Star.
London, England, 1810-01-31 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

Sza—lt is a trite yet just observation of a celebrat-
ed Writer, that the person who, to obtain a secret
and private advantage, forfeits his claims to veracity
by the assertion of falsehoods is, from the absence of
all virtuous principle, totally indifferent to the public
opinion or to the odium which follows detection.—
Among this description of invidious characters do I
rank the Old Soldier who has favoured us, in the
STAR of the Gth November, with a panegyric on hint-
self, in endeavouring to weaken, if not altogether de-
stroy, the cl iim3 to popular favour which the meri-
torious and hard services of a few corps employed in
the attack, sortie, and siege of Flushing, entitle
them to. I feel I would be wasting time as well as
furnishing you with much useless matter, did I, in
this letter, give scope to my feelings in animadvert-
ing on the statement of this Veteran : hardy I must
call him, for he has asserted a falsehood in the face
cif all the troops in that Island, as well as belied the
orders of th.: Commander of the Forces, Sir EYRE
Coort: and General GRAHAM ; yet in his own words
he is " not afraid of contradiction." Truly he pays
a higi, compliment to the discerment and probity
of his brother soldiers, when he supposes their princi-
ples so vitiated and their nature so degraded that he
could with impunity dare them to a contradiction.
But, Sir, he has proved himself as gallant as it ap-
pears he is modest and virtuous, I take his own state-
ment for it • although he stiles himself an Old Sol-
dier, the only part he says he took in the operations
vas merely to look on. The assistance of experien-
ced soldiers is at all times of the first consequence, yct
he in zeal was no more than an " eye witness ;"
so much for his contempt of danger in the service of
his country. Allow me to consider him in another
point of view : Old Soldiers are not always the best
tacticians, and are sometimes liable to mistakes ;_ he
certainly acted the old soldier in keeping out of ac-
tion, but he has likewise proved hinisella very pouts,
tactitian in not knowing his right from his left, or the
description of troops to which our soldiers were op-
posed. The fact is, the enemy had neither Chaseeurs
or Voltigeurs in the Island, nor was the 85th regi-
ment either in the advance or attack by any means
formed thr 'ht of the army, and in the occupa-
according to the
teed on the left of
tdvanced by the
of the Ist or
companies of the
admirable officer'
if the three first
Sandhills, under
• sth, the main
izontal with the
military miracle-
regiments on the
issage, which Be-
have them en.
This vaunter
tpectfully of this
:ood that we had
no general officer
is small detach-
post, and charg-
cort." I antsure,
iblic, that all our
11d, and a more
the reduction of
truth, charges
kind : the rapid
: column above-
inutes in posses-
Imediately on the
and a two I 3
sooner stormed than
- evacuated on the
conduct of this
'fairs till the sur-
expressed in Ge-
mine could paint
weciate the sub-
cos of the services
aver, or refuta-
Soldier : offering
tg, when next he
Ition," not to do
ar he it from me,
and gallantry of
inion is that all
iously led on will
materials are the
Lilly systematic,
In which we are

OVER OS TRUTH.

m with this letter
alcheren when I
,c 1 since my return

August.
Al Graham's com-
,M. on Southland,
will proceed to
and those of For-
ight of the line of
!d)
_ARE, B. Major."
.agust 2.

of the corps yester-
%I, Major-General
is division on their
ivance under Major
eserve under Major
troops from evin-
)
HARE, B. Major.
igust 9.
enemy's
_considerable

and the occtipa-
working parties have
best proofs of the
aged. While the
division on this im-
them of hisunquali-

he cannot but men-

, the steadiness and
tdiers of the piquets
lies of the satne.re-
Of the Royals, and
columns from the
a:Ni determined

or v umgcus J ua ass. a. .....
nient either in the advance or attack by
formed on the right of the army, and in
tion of ground for the siege it was, a.ccon
seniority of regiments, properly placed on
•
the whole line. The column which advai
right on the Ist of August consisted of
Royals, the sth and 35th, with two comp
6th, led on by that gallant and admir,
General GRAHAM. The Hankers of the
regiments moving on the Eastern Saudi
the command of Major Ernes of the stl
bodies immediately under and horizont
champaign country: therefore this miliu
monger must move his favourite regim
surface of the Scheldt; or Doorla Passage
parates Walcheren from Cadeand, to hav
gaged in the operations of the right. 'I
speaks zautiously, although not respectl
army, when he would have it understood
no regular troops in the island, and no ge
pre:;ent, at the critical period when his sn
went " drove the enemy from every post
ed them up to the very walls of the fort.'
Sir, I need not inform you or the public
d.vosable force is of the regular kind,
gallant body than that employed in the
Flushing never was equipped.. In tri
were made and of the most brillant kin,
advance and heroic intrepidity of the col
mentioned put them in a very few minut
lion of two formidable works immedia
Sandhills ; a six-gun, 24-pounders, am
inch mortar ; batteries were no sooner s
carried, beside one of three guns evae
approach of our brave men. The con
gallant body in all the subsequent affair:
render of Flushing is so much better exp
neral orders than any language of mint
it in, that I doubt not you will appreci
joined extracts as invaluable mementos
of our countrymen, and the best answer
tion, that can be given to the Old Sold
him, however, this advice at parting, v
attempts to correct a " misrepresentation
it by the assertion of a fel ehood. Far b
Mr. Editor, to question the courage and
any British regiment ; my firm opinion
when judiciously directed and zealousl:
equally well do their duty ; for the mat,
same, the mode of instruction equall)
and the cause, the glorious cause, in w
engaged, that of human nature itself.
• A YOUNG SOLDIER, BUT A LOVER
40th Jaruary.
P. S. I meant to have troubled you w
at an earlier date, but I was.in Walch
first saw the Old Soldier's letter, and sin
have been prevented by indisposition.
No. 1, Division Ordrri, Ist Augu
" The corps under Major-General GI
mand will march at six o'clock, A.M.
and after taking the battery there, wil
take the batteries of Dykeshooke, and
Batten, and establish itself on the right
Investment of Flushing. (Signed)
" R. G. HARE'
No. 2, A. D. Orders, August V.
44 The object of the movement of the
lay having been completely fulfilled,
Graham is glad to congratulate his di'
first success. The spirit of the advance
Ernes, with the support of the Reservi
Gordon, prevented the rest of the tro
cinz similar conduct. (Signed)
" R. G. Hall
No. S. D. Orders, August 9.
eg The total defeat of the enemy'
force in the sortie of the 7th instant, ai
tine of his posts, by wh;ch the workin
been aectually covered,•are the best
gond conduct of all the troops engage
Major-General congratulates the divis;
portant advantage, and assures them
bed approbation of their conduct, he c
tion with particular distinction, the
gallantry of 'the officers and soldiers
of the sth, and the flank companies c
&lent, with the light companies Of tJ
55th, who charging the enemy's cob
right and kit, in the roost spirited