20 and an important inquiry. Did the beginning of the war find, or did its progress develop or create, a single English general of'commanding military capacity, competent to handle in the field even so small an army as the British contingent in the Crimea? Of Lord Raglan Mr. Russell says, and without doubt says truly : “ That he was a great chief, or even a moderately able general, I have every reason to doubt, and I look in vain for any proof of it, whilst he commanded the English army in the Crimea.” Another authority says: “The conviction that he was not a great general is universal and uncontradicted. He could perform the ordinary duties of a general satisfactorily, but he was lamentably deficient in those qualities ■which constitute military genius. He possessed considerable professional experience, great application, and remarkable powers of endurance ; but he lacked the energy, vehemence, and decision of character which are essential to the constitution of a successful military chieftain.” To his hesitation in council, and his want of energy and promptness in action, have always been attributed, in large measure, the ruinous delays and the fearful suffering in the army which he. commanded. Lord Raglan died in June, 1855, in his sixty-seventh year. General Simpson succeeded him. “ It was believed at the time,” writes Mr. Russell, “ and now is almost notorious, that he opposed his own appointment, and bore testimony to his own incapacity.” “ He was slow and cautious in council, and it is no wonder that where Lord Raglan failed, General Simpson did not meet with success.” The English press and people demanded his recall. Uis incompetency was everywhere acknowledged, and indeed he himself would have been the last man to deny it. In about three months from the date of General Simpson’s appointment, “ the Queen was graciously pleased to permit him to resign the command of the army.” As fre have already seen, his place was filled by General Codrington. This officer was as signally rewarded, because he had failed, as he could have been, if he had succeeded. Mr. Russell quotes approvingly the comment of a French officer upon this appointment: “ If General Codrington had taken the Redan, what more could you have done for him than to make him General, apd to give him command of the army ? But he did not take it, and he is made General
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=