Year: 1871

The London Times describes sham sattack


on Sir Hope Grant, which took place recently


at Aldershott, and closes It's account as follows:


On the whole, to-day was scarcely satisfactory
as a spectacle. or quite to be admired in other
points of view. Ills Excellency General Won


Bumenlhal went away before the close of the
days operations. THE beginning is always ike
thereal thing" he observed to an officer. but l
do not care for the end, as it is always unlike. :"
General Stavely was understood to consider that
the sudden termination did injustice to his COM
binauous. nor is General Carey better satisfied
that it was time to cease the days manevers,
both officers being only then developing their
attacks on Sir Hope Grant.


1t is to be regretted that some departments of
the staff are in bad order if they are to be judged
by their fruits. Mr.. Cardweu. who was present
at the attack and retreat from Hogs Back, may
have heard that the Third Dragon Guards were
left without food proper food, under eireum-
stances which appear utterly inexcusable, no
matter who makes excuses, or what the excuses
may be. The regiment was warned for outpost
duty at IL P. NJ, to go out at 3 A. NJ, on the
morning Of the 18th of September. They
marched at that hour without ratons, and they
were out all day up to o'clock p NJ, without
morsel to eat except what the officers could get
for them by paying for it out of their own pockets
and that was very little. This close to great de-
pots Of provisions 1t is in time OF peace, and
in their own land Aud who were 10 blame?
No one. The control officers say they were not
informed that the regiment was going out, and
that 1t was the quartermaster's duty to appuse
them and to draw the regimental ratious, and it
seems inexcusable neglect on the part Of the
quartermaster if he took no steps to provide for
the supplies OF the men. 1t is, however strange
tnat the control officers did not seud out supplies
to the regiment on outpost duty all day if they
knew it was without food, aud they might have
guessed such was the case, and Colonel Tower
might have done something, as it is very probable
he did, to procure it and wake up the control
officers. The control officers aud the quarter
masters ought not to be allowed to handy the
responsibility from one to the other, but the
occurrence is only possible because of imperfect
regulations and kaches on the part of the general
staff. ALI movements of troops should be notified
to the conrOl officers, and then no excuse could
be possible They, at all events, are willing,
active and ready enough-as anyone will say who
sees them at work night and day Colonel Mac
kenzie is an officer of larger and more varied
experience in the quartermaster-general's depart
ment in all parts of the world than any one of the
army, and no one is more scrupulous in the dis
cllarge OF his duty. But it is said that general
officers will not send in reports as they should
do, and it is further affirmed that they do not
obey orders as to their campments, for instance,
and thus create great confusion and prevent the
possibility OF departments working harmoniously
m around. The baggage Of one division was
scattered all over the country near Aldershott
North Camp, after the action was over, and in
he course of the night and morning. Whom
hall we hang2" No one now. This campaign !
IS it is called, mayteach US whom we ought to
lang in future, and it is important now to put
he saddle in which the army sits so uneasiIy on
he right horse.


Complaints come in from all sides and arms,
horse foot and dragons" and even artillery.
he Rifles at P. ", had had, according to one
Informant, nothing to eat since the early morn
lg. They were on picket and outpost, and
'rince Arthur slept under hedge in his great
oat all highland cold enough it was-among
is men, and next day he was to be seen tramp
lg along with his haversaek by his side, covered
18th dust, after hard work skirmishing all the
forming to lead his men TO resist the enemy on
he Tongham. We are ordered not to beat
lem," he said to some one who spoke as he
assed, with an emphasis on the word ordered,
hich gave one TO understand that his Royal
Iigbness would like to try. Then the Rifles
ld to fall back on ChObham Ridge, where, let
be hoped they found rest and reason to be
ankful. 1t is not pleasant to be obliged to
cord the expression of discomfort aud failure,
1t even on the Cove common regiments were
f without rations and baggage till O'Clock at
ght, aud MT. Cardwel who was entertaining
e foreign officers at state dinner close BY,
lght, il be had known OF the circumstances,
we taken counsel of the most experienced
long them Of the best way of avoiding such
schlefs, which but indicate larger evils below.


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