New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-08
TIE V4LOR OF BRITISH SOLDIERS
A TRIBUTE FROM MARSHAL IMAGINATION

Marshal MacMahOn II lie OdulOIS
British soldiers will give you few anecdo'cS 1, OK
matters Of which took note IN the Ornea T., the
plain of Balaklava Lord Raglan. the English Com
mandcr in Chief, had taken up his station on me
which subsequently, was called the Mamelon Canro.
bert" To the south heights occupied by LORD
these three points stretched the plain Of Balaklaya
All Of a sudden Russian troops appeared behind tho
Lord Raglan saw them. He Immediately dispatched
N his orderly officers TO General Cardigan on
The orderly officer galloped off without saying word
He took half an hour to get Up 10 General ar i
which had been pres lousy concealed from his sight,
and perceived behind the Russian Cavalry two Dvi-
sions OF whose presence Lord Raglan had not been
aware when he gave the order to advance. Never
theless he gave General Cardigan the Instructions ne
ordered to transmit, taking no account OF rht
on good terms with Lord Raglan. who would not
have forgiven his taking any Initiative upon himself,
orders you to charge the Russians The General
replied. Charge the Russians Don't you see how
numerous they are ? Lord Raglan must be mad NO
matter" replied the orderly officer, you have TO carry
out the order am commanded 10 transmit to YOU
the orderly TO turn back; but he did nothing OF the
hind. The General drew his sword, and exclaimed
Cardgans7 That evening General Cardigan
had two bullets in his leg Only onethrd Of his
been killed, and not would have escaped but for
French General Morris Who advancing TO the relief
orderly officer who had accompanied the charge was
killed
What can he more admirable than these men. dash
ing with inlomitable pluck against the enemy. al
though they know that death awaits them. without
any adc antRgc 10 one. and that merely because
III PRED chief had given the word OF command
What can he admirable than This orderly officer
who without being under any obligation 10 do So
accompanies those about to die This feat viii give
you an idea Of the British Army. 1t VIII be set down
IN my memoirs. which arr 70 be published after nv
death II Lord Raglan had been on good terms with
his orderly officer the miShap have described would
not have occurred ! always kept my orierlies with
me long could BTove. for instance who now
commands Division in tho Thirtocn Corps was under
nv orders as chef d'cscadrOnS. One day sent him
with an order TO General DC Ia Motto Rouge. He
directed him 10 do precisely the reverse OF what
Rad ordered the first 10 congratulate him on
this modification. which the cncmys movements made
necessary. Some Initiative should De lot 10 ones
officers when knows them to be intelligent
That is the kind of courage OF the British Army.
Tho nOncOmmissOned officers excellent Tho
soldiers paid volunteers freely laid down their Ives
OF contract freely entered into. Their force Of
sistance is great Those who vcntured 10 eject
a landing in England would have their work cut ont
for them Tic Turks alone can be compared With the
English. as they buovcd mp by the belief that
thcv cannot be Killed before their hour IS come The
Russians also have a little Of that feeling. They
rerhars little reluctant 10 enter the service, hut
proved weapons. military training count for a good
deal no doubt but what Is indispensable IS disregard
~ death. and. above ALL that military spirit that en-
ables 10 bear up against fatigue and dsapponf-
mcnf. That is everything; that Is the only road TO
victory.