The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-09 00:00:00

SLR HENRI HAVELOCK AND THE

VICTORIA CROSS.

Yesterday was published with the Parliamentary
papers a return (moved for by General Buckley) of
copies of the telegram from the late Sir IL Have-
lock in reference to the conduct of Lieut. Havelock
in leading the 64th Regiment at Cawnpore, for
which that officer subsequently received the Vic-
toria Cross. Also, of the correspondence between
Sir Colin Campbell and the Adjutant-General on
the subject.
Sir Colin Campbell informs the General Com-
manding-in-Chief that in consequence of this des-
Patch) a feeling of dissatisfaction, which has been
testified in the most respectful manner, has arisen
among the officers of the G4th Foot, who consider
it contains a slur on the character of the late Lieut. -
Colonel Stirling, then in command of the regiment,
and on the regiment generally; and Sir Colin con-
fesses to having "a strong feeling of sympathy
with the officers of the 64th Regiment."
"This instance," he proceeds to say, "is one of
many in which, since the institution of the Victoria
Cross, advantage has been taken by young aides-
de-camp and other staff officers to place themselv,s
in prominent situations for the purpose of attract-
ing attention. To them life is of little value as com-
pared with the gain of public honour; but they donot
reflect, and the generals to whom they belong also do
not reflect, on the cruel injustice thus done to gallant
officers who, besides the excitement of the moment of
action, have all the responsibility attendant on this
situation. We know that the private soldier expects
to be led by his regimental officers, whom he knows
and recognises as the loaders to whom he is bound
to look • in the moments of the greatest trial and
danger, and that he is utterly regardless of the ac-
cidental presence of an aide-de-camp, or other staff
officer, who is an absolute stranger to him. There
is another point, also, having a greater importance.
By such despatches as the one above alluded to, it
is made to appear to the.world that a regiment would
have proved wanting in-courage except for an acci-
dental circumstance. Such a reflection is most
galling to a regiment of British soldiers, indeed
almost intolerable, and the Let is remembered
against it by all the other corps in her Majesty's
service. Soldiers feel such things most keenly. I
would, therefore, again beg leave to dwell on the
injustice sometimes done by general officers when
they give a public preference to those attached to
them, over old officers who are charged with the
most difficult and responsible duty."
To Sir CJlin's despatch the Adjutant-General
replies, by direction of the Duke of Cambridge,
saying—that "His Royal Highnessregrets sincerely
that any unfavourable imputation of the courage or
conduct of the lieutenant-colonel should ever for
a moment have ben supposed to attach to the cha-
racter of that gal'ant and excellent officer. His
Royal Highness enters fully into the feelings of
Lieut.-Colonel Bingham, who has in vindication
of the character of his late commanding officer, and
of the 64th Regiment, so honourably appealed to
your sense of justice, and he has much gratification
in now recording his entire satisfaction with the
whole conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling, and
of the excellent regiment which he commanded
with so much credit to himself and advantage to
the service."

AIISTRALIA.—The Black Ball clipper ship Saldanba
will sail this week Pori Melbourne, having on board
about 350 passengers, including 25 recruits for the 4@th
Regiment, in Melbourne; Us-replace others returning
borne. Among the officers are Captain Cook and
Assistant Staff-Surgeon Lynch.