The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-04
The Victoria Cross.

The Victoria Cross was founded in the
year 1855, the period of the Crimean
war, and was instituted as a special mill
tary and naval distinction for distin-
guished conduct in the field. 1t consists
OF Il plain, unpretentious piece of bronze
metal in the shape of "a Maltese cross,
and is manufactured from guns which
have been taken from the enemy. On
the front of it is the figure of lion above
a scroll, which bears the simple and ap-
pr&nriate motto, "For Nalor;" and on
the reverse are inscribed the name of the
recipient and the date of the deed of
bravery for which it had been conferred;
On the top of the cross is Il crown md
the initial letter ", through which passes
the ribbon by which it is suspended. The
cross !" conferred on all r..nKs alike in tue
.rmv and navy, and when worn, is distin-
guished by red ribbon for the army, and
blue one for the navy. 1t also carries
with it pension, varying from 4lOfor a
private to G100 foran officer. Apart from
this there is no distinction whatever; and
its bestowal on a drummer or private as
well as on an officer is dul Y announced in
the Gazette, accompanied by full recital
of the brave deed which has won it, and
giving rs possessor the right, if he chooses
to exercise it, Of placing the letters V. c.
after his name.
In the case of officers, this last-named
privilege is taken full advantage of; but
the privates or drummers have never, as
| far as we are aware, attached these hon,
orable initials to their names Perhaps
this is because heir superior officers have
never encouraged them to do 50, and the
modest fellows-ior the truly brave are
ever modest--have never had the mora
courage to assert their right in this re
spect. The Victoria Gross is very spar
ineIv bestowed, and its value is enhanced
by the fact that it can only be obtained
in the presence Of others and certified by
the hero's commanding officer.
The recommendation is then forwarded
through the General commanding to tn,
Secretary at War, who in his turn sub
mits it to the Queen. Though conferred
on officers as well as the rank and file
it is essentially soldier's distinction;ant
the majority of the members of thi
most honorable of all military order
consists of non-commissioned officers
, drummers, and privates. 1t reflects grea
honor on the drummers Of the BritisI
Army that 50 many of their comrade
have gained the Victoria Cross; the rec
ords of the Crimean, Indian mutlny, ant
their later wars containing splendi'
deeds of bravery and devotion performe'
by the holders of this once-despise'
: rank.
This is the more to be admired, as tn
bugler or drummer has very few chance
of distinguishing himself; but when a
opportunity does occur he is never re
, miss. 1t was drummer who helped t
fasten the powder-bags on the gates Q
Delhi, the destruction of which resulte
in the capture of the mutinous city G
the Great Moguls in 1857. The act wa
performed amid a perfect shower of she
and shell, and was rewarded some month
: afterward, with the Victoria Gross.
was also a drummer who, while acting &
, feid-bugler to Lord Napier Of MagdaI
=, in the Abyssinian war, left the General
side and dashed first into the stronghold
: of the tyrant.