OUR INFANTRY. 93 



satisfied, seeing how well they perform the 

 duties assigned to them. 



The situation of our staff officers — that part 

 of them below the rank of general — is very 

 different, having to perform in a campaign 

 important, as well as instructive duties. Thus 

 being mounted when in the field, they are sent 

 about in every direction — particularly those on 

 the staff of the general commanding the army — 

 and become, in consequence, acquainted with 

 the whole of the ground on which the army 

 they are attached to in a campaign moves, as 

 well as the spots on which its battles ?xe 

 fought. In carrying and explaining the orders 

 which, from time to time, they receive in the 

 course of a campaign, they may, when talented, 

 distinguish themselves by important services. 

 Thus, at Albuera, it is well known, Lord 

 Hardinge, then on the staff, saved that battle 

 by two suggestions he addressed in the midst 

 of the fight to Lord Beresford. This of itself 

 would suffice to show the importance of having 

 our staff officers selected wholly on account of 

 their talents. But what is the fact ? Why 

 that the officers on the staff of our generals 

 are uniformly selected on account of their 



