Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/510

 466 APPENDIX. ' Your lordship is doubtless in a position to dispense with the services of this or any other Staff officer, but you will permit me to obsei've that I cannot in fairness be called upon to with- draw my confidence from, or alter my opinion of, officers whom I hold in the highest estimation, and with whom I have always expressed myself fully satisfied. If I am deprived of the assistance of General Au-ey, I shall have a serious loss inflicted upon me, and the army will be deprived of a most able, active, and zealous officer, and it will be difficult to find a successor ui all respects so efficient, and so worthy of my confidence. ' The duties of General Estcourt are less intricate, and do not bring him quite so constantly under my notice, but he merits the expression of my approbation. ' I will direct the reports your lordship requires to be fur- nished by the Generals of Division and Brigade, and will take steps to form a corps of scavengers. But your lordship is doubtless aware that this ridge is occupied by many thousands besides those composing the British army, and that the cleaning the camp of the latter will do little to get rid of the ordures which cover its surface. Having now replied to the several points in your despatch, I must be permitted before I close this to express the pain, mortification, and, I might add, surprise with which the abuse that has been unscrupulously lavished upon me by unavowed and irresponsible parties has been enter- tained by your lordship and your predecessor. ' My lord, I have passed a life of honour. I have served the Crown for above fifty yeai-s. I have for the greater portion of that time been connected with the business of the army. I have served under the gi-eatest man of the age more than half my life, have enjoyed his confidence, and have, I am proud to say, been ever regarded by him as a man of truth and some judgment as to the qualifications of officers, and yet, having been placed in the most difficult position in which an officer was ever called upon to serve, and having successfully carried out difficult opei'ations, with the entire approbation of the Queen, which is now my only solace, I am charged with every species of neglect, and the opinion, which it was my solemn duty to give of the merits of officers, and the assertions which I have made in support of it, are set at naught, and your lordship is satisfied that your irresponsible informants are more worthy of credit than I am. ' Your lordship informs me at the same time, that the Govern- ment looks to me for a vigilant and vigorous administration of every department, and my zealous co-operation in all measures, whether witliin the strict routine of departmental etiquette or not, which may be taken to recover the Iiealtli or efficiency of her Majesty's troops.