36 AWARDED FOR VALOUR
whose ‘arduous’ duty it was to stand in line against a charge of cavalry, or
by those who cut their way, under three cross fires, through an opposing
mass ten times their number, and, having slaughtered the enemy on all
sides, returned in perfect order to their position?
Whatever may be the opinion of the Horse Guards, there is but one
thought throughout the country, and that is this – that it will be a crying
shame if such heroism is allowed to go unrewarded.^64
Others pressed for recognition of individual acts of valour; that the French
were more progressive in their recognition of individual heroism was unac-
ceptable to some readers:
Sir, the attention of the public now being much directed to the proper
mode of reporting those who distinguished themselves in the present
war, it has occurred to me the very suitable mode would be by attaching
to each of our great orders of Knighthood a new dignity by creating
officers of the Orders of the Garter, Bath, Thistle, and Saint Patrick. A
soldier who had eminently distinguished himself (as Captain Butler and
Major Nasmyth at Silistria) might be created an officer of the order of
the Garter, and those nearly as deserving might have given to them the
decoration of any of the other orders.
This plan would, it appears to me, satisfy those who ask for the
creation of an English ‘Legion of Honour;’ and such a decoration would
be more highly prized than the medal given indiscriminately to all who
‘are present’ in a campaign, and would also afford a means of rewarding
the devotion of our medical officers and of the commissariat.
In the case of our private soldiers being so decorated, there might also
be conferred on them a pension for a limited number of years, with
liberty to study, free of charge, at Sandhurst.^65
The debate raised by Scobell’s comments and by new letters to the editor of
The Timesin late December and early January prompted Newcastle to again
approach Prince Albert on 20 January 1855:
Your Royal Highness mentioned several objections to the proposition of
adding to the three classes of the Order of the Bath – and I hope I am not
taking too great a liberty if I ask your Royal Highness’ opinion upon the
other suggestion – the institution of the new decoration to be confined
to the Army and Navy but open to all ranks of either service.
lily
(lily)
#1