Page:The supersession of the colonels of the Royal Army.djvu/12

 "More marked, and more anomalous still are the cases of the Colonels of the British Army who commanded brigades, or independent columns, or filled high Staff situations during the Indian Mutiny, and who are now in course of supersession by Officers of the Indian Army (many of whom, no doubt, took part in the same field services) who, at that date, held only the rank of Major.

"It is only necessary to enumerate the following:—

"Colonel Heythorn, C.B.

„&emsp;&ensp;Sir E. Wetherall, C.B., K.C.S.I.

„&emsp;&ensp;Sir J. Douglas, K.C.B.

„&emsp;&ensp;Sir E. Greathead, K.C.B.

„&emsp;&ensp;Sir J. Jones, K.C.B.

„&emsp;&ensp;Sir D. Kelly, K.C.B."

Such was the state of things when Mr. Cardwell found himself at the War Office in January, 1869. A great wrong, chiefly owing to the carelessness of the House of Commons and the apathy of men in office, was being done to the oldest Officers of the Army which he was called upon to govern. The way to put a stop to that wrong, or, at least, to make some amends for it, had been pointed out by a Committee appointed by his predecessor, and, as I have said before, a very little energy and liberality would have put an end to a great grievance. But, unfortunately, Mr. Cardwell is a member of a Government which had pledged itself to economy, and which considered that the saving of a few pounds was of far more importance than ensuring a feeling of contentment in the public service.

Nothing was done, therefore, for a couple of months