The British Expedition to the CrimeaRussell, William Howard, Sir
History
The British Expedition to the Crimea
Russell, William Howard, Sir
Crimean War, 1853-1856
Omar Pasha left Varna early on Thursday, the 6th of July, and, on
arriving at Aladyn, found the Duke of Cambridge's Division ready to
receive him. He expressed his admiration at the magnificent appearance
of the Guards and Highlanders, and after the review he retired with His
Royal Highness the Duke to his tent, where he remained for some time,
and partook of some refreshment. About two o'clock Omar Pasha's
travelling carriages, escorted by Turkish cavalry, appeared in sight of
our camp. The Pasha was received by Lord Raglan, Sir George Brown,
Brigadier-General Scarlett, the Brigadiers of Division. After a time the
5th Dragoon Guards went past in splendid order, and then the two troops
of Royal Horse Artillery and the battery, which did just what they are
wont to do when his Royal Highness Saxe-some-place-or-other visits
Woolwich, moving like one man, wheeling as if men, horses, and guns
formed part of one machine, sweeping the plain with the force and
almost the speed of steam engines, unlimbering guns, taking them to
pieces, putting them together, and vanishing in columns of dust. They
came by at a trot, which was gradually quickened into a dashing gallop,
so that the six-pound and nine-pound guns, and carriages, and tumbrils,
went hopping and bounding over the sward. A charge in line, which shook
the very earth as men and horses flew past like a whirlwind, wreathed in
clouds of dust, particularly excited the Pasha's admiration, and he is
reported to have said, "With one such regiment as that I would ride over
and grind into the earth four Russian regiments at least." He was
particularly struck by the stature of the men, and the size and fine
condition of the horses, both dragoon and artillery; but these things
did not lead him away from examining into the more important question of
their efficiency, and he looked closely at accoutrements, weapons, and
carriages. At his request Sir George Brown called a dragoon, and made
him take off his helmet. The Pasha examined it minutely, had the white
cover taken off, and requested that the man should be asked whether it
was comfortable or not. The inspection was over at half-past three
o'clock, to the great delight of the men; and Omar Pasha, who repeatedly
expressed his gratification and delight at the spectacle, retired with
the Generals to Sir George Brown's quarters, and in the course of the
evening renewed his journey to Shumla.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account