xxxviii BIOGKAPlllCAL SKETCH. 



and making a retrogade movement sufficiently condemns it. There is some rumour of an 

 extended attack on us ; but I do not fear that any such will take place, unless it is made upon 

 our lower front, and even that I do not think could succeed. I do not for a moment 

 suppose that we shall permit ourselves to be surprised on the Tchernaya. The French hold 

 the ground and all the ticklish outposts, and they are too good soldiers to be caught napping ; 

 at the same time there is no reason why a desperate battle should not be fought on the Tcher- 

 naya, and a simultaneous attack be made on our lower front with the object of preventing 

 our going to the support of the troops in the valley. If, without gaining any victory, the enemy 

 succeeded in putting some 10,000 or 12,000 of the allies hors de combat, an assault could not be 

 made on the town ; the retreat would always be secure, for we cannot move. These days are not 

 those of the Peninsula, and English armies of the future are only to move by railways. Con- 

 sidering the scientific age we live in, and that we are engaged with a barbarian enemy, it does 

 not seem very creditable that the barbarians should beat us in the most scientific of all military 

 operations — a siege and a defence." 



The next letter, under date the 27th of August, is written from " Head Quarters, 1st Division 

 Camp," Lord Arthur ha^ing been named Assistant Adjutant-General, an appointment which 

 gave him more to do than moralize, and suited him in every respect. 



The duties were occasionally very trying to the temper ; the duty of " blowing up " a Division 

 constantly devolved upon him, and created many unpleasantnesses ; and Lord Arthur was 

 frequently obliged to draw largely on the stock of patience which he naturally possessed. An 

 equable temper, however, and strong self-reliance proved sufficient to overcome all difficulties. 



Since the arrival of the Guards at the front Lord Arthur was fortunate enough to be twice 

 in command on the Right Attack ; and he had 2800 men under him, and the arrangement of all 

 the details, which were both numerous and complicated. The mere tour round the posts after 

 dark was very fatiguing, the distances being so great. Trench duty had one advantage — it 

 disclosed to a great degree the discipline and character of regiments, there being ample 

 opportunities for false alarms and panic, and also a great deal of delicate sentry work and 

 outpost duty. He tells an amusing anecdote as to this kind of duty. He had orders to 

 occupy a post, which up to that time had been held by the enemy ; they retired before fifty 

 of the Rifles detached for the duty. That regiment was first-rate ; when it was in front all 

 ground for anxiety was removed. It was but fair, however, that each of the other regiments 

 should occupy the post of danger in turn, and the 72nd was put forward. This regiment was 

 quite young, and composed of Scots from the small towns; "in fact an insubordinate lot." In 

 makmg his rounds, Lord Arthur caught a boy asleep on duty, and spoke to him very sharply. 

 " D'ye ken, Wally," said an old comrade, " that yeer liable to fufty afore brakefust if ye 



