Crimean texts
THE April correspondence consists mainly of letters of Lord Panmure and Sir William Codrington relative to the winding up of the campaign.
It was not till April 29th that the exchange of ratifications enabled peace to be formally proclaimed, and hence effective evacuation of the Crimea was proportionally delayed — Codrington’s labours being meanwhile limited to the embarkation of the Sardinian troops, Army Works Corps, siege train and superfluous stores, and to endeavours to sell off huts and transport animals, together with all but the best of the Cavalry and Artillery horses.
Lord Palmerston’s characteristic attention to detail is well illustrated by his contributions on the disposal of the latter.
The evacuation of Kertch had already begun.
Owing to the smallness of the harbour of Balaclava, a concession of the right to use that of Sebastopol for the purposes of evacuation was of great advantage to the British.
Details as to the projected return of troops from the East, and the disembodiment of the Militia, will be found in Lord Panmure’s letter to Her Majesty, dated April 25th.
Meantime the relations subsisting between the recent enemies in the Crimea continued to be of the most friendly character. Civilities in the form of banquets and reviews were exchanged between the Allied and Russian Generals, and these functions, as well as some evolutions on a large scale by the infantry of the British Army, are well described by Codrington. The latter are of great significance, as showing the splendid condition of our army at the conclusion of the war. And it may be noted in passing that, at this time, a French Commission had obtained leave to inquire into the causes of this superior well-being of the British Army.
Less satisfactory, strange to say, than their relations with their late enemies were the relations of the Allies themselves — of which an outrage perpetrated by French marines upon a British sergeant may serve as an illustration.
At home the composition of a Commission to inquire into the System of Purchase in the Army engaged attention, the Commission having been proposed, in Panmure’s words, rather in deference to the opinion of the House of Commons than from expectation or desire of change.
In reference to the prospect of an attempt to reduce the army, now that war was at an end, Panmure writes, April 14th, ‘All I can say is, I’ll oppose the current till it sweeps me away with it! Of course, some reduction must take place, but we must maintain our army in a proper organisation, and in its reduced establishment ready to be built upon at any moment.’
SEBASTOPOL, April 1, 1856.
Desires to be informed of final destinations of regiments.
The final destination of regiments is that which will enable me to use the transports for the army with the best economy of time and means. I cannot settle their future stations, which depend upon political arrangement, and a military roster at the Horse Guards. Therefore I trust to your letting me know all this as soon as possible; the same about the 10th and 12th going back to India; the roster in England must settle that, and you will hear from Constantinople, or at all events I will send you when I get it, the account I have asked for of losses and the time occupied in the bringing them to the Crimea. There can be little doubt of its not being worth while taking their horses back.
As to Turkish Government acquiring our horses.
Lord Stratford will let me and you know the result of his inquiries as to the Turkish Government taking our horses, both of Artillery, Cavalry, and Land Transport. I must have your sanction for such disposal of these; for, remember, Artillery horses are not got in a day, and it renders inefficient for the time 120 guns.
I have long ago given directions to stop all purchases of animals; and, by a letter from General Storks, three of the transports with the additional artillery will remain at Scutari; the shortest way to be to send them straight home again if the horses are in tolerable health, unless it is wished to let the Turks buy them.
Thanks for adoption of a general order affecting the press.
I have to thank you for the adoption of the general order about the press: I do not think that it is otherwise than right; and, as you know, I made up my mind to abuse, which I see is begun, accompanied by distortion of facts and much personality. . . . By the bye, how is it that you publish the strength of the English army yourself in Dr. Hall’s report — that part surely can be left with asterisks.
Thoughts are now turned to embarkation.
However, all these things are but of little consequence now: our embarkation, and that of the Sardinians depending on us, will occupy all one’s thought and time, though not quite in as engaging a way as a forward movement.
Services of the Sardinians.
I think Sardinians ought to go first, so as to relieve them from expense, as they have been so true and so quiet in their assistance, and are so little gainers by the result. However, they gain in morale and renommé — no trifling gain for any country, and particularly for a leading state of Italy. . . .
I have a telegraph from Lord Clarendon, of the 28th March, ‘that peace would be signed shortly,’ 1 and that the armistice had better be renewed. It had already been done.
Writer’s loyalty and gratitude to Government.
Although I may differ in my views of what is the best course, and although I think it right to give my opinion to you officially on such subjects, yet you must not think I am unmindful of the assistance and support which I have received; and I shall adopt and carry out any views on which the Government wishes me to act.
Many of the spaces of burial grounds are enclosed; timber fences would be no use, stone has in many cases to be brought some distance, and you have no idea of the extent of some of the places. . . .
PY., April 3, 1856.
Cavalry horses in the Crimea.
Lord Combermere spoke to me to-day at the Council about the Cavalry Horses in the Crimea. He strongly recommended bringing home the good and efficient horses, and selling the bad ones on the spot. He said that a certain number of made horses would be of the greatest value to the Regiments on their return home, and that without such a foundation the Regiments would not be fit for any duty, and would not be able to train recruits. I was glad to find a good and experienced Cavalry Officer held the same opinion which I had been led to form.
April 4, 1856.
Sir W. Eyre to command N. American division of the Army
I have sent you an official despatch on the subject of sending five Regiments to N. America, as we consider those parts to have been too much denuded of troops on the outbreak of the War. . . . The regiments will embark at once on the shipping being ready, and we are particularly anxious that nothing should be known of their departure till they are on the point of embarkation. They may be warned for service without saying where. We are desirous that this should not appear as a menace in any way, but merely as the natural mode of dispersing an army gathered from all quarters. I think you should send them away complete in all things, but I would leave them to provide carts and animals for Land Transport in the countries whither they are going. The Sardinian medals are gone in the Resolute to General Marmora, but you may do every honour you like to his army by presenting them.
I grieve with you over your sad conflagration, and though I cannot agree with you that the Army Works Corps have not done a great deal to promote the comfort of the army, I have no objection to your making any arrangement which you think right for sending it back to this country. We wish everything to come back to us as light as you can manage, and if we can get any price of even a moderate figure for ALL our horses of every description, I would at once sell them rather than reconvey them back to this country.
Superfluities to be disposed of.
All other stores which are superabundant may equally be dispensed with; I find that there is a great deficit of muskets in Canada, and have telegraphed to Storks not to serve out 1851 pattern to Cossacks of the Sultan, and I think you should send them on in the transports with the Canadian troops, consigned to W. D., Storekeeper there. You have been lecturing me for not giving your despatches in full to the Gazette. I take it very quietly, conceiving myself to be a better judge of what the public should hear than you can be out there. I take care that the departments know all the facts of the case, and I think you had better leave these matters in my hands and trust to my discretion. I don’t think you have suffered by it.
SEBASTOPOL, April 5, 1856.
Embarkation commences.
It has been necessary to begin sending stores and siege train away from hence. There was some order to Captain Gordon not to send anything to England direct; but I have given him authority to break through this, for delay won’t do this now; and waiting for knowledge of arrangements for stores in England might delay our doing anything, and cause an accumulation of ships at Balaclava, which the size of the harbour will not allow — therefore you must trust me to do the best for the service. If I do not hear soon, I shall probably order the embarkation for England of those troops of Horse Artillery and batteries that have the first claim by their service out here to go home.
As to retention of troops as Army of occupation.
I should myself continue to send home the horses and batteries until I hear that any troops are to remain (say a Division) in Turkey, or elsewhere. If one or two Divisions were settled, as possibly a sort of army of occupation, I would give them a larger proportion of Artillery than usual — perhaps even four batteries to a Division of Infantry.
But no doubt you will telegraph to me some outline by which I shall be enabled to act.
I should like, as due to them, to send home the Sardinian army first, in steamers — which steamers would return for our longer voyages to England.
Army all well: better weather up to yesterday. On the 3rd as nasty a snow-storm, with heavy squalls, as I have seen this winter; but to-day sun, and mild.
General Lüders has just sent a Colonel Offenberg (I think his name) to Marshal Pelissier, myself, and General la Marmora, to regulate the admission of officers or men past the respective lines. We print some passes for him at once — to take back with him; and we print some others, also for him to take back on approval, for us to issue, in order to be valid with Russian sentries.
I am sorry to say that the 13 field guns 2 stared Colonel Offenberg in the face just in front of this house.
Colonel O. talked unhesitatingly about the difficulty of transport.
PY., April 6, 1856.
Horses in the Crimea.
I have been thinking over the question about the horses in the Crimea. You say that it will cost you forty pounds a horse to bring them home, and that you can buy others here for thirty or thirty-five pounds a-piece. But if that is so, surely it will be best economy to bring home all the good and serviceable horses, because the horses that you would buy here, at £30 or £35 each, would be young, raw and untrained, unfit for work for a year or a year and a half, and many of them would die of inflammation or fall lame, or come to those other accidents to which young horses are liable in the process of seasoning. Would it not therefore be best economy, with a view both to money and to efficiency, to bring home the good seasoned and serviceable horses of cavalry and artillery and transport, and to sell on the spot those only that are not likely to be fit for service?
PY, April 6, 1856.
The Sardinians say that, as we cannot advance them the additional half-million which they have asked for, they hope that we shall assist them in paying as soon as possible the additional expense which they are put to by having their army in the Crimea, and that we will for that purpose give them means to return home as soon as possible. This seems to me to be a reasonable request, and one which we ought to comply with.
April 6, 1856.
New Rifle for the Army.
The Queen has not signed the enclosed Warrant, fearing some mistake. No new pattern for a short musquet-rifle has been submitted to her by the Commander-in-Chief, nor does she recollect having signed a Warrant on the 20th of January ordering the pattern to be sealed which is now proposed to be superseded. If, moreover, a new pattern was to be adopted, it should be for all Rifle Corps and not for the Rifle Brigade only. The Queen had hoped that this new Rifle, which was approved by her about Christmas if she remembers rightly, would soon be ready for distribution.
April 7 1856.
Lord Panmure presents his humble duty to Your Majesty, and regrets that Your Majesty should have had so much trouble respecting the Warrant submitted by him for sealing the pattern of ‘the short musquet’ for The Rifle Brigade.
Lord Panmure transmits for Your Majesty’s information the following documents: 1st, the Warrant of 21st January, from which it would appear that the arm then sealed had been submitted to Your Majesty, and is doubtless the same which Your Majesty mentions as having seen at Christmas. 2nd, Copy of a memorandum from Pall Mall, in which the alterations now submitted are described.
As to alterations in patterns submitted.
These alterations, though trifling in detail, are important in effect on the arm, and Lord Panmure certainly thought that they had been submitted to Your Majesty by Lord Hardinge, as his approval of them was notified to Lord Panmure; but as Your Majesty’s commands were explicit, that no alteration whatever should be made in any pattern sealed by Warrant under the Royal Sign Manual without Your Majesty’s approbation, Lord Panmure refused to sanction the changes proposed until he had submitted a Warrant for Your Majesty’s signature.
Lord Panmure fully concurs with Your Majesty that all Rifle Corps should be armed with the same musquet, and should Your Majesty on this explanation consent to have the Warrant resubmitted for signature, Lord Panmure will have it so worded as to carry out Your Majesty’s views.
Lord Panmure has desired the two rifles referred to in Memo. No. 2 to be sent for Your Majesty’s inspection with this letter, trusting to Your Majesty’s excusing a course somewhat irregular.
April 7, 1856.
I write you to-day on the subject of the evacuation of Kertch, which is pressed on us by Russia, and there is every disposition to give it up on our part.
Disposal of Turkish Contingent.
But we must see where the Turkish Contingent is to go, and I think you should immediately communicate with Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, and see whether he can make any arrangement with the Porte to send them to some quarter where their final redelivery to the Turkish Government could be effected.
It will be necessary to dispose of your heavy guns at Kertch, and these might be sent to Malta if they are in good condition.
There is a company which mean to establish a railway from Joppa to Jerusalem, and who are likely to become bidders for our rails and plant at Balaclava, and I dare say there are many other things which might suit them. I am making inquiries. I hope you will get the Sardinian medals, by the Resolute, before any part of the Sardinian army leaves the Crimea, which, however, will be soon.
I think you should send me home some plan of your own for evacuating the Crimea, as it would lead to definitive conclusions more easily.
We shall require some ten or twelve regiments to remain in the Mediterranean, perhaps more.
But we are cutting and carving on our peace establishment, and you shall hear more fully when we see our way with it.
April 8, 1856.
The Queen thanks Lord Panmure for his letter of yesterday.
His explanation is quite satisfactory, and the Queen approves the Rifles, which she returns. She will sign the proposed Warrant as soon as Lord Panmure sends it to her.
April 8, 1856.
Process of ‘clearing out’ begun.
The necessity of getting ships away from Balaclava, which would only encumber the harbour, has rendered it necessary to load them at once — in some cases for England direct. . . .
I am making arrangements to finish all the gun and shot business by the rail, and shall then take up whatever portions are not required for the transport of provisions, etc., to the Forts.
The Sardinians will have given to them now, in consequence of your telegraph, about 200 iron guns; they will embark them for Genoa.
I hope you will approve of my giving to La Marmora the six guns, iron position pieces and carriages, which did such good service for them in the battle of the Tchernaya; they swept the plain to the Tractir bridge, and, hearing from Count Lilta that they would be very glad to have them as part of their share of the Russian guns, I thought it much better to offer them from the English Government as a souvenir to them of the Alliance.
Division of captured guns.
All the brass field guns — our share, that is, and having had no division for the Sardinians, — will go home. The division will have to be made in England for the Sardinians — which, I suppose, will deprive us of one-third of those we have. I will ask, when in England, that Sir W. Codrington may have the option of one for his place in Gloucestershire, and I have mentioned in my public letter about a gun and a howitzer for the family of Lord Raglan.
The system of passes proposed by Colonel Offenberg, by Lüders’ desire, seems all nonsense; it is certainly not worth while as far as we are concerned, and is not the least attended to by the Russians themselves.
Russian drunkenness.
I never saw such a scene, such a line of drunkenness descending the quarry valley of Inkerman, from the French and English camps, to the Tchernaya — on their men and N.C. officers returning from the ‘hospitalities’ of their late enemies. They came across by the causeway and the posts and rails in the river, and two-thirds or three-quarters were reeling drunk on their return; I rode up as they were coming down, and was glad to see but very few English in the same state.
General Lüders was gone to Simpheropol, so that our communications were not as rapid as could be wished. We shall probably meet him, but the Russian officers talk of typhus fever at Simpheropol, etc. No doubt there is much sickness among them, and great difficulty of communication and supplies.
Friendliness of the recent enemies.
Some of General Lüders’ staff came here to Headquarters, and remained on very easy terms with General Windham. They return some day to dine with him. Plenty of similar intercourse is going on with the French.
We certainly feel the loss of the telegraph much just now; nor does the ‘rapidity’ of the mail-boat keep pace with our necessities just at present.
Paying off of Army Works Corps.
I presume you will not be sorry to pay off, by my sending them to England, the Army Works Corps, as they are a tolerably expensive force, and have not any very important occupation.
Disposal of Artillery horses.
I have ordered Boards in the Artillery to estimate what horses are worth taking to England, and what selling here. I cannot suppose that you would wish to re-establish the Russian Artillery with English horses, and some of the fine and good horses at their prime will be worth maintaining. Besides, until I know the destination of the troops, and their Artillery — whether you mean to have a Division or Corps in Turkey, or the Mediterranean — I cannot decide as to selling.
Report says that the Marseilles people don’t wish to have the French army come home until their typhus fever is gone — they are afraid of an epidemic. That does not surely apply to Toulon.
I have written to Lüders that I wish to repair the broken bridge over the Tchernaya at the causeway, in order that we may pass freely to the north side of the harbour, and have prepared everything for this temporary purpose.
April 11, 1856.
Permission to use harbour of Sebastopol.
I have communicated to you by telegraph that we shall have permission to use the harbour of Sebastopol, and you will be repaid for your considerate abstinence from destroying the wharves and landing-places. This will save wear and tear of your horses, and enable you to remove the iron Russian guns if worth the expense. You have already received from the Horse Guards the detail of the five regiments destined for North America, and the sooner you make arrangements to get them away the better.
The battery of Artillery in the Jura will have gone on to Halifax, I expect, before this reaches you, but I think the other Artillery should be sent back without disembarking to England.
We shall require seventeen regiments to remain to garrison the ports of the Mediterranean and Gibraltar when the depot is withdrawn from Malta and the militia brought home. You will probably receive the details of these reliefs from Lord Hardinge by the next mail, but I understand that he means to select them according to their turn for Foreign Service had the war not occurred. You will have a guess at the particular corps, and will be able to make your arrangements. I shall soon be justified in giving you my views in an official shape upon the evacuation, but until we receive the ratifications of peace it would be premature. I may mention my views, however, in this shape.
The writer’s views on evacuation.
It is my opinion that you should immediately get together your hospital ships and send as many of your sick as you can, and in every possible way reduce your hospital establishment. Next, you should, as soon as you can, send your reliefs for the Militia and let us get them home. Thirdly, you should get rid of all transport animals which you may be able to spare. Fourthly, you may draft down your Cavalry and Artillery horses to as low a figure as you can, retaining the good only.
Fifthly, I would discharge as many of the natives belonging to the Land Transport Corps as you can. Sixthly, as soon as you can spare the Army Works Corps, send them home and we will get rid of them. For the timber of the huts you are welcome to make any bargain you can on the spot, and for all your Land Transport animals and inferior cattle I see no reason why, if the Russians want them, they should not have leave to purchase them. I would not sell any of our artillery or cavalry horses in the Crimea.
I will speak to Sir C. Wood about having some express steamers to facilitate the conveyance of messages and postal arrangements. As your troops diminish in number you will be able to spare some generals and their staff, and you can send them home if they choose. I like your idea of coming home in a fleet, and I will endeavour to bring you in triumph to England. I think if the weather prove fine we may have 20,000 men home at once — i.e., at one time. I must set about disembodying the Militia to make room for you. . . .
April 12, 1856.
I hope to get some telegrams soon to help our embarkation of troops, for until I know destination much is delayed. Next week, I think the 5 or 6000 Sardinians will be sent off, about whom the Admiral has a telegraph; and when I find he has partly steam and partly sailing vessels for the conveyance of the Army Works Corps, they had better be the first — as being the most expensive corps, and a temporary one — to have their discharge. To-day about 500 of them embark in the Cleopatra — many from inefficiency from health, many from inefficiency by bad conduct, and many from a reduction of the Corps in numbers.
Against the Army Works Corps.
But in the return I called for from Mr. Doyne I observed that many of the whole, indeed I think scarcely an exception, have been fined for various faults. Some of them, I see, pretty heavily. The fact is that the motives here for work are different from those having an influence in England: when bread, beef, vegetables, and 5s. a-day are secured to a man without effort, what is his particular inducement to work? You will think that I am prejudiced about them: I am not so; but none of us could be blind to what we saw, and see every day along the road — a leaning on the spade, in groups, in conversation over their barrows and hammers; for one in anything like work, ten in easy idleness; an overlooker that was much more of a looker on; the very early break up from work, — all these things under our eyes are not the mere fancy of myself and one or two others.
As to right of war-vessels to enter Sebastopol Harbour.
I telegraph to you about the entry of our vessels into the harbour, as well as write to you officially. Though I have no answer to my letter to General Lüders on this point, I wish to be prepared for the possible difficulty. I shall know immediately that any Russian ship enters the harbour, and shall either ask the Admiral then to send one of ours in without asking, or demand the right from General Lüders, saying that, if not granted, Russian ships will be equally prevented from entering by our Navy until instructions are received from both Governments. It is possible that no difficulty may be made, but if there is, such will be the line I shall adopt.
Cordial intercourse between Armies.
All the intercourse between the Armies is cordial and easy. I have had the bridge over the Tchernaya, at the causeway below Inkerman, repaired and made passable for horses and for carriages. It will facilitate our communications to the North side much, and be of agreeability to the English camp from not having to go so far round to cross as the Tractir Bridge. I rode out beyond Tchorgoun the other day: the country high, rocky, looking down on to the Tchernaya much as in the Highlands. I have not yet had time to go up the heights myself, but shall do so to-day, after post, by our new bridge.
Meeting of Allied Generals with General Lüders.
To-morrow we meet (the 3 Generals) General Lüders at the Tractir Bridge, and then go with him up to Mackenzie Camp where he gives us our breakfast. Stars, cocked hats, feathers, and all that sort of thing: the French have a guard of two regiments, and a salute of 17 guns, to receive him at the bridge. Pélissier very properly sent to say all this in order that we others might also have a guard if we thought it right. I said no; as he came to the French outposts and French lines, I thought it right that he should be received by French only.
Our Engineers gave a dinner to the Russian Engineers to-day at 6 p.m., but the main body of their Engineers are gone from hence, and the remainder are soon going.
The French desire to learn of us in respect to hospitals.
General Espinasse called upon me yesterday with another French officer, requesting that he might go into our hospitals, etc., as he was commissioned to inquire into the cause of the bien-être of the English army in comparison to what they (the French) had suffered this year. Of course I gave him every facility, and mentioned to him that he had better also go into our regimental camps and huts, etc., at the time of dinner, and see the quantity and quality of bread, meat, vegetables, etc., which was one principal reason of our health being good. And General Windham gave him a note to show to any regimental commanding officer, requesting him to give every information, and allow him to see things at any time he might wish to enter huts and hospitals.
Supplying medicines to Russian sick.
The French have typhus fever about, and the Russians have much of it also. I offered General Lüders, in case of his not having medicines for their sick, ‘as water carriage has been comparatively easy to us to Balaclava,’ to send some over for his hospitals: we have ample supply. Perhaps they may be more sensible, and less sensitive, than the French, and accept.
April 14, 1856.
We are still without our ratifications.
It seems we are to move some Sardinian Troops immediately, and it will be as well that all ‘Trophies’ should be made over to them, so that they may return to their country bearing the spolia opima with them. . . .
We are anxious to get your sick out of your way, and are prepared to receive as many as you can send with due attention to all humane treatment. You will see that they asked me about the horses in the House of Lords, and I am inclined to the opinion that you should pick the best out of each Regiment, and sell all the rest.
Writer’s views as to proposal to reduce the Army.
I see there is going to be a strong attempt to reduce the Army. People disclaim it, but it is impossible not to perceive the turn of the tide. All I can say is, I’ll oppose the current till it sweeps me away with it. Of course some reductions must take place, but we must maintain our Army in a proper organisation, and in its reduced establishment ready to be built upon at any moment. . . .
April 15, 1856.
Lüders entertains the Allied Generals.
Although post day, I can write but little, as General Lüders comes to breakfast with Pélissier at 10, and there are races, etc., afterwards. On Sunday, General Lüders invited the three Generals to meet him at the Tractir bridge, and breakfast with him afterwards on the Mackenzie heights. . . . They [the French] saluted him with 17 guns on his arrival. We then joined in as curious and interesting a procession as could well be seen; for there were uniforms of every variety, from the Cossacks to the Cuirassiers, the Chasseurs d’Afrique to the feathered hat of the French generals, and then the variety of nondescript dress, also, which appertains to Englishmen and English officers of all ranks. The British subaltern gave by far the largest proportion of the mounted extra officers. We wound up the heights of Mackenzie, partly by the road by which we had first descended on the flank march in Sep. 1854, and partly by one since constructed behind one of the shoulders of the hills. A salute of artillery as we ascended, with the long string of horses, helmets, plumes, and dusty coats, — for the breeze sent the white dust flying about, — but it was very curious to look down upon. We stopped in a house a short time, and then went on to an open space where some close columns were drawn up; they were the troops garrisoning that part of the position; we went down the line, they marched past, with some peculiarities that were curious;— they were about 5 or 6000 men, and one light battery of Artillery.
Inspection and banquet.
A large double marquée, lined with scarlet, was the place of eating: nothing could be more nicely done, with the ornamental show of arms, colours, drums, guns, etc. We sat down about 50 or 60 in it; every luxury — caviare, bottled porter, roast beef, any number of dishes in succession, and last of all two large sturgeon. General Lüders proposed the healths of the Allied Sovereigns, and Pélissier made a short, pithy, and very good answer: then hurrah, then another toast to the Allied armies, and other hurrah, Champagne, Sauterne, Sherry, all sorts of things — the Russians most attentive, so entirely without the slightest apparent feeling of annoyance of recollection. Lüders accompanied us down the hill again, and took leave of us at the foot of it. Pélissier got into his carriage, and I for one was glad to get a good gallop across the plain to the Tchernaya, with all our own people and many French. It was all remarkably well done, this breakfast and reception, the troops were in new dress — not the grey coat — and looked well; many, but front ones particularly, were good old soldiers. I am sorry to hear that the Turks do not want the Land Transport; they say they have too many of their own now.
Sebastopol harbour thrown open.
The day after the last post went, the answer came from Lüders that there was no objection to any vessels of any size going into the harbour. Accordingly the Admiral went in with his flag in the Banshee yesterday, and the Minna and a tug went in also. I rode down, met him in the Dockyard, and then went all round the harbour in the steamer, first on the S. shore and then on the North, lastly landing at Fort Constantine and going all over it without any hindrance.
Outrage on British troops by French Marines.
A very unpleasant business with some French Marines at Kasatch, in which they . . . killed by firing, and knocking his head with the butt of a musquet, one of our Sergeants of Marines, wounded seriously the Lieutenant of the Navy, sent on shore on duty, and fired four or five times at Captain Budgen of the 82nd, who is employed there on the staff for the mails. . . . Our Marines behaved well indeed, Captain Budgen had their guard out, and loaded; but without firing a shot, or wounding a man, they took right off the French prisoners, and their arms, some of which just had been fired and all loaded. The investigation is in the hands of the two Admirals just now; and upon receiving the detail, I must write to Pélissier officially about it.
General Lüders will come over again, and the English army will probably be under arms for him in the plain. . . .
April 18, 1856.
As to bringing home of troops.
My despatch to you to-day will be very meagre, as I have nothing to tell you as to the arrival of ratifications. The departure of the five regiments for Canada will relieve you, and I hope that, with the Sardinians on 3 your hands first, you will be able to relieve the Militia regiments in the Mediterranean and Gibraltar so as to let me get them home. As soon as you have disposed of your force at Malta, Corfu, and Gibraltar, I shall try and bring home a large fleet of transports with a heavy body of the army, to show our friends our power of moving. I am preparing to disembody the Militia to make way for the line.
I have just got yours of the 5th. You will have received a telegraph to send home the last artillery ships which went out with batteries, without landing their freights. I think you are quite right in sending home as much out of your way as you can, but pray sell all you can which will be of no service, — especially get rid of your Land Transport animals as soon as you can and economise forage. We are to have the grand naval review on Wednesday. Your turn will come next. I saw your brother leading his red squadron of gun-boats a day or two since in great force.
April 19, 1856.
Things supposed secret in England are known at the seat of war.
. . . You think things are secret — you mention how desirable it is that the destination of the regiments for Canada should not be known till they embark; why, the probability was discussed to me in conversation before I had your letter. These things are not secret in England; you must not think they are betrayed here. . . .
Four thousand Sardinians and 2 squadrons of Cavalry (Sardinian) have embarked. I believe it is understood that the vessels do not remain subject to quarantine, but land the troops at once. It will be as well to telegraph and make sure of this.
Disposal of horses, mules, railway, etc.
I have written privately to General Niepotoititchsky (there is a name) about the mules and horses of the Land Transport.
1200 first-class mules or horses at £25 to £30.
2000 second-class mules or horses, about £10.
3000 inferior mules or horses, at £2 or £3 each.
Huts, about 3000 in all — a total price of about £60,000.We shall see, but I doubt their taking anything unless they mean to begin at once and actively to rebuild Sebastopol. I have also offered barley, as the animals would not be of much use to them without. The Turks have declined the purchase of the Land Transport animals, having too many of their own, I have no answer from them about the railway; but I should think the Russians might wish to buy that. I shall most probably think it better to send some of the carts and waggons and harness, if they can be taken sufficiently to pieces to stow well, to Canada with the Regiments. Although, for six months in the year, in Lower Canada, sleighs are used, yet in Upper Canada, and in the summer they may be wanted. And they do not eat. But the sending any will depend upon the facility of stowing them without taking up other transport for the purpose. . . .
Army Works Corps again — proposal regarding them in the event of another war.
I must differ with you about the Army Works Corps: very good people in their way — capital fellows in England, I dare say, with no work no pay before them, and superintendence which exacts, by being interested, the work being done.
You will see a strong General Order, rendered necessary by their gross inactivity in preparing, and their equally gross conduct on embarking the first detachment. And you will not be able to prevent each of those fellows, some of whom are sent home for total inefficiency and positive misconduct, from receiving their gratuity of £12 each on landing. If we have another war, I think you will let them be enlisted soldiers for three or four years — you will then have a better chance with them.
Arms for troops going to Canada.
You speak of the firelocks of 1851 going with the transports to Canada. You are aware the Enfield is that of 1853. We have about 5000 or 6000 of these latter to spare here; and, unless I hear to the contrary, I presume you would wish these to be the arms to go. . . .
Russian troops leaving Crimea.
Their [the Russian] troops have been fast leaving the Crimea: the communications have been very difficult, everything very dear, and Balaclava and Kamiesh merchants find ready purchasers.
General Lüders came over to breakfast with Marshal Pélissier on the 15th, myself and La Marmora met him there, and all went afterwards to the races, and a carrousel by the Chasseurs d’Afrique near the Monastery.
Review of French Army in presence of Lüders.
On the 17th, Lüders came over to the review of the French army, which took place near the Monastery. I went out early to see the best part of such things, viz., the first assembly, the moving from all sides of columns and masses to take up their ground. From a high hill, commanding a sort of curving crest, we overlook the whole of ground intersected by ravines towards Kamiesh, and on the other side the plain of Balaclava, containing the front and reserve lines of French camps upon the Zedionkine and other mamelons. These movements were beautiful to look at, as infantry, artillery, and cavalry came winding over the brows, or threading the valleys below us, taking their different lines in the position extending along the crest to some distance beyond the Monastery.
Review of French Army, arrangements not good from point of view of effect.
At 11, I went to the Col de Balaclava, meeting General Lüders in company with Marshal Pélissier. A still more numerous assembly of officers of all nations, we rode up the high hill I have referred to, and struck upon the right of the French line of columns, extending, but at very open order, about 2¼ miles. Rode down the line, and then in front of their artillery, which made a second line. The French regiments were not strong in numbers: some of their army is embarked, some are being selected for the Guard; but their arrangement had diluted their apparent force: they made a mistake, I think, in doing so, for it was apparent, and had not half the appearace [sic] that a more concentrated mass of columns would have had. They consequently took more than two hours, and dusty hours (for we were at last yellow as from Epsom), to defile not more than 88 battalions of an average strength of 350 men — 30,800 Infantry, 1650 Cavalry, 2640 Foot Artillery Siege, 504 Sappers, and 198 guns, horsed; but we will not say much about the horses thereof.
Visit of Lüders, etc., to Codrington’s Headquarters.
At 3 o’clock Lüders came to this Headquarters. Made him and Pélissier wash their faces, and with as many Russians, French, Sardinians, and our English Generals of Division and Brigade, sat down and stood up for luncheon as best we could: the Admiral sent his flags, and though but at short notice, we did good honour to all the party. I made bold to talk French in presence of Frenchmen, proposing the health of Lüders and the Russian army. About half-past four got on our horses and passed between a broad street of Highlanders from this house, through the line of our infantry columns, drawn up at quarter distance. Riding through to the front, and thus giving time to the Highlanders to form in their place, we turned round and faced the line. Salute, and all that sort of thing; we then rode down the front — the Horse Artillery, 2 troops and batteries, 6 in number, on the right of all; then the six Infantry Divisions, the whole front clear, and then on the left 5 batteries and the 2 heavy batteries.
The troops then all marched past. Nothing could be better; everything went well, easily, and steadily — the Artillery horses in high appearance, and the admiration, probably the envy of all.
We were 49 battalions, Siege Artillery, Battery Artillerymen, Sappers — 198 Sergts., 44 Drummers, 3179 Rank and file.
Total of Cavalry, Artillery, and Infantry, all ranks, 36,166.
Guns, 86.
Horses, 2003.
Land Transport Corps, 2 regiments besides. Nothing could do better, and England was complimented for its army.Two regiments were at Balaclava for the duties, and one at Kertch.
April 18, 1856.
The Queen has received Lord Panmure’s letter of yesterday. . . .
She is anxious to remind Lord Panmure of the Plans for the Military Hospital, which she is very anxious to see.
April 20, 1856.
Commission on Purchase.
The Queen has only now found time to answer Lord Panmure’s letter submitting the names of the persons whom he proposes to form the Commission to inquire into the system of purchase in the Army.
They are, as a whole, hardly such as to inspire her with confidence. The Chairman seems not to be pointed out by any peculiar fitness for the subject, and the Military members still less so. . . .
Men like the Duke of Richmond, Lord Rosslyn, Sir Harry Smith, Sir James Simpson, Sir George Brown, ought to be upon it.
Who ——— is, the Queen does not know, and without any explanation on his merits or peculiar fitness, has no means of judging why she should appoint him to recommend to her what the system of promotion in the Army should be. Lord Panmure will perhaps reconsider the names to be submitted, and also let the Queen see the terms of the warrant, upon which much must depend.
April 20, 1856.
Commission to inquire into the System of Purchase in the Army.
Lord Panmure presents his humble duty to Your Majesty, and has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Majesty’s note upon the subject of the Commission to inquire into the system of purchase in the Army. Lord Panmure cannot help fearing that Your Majesty’s views of the names of the proposed members of the Commission are so unfavourable from his not having given a sufficiently detailed reason for their individual selection. The Commission was proposed rather in deference to the opinions of the House of Commons than from any expectation that any change could or ought to be made, and in constituting it, the object is to select men in whom the House of Commons has confidence, and in whose hands as a body the system of purchase is safe. In proposing the Duke of Somerset as Chairman, the main ground for so doing is that he presided, with great advantage to the establishments of the Navy, Army, and Ordnance, over a Committee of the House of Commons which ran over three sessions, and he is, moreover, sound upon the question to be referred to the Committee. In the civil and financial affairs of the Army he has great weight in the country, and his opinion is of consequence, as, when pronounced, it will tend to settle men’s minds on this point for some time at least. Mr Ellice and Mr Herbert, 4 as former Secretary at War and also members of former Commissions, naturally suggested themselves to the Cabinet. To complete the average members it seemed essentially necessary that, on a Commission so important to the interests of the commercial portion of Your Majesty’s subjects, a member of that body should be found representing it. By no means a small proportion of the officers of Your Majesty’s army come from this class, and their only hope of entering into, and promotion in, the Army rests upon the maintenance of the present system. Mr. Glynn, who has been recommended to Your Majesty to represent this class, is the well-known banker, and was for many years Chairman of the London and North-Western Railway Company. He sees the vitality of the question to his class, and great reliance will be felt in his opinion. Mr. Glynn is the M.P. for Kendal. The only other civilian is Lord Stanley, and he was selected because he is thought to hold opinions somewhat, though not entirely, adverse to the present system, and thus the balance in the Commission is more fairly preserved. Lord Panmure, at the risk of wearying Your Majesty, will now proceed to explain the reasons why the civil five members of the Commission were fixed upon.
Proposed personnel of said Commission.
The Cabinet thought it extremely desirable to have among them an officer of either Artillery or Engineers, in neither of which Corps is the system of purchase pursued. Sir H. Douglas was selected as an officer conversant with inquiries of all kinds, and well known for his scientific attainments. He is, however, Lord Panmure learns, in such a state of health that he cannot attend to any business, and Lord Panmure was about to submit to Your Majesty the name of Sir H. Jones instead. With regard to Sir D. Evans, Lord Panmure submits his name to Your Majesty as a matter of necessity rather than of choice. He moved for the inquiry in the House of Commons, and his omission from the Commission would do much harm, while his presence on it can do none. He represents those of the line who object to the system of purchase.
Sir H. Bentinck represents the Guards, and has, moreover, been a member of former Commissions.
Colonel Wetherall was selected as a young officer on purpose, and Lord Panmure thinks that Your Majesty may rely on his appearing with advantage in whatever situation he is placed. The name of the Duke of Richmond did not occur to Lord Panmure, but, as Your Majesty has confidence in his rendering service upon the Commission, there can be no difficulty in placing him there.
Sir H. Smith has other duties to perform . . . and Lord Panmure would with great deference ask Your Majesty not to press his selection.
The names of Sir J. Simpson and Sir G. Browne were both canvassed, but the former is not in strong health and the latter is at Nice, and even had he been here, he was considered, though a fine gallant soldier, as too blunt for an inquiry which is to be managed with all the moderation that can be brought to bear on it.
Composition and authority of Commission.
The Commission is certainly issued by Your Majesty’s authority, but it is so upon an expression of opinion by Parliament, and if its composition be such as to secure the safety of the system of purchase and to give no excuse to the House of Commons to cavil at its members, great advantage will accrue to the Army. Such is the spirit in which these names have been submitted to Your Majesty, and Lord Panmure is much vexed with himself for having sent an incomplete explanation of them.
Lord Panmure has the honour to enclose for Your Majesty’s perusal a copy of the Commission as prepared to be submitted for Your Majesty’s signature.
April 21, 1856.
The Queen thanks Lord Panmure for his letter, which certainly removes to a great extent her apprehensions respecting the composition of the Commission. She thinks Sir Harry Jones a very fit person, and rejoices to hear that the Duke of Richmond is to be added.
The Queen entirely approves the Draft of Commission.
April 21, 1856.
I have sent you a despatch to-day as to moving material and horses, but you will use your discretion in these matters, as I have such confidence in your powers of management. Only let me know what you do, and desire Storks to telegraph to me every ship as she passes the Bosphorus from England.
A Sardinian grievance.
The Sardinian Minister here has been complaining that he has not had a proper share of the trophies, and I have desired his letter to Foreign Office to be sent to you. From the good feeling you have expressed in all your letters towards the Sardinians, I am quite sure you have dealt fairly with La Marmora, and I await the result with confidence.
I hope you will contrive to get rid of the Indian horses of the 10th and 12th, as they will never do in England, and will appear like cats beside our other cavalry horses, besides giving infinite trouble in every way. I hope our Admiral has by this time opened up a way into Sebastopol harbour, and that you may be able to get many of your heavy things transferred from the quays you have so prudently spared. We expect our exchange of ratifications in a week, and we shall then commence our reductions.
The first thing to stop is the extra 6d. of field-allowance, as there will be no enemy to face and certainly no longer any occasion for extra pay. I presume none of the cavalry or troops at Scutari have ever received it.
PS. — I see by your general orders you have already stopped the 6d. per day from the 2nd April.
April 22, 1856.
. . . The Sardinians are many of them gone, and others embarking at this moment, both infantry and cavalry. The medals are not come for them: I should have been very glad for them to have received them in the Crimea — for it is the spot connected with their service and with the medal. The senior officers, amounting to ten, with General La Marmora, dine here to-day.
Evacuation of Kertch proceeding.
Kertch has for some time been prepared for evacuation by previous orders: all the main part of the Artillery of position and stores are gone; the cavalry (English) is gone; there remain the 71st Regiment, which I shall bring here to the huts vacated, I hope soon, by the Army Works Corps division, near Balaclava. And I have written to Lord Stratford about the destination of the Contingent. But you had better use the telegraph to General Storks freely. It loses no time for him to receive your orders and have a knowledge of your intentions. I shall not send any Artillery from here to America, as, of the batteries detailed for this duty, one is gone home already, and the other in the Jura on the point of going. . . .
Until destinations of regiments are known, only preliminary steps can be taken.
I have no further plan of evacuating the Crimea than the various details which have long been begun, viz., that until the destination of regiments is known, I have only to facilitate the embarkation of all stores, siege train, spare shot, Army Works Corps, Sardinians; to sell, if possible, all huts and transport animals; not to sell at a very great loss all our fine artillery horses; but to at once dispose of all the less good ones from both Artillery and Cavalry. Unless you give me orders, I do not think it right to set up the Russian Artillery and Cavalry in the East, and in tolerable neighbourhood of Turkish Asia and Persia. As soon as the matériel is away from hence, I should disperse the personnel of the Army, for there is always liability to disease in the hot months of this part of Europe.
I think I shall very probably put off the embarkation of the last division of the Sardinians till the Turkish contingent is gone to its destination: if the Sardinians can dispose of many of their animals, so much the better that we should not have the necessity of transporting the worst of them, as well as the best, to Spezia.
Evacuation.
The French are embarking fast: I do not know exactly what you mean in your public despatch about conferring with Pélissier as to the final evacuation of the position held by us. We are doing so now; but I presume you merely mean as to some formal notice to the Russians that they can re-occupy the country now held by the Allies.
That was a nasty row at Kasatch. I make out no provocation beforehand. . . .
April 24, 1856.
The Queen has just received Lord Panmure’s letter with the enclosures. She much regrets the Duke of Richmond’s refusal, and wishes some other military man of high standing could be found capable of competing with Sir De Lacy Evans. . . .
The Queen entirely agrees with Lord Panmure with respect to Sir C. Campbell, but thinks that either Lord Gough or Sir H. Smith might be sent to invest French officers. She also thinks that Lord Rokeby and General Barnard might now get their K.C.B. . . .
April 25, 1856.
Disposal of Militia.
Lord Panmure presents his humble duty to Your Majesty and has the honour to acquaint Your Majesty that the Committee of Cabinet, aided by Lord Hardinge, have had a long discussion on the following points relative to the disposal of the Militia and the return of the Army from the East.
Proposals regarding the Militia.
MILITIA
It has been decided to commence the disembodiment as soon as may be practicable, taking for that purpose first those regiments which are in billets; second, those regiments which are partially in billets and partially in barracks; third, all other regiments as they can be spared from the different posts and garrisons in which they are quartered. For this purpose of disembodiment, Warrants will be submitted for Your Majesty’s signature, and copies of the official circulars, which will have to be addressed by Lord Panmure to the Lords-Lieutenant of the different counties in Great Britain, will be previously laid before Your Majesty.
2. It was decided that, as the service was short, no permanent disembodiment allowance should be given to the subaltern officers, but that a gratuity of three months’ pay should be recommended to be voted by Parliament.
3. That, inasmuch as the Surgeons and assistant-surgeons lost their practice by moving with their regiments, it was thought right to ask Parliament to assign them a gratuity of one year’s pay, to give them something to live on till they could regain their practice.
4. It was decided to maintain the Quartermaster as part of the disembodied staff in addition to the Adjutant, as he will be useful in looking after the clothing stores, while the Adjutant takes care of drill and the arms.
5. Lord Panmure was instructed to represent humbly to Your Majesty that it would be a just recognition of the services of the regiments in the Militia who have served in the Mediterranean if they were permitted to have the word Mediterranean inscribed upon their colours, and if Your Majesty is graciously pleased to approve of this suggestion it will be submitted in the usual manner.
6. It was decided to not call out for training and exercise during 1856 any regiments now embodied, but all others to be trained unless some strong reason exists to the contrary.
Return of troops from the East.
The committee next proceeded to discuss the return of the troops from the East.
1. It having been decided that a division consisting of five regiments of Infantry and two batteries of Artillery should proceed to North America, the Commander-in-Chief has told off the regiments, and they will be the first moved from the Crimea.
2. The batteries of artillery have been countermanded, and will be sent dismounted from this country to avoid ostentation. The Crimean Batteries will therefore return home direct, and the Jura sailed on the 20th, and another battery follows this week.
3. The 8th Hussars and 17th Lancers are on their way from Ismed, which they were obliged to leave from sanitary precautions, and therefore come directly home.
4. As we have been compelled from financial considerations to give very extensive aid to the Sardinians, it has been deemed advisable to transport their infantry at once, and to get the vessels back with the greatest speed.
5. The next operation is to relieve and send home the Militia regiments, and for this purpose it will be necessary to send to Corfu, Malta, and Gibraltar, thirteen regiments at least. These have been told off from the Horse Guards roster, and will be the first considerable move from the Crimea.
As to reception of the Guards.
6. Having accomplished this movement and got back the ships sent with the Sardinians, the main body of the army will then be moved.
1st Division, including the Guards — next, the Light Division; 3rd, the Highland Division; 4th, the second Division, and so on in turn, taking advantage of all our horse transports to bring home cavalry and artillery as they may be disposable for the service; but it is impossible to arrive at any guess about these arms until we can ascertain the number of horses to be cast as unfit.
7. It is proposed that every regiment should come home ready to encamp on its landing, as Dr. Smith is of opinion that, even for sanitary objects, it may be prudent not to put the men immediately into barracks.
Lord Panmure must apologise to Your Majesty for this long minute.
April 25, 1856.
It seems now that we have been obliged to undertake more for the Sardinians than I calculated for, but I grudge nothing to them, though I fear it may delay us in our own arrangements.
Order of march.
I send you a telegram of the order of march, and I think you should try and avail yourself of every horse transport to send away your Cavalry and Artillery, without reference to any regularity of order, as they will have to go to their different ports of disembarkation, and we cannot review them in a body. It is different with the Infantry, and we shall endeavour to assemble them in as large a number at Aldershot as we can. You will see that we have decided on the 1st Division, the Light do., and Highland Division home first, and after these are shipped, and all the work done that will be achieved by that time, I almost think that you could come away, and by running over to Marseilles and taking sail, you could be here ready to join the Army on its arrival, and command it when reviewed by the Queen. However, this is a matter for further decision, and I only mention it to put your own mind on it. You have done the very right thing in giving the Sardinians the battery, and it is highly approved here and valued by Azeglio. 5 I have promised him his share of brass guns, but I can give him no bells. I shall be curious to know if Lüders accepts your physic; he didn’t like your pills.
April 26, 1856.
The Queen has received Lord Panmure’s letters of yesterday, and will answer them one by one.
1. She approves of General Wynyard being appointed one of the members of the Commission to inquire into the system of Purchase in the Army. The Commission may then now be finally appointed.
2. With regard to the Militia, the Queen has just reviewed them all at Aldershot, and had a general order issued praising their conduct and appearance, and will again see them on the occasion of the laying of the first stone of the Wellington College. General Knollys said that they would not like being seen alone as much as being reviewed with the regular troops, as they were the other day. This being the case, the Queen does not think it necessary to review them again just now, and, moreover, would not wish to have her short stay of a fortnight in the Isle of Wight (where she has not been since December) interrupted by a visit from there to the Camp. But on our return, the Queen would be happy to review the Militia at the camp if they should be there still. She thinks Lord Panmure should not be in a hurry to disband them or to send them away from Aldershot, as it must take some months before any number of troops return from the Crimea, and it would not be well to disband the Militia when we had no troops to replace them with.
First stone of Victoria Hospital.
3. Regarding the laying of the first stone of the ‘Victoria Hospital,’ the 12th would suit the Queen very well, if Lord Panmure will ascertain whether the tides will serve.
She will think of a program, but it strikes her that any one should be in uniform that the Horse Guards and Lord Panmure himself should allow; and that the Garrison of Portsmouth and perhaps a portion of that of Winchester, and if possible some invalids who would be well enough to bear the exertion, should be present.
Disembodiment of Militia.
4. THE MILITIA. The Queen sanctions the arrangements proposed for their gradual disembodiment, the proposed gratuity to the subaltern officers, the pay to the Surgeons, and the maintenance of the Quartermasters.
She also readily sanctions that the word ‘Mediterranean’ should be borne on the Colours of those Regiments who have served there.
Lastly, she would very strongly urge the necessity and importance of training all those not embodied.
5. THE ARMY IN THE EAST. The Queen has already given the orders for the Regiments to be sent to Canada and the Mediterranean.
The Camp at Aldershot, the Queen thinks, would be by far the best place to receive the returning gallant Army; it is healthy, a convenient distance from Portsmouth, and ready to receive troops, and therefore preferable to any other encampment.
Reception of returning troops.
The Queen will be anxious to have early intimation of the arrival of any of her troops, as she would wish to receive them with all honour and glory!
The Queen has still one more answer to give Lord Panmure — viz., relative to the poor late Lord Cowper’s request, that the title of Royal should be granted to the East Kent Mounted Rifles, which she grants. But she wishes Lord Panmure to write a Minute, laying it down as a rule that these constant applications must not be granted except for any particular reasons, as unless some check is put to this for the future, there will be no reason why any application should be refused, and we may have all the Militia and Yeomanry Regiments of the country called ‘Royal.’
April 26, 1856.
Arrangements for evacuation.
I am glad to find that you have been forestalled by us in your directions as to our arrangements for the evacuation, and perhaps it is as well that I did not wait — we shall have quite enough to do at last. With regard to stores, the accumulation here was so great, and the accumulation was similar at Scutari, that, if we had waited for a classified arrangement before beginning to melt away, you would probably have had to detain the army here, or part of it, for the sake of the stores.
I see you approve of the Artillery having been sent home without disembarkation: as they are gone, I shall send no Artillery from hence with the troops to Canada. The troop of Horse Artillery was disembarked at Scutari, and therefore will be subject to any of the arrangements affecting the rest of the Army now. . . .
Arrangements regarding the sick; also horses.
The hospital establishment is reduced here: the permanently sick, and those to be positively invalided, are many gone, and all can go, to England; but the casual and temporary sick must remain with their Regiments, and therefore cannot be cleared out until destinations are fixed.
The reliefs for the Militia regiments must also wait till I know the roster from home; except that I understand the Admiral to have ordered some transport which took the Sardinians to Spezia to go to Corfu to remove some Militia to England.
The transport animals ‘to get rid of’: this is a heavy job. I have authorised the turning out, to take their chance, of many now sick and useless in the valley and woods about Baidar. There is now grass for them and they may recover; but they are not worth at present their two or three days’ forage.
I have no answer about the whole of them being taken by the Russians. 6
The drafting down of the Artillery and Cavalry horses began some time ago — I mean the preparation, for the means of disposal are not quite so easy. I thought it would never do to set up the Russian Artillery by the disposal of our horses here, but, if we can give them, or any one else, the pick of them from the wrong end, that will do no harm.
The weakly and permanently sick and disabled.
I shall desire, when I know the destination of regiments, that all sickly and weak people, who by the pressure of war have enlisted, but who are positively an encumbrance in future — that these men should be inspected regimentally and by staff, and detained here in the General Hospital, for transfer to England and discharge by separate ship. It is much better to relieve regiments at once that are to remain away from England. Those going to England will probably have this weakly class still with them, liable to your arrangements there. Orders have been sent to Scutari to miss no opportunity of sending away all permanently sick and disabled.
Disposal of Artillery horses.
The drafting down the Artillery horses here — preparation, that is — is going on, but the disposal of them must depend on the price to be obtained, and also that I have not thought it right, and shall not, to dispose of any large quantity by which the Russian Cavalry or Artillery in the South and East may be materially set up. If Omar Pasha, who I hear will take some of those at Scutari, wishes to take those marked out as disposable here, he shall have a liberal number; for my impression is that it would be the wish of the English Government to establish the Turkish Army, particularly towards Asia, in everything which might conduce to its efficiency.
The discharge of everything possible of the Land Transport Corps has been going on for some time.
The Army Works Corps is being embarked, about 800 sail to-day. . . .
You will see I had already proposed the sale to Russia of the L. T. animals — no answer yet. . . .
Naval officers proud of bringing home the Army.
Although I know Naval officers well enough, and the temporary detriment it is to their habits of discipline, etc., to have a multitude of troops on board, yet it is not every day that there is a Crimea to evacuate; and I mistake the man much if Sir E. Lyons would not make it a pride — notwithstanding all the naval feelings of which I am well aware — to show his flag at the Main with a fleet bringing home in a mass the Army which he was so instrumental in conveying to its fighting destination two years ago, and I shall laugh very much at my brother if he has not somewhat of the same ideas.
We can beat your military show — here: on Thursday the 24th, the whole of the infantry, about 30,000, marched in Divisions from their camps on the plateau to be massed in the Balaclava plain — a sort of broad hollow, three-quarters of a mile flat, between the Fedioukine heights to our left and the Turkish redoubt heights to our right. The marching across the plateau itself, all tending towards the steep brow from which they were to descend, was beautiful; and the concentration as they came down was beautiful, and the assembly where they met and got into position (the Highland Division coming towards them across the plain) — all was beautiful. They were formed just under the steep, near the Woronzow road, in contiguous columns of regiments. We advanced together along the plain, halted the rear line of two Divisions (the Guards and the 4th Division), let the next line get to about 500 yards, did the same with the front line.
Military evolutions by the infantry of the Army.
Changed the whole front to the right, forming one line of contiguous columns under and facing the low range to our right (which just hides Balaclava), and on which the 2nd line of French Army is encamped.
Passed through three intervals in that camp in successive columns, for the purpose of deploying on the slope into two extended lines and a reserve facing Balaclava. . . .
The whole then advanced in line for about 500 yards or more: a fine sight indeed — many Russians, many French, nothing to be afraid of showing, all to be proud of their seeing.
General Wassiliffsky, commanding at Inkerman, came along the line, and then the troops marched home. I had not mentioned to any of the troops what was intended to be done, and it all went very well; and was indeed a fine sight both in the advance and at the halt. The lines extended almost across the whole space in front of Balaclava — say a good two miles. I wish many of you in England could have seen us — a brilliant sun and sky and peculiar scenery besides.
Evacuation of Kertch.
The evacuation of Kertch as to material has long been going on: the personnel of English troops has begun. The French are withdrawing from Yenikale.
The affair of the Kasatch disturbance is now in the hands of Vice-Admiral Trébouert, a conseil de guerre is to juger les coupables. All the French express very proper regret at what has happened.
We have beautiful weather.
WAR DEPARTMENT, April 28, 1856.
Reports exchange of ratifications.
The Ratifications are exchanged and peace has fairly superseded War. I shall notify this officially next mail in a formal despatch. I am glad to see by yours of the 15th that you have been enjoying the Russian hospitality, and that all went off so well and in so friendly a spirit. The entré of our flag into the harbour is a great event, and you are entitled to be proud of it, and I trust you will soon have the passage cleared for larger ships and the quays in full operation. Whenever we are clear of the Sardinians, and the sick are diminished, we must get our reliefs to the Mediterranean accomplished, as it will be well to have some of our Divisions home by the beginning of July if possible. . . .
We proclaim peace to-morrow, and have illuminations on the Queen’s birthday, 29th May.