Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-05
GENERAL SIR WILLIAM NAPIER, THE HISTO-
INV my TLLE HENIASL-LA WYNN

RlAN OF TILE PENlNSl LA WAX.
The great historian OF the Peninsula War died on Sun
dlv i'm his 1fth wear. The London Times gives an III
teresng sketch OF the OF this distinguished officer
and literary celebrity. He catered the army when lad
of fourteen and he was but itle over twenty when he
went TO that great which he afterwards undertook
describe His extraction is remarkable enough to deserve
some mention for one OF his granGithors actually
the grandson King Charlie, H. and the other succeeded
10 the family title while Marlborough conducting the
cumpagn u Families. Ia that year, HOO certain Fran
els n or became Lord Napier. BY first marriage be
produced lue sons, from one OF whom descended thc
present Admiral Sir Charles Napier; by second mar
rage he had a sOa named George. This George in the
wear ISL took wife the lady Lady sarah daughter OF
the second Duke Of Richmond great granddaughter of
the Second Charles and previously the wife OF Sir Th0s
Buuburv From that union there issued progeny of
heroes OF whom William was the third Among all the
divisions of the Prulsuldr arny-iaWous though they
were-t.e Light Division the most dis
tugusaed and in this, happily for himself and for his
history Young Napier served. Exchanges were not
30 common In those days at present and is with the
Light division and with the lO.y thlrd regiment Of foot
that Sir Williams active service Is almost exclusively
Identified If we say that tine active service OF SIR VIII
liam Napier was commensurate with the services Of the
t.h- division in the Peninsula we shall have said quite
enough 10 define aud establish bis claims working
sol her AT first bJ, promotion was rapid; but thOugIhe
entered tac war a captain, be LEFT j. Only lieutenant
colonel and with this rank alone, and upon the
half nav establishment OF the Forythird foot that he
character OF military historian. At nat period OF his
career or with what inducements he originally conceived
tp design which be executed 80 WOrhly cannot say;
Dlt from 1924 20 1870 be was uuTemlugly engaged
be hius. informs Is upon the History OF the PENN
sui4r War" The great Duke once entertained the
iIa, of Incoming the historian Of his own campaigns
or 40 any rate Of bequeIthug the materials to his
executors Sir George Murray also thought of
t.rng the field, but CO ouel Napier advanced beyond
these preliminary conceptions. lie undertook the task
90 q D "a NH kr LUpu
The spirit Or as may even say tue bias of the work
WAS however directly offensive TO the opinions Of these
times IL offended Eng Isamcn, Tor assaled the still
dominant policy OF torylsm and conceded infinitely more
crei, Napoleon 10 ms system, and to his troops than
the preudices Of the country bad Yet allowed IL Of
Tended S1auar1s for IL brushed away the brag OF the
nation and reduced the enthusiasm and Efforts oil The pat
riot armies 80 dimensions more consistent with fact
Freuclmgu 10 might possibly cOucite Tor II recorded
their military merits Win uncommon caudOr but TO no
other sympau.r did IL addressed and above ALL
while derctiug the and It's goues IN unprecedented
rolys IL imDeached the policy out OF which the contest
had arisen and attacked the spirit IN which II was con-
Quoted Opinions Ike these brought on the authors head
perfect storm otOboquy, which, with the family genus
for improving controversy he cOutycd rather 10 ag
crtvae than assuage. lie accused not only OF pro-
ies,ona iucapsc,y under thousand forms, but OF poh
cal and almost moral he-esics without number Against
the current oil popular aud political prejudice tie wokiJ
ced is way by intrinsic 4>cnauOus TO the summit OF
rbl favor The truth IS besides the genuine nationality
o lis object and its tOue there dignity IN the treat
ment ami living verify ia Tie descriptions which led the
mind uuIctugiy captive Never before had suyh scenes
been portrayed nor VIII such wonderful coOring The
completion of tins extraordinary work NOS only established
Colonel Nupiers fame author but contributed pro-
b,blv la conjunction with the brilliant services OF hs
brother Charles improve even his professional posi-
ton He had indeed earned IN the i~ir discharge OF
military duty all the promotion which now overlook him.
for he had borne active and distinguished part through
~.
nal advancement reserved for survivors. Still 1t
hardly be- doubted that he brother OF Sir Charles M
pr and the historian OF the Peninsuar war commanded
greater respect than would have been paid to the bali
nav officer OF the 45d when the red ribbon OF the Bath
and the cOlGue!cv OF regiment added 10 the pro-
motions arriving by seniority the public was gahed at
the recogn,tons evuced Yet Sir William Napier Remain
ed Napier STILL and cshed against TIE opinions OF meu as
rudeiy In his h,er in his earlier days. As his light
Division accounts for period of his life, and his His
tory for second bis advocacy OF Sir Charles Naplcrs
excellence in every capacity may be taken Tor the bu,
ness OF the third. The spt OF the family has been uni
tormiy clHun!sh in excess even OF the Scottish standard
but Sir Williams devotion 10 the reputation oil his broih-
or Is almost wthOuta parallel On this point he would
brook no question any hands. In the ouian Islands
In India i'm the command of a home district-where-
ever Sir Charles Napier stationed, and whatever he
did his acts we're right The historian of the war IN
the Pcuusulr even resumed his pen, FOR his brothers
sake to write the Conquest OF Scinde and so wholly must
his have been in the that his alleged preference
of this work hi. great achievement is MOI quite ncrcd-
IDLE Even when the life and services Of Sir Charles mad
terminated together Sir William stood champion over his
grave and at the most critical period Of Indian debates
III. chief anxiety was Tor the reputation Of his brother
which I'm these discussions he thought might possibly be
imuugued How little measure he observed in the con-
royer.ies which this devotion proyoked-how repuvcy
he treated the consideration which all were ready to be-
stow we need not stop TO remark. lis hbors and his
quares age now ended and Sir Charles death proved
the signal for the universal oblivion OF his faults aud the
uuquauGcI recognition of his virtues, with the life Of
Sir William Will all those acrimOnes cease which his in
trlctabie pen was but apt TO occasion. The public
viii forget tue couroyersiaist, remember him on!y 10
reflect that even in the least fortunate OF his encounters
be never proposed himSel! unworthy aim The i'm
age which will remain impressed upon its memory that
OF a noble soldier who did his duty in OF Engands
greatest wars and who afterwards redoubed this service
by raising for his country impeFshabe monument Of
the glory she had acquired.