Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-05-29
CRIMEAN INCIDENTS.

CRIMEAN INCIDENTS.
Cordial terms prevailed between the
British and French officers of correspond
ing rank There was no more striking
instance of this among the older men than
that of Sir Colin Campbell and General
Vinois. The one commanded the Highland
Brigade at Balaklava, and the other was
at the head of the nearest French Brigade
on the nights. Although the Scotchman
could not speak word of French, nor the
Frenchman word of English, they were
in the habit of breakfasting together every
Sunday, alternately in each others tenta,
without an interpreter. There they would
sit smiling on the opposite sides of the ia.
BILE, helping one another to the best Of
everything, but only saying
my friend, Vinois p
Mon ami, Campbell r'
Whether or not the Frenchman proved
constant in his kindly feeling is not re.
corded but it is historical fact that,
years afterward, on the Scotchman's death
as Lord Clyde, sum was found appointed
in his will for the purchase of a mourning
ring to be sent to his " friend Yinois.
Lieutenant Elliot, of the Fifth Dragon
Guards, saved the life Of General Scarlett
by his admirable devotedness. A tall Rus
sian officer, perceiving that the officer lead.
ing the charge must be of high rank,
placed himself so as to cut him down when
he should reach the column. General Scar.
lett, being extremely short-sighted, was
not prepared to guard his left. Elliot,
who was riding close behind him as his
aide. de-camp, gave his horse the spur, and
dashipg past him just as the Russian had
raised his arm to strike, ran the latter
through the body with such force that
the thrust went home to the hilt. The
Russian was turned quite round in his sad
die before the saber could be disengaged,
and then he fell dead to the ground.
General Scarlett recommended him for
promotion and for the Victoria Cross, on
account of his distinguished conduct in
this charge of the Heavy Brigade, but
neither of the applications was entertained
by the Horse Guards, for what reason no
mortal man can tell. This "beau sabreur,"
as he was dubbed by many of his friends,
received no less than fourteen wounds on
that ill-fated day. After the battle, one
of his brother officers went into his tent
and found him standing before looking
glass
"Halloa, Elliot. Identifying, are you,"
eyes" was the answer. '' | am stick
ing on my nose.
1t had been slashed nearly off his face
in the melee. He was a most agreeable
and kind-hearted companion, and a very
able cavalry officer but his modesty never
permitted him to talk OF his services.
When General Scarlett's two recommends
tions were negatived, Elliot said that he
could not expect to be rewarded for having
done only his duty, and nothing more than
any other English officer would have done.
Captain Morris, OF the 18th Lancers,
prievously wounded in the head, was lying
with his horses bride in his hand, when
Young cornet of the same regiment, Sir
George Wombwell whose horse had been
shot under him, ran past him in the vain
attempt to catch another, which was gal.
Looping riderless.
"Take mine," said Captain Norris
My riding is over.
"No, no." answered Wombwell, 81
will help you to mount, and you will get
back all right"
The Captain became insensible, and
Wombwell thinking him dead, got on his
charger and rode to the lines unhurt. Cap
tain Morris recovered his senses when some
Cossacks were robbing him. He lay still,
lest they should dispatch him if they saw
he was alive. After they had left him, up
came an English troop horse, with his nose
on the ground, evidently seeking his fallen
rider. Captain Morris took hold of the
bride, and contrived to mount the animal,
which stood quiet for him to do so. He
rode in the direction OF our lines, till the
horse was killed by a round shot. The fall
rendered him insensible once more. When
he regained consciousness, he tried to walk.
Stumbling often, and sitting down when he
felt ex xhausted, he found himself at last be-
side the body of an officer, whom he recog-
nized as Captain Nolan. Knowing thus
that he must be near the lines, as poor
Nolan had fallen at the beginning Of the
charge, he summoned up the remains OF
the indomitable resolution for which he
was noted in the army, and finally stag
gered into the camp of the Light Brigade.
| saw him often during his slow recovery
from his wound, and conceived the highest
admiration for him. He was most de-
servedly promoted, and, after the Crimean
war was over, went with his regiment to
India, where he died.
One is always sorry to hear OF the death
of ones comrades at the front, but,
whether it be that it happens so frequently
that it ends by leaving one callous, more
or less, or that the uncertainty OF ones
own fate encourages egotistical indifference
to the fate of others, it is certainly fact
that an entrenched camp is not the most
favorable sphere in the world for the de-
veloument OF altruism and benevolent
/ svmpathies. | recollect the case Of an Of
| ficer, noted for his kind -heartedness and
| affectionate manner toward those around
| him, having to give a message to his Ia
/ vorite aid.de-canp to carry, when the
I latter was struck dead by round shot. .,
! 81 must ask you to carry this message"
said the officer, turning to another ado
camp, and explaining the particulars
which he entered into az il nothing un.
usual had taken place :,
! Another friend OF mine, most worthy
officer. never could speak seriously ON any
onhiect whatsoever. He had received q
rad wound while going his rounds in the
,rencbes and had been conveyed to the
hosnital at Scutari, where Misc Nightin-
o,aIe nursed him. One morning he COM
| claimed to her most bitterly OF the noise
which other wounded officers in the same
ward had made in the night, having kept
him awake when he wished to sleep She
told him that those officers had died in
I great agony.
/ o'Well, he said, "I should feel 30 much
obliged to you If, next time, you would ask
any mortally wounded officers you may be
taking taking care of in this ward to die
quietly without disturbing others in the
night. p Temple Bar.
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1--WE learn with rare pleasure that ex-San
itsry Commissioner Rufus K. Hireman. oi
New Orleans, was cured Of a severe attack ol
rhsumatism by st. Jacobs OIL" says ths
Columbus (Gs.) Enquirer Sun.