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Leader (1850-1860), 18th February 1854, Edition 1 of 1, Page 151, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      It is gratifying to Telate that , as soon as it vra 9 known that the regimeatfl about to set forth required several hundreds to complete their nunobers , -volunteers instantly came forth , and filled up the gaps . Doubly gratifying it is to know that among the foremost are the riflemen who only returned on Sunday from the Cape , and the Sappers and Miners from the same quarter . Throughout the army there prevails a martial enthusiasm , not the less powerful because it is based in a knowledge of the question at issue , and , fired by a hatred of Russia .

      To convey these troops to Malta , and thence to Constantinople , Government have chartered ten of the magnificent screw steamers of the great steam companies . Tenders have been demanded for sailing vessels to convey the heavy munitions of war ; and they have been plentifully offered . Xioudon saw on Tuesday a sight it has not seen for many years . It was publicly announced that the portion of the household brigade , comprising two battalions of the Coldstream Guards , would take their departure from the metropolis about noon ou that day , for Chichester , en route for Malta and Constantinople , and long t > efar « the time large crowds of

      persons had assembled contiguous to St . George ' s Barracks , in the rear of Trafalgar-square , while the balconies and windows around the latter spot , as also at Charing-cross and the { Strand , were filled with well > dressed females , to witness the exciting spectade . Precisely at half-past twelve the troops , about 7 G 0 in num 3 ) er , headed by Colonel Bentinck , issued from the l > arraek-gate # , amidst the most hearty ¦ cheering of the assembled multitude . On reaching the open area of Gharing-cross , the cheering was repeated , and the waving of handkerchiefs by the fair occupants of the windows tnaterially added to the general enthusiasm which prevailed , The troops marched along the Strand , passing over Waterloobridge , past the Elephant and Castle , hv the New and

      Old Kent roads ,, to the JJfew-crpss station of the London and Brighton Kailway , ifrom whence they proceeded to Chichester . Throughout the whole line of march the same demonstrations of popular feeling were displayed , and many friends , both male and female , as well as many others , accompanied the troops the whole distance . In the Kent-road several singular scenes presented themselves ( famid the numerous heartfelt " farewells" and " God speeds" expressed ) , among which m >| y be mentioned a general rush upon and purchase of the stocks of al ^ venders -of oranges by the public for the soldiers , nearly all of whom were supplied with some of that fruit , ¦ whilst others contrived to imbibe copious draughts of more potent fluid than orange juice . The troops arrived at New-cross in good order and high spirits .

      Guns . Prince Regent ... 90 Western squadron . Monarch 84 Sheernesa . Cressy ( screw ) ... ... ... 81 Sheerness . Majestic ( screw ) ... 80 Sheerness . Boscawen ... 70 Portsmouth . Cumberland 70 North America . Blenheim ( screw ) 60 Portsmouth . Hogue ( screw ) ... 60 Devonpori . Edinburgh ( screw ) ... ... 58 Portsmouth . Ajax ( screw ) 58 Cork . Imperieuse ( screw ) 51 Western squadron . Euryalus f screw ) 51 Sheerness . Arrogant ( screw ) 46 Western squadron . Pique 40 Devonport . Amphion ( screw ) ... ... 34 Western squadron . Dauntless ( screw > „ . ... S 3 Portsmouth . Tribnne ( screw ) 30 Western squadron . Leopard ( paddle ) 18 Portsmouth . Magicienne ( paddle ) 16 Western squadron . Valorous ( paddle ) ... ... 16 Western squadron . Desperate ( screw ) v 8 Western sqnadron .

      This list speaks for itself , and requires no comment . It includes twenty screw ships , and mounts 3220 guns ! ** The preparations for war here , " says the Portsmouth correspondent of the Times , Feb . 12 ., " are upon a stupendous scale . Were the Russians coming to Portsmouth , instead of the fleet going from Portsmouth towards Russia , greater stir and excitement could scarcely prevail afloat and ashore . An enormously heavy battery has been lately thrown up -on the site of the well-known platform promenade , which used to parade 21 little 6-pouudcrs , the duty of whieh was comprised in saluting royal and other

      distinguished yersonagea . This new battery , will mount about a ^ dozen 68-pounders on traversing platforms , pointing over a brick , and earthwork para pet about nine feet high , commanding the entrance to the harbour * . Recruiting parties , with fife and drum , are daily parading the garrison and suburbs ; the volunteering for . the naval service goes on quite as briskly , and the utmost enthusiasm may be noticed in every street and embarking place .. Vans , omnibuses , and pth « r -vehicles may be seen rolling along the main thoroughfares from the railway terminus

      as each train actives , containing , seamen and volunteers in fifties , all greeted with the warmest reception by the population , and seemingly as jolly among themselves ' as sailors bent on favourite service can fee . In a few flays a matchless fleet will be formed at Spithead . The pioneer of this great force emerged from the harbour yesterday afternoon—the Hecla steam-sloop , Master-Commander Peter Wellington , vliieh is appointed to make surveys before the advance of the fleet intended for operations in the Baltic "

      In the same manner t 2 he Eton boys and Windsor people assembled , and heartily cheered the detachment that , on the same day , left Windsor for London , destined ultimately for Constantinople , The popular enthusiasm is a great thing . The whole expeditionary force , when assembled , -will amount to 20 , 000 men . We believe , says the Globe , that the following appointments , in reference to the military expedition to the East , may be considered as determined on : —

      Lord Raglan to command-in-chief ; Lieutenant ' General Fergusson , C . B ., commanding the troops at Malta , to be second in command ; Major-General the Duke of Cambridge , Colonel Bentinck , Coldstream Ouards , Colonel Sir Colin Campbell , K . C . B ., Colonel Eyre , 73 rd Regiment , to command brigades ; Colonel Cator to command the Royal Artillery ; Colonel Airey , now military secretary to Lord Hardinge , to be Adjutant-General ; Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon . A . Gordon , Grenadier Guards , to be Deputy Adjutant-General ; Colonel A . W . Torrensto be Quarter * master-General .

      The Guards will not leave England until Wednesday next . On Thursday night the oflScers of the Coldstream Guards and Scots Fusilier Guards partook of a farewell banquet together , at the London Tavern , previous to their embarkation for the seat of war . The Duke of Cambridge preaiding . Recruits are reported as coming in fast ; and in this respect Dublin and Belfast carry away the palm . Manchester displays an ardent war spirit , but the race is so depreciated there ( alas , how unlike the men of Samuel Bamford ' a time !; , that very few who offer pass the medical examination .

      The Fleet . The naval preparations nro now chiefly directod to the formation and complete equipment of the fleet which is to be sent early next month to the North iSea and the Baltic , ami which is to consist of the following sLips : — GllTlfl .- J Duko of Wellington ( Hcrew ) ... Oil Western squadron . Kept . une 120 l ' orlHiiioutli . . St . ( iu-. n- j ; .-. | 2 () Devonian Uoyal ( in , i ^ ,, ( .-screw ) 120 ])< ivonport » St . Jean tl'Arrc ( screw ) 101 Wi-steni squadron . Princess Koyjil ( . screw ) 91 J ' orlmnout li . C . n-Mir ( hcr .-w ) < j ) ]> , > rtmnouth . TMU ;( h ( I ( mv ) < ji D .-vonport . -J / unca WaiL ( .-icrcw ) yi Devonport .

      Untitled Article

      TREATMENT OP THE BRITISH ARMY . The following letter , on a subject to which we have devoted a special paper this week , reached us after our article was in type . We think the remarks of our correspondent well deserving attention at the present moment . At the same time , our military readers will do us the justice to remember that the Leader has never spoken of the army but in the most cordial and respectful terms . Indeed , we have , on more than one occasion , been exposed to the malevolent insinuations of a certain class of " liberate , " for defending the honour of the army against mean assailants . We have not waited for war to claim justice for the national services . It was in this spirit that we lamented Wellington , and forgot the politician of the past in the soldier of all time .

      Army and Navy Club , Feb . 14 th , 1854 . Sir , —I am rejoiced to observe a much improved tone among public men and public bodies in their allusions to the army and navy ; it may be that » sense of dependence on the gallantry of our two services influences tho minds of those who , when peace seemed secure , ' cared little for tlie hardships endured by our brave and patient defenders . WHhin the laat few months much has been done for both services , but much still remains ; the Times and almost all the other daily organs have lifted up their voices for justice to the soldier , and only one unenviable individual has had the temerity to utter his unheeded opinion , tliat the soldier should not in any way bo assisted in a state of almost seraistarvation , certainly ot very insufficient diet . The ignorance of this man , who selects for himself the name of "Justus , " is equalled only by his un- Christian and un -British spirit .

      a puzzle for fa * most strict domestic economist . " Jaattu ' s " letter smells so of Manchester , tnat I need not remind Win that all other labourers in tho country , including probably thfi workmen in his own manufactory , have been , able to jurat < m a me of wages ra proportion to the great riae in ° the neoeisariesot life . Living in an agricultural district ia the west if" ? . P , * ° 1 stato to TOU that i employing myself upwards of ntty daily labourers , the West wages ever paid was 10 s . weekly , and I know at present of no nun Who is xeceivW less , unless ha is paid 9 s . a week andtiutegaUoiM ofeidetT * Of course , it would be absurd to compare a : goldier ? & pay with this ; oat if you take into consideitatioo the eternal calls on the entail stipend remaining after has rations ate paid for , and read the Hat of necessaries he is obliged to keep in . good order , and which are inspected weekly by his captain , and renewed or repaired at his order and at the soldier ^ expense- —iall of which is not only quite indispensable ^ but ,, jb it appears to me , the onl y way by which you can nimkethe careless man keep his kit in proper order—the deductions for shirts , flannels , new boots , « r repairs to those flowed j new jacket and emails , when those issued at a long distant period are worn oat ; brashes and currycombs , which at least , I think , should be given al stated intervals , and only renewed when they have met with , nnfiijur ( usage : gloves , stock , and a host of other articles ; reduce the good and careful soldier's means to next to nothing * , and < kedptibe careless man ia constant < debt , to his captain * - . I do not venture to find J&olt with 41 ms system , £ Manor do other that could be devised to * paure to ^ eackmaja a proper supply of necessaries , audio make him taieicace of Jliem ; but 1 do think that his . pay is not snfficiont eveain the bett of ; times * jindt know that the food iasueiitb ht ^ MMlte ^ ff late , 'insufficient , and not so gooda 3 , ihat giwinitOiOur ; COttviets . In fact , a gentleman -well qualified £ o give au opiBit ^ thus classifies the difference of comfort in wanous aifca « tioj » © f life . —

      1 . The convict in New South Wales . 2 . The convict at home , in the hulks . 3 . The inhabitants of our penitentiaries . 4 . The soldier and sailor . 5 . The 4 lenizens « fobe workhouses . ¦¦ •;• . i > : ¦ , 6 . The Dorsetshire labourer , ; , f Oar troops are sMohdto none in the worW ^^ urnli ^« a periojr to any , —surel y we snottild do all vre can to elevate the position of our ( soldiers and sailors . Economy HiindejeSfelnSbj > laced when their comfort is to be cortauedf We anould make their position enviable . I have only jnat'seen ^ aiiy ^ ang ucum who -was fbrhi'riv fitfl of military aeaif 'Hw ' . ttrbffi « r « nlisted some time ago , and has be ^ sn at h ^ omfe ^ w w

      fnrlougn we hear no more of''the military ardour so bjtimirigji short time ago . Soldiers should be able B cbiTie'lid&S and talk of their superior position , and not have to lament H » bread and checsft they left behind them . •» ; I should , however ; regAfc if any-wordflcf time diasiiaaed a single individual from entering-the finest service-in ^ tbfe world . A step in the right- dhreotion has-been taVen | ths press and the public are aroused ; and every inan vrW now goes into the service may depend on his interests aiid Ms 'necessary conhforts being tlie subject of the watchful w «^> f the authorities . The . preparations for th « -approaching epabarcation ihow us that they are alive to the necessity of bringing our men to the scene of action-ia the highest ? oo > - dition . • ; i

      I wish fclie concession no-ir made had Come earlier , it would have-been with a better grace . : One word more : I saw the other day . in a provincial paper , a statement that English officers are , Overpaid . It ia so . notorious thai no officer evef gets the interert of hii monej '^ and outfit , save of course the engineers and , artptery * that ho Jibsurd a statement is vvorth noticing ^ A man whof ^ has been at hard work all his life in our service , if he reaches a general ' s rank , ia very lucky to-cet the regiment "Which

      Messrs . Cobden and Co ; ao grudge him , the clearproftts-of which , if it is in the most valuable cavalry regiment ^ amount ¦ to about' 10002 . a-year ; a retiring allowTance no- tradssman would consider a competency . ; As long as English gentlemen' can be fonnd to spend , their whole lives in their country ' s service ^ wibhout the possibility of any remuneration or provision for their children , let them do so , but give them the honour due to their aiBintWKfcted conduct , ana do not let it be supposed that'they haw all manner of " good things" to divide . Yours faithfully , v Cehoikmatus .

      Tho full pay of a Dragoon ( for having been in that service , lean better speak of it ; and " liufteticlc , " writing from Dublin , has told an un-varniahed tale of the privations of the Infantry quartered there)—the full pay , 1 say , of a Dragoon amounts to the magnificent Bum of t ) s . 9 d . a week , unless he has been long enough in tho service to obtain & good conduct stripe , when ho lms Id . per diem extra , and bo on for each fiVe yeara of goi . d conduct . I nm writing from memory merely , mid so must bo excused if I am guilty of any involuntary error . From tliiw 8 s . 9 d . he ia bound by the regulations to npon < l a daily sum not exceeding K ) d . in liin rations—consisting of cocoa ( generally ) and bread for breakfast , soup and vegotnblca for dinner ; and , within the Just eight years , a strange mixture culled tea , in tlm cYening . The way this lOtl . wiui Hpun out inLhusM days of senrrity , till it pleased tho CJoverninent , after throe monthu' consideration , to issue provisions at the average price of the Libt three yeurs , must have boen

      Untitled Article

      CONTINENTAL , NOTES . Tub journals , said the Moniteur of Tuesday , having reported incorrectly somo passages from the letter tha . ? the Emperor Napoleon addressed on the 29 th of January last to the Emperor Nicholas , it is necessary to correct the alleged facts by publishing the original text : — " Palace of the Tuilories , Jan . 19 * 1854 . " Sire , —The difference which has urison between yoar Majesty and the Ottoman Porte has arrived at auch a point of gravity , that I think it my duty myself to explaiu dLrectly to your Majesty the part that Prance has taken in that question , and the meun « wiiich I peroeive of avoidiag the dangers which throaten the reposo of Europe . " The note that your Majesty has lately sent to my Government , and to that of Queon Victoria , tends to establish that the Hy 8 tem of prcsaion adopted from the beginning by tho two inaiitiino Powers hna ulone envenomed the quosUon . On tho contrary , it would , it appears to me , have remained , a Cabinet question , if tho occupation of the princi palities had not transported it all ut once from the domain of discussion to tliat of facts . Nevertheless , your Majesty ' s troops once entered in Walluchia , we have not on that account the less recoiiimendeJ to tho Porto not to consider that occupation as a case of war , thus testifying our extreme desire lor eoncilia-tlon . After having concerted with England , Austria , and Prussia , I had proposed to your Majesty a note destined to give common satisfaction ; your Majesty has accepted it . But scarcely were we made aware of this good cewa wlien your Minister , by explicative commontaries ,

      Untitled Article

      February 18 , 1854 ] THE LEADER . M 1

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 18, 1854, page 151, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2026/page/7/