The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 16, 1 54.

the families of those brave men who died in battle
There is another part of the task which- I have to per
Limo, and which I cannot allude to •without feelings of
deep regret. All the accounts which we have received frau
those who witnessed the last action agree in stating that
when the officers and soldiers of the -allied armies fell
wounded on the field of battle, the Russians, instead or
taking them prisoners, immediately used their bayonets
and despatched these men on the field of battle. Lord
'Raglan and General Canrobert thought the introduction
of such a practice so abhorrent to humanity, so different
from the usages of modern warfare, that they could not
pass it unnoticed. (Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") Lord
Raglan ordered evidence to be taken by the judge-advocate
on the spot. Twenty-four persons deposed to have been
witnesses of those acts of barbarity, which, it was stated,
were in some cases instigated by Russian officers. The
commanders of the Allied forces then sent a flag of truce
to represent the circumstance to Prince Menschikoff, and
to state that they felt that such acts of barbarity wore
committed against his orders, and trusting that he would
take the most severe measures to prevent such barbarity
in future. I wish I could say that the answer returned by
the Russian commander expressed the horror which one
would have expected from an officer in his posi-
tion. Ho said it was not the custom not to give quarter
in the Russian army, but that his troops might have been
incensed at the circumstance of a church having been
sacked by the troops set the allies. They say that a church
belonging to them was taken and sacked; but, even if
this were the case, it was no palliation for such barbarity;
and I must say that the answer was not to the credit of
the Russian commander-in-chief. We all know what was
the conduct of the French and English to each other when
they were fighting upon the battle-fields of Europe. We
all know that in the Peninsula, after a battle was over,
the soldiers would—as the Duke of Richmond stated—
meet in their cross-belts, help each other in friendly offices,
and converse in the most friendly manner; thus showing
that they were animated by sentiments of mutual respect.
We also know that when the army was going to ad-
vance, they scorned to take the single life of a picket, but
that the pickets helped each other on with their knap-
sacks, and retired to warn their respective armies that
the foe was advancing. (Hear, hear.) These are the
practices of civilised nations, and one would have hoped
that a war carried on in the 19th century would have been
conducted in such a spirit. But I am afraid that the cir-
cumstance to which I have referred that, although the
Russian officers might not have ordered their men to show
no quarter, and that although the great Sovereign of their
country might not have countenanced such barbarity, that
such a spirit shows that if Russia were to obtain command
over a large portion of Europe, instead of civilising and im-
proving, she would destroy the arts of peace, and even
,j.,.- ion the arts of war. (Loud elseeea_e T 5......i.._ al
faoured,
andwe forrreirtanoonelymay b
ethistrrineamsopnh,autZatbtehlieevcinaugstehoaft Eitngis-
lcombined with all the best interests of civilisation, the
progress of humanity, and the spirit of real religion.
(Cheers.) Men who had been thus excited by fanaticism,
as we know the Russians were previous to the battle , of
Inkerman, and who were called upon to take up arms in
the name of the Christian religion, were afterwards found
to commit acts which outraged at once humanity and reli-
gion. Let us trust, however, that the Government of
Russia will take some means to prevent the recurrence of
such atrocities. (Hear, hear.) I have only one more
duty to perform, and that is of a more agreeable nature to
myself, as I feel persuaded it will have the approval of the
house. It was said with regard to one of the victories
gained in the late war—and said by Mr. Wyndham—that
for " his part he would rather celebrate a gallant feat of
arms by the Walsh forces, than conquer the entire archi-
pelago of sugar islands." I am convinced that speech was
as wise as it was spirited. It is in such things the life of
a nation consists. It is in such actions that the spirit of
a nation is maintained from age to age—in such battles as
we and the French nation have to record ; and it is by
such battles and victories that each nation has its separate
existence, and is prepared to defend its independence at
whatever cost. (Hear.) We have been for years engaged in
speculations and in practice concerning the progress of
wealth, and the development of arts and manufactures.
We have shown thatattention to these studies, and devotion
to these pursuits, has not in the least abated that fire which
belongs to the nation. We have shown, whether it be Eng-
land, Scotland, or Ireland, that a similar spirit animates
the entire United Kingdom, and that we are, ready to peril
in a just cause all that is most dear to men. I say again,
sir, that no victory that has been gained in such a cause
as the present, and with such a spirit as the nation has
shown, must I not only] redound to our honour, but
must also redound to our fame in future generations, by
enabling the nation itself to present to future generations
an object of regard, respect, and admiration to the world.-
(The noble lord resumed his seat amid loud cheers from all
parts of the house.)
Mr. DISRAELI—There have been occasions in the his-
tory of this country, when votes similar to these have been
proposed to the house, when members have entered into a
criticism upon the conduct of commanders and the policy of
Ministers ; but I am sure, however much we may venerate
Parliamentary proceedings, the house must have sympa-
thised with the noble lord, when he said there would be
no difference of opinion upon the motion he was about to
propose. (Hear, hear.) Sir, the noble lord has treated
the thenie which he has introduced in a ananuer so entirely
worthy of its interest, that it' would be unnecessary and
unbecoming in me to enter intosany detail of those actions
which recently commanded the admiration of the world.
(Hear, hear.) But I feel that I am expressing the opinion
of all present when I. say that these are no common
achievements, and this is no common war that will some
day be covered with the mere dust of history, and which
will be referred to as events to refresh the memory of men.
I feel that this is a war which will rank with those great
struggles that produce not only historians, but even poets,
, and sail i
fit that
di:-
con-
tinue,the
t o
stragglecelebrate
continues,t hei r lasting
as
i t
wo must be prepared to support it in the spirit
maaah7cvortinenutea,
which has already produced these groat exploits. I say if
it does continue, it will figure with those famons deeds
which the Crusades, and other groat struggles of that cha-
racter, have handed down to the memory of men—many
of which have been accomplished on the memorable scenes
where these great exploits 'are occurring. (Hear, bear.)
If I may for a moment allude to it, there is a singular coin-
pleteness in this the first campaign of the allied armies which
can scarcely escape observation. The campaign commences ,
by the Allied troops taking by storm one of the most diffi-
cult
positionsin the world, an almost impregnable position,
and it concludes virtually two months after by the same
force defending a position from a similar attack from an
immense horde. Thus we see, both in assault and in de-
fence, that these are the same troops—(hear hear)--exhi-
biting the same admirable and unequalled qualities. Between
these almost epic events, I ought not to forget that there
was a most brilliant episode—that fight ofßalaklava—a
feat of chivalry resplendeht in consummate courage,
and bright .with flashing valour—(hear, hear, hear)—and
though I cannot presume, with the authority of
the noble lord, to single out the names of great
commanders for the applause of the House of Commons—
I cannot forget, I cannot refrain from calling to your recol-
lection that the two commanders on that memorable odes-
sion almost recently sat amongst us on these benches, and
that they, I am sure, will peculiarly value the sympathy
of the colleagues whom they have quitted. The noble lord
has very properly said that it is not for us to criticise the
tactics and the strategy of campaigns,but it is open to us to
draw some moral conclusions from the great events which
are occurring around us ; and I will say that we may at
least draw such conclusions from the war which is taking
place. I think wh it has occurred has shown that the arts of
peace practised by afree people ere not enervating. I think
that the deeds to which the noble lord has alluded, both
amongst the Commanders and common soldiers, have shown
that education has not a tendency to diminish, but to
refine and raise the standard of martial character. (Hear.) I
think we may recognise the might and prowess of a free
and ancient people, when led by their natural and tradi-
tionary chiefs. There are circumstances and conditions
which are favourable to our confidence in the progress of
civilisation, and flattering, I
hope,
Englishmen. (Hear, hear.) Sir, to the conscience of
there is oars point on
which I could have wished that the noble lord had also
touched; I know there were so many subjects which he
could not avoid touching, that I share the admiration of
the house at the completeness with which he appeared to
have mastered his great theme—'hear, hear)—but when the
noble lord recalleilto our recollection the deeds of admire,
ble valour and of heroic conduct that have been achieved
on the heights of Aline, 13alaklava, and Inkerman, I could
have wished that the noble lord had also publicly recog-
nised that the deeds of horiosm in this
campaign have not
been merely confined to the field of battle. (Hear, hear.)
We ought to remember that many precious lives have been
given to the pestilence of Varna,
and to the inhospitable
R
shores of the Black
—ea ; and the men who thus lost
their lives, in my opinion, were animated by as heroic
a spirit as those who have been the victors amongst the
flash of artillery and the triumphant sounds of trumpets.
(Hear, hear.) No, air, I do, not think that language can
do justice to the endurance of the troops under the ex-
traordinary privations—and that they were inevitable at
the time I sin not prepared to deny—under the extraor-
dinary privations which circumstance have obliged them
to endure. The
Snide of an English gentleman might
have sustained him under circumstancoss which he could
not have anticipated to encounter ; but the same proud
qualities have been found amongst the rank and filo of our
army—(hear, hear)—and it is these high moral qualities
which have contributed as much as others, apparently
more brilliant, to those great victories which we are now
acknowledging. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord has taken
a wise and gracious course in combining with the thanks
which he is about to propose to-night to the British army
and navy, the thanks also of the House of Commons to the
army of our ally. That alliance, which has now for some
time prevailed between the two great nations of France
and England, has in peace been productive of advantage
~
but it is the test to which it has been applied by
recent
circumstances which, in my opinion, will tend more than
any other course to confirm and consolidate that intimate
union. That object is one which, in my opinion, does not
depend on dynasties and diplomacy. It is not one which
has not been sanctioned by names to which we all look up
with respect, and with feelings even of a high character.
The alliance between France and England was encouraged
by the imperial mind of Elizabeth, and sanctioned by
the profound sagacity of Cromwell. It exists not more
from feelings of mutual respect than from feelings of
mutual interest, and I believe that it will be maintained
by a noble spirit of emulation. (Hear, hear.) There is
still another point upon which, although with reluctance,
I will dwell fog a moment. It is a theme on which thenoble
lord touched ; but, nevertheless, I fed that I must refer to
it. I was glad to hear from the noble lord that he intended
to propose a veto of condolence with the relatives of
those who have fallen in this contest,. Sir, we have already
felt even in this roem of public assemblage how bitter have
been the consequences of this war. We cannot throw our
eyes over the accustomed benches where we miss .many
gallant and genial faces, without feeling our hearts ache,
our spirits subdued, and our eyes moistened. (Hear.) But
if that be the feeling bore, when we miss the long com-
panions of our'public lives and labours, what mist be the
anguish and desolation which now darkens so many
hearths? (Hear.) Never has the youthful blood of the
country been so profusely lavished as it has been in a great
and just cause--never has a greater sacrifice been made,
and for ends which more fully sanctify the sacrifice ; but
we can hardly hope now, in the greenness of the wound,
that oven these recollections can serve as a source of solace.
Young women, who have become widows as soon as they
lad become wives—mothers, who have lost not only their
sons, but the brethren of those sons—the beads of fami-
lies, who have seen abruptly closed all their hopes of an
hereditary line • these are the pangs which even the con-
sciousness of duty performed, and which even the lustre of
glory cannot easily or speedily be allevi ited and assuaged.
(Hear, bear.) But let us indulge, at least, in this hope—
in this conviction—that the time will come when the pro-
ceedings of this evening may be to such persons a source of
solace and consolation—(hear)—and that the memory of
those who are departed may be mitigated by the recollec.

' tion that their death is, at least, associated with imperish-
Lbledeoli—with a noble cl,iqe, and a lin tnrlo.
The resolution containing the vote of thaitks of the house
to Field-Marshal Lord Raglan, for the energy, skill, and
ability with which he had commanded her Majesty's forces
in the Crimea, having been read,
Lord HOTEIAH said that he was unwilling to trespass
upon the time of the house, but he wished to say a few
words on the present occasion, and to express how entirely
he concurred in the resolution which the noble lord oppo-
site had moved. The noble lord alluded to the time when
he was at the head-quarters of Lord Wellington, and when
he..hatl had an opportunity of witnessing the aaliduous
way in which Lord Raglan performed the complicated
and difficult duties of his office. (Hear, hear.) He (Lord
Hotham) also remembered that time, and ho had often
seen Lord Raglan in tho field by the side of his illustrious
commander, learning those lessons in the art of war which
he had now turned to such good account. He therefore
hoped that it might be permitted him, as one who had wit-
nessed the manner in which the noble lord had performed
his duties, to express the satisfaction which he felt at
seeing that roblo lord placed in a position of such emi-
nence, in which he had rendered services of such a nature
as justly to entitle him to the thanks of both Houses of
Parliament. (Hoar, hear.) He was confident that a
British army had never before been exposed to greater diffi-
culties and dangers, and he was glad that Parliament was
about to recognise their distinguished services by a vote of
thanks. (Hear, hear.) The House of Commons had just
reason to be proud in recollecting that many of its own
members had shared in the triumphs which they were now
about to acknowledge. They had unfortunately lost some
of those whom they had been in the habit of seeing sitting
amongst them : others had fortunately been preserved to
their country. According to the rules of the house, there
was only one member who would be named in the vote
—the honourable and gallant member for Westminster ' •
and he (Lord Hotham) must be permitted to say, that
whatever differences of opinion might have existed be-
tween that (the Opposition) side of the house and the hon.
and gallant member for Westminster, those who 'sat oppo-
site to him were not the less disposed than his most inti-
mate friends were to appreciate his distinguished services.
He could say, moreover, that when the vote should be put
in the presence of the hon. and gallant member, whose re-
turn, he hoped, with renewed health and vigour, would
not long be postponed, that they on the Opposition side of
the house would concur in the vote with the same cor-
diality as the nearest and dearest friends of the hon. and
gallant member. (Hear.) He (Lord Hotham) did not
forget that they were also about to vote the thanks of the
house to the sister profession. It would be presumptuous
in him, not being connected with the navy, to say that it
fully deserved the thanks of the house. He would merely
done-rendered support to her Majesty's
army ; and he was sure that if that army were engaged in
any difficult operations, that it might safely and securely
rely upon the ready co-operation of the sister service. He
was sure that that co-operation and assistance would con-
tinue to be rendered in the most ready, zealous, and meri-
torious manner. (Hear, hear.) He only wished to add
one word in allusion to another vote which the noble lord
intended to propose—that to the army of his Majesty the
Emperor of the French. Whether that vote were usual or
unusual—whether it was sanctioned by precedent or not, he
was of opinion that the occasion fully justified the course
which the Government proposed to take. It only remained
for him to say that he should as fully and cordially concur
in that vote as in the other votes to which the noble lord
had referred. (Hear.)

Mr. LAYARD said that as he had personally witnessed
the heroic conduct and the sufferings of the men to whom
the house was about to vote its thanks, he trusted that they
would permit him to say a few words. It had been almost
his misfortune to have taken a part in opposition to her Ma-
jesty's Government, and it now gave him great satisfaction
to add his voice to the general expression of feeling which
prevailed in the house on the present occasion. From
the knowledge which he chanced to have on the subject,
he wished to bring under the notice of the house one or
two individual examples of heroism and courage. The
noble lord the President of the Council had given the house
a detailed account of this campaign. In alluding to the
first event, the landing in the Crimea, he must recall to
thei recollection that that landing was effected under ex-
traordinary circumstances. Thu troops had been visited
at Varna with pestilence, and they were suddenly taken
away and landed upon an inhospitable shore. - If anything
was likely to try the courage and confidence of the troops,
it was the position in which they were then pistol.
But the very moment that they put their foot on shore
they showed that they were of the old British material. In
the first encounter they showed what might be expected of
them. On that occasion, as in everyother, one officer, whose
name ho would mention, had particularly distinguished him-
self—Captain Maude, of the Horse Artillery. It must be
remembered that the greater number of men engaged that
day had never soon war before. Many trembled for the
result; but they stormed heights almost impregnable, on
which the Russians were entrenched with a formidable ar-
tillery. Whilst he bore this testimony to the admirable
,qualities of the British troops, ho must bear his testimony
also to the courage and gallantry of the French army.
Gen. Bosquet on that occasion showed great bravery and
military skill. In less than three hoursthe Russian forces
were driven from their position upon the heights of Alma.
He gladly took that opportunity of mentioning the great
services which were rendered immediately after the battle
by our navy to the British forces. The navy on that oc-
casion, with a kindness of manner which entitled them to
every praise, carried the wounded of our army down to
the ships, where every attention was paid to their suffer-
ings. There were numerous instances of similar kindness
on the part of the navy throughout the campaign. He had
pleasure in publicly bearing testimony to the distinguished
bravery of General De Lacy Evans, whe had added to his
well-known military reputation. The noble lord had
spoken in terms of well-merited praise of the deeds of our
brave army, and he (Mr. Layard) might be permitted to
say a few words in praise of eur navy. That gallant com-
mander Sir Edmund Lyons brought his ship Agamemnon
_within 800 yards of the fortress of Sebastopol, and with
undaunted courage anchored her with only two feet of
water under keel. From 12 o'clock in the day till sunset
he bore the entire fire of the Russian batteries. It was of
course necessary to ascertain the soundings in order to
enable Sir E. Lyons to judge how near to the Russian bat-
teries the Agamemnon might go. Sir E. Lyons sent for a
young man in the navy named Bull, to whom he promised
a commission if ho would ascertain the soundings. That
young man never hesitated, and with the utmost calmness
set out to ascertain the soundings, which he did under the ,
most terrific fire that could be imagined. (Loud cheers.)
Ho (Mr. Layard) might mention :Another instance of gal-
lant bravery on the part of one of our young naval officers.
It was considered of the utmost importance that one of
our ships of war should be brought by the side of the
Agamemnon in order to take off part of the terrible fire
which she was undergoing. Sir E. Lyons expressed his
wish upon quarter-deck that a communication to that
effect should be made to one of the British squadron. A
gentleman named Cole, a nephew of Sir E. Lyons, at once
undertook to . make the desired communication, and he
nobly accomplished that undertaking. He (Mr. Layard)
should also mention that it having become known to the
men engaged in the ship of Sir E. Lyons that he was
about to change his ship, the men at once assembled, and,
by a spokesman, said to him they thought it was hard
that, after having done all the work, they should be de-
prived of the pleasure of taking part with him in the as-
sault upon the Russian batteries. (Laughter and cheers.)
That assault was made, amid the most terrible fire on the
right and on the left, with a heroism and constancy that
had never been equalled. A small squadron of the French
Chasseurs do l'Afrique undertook the assault of the bat-
tery on the left, and that assault they made with an indo-
mitable courage that was above all praise. (Cheers.) With
reference to the battle of Balaklava, he thought it was only
just to attempt to remove the aspersions which he thought
had been unfairly made on the character of the Turkish
troops. It was exceedingly easy to caste blame upon them
with respect to matters for which our own troops were
perhaps mere to blame than any. He admitted that the
English troops were probably able to hold out longer than
any other troops, but he believed that it would have been
impossible for tho Turkish troops to have held out five
minutes longer at the battle in question. Tho despatch of
Lord Raglan, in which that battle was described, removed
all the misrepresentations that had bean circulated in this
country with respect to the conduct of the Turkish troops.
He (Mr. Layard) believed that no znil itary authority doubted
that the only prudent course which was open to these troops
was that of retiring. The gallant services which were ren-
dered by the French division of General Bosquet to our
forces, when they were in a most critical positioneentitled
our French Allies to the gratitude and praise of the British
army and nation. Under a terrible fire from the enemy,
General Bosquet himself examined the enemy's position,
and then returnel with his troops to the place of action,
and their noble services at once decided the fortunes of the
day. The French artillery on that occasion distinguished
itself beyond all praise. At a time when our artillery was
almost completely destroyed, the- rench artillery advanced
and took up a position in front of the Russian batteries,
and for some hours sustained the brunt of the battle. On
his (Mr. Layard's) return from the Crimea to France, he
saw several men of the French army in the Crimes- return-
ing home wounded from their services there. Amongst
them were many privates and non-commissioned officers.
On their breasts they bore the insignia of the Legion
of Honour, and he begged to suggest to his right
hon. friend the Secretary at War the desirable-
ness of conferring upon our men who were engaged
in the Crimea some similar marks of honour for their brave
deeds. (Hear.) Ho (Mr. Layard) thought it was a matter
of deep regret that England did not imitate in this respect
the course adopted by France. Such tokens of a nation's
gratitude would have a great influence on the future con-
duct of those of our soldiers who had conferred new glory
upon their country by their bravery in the East. (Cheers.)
.Such a reward, would be prized far more highly than a pe"-
cuniary reward hastily bestowed un tho field of battle.
(Hear.) He hoped, therefore, that his suggestion would not
bo forgotten by her Majesty's Government. In conclusion,
ho begged to say that he was one of those few individuals
who thought that the time had come when, however great ,
our sacrifice might be, a war of this kind was almost ne-
cessary to the national safety and to the national honour.
There were many who believed that the people of this coun-
try had relapsed into a kind of effeminacy—that a long
course of years of peace had destroyed that old British
sprt to which we owed our liberties and our position in
the scale of cations. But the splendid exploits in the Cri-
mea by our brave countrymen must have removed all fears
of that nature. Would that the grrat military leader whom
we had lost a little while ago had lived till these times,
when he would have sees that the British soldier had sot
degenerated. (Cheers.) Had ho lived he would have seen
that the union of tho two great nations of France and Eng-
land bad been cemented on the battle-field, by the effusion
of the blood of some of their bravest mon, in a common
cause. (Cheers.)
Mr. M. MILNES said that this was a commemoration,
not only of the living, but of the dead. It was impossi-
ble to forget how many oyes had been closed in death in
the region of the Crimea. He hoped that her Majesty's
Government would take into their immediate considera-
tion the position of the families of those British officers
who had died in the battle-field. When we asked the
British officer to sacrifice his life for his country, we
just demand. But when by our army
made upon him a
regulations we asked him to go forth for the defence of his
country's interests, and to leave his family in a reduced
position, and, in many cases, in absolute penury, we
asked more than a nation had a right to demand of any
man. He (Mr. Milnes) was aware of the difficulties with
which cases of the kind to which ho referred were sur-
rounded—he knew how the organisation of our army was
mixed up with our social position—but he was sure that
her Majesty's Government would only be carrying into
effect the desire of tho country if they at least repaid to
the family of those officers who had fallen, or might fall,
in this war, the price of their commission. (Hear, hear.)
His right hon. friend the member forßnckinghamshirehad
stated that more than one case had occurred of brothers
having fallen in the present war. He (Mr. Mince) begged
to call the attention of the house to a case in which two
brothers had fallen at Jnkerman. Those brothers were
-officers in the same regiment, and both of them there sacri-
ficed their lives for the honour of their country. One of
them had left a widow with several children. Those bro-