Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-14
INHUMANITY-TH sEBAsTOPOL
INQUIRY

NO one can read without horror the testimony
in regard to the treatment of the English
troops engaged in the war of the Crimea. The
annals of war show no parallel to it, either in
ancient or modern times.
If the London Times, that great press which
is powerful enough to scorn court favor, and
wealthy enough to reject brides, had never done
anything else to commend it to public accep-
tance,s its course in regard to the treatment of
the English troops would be enough to attract
to it large share of favor and popularity.
At the very moment when all England rang
with the praises of the British soldiers in the
Crimea, when national exultation felt its
proudest and purest glow, when the Govern
ment with complacent satisfaction rubbed its
jeweled hands and enjoyed the tributes to the
brave soldiery as tributes to its own sagacty
and craftsmanship, at that very moment loud
voice rang like trumpet through the nation
1t was the voice of that imperial and imposing
press-the London Tines 1t charged the
Government with imbecility, with improvidence
and with cruelty, and the commanders Of the
English army with incapacity, recklessness,
and utter disregard of the comfort, health, and
sustenance of the brave troops in the Crimea
A great effort was. made to.stiHe the clamor of
the Times. But in vain. Its complaints
which seemed ill-timed, proved most unwel-
come. But it persisted in its complaints and
accusations, and exhibited an acquaintance
with affairs in the Crimea that the Government
itself did not possess, or criminally concealed.
| 1t declared that the troops were cruelty
treated, badly fed, worse clad, and when
wounded and sick utterly neglected. 1t cited
such evidences of the truth of its charges that
public attention was soon arrested. The ex-
element became intense. An inquiry was or.
dered, and the charges of the Times have
turned out to be true in all particulars. Chap
lains, physicians, army and navy officers, and
visiters to the scene of war, concur in the
statements Of the Times.
1t is striking proof of the sturdy courage,
the unchanging fidelity, and the ardent patriot
ism of the English soldiers, that they should
have fought so obstinately and CALAMITY under
officers who so despised and matreated, and
for Government that so criminaly neglected
them. 1t is, indeed, painful to contemplate
the picture presented by the testimony which
has been taken. Without protection against
the rigors of that terrible climate; without pro.
visions, clothing, tents, and medicines, as they
often were, without any of those comforts that
have been supposed to be the sources of Eng
lish courage, they have yet, by their gallant
deeds in arms, reflected a fresh lustre upon the
English name.
While the English soldiers we're so inhumanIy
neglected, the French soldiers seem to have
been as comfortable as soldiers can be made in
such climate and under such circumstances.
They have been well lodged, we'll clad, and
well fed. In sickness they have received the
closest and the best medical attendance. The
consequence of this difference in treatment
has been, that while the French army has en-.
joyed excellent health and sustained but few
losses, the English army has been sadly and
greatly reduced.