In assuming the chief command of the British Army in this war, Lord Raglan had undertaken a task of peculiar and, in some respects, novel difficulty. He brought ripe experience, it is true, acquired under the greatest soldier of the century, but the lapse of years had brought about so many changes in military appliances and scientific inventions, that much of that experience was rendered obsolete. He was the first British general who had to conduct operations in the field advised, controlled, directed, censured by telegraphic despatches from the War Office. He had, moreover, to act in concert with an ally, brave, indeed, but sensitive, and it was of the nature of things that their counsels should sometimes clash, at least, that their judgment should not always be identical. Little reference has been made to the angry impatience expressed in the English press and Parliament in regard to what was freely condemned as the incapacity and dilatoriness of Lord Raglan, because time and reflection have amply vindicated his renown. But it must have been galling to him at the time, and greatly aggravated the difficulties of his position. The best evidence of his genuine force of character is found in the patient courage with which he fulfilled his office to the last, and the enthusiastic devotion which he won from all ranks serving under him. [Illustration: _Chevalier L. W. Desanges._} {_In the Victoria Cross Gallery, Crystal Palace._ MAJOR (NOW GENERAL) CHRISTOPHER TEESDALE, C.B., R.A., AT KARS, September 29, 1855. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallant conduct in throwing himself into the midst of the Russians, who had penetrated under cover of night into the Yuksek Tabia redoubt; also for saving, at great personal risk, the enemy's wounded from the fury of the Turks.] [Illustration: _G. H. Thomas._} {_From the Royal Collection._ HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN DISTRIBUTING MEDALS TO THE HEROES OF THE CRIMEA, ON THE HORSE GUARDS PARADE, May 21, 1855.] [Sidenote: Battle of Tchernaya.] The command of the British forces devolved upon General Simpson. On August 16 General Liprandi made a formidable attempt to raise the siege by an attack on the French and Sardinian position on the Tchernaya, but was repulsed with tremendous slaughter. This was the last encounter in the open field. The final assault on the town was opened by a tremendous fire from the Allied batteries on September 5, and the bombardment continued without intermission throughout the 6th and 7th. On the morning of the 8th the French made a splendid dash at the Malakoff Fort, the key of Sebastopol, and captured it. The English fared not so well in an attempt to storm the Redan and suffered severely in a repulse. But the defence was at an end. [Illustration: _C. Jacquand._} {_From the Royal Collection._ HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCE CONSORT LANDING AT BOULOGNE, August 18, 1855.