The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-21 00:00:00

BOSOUR THE BRAVE!

(From the Times.)
Some 16 months since, when the details of the
last struggle at Sebastopol became known, we re-
cerved no little abuse from a number of incensed
critics for our observations on the part played by
the British Generals at the Redan. We had re-
gretted that on September 8, as often before, the
incapacity of our leaders had placed our achieve-
ments in lamentable contrast with the successes of
the French. The common sense and the high
spirit of the English people caused all but a small
minority to agree in the disappointment and dis-
approbation which we expressed ; still, there were
not wanting those who professed to see no mis-
carriage in the unhappy repulse, no subject for
regret in the failure of their countrymen in the
crowning contest of the war. The argument of
these persons, of course, was, that the several
attacks were to he looked upon as one, and that we
had our share in the success of the Malakhoff, and

our allies their responsibility for the failure at the
Redan. The usual appeal was to the French them-
selves. It was only the Times, they said, "that
pretended the English ought to have been success-
ful. The Parisians, with that chivalrous feeling
which distinguishes them, gave us full credit for
the common victory. In fact, the Redan was not
meant to be taken. General Simpson, whose
genius Pelimier and Niel warmly acknowledged,
had taken a maste.ily view of things. He had sent
1,500 men to a feigned attack. It was in the pro-
gramme that the Light Division was to be cut up,
and, with a sagacity to be found only in the highest
minds, regiments with a large proportion of re-
cruits were chosen because the loss would be of less
importance to the country. The Emperor Napoleon,
the French army, and French society in general,
were enthusiastic at the achievements of the brave
English, which only a few discontented and ignorant
writers at home sought to disparage." This was
the reasoning of the thorough supporters of the
military magnates at home and abroad. We had
said that not only in France, but throughout
neutral and observant Europe, this country had
lost ground by the slackness and want of spirit of
the British officers in command. The calumnious
assertion was indignantly contradicted. French-
men, Germans, and Italians, it was declared, were
full of admiration of the part played by the British
force. In their superior acquaintance with the art
of war they were not likely to tall into the errors of
shallow critics at home. Whenever the campaign
should be discussed by the French themselves ample
justice
yoo misunderstooduntry. and mis-
represented
• tice would be done to the skilful English com-
manders,
in their ders, so scancla.loouwsul
now ...
an
.opportunity of testing the
We have
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value of these asser_tic!ant
performance, shows how
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events. willing i tuo
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Frencheven
in
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o thaoreee
But, if any one would
earned a full share of glory.
Court and army wish to place on
gain a just notion of the value whheicshertvhieces Frenchofthe
English during the war, it is sufficient
other day
official report of the banquet given the
the
to read the
by Prince Napoleon to the general officers of
army who took part in the Crimean campaign._
We in England have had Crimean banquets, and
we may say that not only in the first triumph of
the alliance, but even during the last few months,
when diplomatic questions have somewhat divided
the two nations, the tribute of respect to our allies
has never been wanting. The French generals and
the French army have always been alluded to in
terms of admiration, the health of the commanders
has been drunk, and the mention of their names
has been the signal for hearty acclamations. Gen.
della Marmora and his Sardinians, Omar Pasha and
the army which kept at bay the Russians on the
Danube, have been great names at our feasts. Now
turn to the French entertainment. It is the recep-
tion of the chief Crimean generals by an Imperial
prince, himself a sharer in the campaign. It is a
public affair, officially recorded in the Monitettr.
Men are present who filled the highest posts in the
French army from the beginning to the end of the
war ; the colleagues of Lord Raglan as well as of