Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-18
SIR COLIN CAMPBELL.
INTERESTING GLIMPsEs INTO HIS
CHARACTER.
How the Glasgow Carpenter SON
uccume n Peer and a Field MR.
shcl-ut. pnptism of Fire before
the Heights Sf Vimicra.

MIR. Archibald Forbes's monograph on
Colin Campbell appears opportuneiy at
n time when British deeds OF vaiour In
India have once more been commanding
the admiration Of the world. No man
wac more entitled 10 place In Messrs
Nacmiian's excellent "Men Of Action
Series than Lord Clyde. and we are
glad that the task OF telling his life story
tell into such competent hands as those
OF Mr.. Forbes. The latter has himself
led n life of considerable activity, for a
short time as a horse soldier In Crimca
whence he was sent home disabled by
IN ACCIDENT. but principally. as our read
.rs are aware, in the capacity OF war
correspondent. He has seen and been in
innate with considerable number OF the
most prominent military officers who have
figured in the history OF the last twenty
Or thirty years, and though comparisons
would be invidious, We can gather from
this book that there are few, II any OF
them. that he would place on the same ped
estal-either as a man or as soidier-as
this Glasgow carpenters son VINO became
a peer ana field marshal Presently we
shall let Mr.. Forbes speak for himseh'
Meanwhile IL may not be out OF place
II We premise that Colin Campbei!s name
was not Campbell at all. Still he had
sufficiently good reason Tor taking IL.
When barely fifteen and hai, MS do
graphers tell us. his uncle, Colonel Jchn
Campbell, presented him 10 the Duke OF
York, then commander In cnlei VINO
promised him a commission, and suppos-
ing him TO be, as he said, another Oh
the cian." put down the name when lie
thenceforth bore. ON leaving the Duke
presence the young man passed some
comment on the mistake made 10y ms
Royal Hishness. 10 which the shre"d
uncle replied that Campbell was name
which IL would suit him. for professional
reasons, 10 adopt. Thus il was that
Colin Macliver dropped his patronymic.
ana in after years added fresh luetre
10 the family name OF his mother
The following extracts. taken more or
less at random from Mr.. forbess book,
give interesting glimpses into Lord
Clyde's character. at the same time that
they go to show Of what varied incidents
his life was made up:
HIS BAPTISM OF FIRE.
Campbell entered the service at an
Sventful moment, when Napoleon was
the the zenith OF his career. Almost on
The Isle of Wight. the British force OF
l.U0 men. 10 the command Of which
Sir Arthur Wellesley was appointed,
Jailed from Cork for the Peninsula. Soon
afterwards. before the heights of Nimi-
FRA. the young soldier received his
baptism of fire. Mr.. Forbes thus de-
scriDes the incident:
Directly In front of the Village OF
Vimiera rose n rugged, Isolated height,
NTH fat summit, commanding the
lround IN front and 10 the left. Here
was posted Anstruther's Brigade, its lett
resting on the village church and grave
yard. Young Campbell was with the rear
company OF his battalion. which stood
halted in open column Of companies, I'M
Der the fierce fire OF Labordes artillery,
towering the impending assault Of hts in
iantry. The captain Of Campbe!ls COM
pany. an officer Injured TO war. chose
the occasion for leading the lad out TO
the front Of the battalion. and, walking
him along the face of the leading COM
Yany for several minutes, after which
t,tte piece OF experience he sent him
back 10 his company. In narrating the
incident in after years Campbell was
wont TO add: 1T was the greatest kind
ness that could have been shown to me
at such a time. and through life i have
that the gallant and considerate old SOL
Gier may have intended not alone TO
give 10 his young sabaltern his baptism
of fire, but also to brace the nerves of
the men Of a battalion which. although
part of regimen subsequently dis
tinguished in many campaigns and bat
ties. was now for the first time In its
military life 10 confront an enemy and
endure hostile fire.
IN THE CR1MEA.
Colin Campbell had served with glory. as
Kingslaks says, for the long period of for
ty-ive years before the Crlmean war. Yet
1t was only then practically that he was
allowed 10 come 10 the front. We again
quote Mr.. Forbes:
He was appointed 10 the Highland Br-
Eade, consisting Of the Forty-Second Sew
enty-ninth. and Ninety-thirl regiments
That brigade and the guards formed the
First Division OF which the Duke Of Cam
bridge had the command. The Highland
Brigade was completed IN the second week
of June - the arrival Of the Forty
second.
Although himself a Highlander, IL had
never until now fallen 20 the LOT OF Colin
Campbell 70 command Eighlanders. But
he understood the Highland nature, which
has It's marked peculiarities: and he
Speedily won the respect and goodwill OF
the fine soldiers whom he was privileged
10 command. \ thoroughly good under
ttanding soon grew up between him and
them; not only was he commanding officer
II the brigade. he was also regarded as
some what I'm the character OF the chief OF
clan. He was fortunate In finding in the
commanding officer of the Forty-second
The son OF his old chief, Sir John Came
ron. Of the Ninth, and not less fortunate
IN being able 10 avail himself Of Colonel
Camerons long experience at the head OF
, Highland regiment in many important
Eetails connected with the internal man
,gement and economy Of the brigade.
In letter written after the battle of
Alma Campbell gives graphic account
sf the conduct OF his brigade. ending thus
Lord Raglan came up afterwards and
sent for me- When / approached him ]
observed his eyes to fiji and his.llps and
countenance to quiyer. lie gave me a
cordial shake Of the hama, but he could
not speak The men cheered very much
told them l was going on 10 ask Of the
Commander-in-Chief great favor-that
he would permit mo 10 have the honor OF
wearing the Highland bonnet during the
rest Of the campaign. which pleased then,
very greatly. and so ended my part in tho
fight Of the Goth Instant Nlv men
behaved nobly. / never saw troops march
to battle with greater sang frold and
order than those three Highland reei-
menus write on tho ground
] have neither stool 10 sit on nor he'd
10 lie on. am in capital health. for
which 1 have TO be very thankful
Choiera ~ rife among US, and carrying
oil many fine fellows OF all ranks"
SIR CONLIN'S DELIBERATION.
Sir Conlin Campbell was unques,ion-
ably deliberate man. This was not 40