Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/73

 p:NGLISn WAR ADMINISTRATION. 29 the <fuidin<'- hand of a chief better skilled tliaii CHAP. ... Ill any other then living in the transaction of our ' country's military business ; for the ' Master- ' General ' was no other than Lord Eaglan, then commanding our army at a distant seat of war. This double trial at first seemed to weigh down the struggling Department ; (}^) but it happened that the responsible ' Government ' was there ably represented ])y one of its members, and through him — Mr Monsell (^7) — the will of the Duke of Newcastle was so et'lectually impressed that, with only a natural sigh at the thought of its expiring independence, the Board, whetlier approving or not, gave way to his requisi- tions ; (■^^) nay, even — though with yet one sigh more — to his peremptory, verbal demands. (^^) There were two sub-departments of the Ad- The victual- miralty which had a large sliare in minister- Transport " ing to our land - service troops when ordered ments^ofuie for duty abroad. One of these, called the ' Victualling ' Office, provided many kinds of supplies, including biscuit, rum, and salt meat ; whilst the other, the ' Transport ' Office, engaged the vessels required for carrying men and stores over sea. There was a department subordinated to The Arm? several others which, nevertheless, must be service. examined. The London or Headquarters Staff of the united Army and Ordnance Medical Departments consisted of a Director- General, with one assistant, and (in general) about six clerks. This humble little office was in itself well ordered, and Dr Andrew Smith, its able,