The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-07-20
Orimean Incidents.
Rather Mute Breakfast Party-Dangers at the
Front-Lost His Nose.

Front-Lost His Nose
Cordial terms prevailed between the
British and French officers of CORES
ponding rank. There was no more
striking instance of this among the older
men than that of Sir Colin Campbell
and Gen. Vinois. The one commanded
the Highland brigade at Balaklava, and
the other was at the head of the near
est French brigade on the heights. Al
though the Scotchman could not speak
word of French nor the Frenchman a
word of English, they were in the habit
of breakfasting together every Sunday,
alternately in each others tents, with
out all interpreter. There they would
sit smiling on the opposite sides of the
table. helping one another to the best
of everything, but only saying:
MY friend, Vinoisr'
"Mon ami, Campbellr'
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
Vinois.
Lieut.. Elliot. of the 9th Dragon
guards, saved the life of Gen. Scarlett
by his admirable devotedness. A tall
Russian officer, perceiving that the Of
ficer leading the charge must be of high
rank, placed himself 80 as to cut him
down when he should reach the col
umn. Gen. Scarlett, being extremely
short-sighted, was not otprepared to guard
his left Elliot, who was riding close
behind him as his aid-de-camp, gave
his horse the spur, and dashing 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 saddle
before the saber could be disengaged,
and then he fell dead to the ground
Gen. Scarlett recommended him for pro-
motion and for the Victoria cross, on
account of his distinguished conduct in
this charge of the Heavy brigade; but
neither of the applications was enter
tanned by the Horse guards; for what
reasons no mortal can tell. This ''beau
sabreur," as he was dubbed by many of
his friends, received no less than four
teen wounds on that ill-fated day. At
ter the battle, one of his brother-officers
went into his tent and found him stand
ing before looking-glass.
''Halloa, Elliot. Beautifying, are
you?''
Yes" was the answer. Il am stick
ing on my nose"
1t had been slashed nearly off his face
in the melee. He was a most agreeable
and kindhearted companion, and very
able cavalry officer; but his modesty
never permitted him to talk of his ser
vices. When Gen. Scarlett's two recon-
mendations were negatived, Elliot said
that he could not expect to be rewarded
for having done only his duty, and
nothing more than any other officer
would have done. Capt Morris, of the
18th lancers, grievously 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 galloping rider
less.
Take mine," said Capt. Morris. 'My
riding is over.'
mo, 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 un-
! hurt. Capt. Morris recovered his senses
| when some Cossacks were robbing him.
| He lay still, lest they should dispatch
him if they saw that he was alive. AT
| ter they had left him, up came an Eng
lish troophorse, with his nose on the
| ground, evidently seeking his fallen
rider. Capt. Morris took hold of the
bride, and contrived to mount the an
imal, 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 in
sensible once more. When he regained
consciousness, he tried to walk. Stumb-
ling often, and sitting down when he
felt exhausted, he found himself at last
beside the body of an officer, whom he
recognized as Capt. 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 re-
mains of the indomitable resolution for
which he was noted in the army, and
finally staggered into the camp of the
Light brigade. 1 saw him often during
his slow recovery from his wound, and
conceived the highest admiration for
him. He was most deservedly promot-
ed, and after the Crimean war was ov-
er, 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 uncer-
tainty of one 8 own fate encourages ego
tistical Indifference to the fate of others,
it is certainly a fact that an intrenched
camp is not the most favorable sphere
in the world for the development of al
truism and benevolent sympathies.
recollect case of an officer, noted for
kind-heartedness and affectionate man.
ner toward those around him, having to
give a message to his favorite aid-de-
camp to carry, when thel latter was struck
dead by a round shot.
II must ask you to carry this mes
sage" said the officer, turning to an
other aid-de-camp, and explaining the
particulars, which he entered into as il
nothing unusual had taken place.
Another friend of mine, most worthy
officer, never could speak seriously on
any subject whatsoever. He had re.
ceived bad wound while going his
rounds in the trenches, and had been
conveyed to the hospital at Scutari,
where Miss Nightingale nursed him.
One morning he complained to her mos
bitterly of the noise which other wound
ed officers in the same ward had made
in the night, having kept him awake
when he wished to sleep. She told hin
that those officers had died in grea
agony.
"Well.'' he said, Il should feel s,
much obliged to you, if, next time, yol
would ask any mortally wounded of
ficers you may be taking care of in thi'
ward to die quietly without disturbing
others in the night. Temple Bar.