The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1882-10-12
LORD BERESFORD'S CAREER.
The Hero of the Bombardment of Alcxan-
drin---LOrd Charles Beresford and His
idxenfurea.

A New York reporter fell in with an
Irish waiter at restaurant who had
served with Lord Charles Beresford
and was full of interesting reminiscent
ces Of his career. He said: "Wel,
sir, give you my word that young
fellow was the widest, most reckless
boy I ever saw in my life. He had
everything in the way of money any
one could want, and he would risk his
life twenty times where 1 wouldn't
risk mine once, who was shaving for a
living. There was nothing he wouldn't
do. And with all that he was "a
splendid sailor. He could show older
officers than he was all over the ship.
Wild as he was, too, he was always up
straight to the mark when on deck, but
between decks-well, there was moth
ing too hot for him. If there was ever
dangerous place to get into Beresford
was there first. / remember during
the Fenian troubles in 1867 we were
off Galway in bad storm. We had
been warned not to 60 out, but there
were rumors of cruisers coming from
America, and we had to 60. The top
sail had to be furled, and it was really
dangerous to 60 aloft, for she was
washing her yards under. Well, sir, If
British sailor gets his order to 60 he
will go, but the captain was not will
ing to send the men aloft without an
officer. I mean he would not risk
mems lives where he would not risk an
officers. He turned to the officers and
asked for one to lead the men. give
you my word, sir, Beresford was out
on the end of that yard before another
officer could look aloft.
"Heis aslight-built man unless he has
fallen into flesh since, but at this time
he would not weigh more than 14O
pounds, but he fought the ships cor
poral, who was a big man, and a boxer,
too, and made him give in. Of course
it was kept very quiet, as it was a
breach of discipline, but I knew about
it. We were in the harbor at Holy
head, and the corporal went to call
him in the morning. He said he
wouldn't get up. The corporal made
him, or said he would, or something,
but anyway Beresford jumped out and
says to the corporal: Look here, cor
poral, you're pretty big fellow and a
good boxer, and you think you're
the cock Of the ship. Now you
say nothing about it and I
won't, and we'll settle this thing at
once So he dressed and went for
ward. There was no one about at that
hour-abOut 4 in the morning and
we being in harbor--except the sentry,
and there they set to. Well, sir, you
never saw so battered and bruised up
pair in your life as these two men.
! rfiey vert both gsod boxers, but the
corporal, as big as he was, had to give
in. At the same place Beresford went
ashore one night with another officer,
and they came to public house called
the Eagle. There was big eagle, all
gold and paint, and great big wings
over the door. Beresford climbed upon
the other mans shoulder and pulled it
down. Just as he was getting it down
the man inside woke up by the noise
and opening the window began to yell
for the police like mad. The two
started for the beach with the eagle
and the police hot foot after them; as
soon as one would get exhausted carry
ing the eagle he'd drop it, and the
other would pick it up and go on
They got to the beach and Beresford
Jumps into the boat and says to the
boatman: Now get to that ship if you
want to save your lifep At that time
was after being made second ward
room steward, and when I came into
the room in the morning to set the
, breakfast what should I see but this
big wooden eagle set out on the table
with a stick-up collar on and little
pair of white pantalets. 1 knew ii
was some of Beresford's work as soon
as saw it.
"One trick of his 1 know of, because
saw the picture, but where it oc
Cured I can't remember, because
it was before I knew him. Any
how, young Beresford and another boy
like himself were ashore, and there was
a flag-pole carrying the flag at the
Americal consuls residence. 1t was
at night, and for pure devilment the
boys climbed the pole and carried of
the flag, took it aboard the ship and
hoisted it at the mainmast in basket
Well, sir, you may believe there was a
time when the captain came on deck in
the morning. He was in an awful
stew, and of course the consul, or who
ever was in charge. was tearing mad