CHAPTER X.

PREPARATION FOR WINTER QUARTERS

TERMINATION OF ACTIVE OPERATIONS-SIR COLIN LEAVES THE CRIMEA-LETTER OF LORD PANMURE-INTERVIEW WITH LORDS PANMURE AND HARDINGE -VISIT TO WINDSOR ITS RESULTS-ANECDOTE AT LORD PALMERSTON'S TABLE-HONOURS CONFERRED BY GLASGOW-LETTER FROM PARIS-RETURN TO THE CRIMEA-PEACE-DESCRIPTION OF POSITION OF RUSSIAN FIELD-ARMY-FAREWELL ADDRESS TO HIGHLAND BRIGADE-GLASGOW-COMMAND OF S.-E. DISTRICT— EVIDENCE REGARDING PURCHASE SYSTEM-INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF INFANTRY-PROCEEDS TO BERLIN-REFUSAL OF COMMAND OF CHINA EXPEDITION INSPECTION OF DEPOTS ANECDOTE OFFERED THE COMMAND IN INDIA-JOURNAL-CALCUTTA.

OWING to the uncertainty attending the plans of the Allied commanders, it was not till the 4th October, by which time the other portions of the army had made some progress with their arrangements for the winter, that it was decided where the Highland division should be located. Indeed, it was not till two days later that the second and newly formed brigade, of which the 72d Highlanders constituted the nucleus, was completed by the transfer to the Highland division of the two battalions of the Royal Scots. The original kilted brigade had already been augmented

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by the arrival of the 92d Highlanders from the Mediterranean.

There was much to be done: the ground had to be cleared of brushwood and levelled; the hutting materials to be brought from Balaklava, a distance of five miles; roads to be made, and hospitals as well as commissariat stores to be established;-in a word, much to be accomplished necessitating the exercise of all the energy which Sir Colin, by no means deficient in that quality, could bring to bear upon it. By the 8th of November all the troops were under cover. How it was accomplished can be understood from the testimony of one who took part in the work. "I have no hesitation in saying," writes Lieutenant-General Parke,1 "that I have ever considered the fact of having commanded a regiment in the division under that great soldier Lord Clyde, better known to us all as Sir Colin,' during the whole time the 72d Highlanders were in the Crimea, as the most fortunate circumstance in my military career. The example he set us all of every military quality, pre-eminently that of care and forethought in everything appertaining to the welfare of all those under him, can never be forgotten. One instance in particular do I especially recall to my memory. In the autumn of 1855 the Highland division was encamped in the valley near Kamara and Vernoutka, leading to the southern shores of the Crimea, but we were still under canvas. Sir Colin having heard of

1 At this time Major commanding 72d Highlanders.

the arrival of a ship laden with huts in Balaklava, rode at once to headquarters and made application for them. 'No transport available' was the answer; and he was informed that there was no possible means of conveyance to his division, but that if he could obtain transport, and overcome this difficulty, his application might be entertained. Sir Colin returns direct to the camp, orders out all his regiments in fatigue-dress, and marches them down to Balaklava. His object soon became known, and the Highlanders made short work of carrying the huts, piece by piece, on their shoulders back to their camp, captain and subaltern all sharing alike in the work with right good will. Tents soon disappeared, being replaced by comfortable wooden huts, to the astonishment of many at headquarters.1 This is only one instance among many of Sir Colin's constant and anxious care for the health and comfort of his men, repaid on their own part by a devotion and confidence in him as their general, which only those who had served under him could realise."

With the termination of the combined expedition to the estuaries of the Bug and Dnieper at the end of October, the active operations of the Allies were brought to a close. It was clear that nothing more would be attempted before the winter set in; and as the nomination of General Simpson's successor (it

1 The Commander-in-chief paid a visit to the Highland camp on the 24th October, and after expressing satisfaction at the arrangements, remarked that it was far in advance of all the others.

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was known he had resigned) was expected to reach the Crimea early in November, Sir Colin, who had by this time secured the comfort of his troops in their winter quarters, conceived he might, with justice to them, carry out his intentions hitherto confided to General Cameron and a few others in his intimacy.

Having obtained leave of absence to England, and made his preparations, he sent, on the 3d November, for the officers commanding the regiments of his division to announce his departure and to take leave of them. They were taken by surprise; and amidst their regrets, which deeply moved him, and with a promise that he would issue a farewell order to the division as soon as his resignation was completed, he proceeded to embark. His friend Vinoy, who for his success at the assault on the Malakoff had been promoted to the command of a division, rode down with Sir Colin to Balaklava, and saw him on board ship. General della Marmora was also there to bid him farewell.

Three days after Sir Colin's departure, the despatch announcing Sir William Codrington's nomination to the chief command reached the Crimea. With it came one also from the Minister of War to Sir Colin. This he crossed in the Bosphorus, and consequently did not become aware of its contents until his arrival in London on the 17th November. Writing two days later to a member of his staff, he says: "I saw Lord Panmure on Saturday, the day of my arrival. He sent for a copy of a letter he had

forwarded to my address in the Crimea. This letter contained an appeal to my patriotism of the strongest nature, so far as words go, to induce me to accept a command under Codrington. He told me,

1 The letter, dated 22d October, ran thus: "General Simpson having expressed a wish to be relieved from the arduous duties imposed upon him as Commander-in-chief of her Majesty's forces in the East, her Majesty has been graciously pleased to comply with his request. In consequence of the return to England of Sir H. Bentinck, the vacant command would, in the course of rotation, have devolved upon you as next senior officer; but as her Majesty's Government deem it advisable to depart from the principle of succession by seniority on the present occasion, and to place at the head of the army an officer younger in years, and somewhat junior in rank to yourself, I feel that it is due to the energy, zeal, and ability with which you have performed the duties of your division, not to let you learn by general orders or camp rumour the decision which has been arrived at by her Majesty's Government, and which this mail conveys to General Simpson. In selecting Sir William Codrington for the command of the army, it is far from the intention of her Majesty's Government to disparage in the least degree your distinguished services, or your high professional character, or to cast the slightest shade over the laurels which you have so bravely and so gallantly won; and in proof of this, I beg to say that, it being the intention of her Majesty's Government to alter the present organisation of her Majesty's forces in the Crimea, and to divide them into two army-corps, placing at the head of each a general officer of ability and reputation, I have to express my earnest hope that you will accept the command of one of these corps, of which that noble Highland division, with which your name will be so honourably and historically associated, will form a part. I ask this, moreover, because I feel assured that such a proof of public spirit will not only raise you still higher in the estimation of your country, but exhibit an example to the army, the importance of which I cannot overrate. I need not remind you that noble instances have occurred of senior officers consenting to waive personal considerations and to serve under their juniors placed in superior command; and I can safely affirm that in every instance the men who have made such sacrifices of personal claims, and have shown such high-minded patriotism, have been rewarded by the respect of their honourable brethren in arms, and by the approbation and esteem of all classes of their fellow-countrymen. Such will assuredly be your lot should you follow the examples to which I have referred.”