Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-09-04
REWARDS OF VAL0R
Crosses of Honor viii Be Won In
the European War.
England, France and Germany Be-
stow These Testimonials of Deeds
Of Daring Performed by Of
fcers or PriVates.
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK.


Washington.-Some of the soldiers
Of England, France and Germany in
the present war unQuestionably will
win the crosses of honor which are
governments give for acts of conspicu-
GUS personal gallantry in the face Of
the enemy.
To Americans perhaps the French
Cross Of the Legion of Honor and the
Victoria Cross of England are more
Familiarity known than are the decora-
tons given by Germany. In the Unit
ed States we have the Congressional
Medal Of Honor which is given by
congress for individual deeds of dar~
ing in the field. The intrinsic value
of any Of these badges Is about one
cent, and yet for the privilege of wear
ing them soldiers seem always ready
to tread Gray's paths of glory"
The French decoration was first
granted under Napoleon in the early
part Of the present century; the Vic
toria Cross was instituted during the
Crimean war and the American medal
Of honor was first struck off to re-
ward acts of heroism performed dur
ing the Civil war. The French cross
may be won by civilians; the Eng
glish and American crosses are
pinned only upon the breasts of sol
diers and sailors. In the armies Of
all three nations officer and private,
peasant and prince, have equal
chances Of wearing that which moth
ing but attested bravery can buy.
The first Victoria Cross granted for
bravery in the South African war was
given to Colonel Ian Hamilton Of the
Gordon Righlanders for conspicuous
gallantry at the battle Of Eland-
slaagte. Z
A perusal Of the Gazette list which
tells something Of the deeds for
which the Victoria Cross has been
awarded shows that fully one-half of
the most striking exhibitions of hero
ism have been shown by men whose
shoulders bore no insignia Of rank.
One English publication states that
with perhaps one exception the brav-
est thing ever done by a British SOL
der was the act of a drummer boy.
That drummer boy, if living, is now
a man seventy-two years old. and for
81 years Of that time he has been
wearing the Victoria Cross, and has
had the right to write V. c. after
his name. This boy in the year 1857,
amid shower Of shot and shells,
fastened bags Of gunpowder on the
gates of Delhi. He carried death liz
his arms that day and met 1t In other
forms all along his way. Others
helped him and were killed; he lived
and wore the cross.
1t was another British drummer
boy who, while acting as field bugler
for Lord Napier Of Magdala in the
Abyssinian war, left the generals side
and dashed first into the stronghold
Of Theodore the Tyrant."
It would seem that by common con-
sent the British authorities give the
palm for SURPRISING bravery to a pri-
vate named Kavanaugh, who succeed
ed In reaching Colin Campbells col
umn and by telling of the dire need of
Lucknow spurred that officer to its
relief Lucknow was besieged and
the garrison was starving. The little
band of devoted men, with the women
and children who we're cooped up at
the residency, expected soon to be at
the mercy of 10000 Sepoys.
The commandant called for volun-
teer who would disguise himself as
Sepoy, mingle with the enemy and,
watching his chance, escape to carry
the news Of the garrison's straits to
Lord Colin Campbell. The commando
ant said that the service almost GER
tainly meant death. Many men volun-
teered. Kanavaugh was chosen be-
cause he knew the language of the
Sepoys. He stained his skin, changed
his costume and reached the enemy's
camp. Breaking away from the imme-
date beseigers he made across the
country. On the way he fell In with
many bands Of the enemy. He slept
with them, marched with them and
ate with them, escaping suspicion, as
it were, by miracle. Finally leaving
the last of them behind, he went into
the jungle and dared starvation and
the tigers for days. He reached the
English outposts and being mistaken
for an enemy was shot at and almost
killed.
Kavanaugh told his story to Gen.
.eral Campbell and the relief of Luck
now followed.