Washington sentinel., 1855-07-19
The Late Lord Ha8Ian-Brtof sketch OF
his Life-His Successor.


his Life-His Successor.
The news of the death of Lord Raglan, COM
mander-in-chie of the British forces in the Cri-
on this side of the Atlantic, though the accounts
Of his illness received by the previous steamer
prevent the intelligence awakening emotions of
surprise 1t does not appear by the London jour
nails that the announcement caused any sensation
in England. The public mind there had been
prepared for his resignation, and his successor
was already known. His decease, however, has
called forth all the generous feelings of the Eng
lish nation. The Queen and the Parliament have
paid tribute to his memory, and the people and
the press speak kindly Of the old general who
died in his country's service. The following is a
brief sketch Of his life:
Lord Raglan, or, as he was better known for
SO many years, Lord Fitzroy Somerset, was the
youngest son Of the fifth Duke of Beaufort, and
uncle TO the present Duke. lie was born in 1888,
and was consequently in his sixty eighth year.
The Somersets are of the proudest and most an
cient blood of Britain. To travel back to the
source of their origin would be as hopeless task
as to penetrate to the fountain ofthe Nile. "Two
centuries ago" 1--WE are told, ''no prouder man
was seen in England than the then Duke Of Som
erset, who had the highways cleared before him
that he might not be looked upon by vulgar eyes,
and who rebuked his second wife for tapping his
shoulder with fan, saying, MADAM, my first
wife was Percy, and she never took such llber-
ty.'"
Lord Fitzroy Somerset was Cornet in 1904, a
Captain in 1SO9,-a Major in 1911, and a Colonel
in 1912, accomplishing in eight years what cost
Sir De Lacy Evans, who saw still greater service,
forty years to achieve. Lord Fitzroy Somerset
was present at every one of the great Peninsular
battles. His rank, as is ever the case, at once
recommended him to the Duke of Wellington,
then Sir A. Wellesley, who was but too happy to
attach to his interest the powerful family OF the
Beauforts by naming him on his staff, and after
ward raising him to the post OF Military Secre-
tary In this capacity he served through the
whole war, exhibiting on every occasion soldier
like abilities, combined with fearless courage. He
twice severely wounded, and lost his right
arm at the farm OF "Haye Sainte, /" on the day of
Waterloo. When, after that great engagement,
the curtain fell upon the wars of Europe, Lord
Fitzroy Somerset was appointed, in addition to
other honors, Secretary of the Embassy to Paris.
Thence he attended the Duke of Wellington to
Vienna and Verona in 1922, and in 1896 proceed
ed to st. Petersburg, whittier he was sent to con-
gratulate the late Emperor Nicholas on his ac-
cession to the throne.
In 1919 he was appointed secretary TO the Duke
of Wellington, Master General of the Ordnance
until 1897 and in 1929 was made military secre-
which office he performed during the reign of the
several commanders-in-chief down to the death
of the Duke Of Wellington On the death of the
Duke, the commander-in- chief was, much to the
disappointment of Lord Fitzroy Somerset, confer
red on Lord Hardnge, and Lord Fitzroy being
unwilling to serve under an officer of similar
standing to HIMSELF was appointed Master Gene
raj OF the Ordnance, with Peerage, which he
assumed under the title of Lord Raglan, the name
of castle which Edward Somerset, one of his
ancestors, held against Cromwell, as the last of
the mobiles.
During the long reign of Lord Hill, and the
subsequent ore of the Duke of Wellington at the
Horse Guards, Lord +. Somerset, owing to the
age of these veterans and the confidence reposed
in him, though acting as Military Secretary, was
virtually Commander-i Chief, and in an office
where so much tact and delicacy were required
contrived during that long period, with strong
class prejudice, to win and retain the respect and
regard of the army. He never for one moment
forgot "his order y or abandoned the faith in the
divine right of aristocracy which he inherited by
birth and education. But he concealed his pre-
possessions and bigotry with such graceful art
and such slvered verbiage, to make the re-
fused Commoners who left his levee more blessed
in the fascinating refusal than in rude compli-
ance with their request
Without any military genius, Lord Raglan pos
sessed a sound judgment, fearless courage, and
nfexible sense of Justice. Devoted to drill, duti-
Iul 10 dealil, ana uestructOH,d Il Just anu
generous gentleman Of honor, courage, and deep
sense Of duty, he possessed every quality for a
second in command; but was wholly untitled to
govern an army. He had not the prescience TO
foresee, the genius to direct, the strength of mind
10 control, or the energy TO repair, which should
belong TO great general. Lord Raglan was just
that character of man which the English system
in its best form begets. Trained in every step to
refer 10 memory instead of exercising mind, as
long as things 90 on by the prescribed regulation,
all is we'll But, when an unruly monster like
Sebastopol stands across the path, and will not
be trodden down to order, the country cries and
the press thunders for a head, preferring even the
rude Pelissier before Raglan.
The Morning Post says of Gen. Simpson, Lord
Raglan 8 successor:
Gen. Simpson has considerable service
and enjoys high professional reputation. During
the Peninsula war he was present at the defense
of Cadii and the attack on Seville. He served
and was wounded at Quatre Bras in 1915; was
engaged in ls45 second in commond to the late
Sir Chas. Napier in Scnde. Sir Chas. Napier con-
sdered him his best officer, and he believed that
Lord Ellenborough, when Governor General, had
the highest opinion Of him, and, in the event OF
any accident happening TO Sir Charles, would
have charged Gen. Simpson with the conduct Of
the war. The high official position Gen. Simp-
son has filled since the present government sent
him 10 the Crimea, had necessarily placed him in
constant communication with the French COM
mander, with whom we are confident he will
maintain the cordial relations that have existed
without interruption between tho chiefs ofthe ex-
peditionary forces.