It is very

my behalf about the late occurrences. important to me, indeed, that my motives should be understood at the Horse Guards after the expressions used by the Governor-General-which I am precluded from answering, except with the utmost submission, however conscious I may be that I have incurred his lordship's displeasure by strict attention to the principles of subordination in which he has declared me to be wanting. I trust that the official answer I have this day sent may seem to show that some regard for subordination, and respect towards the representative of the Sovereign, will ever be sufficient to prevent me from displaying feelings of resentment, which cannot but be excited in the bosom of any man by the application of such expressions. As you are aware, my dear General, my motives all through have been directed by the consideration of what is expected from a military subordinate to his superior. When I was formally told that what had caused the orders you dictated (as shown by the despatch of the Governor-General) had ceased to have any existence, I supposed that it was only due you that you should have time to reconsider them before allowing them to be carried out on other pretexts.

to

"It was, I may say, the extreme attention to the wishes of the superior, from whom I was hitherto bound to receive orders (excepting the GovernorGeneral, of course), that has now caused me to be accused of insubordination.

1852.] LETTER TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

66

301

This is the point which I wish to have laid before his Grace the Duke of Wellington, since, while bowing, as in duty bound, to the decision of his lordship, I feel that you would have had the strongest ground of complaint against me had I, under the peculiar circumstances, acted otherwise than I have done. I find fault with no one. What has arisen is the result of a system which has hitherto prevailed in our armies, and it is not for me to say whether it is inconvenient or not. But I may be permitted to remark, that until the late instructions of Government, which have given the local Commissioner power to carry war beyond the frontier, the commander of the troops to be so employed being told to wait for no orders from his Commander-in-chief, it was impossible for me to have acted otherwise according to my instructions; and, I believe, I should have been liable to trial-at all events to the severest reprimand-had I done so. If you will kindly explain to Lord Fitzroy the dilemma which has brought on me the displeasure of Government, and consequently my resignation, I shall be indeed obliged to you. I shall never forget your great kindness and support during these transactions."

CHAPTER VIII.

LETTER FROM SIR CHARLES NAPIER — SIR COLIN'S REPLY -COMPLIMENT OFFERED BY OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY'S SERVICELEAVES PESHAWUR-VISITS DUGSHAI-PROCEEDS TO ENGLANDSIR CHARLES NAPIER-SELECTED FOR EMPLOYMENT IN TURKEY -EMBARKS-COMMAND OF HIGHLAND BRIGADE-VARNA-PROMOTION TO MAJOR-GENERAL-EMBARKS FOR CRIMEA-LETTERS RECOUNTING BATTLE OF THE ALMA-DEFENCE OF BALACLAVA— LIPRANDI'S ATTACK-SIR COLIN'S SHARE IN IT-INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL VINOY

HIGHLAND BRIGADE CONCENTRATED AT BALACLAVA - MEASURES FOR ITS DEFENCE -GENERAL ORDER REGARDING 93D HIGHLANDERS.

WHILST the column was on its way back to Peshawur, Sir Colin had the satisfaction of receiving from Sir Charles Napier the following interesting letter, which, though humorous in its irony, illustrates very forcibly the danger of undertaking expeditions into the mountains without the preparation and forethought demanded in the conduct of a grave military operation:

"1 HOBART PLACE, April 18, 1852. "MY DEAR CAMPBELL,-I must write to you, though I am too much engaged to say much; but I am so angry at the attacks upon you in the Indian

1852.]

LETTER FROM SIR C. NAPIER.

303

newspapers that I cannot resist saying to you that I firmly believe, had you not commanded, some disaster would have befallen the force. Be perfectly assured your whole conduct of the troops in that ill-judged expedition was excellent. They abuse you for not marching upon Lalpoora and Pindyalah, or some such name. Why, what could you have done if you had? Why should you march on these places? What could you have done when you got there? March on to some other two places, and so on, into the heart of Central Asia !!! and then-laid down your arms! You never could have got there. March to top of hill No. 1; lose some men; get there. Enemy waiting on top of hill No. 2; go there; more men killed and wounded; more provisions gone; large hospitals; long way for the tommy' to follow. Enemy on No. 3; march there; more killed; more difficulty; live on half 'tommy.' Enemy as well as ever on No. 4; march again; men down; hospital large; animals scarce; 'tommy' coming up; empty belly till he arrives; report in camp, 'tommy' intercepted. Enemy defying on top of hill No. 5; empty bellies; follow him in good wind; but enemy off to top of hill No. 6. News confirmed, 'tommy' cut off! Can't move a peg towards enemy. No grub; legs weak; retire to try and meet fresh tommy.' Now every pass must be carried at the point of the bayonet, whilst the rear-guard is overpowered with a hot pursuing enemy. Every wounded

1 The soldier's term for bread.

1

man lost. Carry the pass; but no grub, no strength, no heart. All boasters, all criers out for 'dash,' for decided measures, down in the mouth. No pluck. Anonymous writers and newspapers funking the worst of all. No spirit left, because no strength;

and a surrender and massacre of course become necessary. From this you have saved your column, and therefore you are abused by the newspaper correspondents. The papers say you went against your will on that expedition: I hope so; for had you ordered it I should have been disappointed. It was a foolish, ill-judged, and most unmilitary operation, and I said all along that the Government were lucky in having a real soldier to command it, and save their army. You have done so, and I think you have every reason to be proud of having, like a wise commander, conducted an ill-judged operation in a masterly manner.-Believe me to be, my dear Campbell, yours sincerely, C. J. NAPIER.”

This letter drew from Sir Colin the following reply:

"PESHAWUR, June 10, 1852.

"MY DEAR GENERAL,-I cannot say what a comfort your letter has been to me, amid annoyances which have caused me to resign my post at Peshawur. I have not yielded to the ignorant clamour of the press; but to the treatment I have received from Government, after having worked for it with all the zeal of which I am capable.