The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-05-08
"RELATIvE VALUE OF LIMBS IN THE BRI.
.......-... TISH ARMY"

"RELATIvE VALUE OF LIMBS IN THE BRI.
.......-.... TISH ARMY"
They certainly manage matters 10 the Brl-
tish army in most superlatively aristocratic
spirit. It is hard to reconcile such absurdi-
ties as the aristocratic principle engenders
there with the excellent sense of the British
people. We have no particular prejudice
against British aristocracy; in fact if there
must be an aristocracy, we prefer one of edu-
Gated and refined gentlemen to the miserable
counterfeit aristocracy of money-the dol
lar gentility, with its vulgar pretensions and
base instincts, which deservedly make the
upper tendon of our large American cities
the laughing stock of all Christendom. But
the injustice and wrong which British
aristocracy produces, were never more mani
fest than in the conduct of their military af-
fairs. With thesplendid and instructive fruits
Of promotion from the ranks in the French
army before their eyes, the British private,
however valiant and meritorious, has no
earthly chance of ever rising from his hum
bic position. We had no idea, however, that
the aristocratic principle showed itself in
such outrageous absurdities as those which
the English papers have lately detailed, and
of which we find synopsis in the N. York
Times. The wounds of officers and soldiers,
it appears, are appraised, not according to
the value Of the injured member, but the 80.
oial position of the owner. Thus, according
to the article before US, the Earl of Enrol
who only lost finger, which did not incapa-
citate him from service, received S1,056 90
whilst Ensign Annesley, of the Scotch Fusi-
leer Guards, who lost twenty three of his
teeth and part Of his tongue, by musket
r ball. received for his loss only s50l.s0. The
reason why the Earl of ErroPs finger is of
more value than Ensign Annesley's teeth
and tongue, is given in the statement that
the Earl is. the Queens cousin, being son
of Lady Fitzclarence, who was natural
daughter of William the Fourth, by the cele
brated Mrs. Jordan, whilst Ensign Annesley
is only the second brother of an Irish peer
He may console himself, however, with the
reflection that if he had been private, and
had lost his head instead of his teeth, his
widow would not have received a single
cent. Another case Is given, of Ensign Bra
book, who had no influence at the Horse
Guards, who, for a musket ball in the right
thigh, received 1894, whilst the aristocra
tic Capt. Berkely, for musket ball in the
right leg, was awarded $l,414.2O. The Irish.
man, Lieut.. Cahill, for ball in his right
foot, was allowed s359.lo. whilst Capt Nc
Donald, who has powerful friends at head
quarters, was allowed sl,o5e.so for a musket
ball in the left foot. We should like to see
some explanation blythe advocates of aristo
cracy why ball in Mcdonald left foot was
worth more than one in Cshilrs right! If
there 10 to be any distinction, reason would
seem to dictate that the private who loses q
limb, should receive more than the highest
officers, for the reason that the latter are
generally men Of fortune, and are not depen.
tant upon their limbs for support whereas
the former,when they lose their hands or legs
lose the means of subsistence for their 6.
miles ct the same time. But these men do
mot get . dime. According to the English
Journals, John O'Shaughnessy, of Limerick.
Who returned home from the Crimea, and is
now IN Portsmouth Hospital. states: The
sinews Of my arm fell out at Ecutari Hospi.
bal, and others we're obliged to be dragged
out by the doctors. The arm is not worth a
brsss pin ever again" James Magrath, of
said TO the Reporter of the London
Dispatch "Look at my legs. sir. am asha-
ned OF them. I'll never get rid Of the pains
q my bonesl'' These two Irish soldiers get
20 compensaticu. They were not aristocrats
they did not belong to the privileged class.
They were only privates. Such 10 the sys /
shs rules and regulations that gov
nm the British army
The announcement of such facts as these
VII not expedite the enlistment Of Yankee
,oldisrs fort Eastern war. Jonathan would
70 doubt be willing to sell his legs or any
,ther msmbsr. for . consideration, but be
must get the full market price for them. You 4
vii sewer convince him fhat bis toes and di
~ 40 not - valuable - those Of eny other
nAa't, be be Earl Or Duke. s