Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-14
Washington Correspondence Of the n 7. Herald
Visit of English Army 0fsicers-What
they think of our Troops.

Colonel Lysons, Assistant Adjatant General of
the Commander in Chief of the British army;
Colonel Percy, commanding the British Grena-
dier Guards; the Lieutenant Colonel command
ing the Fusileer Guards; Captain Gordon, Aide
de Camp to Lord Paulet; Lieutenant the Earl of
Dunmore, and other British officers of high note,
left this city recently for Canada, after having
spent some days in Washington, and having seen
not little of cur army and our material of war.
The names of the men will hardly convey to the
American public an adequate idea of their real
rank and Importance. Colonel Lysons, formerly
of the Royals, is one of the most distinguished
and thorough soldiers in England. He had much
to do with the organization of the British Volun-
teers, and was sent to Canada to organize the
Canadian militia at the time that war was expect
ed to grow out of the Trent affair Col Percy,
commanding the Grenadier Guards, ranks as a
Brigadler General; and few brigadiers in the
British service would object to exchange ranks
with him. The Grenadier, Codstream, and Fu-
sileer Guards constitute the Household Bri-
gade," the choice and pet troops of England.
They are better paid than the line more carefully
recruited, and ofiicered by the pure "blue blood"
of England.
The officers came to see the army of the Po-
tomae. Before their departure their commanding
officer, Sir Fenwick Williams, of Kars epioined
upon them 70 preserve the strictest incognto in
travelling throughout the United States. He
warned them that our hatred of Englshmen. and
especially Of British officers. was perfectly dia
bolical; and that as their friend DIR. Russell, of
the Times had informed them, social demoraiza-
ton and anarchy were so prevalent here that, if
they were identified anywhere on the way as off,
GERS of the British army, they would probably be
mobbed and murdered. They were therefore,
required to disguise themselves and their baggage
Extra whskers were cropped, and the names OF
the owners painted off their travelling impedimen-
ia. So thoroughly was this carried out that
Captain Gordon compelled by an Orderly OF
of General Williams to leave behind him in Mon
treal a trunk which bore his name and the desig-
nation of this regiment.
Strange to say, the party arrived at Washing
ton without having been once attacked by the
people of the United States They reported to
Lord Lyons, and their arrival having become
known, they were appalled, by visit from Major
General Mcdowell who came-not to challenge
them, some of the party expected-but to
exchange civlities and to tender them the COM
pliment of a division review.
After due deliberation the invitation was ac-
cepted. Precautions were taken, in accordance
with General Williams instructions, to prevent
the assassination of any members of the party
By bands of muroerers hired by Mr.. Seward.
They crossed the Long Bridge without losing a
man. Some trepdaton was observed among the
younger officers when they reached the ground
and took their position in front of the division,
every man of whom, in the opinion of Dr. Rus.
sell, of the London Times was painting for their
blood But the appearance of General Mcdowell
and staff calmed their fears and the review pro-
ceeded For five mortal hours they bestrode
their horses, watching the evolutions of the most
perfect division of the greatest army in the
world. At the close Colonel Lysons and Colonel
Percy could not help saying that never, in their
long military experience, had they witnessed a
finer spectacle
The latter, Colonel Percy as spokesman for
the party, expressed his qualification in neat lit
tie speech to General Mcdowell and was duly
complimented in the response. No allusion was
made by the Englishman to his chief surprise
which was that none of the party had been shot
at. General Mcdowell could not, of course,
guess that this thought was uppermost in their
minds
With the exquisite tact so characteristic of En-
glishmen, Col. Percy communicated to Gen Nc
Clelan, whom he ret at the review, his high ap-
probation of the -soldierly appearance of his
troops, and suggested that it would be well to is
sue an order of the day stating that the review
had been witnessed by distinguished officers OF
the British army, who pronounced the drill and
maneuvers of the division very fine and credita-
BILE.
Gen. Mcclellan replied that it was very good
idea indeed, and that he should not fail to act up
on it when he had time. Pity he has been so busy
ever since.
1t was our old friend, Sir William Boyd, who
said that railroads IN this country should be run
with extra care when the cars contained ''dis
tinguished Englishmen.' Had not Col. Percy
better have left him the monopoly OF the idea?