The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-03
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ENGLAND.
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General Napier in London-Parliam entary
HonOrs to the Victorious Commander-vote
OF Thanks to the Troops.
LONDON, July O. 1858.
Major General Sir Robert Napier, the victorious
commander from Abyssinia arrived In this city this
morning from Paris. He was received In manner
worthy his name character and fame.
An immense crowd was assembled at the railroad
depot to welcome him. and on his appearance he was
received with cheers, which did not cease until he
had entered his carriage and driven to his hotel.
In the House Of Lords this evening vote Of thanks
to General Napier and the officers and men OF the
Abyssinian expedition was moved by the Earl Of
Malmesbury and seconded by Earl Russell, and was
unanimously adopted
The Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred and many
members Of the court were present on the occasion
In the House Of Commons this evening all the
benches were filled with members, and the galleries
crowded by a brilliant throng Of ladies and gentle
nen as 1t was known that General Napier would be
present.
When the General entered the House he was
warmly greeted by the members.
The Premier hr. Disraeli, then moved and Mr..
Gladstone seconded the vote OF thanks, which was
carried without dissenting voice, amid the most
enthusiastic cheering from all parts Of the House.
Municipal Tribute to Napier and sketch of the
General.
At a meeting Of the Court Of Common Council OF
the city Of London, at which the Lord Mayor pre-
sded Alderman Cotton proposed the following
motion-"That the freedom Of this city, with
sword of the value Of two hundred guineas, be pre-
scented TO Major General Sir Robert Napier, G. G. B.,
G. @. S. T., commander Of the forces in Bombay, In
admiration OF the fortitude SKILL science, energy and
prompiitude displayed by him in bringing the Abys-
nia Uar to mi AM a
Alderman, in proposing the motion, adverted to the
very satisfactory manner IN which Sir Robert Napier
had conducted the important military operation that
was entrusted to him. and said that when he COM
menced the campaign he was met with nothing but
gloomy fOrebodings and anticpatioRs OF evil, and he
was told that his army would suffer more from
miasma and sickness than from the attacks Of the
enemy, but notwithstanding all these gloomy fore
bodings he had brought the campaign to a most
satisfactory and glorious conclusion Mr.. J.
Symonds, chairman Of the City Lands Committee
and who Is by courtesy the first commoner in the
court, said he had great pleasure in secondng the
motion. The motion was carried unanimously.
SKETCH OF NAPIER. ~
MAJOR General Sir Robert Napier, G. G. b. G. G. S. l.,
who has been SO highly honored, as detailed in our
cable report to-day, for the skl foresight and pru-
dence" exercised by him in Abyssinia, had achieved
most brilliant reputation and rendered Invaluable
service to the British Crown, in India and China,
long before the necessity for the operations in Africa
existed; yet he would have perhaps died compare
lively unknOwn--at least in English military par
.aneewere It n, not for the occasion presented by
The biographical sketch of the General which we
present 70 the readers OF the HERALD underneath
Will therefore, be read with much interest
Sir Robert Napier was born In 1910, and Is there
fore in his 5sth year. He is only very distanty II at
ali, related to the Sir Charles Napier whom the late
Duke Of Wellington honored so particularly. His
father was Major G. F. Napier Of the Royal Engineers
ter Of WI" Mr. Codrnston Darlington, Of Biackmans,
Barbados At an early age the eldest son OF the
Gated al Addscombe. on n his seventeenth birthday
he entered the Royal Engineers, and after passing
through the ordinary routine became captain in
1s4l. when thirty years Of age We hear little
of Captain Napier until the period Of the
Sutle war, and then the young officer's abilities
the whole Of this campaign in 1s45-46. At MoOdkee
ne was appointed Chief Engineer, and at the siege
his horse was killed under him. Again, at Feroze-
shah, his horse fell mortally wounded, while two
bullets had pierced his own body. He soon, how
ever recovered and brigade major Of engineers in
1876 led the troops at Sobraon and in the subsequent
advance OF Lahore for which he received medal
and clasps, with the rank or breyet major In the
same year he was appointed chief engineer to con-
duct the siege Of the hill fort OF Kangra For his ser
vices in this expedition he received the special thanks
OF the Indian government. At the siege OF Mooltan,
In 1s49, when he was appointed Chief Engineer
ne was severely wounded. After recovering
from his wounds Major Napier was appointed Com
mandng Engineer OF the right wing OF the Army OF
the Punlaub at the battle OF GOojerat and In Sir
services he received medal and clasps with the
rank of brevet lieutenant colonel. As Chief Civil
Engineer Of the Punjaub Major Napier organized ana
initiated an extensive series OF public works, which
were h0norably acknowledged by the late LORD Dal-
housie In 1852 Colonel Napier commanded column
which defeated the Hussunzie tribe on the Black
Mountain IN Hazara. He was also present with me
expedition against the Boree Alfreedes In 1928,
and again received the special thanks of the Indian
government for his services. In 1857 Colonel Napier
was appointed Chief Engineer OF Sir Outrams sta
and was present in the several actions leading to the
nrst relief Of Lucknow Mungulwar and Churbagh.
He commanded the royal troops In the rescue OF the
siege train which had been surrounded and cut OF
the suburbs, and present at the sorte Tor the
capture OF Phillips Garden Battery and other opera
tons. AZ chief OF the stan OF engineers he took
most important part In the operations OF Alum
Baugh, and Is Brgadier Chief Engineer at the maj
siege of Lucknow in 1855, for which services the
British government appointed him Knight CON-
mander OF the Bath. AZ the capture OF Gwal0r SIR
Robert commanded brigade; he defeated Tantia
TOpee at J0ura Alip0ur and captured twenty-five
guns; while In command OF the Gwalior division he
bOmbarded and reduced the fort OF Powrie after I've
days pursuit he surprised and defeated with squad
ron Of the Fourteenth dragons Ferozeshah's force
In 1880 Sir Robert Napier commanded the Second
division OF the China expeditionary army In the ac
his division and the whole Of the artillery In con.
junction with the French division OF General Colli-
neau and United states force, he directed the ope-
rations ending In the storm OF the North Taku Fort
and the advance and occupation OF Pekin. During
the time he attached to the China expedition Sir
Robert Napier twice received the thanks OF Parlia.
ment. In 1861 he entered the supreme Council OF
India as successor of sir ]. Outra, and retained his
seat till 1885, when he was appointed to the command
OF the Bombay army, from which position he was de-
tached by order to take command OF the army In
Abyssnia.
The Bank statement.
LONDON, July 2, 1865.
me regular weekly statement of the Bank OF Eng