Chapter VIII: Before Sevastopol

Predicament in which the Allies found themselves—Flank march
round Sevastopol—Occupation of Balaklava by the British and of
Kamiesh Bay by the French—The Allies refuse to assault
Sevastopol; they prefer to bombard it—Depression of the
Russians, who fear a prompt assault—Description of the defences
round the south side of Sevastopol; successful efforts of the
enemy to strengthen them—Description of the upland of the
Chersonese, occupied by the Allies; their position and
labours—First bombardment and its results—No attack; a regular
siege inevitable—Draft of Officers and men to the Coldstream
arrive in the Crimea—Establishment of the Regiment—Russian
reinforcements begin to arrive—Battle of Balaklava; Cavalry
charges—_Sortie_ of the Russians against the British right
flank; its failure 180

CHAPTER IX.

THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN.

Large Russian reinforcements reach the Crimea—Position and
strength of the enemy; of the Allies—Description of the field
of Inkerman—Commencement of the battle, 5th of November—The
progress of the first part of the fight—The Guards Brigade
advance to the scene of action—The struggle round the Sandbag
battery—Arrival of the Fourth Division under General
Cathcart—The manœuvre of the latter, and its failure—The
arrival of the French—Successes of the British
artillery—Repulse of the Russian attack; the retreat of the
enemy; there is no pursuit—Operations of the garrison of
Sevastopol and of the Russian force in the Tchernaya Valley
during the day—Great losses incurred on both sides—Reaction
among the soldiery after the battle 204

CHAPTER X.

THE WINTER OF 1854-55 IN THE CRIMEA.

Prostration of both sides after the battle of Inkerman—Sevastopol
not to be taken in 1854—Tardy arrangements to enable the army
to remain in the Crimea during the winter—Violent hurricane of
the 14th of November; stores scattered and destroyed—The winter
begins in earnest—How the Government at home attended to the
wants of the army at the seat of war—Absence of a road between
the base at Balaklava and the front—Miserable plight to which
the army was reduced—Indignation in England, and the measures
taken to relieve the troops—Admirable manner in which the
misfortunes were borne by the British soldiers—Operations on
both sides during the winter—The Turks occupy Eupatoria;
successful action fought there—The Guards Brigade sent to
Balaklava 231

CHAPTER XI.

THE FALL OF SEVASTOPOL.

Stay of the Brigade at Balaklava—Improvement in the condition of
the men—Return of the Guards to the front, June 16th—Changed
aspect of affairs before Sevastopol—Review of events during the
time spent at Balaklava—Second bombardment—Interference by
Napoleon III. in the course of the war; operations
paralysed—General Canrobert resigns, and is succeeded by
General Pélissier—Energy displayed by the latter—Third
bombardment—Fourth bombardment; assault of Sevastopol—Its
failure—Death of Lord Raglan; succeeded by General
Simpson—Siege operations continued—Battle of the
Tchernaya—Fifth bombardment—Sixth bombardment; second
assault—The Malakoff is captured—Fall of the south side of
Sevastopol—The Russians evacuate the town, and retreat to the
north side—State in which the Allies found Sevastopol 249

CHAPTER XII.

THE END OF THE RUSSIAN WAR.

Home events during the war—Sympathy of Her Majesty with her
Crimean soldiers—Badges of distinction added to the
Colours—Inactivity of the Allies after the fall of
Sevastopol—Expeditions against the Russian coast—Sir W.
Codrington succeeds Sir J. Simpson as Commander of the
Forces—The winter of 1855-56—Negotiations for a peace, which is
concluded, March 30th—Events after the cessation of
hostilities—A British cemetery in the Crimea—Embarkation and
return home—The Crimean Guards Brigade at Aldershot; visit of
Her Majesty the Queen—Move to London, and cordial reception
there—Distribution of the Victoria Cross—Summary of events
connected with the war—Losses—Appointment of H.R.H. the Duke of
Cambridge as Commander-in-Chief, and of Major-General Lord
Rokeby to command the Brigade of Guards 267

CHAPTER XIII.

A PERIOD OF WAR, 1856-1871.

Reductions after the war—Comparison between the situations in
Europe, in 1815 and in 1856—Fresh troubles and complications
imminent—Many wars and disturbances—Scientific instruction
introduced into the army—Practical training of the troops
carried out—The material comfort of the soldier attended
to—Military activity in England in 1859—The Earl of Strafford
succeeded by General Lord Clyde—Death of H.R.H. the Prince
Consort—Misunderstanding with the United States of
America—Chelsea barracks completed—Marriage of H.R.H. the
Prince of Wales—Death of Lord Clyde; succeeded by General Sir
W. Gomm—The Brigade of Guards Recruit Establishment—Public
duties in London—Fenian troubles in Ireland; the 1st and 2nd
Battalions succeed each other there; the Clerkenwell
outrage—Reforms in the armament of the British infantry 292

CHAPTER XIV.

ARMY REFORM, 1871-85.

Effect produced in England by the military successes of
Prussia—Short service and the reserve system
introduced—Abolition of army purchase—Abolition of the double
rank in the Foot Guards—Substitution of the rank of
Sub-Lieutenant for that of Ensign or Cornet—Manœuvres and
summer drills—Changes in the drill-book—Illness and recovery of
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales—Death of Surgeon-Major Wyatt, and of
Field-Marshal Sir W. Gomm—General Sir W. Codrington appointed
Colonel of the Coldstream Guards—Death of Captains Hon. R.
Campbell and R. Barton—Company training—Pirbright Camp
established—Medical service in the Brigade—Change in the
establishment of the Regiment—Death of Sir W. Codrington, and
appointment of General Sir Thomas Steele as Colonel—Troubles in
Ireland—Alarm in London—The Royal Military Chapel 319

CHAPTER XV.

THE WAR IN EGYPT, 1882.

Origin of the war—Emancipation of Egypt from Turkish rule;
introduction of European control—Deposition of Ismail
Pasha—Tewfik becomes Khedive—Military revolts—Disorganization
of the country—Joint action of the English and French; its
failure—Naval demonstration—Bombardment of the forts of
Alexandria—The French withdraw and leave Great Britain to act
alone—British troops sent to Egypt—The Suez Canal seized—Base
of operations established at Ismailia—Action of Tel
el-Makhuta—Clearing the communications—Actions at Kassassin,
August 28th and September 7th—Character of the Egyptian
army—Night march on Tel el-Kebir—The enemy is overwhelmed,
September 13th—Pursuit; losses—End of the war—Return of the
Coldstream to England 350

CHAPTER XVI.

FIRST PART OF THE WAR IN THE SUDAN, 1884-85—EXPEDITION
UP THE NILE.

General description of the possessions of the Khedive in
1882—Rebellion in the Sudan; rapid rise of the Mahdi—Policy of
the British Government—General Gordon sent to Khartum; he is
cut off and besieged there—General Lord Wolseley goes to
Egypt—Formation of a Camel Corps, of which the Guards compose a
Regiment—Problem how to effect the rescue of Gordon—The Nile
route selected—Advance to Korti—News from General Gordon—Two
columns advance from Korti: one across the Bayuda Desert, the
other up the river—Battles of Abu Klea and Abu Kru—The Nile
reached near Metemmeh—Sir C. Wilson’s effort to proceed to
Khartum—Death of General Gordon—Change of plan entailed by this
event—Battle of Kirbekan—Retrograde movement of both
columns—Troops placed in summer quarters 372

CHAPTER XVII.

SECOND PART OF THE WAR IN THE SUDAN, 1884-85—SUAKIN CAMPAIGN.

Reasons for the expedition to Suakin—Departure of the
Coldstream—Orders to Lieut.-General Sir G. Graham—Position of
the enemy—Advance against Hashin—Engagement at Tofrek—Attack on
a convoy, escorted by the Coldstream and Royal Marines—Advance
to Tamai—Construction of the railway—Attack on T'Hakul—Abrupt
end of the campaign—The Coldstream proceed to Alexandria, and
thence to Cyprus—Evacuation of the Sudan; how the Mahdi took
advantage of it; how the Dongolese were treated—Position taken
up south of Wady Halfa—Defeat of the Arabs at Ginnis—Return of
the Guards Camel regiment—Return of the Coldstream from
Cyprus—Honourable distinctions added to the Colours—Officers of
the Regiment in December, 1885 393

APPENDIX I.

1. DESPATCH OF M.-GEN. SIR JOHN BYNG TO H.R.H. THE DUKE OF
YORK, ON THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO, NIVELLES, JUNE 19, 1815 413

2. GENERAL ORDERS, NIVELLES, JUNE 20, 1815 414

3. PROCLAMATION OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE FRENCH PEOPLE,
MALPLAQUET, JUNE 22, 1815 415

APPENDIX II.

1. GENERAL ORDER, PARIS, OCTOBER 28, 1815 416

2. ORDERS FOR BILLETING THE BRITISH TROOPS IN FRANCE, OCTOBER
29, 1815 416

3. ALARM POSTS OF BRITISH DIVISIONS IN FRANCE, OCTOBER 30, 1815 418

APPENDIX III.

ORDERS FOR A BRITISH CONTINGENT TO OCCUPY FRENCH FORTRESSES,
NOVEMBER 9, 1815 418

APPENDIX IV.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRITISH CONTINGENT IN FRANCE, APRIL 10, 1816 421

APPENDIX V.

SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE BAND OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS 424

APPENDIX VI.

1. FAREWELL ORDER TO THE ALLIED ARMY OF OCCUPATION IN FRANCE,
NOVEMBER 10, 1818 426

2. FAREWELL ORDER TO THE BRITISH CONTINGENT, CAMBRAI, NOVEMBER
10, 1818 427

3. GENERAL ORDER, PARIS, DECEMBER 1, 1818 427

APPENDIX VII.

COLDSTREAM GUARDS HOSPITAL 428

APPENDIX VIII.

THE NULLI SECUNDUS CLUB; AND LIST OF MEMBERS FROM ITS FORMATION,
1783, TO 1896 429

APPENDIX IX.

GENERAL ORDER, CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL 30, 1854 436

APPENDIX X.

DEATH OF FIELD-MARSHAL LORD RAGLAN, G.C.B. 437

APPENDIX XI.

AGES AND PREVIOUS OCCUPATIONS OF THE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
AND MEN OF THE 1ST BATTALION COLDSTREAM GUARDS, AND DRAFTS
SENT TO THE EAST, ENGAGED IN THE WAR WITH RUSSIA 439

APPENDIX XII.

1. RETURN OF THE NUMBERS KILLED IN THE CRIMEA 440

2. RETURN OF THE NUMBERS WOUNDED IN THE CRIMEA, DEAD,
INVALIDED, ETC. 440

3. DEATHS IN THE 1ST BATTALION COLDSTREAM GUARDS BY MONTHS
DURING THE WAR WITH RUSSIA 441

APPENDIX XIII.

THE VICTORIA CROSS 442

APPENDIX XIV.

1. THE BRITISH FORCES EMPLOYED IN THE EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN, 1882 444

2. EXTRACTS FROM GENERAL ORDERS ISSUED AFTER THE BATTLE OF TEL
EL-KEBIR 446

3. EXTRACT OF REPORT ON ARMY SIGNALLING IN EGYPT, 1882 447

APPENDIX XV.

STATIONS OCCUPIED BY THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS, 1833-1885[1] 448