The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-19 00:00:00

Balaclava, in October. Immediately after that Wigs steamers should be told off for the special
it became necessary to draw in the outposts, which supplies.
lost to the army the use of that road ; the other road, bow- Your committee have not been
ever, remained, and was available for all purposes until the missary-General littler or Rear•Admi
rainseneameneed. cannot therefore decide upon whom thi
" Oaths 13th of November Commiseary-General Fader " Beth these officers were apparent',
wrote to the Qoaetermuter-General, expressing hie transport system in the Black Sea he
apprehension, and calling attention to this important sub- Whether, however, the vessels had
ewe talend sa store depots by the commissariat,
" The duty of making end maintaining roads for the employed in other services by the Ades--
army falls upon the department of the Quartermaster- nople, are questions which your -
General. This officer was about this time disabled by faetorily answer. These arrange
illness. Sir J. Burgoyne, the chief engineer officer on the priety, have been reviewed by the
staff, and other military authorities, state that the soldiers authorities. They alone had the
could not be withdrawn from the trenches for the repair of differences, and of enforcing suck ,
the road. The men were already overtarked by military secure the conveyance of supplies
duties ; they were growing weaker from day to day, while despatch.
their difficulties were increasing. An attempt was made to "Before closing their observations
employ Turkish troops on this work, but it was soon aban- department in thete atimon E est, your
whist me
doned. sure the willing yc
" From the 14th of November, the date of the hurricsne, borne to the seal and energy which
the land transport wee gradually reduced in strength. until of the Commissariat displayed in p
it almost ceased to exist. The Commissary-General writes:— relieving, as tar as they were able,
The men and beasts perished, owing to the fatigue they during a period of trying exigencies.
underwent in struggling through the deep mud with sup- " THE MEDICAL DEPARTMI
plies, and from exposure to wet and cold.' To repair there " The medical department of to
losses, recourse was had to the &pit at Constantinople ; but under a director-general, who ha.
the waste and consumption of animals exceeded the sup's!), in his multifarious duties. Dr. Smith,
and the service of the land transport could no longer be per- states that he was under the ininiedi
formed by the Commissariat. different superiors—the Commander-ii
"The horses of the cavalry were then employed. and of State for War, the Secretary at
thus violable asimals, trained for the duties of the cavalry of the Ordnance, and the Board
and artillery, were used and worked to death in services states that, upon the sepses ico
which should have been performed by animals purchased War and Colonies, be received no
for about 51. or 71. each. him to correspond directly with the
"The broken road, and the want of land transport, in- Duke of Newcastle says that in August Witte bistsed
creased the confusi mof the harbour. Sir E. Lyons ascribes Dr. Smith that the Secretary of State terµ err vu ha
the crowded state of the harbour, and its attendant incon- sod only master. Had such an rrangesient luta
veuiencies, to the delay in removing cargoes from the ships adopted Dr. Smith says it would hare u
to the camp. blur, while the service would have lon%
"As fir as the information obtained enables your corm efficiently conducted. The DirectonGroend shin t:
mittee to form an opinion, it appears to them that in this when be first heard of the probability that
matter there was a want of due foresight and decision. would be scut to Turkey, he Mewed that three
Early in November, when the probable necessity of winter- cal officers should be sent to make inquiries Which alibi,
ing in the Crimea was contemplated, energetic means should benefirial to the troops. The magi:e'en was adoeti6
have been taken to provide and maintain an effective eons- always selected surgeons to be atta, hid to regimeni;
munication between the camp and Balsklava. The road gave them directions for their guidance. Re „emu':
had then already been injured by the traffic, and its condi- that ambulances should be prepared, arid an
tion had meted the apprehensions of the Commissary- corps appointed. For this purpose be advisee that es
General, who had called attention to the subject; if a bodied soldiers should be selected. Lad Bight ted.,l
military force could root be spared, measures should have Harding' objected to taking from the rooks duesetd.'
been taken to obtain other labour in the East, or application ing men, and pensioners were employed instead. DriSel
should have been made to the home government, who might remonstrated in vain.
have sent labourers from England. Such precautions would " The entire failure of this corps and tee comerpultd
have saved much loss of time and many valuable lives, and ferings of the army are abundantly proved.
would have contributed to maintsin the land transport see- "In eiay, 1854, Dr. Smith addressed a lettere, ft, ee
Tice in an effective condition. The probable failure of the tary secretary of the Commanderee-Chet, remora si'
communication was not, however, brought to the notice of that, 'in the event of the hospitals being estebilm..l,
l
the Duke of Newcastle until too late to enable him to take distance from the Army, ships should be fitted for the tea
measures in England to prevent the serious calamities which port of the sick and wounded.' This upplicatice vue
subsequently arose. attended to.
"DEPOTS IM THE EAST. " Before the army left England the most merino
The consequence resulting from the failure of the purveyors were aseembled by the order of tee Secrete
transport service would have been in some degree obviated War, rind, after consultation with the Directorehterli
by the formation of devote in the neighbourhood of the the Medical Department, they drew up a report it rue
camp, or between the camp and Balakleva. to the stores required for the medical iceman% ef-t1
"The establishment of depots is a duty specially noticed troops.
in the commissariat regulations. Sir C. Trevelyan states " Dr. Smith states that he issued orders to the drue.
that in October Commissary-General Filler was engaged in fin a supply of rced.cir ea t he made ri qvieurite u• I
the formation of a det it sear the camp, in order that he Ordnacce for the hospital scorer., sod through We Oieua
might be secure sgainet the contingencies of weather; but to the Admiralty for the supply of medical co:afore
titer the action cf Balaklava the commissariat chest was system pursued es to medical comforts was 'lent aft
ordered on board ship, and the transports were sent out of September, when Dr. Smite provided this supply. Rep,
the harbour. At this time the abandonment of Selektive ing the hospital stores Dr. Smith says, that when be k
was contemplated. Atter this followed the battle of Laker- made his requisition on the Ordnance his duty ended,
mains, when the transport service was occupied in bringing office bad no further information on toe subject; tei
up ammunition, and a few clays later came ' the burn- occasionally applied or sent to ascerta o what bad a
cane and catastrophe.' From this time forward all the done, but this was outstepping the facetious of his are
available animals were employed for the daily require- meat.
meats of the army, sud the establishment of deplits was " The strict economy enforced dories a long pHiai
relinquished, peace, by means of is rigid seethe of swat sea secoliser
"At Constantinople, Deputy-Commissary-Ganeral Smith einibtleea, at the first outbreak of war, haw stalker:
established extensive magazines. He states that the supplies Dr. Smith, as well as other public servants, eh. din(
under his charge were sufficient, and the arrangements for to incur re'ponsibility for any expenditure, hoe/mutt
the custody and delivery of stores unobjectionable. In which was not guarded by all the forms sod duties
August, or early in September, he entered into contracts for usually required. An excess of canti u, in the
a sugply of fuel, and could have procured enough for the stance, led probably to some evils, welch a Irish
iii
army throughout the winter, but he was not able to obtain could not afterwards repair. The letters of the Soiree
transports for its conveyance; at the same time: the quan- at-War, read by him in his evidence, forcibly i lame
tity that did reach Balaklava was more than could be car- observation. In many cases iestruciioes no this mg
tied to the camp. might have been useful to public servants whoa newt
"He tried to hire native vessels for the service, but after was wholly founded on the methods rightly ioihtedsp
the hurricane the ma•ters of these vessels could riot be in- during peace.
duced to attempt the voyage. According to his evsdeoce it " TEE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT IN THE nit
would appear that at Constantinople be had in store all the " The army, when sent to the East, had a restates!
supplies which the army could require. No blame can of medical men in proportion to the limber of ths
ma
justly be attached to Deputy Commissary-General Smith, than ever before accompanied s British army, sad tete
nor can he be held responsible for the difficulties and die- nesse' generally concur in testifying to their zeal
tress which occurred in the Crimea. ciency ; many of these were, however, disabled by adz
" COMMISSARIAT SUPPLIES —FOOD FOR THE MEN. before the descent on the Crimea, so that alter rue alt
"The Commewsrist department obtained an abundant actions at Alma and inkermann, some regiments haggis
supply of salt meat, biscuit, and rum from England. This requisite number of medical mere lee ambitassehre
was tarnished by the victualling department of the Admi- conveyance of the sick and wounded 'trz toe hady,ri
ratty, on requisition from the Treasury, and the duty of the adapted for their purpcse.
Commissariat, as to these supplies, consisted merely in keep "The treatment of the sick and wounded id Mew
ing the account and in arranging the distribution. Fresh Balaklava and at Scutari has already formed the Meet
meat was chiefly procured from Eupatoria, from Constan- a lengthened report by commesioners 'peal spa:
tinople, and from Smyrna. Deputy Commissary General for this purpose; furtaer information ups tea pow
Smith stated thot he had at Constantinople 4,000 bead of be found in the evidence already p ed to the es
cattle during the winter ready far the consumption of the The condition of the ten*-12, apitale, as described M t
army, besides 2,000 at Smyrna, and that if he could have Parker, chaplain to the First Division, was, hitt at::
obtained sea transport, he thinks he could have sent a regu- of November to the 23rd of January, the period Obit
lit supply to the army. in the Crimes, so wretched lied painful to hue the
" The witnesses are not agreed as to the quality of frail committee gladly avoid repestiog these defile*. ow
the • of the dictribu- The medical men, it is said, were indefaiigaele in 'N'.!

meat supplied to the army ; regularity u..._
bon depended partly on the seal and energy of the se 1
Commissariat officers, and also on the position occupied by
the troops. Until the end of October the ration', it is said,
were furnished with regularity, and consisted of teeth meat
twice or thrice in the week. Mr. Parker, chaplain to the
First Division from the 28th of November till the 23rd of
January, stater, that during this period the hospitals were
supplied with fresh meat almost every day ; but the troops
did not receive it, he thinks, above once a week ; he never
knew them, however, to be without rations. Other wit-
nesses say that the soldiers, during the winter months, suf-
fered occasionally f,om want of their rations, sad more fre-
quently from the irregularity of their issue. In th 3 ap-
pendix a statement by a board of officers will be found, is
which it is affirmi-ei that the men for days and weeks
together went to the trenches with an insufficient meal,
and oftentimes with none at all, save a little biscuit and
rum. Any result derived from an ge of ra,ions issued
is delusive, because privation one day is not compensated by
superfluity on another. Even when the men received a
sufficient meal, the proportion of salt meat without an
accompanying supply of vegetables was greater than wee
consistent with the health of the troops. This deficiency of
fresh meat, the most wholesome as well as the cheapest
food, is ascribed to the failure of the sca-transport, the
ships having been disabled by storms, and then delayed by
repairs ; in one instance all the cattle oa board perished
from the inclemency of the weather, or from the violence
of the waves.
" Vegetable., which, acthreling to the intentions of the
government, should have been issued gratuitou-ly, were
very scantily supplied; indeed several wit assert
that none were ever MR in the camp. One shipload of
vegetables was detained in the harbour until the cargo was
decayed; and at Eupatoria, it is said, there was an im-
mense store of onions lying on the wharf, while disease,
from want of -eertablee, was spreading through the camp.
The Deputy Commissary-0e 1 states that he had an
abundant stock of rice at Constantinople during the
time when it was wanted even for the hospitals in the
Crimea. Preserved potatoes were, it is said, early in the
autumn offered to the soldiers, but rejected ; later in the
winter, when the supply of vegetables was essential, it
does not appear that the offer was repeated. Coffee,
which had been ordered as an extra ration, was distributed
to the troops in a green state, and (there being no means
of roasting it) was of little use. The explanation offered
to your committee on this point is not satisfactory.
The more immediate comfort of the troops appears to have
been overlooked, while ingenious arguments on the volatile
aroma of the berry, and on the Turkish mode of packing
coffee, were passing backwards and forwards between Com-
missary•Geaeral Fader and the Treasury.
" FORAM
" When the army first encamped before Sebastopol stacks
of forage were found in the neighbourhood ; these were
soon consumed, and henceforward there appears to have
been much difficulty in obtaining fodder for the horses. His
Royal Highness the Dike of Cambridge, who left the
heights on the 7th of November, said that his baggage
animals were frequently without food, sad that on one occa-
sion he was obliged to kill 24 ammunition ponies, which he
had not the means of feeding. The Earl of Lucan, corn-
mandi g the Cavalry Division, complained repeatedly,
from the 29th of September to the date of his departure,
of the coedit', n to which the horses were reduced from want
of food. Lord Cardigan mentions the same difficulties, but
did not find the pressure so severe until after the sth of
November, when his brigade was posted on the heights.
After the bunkum, the supply of forage failed, aad, under
the combined effects of work, exposure, and insufficient food,
the cavalry gradually ceased to exist as an effective force.
" To what extent the Commissariat is responsible for the
deficiency in all these supplies is a question to which it is
not easy to give a definite answer.
" Sir C. Trevelyan, speaking as the head of the Commis.
mist, and desirous of relining the department from respon-
sibility, affirms their conduct throughout to have been
irreproachable, and ascribes blame to other persons. Ac-
cording to hie opinion the Quartermaster -O I, for
whose good intentions he made full allowance, ought to
bear the chief responsibility. This officer,' he says, 'is
responsible for the road to the camp, and for the road along
the border of the harbour at Balaklava. By him also
buildings should have been appropriated for magssini e, and
stables for the baggage animals should have been provided.'
" Sir C. Trevelyaa also states that the endeavours of the
Commissariat were frustrated by the mismanagement of the
transports, that there was a want of proper arrangements in
the harbour of Balaklava, and still worse disorder at Con-
stantinople. ` Rear-Admiral Boxer did not,' he says, pos-
sess the administrative qualifications requisite for that im-
portant station, and he delayed the transports in the Bos-
phorus or appropriated them to other services.' In confir-
mation of this statement be mentioned the Health& tran-
sport and the Jason, which last, he said, had been detained
three weeks at Constantinople. Some letters from Hear-
Admiral Boxer will be found in the appendix, denying this
merlon. Admiral Boxer also, it appears, in December,
,remonstrated against tne irregular system pursued by the
Comeslesariat in the Crimea, and requested the intelfe!
renew of the Commander of the Forces. He suggested that
some of the largest transports should be strongly moored in
Balaklava harbour as Mating depots, and that the smaller

tentions ; but so great was the want of the zit i.!
necesthries, even of bedding, as well as of medlc.:.•
medical comforts, that they sorrowfully admitted Mc: e.
vices to be of little avail.
"The hospital at Balsklava bad an advantage,
as it was nearer to the limited supplies which in»
board ship; hat the uncertainty whether or not Ht. 1.3
could be retained, dithonc.rted the arrat gement' ti
hospital, and upon one occasion the patiecu were !iv.
In regard to its subsequent condition, there it s dims
of opinion, depending prob thly upon the dos
'several visits; but the prevailing testimony is te their'
that this hospital was for many weeks in a distur.....l
"Allowanco must be made for the circumstances low;
the continued possession of Balaklava was held, saw:
difficulty of establishing a hospital in such beadier eel
found there. The want of proper orderlies, the itutti?
of medicines, especially of opium ; f medical condotti...:
of which were essential to the health of the mu, ath
great went of purveyor's stores, have been so full
szl
y et is
in the report of the commissioners, that your fai
deem it supetfluous to adduce further evidence • Wl'
ration of their statements. They will, thereon, Mee
observe upon
" THZ HOSPITALS AT SCUTARI.
" When the army arrived in the Ea" varicielPlo'r
suggested for hospitals, but Scutari was eventsally&"
'Mon as fittest for the purpose.
The system of regimental hospitals was adopted
first instance, and the General Hospital was notostiiii
until the army moved to Vans.
"The Duke of Newcastle says that he did not Ow!
instructions as to hospitals; he left that to be MCP.'
the Medical Board. Dr. Smith, the DirectooGetre•
the Medical Department of the army, says that
nothing to do with these h.wpitale, and that his Wei
could only have caused confusion. lie selected
men for the hospitals, and he sent to the °thous
*Rion to provide hospital furniture proportion:l
amount of force, and there his duties ended.
" Your committee, miter h aring evidecce affivi•
disgraceful state of the hospitals at Scowl, cilium».
ascertain by whom the chief authority wu eseruso.il.
whom the responsibility must rest.
" Major Sillery was commandant, sod bad sole z»:,
charge of the hospitals. Dr. Menzies was supereto
of all the hospitals, having immediate che ctl'viot the Tri.e
Hospital, with Dr. id• Gregor under his orders,
the Barrack Hospital. Dr. Menzies was appoienel**:
Raglan, en the recommendation of Dr. Baer/41111
Hall, and remained superintendent from the' 6ch
O
1854, to 2nd of January, WS. He alleges that ewe.,;
portion of this time he was placed in se sectoe,r..
tion, by the arrival, en the 4th oi Noretabm 0:
I Cummieg, his superior OflloPr, who had twin we'
I Eogland as member of the Commission of leis"!'
rt
llctoomstizeisrseisodnehhaidmbeeinn
bhrisouolucteor
clemnethe ing.saY,
" When the expedition sailed for the Crimes. wifw
gave instructions Dr. Heinle s, in putout Ir.,
of directions through Rear-Admiral Boxer, frol tJo%
lof Newcastle, repeated by Lieutenant•Of
Brown, to report on the accommodation that tool,
vided is the hospitals for the stck and wounded "4
be expected from the first operations of the
..°4;
Menzies' report, dated the l'tn of August,
imll,ll_,w
the evidence. Dr. Menzies in this report
local military authorities, as Dr. A. Smith hal ke'74,
in his letter to the Military Secretary at the 110100
the necessity of providing fit transports IS: NlS'''.
of the sick end wounded.
" Dr. Hall, the Inspector• General of the .4101,,,,
by Lord Raglan to inspect the hospitals ia Odte7oo
remained at Scutari about three weeks, Ise
them to be in as good a state seer . aid be
pre as,
prated.' Dr. Mettles reported podically to
his official chief, Dr. Meozes, although cage; It
opinion of Dr. Hall, appears subeequtwilY sliqe'
I appeals to the commandant and to the p
means of improving the condition of the holiefLe
either no measures, or no efficient and adecoste
I seem to have been adopted foe the parrot' .011
" In justice to Dr. Menzies, it must be 11"e'r,„ 0,0
Ilutimusted engaged
in alldiinffiicnucletasant and
surgical
w onerous
cases, he
eduties psi/
lellrious operations himself. His time was wwMpie
validing men. holding hoards, making moothil "--00
quarterly returns, daily repor's and weekly/et:01.; os
to Dr. Hall, who was satisfied with the hoofelefiod
to Dr. Smith,
ho
could not interfere ; relew" 7-41
of Newcastle, who was never informed of the .d
1 things. Amid all these la:.onrs he h.d ocitutyimeier."o
which should have been hie principal d--""
superintendence of these hospitals. 41,040'
" Dr. Menzies states ' that he was Wi
wi.
wotk of three deputy- inspectors when be gave tipts;,o
' his health being then broken down: Ti eleLdl
is confirmed by Dr. Deerffireck, who, be*lle_,,l
Mansit's evidence, says, " the clashing of ,IMII
and confusion that stilted in the adminirteautsl7.ol
pitala wss not creditable to our system we 17,pie/.i
fallen into • state of inanition ; we had we, tPlii,op"
Orderlies, no hospitel corps. Dr. Metsies 1 ''

special duty of coon
en able to exuelas
hdmieal Boxer sq.,
ex this blame should
gratis convicted th:
a had been gi.o4d.
id been iOißdigiug.• •
omieslriet, or
he Admiral at
r coalmine* aloft
Remains mieb. *it
o high naval led
e means of deeSsligt
:It a ayate4
dies with regal/4;y
A 10134 OR the Corn • .
oIRMiIAteL4tC• nab
licit mine witnesses
eh some subordinate
procuriast 'applies, sy
e, the distress the
des.
OTMENT AT Romp.
the Arley and (mu..
las an MIMIC tp
144
smith, the wssetop,,,„
immediate antenwi -T.'
tiler-in Chief, the. g-
at War, the 11.,t,, 61
of Ordnance. Ile 1,;!:•
of the tiro deptetteev,
00 eoMmuoic.twe erdt.
Secretary for Wir
Auvust lest 5..,- •