The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-18 00:00:00

THE CRIMEAN MEDALS.

PRESENTATION BY HER MAJESTY.

(THIS )DAY.)

This morning a ceremony of a most brilliant and im-
posing description, though differing entirely in its cha
rater from any that the people of this country have
'ueen accustomed to witness throughout a long
-cries of years, was performed by her most gra-
cious Majesty the Queen. We need scarcely say
we allude to the distribution of the Crimean medal to
the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates
f the different cavalry and infantry regiments of the line
who have so gallantly distinguished themselves at Alma,
Balaklava, and Inkerman, and who have returned home
wounded 'or invalided. Included in the presentation
were a number of the naval brigade, who so nobly did
luty in this trenches.
The scene was one that will not, we imagine, be
,eadily fOrgotten, inasmuch as it served te impress
-till more forcibly on the rninds of those who were
,resent the sad reality that we are no longer exclusively
engaged in a peaceful rivalry with the world in the arts
if civilisation, but that, so far as a portion of it at least
is concerned, we are, in conjunction with a nstion—once
.oar bitterest enemies, but now our firm and sincere allies
—embarked in a struggle involving all the horrors of
war in their most direful form, and against a formidable
and unscrupulous foe—a struggle, too, in which some of
the best and bravest blood of the country has already
been shed, and which, it is to be feared, will demand,
ere its termination, a still greater sacrifice of devoted
ives. At the same time the scene was a truly touching one,
For it furnished another striking proof of the war:n spa-
dathy out beloved Queen individually feels for her
nave soldiers for the unparalleled sufferings which they
have endured, and no less the admiration she entertains
their splendid achievements, in epite of dangers and
iifficulties which can scarcely be exaggerated. there,
too, were those heroic men of whom we have heard so
much and read so much ; there*were the survivors of the
never-to-be-forgotten Light Cavalry charge ; there were
the dauntless Guards, the stalwart Highlanders, and the
keen-eyed Riflemen, whose services in their respective
•apacities have so well sustained the spotless reputation
)f the British arms. Many of these, too, bore upon
them more or less severe indications of the dreadful con-
tests in which they had taken so conspicuous a part, and
which the; well-merited distinction awarded to them is
intended to commemorate.
The splendid spectacle took place in the spacious
,arade at the rear of the Horse Guards, nearly the
whole of which, firming an immense square, vas barri-
jaded off. .In the centre a raised dais, or platform, Of
olerably large dimensions, approached by three steps,
nad been laid down for the accommodation of her Ma-
jesty, Prince Albert, the officers of state and suite. This
vas covered with bright crimson cloth, and surrounded
eith an elegant brass railing. From the centre rose a
flagstaff, from which, when her Majesty arrived,
he• Royal standard was displayed. A balcony,
also tastefully fitted up and festooned, and sur-
mounted by an awning, was erected above the
irive under the Horse Guards building, and overlook-
ng 'the dais for the reception of the R .yai Family and
he Duchesses of Kent and Gloucester. Besides this,
extensive galleries for the accommodation of spectators
vere erected at the rear of the different Government
)ffiees, and also two of capacious dimensions for the
Ise of the members of the two houses of Parliament.
The morning opened beautifully fine—in fact, 'the
veather was proverbially "her Majesty's,"aud for long be-
fore 9 o'clock the arrivals of the fashionable occupants
)f the galleries referred to were incessant until they
vere soon completely filled. In the meanwhile, the
,pen space outside the barriers became flooded wi:,h thou-
'ands of people of all classes eager to catch a glimpse of
he proceedings ; whilst the roofs and balconies of the
Aorse Guards, the Admiralty, the Treasury, and other
;overnment buildings, as well as of the whole of the
.urrounding private residences, as far as the eye could,
••each, were covered with perfect myriads of human
)eings. About half-past nine o'clock, the troops in-
ended to
.take part in the ceremony began to arrive,
.egiment by regiinent, and defiled into the enclosure,
preceded by their bands. These consisted of the
Scots Fusiliers, and the Grenadier and Coldstream •
Guards, the whole of whom appeared for
.the first
,inse in their new tunic uniform, and a brigade of
avalry, consisting of two squadrons of Life Guards
Carbineers, under the command of. Colonel Wesd.
f'he last to make their appearance were the wounded and
nvalid soldiers, who marched on to the ground in excel-
ent order, considering what they ha% e undergone. They
mere an exceedingly fine body of men, from various
egiments, and officers, non-commissioned officers, and
va. tier LO auc GO