The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-11-08
From ths New York Commercial Advertiser.
british SOLDIERS.

II Is sngulAry and anonymously organized us ranA anu
e may be said be composed Of the democracy Of the
country while il is ooered exclusively from the families
Of the aristocracy Among It's officers have been many
noble scions Of noble race" who have adorned their
profession being by noble as well as by descent as
history has shown and is still exempihed But there
have been and glazing exceptions to this rule
men who would disgrace the humblest BIRTH though claim
ing tocrac origin Ii mentioned in late European
adyces that Of this class had been promptly dismissed
from the army by the Commander-inchef the Duke Of
Cambridge and that his royal hghness had popular
admiration by his action. narrative Of the proceedings
OF "Lord Ernest yane Tempest which find in the Lon
don Times goes to show, in Judgment that dismissal
the smallest punishment that could be awarded to his
lordship
Partners in his ordshs freaks and Sharers in his dis
grace two other officers Cornet Brit and Lieutenant
Winstanley These three hopeful persons officers of
the Fourth Queens Own Regiment stationed at Brgh-
and seemed 10 have been possessed of the idea not
only that practical jokes became Them but that they had
right TO carry them 10 the extent of ndgny toward
officer of their regiment who was unwilling 10 live the fast
life they lived, was for any unpalaabe as mess
companion. Mr. Thomas II. Ames entered the regi
men cornet and his presence disasteul to these
seeected judges of who fitted 10 the uniform
of the Queens Own. Cornet Ames joined the regiment
in August last He was the OF independent gentle
of high responsibility but probably had not the pecu-
MARY possessed by his Prosecutors or was too wise
and high pnopled to spend it idly and lavishy This
been the real of Lord Tempests per-
secuon of Cornet Ames, upon whom numerous and an
noying practical jokes played, which for time
borne with exemplary patience and good temper.
The "oke which at length induced him to refuse longer
| submission is thus narrated:
"On Sunday, the 2lst of September last he dined
usual at the mess where, as he has complained to his
friends be received insulting language from Lord
Ernest Vane. On that occasion, we believe Lord Vane
sat at table with Brit his left hand and Ames his
right while Wnstanley seated opposite but not inn
mediately During dinner it is said, Lord Ernest Vane
kept constant fire of taunts against Ames in under
accompanied with many offensive EXPRESSIONS which
orbear repeating at the present stage of the inquiry
After dinner Ames took two three glasses of wine and
then about halfpast nine o'clock, rose to depart.
"He followed, however, into the passage by Vane
and Brit both of whom seized him. and dragged him into
Lord Vanes Lieutenant Winstaney and Cornet Fy
following. There he orcbly held down the sofa
| by Brit and Vane while Wnsanley went into Vanes
bedroom and brought pair Of scissors which he gave to
Yane and with which Vane completely denuded him of
his whiskers the left side of his face Wnstanley and
/ Fyfe looking This escapade over he (Ames) was
dragged along the passage the anechamber adjoining
the messroom in which coffee served after dinner and
in this condition pushed violently in where of the
of the officers were by Brit and Vane He appears to
made what resistance he dared to this treatment
overpowered by superior force
On retiring to his he found that the furniture
had been turned topyturvy his drawers pulled out Of
their places and his linen thrown about the oor two Of
his hats smashed and his bed completely saturated with
water He slept the floor of his room that night.
Other damage done but it is unnecessary give the
details Next morning he related the whole circumstances
to the adjuant of the regiment Lieut. Jennings with
request that be would report them officially to Lieutenant
Colonel Low in command Of the depot which be did.
Guards which led to the special inquiry by Gen. Lawren-
son. and Lord Ernest Vane Tempest Cornet Brit and
Lieut. Winstanley being called to deliver up their
swords, and being placed under close arrest"
Cornet Ames is said to be young of comman ding
stature and the wonder very natural that he should have
submitted such ndgnies without greater resistance
but this is explained by the fact that under the articles
it high offence to strike superior officer
der such provocaton He TO have controlled his
feelings in consideration Of this and have adopted the
he finally did rather than render himself amenabe
TO the implied in memorandum understood be
in the hands Of every officer in the army and written
the 9Th of July, 1853 by Lord Hardnge the late com
msnder-inchef In reference to indigny offered
ensign in the 5oth regiment at Preston in that year al"
said Lord Hsrdnge on that occasion, "Ensign - had
tamely submitted the gross and insulting language ap
piled to him. the personal ndigniy Of pumping upon
him. and the facts had come to the generalcommandng
inchefs knowledge, he would have considered Ensign
- as being unworthy Of holding commission in her
Majestyis service
In contrast with these doings OF British army officers are
the following Just sentiments modesty expressed in
cent communication TO the Globe newspaper from Lieut.
Massey Of the nineteenth regiment The Globe appears
had spoken disparagingy Of Lieut. Massey to whom had
been presented various decorations and public testimonials
for his services In the Crimea:
"You say that my head turned and that labor under
the deluson Of being hero. thank God am not such
fool and in proof must refer you TO print have been
invited join n several banquets and ovatons but think
ing publicity would only render object of jealousy
and be attended with danger to my health steadily de-
clined all invitations. However advised TO 60
into public there thank the people Of England for their
kind feeling and for all TO discam any singular
unusual merit services my part accepted invi
ston TO Sheffield for this purpose The following Is what
said In returning thanks my health being drunk;
al do not know how deserved such a compliment
can assure you merely did my duty-what any other off,
Ger placed In my position would have done for all felt
would have died thousand deaths 10 have preserved
II untarniSbed. May ask, sir, II in those words showed
that my head turned that abored under the de
fusion OF being hero wished to assume credit to my
self which, 10 a hundred cases greatly due 10
other officers Of my and other regiments beg there
fore sir that you will be good enough TO scqut Of
wishing become hero and that my good friends in Eng
land aud Ireland may also be kind enough at TO take
me down from the pedestal on which you say the havs
80 srroReousJ placed me this be dane the Globe Is the
best friend ever bad 81
Were | privileged TO add a word in defence Of my
oounrymen Of England and Ireland charged by you with
foolish selection In the objects Of their patronage would
say however wrong the multitude may Sometimes be- you
generally find their motives most kind and prasew orthy
verify Of my suferngs and thoughts Of the early age al
which have endured them first gave place In their
Estimation and this pity as u sometimes does rpened
into that kind feeling which eIaggeraes acts Of duty
into the most meritorious services"
Lieutenant Massey also drew amusing picture Of the
nconvenienoes Of being hero, which pretty extern
AZ.