. The coolies as they carried me along sometimes broke out into a -low monotonous chant, occasionally varied by a dismal moaning chorus. -I tried to ascertain the burden of their song, and found that it was -myself, and that the coolie refrain was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> somewhat as follows: 'This -is a heavy man. Oh! what a fat man,' and so on. Colonel Bourchier, -R.A.,<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> joined me in the 'Terai,' a narrow belt of marshy forest -lying at the foot of the slopes; and then, on a couple of mules, we -ascended the Himalayas to Darjeeling. Not being encumbered with any -baggage to speak of, our arrangements for the expedition were simple. -Leaving Darjeeling, we rode due East for about twenty miles, and by a -gradual descent reached the banks of the Teesta, a rapid river about -100 yards wide, remaining for the night in the hut of a young officer -who, with a picket of native troops, was in charge of this corner of -the frontier. The scenery was charming, and we met occasional parties -of Booteas carrying fruit to the Darjeeling market.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/tour.jpg" alt="tour" /> -<a id="tour" name="tour"></a> -</p> - -<p class="center"> SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE TOUR IN BOOTAN, JANUARY 1866</p> - -<p>The passage across the Teesta was by means of a cane bridge; and, -considering that the inhabitants are ignorant and uncivilised, was a -wonderful specimen of ingenuity and skill. These bridges, of which -there are several in different parts of the country, are on the -suspension principle, and made entirely of bamboo canes fastened -together. There is not a nail or a single piece of rope used in the -whole construction. They swing about in an uneasy way in passing -over them; and as the canes soon become rotten, the whole structure -gradually perishes and falls into the river, and has to be renewed. -Indeed, as I understood,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> they require re-building annually. Our -mules were pushed into the rapid torrent and pulled across by a long -line, also made of flexible bamboos and devoid of string. Altogether -it was a curious experience; and we felt much sympathy for the young -officer who had to pass months on guard in this secluded valley, -without a fellow-countryman to speak to. After crossing the Teesta, -we entered Bootan territory, began a long ascent, and at the top of a -mountain found another officer with a picket in a solitary stockaded -fort. The scenery all round was magnificent. Dense forests filled -the deep valleys, and far away to the north stood the snowy crest of -Kinchinjunga, 28,000 feet high, standing out clear in the horizon.</p> - -<p>Proceeding along over the mountains, we passed an old monastery at -Tasigimpoo, and in the evening reached a deserted Bootea stockade, -where we remained for the night. The country seemed to be thinly -inhabited, but the few people we met were good-natured and friendly. I -had been warned not to sleep in the jungle, as we should be devoured -by leeches; so, what with possible tigers on the one hand, and hungry -leeches on the other, caution was necessary. However, I escaped, except -that on one occasion a superfluous leech—not a tiger—attacked my leg -during the night. Otherwise all went well, and the following evening, -passing through glades of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> oak, we came in sight of the picturesque -old walled fort of Dalimkote, overlooking the plains of Bengal, and -surrounded with feathery woods of bamboo.</p> - -<p>Although the war was supposed to be virtually at an end, I had been -informed by Sir John Lawrence before leaving Calcutta that their chief -warrior Tongso Penlow was still at large and defiant, and sure enough -on arrival at Dalimkote it was found impossible to advance further -into the country. Consequently, in order to reach the next column at -Buxa we were compelled to return to the plains, and after a ride of -fifty miles reached Julpigoree on the Teesta. During the night horses -were placed along the road eastwards to Cooch Behar; and, sending on -our baggage with a native servant on an elephant, we started early -the following morning, galloped for sixty miles over the plains, and, -crossing several rivers on rafts, reached Cooch Behar in the afternoon. -There was no time to spare, so after a few hours' rest we turned our -faces again northwards, and after another long ride reached the centre -column at Buxa. The hostility of Tongso Penlow had thus compelled us -to make a detour of about 150 miles; but leaving Buxa, pushing on -over the mountains, and then down to the deep secluded valley of the -Chin-chu, we at length reached our most advanced post at the small -village of Tapsee, and were rewarded by a view of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> magnificent -scenery of a country hitherto unknown and unexplored. Our pioneers had -for some months past been engaged in constructing a road towards the -interior, cutting through forests, blowing up rocks, and constructing -temporary bridges over precipitous gorges and mountain torrents. We -were, in short, advancing steadily through a remarkable and very -difficult country towards Poonaka; and the perception of this fact no -doubt compelled the Bootan Government at length to sue for peace, and -caused even the warlike Tongso to cease his opposition. Hurrying back -by forced marches, I took leave of Colonel Bourchier at Cooch Behar; -and then finally, after a long solitary gallop, reached Dobree, on the -Brahmapootra, just in time to get on board a steamer on its return -voyage. Although several hundred miles from its mouth, the river at -Dobree resembled a great inland sea. Its navigation, owing to numerous -sandbanks, is somewhat dangerous, so that we could only move during -daylight, passing numerous picturesque native boats and occasional -alligators, lying like logs of grey wood along its banks. After a -few days we arrived at Kooshtea, near the junction of the Ganges and -Brahmapootra, and then reached Calcutta by railway. The expedition was -hurriedly carried out; still it was most interesting in its variety, -and in giving a glimpse, at all events, of a country so peculiar and -hitherto so little known.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/war.jpg" alt="wars" /> -<a id="war" name="war"></a> -</p> - -<p class="center"> WAR IN BOOTAN, 1866. OUTPOST IN VALLEY OF THE CHINCHU</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> The rainfall in that part of India is said to exceed 600 -inches a year.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> See map of Bootan.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> Now General Sir Henry Hume, K.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> Captain Griffin had been in command of a battery, and had -done excellent service during the previous frontier war of Umbeylah. -The names of the two lieutenants were E. Walker and E.A. Anderson.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Now General Sir George Bourchier, K.C.B.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">FAREWELL TO INDIA—RETURN TO REGIMENTAL DUTY AT WOOLWICH—APPOINTED -DIRECTOR OF ARTILLERY—WAR OFFICE ORGANIZATION<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - - -<p>Having completed an almost continuous service of nine years in India, -the time had at length arrived for my return to England. After many -wanderings in distant lands, it is always a happiness to return home; -still, no one, I think, can derive other than benefit from a residence -for a time in the great empire which England has established in the -East. To a soldier the experience gained is invaluable, not only in -regard to the incidents of camp life and of marching, but also from the -exceptional character of the campaigns in which our troops are so often -engaged. Desirous as the Government may be for peace, still even now -other military expeditions may be looming in the future; and under any -circumstances the preparations for possible wars require constant care -and watchfulness. Indeed, in the wide range of their duties in India, -the officers and men of the British forces gain a varied experience -such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> as does not fall to the lot of any other European army.</p> - -<p>The subjects of interest in our Eastern dominions are, however, by no -means confined to arrangements for military expeditions. The various -races of people whose customs, laws, and religions are so diverse in -themselves, and so different from our own, the remarkable history of -the country in the years gone by, and its successive invasions—all -these are matters of a specially interesting character; and never more -so than at the present time, when the results of our conquest, and the -effects of modern civilisation, are beginning to exert so powerful an -influence amongst the millions over whom we hold sway. Old customs and -ancient superstitions are being rapidly and almost violently disturbed. -In short, the establishment of our rule in the country is not only an -unprecedented event, but involves a gradual and an almost entire change -in the views and habits of the people. We have given them internal -peace, sound laws, and safety of life and property, such as they have -never enjoyed before; but we cannot stand still. Enlightenment, and -the diffusion of what is termed education, are gravely affecting the -character of the people; and it is not sufficient to guarantee them a -mere peaceful existence; we must look forward to the results as they -develop, and as we commenced by a bold policy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> to subjugate a vast -continent, so we must equally boldly be prepared to trust the people, -and gradually to allow all ranks and classes to take part in the -political, civil, and military events as they arise. By consistently -and courageously following out such a policy, we shall present a noble -spectacle to the world of a great, prosperous, and, what is more, an -enduring empire established by England in the East. We have, indeed, -but one course to pursue.</p> - -<p>Military service at home in time of peace is naturally of a less -interesting character than travels and occasional expeditions in -distant lands; and the training of young soldiers at Woolwich, which -fell to my lot for some time after my return to England, did not -present incidents of a striking character. At one period, I remember, -there was a considerable dearth of recruits, especially of drivers -for the horse artillery, partially due to the frequent changes in war -office regulations as to the height and dimensions of the men enlisted. -We were allowed to take short men, provided they were of exceptional -width of chest and shoulders. Meeting an old recruiting serjeant one -day, I inquired if he had been successful, but he was by no means -sanguine; and, on my pressing him for the reason of his comparative -failure, he replied: 'Beg your pardon, sir, but the Almighty doesn't -make the men the shape you order 'em.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> - -<p>I received occasional curious letters from soldiers, one or two of -which are worth quotation. The first was from a gunner who was anxious -to be married, as in the days of long service it was necessary to -obtain previous permission from the commanding officer. It is as -follows: 'Sir, I beg you will pardon the liberty I take, in requesting -the favour of your permission on a subject which depends on my future -happiness. During my stay in Winchester, I have formed an attachment -with a highly respectable young person, to whom I wish to develop my -sentiments, by a matrimonial engagement, for which purpose may I beg, -sir, the favour of your liberty?' The man, so far as my recollection -goes, was duly married, and happy ever afterwards.</p> - -<p>The second letter accidentally fell into my hands, and is of a romantic -character, from a soldier to a girl to whom he was devoted. 'My darling -Jane, it is with great Plesur that I sit down to right a fue lines to -you, with the intenchun of cheering your drooping sperits, for the -tempest that ranges before you, the storm is hie, the tempest's winds -blows through the parish, the throushes is warbling their songs of -melode, but by far the sweetest song thare singing, his hover the water -to Charley' ... and so on.</p> - -<p>Whilst stationed at Woolwich an incident occurred connected with a -young artillery officer, of Irish family, who had been absent for some -years on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> foreign service; and who, on his return to Woolwich, was -taken to the large handsome messroom to see some recent improvements. -Amongst other things, a new patent stove was pointed out to him; and it -was explained that, whilst it gave the same amount of heat as the old -fireplace, there was a considerable economy of coal—in fact, there was -a saving of half the fuel. The officer at once remarked: 'If one stove -saves half the fuel, why don't you buy two of them, and save the whole -of it?' This view had never occurred to the Mess Committee.</p> - -<p>It was not until the early part of 1870 that I again took an active -part in military administration, being unexpectedly offered the -appointment of Director of Artillery at the War Office, by the Minister -for War, Mr. Cardwell, whom until then I had never seen. It happened -to be a period when considerable reforms in the army were under -consideration; and I was fortunate in being associated for three or -four years with a statesman of resolution and great ability, who, -in the face of much opposition, parliamentary and other, laid the -foundation of several important and beneficial changes, not only in -the War Office itself, but also in the terms of soldiers' service and -in general improvement of their condition. In order to understand the -general bearing and scope of some of the chief reforms inaugurated -by the late Lord Cardwell during his term<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> of office as Minister, it -will be desirable to give short accounts of the arrangements formerly -existing in each case; and as some of his measures, from their nature, -only arrived at maturity years after he had ceased to be Secretary of -State, I propose to trace their gradual development, and the results -achieved, down to the present day.</p> - -<p>One of the first subjects which engaged the attention of Mr. Cardwell -was the difficult one of War Office administration. The authority over -the army was formerly more or less of a dual character; the <i>personnel</i> -of the infantry and cavalry being under a Commander-in-Chief, whilst -a Master General had charge of the ordnance corps, as well as the -provision of armaments for the naval and military services. These -arrangements would not in themselves at first sight appear to have much -to recommend them, the responsibility being rather diffused. Still it -must be remembered that they bore successfully the stress of the great -wars at the end of the last and in the earlier years of the present -century. As the Master General was always a distinguished officer, -and was often a member of the Cabinet, and further was assisted by a -board, some of whom were men of military experience and in Parliament, -the system apparently suited itself more or less to our constitutional -form of government. The great Duke of Wellington, who was for some -time Master General,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> stated that the Ordnance Department was careful, -economical, and efficient. He spoke of it as one of the most ancient -departments of the monarchy, and that it was a pattern for others.<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> -When, in 1849, a proposal had been made to abolish the board, he -strongly opposed it, and said: 'I warn the Government of the danger -of this alteration in a military view.' Sir Henry Hardinge, and other -experienced General Officers who had held the same office, were of -similar opinions.</p> - -<p>When at length, after a peace of nearly forty years, we again in 1854 -took part in a great European war, the difficulties which at once -ensued, the enormous cost involved, and the sufferings of our troops -during the winter in the Crimea, led the Government of the day suddenly -to inaugurate a new <i>régime</i>; and early in 1855 the administration of -the army in all its departments was vested in a Minister for War. In -short, we made the somewhat hazardous experiment of swopping horses -when crossing a stream. As a matter of general principle, it is -probable that some such arrangement was desirable, an army being a -department of the State which requires concentration of authority. But -it is to be observed that the Minister for War is usually a civilian, -and changes with each Government, so that neither concentration -of knowledge nor unity of purpose neces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>sarily followed on the -change; and, further, when the new system came into force the Master -General and board, instead of being simply absorbed, were abolished, -their duties being divided in a slap-dash fashion amongst various -departments. Mr. Clode<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> says that after the first Cabinet of Lord -Palmerston as Premier, early in 1855, the Secretary-at-War 'brought -home half a sheet of paper, containing a memorandum that the Ordnance -Department was to be abolished.'</p> - -<p>It is hardly a matter of wonder that this sudden concentration of -the military departments in a new War Office, under a parliamentary -chief, and in the midst of a great war, should have led to some -confusion, which continued for several years. Soon after Mr. Cardwell -became Minister, he appointed a committee under Lord Northbrook -(then Under-Secretary) to investigate the matter; and the results -of their inquiries led to a reconstruction, in 1870, of the various -departments on an intelligible and sound basis. The War Office was -then divided into three main branches: (1) <i>personnel</i>, under the -Commander-in-Chief; (2) <i>matériel</i>, that is, armaments for navy and -army, fortifications, barracks, commissariat and clothing, under a -Surveyor General of Ordnance, who it was specially stated should be an -experienced officer—in fact, it was a virtual revival of the office<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> -of Master General; (3) finance, to be represented by an Under-Secretary -in Parliament.</p> - -<p>The arrangement was simple, and soon in working order; but, -unfortunately, after Mr. Cardwell had ceased to be War Minister one of -its main principles was ignored, and the office of Surveyor General, -which obviously required military experience, came to be regarded -chiefly as a civil and political appointment, and was usually conferred -on a member of Parliament, coming and going, of course, with the -Government of the day. The result was a gradual weakening of the whole -organisation. As a proof of the numerous changes which may occur, I -may point out that between 1883 and 1887 there were no less than five -Ministers for War, and four Surveyors General, all civilians, in office -in rapid succession.</p> - -<p>It so happens that in 1887 there were two Royal Commissions, the one -under the late Sir James Stephen, and the other under Sir Matthew -Ridley; both of whom advised the revival of the Master General. Sir -James Stephen's Commission said: 'The office of Master General of the -Ordnance should be revived, so far as the management of the stores and -manufacturing departments is concerned. He should be a soldier of the -highest eminence....' Sir Matthew Ridley said: 'That the intentions -of Lord Northbrook's Committee of 1870 have not been carried out, -and the idea of securing the highest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> professional acquirements for -the position has been entirely abandoned.... We are of opinion that -the Surveyor General of the Ordnance should in future be what he -was intended to be, viz. a military officer of high standing and -experience, and that he should not be a member of the House of Commons.'</p> - -<p>Their views, however, were not acted on; and in 1888 the office of -Surveyor General was abolished, and its numerous duties sub-divided, -some being transferred to the already over-burdened shoulders of the -military staff, and the rest handed over to the Financial Secretary; -and this condition of affairs exists to this day. In short, the War -Office is now divided into two branches: the one military, with great -responsibilities; the other civil and financial, with great power.<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> -In my judgment, should war occur, such a system would inevitably break -down at once. Further evidence, however, exists, which will, I think, -be conclusive on this point. In 1890 still another Royal Commission, -that of Lord Hartington, examined and reported on this question, so -vital to military efficiency; and it is to be observed that of its -members three had already held the office of Minister for War—namely, -Lord Hartington, the late Mr. W.H. Smith, and Mr. Campbell Bannerman. -In their report they practically condemn the system<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> then and now -existing. In the first place, they point out that the various heads -of the spending departments have no direct access to the Secretary of -State and are subordinate one to the other. They consider that the -present organisation of the War Office is defective in principle, -and they go on to recommend that the heads of departments should be -directly associated with the Minister for War<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a>—in short, a board of -officers, such as now exists at the Admiralty.</p> - -<p>In considering this great national question I would point out that this -country holds quite an exceptional position as regards its military -arrangements and preparations for war. Other nations maintain far -larger armies, but their troops as a rule have no foreign duties, or -distant possessions to protect. Our condition is much the reverse. -We are a great naval, military, Indian, and colonial empire; with -fleets, troops, fortresses, and reserves of munitions to maintain in -every quarter of the world; and it is essential, not only that the two -fighting services should act in unity, but that their armaments should -be identical in pattern, and that the reserves at home and abroad be -available for both. Then, again, on entering on a foreign expedition, -we have at once to undertake a most difficult operation in the rapid -embarkation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> of men, horses, guns, munitions, engineer, medical -and commissariat stores; so that from every point of view a strong -administration is required, and one in which the unrivalled experience -of our officers should be fully utilised and trusted.</p> - -<p>No doubt the requirements of constitutional government must be -considered and provided for. Indeed, it is essential that the naval and -military services should be adequately represented in Parliament, and -this principle was fully recognised in the years gone by. For instance, -in 1829, when the Duke of Wellington was Prime Minister, and when our -military expenditure was far less than now, the army was officially -represented in the two Houses of Parliament as follows:—</p> - -<table summary="representation" width="70%"> -<tr> -<td>Secretary of State, War, and Colonies -</td> -<td>General Sir George Murray,G.C.B. -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Commander-in-Chief -</td> -<td>General Lord Hill,G.C.B. -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Master General of Ordnance -</td> -<td>General Lord Beresford,G.C.B. -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Secretary at War -</td> -<td>General Sir Henry Hardinge,K.C.B. -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Clerk of Ordnance -</td> -<td>Rt. Hon. Spencer Percival -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Lieut.-General of Ordnance -</td> -<td>Lieut.-Gen. Lord Edward Somerset -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Surveyor General of Ordnance -</td> -<td>Major-Gen. Sir Henry Fane,K.C.B. -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Principal Storekeeper -</td> -<td>Colonel Trench -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Clerk of Deliveries -</td> -<td>General Phipps -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Secretary to Master General -</td> -<td>Colonel Lord Downes -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Treasurer of Ordnance -</td> -<td>William Holmes -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Paymaster-General -</td> -<td>Rt. Hon. J. Calcraft -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Judge Advocate General -</td> -<td>Rt. Hon. Sir John Beckett -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - -<p>We must always bear in mind that the army is no mere inanimate piece of -machinery. On the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> contrary, it is one of the most vital and powerful -elements of the State; and its efficiency can only be maintained by -placing the administration of its various departments in the hands -of competent and experienced general officers, and investing them -with adequate power. If I have dwelt at some length on this abstruse -subject, it is because, having served both as Director of Artillery -and Surveyor General of Ordnance, I have gained some insight into its -difficulties, and feel earnestly the necessity of reorganising the -department.</p> - -<p>Although the War Office, as will be seen, is a department of hard work -and great responsibility, still even within its gloomy portals there -are now and then incidents and stories of an amusing character. Many -years ago, when the late Sir Cornewall Lewis was Minister for War, on -one occasion he visited the infantry depot at Warley in Essex, and was -shown a handsome room.<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> After admiring its proportions he inquired -as to its use, when, suddenly observing a wooden vaulting horse at the -far end of the building, he said: 'Oh! I see—the riding school.'</p> - -<p>The late Lord Longford, who had seen much active service both in -the Crimea and India, was Under-Secretary for War in 1867. He was -an excellent administrator, and occasionally very humorous in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> his -minutes. At the period in question it so happened that there were two -officers of high rank and position in the War Office who disagreed -in their views on almost every subject, and were constantly in -collision—on paper. The correspondence became so voluminous, and -the difficulty so perplexing, that at length the whole matter was -placed before Lord Longford. I am unable to give his exact words, but -his minute to Sir John Pakington, then Minister for War, was to the -following effect. 'Secretary of State,—This is a very interesting -correspondence. From a careful perusal I have arrived at the conclusion -that both these gentlemen are in the <i>right</i>. The case is now for your -disposal.'</p> - -<p>On another occasion, another Under-Secretary wrote a minute as -follows: 'Secretary of State,—This is a very important subject. You -will observe that the paper is folded the wrong way.' When Sir Henry -Storks was Surveyor General of the Ordnance, he was waited upon by an -excellent old messenger, who, however, in his conversation was apt to -omit his h's. One day he came into the room, and said: 'Sir 'Enery, Mr. -Owl wishes to see you.' 'Who?' asked Sir Henry. 'I never heard of him.' -'Beg your pardon—it is Mr. Owl, the Director of Contracts.' 'Oh, Mr. -Howell; show him in!'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p> - -<p>Some years ago the Minister for War, so it is said, being desirous of -acquainting himself with the work of the different branches, visited -the various rooms and inquired as to the details. Meeting a gentleman -in the passage, he asked at what hour he usually came to his duty. -'Oh!' said the gentleman in reply, 'I usually stroll in about eleven -or twelve o'clock.' 'Stroll in,' said the minister, in surprise; 'then -I presume you do not leave until a late hour?' 'Well,' replied the -gentleman, 'I generally slip off about three o'clock.' 'Slip off at -three?' said the minister, much scandalised. 'Pray, sir, may I ask what -department you belong to?' 'Certainly,' said the young man; 'I come -every Saturday to wind up the clocks!'</p> - -<p>I also remember a curious incident which happened to Lord Cardwell, -but which is social rather than military. After he had ceased to be -minister, it so happened that the wife of one of his former colleagues -in the Government gave birth to a child, and Lord Cardwell called to -make inquiries. When the butler opened the door, he announced that -her Ladyship was going on well. 'A girl?' said Cardwell, inquiringly. -'No, my Lord.' 'Oh, a boy?' remarked Cardwell. 'No, my Lord.' 'Why, -surely—' but before he could say more, the butler interposed, 'Beg -pardon, my Lord, but it's a little hare' (heir).</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Clode's <i>Military Forces of the Crown</i>, ii. 765.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Clode's <i>Military Forces of the Crown</i>, ii. 251.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> See evidence of H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief (<i>Second -Report of Committee of the House of Commons on Army Estimates</i>, 1888, -pp. 27, 35, 36, and 52.)</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> See <i>Commission on the Administration of the Naval and -Military Departments</i>, February 1890, pp. 57, 67, 70, 73, and 114.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> The gymnasium.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> I once knew a gentleman of far higher rank than a War -Office messenger who laboured under the same defect. We were at one -time interested in an association which, though useful, constantly met -with opposition. Coming across him one day after a meeting which he -had attended, I inquired how matters were going on, and he replied, 'I -was determined there should be no 'itch, so I brought them up to the -scratch.'</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">SHORT SERVICE AND RESERVE<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> - - -<p>Among the numerous measures carried out by the late Lord Cardwell -during the period of his administration of the War Department, none has -exercised a wider or more beneficial influence than the introduction -of short service and reserve for the non-commissioned officers and men -of the army. Indeed, when we consider the results achieved, it seems -rather surprising that such a change had not been made long ago, not -only in the interests of the men, but also in the reserve of strength -which it gives to the country in the event of war.</p> - -<p>In considering the subject in its various bearings, both military and -financial, it will be desirable to refer shortly to the methods by -which we had endeavoured to maintain our forces in former days. During -the great wars in which this country was engaged at the end of the -last and in the earlier years of the present century, although the -arrangements for recruiting occasionally varied, the main principle -adopted was one of long service with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> high bounties on enlistment, and -small pensions on retirement. Yet, so difficult was it found to keep -the ranks complete, that debtors and even criminals were pardoned on -condition of serving abroad.<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> The cost was enormous. For instance, -in 1808 the levy and bounty money alone exceeded 40<i>l.</i> for each man, -before he had been trained or had done a day's service. This was -not only wasteful, but led to drunkenness and desertion<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a>; and, -notwithstanding its cost, the plan failed in providing sufficient -recruits, and the army at critical moments was lamentably behind the -numbers required. For instance, early in the Peninsular war it was -about 43,000<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> short of the desired establishment, and during the -Crimean war the deficiency was over 46,000.<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a></p> - -<p>The real fact was that the system of recruiting up to 1870 was, and -always had been, unpopular. The service was a very hard one. Regiments -were kept abroad for upwards of twenty years, often in tropical, -unhealthy climates; and of the thousands who enlisted yearly but few -ever returned, and even those were often prematurely aged and broken -down. It is no wonder that the poor people of the country looked upon -enlistment of their sons with dread, and as almost equivalent to a -sentence of banishment and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> of death. So great was the difficulty, -that between 1861 and 1869—although the men were then better paid, -fed, and clothed than in former years—the average number of recruits -obtained was only 12,546 per annum.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> In 1867 General Peel, the -Minister for War, said that 'the question now is whether the British -army should be allowed to collapse.' In that year another Royal -Commission was appointed to consider the subject, and in their report -said: 'The military history of this country, even up to the date of the -last great war in which we were engaged, shows that it has been our -practice during periods of peace to reduce our military establishments -to the lowest possible point.... No preparations for a state of war -were thought of; and the consequence has been that, when war occurred, -everything had to be done in a hurry at the most lavish expense.... -Men were enrolled and sent half-trained into the field, material -manufactured, transport provided, and accommodation for the sick and -wounded devised and organised.' They went on to say that 'wars will be -sudden in their commencement and short in their duration, and woe to -that country which is unprepared to defend itself.'</p> - -<p>The above remarks will probably be sufficient to demonstrate the -difficulty which the country had experienced over and over again, not -only in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> maintaining its forces in the field during a campaign, but -even in providing sufficient numbers for our garrisons at home and -abroad in time of peace. But whatever may have been the merits or -shortcomings of the arrangements up to 1870, one point, at all events, -was perfectly clear—that the army had no reserve. One or two feeble -efforts in that direction had been made, but had failed. When a great -war came upon us, the only resource was to try and stimulate recruiting -by lowering the physical standard and by raising the bounties, so -that often the campaign was over before the desired numbers had been -obtained.<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a></p> - -<p>The time, indeed, had fully come for a change of system. In March -1869, Mr. Cardwell, speaking in the House of Commons, indicated -his intention of abolishing the plan of long enlistments, and the -following year introduced the bill affirming the principle of short -service and reserve. What he said was 'that in time of peace the army -would feed the reserve, and in time of war the reserve would feed -the army.' Having confidence in the scheme, he boldly abolished the -old costly system of bounty on enlistment. The principle, when first -established, was tentative and optional, and naturally required time -before a correct opinion could be formed of its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> progress; indeed, it -is only within the last few years that the reserve has developed to -its normal figure. The change was much criticised at the time, and -it was confidently asserted that men would not care to engage for a -short period; and that even were they to do so, the reserves would -not be forthcoming if called out. No sooner, however, had the system -been adopted than its success year by year became apparent. Not only -did the numbers enlisting largely increase, but the proportion of -those selecting long service rapidly declined. Then again, although -the formation of a reserve was necessarily gradual, we have had two -proofs of its reliable nature; the men composing it having been called -out, first in 1878 under apprehension of war, and again partially in -1882 during the Egyptian campaign; and in both cases the percentage -of absentees was very small. I have already mentioned that during -the last years of the long service system the average annual number -of recruits was only 12,546, whereas in 1892 no less than 41,659 men -joined the army, and the reserve had in January 1894 reached the large -figure of 80,349. Before leaving the subject of reserves, it will be as -well to mention that Lord Cardwell, in 1870, also gave effect to the -Militia Act of 1867, by which a certain number of men of that force, -on receiving a small annual bounty, engage to join the regular army in -case of war. This reserve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> now amounts to 30,103, in addition to the -numbers just quoted.</p> - -<p>These facts are undeniable proofs, not only of the popularity of the -present arrangement, but also that the army can at once be largely -augmented in case of necessity by men thoroughly trained and in the -prime of life. There are, however, other satisfactory elements in -the present system. The old feeling that the man who enlisted was -virtually lost to his family is becoming a tradition of the past. In -former times, as I have said, but few returned, and even they were -often prematurely aged by long residence in unhealthy climates; whereas -nowadays the men who come back to civil life are, on an average, little -over twenty-six years old, and their numbers amount to more than -17,000 per annum, whilst their few years passed in the army have been -beneficial in giving them habits of discipline and obedience.</p> - -<p>From a financial point of view—which, it is needless to say, is -an important feature—the results are equally satisfactory. In the -first place, the enormous sums formerly spent in bounties and levy -money are now in a great measure saved. Then, again, the pension -list is decreasing. Had the old plan continued, with the army at its -present strength, the annual cost of pensions would have been nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> -3,000,000<i>l.</i> per annum. It will now gradually decrease to less than -one-third of that amount. By an actuarial<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> calculation it is -estimated that, taking all charges into consideration, the economy of -the present system over the old one will be a saving in the normal of -21·71 per cent. for Great Britain and of 47·2 for India. The above -statements are made, not as mere matters of opinion, but as facts -founded on official records and parliamentary reports; and afford -proofs that whilst military service is more popular, and our strength -and elasticity for war considerably greater than formerly, at the same -time the annual cost is much less. It may, perhaps, be said that the -army estimates are increasing; and my reply is that as the Empire is -expanding, it requires not only more men, but more numerous and costly -armaments for defence, than in the past.</p> - -<p>Even the results just quoted do not conclude the story. Several other -incidental advantages arise from the abandonment of long service, which -may be shortly alluded to. Many persons, for instance, appear to be -under the impression that a large proportion of the men now serving are -less efficient in point of age than formerly, but the evidence points -the other way.</p> - -<p>The following are the ages of the non-commis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>sioned officers and men -serving in January 1871 and 1894 respectively.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a></p> - -<p class="center"><i>Proportion per 1,000 men</i></p> - -<table summary="ages" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td> Year -</td> -<td>Under 20 -</td> -<td>Between 20 & 30 -</td> -<td>Over 30 -</td> -<td>Total -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>1871 -</td> -<td align="center">190 -</td> -<td align="center">490 -</td> -<td align="center">320 -</td> -<td align="center">1,000 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>1894 -</td> -<td align="center">170 -</td> -<td align="center">742 -</td> -<td align="center">88 -</td> -<td align="center">1,000 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - -<p>The above figures are somewhat remarkable, as showing that the number -of men of the most serviceable ages (that is, between 20 and 30) has -largely increased since the introduction of short service; and I -believe that experienced officers will concur with me that the army of -1894 is, in respect of age, superior to that of former days.</p> - -<p>Then, again, in the consideration of the foreign duties which devolve -on our forces, it is often urged that long service, at all events, -is best adapted to meet Indian requirements, on the two grounds that -young soldiers cannot stand tropical climates and that frequent reliefs -are costly. Neither of these views will bear the test of examination. -The report of the sanitary condition of the army in India said that -'upon the whole, early entry into India appears to be an advantage, -not only at first, but in after life.'<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> At a subsequent period, Sir -Ranald Martin stated that 'all statistical observations go to disprove -anything like acclimatisation in the East<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> Indies.' On the contrary, -he declares that 'disease and death increase with length of service -and age.' Dr. Brydon also said: 'The death-rate of 1871 shows that the -death-rate for the men above thirty has been consistently double that -of men below that age.'</p> - -<p>Lord Airey's Commission of 1880<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> quoted figures proving that the -proportion of deaths, and of invalids sent home, increases in a rapid -ratio with age. For instance, the number of deaths and invalids per -1,000 men on the average of ten years is—</p> - - -<table summary="invalids" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td>Deaths -</td> -<td>Invalids -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Under 25 years old -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td>16·06 -</td> -<td>25·84 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Over 35 and under 40 -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td>33·71 -</td> -<td>76·11 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>The above figures indicate that men should be sent to India young, and -not be kept there beyond a few years. If men, whose service in India -is prolonged, die twice as fast after thirty as they do when under -that age, it is evident that, as they must be replaced by drafts from -home, even from a financial point of view such a system is not to be -commended. So far from a short period not being adapted for India, -it is the only one which ought to be allowed, on grounds alike of -humanity, efficiency, and economy.</p> - -<p>There still remain a few other points, regarding the men serving in the -present day, which are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> worthy of notice. The effects of the Education -Act of 1870 have been very marked on the Army. For instance, the -proportion of men in the ranks of what is termed 'superior education' -was in 1861 74 per thousand, whereas in 1889 it had risen to 854.<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> -Again, as regards crime, in 1868<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> the proportion of courts-martial -per thousand was 144, whereas in 1892 it was only 54.</p> - -<p>Desertions also are steadily decreasing. In 1858<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> upwards of 20,000 -men disappeared. In 1874 the net loss from desertion per thousand was -20. In 1893 it was 12.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> Finally, there remains one more subject -regarding the men in the army on which I would say a few words, and -that is the marriage question. So long as a system of long service -prevailed, a married establishment of only 7 per cent. was recognised -by the Government. The virtual result was, that the great majority of -men serving year after year were not allowed to marry; and this state -of affairs was neither natural nor desirable, tending also to render -military service unpopular. Under the present system, as the great -majority of the men only remain for a few years in the ranks, they are -for the most part single, and on return to civil life can marry at -will.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> - -<p>The foregoing remarks will, I hope, be of some interest in indicating -the beneficial effect of the changes introduced as regards service in -the army by the late Lord Cardwell, when Minister for War in 1870. -The men who now enter the ranks are probably of much the same class -as formerly, but they serve under improved conditions; and whilst I -believe that they retain all the enterprise and courage of those who -preceded them, they are undoubtedly far better educated, and therefore -to some extent require more discrimination in their treatment than -formerly prevailed.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Clode's <i>Military Forces of the Crown</i>, vol. ii., pp. -25-60.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> <i>Commissions on Recruiting</i>, 1861, p. xiii., and 1867, p. -x.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> <i>Militia Report of 1877</i>, app. xvii., p. 546.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> <i>Commission on Recruiting</i>, 1867, p. 221.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> <i>Army Return for 1880.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> See <i>Commission on Recruiting</i>, 1861, p. iii.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> <i>Actuarial War Office Report</i>, January 1889.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> <i>Annual Army Returns</i>, 1880 and 1894.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> <i>Sanitary Condition of the Army in India</i>, 1863, p. xxxi.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> <i>Lord Airey's Committee of 1880</i>, p. 19.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> <i>Army Annual Returns</i>, 1881 and 1893.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> <i>Army Annual Returns</i>, 1880 and 1894.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> <i>Recruiting Commission of 1861</i>, p. iii.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> <i>Annual Army Return of 1894.</i></p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a></h2> - -<p class="center">LOCALISATION AND COUNTY REGIMENTS.—INTERVIEW WITH THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON -III.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> - - -<p>Another important measure introduced during the administration of the -late Lord Cardwell was that of localisation. In the old days, when -the infantry regiments were scattered all over the world, and for the -most part consisted of single battalions, it had been the custom, on -their proceeding abroad, to leave behind a small depot, which was -constantly moved about in the United Kingdom and obtained recruits -as best it could, without regard to local ties or associations; so -that, although many of the older regiments bore county titles, which -had been given them so long ago as 1782 by King George the Third, in -reality men of the various counties and nationalities served together -indiscriminately. Field Marshal Conway, who was Commander-in-Chief at -the time in question, specially stated that the object of the King was -'to create a mutual attachment between the county and the regiment, -which may at all times be useful towards recruiting.'</p> - - - -<p>The scheme, however, for all practical purposes had no force or reality<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> -until 1871. Lord Cardwell first of all established fixed depots in -the counties, each representing two battalions; and thus not only -engendered local ties, but also brought the regular army into permanent -association with the militia and volunteers. In his speech in the House -of Commons in February 1871 he emphasised the desirability of combining -our military institutions. He said: 'There is the standing army, with -its historical association and glorious memories, and having a larger -amount of foreign service than any other army in the world; there -is the militia, whose theory is conscription, but whose practice is -voluntary enlistment; and then there are the volunteers, who have most -of the attributes of military life, and all the independence of the -most perfect civil freedom. To combine these different institutions in -one complete whole is, as I believe, the desire of the House of Commons -and of the English nation.' He quoted Mr. Pitt, who in 1803 spoke -as follows: 'I am of opinion that to a regular army alone, however -superior, however excellent, we ought not solely to trust; but that in -a moment so eventful we ought to super-add to the regular army some -permanent system of national defence.... The army must be the rallying -point; the army must furnish example, must furnish instruction, must -give us the principles on which that national system<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> of defence must -be formed; and by which the voluntary forces of this country, though in -a military view inferior to a regular army, would, fighting on their -own soil, for everything dear to individuals and important to a State, -be invincible.'</p> - -<p>These quotations will, I think, give a general idea of the views -which were uppermost in the mind of the Minister for War when he gave -vitality to the principle of localisation. The change, like many -others, was criticised and somewhat retarded, and was not brought into -full maturity until several years afterwards. In 1877 a committee on -the militia, of which Colonel Stanley<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> was chairman, however, gave -the subject a fresh impetus. In their report they spoke strongly of -the advantage of unity between the line and the militia, and said: 'We -have no hesitation in replying that they should be constituent parts -of one body.... We consider that this is best to be effected by their -being treated as one regiment, such regiment bearing a territorial -designation; the line battalions being the first and second, the -militia the third and fourth, of such territorial regiment, the depot -being common to all.' There was still hesitation and delay, but on -Mr. Childers becoming Minister for War in 1880 the recommendations of -Colonel Stanley's committee were adopted, and are now in full force; -and the beneficial results are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> becoming more apparent year by year. -For instance, General Sir Edward Bulwer, in his report on recruiting -in 1887,<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> stated 'that the number of men in infantry regiments, who -were born in the district to which the regiment belongs, increases -every year.' He also mentions, that upwards of 14,000 militiamen -transferred their service to the regular army in the preceding twelve -months. The most recent Committee on Army Service, that of Lord Wantage -of 1892, speaks plainly on the subject. It says 'the evidence as to the -value of the territorial connection is overwhelming;' and added, that -the double battalion system is the most economical and best machinery -for furnishing foreign drafts and reliefs.<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a></p> - -<p>I might go on to allude to other measures connected with the army and -its administration which were introduced by Lord Cardwell—to the -vigour and influence which he imparted to the Intelligence Department, -to the doubling the Field Artillery at home, to the rank of field -officer given to captains of batteries, and so on—but it is perhaps -hardly necessary. Lord Cardwell did not live to witness the results of -some of his measures; but there was hardly a branch of the army which -did not feel the benefit of his wise and far-seeing administration.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a></p> - -<p>In May 1872 I had an interesting interview with the late Emperor -Napoleon III. at Chislehurst, only a few months before his death. -During his career, he had always shown great interest in artillery -questions, and had published works on the subject.<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> In May he -expressed a wish to see me, being desirous of discussing a plan for -checking the recoil of guns, by means of water compressed within the -bore. The nature of his proposal is contained in the following letter.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/sketch.jpg" alt="sketch" /> -<a id="sketch" name="sketch"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption">Copy of Sketch by Napoleon III.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p> - -Camden Place, Chislehurst: Mai 1872.<br /> -</p> - -<p>'Mon cher Général,—Il y aurait une expérience d'artillerie, assez -intéressant é faire, et qui, si elle réussissait, pourrait diminuer -le recul des grosses bouches é feu. Il s'agirait comme dans le dessin -cijoint de prendre un ancien canon, de forer au point <span class="smcap">A</span> un trou -d'un certain diamètre, de forer é un point <span class="smcap">B</span> une lumière -pour mettre le feu. La partie O près<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> de la culasse serait remplie -d'eau. On mettrait auparavant é <span class="smcap">K</span> une rondelle é gutta-perka -pour séparer la poudre de l'eau, et en chargeant le canon comme é -l'ordinaire.</p> - -<p>'En mettant le feu, é la charge, l'eau jaillirait en dehors par -l'orifice <span class="smcap">A</span>, et la force employée pour rejeter l'eau en -dehors du canon diminuerait d'autant le recul. Je ne prétends pas -que ce système soit très pratique, mais il serait néanmoins assez -intéressant de l'essayer. Je vous confie cette idée pour que vous -en fassiez l'usage que vous croirez convenable. Je vous renouvelle, -Général, l'assurance de mes sentiments d'amitié.</p> - -<p style="margin-left:55%;"> -'<span class="smcap">Napoléon.</span> -</p> - -<p>'La question serait de savoir quelle est la quantité d'eau qu'il -faudrait introduire dans le canon, et quel diamètre il faudrait donner -é l'orifice.'</p></blockquote> - -<p>During the interview, which lasted about half-an-hour, we were quite -alone; and he made some pen-and-ink sketches, which he gave me, to -illustrate his views. The proposal was ingenious, although it would -probably be difficult to apply it in the field.</p> - -<p>The Emperor also referred shortly to one or two incidents of the great -war of 1870, especially as to the employment of mitrailleurs; and I -ventured to point out that, although of use against savage races, -they had not, in my opinion, much future in a cam<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>paign against a -modern army; as, although efficacious for short distances, they were -of limited range and power, having neither shattering nor incendiary -force, as compared to artillery, whilst they would add considerably to -the impedimenta of troops in the field. I was particularly struck by -the quiet unimpassioned way in which he alluded to the past; and he -certainly appeared to bear his great reverses with fortitude and calm -resignation. When the interview ended, I left with him at his request, -a small pamphlet on rifled ordnance; and on returning it he sent me the -following note:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p> - -Camden Place, Chislehurst: le 8 Mai, 1872.<br /> -</p> - -<p>'Je vous renvoie, Général, avec mes remercîments, la brochure que vous -avez bien voulu me prêter, et je vous prie de recevoir l'assurance de -mes sentiments distingués.</p> - -<p style="margin-left:55%;"> -<span class="smcap">Napoléon.</span>'<br /> -</p> - -<p> -Monsieur le Général Adye, Woolwich.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>Subsequently, Her Majesty the Empress Eugénie was kind enough to -present me with the Emperor's work, 'Organisation Militaire,' dated -'Wilhelmshoehe, 1871,' with her name inscribed upon it.</p> - -<p>It so happened that a few months before seeing the Emperor Napoleon I -had had an opportunity of discussing the subject of mitrailleurs with -General von Blumenthal, who had been chief of the staff to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> the Crown -Prince of Germany during the war; and his views agreed with those I -have just expressed. He said that the German soldiers at the outset -were considerably impressed with the numerous batteries of mitrailleurs -with which the French began the campaign of 1870; but they soon found -out that their range was limited, and that by concentrating the distant -fire of field guns upon them the mitrailleurs could not hold their -ground, but were driven off the field. Prince Frederick Charles said -'that for near ranges he would rather have ten good riflemen; for far -ranges a field gun.'</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> Now Earl of Derby.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> <i>Report of Inspector-General of Recruiting</i>, 1887.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> <i>Report of Lord Wantage's Committee</i>, pp. 11 and 18.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> An important reform carried out by Lord Cardwell was that -of the abolition of purchase; but I do not propose to enter into the -question, as it had been virtually decided before I entered the War -Office.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> One of his works is entitled <i>A New System of Field -Artillery</i>, by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, 1854.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</a></h2> - -<p class="center">VISIT TO THE CRIMEA WITH CHARLES GORDON. REPORT ON THE CEMETERIES<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> - - -<p>In the autumn of 1872 I was sent by the Government to the Crimea, -to report on the condition of the British cemeteries and monuments, -and also as to their restoration and care for the future. Colonel -Charles Gordon (of Khartoum), an old friend of mine, was associated -with me in the work. He was at that time a member of the International -Commission for improving the navigation at the mouth of the Danube. -Travelling rapidly through Europe, I met him at Galatz at the end of -August; and we embarked on board H.M.S. 'Antelope,' which had been -sent from Constantinople to convey us across the Black Sea. Gordon's -views about the work of the Danube Commission were, as usual, rather -peculiar. He explained to me that, as the river had been adequately -dredged and buoyed, and as the lighthouse at its mouth was completed, -there was really nothing more to do; and that the Commission was -practically useless. As I understood, he had written to the Foreign -Office to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> that effect, adding also that his salary was too large. In -the ordinary concerns of life he was actuated by one principle which -is rare—namely, a contempt for the accumulation of money. In fact, -he gave it away almost as fast as he received it. His experience in -Eastern countries, also, had given him a distrust of pashas and men in -high places; and all his sympathies were for the poor and friendless. -Soon after our visit to the Crimea he was appointed Governor-General -of the Soudan, and it is said that at an interview with Ismail Pasha -before starting for Khartoum he objected to the large amount of his -salary, as being more than necessary; and when he left, the Khedive -remarked: 'What an extraordinary Englishman! He doesn't want money!'</p> - -<p>On leaving Galatz, we went first of all to Odessa, to call on General -Kotzebue, the Governor-General of Southern Russia, who, however, was -unfortunately absent; but we had an opportunity of meeting, and of -receiving assistance from him later on. Indeed, during the whole of our -visit to the Crimea, every attention was paid to us by the authorities; -and two Russian officers were specially detailed to accompany and -assist us in our investigations. We arrived at Sebastopol on August 29, -and found the city in ruins, and almost exactly in the same condition -as when the allied armies had left it seventeen years before. The -churches, barracks, theatres, and store-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>houses were all roofless; and -the Malakoff, Redan, and other defences mere crumbling earthworks. All -was so quiet and still, and such a contrast to the stirring times of -the years gone by, in the hardships and vicissitudes of which Gordon -and myself had shared. We seemed to know every inch of the ground, and -for many days wandered about, taking notes of the various cemeteries, -great and small, scattered over the country.</p> - -<p>Although comparatively few officers and men remain of all those -who took part in the great Crimean war of forty years ago, its -reminiscences will still, no doubt, be of interest to many in the -present day; and I will therefore quote some extracts from the report -made by Gordon and myself on our return home:<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> 'From the day of -our arrival until September 9, we were engaged many hours each day -in making a careful inspection of every cemetery and memorial of the -British Army in the vicinity of Sebastopol.' 'It will be remembered -that after the battle of the Alma the Allies marched on Sebastopol, -and in consequence of their long detention before that city the great -body of the British Army did not move again during the war, but -remained encamped on the plateau on the south side; consequently, -with the exception of a few monuments at the Alma and at Kertch, the -whole of the cemeteries,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> one hundred and thirty in number, are to -be found on the ground which extends from Sebastopol to Balaclava, -and from Kamiesch to the Tchernaya.' 'The cemeteries vary much both -in their position and size. Some are in the rocky ravines leading -down to the trenches, whilst others are on the hills and downs which -surround Balaclava. Some lie in the sheltered valleys about Kadikoi and -Karani; but by far the greater number extend along the bare plateau in -front of the city, upon which the army so long remained encamped; and -pre-eminent among them is that on Cathcart's Hill, distinguished alike -by its commanding central position and by the numerous monuments it -contains, many of them to officers of high rank and distinction.'<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a></p> - -<p>'The cemeteries also differ considerably in the number of graves -and monuments which they relatively contain. Some are large, with -hundreds of graves, and many inscribed tablets and crosses; others -in isolated spots with only a few. A considerable number contain no -monuments whatever. The majority are those to officers; but there -are also many to soldiers, and a few to women, nurses, or the wives -of soldiers.' 'A small proportion of the monuments have been erected -since the termination of the war.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> Some are of marble, but as a rule -they are of the soft stone found upon the spot. They were for the -most part hurriedly erected toward the end of the campaign, often by -unskilful hands, without sufficient foundations, and with slightly -cut inscriptions. Originally there were also a considerable number of -wooden crosses. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that, -exposed to the vicissitudes of climate, especially to the rigour of -Crimean winters, a large number of them have perished, and almost -all of those remaining show signs of weather and decay.' 'The walls -which enclose the cemeteries were in the first instance roughly built, -without mortar or foundations, and of the loose uncut stones in the -neighbourhood. Time and weather have led to their rapid decay, and -the shepherds have occasionally hastened the destruction by making -entrances for their flocks.' 'We endeavoured to visit every cemetery -and memorial of which we could find a record; the total number in the -neighbourhood of Sebastopol and Balaclava amounting to 130.<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> The -farm-house which was so long the head-quarters of the British Army is -well cared for, and in good preservation; and in the room in which Lord -Raglan died a marble slab has been inserted in the wall, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> the -following inscription: "In this room died Field-Marshal Lord Raglan, -G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in the Crimea, June 28, -1855."'</p> - -<p>'The circumstances of the French Army were very similar to our own, and -they had numerous cemeteries widely dispersed from Kamiesch to Baidar. -Feeling the inconvenience and difficulty as regards their care and -preservation which have so long perplexed ourselves, they determined to -disinter the remains of their officers and men, and to remove them to -one central spot near the former French head-quarters. This arrangement -was carried out in 1863, each cemetery being denuded of its dead, and -then abandoned. About 28,000 bodies are said to have been removed; -those of the officers having been as far as possible identified.' ...</p> - -<p>'Although a course similar to that followed by the French has been from -time to time advocated, with regard to the remains of our officers and -men, it does not appear to Colonel Gordon and myself that any general -disinterment or removal is necessary or even desirable. Independently -of the difficulty, it might almost be called impossibility, after -the lapse of so many years, of collecting the remains or of in any -way identifying them, we believe that it would be repugnant to the -feelings of the Army and of the British public generally that any such -plan should be attempted. Our officers and men were buried by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> their -comrades on the ground where they fell; the whole scene is sacred and -historical; and the remains of the dead should not be disturbed. As -regards the cemeteries generally, our view is that those which contain -no monuments should be covered with mounds of earth and turf, and that -the ruined walls should be removed.' ... 'We are of opinion that the -larger cemeteries, which contain numerous mementoes and tombstones, -should be preserved, a substantial wall being built round them, and -that all monuments, tablets, and crosses should be repaired and -the inscriptions renewed. The three memorial obelisks at Inkerman, -Balaclava, and the Redan, should be protected by a good wall, with a -substantial railing....'</p> - -<p>These extracts will probably suffice as a general view of the condition -of the British cemeteries in the Crimea at the time of our visit, and -of the proposals for their restoration, which were subsequently adopted -and carried out by the Government. The cost was estimated at 5,000<i>l.</i></p> - -<p>Leaving Sebastopol in the 'Antelope,' we called at Yalta, and had an -interview with General Kotzebue, who was much interested in our work, -and anxious that the British memorials should be respected, at the -same time pointing out the difficulty of adequately guarding so large -a number. The late Empress of Russia was at the time residing at the -Palace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> of Livadia at Yalta, and sent us a kind message, regretting her -inability owing to illness to receive us, and wishing us <i>bon voyage</i>. -Having paid a short visit to Kertch and Yenikale, at the entrance -of the Sea of Azoff, we then returned to Constantinople, and were -immediately, for some inscrutable reason, placed in quarantine for a -week, although we were all perfectly well.</p> - -<p>As soon as we were free, the British Ambassador, Sir Henry Elliot, -kindly received us for a few days at his palace at Therapia, on the -Bosphorus; and at his request, I paid a visit, accompanied by an -interpreter, to the Grand Vizier, Midhat Pasha, who was anxious to -discuss the Turkish armaments and defences. I had previously inspected -the arsenal and manufacturing departments; and frankly told him that -they were in considerable confusion, and that a great deal of money had -apparently been wasted in the purchase of second-rate half-obsolete -material, partly on the Continent and partly in America; and that, in -view of the rapid advances in the science of artillery, and in small -arms, I advised prudence and economy. He listened attentively, and -his reply was 'Pekki,' which I found meant approbation (literally, -'Very good'); and went on to say, that the lavish expenditure had -been incurred by his predecessors, but that he would be careful. He -then alluded to the defence of Con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>stantinople against naval attack; -and I pointed out that, considering the comparative narrowness of the -Bosphorus, it offered great facilities for the employment of ground -torpedoes. Midhat Pasha was apparently ignorant on the subject, so -I explained as lucidly as possible that a torpedo was a case of -gunpowder, which, placed at the bottom of the channel, could be -exploded by electricity as the enemy's vessel passed over it; and that -such defence was simple, efficient, and cheap. This gave him much -satisfaction, and he replied, 'Pekki, Pekki,' with great fervour. I -heard afterwards that he had been pleased with the interview, and -especially with my economical views. He had, however, no opportunity of -acting on them, having been dismissed from office almost immediately -afterwards.</p> - -<p>Having taken leave of Gordon, who returned to his improvements on -the Danube, I then proceeded to Smyrna, where a few British tombs -and memorials of the war existed; and on my arrival called on the -British Consul, who lived in a charming house overlooking the bay. On -expressing my admiration of his residence, the Consul's wife explained -that there was a difficulty in keeping it in order, on account of -incessant earthquakes; although lately they had been more free from -them. Hardly had I returned to the hotel than I heard a rumbling noise. -Then the whole house commenced rocking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> violently to and fro, and it -became evident that the overdue earthquake had arrived. Fortunately not -much damage was done.</p> - -<p>During my stay at Smyrna I paid a visit to Ephesus, meeting Mr. Wood, -who had been sent out by the authorities of the British Museum, and -was excavating the recently discovered ruins of the temple of Diana. -My duties, however, required me to return home; and travelling through -France, I took an opportunity, when at Paris, of sketching ruins of -a very different character—those of the Tuileries, on which were -inscribed in large letters, 'Liberté—Egalité—Fraternité.'</p> - -<p>On arriving in England I was invited by Mr. Lowe, the Chancellor of -the Exchequer, to call in Downing Street to discuss the purport of my -report. The conversation began by his inquiring, somewhat abruptly, -whether I considered it one of the duties of the British Government to -keep in repair the cemeteries and monuments of the Army in all parts -of the world. My reply was that I had never considered so wide and -interesting a question, but had limited myself simply to those in the -Crimea. He at once said, that the report was sensible enough, involved -no great expenditure, and should be carried out; and so we amicably -left the main problem unsolved.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/ruins.jpg" alt="ruins" /> -<a id="ruins" name="ruins"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption">Illustration: RUINS OF THE TUILERIES, NOVEMBER 1872<br /> - -<small><i>Liberté—Egalité—Fraternité</i></small></p> - -<p>Subsequently I sent a few copies of the report<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> and some photographs -to those who had assisted us at Sebastopol; and one of the Russian -officers sent me a reply, which, although not altogether perfect in its -English, is very friendly in its tone: 'My General,—I have the honour -to accept your lovely letter, with the photographie of mitrailleuse, -and I your transport my deep thanksgiving. I observe of your letter, -that you forget not Sebastopol and cemetery, who to ask by repair. Your -report of British Cemetery I have forward of General Kotzebue, and if -you possess one copy, take my,' &c.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> <i>Report on the Crimean Cemeteries</i>, December 1872.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> We found no less than 122 graves of English officers -on Cathcart's Hill, including those of Generals Sir George Cathcart, -Fox-Strangways, Goldie, and Sir John Campbell.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> To those persons who had relations or friends buried -during the Crimean war, it may be interesting to know that, in the -report of 1872 details are given of all the names found on the various -tombstones.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</a></h2> - -<p class="center">RIFLED ORDNANCE AND NAVAL AND MILITARY RESERVES—APPOINTED GOVERNOR, -ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY—THE BRITISH ARMY IN 1875<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> - - -<p>One of the most important and interesting subjects connected with the -Navy and Army of late years, and with the changes in which I was at -one time much associated, is that of the gradual advance of modern -armaments, not only in size, but in range, power, and accuracy. Until -forty years ago the science of artillery had practically remained -stagnant ever since the time of the Tudors. Indeed, it may be said that -the guns used during the Crimean War, although less cumbersome, were in -all essential particulars much of the same type as those of the days -of Queen Elizabeth. The introduction, however, of rifled small-arms, -and of armour-plating for vessels of war, indicated the necessity -of improved ordnance; and what may almost be termed a revolution -commenced, which has had many vicissitudes, and even now has hardly -reached its final solution.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was in 1854 that Lord Armstrong first took up the subject, of which -he has ever since been acknowledged as one of the chief authorities. He -has also rendered good service in the establishment of a manufacturing -arsenal at Elswick, which, in the event of a great war, would become of -national advantage. The first rifled breech-loading guns of his pattern -were adopted in 1859, and gave results in range and accuracy far beyond -anything that had hitherto been achieved. They were followed by the -introduction of others of a larger calibre; and so enthusiastic were -the navy and artillery, that many of our vessels of war and fortresses -were speedily supplied with them. Between 1859 and 1862, two millions -and a half sterling were expended on new armaments.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding their great success and superiority, however, they -developed considerable defects in regard to breech mechanism; and -numerous accidents occurred both by sea and land, due in a measure to -want of skill in their handling. It became evident from experience -in the war in China in 1860, and in Japan in 1862-3, that they were -somewhat delicate weapons.<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a></p> - -<p>In 1863 the Armstrong and Whitworth competition took place, in which -both firms were represented on the committee; and after lengthened -trials<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> they reported<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> in 1865 that the breech-loading system was -inferior for purposes of war to that of muzzle-loading, and was more -expensive. Other experiments followed, leading to a similar conclusion, -and as a consequence the latter was adopted, and continued in force -for many years; the guns rising rapidly in size and in weight from -five up to one hundred tons. In 1867 a committee of thirteen artillery -officers, under the late Field-Marshal Sir Richard Dacres, inquired -into the subject as regards field guns, and reported unanimously in -favour of muzzle-loaders. In 1868 the Admiralty were asked whether they -wished the subject re-opened as regards naval guns, but they declined.</p> - -<p>Having served in India from 1857 to 1866, I had, of course, no -practical knowledge of the earlier stages of this difficult and -much-debated subject; but on becoming Director of Artillery in 1870, -I found that the two services were in practical unanimity as to the -advantages of the rifled muzzle-loading system—that it was simpler, -better adapted for war, and cheaper than the other. In 1871 the -Admiralty were again consulted on the question, but with the same -result as before. In that year, a German 9-pounder breech-loading field -gun was obtained for comparison with our own; and after a long series -of trials the committee re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>ported that the English gun was superior, -not only in simplicity, but in range and power, and in rapidity of -fire.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> It was also known that during the great war of 1870 upwards -of two hundred German guns had become unserviceable. All experience, -therefore, appeared at the time to point in one direction; but a change -gradually arose, the causes of which were partly scientific, partly -mechanical.</p> - -<p>Whilst the attention of experts was engaged in the effort to produce -the best gun, it ultimately proved that the real solution rested not -so much with the weapon as with the motive power which gives life and -force to the projectile. The question of gunpowder had until about -1870 remained much in the same stagnant, neglected condition as that -of ordnance. Long and careful researches were, however, carried out -at that time, chiefly by Sir Andrew Noble and Sir Frederick Abel, -which led to the introduction of a comparatively mild and slow-burning -explosive, and finally determined the system of gun-construction. -In the first place, owing to its gradual combustion, the excessive -strain on the breech mechanism was much diminished; and further, as -an improved system of closing had been adopted, the difficulties, -and the accidents at critical moments, which had been so perplexing, -were in a great measure at an end. That was one important result;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> -but there was a second. As the explosion was no longer instantaneous, -but comparatively gradual, it followed that larger charges could be -employed, and in order to utilise them greater length of bore became -necessary, as, within limits, the longer the gun the greater the -initial velocity and consequent range and power.</p> - -<p>These altered conditions were manifestly both in favour of -breech-loading, not so much as a matter of principle, but of -convenience. Sir Andrew Noble, in writing to me on the subject in -1875, said: 'As regards the effects to be produced from a gun, -precisely the same results can be attained, whether it be made in the -form of a muzzle or a breech-loader. There is no magic, as many seem -to imagine, in one form or the other.... As regards convenience in -using, there may be, and undoubtedly are, differences.' Between 1875 -and 1880 experiments were somewhat slowly carried out, with a view to -re-introducing breech-loading. Having been appointed Surveyor-General -of the Ordnance in the latter year, I advised that the experiments -should be pushed on vigorously, and on a larger scale. The adoption of -steel, to the exclusion of wrought iron, in the construction of guns, -was another important change about to take place; and, with a view to -a full consideration of these great questions, Mr. Childers in 1881 -re-established a permanent Ordnance Com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>mittee, which for some reason -had been abolished in 1867. The main principles thus established, the -naval and military armaments have since proceeded uninterruptedly. Many -improvements, especially as regards quick firing, have recently been -introduced; and we have every reason to believe that they are fully -equal in all respects to those of any other nation.</p> - -<p>That this subject has been a difficult and an anxious one is evident. -Lord Armstrong, in his address to the Civil Engineers in 1882, said: -'All breech-loading mechanism is of a nature to require very accurate -fittings, and require care both in use and for preservation.' Again, in -a work published as late as 1893 by Commander Lloyd, R.N., and Mr. A. -Hadcock, late R.A., of the Elswick establishment, they say 'that it has -taken all the ingenuity, backed by all the mechanical resources of the -present day, to obtain a satisfactory breech-loading arrangement.'<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> -The whole question is extremely technical; but I have endeavoured to -give an outline of its broad characteristics; and it is evident that -the consideration of so vital a question requires a permanent committee -of naval and artillery officers, and of scientific civil engineers; we -may then feel confidence that the requirements of the two services will -be adequately dealt with.</p> - - - -<p>Even the placid and scientific temperament of an Ordnance Committee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> -may, however, occasionally be subject to a severe strain. Many years -ago, a proposal was submitted by some inventor that a small gun, -strapped broadside across a horse's back, and fired from that position, -would be useful, especially in mountain campaigns. The experiment was -made in the Arsenal at Woolwich, the horse's head being tied to a -post, with the muzzle of the gun pointed to an old earthen butt; the -Committee standing on the other side of the horse to watch the result. -The gun was loaded, and, in order to give time, a slow-burning fuse was -used to fire it. The Committee, however, in tying the animal's head, -had omitted to take the precaution of also making fast its tail. The -first result was that, when the horse heard the fizzing of the fuse -on its back, it became uneasy and walked round the post, so that the -gun, instead of pointing at the butt, was thus directed straight at -the heads of the Committee. Not a moment was to be lost; down went the -chairman and members, lying flat and low on their stomachs. The gun -went off; the shot passed over the town of Woolwich, and fell in the -Dockyard; the horse being found lying on its back several yards away. -The Committee were fortunately unhurt, and gradually recovered their -equilibrium, but reported unanimously against any further trial.</p> - - - -<p><i>Armaments and Reserves.</i>—Amongst the many subjects which constantly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> -occupy the attention of the War Department is the provision of adequate -reserves of armaments, small arms, gunpowder, accoutrements, camp -equipage, harness, clothing, and the numerous Engineer, medical, and -commissariat stores which have to be maintained in readiness for war, -not only in the United Kingdom, but at our stations in various parts of -the world. The great majority of these reserves are required for both -the fighting services; and until recently have been provided and cared -for by the War Office, acting in co-operation with the Admiralty. The -subject is not only complex, but very little is known by the public -as to its administration and cost. Formerly, the provision of these -costly armaments and stores rested with the Ordnance Department; and, -as the successive Master Generals were men of the highest distinction -and experience in war, the country had a guarantee that the national -requirements would be duly considered and maintained. As the Duke of -Wellington wrote in 1843, 'the Ordnance Department and the office of -Master General is constituted for the service of the Navy as well as -that of the Army.'</p> - -<p>It is not necessary, nor indeed would it be proper, to give details -of the amount of these various reserves, which, of course, have been -modified and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> increased from time to time according to circumstances. -It may be sufficient to say that in 1858<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> their value was reckoned -as being upwards of eleven millions sterling; and since that date has -undoubtedly risen, partly from the increased cost of modern armaments -and appliances, and partly from the additional requirements of our -enlarged empire.</p> - -<p>It is sometimes asserted that, owing to financial pressure, or to false -ideas of economy, the maintenance of these essential requisites for -defence is apt to be starved and neglected. My experience does not -confirm this view. Having served at the War Office for years, under -three Ministers of War, statesmen of divergent political views, I have -found them all of one mind as to the necessary provision year by year -of sufficient funds for the purpose. Naturally and properly they looked -into the details. The estimates are presented to Parliament annually, -and no reluctance is shown to vote the requisite supplies. Indeed, -there are many influences in the House of Commons which rather tend the -other way—that is, to extravagance.</p> - -<p>An unfortunate change, however, was made a few years ago—namely, in -the separation of the naval and military reserves at home and abroad; -and duplicate establishments, store-houses, and staff, now exist, -which are leading to increased cost, some loss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> of efficiency, and -eventually to diversity of patterns. As a great naval, military, and -colonial Power, with fleets, fortresses, and depôts all over the world, -it seems apparent that, both in regard to efficiency and economy, -unity of system is essential. Not only the great Duke of Wellington, -but successive Master Generals of Ordnance, concurred in this view, -and agreed that the Ordnance was an efficient department of the -State,<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> and should hold the reserves of both services. According to -my judgment, we should revert at once to the former arrangements, and -indeed, should war unfortunately arise, we should in all probability be -compelled to do so.</p> - -<p>Having been appointed Governor of the Royal Military Academy at -Woolwich in July 1875, I left the War Office, and did so with -much regret. Although, as I have tried to explain, its system of -administration is not altogether adapted to meet the requirements -of parliamentary government, and although in some respects the Navy -and Army are not in such close association as seems desirable, still -these defects are capable of remedy, and, at all events, are in no way -attributable to the chiefs of the various departments, military and -civil, of the War Office, who are men of the highest character and -experience,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> and who carry out very difficult duties with loyalty and -success, even under a somewhat imperfect system.</p> - -<p>During my five years of office as Director of Artillery, the following -sovereigns and foreign princes visited the manufacturing departments -of the Arsenal: the late Emperor Alexander II. of Russia—the late -Emperor Napoleon III.—the late Emperor of Brazil—the late Grand Duke -Constantine of Russia—the late Comte de Paris—and the Shah of Persia.</p> - -<p>Some years after the inspection of the Arsenal by the Shah he paid -a second visit to England, in 1889, and I had then an interesting -interview with him at Lord Armstrong's in Northumberland. Having -heard that I had served in India, the Shah came up during the evening -and alluded to our position on the North-West Frontier. It must be -understood that the conversation was entirely through a Persian -interpreter, the Shah knowing only a few English words. He discussed -the subject in a very sensible manner, and said we should avoid -entering into war with the Afghans, and should endeavour to keep on -terms of friendship with the Ameer at Cabul; to which I cordially -assented.</p> - -<p>Looking about the room, and seeing a general officer at some distance, -he inquired: 'Who is that great man in a red coat?' I replied that it -was Sir Edward Blackett, High Sheriff of the county. Perhaps that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> did -not convey much to his mind, so I said to the interpreter: 'Tell the -Shah that five and thirty years ago, Sir Edward was in the Crimean war, -and one day a shot came and took off his leg.' The Shah threw up his -hands and was much impressed, but presently the interpreter said that -his Majesty couldn't understand it, as he had two legs now. 'That is -quite correct,' I observed; 'but tell the Shah that one of them is made -of wood.' His Majesty said at once: 'I must go and talk to that great -man.' He went up to Sir Edward, and remarked: 'You lost your leg in the -Crimea?' to which Blackett assented. 'Ah,' says the Shah, 'I remember. -It was in the same battle that Lord Raglan lost his arm!'</p> - -<p>The late Emperor of Brazil also paid a second visit to England, after -he was dethroned, and on one occasion was shown a wheel by Lord -Armstrong, which by some scientific arrangement made rapid revolutions, -and he remarked: 'How very interesting. Its revolutions appear to me to -be quicker even than those in South America.'</p> - -<p>The record of the Royal Military Academy during my period of command -was like that of a nation without a history. As the Governor has been -invested of late years with adequate power, and is assisted by a -competent staff, civil and military, he has only himself to blame if -its administration is not successful. The two hundred gentlemen cadets, -youths just rising<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> to manhood, no doubt require tact and discretion -in those having authority over them; but if they are treated with -confidence and kindness, we may feel assured that no real difficulties -will arise. Indeed, during my period of office, speaking generally, -the conduct of the cadets was admirable throughout; and it is a -gratification to me to know that many of those who were then at the -institution are now becoming distinguished as officers of Artillery -and Engineers. As regards education, the cadets, in my opinion, have -too many subjects imposed upon them during their two years' residence -at Woolwich. In addition to following up their previous studies -in mathematics, French, and German, they have to learn artillery, -fortification, military surveying, landscape drawing, chemistry, -military history, riding, gymnastics, and drills of all kinds. There -is, however, another point, not due to any defect in the regulations, -which injuriously affects candidates for the military colleges—namely, -the apathy of many of the great public schools, in not teaching the -boys who may desire to follow a military career the subjects which are -held to be essential to the profession. The result is that a large -proportion of those who go up for the competitive examinations are -compelled to leave the colleges at a critical period, and to be hastily -educated by special teachers. Unjust criticisms are often made on -what are commonly called the 'cram<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>mers,' whilst the real fault lies -elsewhere; and if those in authority at the public schools would take -more pains to have the boys educated for the profession in which they -are ultimately to serve, the army and other branches of the public -service would reap the benefit.</p> - -<p>During the year 1875, the late Mr. John Holms, then member of -Parliament for Hackney, constituted himself a vigorous critic of the -army reforms which had been instituted by Lord Cardwell, and also -put forward a distinct plan of his own of military organisation. His -view was that we should maintain three separate armies—one for home, -a second for the Colonies, and a third for India—all recruited and -organised on different systems. It is not necessary now to discuss -these proposals; but as his criticisms at the time attracted some -attention, I was asked by Lord Cardwell in 1876 to publish a short -reply; and as soon as it was ready he gave me a letter of introduction -to the late Mr. John Murray, the well-known publisher of Albemarle -Street, with a view to his bringing it out. When Mr. Murray had read -Lord Cardwell's note, he turned to me and said: 'So you wish to publish -a pamphlet—why, an archangel wouldn't read a pamphlet!' My reply was -that we were not thinking so much at the present moment of archangels, -as of members of Parliament and others, who were of quite a different -class. The argument<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> was so conclusive that he published the article -in the course of a few days, and it may, perhaps, to some extent have -accomplished the intended object.<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> At all events, I received many -letters of approval of its contents, and amongst others, the following -from my old friend the late Lord Airey, who had been Governor of -Gibraltar:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p style="margin-left:55%"> -'Lowndes Square, March 1876.<br /> -</p> - -<p>'My dear Adye,—You were so kind as to send me and ask me to read -your reply to Mr. Holms. When I was at Gibraltar, Drummond Hay, our -Minister at the Court of Morocco, sent me over the Grand Vizier and -the Commander-in-Chief of the Moorish Army.</p> - -<p>'They were solemn, silent, but not unobservant parties. Amongst other -things, I showed them some long-range seaward artillery practice. When -they saw the little flag shot down two or three times, they turned to -me, and simply said, "The Spaniards may go to bed!" I think Mr. Holms -may go to bed.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left:45%;">'Yours truly, my dear Adye,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left:55%;">'<span class="smcap">Richard Airey</span>.'</span> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>I also received the following letter from Mr. Gladstone:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p style="margin-left:45%;"> - -'September 1876.<br /> -</p> - -<p>'Dear Sir John Adye,—Amidst a great pressure and many interruptions, -I have been able to gather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> very interesting information from your -valuable pamphlet. For the last three years my attention to current -public questions has been much relaxed, while the work of dilapidation -incident to an unrefreshed memory has gone on. I do not now recollect -as I ought, the precise terms of the present contract of the soldier -with regard to the three years, which I have been accustomed to -regard as the proper term of short service. To reaching that term -for the British Army, I attach (ignorantly) a great value, with this -idea among others, that it will very greatly popularise the service, -besides its favourable bearing on the question of marriage.</p> - -<p>'It will be a great pleasure as well as advantage to me, if I should -have an opportunity of resuming the conversation which we began under -Lord Sydney's hospitable roof.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left:45%;">'Believe me, faithfully yours,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left:55%;">'<span class="smcap">W.E. Gladstone</span>.'</span><br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> <i>Treatise on Construction of Ordnance</i>, 1877.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> <i>Textbook on Rifled Ordnance</i>, 1872.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> <i>Treatise on Construction of Ordnance</i>, 1877.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> <i>Artillery, its Progress and Present Position</i>, 1893. By -Commander Lloyd, R.N., and A.C. Hadcock, late R.A.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> Clode's <i>Military Forces of the Crown</i>, ii. 214.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> See Appendix to Fifth Report of Committee of House of -Commons on Army and Navy Estimates, 1887, in which correspondence is -quoted between the Treasury, War Office, and Admiralty, confirming the -above views.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> <i>The British Army in 1875: a Reply to Mr. John Holms, -M.P.</i></p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">CENTRAL ASIA AND THE AFGHAN WAR OF 1878-79<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> - - -<p>The gradual advance of Russia, and its conquest of the ancient -principalities of Central Asia during the present century, have from -time to time formed subjects of great interest to the people of this -country, chiefly on account of the possible effect of the Russian -approach to the borders of our Indian empire; and, having studied the -question for many years, I propose to give a short summary of its rise, -progress, and present position, more especially from a military point -of view. At the beginning of the century, the southern boundary of -Russia extended from the north of the Caspian by Orenburg and Orsk, and -then across to the old Mongolian city of Semipalatinsk, and was guarded -by a cordon of forts and Cossack outposts. This line was no less than -2,000 miles in length, and abutted on the great Kirghis steppe, and -to a certain extent controlled the tribes pasturing in its vicinity, -but by no means established the hold of Russia on that pathless, and -for the most part lifeless waste. Nevertheless, even in those early -days, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> experienced occasional alarms from imaginary invasions of our -Eastern possessions. In 1801 we were threatened with a joint attack of -the French, Persian, and Afghan armies; but finally we made a treaty -with the Shah, in which it was stipulated that 'should an army of the -French nation, actuated by design and deceit,' attempt to establish -themselves in Persia, a conjoint force of English and Persians should -be appointed to put an end to them.</p> - -<p>In 1808, another great expedition against the East India Company's -possessions was planned—on paper—between Napoleon and the Emperor -Alexander of Russia; but this danger was also averted by a second -treaty at Teheran in 1809, in which the Shah covenanted 'not to permit -any European force whatever to pass through Persia.' Again, for a third -time, in 1837, we were supposed to be threatened by a combined attack -of Persians, Russians, and Afghans, of which Kaye gives the following -account: 'It was believed,' he says, 'that the danger was great and -imminent. There was a Persian army, under the command of the King of -kings himself, investing Herat, and threatening to march upon Candahar -and Cabul. There were Russian diplomatists and Russian engineers in -his camp, directing the councils of the Shah and the operations of -the siege. The Barukzye sirdars of Afghanistan were intriguing with -the Persian Court;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> and far out in the distance, beyond the mountains -of the Hindoo Koosh, there was the shadow of a great northern army, -tremendous in its indistinctness, sweeping across the wilds and deserts -of Central Asia towards the frontier of Hindostan.'<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> All these -shadows, however, passed harmlessly away; and the so-called great -northern army, as we now know, but as we did not know then, was the -Russian column of Perofski, consisting of a few thousand men, which -had left Orenburg with a view to chastise the Khan of Khiva, and which -perished from famine and pestilence in the snowy wastes of the Barsuk -desert, north of the Aral.</p> - -<p>It was not until 1847, contemporaneously with our final conquest of the -Punjab, that the Russian advances in Central Asia assumed an important -aspect. She had held nominal sway since 1730 over the Kirghis tribes in -the western division of the great steppe; but, except in the vicinity -of Orenburg, had little real control. In 1847-8, however, Russia -erected three fortresses in the heart of the steppe—thus forming a -connecting link with the Sir Daria—and established Fort Aralsk, near -the embouchure of the river. The Russians having thus crossed the -great desert, came permanently into contact with the three khanates of -Central Asia, and their progress and conquests since that date have -been comparatively<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> easy and rapid. The principalities had no military -strength which could long withstand the advance of a great Power, and -the Russians are now predominant in that part of the world, and are -masters on the Aral and Caspian Seas. Drawing a line from east to west, -their outposts are dotted along the crests of the Tian-Shan mountains, -looking down on Kashgar; in the centre their frontier touches the -outlying provinces of Afghanistan which lie to the north of the Hindoo -Koosh; whilst on the west their possessions run along the border of -Persia.</p> - -<p>What we have to consider, therefore, is the fact that a great Power, -within the last forty or fifty years, has virtually advanced its -old frontier for many hundred miles southwards, rapidly overrunning -the country like a tidal wave over sands; absorbing decaying -principalities, establishing forts at strategic points, taking -possession of inland seas, routes, and river communications, until its -frontier posts not only approach our own, but are on the confines of -countries with which we are closely associated, and some of which are -more or less under our direct influence and control. Her long line -of frontier is devious, and not always perfectly defined; it wanders -along the crests of mountains, is marked sometimes by the course of -rivers, and occasionally almost lost in pathless deserts. So far as -the principalities themselves are concerned, it is admitted that their -conquest by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> Russia is an unmixed blessing to the inhabitants. In -their bare outline these changes are certainly matters of interest to -us; but they do not necessarily constitute a great danger. There is -undoubtedly a difference between the present and the past. The military -forces of a great Power are now in comparative proximity to our Indian -empire, and hold ground formerly in possession of governments which, -although usually unfriendly, had no real means of injuring us. We need -not now discuss the causes of Russian activity; whether they have -been the result of the apocryphal will of Peter the Great, or of the -military restlessness and ambition of her generals on the spot, or -the inevitable consequence of collision with half-civilised decaying -States. What we have to consider is the effect on our position in India.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the most striking feature is the vast extent of country -absorbed by Russia. From Orenburg in the north to Samarcand in the -south is more than 1,000 miles in a straight line, and from the Caspian -to Kuldja, west to east, about 1,500 miles. Increased military power is -not, however, a necessary result of extended dominion. The annexation -of a country well peopled, fertile, rich, and civilised, and whose -inhabitants are in accord with their new rulers, may give a great -accession of strength, but when none of these conditions are fulfilled, -conquest may lead to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> military weakness. The population of Central -Asia is not only extremely sparse, but, owing to extensive deserts -and to the vicissitudes of climate, many of the tribes are nomadic in -their habits. The whole population is estimated not to exceed four -millions and a half. When we consider that our empire of India, which -approximately is of about the same geographical area as Russian Central -Asia, contains a population of over 250 millions, we have at once a -striking example presented to us of the difference of the two regions.</p> - -<p>The power of conducting military operations on a great scale depends -not only on the resources of the country to be traversed as regards -supplies of food, pasture, fuel, and water, but also on facilities of -communication and transport. In discussing, therefore, the possible -future danger to our Eastern possessions from a further advance of -Russia, the sterility and general characteristics of the country in -which she has established herself, and also the great distance of -her troops from the main resources of the empire, become important -elements for consideration. War is a science which depends for its -success not only on the courage of well armed, disciplined hosts, -and of skilled generals as leaders, but also on the means of rapid -concentration and of bringing up reserves of munitions and <i>matériel</i>. -Modern armies are specially tied by such considerations. Now Central -Asia is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> exceptionally deficient in all these essential requirements, -and these conditions are abiding. It therefore forms a very weak -base of operations against a great empire like India, whose general -characteristics are of an exactly contrary character; and although the -construction in recent years of a railway from the Caspian to Samarcand -will to a certain extent give facility for transport, still it will not -in itself alter the general features of the pathless deserts of which -the greater part of the country consists.</p> - -<p>Between the recently conquered provinces of Russia and our empire of -India lies the mountainous country of Afghanistan, inhabited by warlike -tribes of brave, fanatical Mohammedans who certainly have no love -for Russia. In a geographical and indeed in every sense, it is laid -out, as it were, as the natural frontier of an empire. All along its -northern provinces stands the snow-capped range of the Hindoo Koosh, -stretching away from east to west: a line of mountains between 15,000 -and 20,000 feet high, with few practicable passes, and even these are -closed in winter. It thus presents for the greater part of its length -a natural barrier against aggression, which a few military works at -the passes would render impregnable. Even as far west as Herat, the -ranges to the north of it are several thousand feet high. But this is -not all. The great ridges which run away in a south-westerly direction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> -from the Hindoo Koosh, and which, enclosing long narrow valleys of -limited fertility, form the greater part of Afghanistan—all these -present a series of additional natural defences. Afghanistan resembles -Switzerland, but its mountains are higher, its defiles more difficult, -its resources very scanty, and it has no roads properly so called; -so that an enemy advancing from the north can only come in any force -by one route—that is, by skirting the successive ridges where they -sink into the southern deserts. It is indeed remarkable that India is -surrounded for hundreds of miles to the north-west by a vast zone of -barren country, including Afghanistan, Persia, and the principalities; -territories unequalled perhaps in the world for their misery and -desolation; but which, regarded from a purely military point of view, -offer a great impediment to projects of invasion. The Afghans are -poor, but brave, hardy, fanatical, and no doubt somewhat turbulent. -They hate all intruders. In former days the hordes of Asia, composed -chiefly of cavalry, could disregard bases of support and supply, and, -being unencumbered with siege trains or other modern appliances, could -sally out from these desert wastes, and, braving all risks, overflow -the comparatively rich fertile plains of India. But all such incursions -are now happily impossible. Circumstances have entirely altered. -Modern science has so expanded the means of defence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> that armies of -invasion must necessarily bring with them a corresponding power; and -this entails vast encumbrances, numerous depôts, good roads, and safe -communications.</p> - -<p>It now becomes time to consider the military position of our empire in -India, and here we are met at once by conditions the very opposite of -those I have described as prevailing in Central Asia. Whilst Russia -has been engaged for many years past in the almost futile effort of -establishing her power amongst the remains of decaying principalities, -and of introducing civilisation in regions where almost every element -of prosperity is deficient, we have also consolidated our empire in the -East. Order now reigns in India in place of anarchy, the government -of the law has replaced that of the sword, and provinces formerly -almost depopulated by depredations and misrule have become fertile and -prosperous. Life is safe, and religion and property respected. The -value of land has increased; great commercial cities have arisen and -trade flourishes.<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> Good civil government, in causing contentment -to the people and in developing the resources of the country, gives -vast additional strength to our military power. In addition to the -British troops, we maintain highly efficient armies recruited from -the many martial races under our rule, and are able to increase them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> -almost at will. At the same time, the improved means of communication -by railways, roads, and rivers enable us to concentrate our forces, -supplies, and munitions with comparative ease. It may seem almost -unnecessary to dwell upon facts so well known; but judging from much of -what we often hear and read, the enormous latent strength we possess in -India appears not to be fully appreciated.</p> - -<p>We hold a central position of great concentration and power, whilst -that of Russia is necessarily much the opposite; so even were the -two empires in contact, the danger would not be on our side. We are -the great and predominant naval and military power in the East, and -Russia is comparatively the weak one; and there is nothing in the -present aspect and condition of affairs likely to cause any important -alteration in these respects. Russia may not have the wish to attack -us in India, but she has not the power, which is a far more important -consideration. But the two empires are not in contact, or near it. The -most advanced Cossack outpost on the Murghab is several hundred miles -from the Indus; so that, far as the Russians have already advanced, and -far removed as their outposts are from the bases of supply, they have -still a whole continent of very difficult country to traverse before -they would even be in sight of our frontier river and of the plains of -India.</p> - - - -<p>The views on this important question which I had formed and published<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> -years ago, were fully confirmed in 1887 by Sir West Ridgeway, who was -our representative at the Joint Commission, which, between 1885 and -1887, finally marked out the northern frontier of Afghanistan; and -who, from his position and the accurate knowledge he obtained of the -country, was able to give an authoritative opinion. He wrote: 'If any -Russian general were so reckless as to attempt the invasion of India, -and, relying on the single line of lightly constructed rails which -connect the Caspian with the Oxus—and which are liable in summer to -be blocked by the moving sands of the desert, and in winter by the -falling snows of heaven—if, relying on this frail and precarious base, -he were to move an army through the barren plains bordering the Oxus, -and, leaving in his rear the various hostile and excited races of -Central Asia, he were to cross the difficult passes of the Hindoo Koosh -and entangle his army in the barren mountain homes of the fanatical -and treacherous Afghan, then indeed our fortunate generals may well -congratulate themselves that the Lord has delivered the enemy into -their hand. The same objection applies to an invasion of India by the -Herat road. Imagine the plight of the Russian army when it arrived -before our entrenched camp at Candahar, connected, as it would be, by -railway<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> with our immense resources in India. The Russian army would -find itself in a country stripped of supplies and carriage, with a -powerful enemy in its front, and fanatical tribes waging a guerilla war -on its flanks and rear.'<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> Sir West Ridgeway also bore testimony to -the beneficial rule of Russia in Central Asia, and that her officers on -the frontier were conciliatory, moderate gentlemen.</p> - -<p>If the foregoing statements and the opinions which I have offered upon -them are sound, then it is evident that our general line of policy -towards the people of Afghanistan is simple and clear. They hold -important outworks, as it were, just outside our frontier; and, whilst -not interfering with their independence, we should do all in our power -not only to maintain the authority of their ruler, the Ameer of Cabul, -but also to keep on friendly terms with the tribes, many of whom, -especially those along our frontier, are more or less independent. Our -policy should be one of conciliation and of subsidies; and although -in dealing with half-civilised, turbulent chiefs and tribes the -beneficial results are achieved slowly, still, year by year, a patient -and forbearing policy will bear good fruit, and indeed is now doing so -in a marked degree. It is important to note that in our dealings with -the Ameer, and in granting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> him subsidies and arms, we only claimed -in return that his foreign policy should be under our guidance. Our -principle for years past had been that Afghanistan should be strong, -friendly, and independent.</p> - -<p>The gradual approach of the Russian frontier towards India led to a -diplomatic correspondence in 1872-3<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a> between Lord Granville, then -Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Prince Gortchakoff, with a -view to a clearer definition of the Afghan frontier north of the Hindoo -Koosh. It was not that the forces of either Power were then on the -ground, nor had the country been accurately surveyed; but the object -was to avoid complications in the future, and it is to be observed that -the Russian Government ultimately acquiesced in all Lord Granville's -proposals as to the provinces and districts which were to be considered -as Afghan territory. Though Russia claimed independence of action so -far as the principalities<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> were concerned, it also fully accepted -the principle that Afghanistan was within the sphere of our influence.</p> - -<p>During the period from 1864 to 1876, when Lords Lawrence, Mayo, and -Northbrook were successively Viceroys of India, the general policy -which I have indicated was carefully pursued, but in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> latter -year a serious change occurred which eventually led to a great war -in Afghanistan in 1878-9. There were apparently two main causes for -the alteration in the views of the British Government. One was a -restless feeling that we were somewhat in the dark as to the conduct -of affairs in Cabul, and that the then Ameer Shere Ali was becoming -unfriendly; the other that the long range of the Suliman mountains -trans-Indus formed a somewhat insecure border line, and that we should -take possession of some of the passes with a view of establishing what -was called a scientific frontier. In pursuance of the first a violent -effort was made to force English representatives on the Ameer at -Cabul, Candahar, and Herat, a policy known to be specially feared by -the Afghans, and which we had hitherto engaged more than once not to -adopt.<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> In January 1877 an Afghan envoy, Noor Mahomed Khan, held -prolonged meetings with the late Sir Lewis Pelly on the subject at -Peshawur, and begged that the proposal might be dropped. He said: 'Why -all this pressing to send British officers, when you declare that you -have no wish to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan? It -has roused the suspicion of the Ameer.... He is now convinced that to -allow British officers to reside in his country will be to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>relinquish -his own authority.' ... Again he said: 'Your Government is a powerful -and a great one; ours is a small and weak one. We have long been on -terms of friendship, and the Ameer clings to the skirt of the British -Government, and till his hand be cut off he will not relax his hold -of it.' Sir Lewis Pelly, however, stated that the presence of English -officers in Afghanistan was a <i>sine quâ non</i>; and as Lord Lytton, the -Viceroy, had already, in speaking of the position of Shere Ali between -Russia and England, described it as that 'of an earthen pipkin between -two iron pots,' it was evident that no friendly arrangement was likely -to ensue. During 1877 our native agent at Cabul was withdrawn, our -subsidy ceased, and Shere Ali remained in a position of isolation, and -was left to form friendship elsewhere. In fact, we washed our hands of -him and were evidently drifting into war.</p> - -<p>As regards the other cause of dispute—the rectification of the -trans-Indus frontier—the opinion of our Government at the time was -that we should march into Afghanistan, and establish what was termed a -strategical triangle between Cabul, Ghuznee and Jellalabad, and thus -guard, as it were, the avenues to India.<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> Being greatly interested -in the proposed military operations at the period in question, I -wrote a letter to the Times,<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> pointing out the serious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> results -which were likely to ensue on our advance into Afghanistan, and of -which the following are extracts. 'In my opinion such an idea is a -dangerous delusion. Afghanistan is a country of mountains, and the -Suliman range, which forms our boundary, is merely the first of a -series of great ridges running down south-westerly from the Hindoo -Koosh. If we enter the country and merely hold the nearest passes, we -shall at once find ourselves in a maze of mountains, with dozens of -other passes and strong positions in our front. Not only that, but -we shall become involved with other tribes; and as soon as our flag -is seen flying within the Afghan mountains, our influence will begin -to extend, political and military complications will arise, and we -shall inevitably be carried forward.' Alluding to the policy which had -for some years past been followed, I went on to point out that 'the -frontier throughout its length is far quieter now than in the years -gone by. Occasional acts of outrage and robbery are treated as matters -of police. Many of the men of the Afghan tribes beyond the border now -enter our service, and do their duty well.... Therefore, I maintain -that a conciliatory policy has been in a great measure successful, -and was leading straight to the object we had in view, although time, -patience, and forbearance are required before the results become -palpable and confirmed.' Lord Lawrence, the greatest authority then -living on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> the subject, wrote several letters to the 'Times' in 1878 -strongly deprecating our change of policy, and I had the satisfaction -of receiving from him a note expressing his entire agreement with the -military views which I had put forward.</p> - -<p>Whilst the two causes I have described gradually led to the -estrangement of the Ameer of Cabul, an additional fear arose in his -mind owing to our dealings with the ruler of the neighbouring country -of Beluchistan.<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> Here also we had for many years past, and amidst -some difficulties, pursued a course of conciliation and subsidies with -the ruler, the Khan of Khelat; one of our objects being to insure -the safe passage of caravans with goods through the Bolam. In 1877, -however, a new treaty having been made, a small British force entered -the country, and, marching through the Pass, occupied and fortified -Quetta, on the borders of Afghanistan, ostensibly as a protection -to our representative. It was, perhaps, only natural under the -circumstances, that Shere Ali should look with some distrust at the -presence of our troops on his immediate southern border, and on the -direct road to Candahar. Matters drifted on during 1878, but Shere Ali -having finally rejected our ultimatum, war was declared in November, -and British troops entered Afghanistan in three columns—one by the -Khyber as far as Jellalabad, the second occupied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> the Koorum valley, -whilst the third, marching through the Bolam, reached Candahar in -January 1879. These operations were accomplished with comparative ease, -and for the moment our success seemed complete. Shere Ali fled from -Cabul, and died soon afterwards, and his son and successor, Yakoob -Khan, having sued for peace, a treaty was signed in May, the chief -items of which were that we should permanently retain the Koorum and -Pisheen valleys, and also send an English officer with a suitable -escort as our representative at Cabul, Major Cavagnari being selected -for the purpose.<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> So far all seemed well; but in reality the war, -instead of being at an end, was only at its commencement. In September, -Cavagnari and his escort were surrounded and murdered, and the whole -country was disorganised and seething with excitement. The treaty of -peace was torn up,<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> and the Khyber and Koorum columns marched at -once upon Cabul, and after severe fighting established our authority at -the capital.</p> - -<p>So completely had these serious and untoward events changed the aspect -of affairs that Lord Lytton, the Viceroy, in January 1880 stated that -we must recognise disintegration as the basis of our policy. The -province of Cabul was to be given over to one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> Afghan chief, Candahar -to another, and as to Herat, the most flourishing and important -district of all, it was proposed to hand it over to Persia. It is not -necessary to describe the military measures which followed, which were -brilliantly carried out, but towards the close of the campaign we had -about 60,000 men either actually in Afghanistan or on the frontier, -and even then we only commanded the ground on which we stood; whilst -the cost of the war amounted to nearly twenty millions sterling. In -the end, and after much discussion, however, the British Government -reverted to the original policy of a strong, friendly, and independent -Afghanistan; and Abdul Rahman Khan, who had been a refugee for years in -Russian territory, was acknowledged by us as the ruler of the country. -Our forces were withdrawn early in 1881, and the strategical triangle -was, by common consent, consigned to the waste paper basket.<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a></p> - -<p>In my opinion the war of 1878-9 was bad in policy and unjust in -principle from beginning to end. It is a matter of history now, but we -not only were fighting against those we ought to have conciliated, but -nearly ended in disintegrating the country and taking a large portion -of it ourselves. Subsequent to the withdrawal of our army the country -became more settled, although the position of Abdul Rahman was for -some time precarious. By our support,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> financial and other, however, -he slowly established his authority, and has continued on terms of -friendship with our Government.</p> - -<p>Reverting to Central Asia, the capture of Merv by the Russians and -their gradual approximation to the northern provinces of Afghanistan, -combined with the somewhat overbearing conduct of their military -subordinates on the spot, led in 1885 to a conflict at Penjdeh between -the Russian and Afghan outposts, which at one time threatened to -lead to a great war. I have already explained that although by the -Granville-Gortchakoff agreement of 1873 the northern Afghan provinces -were settled, their actual boundaries, in the absence of full -information, remained somewhat indefinite. Indeed, in countries chiefly -inhabited by nomadic tribes, wandering about in search of pasture, such -questions are often more or less uncertain. As a proof of the doubtful -nature of the facts at that time, I may point out that in the official -English maps published a few years before the Penjdeh incident, that -hitherto almost unknown village was marked as outside the Afghan -frontier. It would answer no good purpose to re-open a subject which -involved no great principle, and the issues of which were exaggerated -at the time by violent and imprudent language, both in England and -Russia. It was eminently one for diplomatic arrangement and not for -war, and found its solution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> in the joint Boundary Commission which was -originated by Lord Granville,<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> and brought to a friendly conclusion -in 1887. The Marquis of Salisbury, who was Prime Minister at the time, -alluding to the arrangement, said: 'I believe a more well-balanced -and equable settlement could hardly have been arrived at. There has -been no great sacrifice on either side; but I value the settlement for -this reason, not because I attach much importance to the square miles -of desert with which we have been dealing—and which probably after -ten generations of mankind will not yield the slightest value to any -human being—but because it indicates on both sides that spirit which -in the two Governments is consistent with continued peace.' That, in -my judgment is the spirit in which two great Powers should always be -prepared to act in international disagreements.</p> - -<p>One more subject remains, as regards Central Asia, which deserves a -few remarks—that of the Pamirs, on the north eastern confines of -Afghanistan. The country, until recently very little known, is an -elevated desolate plateau ringed round with snowy ridges, and is the -point of junction of the three great mountain ranges—the Himalayas, -the Hindoo Koosh, and the Tian-Shan. The fact that some of the lakes -on this elevated region are over 12,000 feet above the sea is a proof -of its exceptional character. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> climate is very severe, and its -inhabitants appear to be chiefly nomadic tribes from Afghanistan, -Russia, and China respectively, who bring their flocks there for -pasture during the three or four summer months. The actual delimitation -of the frontiers, it is understood, is now being amicably arranged -between the Powers concerned. As a base for military operations for an -advance on India, the very nature of the country offers insurmountable -obstacles and hardly needs discussion. I have dealt in some detail with -the subject of Central Asia, as one of great and general interest, and -have endeavoured to explain the military aspect of the case, because it -is the one perhaps not so generally understood. There are people who -say that war, sooner or later, is inevitable. As the late Lord Derby -once very sensibly remarked: 'Of the two I prefer it later.' It appears -to me that there is no cause for war, or indeed probability of it, -between Russia and England in that part of the world; but should such -unfortunately arise, the danger would not lie on our side.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> Kaye's <i>History of the War in Afghanistan in 1838</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> <i>What England has done for India</i>, Dr. W. Hunter, 1879.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> 'The New Afghan Frontier,' by Col. Sir West Ridgeway, -K.C.S.I., C.B.; <i>Nineteenth Century</i>, October 1887.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> <i>Parliamentary Paper</i>: Central Asia, C 2164, 1878; also -C 699, 1873.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> Central Asia, No. 1, 1878.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> <i>Parliamentary Paper</i>: Afghanistan, 1878.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> <i>Parliamentary Paper</i>: Afghanistan, No. 2, 1881, C 2811.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> <i>Times</i>, October 18, 1878.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> <i>Parliamentary Paper</i>: Beluchistan, February 1878.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> Afghanistan, No. 7, 1879, C 2401.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> Afghanistan, No. 1, 1881, C 2776, and No. 2, 2811.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> <i>Afghanistan</i>, 1881, No. 1, pp. 60-87.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_121_121" id="Footnote_121_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_121"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> <i>Central Asia</i>: No. 2, 1885, C 4387; and No. 1, 1887, C -5114.</p></div></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</a></h2> - -<p class="center">APPOINTED SURVEYOR GENERAL OF THE ORDNANCE—PRINCIPLES OF ARMY -PROMOTION—EGYPTIAN WAR OF 1882<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> - - -<p>On the formation of Mr. Gladstone's Government in 1880 I was offered by -him, and accepted, the appointment of Surveyor General of the Ordnance.</p> - -<p>Mr. Childers, on becoming Minister for War in 1880, at once took -vigorous measures to bring to maturity the changes which had been -instituted by Lord Cardwell, but of which some, from one cause or -another, had been rather retarded. One of his first acts was to -complete the localisation of the infantry regiments in counties, which -had been so strongly recommended by Colonel Stanley's<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> Commission -of 1877; and which is now exercising so beneficial an influence in -welding the regular and militia forces, and in the gradual formation -of local ties and associations. Another measure, introduced in 1881, -was an increase in the pay and pension of non-commissioned officers, -and the appointment of those in the higher grades as warrant officers. -Essential as it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> to maintain the system of short service for private -soldiers, as affording the only method of creating a reserve and of -giving strength and elasticity to the army in war, it is at the same -time desirable that a proportion of the non-commissioned officers -should be induced to prolong their duties in the ranks. The same -difficulty, it may be observed, is felt, and the same remedy adopted, -in the chief European armies, where considerable advantages as to pay, -pensions, and ultimate civil employment are given to non-commissioned -officers who extend their service.</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Principles of Promotion and Retirement of Officers</i></p> - -<p>Amongst the many problems which have to be considered and solved by -the War Office, none perhaps is more complex than that of providing a -system of promotion for officers in order that a sufficient proportion -of the most capable may attain to the higher positions at a time of -life when their previous experience can be fully utilised. The great -and real difficulty may be explained in a few words. In the army, as -probably in every profession more or less, the number of employments -available for the higher ranks is comparatively limited, whilst the -junior branches are crowded with young men, all full of life and -energy, gradually gaining experience, and all animated with the one -laudable hope of rising to the top. In the military profession perhaps -more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> in others, the organisation of ranks is strictly defined -as to numbers, and is supposed to require a considerable excess of -officers in the lower grades, who, in time of peace at all events, -have not adequate occupation, and some of whom as the years pass away, -losing their zeal and activity, become unfitted for responsible posts, -when their long deferred opportunity arrives.</p> - -<p>There are two methods of partially solving the difficulty: one, which -is now mainly in force in the British army, is a graduated scale of -compulsory retirements with pensions at certain fixed ages. No doubt it -tends to clear the list, and thus to make room for the juniors. But it -has great drawbacks; first of all in its excessive cost, and secondly, -that it does not in reality discriminate between the efficient and -the inefficient. Age alone being the criterion, it often happens that -promising officers who have no wish to retire, are compelled to do -so—and this is not only a hardship on individuals, but injurious to -the State, in depriving it of men who carry away with them into private -life valuable experience gained in various parts of the world. It -is, in short, a system which, if rigidly enforced, is costly in both -senses, without adequate benefit to the army. In 1876 a commission -under Lord Penzance investigated and reported on the subject, and it -is chiefly on their recommendations that the above arrangements were -adopted.</p> - - - -<p>There are, however, other ways of meeting the difficulty which would at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> -all events tend to remove some of these objections. In the first place -it must be remembered that the duties of the British army are far more -varied and severe than is the case with the Continental powers. More -than half our troops are always at foreign stations. Many officers, -therefore, as they arrive at middle life, and whose health has suffered -from tropical climates, find themselves compelled to retire; and -a scheme of voluntary, in lieu of compulsory, pensions would meet -their cases without injuring capable officers, and without inflicting -individual hardships. But there is another and a more efficacious mode -of meeting the difficulty; namely, by a careful reorganisation of -ranks. Lord Penzance's Commission was quite alive to this alternative, -and said that a reorganisation of ranks would meet the question in -another way, would be less costly, and would prevent the loss of -valuable officers, but that it was beyond their instructions. As I have -already mentioned, the present organisation rests on the hypothesis -that a fixed proportion of officers is requisite in each rank, with a -vast preponderance of juniors. But is this really essential? Now it so -happens that of late years considerable modifications have been made in -every army in Europe except our own, tending to reduce the dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>parity. -On the Continent the infantry regiments, for instance, are now -organised in double companies under mounted officers, and the cavalry -in squadrons. It is held that under the modern system of fighting such -arrangements are more efficient; and they virtually lead to an increase -in the upper, and a diminution in the lower, ranks, which in point of -promotion is exactly the remedy wanted.</p> - -<p>Mr. Childers in 1881 introduced changes with this two-fold object in -view, and the following table exemplifies the result in an infantry -regiment of two battalions.</p> - -<table summary="ranks" width="70%"> -<tr> -<td>Ranks -</td> -<td colspan="2">Establishment before 1881 -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td colspan="2">Establishment after 1881 -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Lieut.-Colonels -</td> -<td align="right">2} -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">4} -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Majors -</td> -<td align="right">4} -</td> -<td>6 -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">8} -</td> -<td>12 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Captains -</td> -<td align="right">20} -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">14} -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Lieutenants -</td> -<td align="right">32} -</td> -<td>52 -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">30} -</td> -<td>44 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">— -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">— -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Total -</td> -<td align="right">58 -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td> -</td> -<td align="right">56 -</td> -<td> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - - -<p>By the old plan the number of field officers to juniors was, as will be -seen, 6 to 52—or 1 to 8-2/3. By the new one it became 12 to 44 or 1 -to 3-2/3. It will be evident at once that the prospects of the juniors -as regards promotion were greatly improved, and it had the additional -merit of being more economical as regards pensions, and further, as it -is held by many that the new organisation is more efficient for war, it -would appear to have everything in its favour. Unfortunately, owing to -diversities of opinion, al<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>though the ranks were thus re-arranged, the -battalions have never been divided into double companies; so that the -most important part of the scheme has not been completed and remains -untried. Indeed, the tendency during the last few years has been of a -retrograde nature. In my opinion, the proportion of the ranks should -be rigidly enforced so as to reduce the juniors to a minimum in time -of peace, as being better in the interests of the officers, more in -accordance with the requirements of modern warfare, and more economical -to the State. The following figures giving the proportion of senior -officers to juniors in the army in 1884 and 1894 respectively, will -illustrate my argument, and will afford proof that the changes made -three or four years ago have injuriously affected the prospects of -young officers in respect to promotion.</p> - -<table summary="promotion" width="70%"> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>1884 -</td> -<td>1894 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Number of General and Field Officers -</td> -<td>2,586 -</td> -<td>2,128 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Number of Captains and Lieutenants -</td> -<td>5,601 -</td> -<td>6,723 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>—— -</td> -<td>—— -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>8,187 -</td> -<td>8,851 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>It will be observed that the proportion of seniors to juniors in -1884 was nearly 1 to 2, whereas in 1894 it is about 1 to 3. Again, -the annual cost of pensions in 1884 was about £737,000, but in 1894 -it has risen to about £1,000,000. So that not only are the prospects -of promotions less, but at the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> time the cost to the country -in pensions is greater. There remains one more point connected with -the subject which must be mentioned—namely, that of selection. The -principle is a valuable one, and should be carefully carried out in the -higher ranks. It will affect individuals and be beneficial to the army; -but it will not in itself have much bearing on promotion generally.</p> - -<p>Speaking of retirement, it is related that some years ago the late Lord -Airey went to the German manœuvres, and on being introduced to the -old Emperor William, his Majesty said: 'I hear, Lord Airey, you are -going to retire. What is your reason?' Lord Airey replied that, being -seventy years old, by the regulations he had no option in the matter. -'Retire at seventy!' said the Emperor; 'why, all my best generals are -over that age!' 'Oh yes, your Majesty,' said Airey, 'I quite agree with -you, but in England they get tired of us at seventy, and get rid of us.'</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Expedition to Egypt</i></p> - -<p>At the beginning of 1882 the War Office in Pall Mall had for a time -to put aside what may be called its domestic reforms, and, in concert -with the Admiralty, to prepare for an expedition to Egypt, in which our -naval and military forces were destined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> before the close of the year -to take a leading and a successful part. The causes of the revolution -in Egypt (which commenced in 1881) appear to have been a complicated -mixture of intrigues, military discontent, and a sham national -uprising; and it is difficult now to understand how a man like Arabi -Pasha, who had neither political experience nor military skill, could, -even for a time, have become the virtual master of the situation. But -if the local causes are somewhat obscure, the diplomatic action, or -rather inaction, of the various Powers of Europe is almost equally -strange. England alone from the first seems to have perceived the true -issue, and by denouncing Arabi as a mere mutinous adventurer, and by -insisting on the necessity of crushing the rebellion and restoring the -authority of the Khedive, she protected not only her own interests -in the country, but also those of Turkey, and, indeed, of Europe -generally. The Government of France at the outset appeared to be quite -in accord with our own. In January a joint assurance was given to the -Khedive of adequate support, and in May the French and English fleets -accordingly arrived at Alexandria for the maintenance of order. It is -further to be observed that the other European powers, recognising the -superior interests of France and England, acquiesced in their proposed -intervention. So far unanimity apparently prevailed. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> yet, when -an insurrection headed by Arabi occurred in Alexandria the following -month, France for some reason withdrew her ships and left England -alone. And again, when it became evident in July that a military force -could alone restore order, notwithstanding the oft repeated desire of -the British Government that the two nations should act in concert, -the French Chamber, which on the 19th of July had voted the necessary -supplies for their part of the expedition, on the 29th reversed their -policy, and by a majority of 375 declined to take any part in the -campaign.</p> - -<p>Judging by the debates in the French Chamber at the time, it would -appear that their Ministers were disinclined to embark on a distant -expedition on two grounds: (1) that they had anxieties nearer home and -wished to keep themselves free; (2) that the people of France were -really sick of campaigns, and would not therefore give their support to -a policy of distant adventure—not perhaps an unnatural view on their -part. So uncertain, indeed, was the policy of the French Government up -to the last moment that towards the end of July, when I was appointed -Chief of the Staff to the expedition, I received instructions to -proceed to Paris, to discuss with the French military authorities as -to the place of landing, and to ascertain their views on the joint -operations. The vote of the Chamber on the 29th,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> however, of course -rendered my visit unnecessary.</p> - -<p>The policy of Turkey as to Egypt was still more uncertain. It would -naturally have been supposed that when one of its tributary States had -broken out into insurrection, and when the power of the local ruler -had been subverted, the Sultan's Government would have been anxious to -quell the revolution, as we invited them to do, and would have welcomed -the assistance of allies like ourselves who had a similar object in -view. Instead of that the Turkish Government not only hesitated, but -after the outbreak at Alexandria in June actually conferred the Grand -Cordon of the Medjidi on Arabi Pasha, the rebel leader. The Sultan, -however, must be a man of great impartiality and discrimination, for -when I arrived at Cairo in September, after the short desert campaign, -he also conferred on me the Grand Cordon of the Medjidi. Whether he was -under the impression that I was a friend or an enemy of Arabi I never -cared to inquire.</p> - -<p>Before proceeding to give details of the preparations for the -expedition to Egypt, it will be as well to allude shortly to certain -misconceptions which appear to prevail as to the supposed want of -concert between the navy and army in war. Even as recently as 1890 -these misconceptions were prominently alluded to, and indeed endorsed -in the report<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> of Lord Harrington's Commission.<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> Whilst pointing -out that the two services are 'to a large extent dependent on each -other,' the report goes on to say that 'little or no attempt has ever -been made to establish settled and regular relations between them.' -This, if correct, would be serious. My experience in the Crimea, in -Egypt, and at the War Office does not lead me at all to the conclusion -stated by the commission. The two professions are so distinct in -themselves that they require separate administration, but that does not -necessarily entail any want of co-operation in war. On the contrary, -they thoroughly understand their relative positions; and whether as -regards preparations for national defence, or in operations for the -expansion of the empire in various parts of the world, our success has -been remarkable, and the results are due to the united efforts of the -navy and army. The present arrangements are, in my opinion, efficient, -and should be left alone.</p> - -<p>The Egyptian expedition of 1882 affords the most recent proof of what -I have urged. No sooner was it determined on, than the Minister for -War and the First Lord of the Admiralty, with their chief advisers, -held constant meetings, and discussed and decided difficulties and -details day by day, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> nothing could be more complete than the -cordial co-operation of the two departments—a co-operation which was -not limited to the authorities at home, but was equally conspicuous -at the seat of war. Throughout the operations the naval and military -authorities on the spot fully appreciated their relative positions; -and it was due to their combined efforts, backed by the discipline and -courage of the officers and men of both services, that the campaign was -carried to a speedy and successful conclusion.</p> - -<p>Although the Egyptian expedition of 1882 bears no comparison either -as to its duration, difficulties, or hard fighting with that of the -Crimea, still in respect to the number of troops embarked at the outset -the two closely approximate. The force sent to Egypt from England, -and from the Mediterranean garrisons, amounted to about 26,000 men, -with 54 field guns and 5,000 cavalry and artillery horses. To these -were shortly added about 8,000 men from India, consisting of the -Seaforth Highlanders, a battery of artillery, and several regiments of -native cavalry and infantry. The troops from home commenced embarking -towards the end of July; and so complete and satisfactory were the -arrangements of the Admiralty, due in great measure to the energy and -experience of Admiral Sir William Mends, the Director of Transports, -that after a voyage of 3,000<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> miles they arrived at Alexandria without -a <i>contretemps</i> of any kind.</p> - -<p>The general outline of the campaign and of the movements to be -undertaken had been discussed before the departure of the expedition, -and it was virtually decided to take temporary possession of the -Suez Canal; Ismailia becoming the base of operations with a view to -an advance upon Cairo. There were obvious political and strategical -reasons for the decision. In the first place the occupation of the -canal would secure its safety, and prevent its being blocked or injured -by the enemy—a most important European interest in itself; and it is -curious that the late Monsieur de Lesseps, who was in communication -with Arabi and who was at Ismailia at the time of our arrival, was -violently opposed to our action in this respect. In the next place -Cairo was then the centre of disaffection, and as it was known that the -Egyptian army, reinforced by Bedouins, was in considerable strength -and entrenching at Tel-el-Kebir, on the verge of the desert, it was -probable that a rapid advance from Ismailia and a severe defeat of the -enemy would cause a general collapse, and thus save Cairo from fire -and pillage. These various considerations determined the general plan -of the operations, and the result amply justified the anticipations -formed. To have advanced from Alexandria, or from the neighbouring Bay -of Aboukir,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> would have entailed a long and difficult march south, -through the Delta of the Nile, a country without roads and intersected -by irrigating canals. Further, the distance to Cairo was about 120 -miles, as compared with 75 from Ismailia. In short, no striking or -rapid result could be anticipated by an advance from Alexandria, and -in the meantime Cairo would have been left at the mercy of a mutinous -army, and of other elements of disaffection and disorder.</p> - -<p>It was very important that the decision as to entering the canal, -and using it as a base, should be kept secret; and therefore, on -the arrival of our troops at Alexandria, during August, it was -ostentatiously announced that our great object was to land in strength -at Aboukir Bay, and from that position and from Alexandria to attack -Arabi Pasha, who with a large force was entrenched at Kaffr-Dewar, a -few miles distant; and fortunately the device succeeded.</p> - -<p>All being ready, the British fleet and transports left Alexandria on -the afternoon of August 19, a considerable force having to be left -behind temporarily for the protection of the city. In order still -further to mislead Arabi Pasha, the fleet and the great majority of the -transports proceeded in the first instance to Aboukir Bay, and anchored -for the night; a few shots being fired at the works on shore. One -brigade, however, went on to Port Said, which was reached on the 20th, -when the two ends of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> canal were temporarily closed. On August 21, -Sir Garnet Wolseley<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> and staff arrived at Ismailia with the brigade -of General Graham, which was landed, pushed on at once, and seized the -railway station at Neficè, two miles outside. From the moment, indeed, -of our arrival it became an urgent necessity to land troops of all arms -as fast as possible, in order to take possession of what was called -(somewhat figuratively) the Sweet-Water canal and also the single line -of railway which ran parallel to each other in the direct line of our -destined march across the desert.</p> - -<p>Ismailia, from its limited resources and with only a small wooden -pier, was not well adapted for the disembarkation of an army. However, -in the course of three days nearly 9,000 men, with a portion of the -Household Cavalry and two Horse Artillery guns, had been landed. As the -water in the Sweet-Water canal began to fall rapidly, it was evident -that the enemy were at work not far off and were obstructing its flow. -Accordingly, at daylight on the 24th a small force advanced into the -desert, and found the enemy in considerable strength at Magfar, about -six miles from Ismailia. They had constructed a dam across the canal, -which after some sharp fighting was captured, the Egyptians falling -back two or three miles to some sandhills at Mahuta, where they were in -considerable numbers and entrenched.</p> - - - -<p>As a serious engagement was likely to take place at Mahuta,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> -reinforcements of all arms were pushed on during the day and following -night as soon as landed; the Brigade of Guards under H.R.H. the Duke -of Connaught having to make a hurried and harassing march across the -desert in the extreme heat, on the afternoon of the 24th. At daylight -on the 25th the British troops were formed up across the desert at -Magfar in order of battle, and advanced to the attack on Tel-el-Mahuta. -But the Egyptians at once lost heart, and were observed to be retiring -in haste, partly by rail; and, being followed by the cavalry and horse -artillery, they not only evacuated their strong position at Mahuta, but -were driven out of Mahsamah, eight miles further on, where seven Krupp -guns, large numbers of rifles, and a quantity of ammunition, food, -stores, camp equipment, and seventy-five railway waggons fell into our -possession. Considering that the troops had only just landed, that the -heat was extreme, and that the cavalry and artillery horses were in -bad condition from their long voyage, these operations of the 24th and -25th were not only highly successful, but were very creditable to the -various arms engaged.</p> - -<p>Sir Garnet Wolseley did not fail to take full advantage of the -demoralisation and feeble tactics of the enemy, and on the following -day General<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> Graham's brigade made a farther advance of two or three -miles to Kassassin Lock on the canal, and within a few miles of the -Egyptian main position at Tel-el-Kebir. Thus, within five days of -our arrival at Ismailia, notwithstanding the restricted facilities -for landing, and in spite of the difficulties of marching during the -hottest season of the year across the desert, we had been able to -drive away the enemy and to take possession of twenty miles of the -fresh-water canal, and of the railway and telegraph line.</p> - -<p>As an interval of some days now elapsed before further movements of -importance took place, it may be interesting to give a short summary -of the strategy of the Egyptian leaders, which appears to have been -faulty throughout. In the first place they divided their main forces -into two parts far removed from each other, one being placed in front -of Alexandria, and the other behind a long weak line of entrenchments -across the desert at Tel-el-Kebir. They may no doubt have been somewhat -uncertain at the outset as to our general plan; but at all events, when -the arrival at Ismailia had made our intentions clear, their troops -outside Alexandria should have gone forthwith to the scene of active -operations. Instead of doing so, they remained stationary throughout -the short campaign, with the result that they had eventually to -disband without firing a shot. In the desert they were equally blind -to the real<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> position. If on our arrival they had at once blocked -the fresh-water canal, diverted its stream before it had reached the -desert, and had entirely destroyed the railway and telegraphic lines, -they would at all events have greatly added to the difficulties and -hardships of our march. By neglecting these obvious precautions, they -enabled us within a week to advance and hold these important resources, -and to establish ourselves at Kassassin Lock, where, as soon as our -army was concentrated, we crushed their power by capturing their main -position and brought the war to an end.</p> - -<p>In addition to the guns, ammunition, and railway plant secured at -Mahsamah on the 25th, we were fortunate also in taking prisoner -Mahmoud Fehmi Pasha, one of the chief leaders of the insurrection. I -had a short interview with him on his being brought to Ismailia. He -was naturally rather excited, and, speaking in French, said that as -he had been fighting against us we could dispose of him as we chose. -'Fusillez-moi, si vous voulez,' he remarked; but he begged not to be -handed over to the Khedive's Government, as they would torture him. He -added, that he knew the English were just people; and I replied that -he might feel sure that the British Government would treat him as a -prisoner of war, and give him a fair trial.</p> - -<p>In sketching the history of a campaign, it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> always desirable, if -possible, to ascertain the views of the combatants on both sides; and -as regards the earlier incidents in the desert, it so happens that -we were fortunate enough to find at the railway stations copies in -Arabic of various telegrams which had been sent from Cairo, and also -from Arabi Pasha to the Egyptian leaders on the spot; and I will quote -English translations of a few of them, as examples of the different -conclusions which two opponents may come to on the same events.</p> - -<p>1. 'From Under Minister of War, Cairo, to Mahmoud Pasha Fehmi, -informing him that his telegram had been read in council, and -complimenting him on his victory over the English at Mahsamah.'</p> - -<p>2. 'From the Military Commander, Cairo, to H.E. Rashid Pasha Husni. We, -and the entire Egyptian nation, congratulate your Excellency on your -defeat of the enemy. May God be pleased to bless your crusade.'</p> - -<p>3. 'Telegram of three pages from Arabi Pasha, complimenting Rashid -Pasha Husni, the Commander of the Eastern Division, on his frequent -defeats of the English, who are the enemies of religion and of -humanity. Hopes the honour of the Egyptian nation may be written with -the blood of the English.'</p> - -<p>Speaking of telegrams, towards the end of September, when the British -army had arrived at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> Cairo a rather bewildering message was received -by us from Kaffir-Zoyat. 'Atrocity has taken place in all the stations -from the inhabitants and immigrants. The station master is helpless, -and now is the time for the arrival of local train. The station master -requires help soon. A copy has been sent to Sultan Pasha.'</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the congratulations which the Egyptian generals in the -desert had received on their imaginary victories, they became gradually -alive to the necessity of making an effort to recover their lost -positions, and on August 28, Arabi Pasha having arrived, they seriously -attacked Kassassin with about 10,000 men and 12 guns. The battle lasted -all day, with occasional intervals, but General Graham (who had rather -less than 2,000 men under his command), supported by the cavalry and -horse artillery from Mahsamah under Sir Drury Lowe, at length drove off -the enemy, and their retreat was hastened by a brilliant cavalry charge -after dark in the desert. Our losses on the occasion in killed and -wounded were 97.</p> - -<p>Subsequent to this attack on Kassassin there was a lull in active -operations for about a fortnight. Although the rapidity of our -earlier movements had gained us possession of the fresh-water -canal and railway, still, as both had been blocked with large dams -and embankments, they were for the moment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> of limited service for -transport, and in reality we had, as it were, out-run our commissariat. -Consequently for a few days the troops suffered some hardships, -although their general health was not apparently affected, the sick -list being less than six per cent. There were no resources, of course, -in the desert, and it was calculated that we had to send forward about -sixty tons a day of food and forage. By incessant exertions, however, -the obstructions were removed, and early in September many barges were -placed on the fresh-water canal; and, the single line of rail and -the telegraph having been repaired, the chief difficulties were thus -overcome, and we were able to send up about 250 tons of supplies daily. -From that moment we became masters of the situation, and gradually -accumulated a large reserve of food, forage, munitions, medical and -other stores.</p> - -<p>The Highland Brigade of four battalions, with Sir Edward Hamley and Sir -Archibald Alison, had arrived at Ismailia on September 1, and by the -12th the British forces were concentrated at Kassassin in readiness for -decisive action. Previously, however, on September 9, a considerable -portion of the Egyptian army from Tel-el-Kebir again attacked the -position at Kassassin at daylight; but we were too strong for them, -their opportunity was gone, and under the orders of General Willis our -troops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> advanced boldly across the desert, and drove the enemy back, -capturing three of their guns.</p> - -<p>Our losses on the occasion were: killed, 3; wounded, 77; total, 80.</p> - -<p>Arabi's estimate was very different. In his telegram, September 12, to -the Ministry of War, Cairo, he says: 'Moreover, from true observation -it has been proved to us that the number of the enemy killed and -remaining on the field of battle is about 2,500, and their carts were -insufficient for carrying off the wounded.'</p> - -<p>During the early part of September, reconnoissances were made with a -view of ascertaining the general position of the enemy's defences, and, -as far as possible, their armament and progress. Our reconnoitring -parties consisted of one or two officers with a small mounted escort, -who approached the Egpytian entrenchments at daylight and made -careful observations from different parts of the desert; the enemy -taking little or no notice of their appearance. Indeed, it was rather -remarkable that, although the Egyptian leaders must have been aware -of the near approach of the British army, they apparently sent out no -cavalry at night, and even their infantry pickets were, as a rule, -lying about close to their works and only roused themselves at dawn. -The right of the enemy's earthworks rested on the fresh-water canal, -and then stretched away<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> northerly for nearly four miles across the -desert, their left being <i>en l'air</i>. Their very extent was a great -weakness. So far as could be ascertained before the battle, the -entrenchments towards the canal, which were subsequently stormed by the -Highlanders, were the most complete and formidable, being armed with -many Krupp field-guns, and supported by retrenchments inside. About -1,000 yards in advance of that part of the defences the Egyptians had -constructed and armed a detached outwork, which, curiously enough, -escaped the observation of our reconnoitring parties. Most fortunately -when we advanced on the 13th, and when a portion of our troops must -have passed close to it just before daylight, they were not discovered; -otherwise our great object of reaching the main line of works -unperceived might have been prematurely divulged at a critical moment. -The Egyptian forces were estimated as being about 38,000 men, with 60 -guns, of which we captured 59.</p> - - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/tel-el-kebir.jpg" alt="tel-el-kebir" /> -<a id="tel-el-kebir" name="tel-el-kebir"></a> -</p> - - -<p>The plan of attack of the lines of Tel-el-Kebir was one requiring the -greatest care and consideration. The enemy had been for several weeks -on the spot, and had not only entrenched their position and armed -it with many guns, but the whole of the ground in their front was a -flat, sandy desert, without cover of any kind. An attack by us in open -daylight under such circumstances must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> inevitably have entailed a -prolonged conflict and enormous losses. By a wide flank movement we -might, no doubt, have turned their left with comparative ease, and have -captured the position without great loss, experience at Tel-el-Mahuta -and elsewhere having proved that the enemy were not prepared for, and -in fact would not stand against such a manœuvre; but, as Sir Garnet -Wolseley clearly stated in his dispatch after the battle, 'It would not -have accomplished the object I had in view—namely, to grapple with -the enemy at such close quarters that he should not be able to shake -himself free from our clutches except by a general flight of all his -army. I wished to make the battle a final one.... My desire was to -fight him decisively when he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> in the open desert, before he could -take up fresh positions, more difficult of access, in the cultivated -country in his rear.' All these considerations led to the decision to -make a night march across the desert, to be followed by an assault -along the whole line of entrenchments at dawn. No doubt there was risk, -but the object to be attained was supreme, and Wolseley relied, and -with good reason, on the steadiness and courage of his troops.</p> - -<p>Early on the morning of September 12 (twenty-four hours before the -battle) Sir Garnet Wolseley, accompanied by all the general officers, -rode out towards Tel-el-Kebir, so as to arrive at daylight in sight of -the works, and as near as prudence would allow; and he then explained -to them his plan of attack, and gave to each a rough sketch of the -intended formation, which is shown by the diagram on preceding page.</p> - -<p>The day preceding the battle passed quietly, and no movements of any -kind gave signs of the coming event. As soon as it was dark the whole -of the tents were struck, rolled up, and, with the baggage, stacked -alongside the railway and left behind. The strength of the army was -about 12,000 infantry, 2,700 cavalry, and 2,400 artillery, with 60 guns.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/eve.jpg" alt="eve" /> -<a id="eve" name="eve"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> EVE OF TEL-EL-KEBIR. ENCAMPMENT OF BRITISH ARMY AT -KASSASSIN LOCK</p> - -<p>During the early part of the night the troops moved out about -2,000 yards into the desert, and, having taken up their respective -positions, bivou<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>acked. Perfect silence was maintained; no lights -were permitted, the men not being even allowed to smoke. Except the -occasional neighing of a horse, all was still. The general direction -of the march was west and by north; and as the night was dark with -occasional clouds, and as the stars were our only guides, Lieutenant -Rawson, the naval <i>aide-de-camp</i>, volunteered to accompany the Highland -brigade, and gave them the benefit of his experience in regulating -their course.<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> At half-past one in the morning the march was -resumed; Admirals Sir Beauchamp Seymour,<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a> Sir Anthony Hoskins, -and several other naval officers who had done so much to assist us -in all the difficulties of disembarkation and transport, joined the -head quarter staff and accompanied us during the operations. The enemy -apparently kept no look-out, and were quite unaware of our approach.</p> - -<p>Sir Garnet Wolseley and the staff during the latter part of the march -rode in company with the Highlanders, and when about 1,500 yards -from the entrenchments halted and dismounted, in order to watch the -development of the attack and to give such orders as circumstances -might render necessary. A battalion of the Royal Marine Artillery -under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> Colonel Tuson remained in reserve with head quarters. The -troops, who were now approaching the Egyptian position, moved steadily -forward over the firm, dry sand, and so complete was the silence that -it was difficult to realise the fact that two armies were close to -each other and just about to meet in dire conflict. At about 4.45 -<span class="smcap">A.M.</span> the first faint glimmerings of the dawn were observed, -and in the course of a few minutes some straggling musket shots were -heard, fired evidently by the feeble pickets of the enemy just outside -their works. Then all along the line in front of the Highlanders a -perfect blaze of musketry fire commenced, and continued for the next -half-hour without intermission. The Egyptian artillery were also in -action, but, being fired at a high elevation, their shells for the -most part burst wildly all over the desert. General Graham's brigade -on the right had slightly deviated from its course in the darkness. -This, however, was soon rectified, and as the day dawned the leading -brigades, in the most gallant and determined manner, stormed the -whole line of the enemy's works; and followed up by the Guards under -the Duke of Connaught, and by Colonel Ashburnham's brigade in rear -of the Highlanders, they swarmed over the parapets and held their -ground inside. In the meantime the seven batteries of artillery under -General Goodenough, in the centre of the line, had also continued -their advance; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> although from the nature of the assault they were -unable to give active support to the infantry at the first onset, -they watched their opportunity, and as soon as our men were on the -crest of the parapets, several batteries succeeded in getting through -the works, and, by following up the Egyptians, contributed to their -defeat and flight. One battery, just before entering the entrenchments, -was brought into action against the detached outwork which I have -previously mentioned, and, taking it in reverse, led to its immediate -abandonment by the enemy.</p> - -<p>At length came the opportunity for the cavalry and horse artillery -under General Drury Lowe. They had purposely been held back until the -infantry had established their footing on the works, but then, sweeping -round the northern extremity, they charged the retreating Egyptians, -who were now in headlong flight all over the country, and also captured -several trains and locomotives on the railway. It is necessary now to -turn to the movements of Sir Herbert McPherson, who, with the Seaforth -Highlanders and part of the Indian contingent, marched from Kassassin -during the night on the south side of the canal, supported on their -right by a naval battery of Gatlings, which moved along the railway. -Their advance was never checked, and after some smart skirmishing in -the cultivated ground near the village, and taking twelve guns, they -arrived at the bridge at Tel-el-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>Kebir on one side, just as our other -victorious troops had reached it on the opposite bank.</p> - -<p>The short account I have given of the various movements in the field -during the eventful night march, and the battle at the dawn, will, I -think, afford proofs not only of the gallantry and perfect discipline -of the troops of all arms engaged, but also of the skill and care with -which the general officers in command had carried out their arduous -and anxious duties. The severe fight within the entrenchments did not -last much more than half an hour, and the Egyptians, finding their -works and guns all captured, broke and fled in thousands, throwing away -their arms, Arabi having been one of the first to make his escape. -The entrenchments inside were crowded with dead and wounded; and in -addition to 59 guns, an immense quantity of arms, ammunition, and -stores, together with the whole of their large camp, fell into our -possession. The Egyptian losses amounted to 1,500 killed and about -3,000 prisoners, large numbers of them being wounded. The losses of the -British army in killed, wounded, and missing were 459.</p> - -<p>The victory was complete, but no time was lost in taking advantage -of the flight and utter disorganisation of the enemy. Sir Herbert -McPherson's force, strengthened by a battery of artillery, marched -at once along the line of railway to Zagazig, and, arriving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> during -the afternoon, captured several trains and locomotives, the Egyptian -soldiers bolting without firing a shot. The movements of the cavalry -division are graphically described in Sir Garnet Wolseley's despatch: -'Major General Lowe was ordered to push on with all possible speed to -Cairo.... These orders were ably carried out, General Lowe reaching the -great barracks of Abbassich just outside Cairo, at 4.45 <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> -on the 14th instant. The cavalry marched 65 miles in these two days. -The garrison of about 10,000 men, summoned by Lieutenant Colonel -H. Stewart to surrender, laid down their arms, and our troops took -possession of the citadel. A message was sent to Arabi Pasha calling -upon him to surrender forthwith, which he did unconditionally. He was -accompanied by Toulba Pasha, who was also one of the leading rebels in -arms against the Khedive.'</p> - -<p>The divisions of General McPherson and Drury Lowe having thus been -despatched to Zagazig and Cairo, the head quarter staff and remainder -of the army rested for the day on the field of Tel-el-Kebir, awaiting -the final <i>dénouement</i>. In fact, the result of the battle of the -13th and the flight of the Egyptian forces became known by telegraph -throughout the country in the course of a few hours, and the war came -to a sudden termination. The medical arrangements at Tel-el-Kebir -were admirably carried out. As soon as the position had been taken, -large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> marquees were erected close to the fresh-water canal, and our -wounded officers and men, having been attended to, were then conveyed -in covered barges to Ismailia; thus avoiding a long rough journey in -carts across the sandy desert. Late in the afternoon, I rode along the -captured entrenchments, the ground being covered with dead and wounded -Egyptians—the latter faint and helpless, and praying for water. -Parties of our men had been sent out during the day with carts of -provisions and barrels of water, and did all in their power to mitigate -the sufferings of these poor creatures. Thousands of muskets and vast -quantities of ammunition lying about were broken up, and then buried.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of the 14th the head quarter staff, accompanied by -the Duke of Connaught and Prince Teck, with a part of the Brigade of -Guards, left the field of battle by rail for Zagazig; but the line -was a single one and in disorder, so that we were constantly delayed, -and did not arrive till 9 o'clock <span class="smcap">P.M.</span> Our baggage animals -were wandering about somewhere in the desert, and none of us had even -a change of clothes; and, with the exception of a tin of meat, a few -biscuits, and bottle of claret—fortunately brought by the Duke of -Connaught, who kindly shared his scanty supplies with us—we had no -food. Our troops of all arms were marching along the line of railway, -and once, when we were detained, a weary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> gunner passed the carriage, -and on being asked where he was going replied, 'To Zig-zag.' Two -other gunners had captured a dromedary, and were riding along in high -spirits. The inhabitants of the villages as we passed through the -cultivated country came out and salaamed, and seemed quite happy. -They had stuck poles with white rags flying on the tops of their -houses in token of surrender. Altogether it was an interesting and -amusing scene. I slept that night on the railway platform at Zagazig, -surrounded by myriads of flies. However, these were the last of our -hardships, if such they can be called; and on the following morning -we arrived by train at Cairo, and were cordially received; in fact, -the whole population had turned out in the streets to give us welcome. -Every English soldier walking about was followed by an admiring crowd. -The Khedive, telegraphing from Alexandria, placed the Abdin Palace -at the disposal of the staff and begged us to consider ourselves as -his guests. From a small tent in the desert to a royal palace in two -days—with a battle in the interval—was certainly an unusual but -welcome change of scene. There was, however, one drawback. Although the -Abdin Palace contained suites of handsome state apartments, gorgeous in -satin and gold, there were no bed-rooms! Whether rulers in Egypt never -sleep, or whatever the explanation, we had to make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> the best of it, -and I took possession of one large state room; but my little camp-bed -looked very shabby and insignificant amidst such splendid surroundings. -There were upwards of 100 wax candles in glass chandeliers hanging from -the ceiling.</p> - -<p>As several thousand Egyptian soldiers were still in arms on our arrival -at Cairo, many of them in a large barrack just opposite the palace, an -order was sent over that they were to give up their muskets and were -then free to return to their homes. Hardly had the order been received -than it was acted on, and crowds of them, divested of their uniforms, -were seen running as if for their lives, and in a few minutes the -barrack was deserted. I inquired the reason of their extreme haste, and -was informed that the news was so good they could hardly believe it to -be true, and were afraid we might change our minds and detain them. The -incident I have mentioned affords a good indication of the real feeling -of the inhabitants, who were not anxious to fight anybody, but rather -to be allowed to return and live in peace in their native villages. -Egypt is probably not the only country in which these sentiments -largely prevail, but do not always find expression.</p> - -<p>In the prison within the citadel we found a large number of people in -chains; criminals, political prisoners, even Arab women and children, -and two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> English subjects (Maltese) all jumbled together, ill-treated, -and nearly starved. Separating the real criminals, after inquiry, the -remainder were set free, and by way of a change the jailor was placed -in one of the cells.</p> - -<p>In some small rooms in a corner of the great barrack, in Abdin Square, -Arabi and Toulba Pashas were confined as prisoners, with an English -guard over them. As there were several passages and staircases about -the place, with Arab servants and others constantly going to and fro, -and as, to an English sentry, one native is very like another, there -seemed a possibility of Arabi's attempting to escape. So, under pretext -of calling to inquire as to his health (for he had been unwell), I paid -him a visit, with an interpreter, in order to inspect the premises. -Arabi came up and shook hands, and, on my asking if he were better, he -replied that now I had come to see him he was quite well—which was -encouraging. Then he went on to say that the English were famous for -their love of freedom, of liberty, and of justice, and that, relying -on our honour, he had surrendered unconditionally. He seemed inclined -to enter into a discussion, so I replied that no doubt his case would -receive careful consideration and justice from the British Government. -He did not strike me as a man of much education or intelligence. -Subse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>quently, Colonel Thynne, Grenadier Guards, was specially -appointed to take charge of him.<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a></p> - -<p>Although during the short period of active operations our troops had -enjoyed excellent health, notwithstanding the heat and the occasional -hardships they had undergone, soon after their arrival at Cairo -considerable numbers were struck down by fever and dysentery; probably -attributable to the bad water in the canal at Kassassin, and partly -to the insanitary condition of Cairo itself. Acting on advice, large -numbers of the sick were conveyed by rail to Alexandria, embarked for -home, and speedily recovered at sea.</p> - -<p>Without wishing to exaggerate the events of the campaign, I think -it will be admitted that the difficult arrangements connected with -the embarkation of our troops were carefully carried out; and that -the ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span>pedition was conducted with great promptitude and success. -These results testify to the efficiency of the naval and military -administration at home, and also to the courage and discipline of the -two services under somewhat trying circumstances. From a financial -point of view, the rapidity of the operations enabled us on arrival at -Cairo at once largely to reduce expenditure, by cancelling contracts -for food, forage, transport animals, and stores at various ports in -the Mediterranean. So sudden, indeed, was the transition from war to -peace, and so completely had the insurrection collapsed, that in the -course of a few weeks a large proportion of our forces were withdrawn -from the country and returned to England. The campaign being at an end, -I left Egypt early in October in order to resume my duties as Surveyor -General in the War Office; but before embarking had a farewell audience -with the Khedive, Ibrahim Tew-fik. I had had interviews with him on -one or two occasions previously. He was quiet and friendly in manner, -and apparently of a gentle disposition; was cordial in his recognition -of the good services rendered to him by the British forces. I said I -hoped that the conduct of our men since their arrival at Cairo had been -satisfactory, and he at once expressed his admiration of their good -discipline, and remarked that in every respect, whether in the streets -or in the bazaars, their conduct had been most orderly. What vexed -him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> was that some of his people in the bazaars cheated our men, and -demanded extravagant prices for their goods. I assured him, however, -that he need not worry himself on that point, as the English soldiers -would readily discover the market value, and matters would soon find -their level; and that they enjoyed their visit to Cairo.</p> - -<p>Statements were current at the time that the Khedive was not really -loyal to England. On this being brought to his notice, it is said, and -I believe truly, that he observed: "Not loyal to the English? When my -country was in insurrection and my authority and life in danger, there -was only one power in Europe which would move a finger to help me—and -that was England. If I am not faithful to them it would be strange -indeed!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_122_122" id="Footnote_122_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_122"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> Now Earl of Derby.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_123_123" id="Footnote_123_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_123"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> <i>Report of Royal Commission on the Relations of the -Naval and Military Departments to Each Other</i>, 1890.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_124_124" id="Footnote_124_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_124"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> Now Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, G.C.B.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_125_125" id="Footnote_125_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_125"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> This gallant young naval officer, whose services were -so valuable during the night march, unfortunately received a wound on -entering the works, of which he died a few days afterwards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_126_126" id="Footnote_126_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_126"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> Now Lord Alcester.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_127_127" id="Footnote_127_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_127"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> Visiting card of Arabi Pasha, found at Tel-el-Kebir. -</p> -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/card.jpg" alt="card" /> -<a id="card" name="card"></a> -</p> -</div></div> - - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/arms.jpg" alt="arms" /> -<a id="arms" name="arms"></a> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</a></h2> - -<p class="center">GIBRALTAR—ITS VALUE FROM A NAVAL AND COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW—ZOBEHR -PASHA A STATE PRISONER—SANITARY CONDITION OF GIBRALTAR.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> - - -<p>Soon after my return from the expedition to Egypt I was appointed -Governor of Gibraltar, and on January 2, 1883, took over the command -from my distinguished predecessor, Field Marshal Lord Napier of Magdala.</p> - -<p>Before alluding to the present position of Gibraltar, and to the duties -in connection with it during my tenure of office, it may be as well -to refer shortly to its eventful history in the past. One of the most -ancient fortresses in Europe, it owes its exceptional<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> interest and -importance partly to its position at the entrance to the Mediterranean -and partly from its vicinity to the kingdom of Morocco. From the early -part of the eighth century, when first occupied and fortified by the -Moors, it became, as it were, their chief base of operations in the -gradual conquest of the greater part of Spain. Its history in those -days is indeed one continual record for several centuries of sieges, -and of battles fought in its vicinity; and although re-taken in 1309, -and held for a few years by the Spanish forces, it may be said to have -been in possession of the Moors during almost the whole of the eight -hundred years of their rule in that country. During that long period -its value was chiefly of a military character; and it is only in more -recent times, as circumstances in Europe gradually changed, that its -unique position in regard to naval power in the Mediterranean has been -fully recognised and developed.</p> - -<p>Subsequently to the expulsion of the Moors in the sixteenth century it -was held by the Spanish Government, but its defences were apparently -neglected and its importance little appreciated; so that when attacked -by the British fleet under Admiral Rooke in 1704 it was captured with -comparative ease, its possession being confirmed to us by the Treaty -of Utrecht in 1713. Since that date, although it has undergone several -sieges—notably that by the allied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> armies and fleets of France and -Spain, which lasted from 1779 to 1782, it has successfully resisted all -attacks; and its past history would appear to prove that, if properly -armed and resolutely held, it is practically safe from capture by land -or sea.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/gibraltar.jpg" alt="gibraltar" /> -<a id="gibraltar" name="gibraltar"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption">GIBRALTAR FROM QUEEN OF SPAIN'S CHAIR</p> - -<p>Coming down to modern days, the first and perhaps the most important -point relates to its value as a harbour; and in this respect it is, and -always has been, somewhat defective from a naval point of view in time -of war. Although its anchorage is so far good that well-found vessels -can remain there in safety during the heaviest weather, still it cannot -be considered a harbour in the ordinary technical sense. It has no -narrow entrance or channel which by means of land armaments, lines -of torpedoes, or other means can be absolutely denied to a hostile -fleet. In fact, it is an open bay several miles wide. These general -conditions are, of course, permanent; but it is to be observed that the -increased range, power, and accuracy of modern ordnance have to some -extent given the fortress a greater command over the sea approaches -than it had in former days; so that, although hostile vessels cannot -be absolutely interdicted from paying flying visits in war, they would -be unable without great risk to remain for any length of time within -range. The conditions of modern warfare, therefore, have not been of -an unfavourable character in that respect. Another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> point has to be -noticed. The shores of the bay consist for the most part of territory -belonging to Spain; consequently, its waters are more or less under -the command of that country, and the improvement in modern artillery, -no doubt, has extended their power in this respect. It is, however, -clear that only in the event of war with Spain would this aspect of -the case assume importance; and, as a matter of fact, so little is the -contingency regarded that no batteries containing modern armaments have -been erected along their coast. On the whole, although the position -of Gibraltar may not in all respects be an ideal one, its general -conditions remain very much as they always have been; and to a great -naval, colonial, and commercial nation such as Great Britain it is of -the highest value, not only in war, but also in peace.</p> - -<p>Its possession gives us a place of rendezvous and of observation -for our fleets; so that in time of war, with ordinary vigilance, no -hostile vessels can enter or leave the Mediterranean without our -knowledge. That of itself is an important consideration. We are also -enabled to maintain within the fortress reserves of naval munitions, -food, coals, and stores, available for our vessels of war, either in -the Mediterranean or coming from the Atlantic. Its value, however, is -not limited to a period of war. Gibraltar has been for many a year to -a certain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> extent a centre of trade, not only with the neighbouring -towns of Spain, but also with the ports along the coast of Morocco. -And since the opening of the Suez Canal its mercantile interests have -greatly increased, the number of trading and passenger vessels of all -nations calling in daily for provisions and coals and other requisites -being much larger than of yore, as will be seen by the following table, -giving the number and tonnage of vessels calling at Gibraltar during -1868 and 1893 respectively:—</p> - -<table summary="tonnage" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td>Year -</td> -<td>Number of vessels calling -</td> -<td>Total tonnage -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td >1868 -</td> -<td align="center">4,471 -</td> -<td>1,519,046 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>1893 -</td> -<td align="center">5,172 -</td> -<td>4,637,454 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>As a proof of its commercial activity I may point out that Linea, which -five and twenty years ago was a mere Spanish village at the other end -of the neutral ground, is now a town of twelve thousand people, large -numbers of whom visit Gibraltar daily, bringing in supplies of food, -forage, vegetables, and fruit, &c., and leaving again at night with -English goods. In fact, it has become a suburb, as it were, of the -city. The trading facilities of Gibraltar are beneficial to the country -round, and are fully appreciated by the inhabitants of that part of -Andalusia. Taking all these matters into consideration, it will, I -think, be apparent that the value of the city and fortress to this -country are greater now even than in former days.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is no doubt quite natural that the Government and people of Spain -should feel regret at the permanent occupation of Gibraltar by a -foreign power; and it has been suggested that we should accept in -exchange the town and fortress of Ceuta, which holds a somewhat -analogous position on the other side of the Straits and which belongs -to Spain, and thus remove any cause for unfriendly feeling on their -part. The question, however, is not so simple as at first sight it -would appear. Assuming for the moment that the strategical value of -Ceuta as a naval station equals that of Gibraltar, on which I offer no -decided opinion, it is by no means certain that the proposal if made -by us would be accepted. The Spanish Government are very tenacious -of their possessions on the coast of Morocco, as giving them great -influence in that country. Their apparent desire is to hold a powerful, -if not a predominating, influence on both sides of the straits; and, -although they would no doubt gladly obtain possession of Gibraltar, it -does not therefore follow that they would give up possession of one of -their most valuable positions on the opposite coast in exchange. Other -Mediterranean powers also are carefully watching events in Morocco, -and it is very possible they might not acquiesce in our occupation of -Ceuta. These are diplomatic rather than military questions, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> only -allude to them as proofs that the subject is rather involved and goes -beyond a mere exchange of territory. So far as Morocco is concerned, -its present condition is deplorable. It is a country situated only a -few miles from Europe, with an excellent climate and great agricultural -and mineral resources; inhabited, moreover, by a fine, brave race of -people, and yet, notwithstanding these advantages, owing partly to the -jealousies of its neighbours, its resources remain undeveloped, whilst -its government is weak and cruel to a degree.</p> - -<p>In considering the two-fold aspect of Gibraltar as a fortress and -a commercial city combined, it is sometimes argued that its dual -interests are antagonistic, and that the presence of a large civil -population would add to the difficulties of its defence. To a certain -extent no doubt the position is anomalous, as in other fortified -cities. Should hostilities occur, and should the fortress be seriously -threatened, its trade would certainly suffer and a considerable -proportion of the inhabitants would probably seek temporary refuge -elsewhere. Still we must bear in mind that war is the exception; and -as not a shot has been fired at Gibraltar for upwards of a century, it -would appear senseless to paralyse its commercial advantages in time of -peace in anticipation of what an enemy might attempt to accomplish in -war. In short, the remedy would be far worse than the disease.</p> - - - -<p>The shipping trade of Gibraltar in the present day is subject to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> -one disadvantage, from the absence of any wharves for coaling the -numerous steam vessels which call daily throughout the year. In order -to remedy this deficiency, the coal reserves of the mercantile marine -are stored in large old wooden hulks, about thirty-five in number, -which are moored in <i>échelon</i> down the bay, inconveniently crowding -the anchorage. The arrangement is not only costly in the purchase and -maintenance of the hulks, but in time of war they would be liable to be -sunk either by ramming or by torpedoes. The difficulty, however, could -be met by an extension of the new mole pier, and by the construction -of a wharf from the Ragged Staff bastion; which would not only enclose -a considerable area of deep water and give facilities for coaling -vessels, both of war and of commerce, but would also enable a large -reserve of coals to be maintained on shore, under protection of the -guns of the fortress. The enclosed area would also be an appropriate -site for the proposed dock.</p> - -<p>One of the first subjects brought to my consideration on arrival as -Governor, was that of coaling merchant vessels at night. Ever since the -days of the great siege it had been the custom to close and lock up -all the gates of the city at sunset, and to prevent any communication -with the outer world until the following morning; just as if an enemy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> -at the gate outside were waiting to rush in and take possession. One -consequence of this extreme vigilance was that all vessels arriving -after dark had to remain at anchor for many hours before their wants -could be supplied. A deputation of merchants represented to me that -great advantage would arise if the detention could be avoided. Their -request seemed reasonable enough, and as on inquiry it appeared that -their wishes could be met by permitting a few coal-heavers to leave -the city at night, orders were given accordingly; and the result not -only obviated the inconvenience, but led to an increase in the vessels -visiting the port, thus adding considerably to the harbour dues.</p> - -<p>The old records of Gibraltar<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> during the eighteenth century contain -some interesting and amusing regulations concerning matters both of -civil administration and army discipline, and I will quote a few -examples.</p> - -<p>'Any donkeys loose in the town are to be the property of the person -taking them away, and any straying on the ramparts are to be shot by -the sentries.</p> - -<p>'Fishermen are only to sell their fish after the servant of the -Governor has bought what he requires.</p> - -<p>'Whatever suttler doth not inform against men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> that swear in their -houses contrary to the orders given out shall be turned out of town.</p> - -<p>'A hat having been taken from the Convent by some gentleman who left -his own instead, Mr.—— takes this method that the gentleman may -exchange hats <i>if he pleases</i>.</p> - -<p>'No gaming to be allowed in wine houses, particularly including the -games of the devil-and-the-taylors and skuttles.</p> - -<p>'All oysters which come from Portugal are to lie in the sea for at -least a fortnight before they are brought into the garrison, as they -are found very unwholesome without this precaution.</p> - -<p>'If sentries are attacked by bullocks in the streets or on the Line -Wall, they are to retire into an embrasure or get upon the parapet; but -they are not to fire inconsiderately.</p> - -<p>'A loose ball and a charge of powder in a cane is to be issued to each -man on guard to save their cartridges. The loose ball to be carried in -the cock of their hats.</p> - -<p>'On account of the scarcity of flour soldiers are not to have their -hair powdered till further orders.</p> - -<p>'Officers and non-commissioned officers commanding guards are -frequently to send out patrols through the day with their arms unloaded -to kill every dog they see going about the streets.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span></p> - -<p>'The Governor recommends it to the commanding officers of regiments -to give directions that the cartridges may not be made too large for -firing at exercise or reviews, some barrels of firelocks having split -in firing.</p> - -<p>'No person whatever is to be suffered to go on the Line Wall or -ramparts in a night-gown, night-cap, or binyan on any pretence -whatever, and all sentries are to turn off such as shall attempt to -come near their posts in any of the said dresses without distinction of -persons.</p> - -<p>'All sentinels who do not call out "All's well" every half minute shall -be punished with two hundred lashes.</p> - -<p>'The queue is to be fixed to the hair of the head, but when an -officer's hair is not long enough for this purpose he may be allowed to -fix the queue otherwise till his hair is sufficiently long, but this is -not to continue longer than two months on any account.</p> - -<p>'No one to suffer any person to stand at their doors or go into the -streets that has marks of the smallpox. No mackerel to be suffered to -come into town.</p> - -<p>'No woman to beat a soldier; the first that doth shall be whipped and -turned out of town.</p> - -<p>'Any man who has the misfortune to be killed is to be buried by the -guard where it happens, and his clothes to be sent to his regiment.</p> - -<p>'Officers at guard-mounting will bring their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> espantoons to a half -recover and come to the right about together upon a flam and not upon -the ruffle, which will be previous to it.' (The terms are meant for -certain beats on the drum. The espantoon for officers was done away -with in 1786.)</p> - -<p>The conditions under which our soldiers serve in the present day -as compared with those of the last century are certainly of a -much improved character, and the results in all respects are very -satisfactory. They are better paid, clothed, fed, and generally cared -for than in the days gone by. During my residence at Gibraltar, -I obtained permission from the War Office to convert some old -store-houses within the city into reading and recreation rooms for -the garrison, and it was carried out on a considerable scale. The -chief room was capable of seating 1,200 persons; and every week a free -smoking concert or entertainment was given, open to all soldiers, -their wives, and friends; each regiment taking its turn to arrange -a programme. Ladies and officers were sometimes kind enough to take -part in the concerts, which were always crowded. The institution also -contained a library, a billiard room, and was provided with games, such -as bagatelle, chess, draughts, &c. Tea, coffee, and non-intoxicating -drinks, at moderate prices were sold all day at a buffet; and after -sunset until roll-call a bar was opened, at which the men could get -glasses of beer, &c.</p> - - - -<p>The expenses were not large, and the financial results were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> -satisfactory. The non-commissioned officers and men of the garrison -only paid one halfpenny a month each, and were then free to use the -institution every day during their leisure hours; and to attend the -free concerts and other entertainments at will. Their subscriptions, -added to contributions from officers and to the profits from sale -of beer and refreshments, &c., were found to be sufficient for the -purpose. The furniture and gas were supplied by Government. During -the period of my command there was not a single case of disturbance -or trouble of any kind; and in my opinion such institutions are -excellent in every way, not only as places of innocent recreation, but, -especially in a place like Gibraltar, as tending to draw the men away -from the numerous wine-shops in the lower parts of the town. I may add -that during the visits of the Channel fleet the seamen and marines -were invited to make free use of the rooms, and did so in considerable -numbers: the institution thus contributing to promote that friendly -association between the men of the two services which is so desirable -from every point of view.</p> - -<p>A somewhat singular story is told of General Sir Robert Wilson on his -arrival as Governor of Gibraltar in 1843. It may be premised that -Sir Robert's services in the army had been of a very distinguished -character. Born in 1777, he was appointed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> a cornet of dragoons in -1794, and saw active service in Flanders and in Holland, and then in -Egypt in 1801. In 1802 he became a Lieutenant Colonel and went to -Brazil, and was also at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806. -In subsequent years he served in Poland, and also in Portugal and Spain -during the Peninsular war. He was with the Russians in the campaign -of 1812, and with the allied armies on the Continent up to 1814. From -1818 to 1830 he was Member of Parliament for Southwark. In September -1821, however, he was dismissed from the service by King George IV. -on account of his participation in the London riots which occurred on -the death of Queen Caroline. On the accession of William IV, in 1830, -he was restored to his rank in the army, and in 1843, was appointed -Governor of Gibraltar, in succession to Sir Alexander Woodford. It -is related that on his arrival he inquired of Sir Alexander if he -remembered the last occasion on which they had met? Woodford's reply -was that so many years had elapsed that he was unable to recall the -exact time or incident. Sir Robert Wilson then said: 'The last time we -met was in 1821, when you were at the head of the Guards and I was with -the mob, and you were driving us through the streets of London!' It is -not often, perhaps, that two general officers meet on two occasions -under such very different circumstances.</p> - - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/pasha.jpg" alt="pasha" /> -<a id="pasha" name="pasha"></a> -</p> - -<p class="caption"> ZOBEHR PASHA</p> - - -<p>In March 1885 Zobehr Pasha, accompanied by two sons, an interpreter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> -and several servants, arrived at Gibraltar from Egypt as a state -prisoner by order of the British Government, and he was detained there -during the remainder of my period of office. I had many conversations -with him on the subject of the Soudan, and found him to be a man of -considerable ability; and, although cautious in the expression of his -views on Egyptian affairs, I gathered from him that the people of the -Soudan specially detested the rule of the Egyptian Pashas, and that -the cause of their hostility to us arose solely from a belief that in -sending an expedition up the Nile to Khartoum in 1884, our object was -to reinstate the rule of Egypt in that country.</p> - -<p>Without entering at any length into this much discussed question, it -must be borne in mind that until conquered in 1821 by the late Mohammed -Ali the Soudan was entirely independent of Egypt, and separated -from it by a great desert. Colonel Charles Gordon wrote: 'From Wady -Halfa southwards to Hannek, a distance of 180 miles, an utter desert -extends, spreading also for miles eastwards and westwards, on both -sides of the Nile.... It was this boundary that kept the warlike and -independent tribes of the Soudan quite apart from the inhabitants of -Egypt proper, and made the Soudanese and the Egyptians two distinct -peoples that have not the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> least sympathy one with the other.' Of the -result of Egyptian rule, the late Sir Samuel Baker, writing in 1864, -drew a melancholy picture. He described the provinces as utterly -ruined and only governed by military force, the revenue unequal to -the expenditure, and the country paralysed by taxation; shut in by -deserts, all communication with the outer world was most difficult, and -the existing conditions rendered these countries so worthless to the -State that their annexation could only be accounted for by the fruits -of the slave trade. Zobehr Pasha's opinion as expressed to me was, -that if the people of the Soudan were assured that no attempt would be -made to restore the authority of Egypt, their hostility would cease, -and they would be anxious to open their country to trade. Speaking -generally, it appeared to me that his views were sound, and that if we -were to proclaim a policy of peace at Souakim, combined possibly with -some annual payment to the neighbouring chiefs, the road to Berber and -Khartoum would soon re-open and commerce be renewed. At all events I -cannot see that it is any part of our duty to assist the Egyptians to -reconquer the Soudan.</p> - -<p>Gibraltar, like many another ancient fortress, has undergone frequent -changes in its defences from time to time, owing to the advances in -military science, and to the constantly increasing power of modern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> -artillery. These changes have been incessant during the present -century, and it has been re-fortified and re-armed over and over again. -It is said that many years ago the Inspector General of Fortifications -of the day, desirous of bringing it up to date, recommended an extra -expenditure of 100,000<i>l.</i>, and had an interview with the Chancellor of -the Exchequer for the purpose of obtaining his consent. He explained -to the Chancellor the steep and isolated nature of the rock, and, -after giving him a graphic account of its numerous sieges, asked his -opinion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer's reply was discouraging, -and he said that, from the lucid and interesting description of the -Inspector General, it appeared to him that Gibraltar would be perfectly -impregnable if the military authorities would only leave it alone. -The money, however, was ultimately granted, and I only mention it as -an example of the different conclusions which financial and military -authorities may arrive at from a consideration of the same facts. The -one was evidently thinking of bastions and the other of budgets.</p> - -<p>Gibraltar has a population of about twenty-four thousand persons, of -which between four and five thousand are military, and as it is said -to be one of the most thickly inhabited places in the world<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a> its -sanitary condition is a matter not only of importance,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> but under -the circumstances one of some difficulty. In the early part of the -century it was frequently visited by severe epidemics of fever, and -more recently by serious attacks of cholera. Of late years, however, -its sanitation has been under the careful supervision of a Sanitary -Commission, which during my period of office consisted of twelve -members, four official, and eight civilians selected from the grand -jury list, and all unpaid. They had charge of the drainage, water, -gas, and general improvements of the city; and, under the authority -of the Governor, levied an annual rate on the inhabitants to meet the -necessary expenditure. It is evident that their duties were arduous -and responsible. The Sanitary Commission may be said to be the only -form of representation given to the people, and it is one which should -be carefully preserved. However necessary it may be that the governor -of a city, such as Gibraltar, enclosed within a fortress should have -full power and authority, still it must be an advantage to him and to -the public service that in a matter of vital interest to the people, -in which also their local knowledge can be utilised, they should be -consulted and associated with the Government. I may go farther and -record my opinion that at Gibraltar, as elsewhere, it is desirable that -representatives of the people should be freely consulted, not only -in regard to sanitation, but also in commercial<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> and other matters; -and during my residence there I derived much assistance from their -knowledge and friendly co-operation.</p> - -<p>The results of the care bestowed, for many years past, on the sanitary -arrangements at Gibraltar have been very satisfactory. Not only is its -condition far better than that of the neighbouring towns of Spain, but -it is now one of the healthiest stations of the British army at home or -abroad, as the following statistics will prove.</p> - -<p>Annual death rate per thousand of the troops at various stations at -home and abroad, on the average of ten years from 1882 to 1891—<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a></p> - -<table summary="deaths" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td>United Kingdom -</td> -<td>5·73 -</td> -<td>Bermuda -</td> -<td>10·11 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Gibraltar -</td> -<td>6·03 -</td> -<td>Ceylon -</td> -<td>12·38 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Malta -</td> -<td>8·18 -</td> -<td>India -</td> -<td>14·78 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Egypt<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> -</td> -<td>23·78 -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>A striking proof of the excellent sanitary condition of the city was -afforded in 1885, when the greater part of Spain was visited by a -severe attack of cholera, which gradually spread southwards; and early -in August several cases suddenly occurred both in Gibraltar and in the -neighbouring town of Linea. Bearing in mind the crowded population, -the matter was very serious, and certain additional precautions were -at once taken in order as far as possible to mitigate the severity of -the attack. One difficulty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> which has always existed more or less is -that of good drinking water. The chief supply is obtained from rain -water, collected from the surface of the rock during the wet season, -and stored in large reservoirs above the town. A considerable quantity -is also pumped up from shallow wells on the north front, but although -available for flushing, washing, &c., it is brackish and unfit for -drinking. As a consequence of this scarcity, there always has been a -considerable trade in water brought from Spain in barrels and sold in -the streets; but as on analysis it was found to be very impure, its -introduction on the appearance of cholera was stopped. Fortunately, -my predecessor, Lord Napier of Magdala, with a view to the possible -requirements of a state of siege, had commenced in 1882 the erection -of works for distilling sea water in large quantities; and, as they -were just completed, they were put into operation, and for some weeks -about 8,000 gallons a day were distilled and sold to all comers at the -rate of six gallons for a penny. A medical authority, speaking not long -since, said that 'cholera is an exclusively water-carried disease, and -all European countries may be rendered impervious to its attacks by -close attention to the purity of water.' That, I may say, was the view -of my medical advisers at Gibraltar at the time, and I attribute our -escape from a severe attack very much to this supply of pure water to -the inhabitants.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>Another precaution taken was the establishment of a camp just outside -the fortress for the inhabitants of the houses attacked. Indian -experience has proved that it is very advantageous to regiments when -visited by cholera to move them out of their barracks and place them -under canvas on fresh ground. The cases at Gibraltar nearly all -occurred among the poorer inhabitants living in very crowded dwellings; -and the families attacked being at once sent to the camp and supplied -with pure water, the disease was immediately checked. Their houses were -temporarily closed, the drains disinfected, cisterns emptied, and rags -and rubbish burnt; and in the course of a few days they returned home, -and the cholera, so far as they were concerned, was at an end.</p> - -<p>The epidemic at Gibraltar lasted for about two months, and great -misery resulted amongst the poorer classes, owing to the city being -placed in quarantine by the other ports of Europe. As a consequence -very few vessels called, and large numbers of the inhabitants were -out of employment. So great was the poverty that public soup kitchens -were established, and for some time about 2,000 persons a day received -free rations of soup and bread. In the meantime the disease was raging -at Linea and other neighbouring towns, and, considerable alarm being -felt, I was constantly urged to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> establish a cordon of troops across -the neutral ground, and to prevent all communication from the outside. -But although the precise causes of cholera may be somewhat obscure, it -appeared to me that, as the chief supplies of food came from Spain, had -a cordon been established, prices would have risen at once, and the -misery already existing would have been considerably increased. All -Indian experience proves that such arrangements are useless. In fact, -a line of sentries cannot stop the march of a disease; and therefore, -advised by experienced medical officers who had served in the East, I -refused to close the communications with Spain.</p> - -<p>The actual cases of cholera at Gibraltar and at Linea respectively in -the autumn of 1885 were as follows:</p> - -<table summary="cholera" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>Population,<br />Approximate -</td> -<td>Number of cases of<br />cholera -</td> -<td>Number of deaths -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Gibraltar -</td> -<td align="center">24,000 -</td> -<td align="center">32 -</td> -<td align="center">24 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Linea -</td> -<td align="center">12,000 -</td> -<td align="center">429 -</td> -<td align="center">206<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>So that whilst in Gibraltar one person in 750 was attacked, in Linea -it was one in 28. These facts speak for themselves, and prove that -adequate sanitary measures and precautions will to a great extent serve -to prevent the spread of epidemic disease.</p> - -<p>Before leaving this subject, I would mention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> that at the end of 1885 a -numerous committee of distinguished members of the medical profession, -including amongst others, Sir William Jenner, Sir William Gull, and -Sir Joseph Fayrer, conducted an inquiry into the subject of Asiatic -cholera, and at the end of their report they state as follows: 'The -Committee feel that they ought not to separate without expressing their -conviction that sanitary measures in their true sense, and sanitary -measures alone, are the only trustworthy means to prevent outbreaks -of the disease, and to restrain its spread and mitigate its severity -when it is prevalent. Experience in Europe and in the East has shown -that sanitary cordons and quarantine restrictions (under whatsoever -form) are not only useless as means for arresting the progress of -cholera, but positively injurious; and this not merely because of -the many unavoidable hardships which their enforcement involves, but -also because they tend to create alarm during periods of epidemics of -the disease and to divert public attention at other times from the -necessity which constantly exists for the prosecution of sanitary -measures of assured value—measures which, moreover, tend to mitigate -the incidence of all forms of disease.'</p> - -<p>The story of my 'Recollections' now draws to a close. Whatever -vicissitudes or occasional hardships I may have experienced during my -long service in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> various parts of the world, I was in great measure -free from them during the period of my government of Gibraltar. There -were, of course, numerous duties, and sometimes anxieties, connected -with its administration, but these were rendered comparatively easy by -the warm support of all classes which was so heartily given during the -four years of my residence amongst them. They are a loyal people, and -were most grateful for any efforts of mine to promote their welfare. -The conduct of the troops in garrison throughout was excellent, and a -friendly spirit prevailed at all times between the civil and military -population. I left Gibraltar with much regret, feeling deeply the -kindness shown to my family and myself by the inhabitants who came to -bid us farewell on our embarkation for England in November 1886.</p> - -<p>I hope that the narrative which I have given of the campaigns in which -I bore a small part, and the views which I have expressed on military -and political matters, may be of some interest to the public generally. -It will always be a gratification to me that throughout my career -I have been so closely associated with the officers and men of the -Royal Artillery, a corps in which members of my family have served in -uninterrupted succession from 1762 down to the present day.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_128_128" id="Footnote_128_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_128"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> See <i>Gibraltar Directory</i>, in which many others are -recorded.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_129_129" id="Footnote_129_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_129"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> <i>Colonial Office Book</i>, 1894.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_130_130" id="Footnote_130_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_130"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> <i>Army Medical Department Report</i>, 1892.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_131_131" id="Footnote_131_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_131"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> Average of nine years.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_132_132" id="Footnote_132_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_132"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> These figures were given me by the Spanish authorities.</p></div></div> - - - -<p style="margin-top: 5em;" class="center"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Spottiswoode & Co. Printers, New-street Square, London.</i></span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><b>SMITH, ELDER, & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.</b></p> - - -<blockquote> - -<p>THE LIFE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE CONSORT. By Sir <span class="smcap">Theodore -Martin</span>, K.C.B. With Portrait and Views. 5 vols. Demy 8vo. 18s. -each.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Also a 'People's Edition,' in 1 vol., bound in cloth, 4<i>s.</i> -6<i>d.</i>; or in six parts, 6<i>d.</i> each. Cloth Cases for binding, 1<i>s.</i> each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>MORE LEAVES FROM THE JOURNAL OF A LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS, from 1862 to -1882. Fifth Edition. With Portraits and Woodcut Illustrations. 8vo. -10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p>Also the Popular Edition, with Portrait and Woodcut -Illustrations, fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>THE LIFE OF LORD LAWRENCE. By <span class="smcap">R. Bosworth Smith</span>, M.A., -late Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford; Assistant Master at Harrow -School; Author of 'Mohammed and Mohammedanism,' 'Carthage and the -Carthaginians,' &c. Revised and Cheaper Edition, being the Sixth -Edition. 2 vols. large crown 8vo. with 2 Portraits and 2 Maps, 21<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>LIFE OF SIR HENRY LAWRENCE. By Major-General Sir <span class="smcap">Herbert Benjamin -Edwardes</span>, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., and <span class="smcap">Herman Merivale</span>, C.B. -With Two Portraits. 8vo. 12<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>LIFE OF LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR JAMES OUTRAM. By Major-General Sir -<span class="smcap">Frederic J. Goldsmid</span>, C.B., K.C.S.I. Second Edition. 2 vols. -demy 8vo. 32<span class="smcap">s.</span></p> - -<p>THE LIFE OF MAHOMET. From Original Sources. By Sir <span class="smcap">Wm. Muir</span>, -K.C.S.I. Third Edition, with a New Map and several Illustrations. 8vo. -16<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE MERV OASIS: Travels and Adventures East of the Caspian during the -Years 1879-80-81, including Five Months' Residence among the Tekkes -of Merv. By <span class="smcap">Edmond O'Donovan</span>, Special Correspondent of the -<i>Daily News</i>. In 2 vols. demy 8vo. with Portrait, Maps, and Facsimiles -of State Documents, 36<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>MERV: a Story of Adventures and Captivity. Epitomised from 'The Merv -Oasis.' By <span class="smcap">Edmond O'Donovan</span>, Special Correspondent of the -<i>Daily News</i>. With a Portrait. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>ESSAYS ON THE EXTERNAL POLICY OF INDIA. By the late <span class="smcap">J.W.S. -Wyllie</span>, C.S.I., India Civil Service, sometime Acting Foreign -Secretary to the Government of India. Edited, with a brief Life, by -Sir <span class="smcap">W.W. Hunter</span>, B.A., LL.D. With a Portrait of the Author. -8vo. 14<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE INDIA DIRECTORY. For the Guidance of Commanders of Steamers and -Sailing Vessels. Compiled from latest British Official Publications. -<span class="smcap">Part I.</span> From England to the East Indies by the Mediterranean -and Suez Canal, also by the Cape of Good Hope, with Interjacent Ports -in Africa and the Brazil Coast of South America. Illustrated by Charts -of Winds, Currents Tides, Passages, and Compass Variation. Revised -Edition, with Supplementary Chapter, Super royal 8vo. 28<i>s.</i> <span class="smcap">Part -II.</span> From Singapore through the China Sea, with all Passages -through the Eastern (Asiatic) Archipelago; also Malacca, Sunda, Bali, -Lombok, and Alilas Straits, with Java, Borneo, Sulu Sea, and the -Philippines. Illustrated by Charts of Currents in opposite Monsoons. -Super royal 8vo. 28<i>s.</i> By Commander <span class="smcap">Alfred Dundas Taylor</span>, -F.R.G.S., Indian Navy, late Superintendent of Marine Surveys to the -Government of India.</p> - -<p>THE ANNALS OF RURAL BENGAL. From Official Records and the Archives -of Ancient Families. By Sir <span class="smcap">W.W. Hunter</span>, LL.D. Vol. I. The -Ethnical Frontier. Fifth Edition. Demy 8vo. 18<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><i>By the same Author.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>ORISSA; or, The Vicissitudes of an Indian Province under Native and -British Rule. Being the Second and Third Volumes of 'Annals of Rural -Bengal.' With Illustrations. 2 vols. demy 8vo. 32<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>A LIFE OF THE EARL OF MAYO, Fourth Viceroy of India. 2 vols. Second -Edition. Demy 8vo. 24<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>AN ARTIST'S REMINISCENCES. By <span class="smcap">Rudolf Lehmann</span>. With Portrait. -Demy 8vo. 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> net.</p> - -<p>A SHORT HISTORY OF THE RENAISSANCE IN ITALY. Taken from the work -of <span class="smcap">John Addington Symonds</span>. By Lieut.-Col. <span class="smcap">Alfred -Pearson</span>. With a Steel Engraving of a recent Portrait of Mr. -Symonds. Demy 8vo. 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>VOLTAIRE'S VISIT TO ENGLAND, 1726-1729. By <span class="smcap">Archibald -Ballantyne</span>. Crown 8vo. 8<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE JOCKEY CLUB AND ITS FOUNDERS. By <span class="smcap">Robert Black</span>, M.A., -Author of 'Horse Racing in France,' &c. Crown 8vo. 10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF ROBERT BROWNING. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Sutherland -Orr</span>. With Portrait, and Steel Engraving of Mr. Browning's Study -in De Vere Gardens. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>ENGLISH PROSE: its Elements, History and Usage. By <span class="smcap">John -Earle</span>, M.A., Rector of Swanswick, formerly Fellow and Tutor of -Oriel College, Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University of Oxford. -8vo. 16<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE HISTORIC NOTE-BOOK; with an Appendix of Battles. By the Rev. -<span class="smcap">E. Cobham Brewer</span>, LL.D., Author of 'The Dictionary of Phrase -and Fable,' 'The Reader's Handbook,' &c. Crown 8vo. over 1,000 pp., -7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>SEA AND LAND: Features of Coasts and Oceans, with special reference -to the Life of Man. By <span class="smcap">N.S. Shaler</span>, Professor of Geology in -Harvard University. With Illustrations. Royal 8vo. 10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> net.</p></blockquote> - -<p><i>By the same Author.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>ASPECTS OF THE EARTH: a Popular Account of some Familiar Geological -Phenomena. With 100 Illustrations. Royal 8vo. 16<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>NATURE AND MAN IN AMERICA. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE VOLCANIC ISLANDS AND PARTS OF SOUTH -AMERICA, visited during the Voyage of H.M.S. 'Beagle.' By <span class="smcap">Charles -Darwin</span>, M.A., F.R.S. Third Edition. With Maps and Illustrations. -Crown 8vo. 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE STRUCTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CORAL REEFS. By <span class="smcap">Charles -Darwin</span>, M.A., F.R.S., F.G.S. With an Introduction by Professor -<span class="smcap">T.G. Bonney</span>, D.Sc., F.R.S., F.G.S. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. -8<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>HAYTI; or, the Black Republic. By Sir <span class="smcap">Spenser St. John</span>, -G.C.M.G., formerly Her Majesty's Minister Resident and Consul-General -in Hayti, now Her Majesty's Special Envoy to Mexico. Second Edition, -revised. With a Map. Large crown 8vo. 8<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA: a Survey of Fifty Years of Progress. -Edited by <span class="smcap">T. Humphry Ward</span>. 2 vols. 8vo. 32<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>A COLLECTION OF LETTERS OF W.M. THACKERAY, 1847-1855. With Portraits -and Reproductions of Letters and Drawings. Second Edition. Imperial -8vo. 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>A JOURNAL KEPT BY DICK DOYLE IN THE YEAR 1840. Illustrated by several -hundred Sketches by the Author. With an Introduction by <span class="smcap">J. -Hungerford Pollen</span>, and a Portrait. Second Edition. Demy 4to. -21<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>LIFE OF FRANK BUCKLAND. By his Brother-in-Law, <span class="smcap">George C. -Bompas</span>, Editor of 'Notes and Jottings from Animal Life.' With a -Portrait. Crown 8vo. 5<i>s.</i>; gilt edges, 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN, DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA. By <span class="smcap">Miguel de -Cervantes Saavedra</span>. A Translation, with Introduction and Notes, -by <span class="smcap">John Ormsby</span>, Translator of 'The Poem of the Ci<i>d.</i>' -Complete in 4 vols. 8vo., £2. 10<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>SHAKESPEARE. Certain Selected Plays Abridged for the Use of the Young. -By <span class="smcap">Samuel Brandram</span>, M.A. Oxon. Fourth and Cheaper Edition. -Large crown 8vo. 5<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p>Also the 9 Plays separately, crown 8vo. neatly bound in cloth -limp, price 6<i>d.</i> each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>SHAKSPEARE COMMENTARIES. By Dr. <span class="smcap">G.G. Gervinus</span>, Professor -at Heidelberg. Translated, under the Author's superintendence, by -<span class="smcap">F.E. Bunnett</span>. With a Preface by <span class="smcap">F.J. Furnivall</span>. -Fifth Edition. 8vo. 14<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>THE WHITE COMPANY. By <span class="smcap">A. Conan Doyle</span>, Author of 'Micah -Clarke' &c. Thirteenth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>STANHOPE OF CHESTER: a Mystery. By <span class="smcap">Percy Andreae</span>. Crown 8vo. -6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE MASK AND THE MAN. By <span class="smcap">Percy Andreae</span>, Author of 'Stanhope -of Chester.' Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE VAGABONDS. By <span class="smcap">Margaret L. Woods</span>, Author of 'A Village -Tragedy' &c. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>WITH EDGED TOOLS. By <span class="smcap">Henry Seton Merriman</span>, Author of 'The -Slave of the Lamp,' 'From One Generation to Another,' &c. Popular -Edition. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE HAWARDEN HORACE. By <span class="smcap">Charles L. Graves</span>, Author of 'The -Blarney Ballads,' 'The Green above the Red,' &c. Third Edition. Small -post 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>GLEAMS OF MEMORY; with some Reflections. By <span class="smcap">James Payn</span>. -Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>GRANIA: the Story of an Island. By the Hon. <span class="smcap">Emily Lawless</span>. -Crown 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>ROBERT ELSMERE. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Humphry Ward</span>, Author of 'Marcella,' -'The History of David Grieve,' &c. Popular Edition, crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i>; -<span class="smcap">Cheap Edition</span>, crown 8vo. limp cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>; Cabinet -Edition, 2 vols. small 8vo. 12<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><i>By the same Author.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>THE HISTORY OF DAVID Grieve. Popular Edition. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> Cheap -Edition. Crown 8vo. limp cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>MARCELLA. Popular Edition. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME; or, Sketches of Natural History, Poaching, and -Rural Life. By <span class="smcap">Richard Jefferies</span>. With Illustrations. Crown -8vo. 5<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>A PAIR OF LOVERS; and other Tales. 'The Short and Simple Annals of the -Poor.' By <span class="smcap">Ida Lemon</span>. Crown 8vo. 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>WHAT OUR DAUGHTERS CAN DO FOR THEMSELVES: a Handbook of Women's -Employments. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">H. Coleman Davidson</span>, Author of -'Dainties: English and Foreign,' 'Eggs,' &c. Crown 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>A BRIDE FROM THE BUSH. By <span class="smcap">E.W. Hornung</span>. Crown 8vo. limp red -cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>JESS. By <span class="smcap">H. Rider Haggard</span>, Author of 'King Solomon's Mines,' -&c. Crown 8vo. limp red cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>VICE VERSÂ; or, a Lesson to Fathers. By <span class="smcap">F. Anstey</span>. Crown 8vo. -limp red cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><i>By the same Author.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>A FALLEN IDOL. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> Cheap Edition, crown 8vo. limp red -cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE PARIAH. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> Cheap Edition, crown 8vo. limp red cloth, -2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE GIANT'S ROBE. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> Cheap Edition, crown 8vo. limp red -cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE TALKING HORSE, and other Tales. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> Cheap Edition, -cr. 8vo. limp red cloth, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p></blockquote> - -<blockquote> - -<p>MORE T LEAVES; a Collection of Pieces for Public Reading. By -<span class="smcap">Edward F. Turner</span>, Author of 'T Leaves' &c. Second Edition. -Cr. 8vo. 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><i>By the same Author.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>T LEAVES; a Collection of Pieces for Public Reading. Sixth Edition. -Crown 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>TANTLER'S SISTER; AND OTHER UNTRUTHFUL STORIES: being a Collection of -Pieces written for Public Reading. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> -6<i>d.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>AN AGNOSTIC'S APOLOGY; and other Essays. By <span class="smcap">Leslie Stephen</span>. -Large crown 8vo. 10<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>LIFE OF HENRY FAWCETT. By <span class="smcap">Leslie Stephen</span>. With 2 Steel -Portraits. Fifth Edition. Large crown 8vo. 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>HOURS IN A LIBRARY. By <span class="smcap">Leslie Stephen</span>. Revised, Rearranged, -and Cheaper Edition, with additional Chapters. 3 volume Crown 8vo. -6<i>s.</i> each.</p> - -<p>A HISTORY OF ENGLISH THOUGHT IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. Second -Edition. By <span class="smcap">Leslie Stephen</span>. 2 vols. demy 8vo. 28<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE SCIENCE OF ETHICS: an Essay upon Ethical Theory, as Modified by -the Doctrine of Evolution. By <span class="smcap">Leslie Stephen</span>. Demy 8vo. 16<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>RENAISSANCE IN ITALY. By <span class="smcap">John Addington Symonds</span>. <span class="smcap">The -Revival of Learning.</span> Second Edition. Demy 8vo. 16<i>s.</i> <span class="smcap">The -Fine Arts.</span> Second Edition. Demy 8vo. 16<i>s.</i> <span class="smcap">The Catholic -Reaction.</span> 2 vols. demy 8vo. 32<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>SHAKSPERE'S PREDECESSORS IN THE ENGLISH DRAMA. By <span class="smcap">John Addington -Symonds</span>. Demy 8vo. 16<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>LITERATURE AND DOGMA: an Essay towards a better Apprehension of -the Bible. By <span class="smcap">Matthew Arnold</span>. Popular Edition, with a New -Preface. Crown 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>GOD AND THE BIBLE: a Sequel to 'Literature and Dogma.' By <span class="smcap">Matthew -Arnold</span>. Popular Edition, with a new Preface. Crown 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> -6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>ST. PAUL AND PROTESTANTISM; with other Essays. By <span class="smcap">Matthew -Arnold</span>. Popular Edition, with a new Preface. Crown 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> -6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>CULTURE AND ANARCHY: an Essay in Political and Social Criticism. By -<span class="smcap">Matthew Arnold</span>. Popular Edition. Crown 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>IRISH ESSAYS, AND OTHERS. By <span class="smcap">Matthew Arnold</span>. Popular Edition. -Crown 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>ON THE STUDY OF CELTIC LITERATURE. By <span class="smcap">Matthew Arnold</span>. Popular -Edition. Crown 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE STORY OF GOETHE'S LIFE. By <span class="smcap">George Henry Lewes</span>. Second -Edition. Crown 8vo. 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>THE LIFE OF GOETHE. By <span class="smcap">George Henry Lewes</span>. Fourth Edition, -Revised according to the latest Documents, with Portrait. 8vo. 16<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY. By Sir <span class="smcap">James Fitzjames -Stephen</span>, K.C.S.I. Second Edition, with a new Preface. Demy 8vo. -14<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>UNDERGROUND RUSSIA. Revolutionary Profiles and Sketches from Life. -By <span class="smcap">Stepniak</span>, formerly Editor of 'Zemlia i Volia' (Land and -Liberty). With a Preface by <span class="smcap">Peter Lavroff</span>. Translated from -the Italian. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>THE WESTERN AVERNUS; or, Toil and Travel in Further North America. By -<span class="smcap">Morley Roberts</span>. Crown 8vo. 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JOSEPH MAZZINI. In 6 vols. Crown 8vo. 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> -each.</p> - -<p>THE SCIENTIFIC SPIRIT OF THE AGE; and other Pleas and Discussions, -including an Essay on 'THE EDUCATION OF THE EMOTIONS.' By <span class="smcap">Frances -Power Cobbe</span>. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p> - -<p>EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF W.M. THACKERAY. Chiefly Philosophical -and Reflective. Cheap Edition. Fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>LIBERALISM IN RELIGION; and other Sermons. By <span class="smcap">W. Page -Roberts</span>, M.A., Minister of St. Peter's, Vere Street, London. -Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p><i>By the same Author.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>LAW AND GOD. Fifth Edition. Crown 8vo. 5<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span></p> - -<p>WORKS BY MISS THACKERAY.</p> - - -<p>Uniform Edition, each Volume Illustrated with a Vignette Title-page. -Large Crown 8vo. 6s. each.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">OLD KENSINGTON.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE VILLAGE ON THE CLIFF.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">FIVE OLD FRIENDS AND A YOUNG PRINCE.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">TO ESTHER; and other Sketches.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE STORY OF ELIZABETH: TWO HOURS: FROM AN ISLAND.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">BLUEBEARD'S KEYS; and other Stories.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">TOILERS AND SPINSTERS.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">MISS ANGEL; FULHAM LAWN.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">MISS WILLIAMSON'S DIVAGATIONS</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">MRS. DYMOND.</span><br /> -</p> - - - - - - -<p>ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THE<br /> - -LIFE AND WORKS OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="smcap">(CURRER BELL) and her sisters</span></p> - -<p>EMILY and ANNE BRONTË</p> - -<p>(<span class="smcap">ELLIS and ACTON BELL</span>).</p> - -<p>In Seven Volumes, large crown 8vo. handsomely bound in cloth, price 5s. -each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>1. <b>JANE EYRE.</b> By <span class="smcap">Charlotte BrontË</span>. With Five -Illustrations.</p> - -<p>2. <b>SHIRLEY.</b> By <span class="smcap">Charlotte BrontË</span>. With Five -Illustrations.</p> - -<p>3. <b>VILLETTE.</b> By <span class="smcap">Charlotte BrontË</span>. With Five -Illustrations.</p> - -<p>4. <b>THE PROFESSOR</b>, and <b>POEMS</b>. By <span class="smcap">Charlotte -BrontË</span>. With Poems by her Sisters and Father. With Five -Illustrations.</p> - -<p>5. <b>WUTHERING HEIGHTS.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emily BrontË</span>. <b>AGNES -GREY</b>. By <span class="smcap">Anne BrontË</span>. With a Preface and Biographical -Notice of both Authors by <span class="smcap">Charlotte BrontË</span>. With Five -Illustrations.</p> - -<p>6. <b>THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL.</b> By <span class="smcap">Anne BrontË</span>. With -Five Illustrations.</p> - -<p>7. <b>LIFE OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Gaskell</span>. With -Seven Illustrations.</p> - -<p>The Volumes are also to be had in small post 8vo. limp cloth, -or cloth boards, gilt top, price 2s. 6d. each: and in small fcp. 8vo. -bound in half cloth, with Frontispiece to each volume, cut or uncut -edges, price 1s. 6d. each; or the Set bound in cloth, with gilt top, -in gold-lettered cloth case, 12s. 6d.</p></blockquote> - - - - - - -<p>ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF<br /> - -<b>MRS. GASKELL'S NOVELS AND TALES.</b></p> - -<p>In Seven Volumes, bound in cloth, each containing Four Illustrations, -price 3s. 6d. each.</p> - - -<p>CONTENTS OF THE VOLUMES:</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Vol. I.</span> <b>WIVES AND DAUGHTERS.</b></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Vol. II.</span> <b>NORTH AND SOUTH.</b></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Vol. III.</span> <b>SYLVIA'S LOVERS.</b></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Vol. IV.</span> <b>CRANFORD.</b></span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Company Manners—The Well of Pen-Morpha—The Heart of John -Middleton—Traits and Stories of the Huguenots—Six Weeks at -Heppenheim—The Squire's Story—Libbie Marsh's Three Eras—Curious if -True—The Moorland Cottage—The Sexton's Hero—Disappearances—Right at -Last—The Manchester Marriage—Lois the Witch—The Crooked Branch.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Vol. V.</span> <b>MARY BARTON.</b></p> - -<p>Cousin Phillis—My French Master—The Old Nurse's Story—Bessy's -Troubles at Home—Christmas Storms and Sunshine.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Vol. VI.</span> <b>RUTH.</b></p> - -<p>The Grey Woman—Morton Hall—Mr. Harrison's Confessions—Hand and Heart.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Vol. VII.</span> <b>LIZZIE LEIGH.</b></p> - -<p>A Dark Night's Work—Round the Sofa—My Lady Ludlow—An Accursed -Race—The Doom of the Griffiths—Half a Lifetime Ago—The Poor -Clare—The Half-Brothers.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Volumes are also to be had in small post 8vo. limp cloth, -or cloth boards, gilt top, price 2s. 6d. each: and in Eight Volumes, -small fcp. 8vo. bound in half-cloth, cut or uncut edges, price 1s. 6d. -each; or the Set bound in cloth, with gilt top, in gold-lettered cloth -case, 14s.</p></blockquote> - -<p>W.M. THACKERAY'S WORKS.</p> - - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>THE ÉDITION DE LUXE.</b> Twenty-six Volumes, imperial 8vo. -Containing 248 Steel Engravings, 1,620 Wood Engravings, and 88 -Coloured Illustrations. The steel and wood engravings are all printed -on real China paper. The NUMBER of COPIES PRINTED is LIMITED to ONE -THOUSAND, each copy being numbered. The work can only be obtained -through booksellers, who will furnish information regarding terms, &c.</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>THE STANDARD EDITION.</b> Twenty-six Volumes, large 8vo. 10<i>s.</i> -6<i>d.</i> each. This Edition contains some of Mr. Thackeray's writings -which had not been previously collected, with many additional -Illustrations. It has been printed from new type, on fine paper; and, -with the exception of the Édition de Luxe, it is the largest and -handsomest edition that has been published.</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>THE LIBRARY EDITION.</b> Twenty-four Volumes, large crown 8vo. -handsomely bound in cloth, price £9; or half-russia, marbled edges, -£13. 13<i>s.</i> With Illustrations by the Author, <span class="smcap">Richard Doyle</span>, -and <span class="smcap">Frederick Walker</span>.</p></blockquote> - -<p> <i>The Volumes are sold separately, in cloth, price 7s. 6d. -each.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>THE POPULAR EDITION.</b> Thirteen Volumes, crown 8vo. with -Frontispiece to each volume, scarlet cloth, gilt top, price £3. 5<i>s.</i>; -or half-morocco, gilt, price £5. 10<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p> <i>The Volumes are sold separately, in green cloth, price 5s. -each.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>CHEAPER ILLUSTRATED EDITION.</b> Twenty-six Volumes, crown 8vo. -bound in cloth, price £4. 11<i>s.</i>; or handsomely bound in half-morocco, -price £8. 8<i>s.</i> Containing nearly all the small Woodcut Illustrations -of the former Editions and many new Illustrations by Eminent Artists.</p> -</blockquote> -<blockquote> - -<p>THIS EDITION CONTAINS ALTOGETHER 1,773 ILLUSTRATIONS #/</p></blockquote> - -<p>By the <span class="smcap">Author</span>; <span class="smcap">Luke Fildes</span>, A.R.A.; Lady -<span class="smcap">Butler</span> (Miss Elizabeth Thompson); <span class="smcap">George du Maurier</span>; -<span class="smcap">Richard Doyle</span>; <span class="smcap">Frederick Walker</span>, A.R.A.; <span class="smcap">George -Cruikshank</span>; <span class="smcap">John Leech</span>; <span class="smcap">Frank Dicksee</span>; -<span class="smcap">Lindley Sambourne</span>; <span class="smcap">F. Barnard</span>; <span class="smcap">E.J. Wheeler</span>; -<span class="smcap">F.A. Fraser</span>; <span class="smcap">Charles Keene</span>; <span class="smcap">R.B. Wallace</span>; -<span class="smcap">J.P. Atkinson</span>; <span class="smcap">W.J. Webb</span>; <span class="smcap">T.R. Macquoid</span>; -<span class="smcap">M. Fitzgerald</span>; <span class="smcap">W. Ralston</span>; <span class="smcap">John Collier</span>; -<span class="smcap">H. Furniss</span>; <span class="smcap">G.G. Kilburne</span>, &c., &c., &c.</p> - -<p><i>The Volumes are sold separately, in cloth, price 3s. 6d. -each.</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>THE POCKET EDITION.</b> Twenty-seven Volumes. Price 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> -each, in half-cloth, cut or uncut edges; or 1<i>s.</i> in paper cover.</p></blockquote> - -<p> <i>The Set of 27 Volumes can be had in a Handsome Ebonised -Case, price £2. 12s. 6d.</i></p> - -<p><i>They are also supplied, elegantly bound in cloth, with gilt top, as -follows</i>:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>THE NOVELS.</b> 13 volumes, in gold-lettered cloth case, 21<i>s.</i></p> - -<p><b>THE MISCELLANIES.</b> 14 volumes, in gold-lettered cloth case, -21<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - - -<p>W.M. THACKERAY'S LETTERS.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>A COLLECTION OF LETTERS OF W.M. THACKERAY, 1847-1855.</b> With -Portraits and Reproductions of Letters and Drawings. Second Edition. -Imperial 8vo. 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p><b>BALLADS.</b> By <span class="smcap">William Makepeace Thackeray</span>. With a -Portrait of the Author, and 56 Illustrations by the Author; Lady -<span class="smcap">Butler</span> (Miss Elizabeth Thompson); <span class="smcap">George du Maurier</span>; -<span class="smcap">John Collier</span>; <span class="smcap">H. Furniss</span>; <span class="smcap">G.G. Kilburne</span>; -<span class="smcap">M. Fitzgerald</span>; and <span class="smcap">J.P. Atkinson</span>. Printed on toned -paper by Clay, Sons, & Taylor; and elegantly bound in cloth, gilt -edges, by Burn. Small 4to. 16<i>s.</i></p></blockquote> - - -<p>W.M. THACKERAY'S SKETCHES.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>THE ORPHAN OF PIMLICO</b>, and other Sketches, Fragments, and -Drawings. By <span class="smcap">William Makepeace Thackeray</span>. Copied by a process -that gives a faithful reproduction of the originals. With a Preface -and Editorial Notes by Miss Thackeray. A New Edition, in a new style -of binding, bevelled boards, gilt edges, royal 4to. price One Guinea.</p></blockquote> - -<p>London: SMITH, ELDER & CO., 15 Waterloo Place.</p> - - - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Recollections of a Military Life, by -John Adye, (Gen. Sir) - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF A MILITARY LIFE *** - -***** This file should be named 52473-h.htm or 52473-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/4/7/52473/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Graeme Mackreth and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by University of California libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/alma.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/alma.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 65fd38c..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/alma.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/armies.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/armies.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a190a22..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/armies.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/arms.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/arms.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 72ce88c..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/arms.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/attock.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/attock.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 739db93..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/attock.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/battle_of_alma.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/battle_of_alma.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 958d571..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/battle_of_alma.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/battle_of_balaclava.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/battle_of_balaclava.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index fb6016e..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/battle_of_balaclava.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/card.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/card.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index fa386ec..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/card.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/cawnpore.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/cawnpore.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 17637e9..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/cawnpore.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d01d3f4..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/eve.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/eve.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index bec8294..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/eve.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/farm_house.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/farm_house.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6816e56..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/farm_house.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/frontier.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/frontier.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4f6be02..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/frontier.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/garrison.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/garrison.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0528bd4..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/garrison.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/gibraltar.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/gibraltar.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7bdeee2..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/gibraltar.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/grave.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/grave.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a216dcf..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/grave.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/inkerman.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/inkerman.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8786466..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/inkerman.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/light_brigade.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/light_brigade.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 42249f6..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/light_brigade.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/order.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/order.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7103018..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/order.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/pasha.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/pasha.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cb78371..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/pasha.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/peak.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/peak.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index fca318a..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/peak.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/ruins.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/ruins.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0197637..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/ruins.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/sebastapol.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/sebastapol.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3847724..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/sebastapol.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/sketch.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/sketch.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2fc4d3b..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/sketch.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/tel-el-kebir.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/tel-el-kebir.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 86ddb34..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/tel-el-kebir.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/tour.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/tour.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 64a4326..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/tour.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52473-h/images/war.jpg b/old/52473-h/images/war.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 76334bc..0000000 --- a/old/52473-h/images/war.jpg +++ /dev/null |
