1833.1

EDITOR'S PORtfolio.

those who call for the execution of the law; and after all this, he says, "Now there is a free election; there the constitutional Cortes!" And, strange to say, the daily English press, that so warmly required a clause in the Irish Coercion Bill to suspend the effects of this bill during any general or partial election in that kingdom, seems to approve in Dom Pedro all violation of the Charter, or any scheme he may devise to put down the The Marquis of Palmella, in constitutional principle and its partisans. spite of the loathful recommendations of Captain Hodges, is yet en attente. Senhor Candido Xavier does not seem to intend, during Dom Pedro's blindness, to give any preference in the treasure to any body else but his beloved Buonapartistes. Apropos Captain Hodges, par un excès de galanterie, represents the Portuguese officers as a set of ignorants: it may be; but I think that a gentleman who knows not the technical language of his own profession; who invents a battle at Almaraz; who is always in a perpetual contradiction in speaking of his own battalion; who has discovered military talents in the Marquis of Palmella; who fancies that that nobleman was in the Peninsular war; who praises the Count of Villa Flôr at Souto Redondo, &c. &c.; that gentleman, Mr. Editor, is, in my opinion, a very incompetent judge to pass so severe a sentence on the Portuguese officers.

I remain, Sir,

ANNALS OF THE BRITISH ARMY,

1807*.

PORTUENSE.

July 1. The main body of the South American army broke up before sunrise, and joined Major-General Gower before the commencement of his march, about eleven o'clock. The army now continued its march for the village of Redaction, a town about seven miles from Buenos Ayres, and two from the Plate. They reached this position in the evening, upon which Lieutenant-General Whitelocke took his post for the night close to the town; whilst Major-General Gower, with the advance, pushed on two miles forward t.-2d. At sunrise the advanced-guard, under Major-General Gower, got under arms and moved for the Chico Pass; upon reaching it, and finding no enemy on the opposite side of the river, the ford was instantly passed: the ammunition waggon belonging to Having thus surmounted what was the 3-pounders being carried over on men's shoulders. expected to prove the most formidable obstruction to their march, the brigades of Brig.-Generals Lumley and Craufurd advanced towards the ridge at the northern extremity of which Buenos Ayres is situated §. They soon gained the foot of the rising ground, and thence hastened on to the Coral de Miserere, where a halt was called to wait for the field-pieces, which were at some distance in the rear. Not a Spaniard was in view; but their neighbourhood was soon announced by a sudden discharge of grape and round-shot from guns placed in several parts of the open ground. The men, for a moment, staggered at this unexpected attack, but instantly recovering themselves, not an instant was lost in obeying Brigadier-General Craufurd's orders to charge. With three cheers they advanced smartly, in the form of a crescent, nearly surrounding the enemy's guns, which were soon abandoned by the Spaniards, who, dismayed at this movement, fled in every direction. Those lining the hedges dispersed with the others, on seeing their artillery, consisting of ten brass field-pieces and a howitzer, in the possession of the assailants. Brigadier-General Craufurd continued the pursuit till he reached the heads of some of the streets of Buenos Ayres; where he formed, in expectation of Brigadier-General Gower, who was behind with Brigadier-General Lumley's brigade. The loss of the British in this affair was but trifling, as the enemy's artillery was directed over their heads. Brig. General Cranfurd was employed in forming his men, who, from the nature of the ground, and the suddenness of the action, were in some confusion, when orders were received ¶ from Major-General

• Continued from page 134.

The city of Buenos Ayres was now visible from both positions, and tended much to cheer the spirits of the men. The fires of the Spaniards under the town, as seen through the darkness of the night, added to the conflagration of some ships burned on the river to prevent their falling into the hands of the English, produced a grand effect. The enemy had withdrawn to the farther bank of the Riochuello, which circled round so as to flow both in front of the English army and to extend behind the town,

* About five miles distant on the Riochuello river.

On gaining it the eyes of the troops were anxiously directed over the extensive plains they had passed, in expectation of seeing themselves followed by the main body of the army under LieutenantGeneral Whitelocke, but to their mortification they discovered no appearance of troops in their

rear.

The light brigade had moved on so briskly after attaining the ridge, as to leave the others at a considerable distance. Major-General Gower, therefore, was at a loss to follow, and made repeated inquiries after the light brigade, whose position was, at last, pointed out by an officer of the rifle corps, as well as by the sound of the cannon and musketry with which it had been engaged.

When the first order was received it was dusk, and the brigades of Brigadier-Generals Lumley and Craufurd were formed in two lines, and were expecting to advance into the town, particularly

Gower, to fall back to the Coral, where he, the Major-General, then was. At this position the troops lay on their arms, having picquets for the night at the head of the streets.-3d. The main body, under Lieutenant-General Whitelocke, joined in the morning, and the whole army was on this day assembled in front of the town, about a mile from the streets. Major-General Gower, by order of the Commander-in-Chief, now sent an officer into the town with a flag of truce and summons to the Spanish General, requiring the surrender of the place. To this proposal the Spaniards refused to listen, and the army passed the remainder of this and the following day (4th) in skirmishes, when many officers were killed and wounded.-5th. About four o'clock the troops were under arms, aud in different columns were formed at the heads of the streets, through which they were to penetrate into Buenos Ayres. Their disposition was as follows:-The 45th, under Lieut.-Colonel Guard; the 6th dragoon guards, under Lieut.-Colonel Kington; the light brigade, in two wings, under Brigadier. General Craufurd and Lieut.-Colonel Pack; the 88th regiment, in two wings, under Lieut.-Colonel Duff and Major Vandeleur; the 36th regiment, in two wings, under Lieut.-Colonel Byrne and Captain Cross; 5th regiment in two wings, under Lieut.-Colonel Davie and the Hon. Major King; 87th regiment, in two wings, under Sir S. Auchmuty and Major Miller; and 38th regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Nugent. The 45th were directed against the Residentia, where they were to maintain themselves. Brigadier-General Craufurd was to penetrate to the church of St. Domingo, and to take possession of that edifice, as also of the neighbouring houses, in conjunction with Lieut.. Colonel Pack, who led the left wing of the light brigade, which took its two 3-pounders along with it into the town. The 87th were ordered to move down the two streets to the right of El Retiro; and the 38th, in single columns, were to attack the buildings after turning the left of the town. The other columus were to penetrate to the river, but they were provided with no instructions beyond that point.--On the right, the 45th, under Lieut.-Colonel Guard, moved forward at the appointed signal, in two columns, each consisting of four companies. The Lieutenant Colonel commanded the right wing himself, and the left was under the direction of Major Nicholls. Having proceeded about three-quarters of a mile, the columns met, in consequence of the junction of the two roads which they had taken; and Lieut.-Colonel Guard, in conformity with his orders, was obliged to make a considerable detour to the right, so that he did not reach the Residentia, which post he was directed to occupy, till a few minutes after the left wing, which he found engaged in breaking open the doors; and after trifling loss, the colours of the regiment crowned this edifice. Some houses in the vicinity were also taken possession of by the troops. There being a considerable firing on the left, Lieut.

as some companies had been detached on the flanks with an apparent view of covering such a movement. Brigadier-General Craufurd, confident of its success, desired the officer who brought him directions to fall back, and request Major-General Gower's permission to pursue the enemy into the city; but in answer he received a peremptory order to retire to the Coral. All the information afterwards obtained, proved, that the measure, if adopted, would have been crowned with complete success, and have been attended with little, if any loss. The vexation of the troops therefore, when ordered to retire, can scarcely be conceived; they retired, however, in silence to the Coral, about a mile and a half from the skirts of the town.

It is necessary to describe the principal points against which the assault was directed, as well as the preparations made for the defence of the city; and in so doing we shall avail ourselves of the notes of an eye-witness. The streets of Buenos Ayres are rectangular, forming lots about 100 paces square. It is situated on the Rio de la Plata, from which it is separated by a low unoccupied space of about 100 yards. In the centre of the town, on the face next the river, is the castle, a square work, about 100 paces on the exterior polygon, and flanked with small bastions. This fortress contains the residence of the governor and other spacious buildings. The great square separates the castle from the town, and is about 200 paces in length and 100 in breadth. The south face contains the cathedral, a large edifice, with a lofty dome and parapet. All the houses in the neighbourhood are lofty, and surrounded with parapets about four feet in height, which circumstances gave those in possession of the faces of the square a complete command over the castle. At the north-west angle of the town, and close to the river, is another extensive opening, called La Planza de los Torros, in which stands El Retiro, a spacious building erected for the exhibition of bull-fights. Between this edifice and the river are situated other large buildings of brick, which are used for the purpose of an arsenal. El Retiro is about 1000 yards from the castle. Eastward of the great square is another open space, in which are barracks; and nearly opposite to them is the convent and church of St. Domingo, the principal religious edifice in Buenos Ayres, next to the cathedral. At the eastern extremity of the town is an extensive structure called Residentia, and originally destined for an hospital. The city is two miles long, and one broad, the ground rising gradually from the river to its southern boundary; so that the possession of the ridge and of El Retiro gives the command of the whole city. To protect Buenos Ayres, thus strong by itself, ordnance was placed in the best manner for defending the streets leading from the ground occupied by the assailants. Trenches were cut in the principal streets near the great square, and cannon placed to flank them. Other pieces were mounted on the citadel to cover the approach by the river. The number of soldiers, populace, and slaves, thus employed in defending the interior of the city, were reckoned at about 9000 regulars, militia and volunteers, in some state of discipline, and 6000 in irregular companies. Of these, 5000 of the best marksmen occupied the houses, in which they were barricaded, and amply supplied with provisions and ammunition; 2000 occupied El Retiro, and the vicinity; while the others were distributed in the castle, to be employed as occasion should require. It was in the face of such precautions that 4500 British soldiers were ordered to enter the town by force of arms on the morning of the 5th July,

Beyond this point they were not provided with instructions. None of them were made acquainted with the means of communicating with the others, or to what point to retreat in case they experienced too powerful a resistance. The men were all anxious to move forward while darkness should conceal their approach; but the sun was rising before some field pieces in the centre gave the signal to advance: upon which, the columns were immediately put in motion. Lieut.-General Whitelocke and Major-General Gower remained with the centre of the army at the Coral de Miserere,

Colonel Guard directed Major Nicholls to maintain himself in the Residentia, and marched at the head of his grenadiers with the intention of reconnoitring the situation of Brigadier-General Craufurd's brigade, and returning immediately to his post. In his progress, he received orders from Brigadier-General Craufurd to charge down the street with the grenadiers, supported by the picquet. This was accordingly done, and for some time Lieut.-Colonel Guard experienced no opposition, except from a heavy piece of ordnance placed at the upper end of the street. As he advanced, however, towards the centre of the town, he found the tops of the houses crowded with the enemy, who opened a smart fire of musketry upon him; and having gone about a mile, the increased fire rendered it extremely difficult to proceed, and he therefore drew off his men into a street on the right t. Here, Brigadier-General Craufurd soon after arrived, with several companies of light infantry and riflemen, together with a field-piece, and took the command.-The 6th dragoon guards, under Lieut.-Colonel Kington, advanced with the other columns; but the enemy soon opened their fire upon them, and the further it proceeded the more heavy and destructive it became. Lieut.-Colonel Kington having received a severe wound in the leg, and Captain Burrell being killed, the men were obliged to retire, leaving their commander in the hands of the enemy. Capt. Davenport, on whom the command devolved, now took possession of a house in a very commanding situation, and there maintained himself for two days, till he received orders to evacuate and rejoin the army out of the town.-The right wing of the light brigade, consisting of four companies of the light battalion, and four of the 95th, making about 540 rank and file, under BrigadierGeneral Craufurd, moved down the street on the right of the church of St. Domingo: he was directed to penetrate to the river, and there to occupy any of the high buildings as near as possible to the market-place. This column received the fire of several guns on the left flank, but not sufficient opposition to arrest its progress to the banks of the river. Here, on turning its left, it entered an open space, in which it became dreadfully exposed to the fire of musketry from the neighbouring houses. The advanced party lost about half its number; and among the wounded was the officer by whom it was commanded. The enemy's fire increased, and a retrograde movement was deemed advisable; but the wounded were first collected under the shelter of a wall, whence they were afterwards removed into the church of St. Domingo, which now became the object of attack. It was about half an hour before an entrance could be forced, and which was at length effected by discharging a field-piece against the doors. The colours of the 71st, which were found decorating the interior of the edifice, were instantly taken down, and the Rifle corps with others of the column, having forced their way to the parapet, displayed them there. The Spaniards, who were on the top of the building, retired to the summit of the dome, drawing after them the only ladder by which they could be followed. It was just before this that Brigadier-General Craufurd was reinforced by the grenadier company of the 45th under Lieutenant-Colonel Guard. The convent and church of St. Domingo was situated very near to the main position of the enemy, who, aware of the importance of the post, advanced several strong corps against it. About twelve o'clock, a Spanish officer with a flag of truce approached the convent, charged with a summons to surrender. This was peremptorily rejected by the Brigadier-General . A numerous column soon advanced on the west side of the convent, apparently with the intention of taking a 3-pounder which was in the street; and which, from the narrowness of the entrance, could not be brought in. Brigadier-General Craufurd immediately ordered all the men of the Rifle corps to come down from the different situations in which they were placed on the upper parts of the building, and prepared to evacuate the post. Meanwhile, the Spaniards being on the point of seizing the gun, were attacked with the greatest intrepidity by Lieutenant-Colonel Guard, at the head of his grenadiers, and Major Trotter, with a small party of light infantry. The enemy in the street gave way; but the fire from the houses contiguous to the convent was so destructive, that in a few moments about 40 of the 45th regiment who led the attack were killed § or wounded. Seeing it was impossible to effect his retreat, Brig.General Craufurd ordered the remainder of the detachment to return to the convent, which he continued to defend till near four o'clock, when he considered it expedient to surrender.

After Lieutenant-Colonel Guard's departure from the Residentia, the Spaniards made repeated attempts to recover that post, but Major Nicholls had so well disposed of part of his men on the tops of the buildings, and sallied out so opportunely with others, that he constantly repulsed them ;-the British colours remaining flying on the Residentia until it was evacuated by the 45th in consequence of the negotiation.

+ Seeing Colonel Pack approaching with a corps of the light battalion towards the church of St. Domingo, Lieut.-Colonel Guard consulted him on the practicability of advancing farther towards the square; and was informed that it would be impossible to reach that point without sacrificing the greater part of his detachment.

Brigadier-General Craufurd had determined to take the first opportunity of extricating himself from a situation where he had reason to think it not advisable to remain; and the best opportunity appeared to be, when the enemy should approach in considerable numbers in the streets, as his men, when mixed with them, would probably be less exposed to the destructive fire from the surrounding houses, which were constantly receiving fresh supplies of men and ammunition.

Major Trotter, a brave and accomplished officer, was in the number of killed; he was pierced with several balls, and his loss damped the spirits of the party in no slight degree.

The firing by this time had ceased all around, and the Brigadier-General having waited eight hours without receiving succour or orders, conceived that the attack had generally failed. He, therefore, called together the field-officers of his wing, and after mature deliberation they concurred in the expediency of a surrender.

[To be continued.]

(Circular.)

CIRCULAR ON MILITARY PUNISHMENTS.

Horse Guards, 24th Aug. 1833.

His Majesty's Government having signified to the General Commanding in Chief the King's command, that until further orders corporal punishment may be applied to the following offences only, I have the honour to express Lord Hill's desire that you guide yourself accordingly, taking care that except in the instances herein specified the said punishment shall on no account be inflicted:-1. For mutiny, insubordi nation, and violence, or using or offering violence to superior officers.-2. Drunkenness on duty.-3. Sale of, or making away with arms, ammunition, accoutrements, or necessaries, stealing from comrades, or other disgraceful conduct. It will doubtless occur to you that the object of these instructions is not to render the infliction of corporal punishment for the future more frequent or more certain than it is at present, even in the cases to which it is now to be restricted; but, on the contrary, that the intention is to restrain it as much as may be possible to do so with safety to the discipline of the army. By Command,

(Signed)

J. MACDONALD, Adjutant-General.

Supposed Circular to the Half-Pay.

THE customary letter having been addressed in two or three instances to Half-pay Officers liable to be called upon to commute their half-pay, found its way into the papers under the exaggerated designation of a " Circular" to all officers on the Half pay of the Army-a measure never contemplated by the authorities concerned.

ABSTRACT OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS CONNECTED WITH THE ARMY AND NAVY.

REPORT from the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Army and Nary Appointments-Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, 12th Aug. 1833. The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the Establishment of the Garrisons; into every branch of pay and emolument of all General and Staff Officers in the Army, both at home and abroad, and into the emoluments of naval officers holding the appointments of Vice and Rear-Admirals of the United Kingdom, and of Generals and Colonels of Marines; and to report their opinion whether any or what reduction or alteration can be made in them, without detriment to the efficiency of the public service, or to the just reward of professional merit, and to whom the Return of the names of the several persons holding the offices of Governors and Deputy, and Lieutenant-Governors was referred; and who were empowered to report the minutes of evidence taken before them :-Have considered the matters referred to them, and have agreed upon the following Report.

Your Committee, in the discharge of the duties prescribed to them, have divided the subjects of their inquiry under the following heads:

I. The Garrison Establishments at Home and Abroad.

II. The Pay and Allowances of General Officers holding the situations of Colonels of Regiments.

III. The Pay and Emoluments of other General and Staff Officers.

IV. The Appointments of the Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral of England, and of the Generals and Colonels of Marines.

I.

Of the precise origin of the Home Garrisons the Committee have no accurate account; but the first record* of the regular establishment of those in England is dated in 1683-4, and of those in Scotland in 1708, immediately after the Union, at which periods, and for some time after, the several officers borne upon the establishment appear to have been resident in their respective garrisons, and to have had the command of certain unregimental companies, chiefly of invalids employed " to do duty there." How soon the governorships, or any other of these garrison appointments, became non-efficient, or at what time permanent non-residence was permitted, is not known, but it seems clear that they have long been held on their present footing, that their emoluments have been in general rather diminished than increased since their original formation, and that their whole number is smaller than it was in 1792.

Of the Irish Garrisons there is no detailed record previous to the Union with Ireland, from which period they have continued with little or no change, except the reduction or abolition from time to time of some of the non-effective appointments connected with them.

* App. vi., p. 320, 21,

† App. vi., p. 329, 30.

Of the Governments of Foreign Garrisons, there are only four where permanent non-residence is permitted, St. John's and Placentia in Newfoundland, and Quebec and Annapolis in Nova Scotia; but the last of these is always held by the Governor of Nova Scotia, and the emoluments form a regular part of the salary of that officer*. After fully considering the question of the Non-effective Garrison Appointments, with the opinions expressed in favour of their continuance by some of the most distinguished military authorities, and particularly by the Duke of Wellington†, who, in a Memorandum upon the military governments, which is appended to this report, brings briefly but powerfully into view the whole constitution of the British army, and the circumstances of its officers, the Committee are still of opinion that upon the principle repeatedly laid down by Parliament, that all sinecure offices ought to be abolished, no garrison appointments should in future be made where no efficient military duty is performed; but as the officers now holding such appointments appear for the most part justly entitled to the rewards of their profession by their long military services, or their distinguished merits during a period of unparalleled exertion on the part of the army, and of unexampled glory acquired to the country by the achievements of that army, the Committee do not recommend the withdrawal of the salaries to the prejudice of the existing interests of any of those officers.

It has already been stated that the number of Garrison Appointments was greater in 1792 than at present, and that the pay and emoluments attached to them have been rather diminished than augmented since 1718. The Committee, therefore, taking into consideration the great increase of the army since that time, and the claims of so many of its members on the gratitude of the country, cannot propose the abolition of these appointments, which for more than a century have been at the disposal of the Crown, without suggesting some other plan of military rewards in their stead. With this view they recommend that the King should be empowered to grant "rewards for distinguished services in the army," in a manner similar to that recognised by Parliament in the vote for "Good Services" in the Ordnance estimates, subject to the following conditions:

1st. That the grant to be made to his Majesty for this purpose shall not exceed 15,000. a year, and that all rents or feu duties, or any other revenues at present attached to any of the garrisons, shall be added to the above 15,0007., making altogether a sum of about 18,000. a year, and being a reduction of about 12,000l. a year on the present amount of the Home Garrison Appointments.

2d. That as these become vacant, the King shall name an officer or officers to a reward or rewards for distinguished services, not exceeding the amount of three-fifths of the emoluments of the vacant appointment, until the whole of such grants and pensions shall have been brought within the amount of 18,000l. a year.

3d. That the name and services of every officer appointed to receive these rewards shall be inserted in the first army estimates after his appointment, and that the distribution of them shall, during peace, be confined to officers on unattached or half-pay, with the exception of those whose pre-eminently distinguished services may with propriety exempt them from all rules.

From a return laid before the Committee, it appears that several Garrison Appointments are held by persons altogether unconnected with either the military or naval service, and, in some instances, enjoying lucrative emoluments from civil employments. The Committee consider this a violation of the object for which such appointments were established, and a misapplication of the public money, and they therefore recommend that wherever garrison appointments are held by such persons, whether resident or not, the sums voted for their salaries should be omitted in all future estimates, unless any special grounds can be stated for their continuance, on the score of the duties performed, or of the particular circumstances of the individuals holding them. The emoluments from "Tithes of Corn" in Guernsey, and those from "The King's Revenue" in Jersey, now appropriated to the non-resident governors of those islands, ought, in the opinion of the Committee, on future vacancies to be applied to pay the salaries of the general officers resident and commanding there, and to defray the whole cost of their garrison establishments; and they beg to recommend to his Majesty's government, that his Majesty may be advised to use his gracious pleasure for carrying such an arrangement into effect.

They likewise feel bound to notice, as a fit object for similar regulation hereafter, the very large income now received by the Governor of Gibraltar from the revenues of that place.

Sir J. Kempt, 2828, 35, 6, 9.

App. i., p. 273 to 78. V. Evidence, p. 2 to 41,