The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-10


chants gave several millions OF rupees
10 prevent the town being sacked. The
soldiers. on Joining our army. were load
ed with gold. offering gold mohur for
a little arrack The KOhinoor diamond
was one of the gems taken. and was
arterward presented 10 the Queen Of
England.
"The army marched back into their
several environments. and each officer
and man was given six months batta
equal to six months pay. AS soon as
the money was paid. the canteens were
thrown open for several days. and leave
was given 10 the men for that period
After the activity OF the campaign bar
racks life became uncomfortable. and
paid $50 the purchase money, for my
discharge"
Enters Civil Life Again.
Sailing for England ex-Corporal Thor
nett accepted a position as collector Of
goods" on an Irish railroad. and was
once more a civilian for four years. Then
the war in the Crimea broke out, as a
result OF Russia's attempt 10 bully the
! Sick Man, and Thornett offered his serv-
ices 70 the secretary OF war and was
given commission in the Engineers as
brigade quartermaster. Arriving in the
| field. he was put In charge OF the trans
portation OF supplies for Gen. Vivian's
brigade. which consisted Of a body OF
French cavalry. IA Highland regiment and
about 5000 Turkish and Tartar troops.
/ The brigade headquarters We're at kertch.
health resort midway between the
1 straits OF Kertch and the Sea OF Azof.
Again ancient history made the region
! famous for within mile was the tomb
/ OF Mithradates. and other ancient royal
tombs were scattered in the vicinity.
Quartermaster ThOrnett was put In
command of a wagon train 10 forage on
\ the Arrarat road az far as what was
known as the Spanish farm. and On ar
riylng there was ordered to take COM
mand of q large body OF troops and re-
| connOiter along the front OF the fOrmid-
able Cossacks OF the Don. who were
! present in force. He was instructed 10
/ avoid provoking a general engagement.
but to develop the strength Of the
enemy; and he performed this delicate
duty with such success as 70 elicit the
/ personal commentator OF the command
/ ing general. and 10 assure the mention
| OF his services in general orders. 1t was
unusual then. as il would be to-day. for
a quartermaster 20 be placed in COM
mand OF a brigade. especially in front OF
| the enemy. and the honor thus bestowed
upon him indicates the regard In which
/ his abilities were held by his superior
I officers
| My brother officers" remarks Capt
! ThOrnett, IN his whimsical way. thinking
20 jolly me. said ] was lucky fellow
10 be promoted 10 brigadier general, and
I retorted. No, but l should have been
had ! been allowed TO come in contact
with the Cossacks.'"
Next Sent TO Africa.
The war ended soon after this incident
and Thornett and his wagon train were
sent home by way OF Malta and through
France. Having surrendered his com
mission In this service and failing
10 get a barrackmastership. through q
misunderstanding OF his desire. he was
given a commission as ensign IN the Colo
Coast Artillery and sent 10 the wes
coast OF Africa. where. however, as IN,
natives were quiet. there was little C
fight save wild beasts and the deadly
fever. on one occasion Ensign Thornett
was sent out with 100 men 10 relieve {
lieutenant who was stationed In the in
terror and arrived only 10 find that n,
officer and his entire family had faller
victim to the deadly climate OF the jun
gle. Desiring an exchange from this IN.
healthy post, Thornett applied 10 thu
War Office FOR 1t. and on the strength
OF The influence Of Sir John Burgoyne
whose attention had been drawn 20 N,
young officer by his services in IN,
CTimea. ne was given precedence on IN,
exchange lists even over officers who hac
won the Victoria Cross. and was trans
ferred TO the Royal Canadian Rifles a:
lieutenant
Shortly after arriving at Toronto n
was made adjutant to six companies o.
the Rifles stationeG at Kingston. He wa
put in command OF the guard Of honor