Part 4

In my first application I made a statement as to the occurrence in the Baida Valley, viz.—“Whilst my regiment was stationed in Balaclava I was one of the detachment ordered on duty in the Baida Valley. I was engaged on one particular occasion in the reconnoitreing party in advance of the party that took possession of Prince Chatteloff’s house near the Woronzoff road. Two of the Land Transport Corps were wounded and it was with great difficulty and caution that I was enabled to bring the videttes into the main body upon which we had to retire.” This statement was dismissed by Colonel Benson, who wrote to H.R.H. Duke of Cambridge that he was not aware of any such occurrence taking place. With your Lordship’s permission I will make this occurrence more clear and show that there is ample proof of the truth of the statement.

Major Peel, 11th Hussars, was in charge of the command, consisting of three squadrons viz., 8th Hussars, 11th Hussars, and 17th Lancers. Now General Sir Drury C. Lowe, K.C.B., commanded the 17th Lancers. I was sergeant of the rear guard. The main body were near the house dismounted. The Land Transport Corps were at the gate the only entrance leading into the house. The rear of the 17th Lancers were within 40 yards of the gate just around a bend of the road. The Russian Infantry fired a volley into the Transport Corps I saw them running from their wagons, some of them wounded. I formed a line across the road and charged down to the Russians who had not time to reload. When they saw us they jumped over a stone wall on the left of the gate into the steep woods. We might have captured some of them but their fire had killed a mule in one of the transport wagons, blocking up the gate. The remainder of the wagons were in the road leading to the Woronzoff road which the main body had to retire upon. I at once placed videttes upon the all the roads. Sir Drury Lowe rode up to me and asked “where are the Russians?” as I was watching the place where they had jumped over the wall. I told him and he said “Come further back, they will shoot you. You have done perfectly right.” There can be no exaggeration in this statement as Sir Drury Low is still living. Sergeant-Major J. Nunnerly, late 17th Lancers, was a sergeant with the squadron and aware of the occurrence, as must be every survivor, in spite of Colonel Benson’s discrediting my statement by saying he knew of no such occurrence.

I wish to repeat the statement in my former application that “I embarked at the commencement of the war. I served under Lord Cardigan at Devna and Yenebazaar at the time when disease prevailed to a great extent. During the time I had the honour to be selected as Corporal of a letter party stationed at Varna. The whole of the dispatches of the army were at times conveyed by this party, and I was compelled in consequence of the sickness of the men to ride day and night without any rest to set a good example to the men under my charge and keep out of their minds that too much fatigue would kill them.”

Allow me to add that this was Lord Raglan’s letter party and that I continually reported at his headquarters to receive the dispatches. The party consisted of myself, and Privates Wm. Purvis, P. Murphy, Burkemore, and H. Gallimore. All these went into hospital with cholera and Gallimore died. Wm. Purvis is still living at 105, Rutter Street, Walsall.

In conclusion allow me to say that I served twenty-two years in the 17th Lancers and Yeomanry. I have only one son old enough for army service and he is Sergeant-Instructor in the British Army.

I beg that my claim may be impartially looked into on its merits at this time. When action was taken on it before the claim was thrown out on the statements of Col. Benson, who through carelessness or indifference reported adversely on circumstances of which he had no knowledge. The testimony of Lieut. Wightman and Lord Tredegar, still living, ought to be sufficient as to the Charge of the 600 and the Battle of Inkerman. The occurrence in the Baida Valley is not so important, but is mentioned to show that I was always quick in action and forgetful of any personal danger. If there is any doubt as to the correctness of my account I have no doubt that Sir Drury Lowe will add his statement to mine.

I have my Lord, the honor to be,

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS MORLEY, _Late Sergeant 17th Lancers_,

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES.

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_Subscribed and sworn to before me_, _Nov._ 12_th_, 1896.

JOHN R. YOUNG,

_Clerk Supreme Court_, _D.C._

_By_

S. J. MERRYS, _Junior Assistant Clerk_.

[Blocks not in Sworn Statement.]

* * * * *

_TIMES_, _APRIL 24th_, _1857_. THE CROSS OF VALOUR.

SIR,—I am a sergeant of nearly three years, lately retired from the 17th Lancers, at the early age of 25 years, solely in consequence of being passed over most unjustly in the rewards and honours that have been bestowed. I am now made drill sergeant in the Sherwood Rangers, Mansfield, by its noble colonel, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, and, wishing my fellowmen to know how unjustly I have been treated, I beg of you to allow me a place in your columns, so generously open to private as well as public grievances, to state my service as briefly as possible.

After being at Alma, I was present with my regiment in every engagement that took place. I charged at Balaklava with my squadron until it was nearly annihilated, my own lance being shot away. Drawing my sword I galloped on to the Russian guns, and assisted in cutting down the gunners. On the right of our forming line I observed one particular gun going away as fast as the horses could take it. I went after it with Captain Jervis, of the 13th Light Dragoons, who shot one of the horses and delayed its progress. On this I engaged two of the gunners, who both fell. It now became a struggle for our lives, a large body of Cossacks surrounded us. I succeeded in working my way through them, and galloped in the direction of what I judged to be our own Hussars. I found they were Russians reforming. I forced my way on full speed through them, unhurt. A regiment of Polish Lancers, 800 strong, had formed across the valley. I halted a moment to look around. Perceiving several of our cavalry in the same dilemma, I called to them, and being then a corporal, I used what authority I had to form them as well as I could. We gathered 12, and charged their centre; most of us got through. I believe three fell. These men were 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, and 17th Lancers; one was of the 8th Hussars. I received the point of a lance in the right hand; the wound was slight. The Russian infantry now opened a heavy fire upon us and after galloping through the guns of the enemy in advance of us, each one separated, trusting to fate. Private James Cope and Private James Wightman, now corporals of the 17th Lancers, were of the number. Wightman was severely wounded, and taken prisoner for twelve months.

On the 5th of November, 1854, I was at the battle of Inkerman, and under fire. Cornet Cleveland was shot; and when our regiment was ordered to retire, I asked Captain Morgan to allow me to fall out of the ranks to assist in carrying Mr. Cleveland off the field. Troop Sergeant-Major O’Hara and Private James O’Hara of the same regiment, also fell out for that purpose. In performing that act, James O’Hara and myself had both our dress caps shot off our heads by a cannon ball. We still pursued our duty till out of range, when the cornet wished to be laid down till a stretcher could be procured. This officer died. While stationed at Balaclava I was one of the detachment ordered for the Baider Valley. On one occasion I was engaged in the reconnoitering party in advance of the party that took possession of General Chateloof’s house, near the Woronzoff Road. Two of the Land Transport Corps and several mules were wounded and one killed, when the corps deserted the wagons, and I was the sergeant who led a detachment of my regiment to the spot when the Russians, on our approach, fled into the wood, and I placed my men on vidette, which the main body had to retire upon. I may further add that I embarked with the regiment at the first commencement of the war. I served under Lord Cardigan at Devno Yeni-Bazar at the time when disease greatly prevailed. At this time I had the honour to be selected as corporal of a letter party stationed at Varna. The whole of the army despatches were conveyed by our party, and I was often compelled in consequence of the sickness of the men, to ride day and night without rest.

I was present in every skirmish in which my regiment was engaged, and I returned home when the campaign ended. When in Ireland with my regiment I inquired of my troop officer why I did not get a medal for distinguished conduct. He told me he was very sorry I did not, but it lay to the commanding officer’s discretion. So it appears they are not “distinguished conduct medals” but “discretion medals!” There are several men in the 17th Lancers who wear medals for distinguished conduct on the field of battle who never crossed swords with a Russian.

This is my simple and truthful statement; and I think I have reason to complain that I am not decorated with a cross of valour—not to wear as a matter of vanity, but alone prizable to me as a mark that, though a young, I have not been an unworthy soldier.

I have the honour to be,

Yours truly, THOMAS MORLEY.

THE CROSS OF VALOUR. {24}

_To the Editor of the Nottinghamshire Advertiser_.

SIR,—Having perused in your last week’s impression, a letter under the above heading, from the pen of a participator in the perils of the late war, complaining of the neglect he had suffered at the hands of those who must, or ought to be, well acquainted with the incidents he relates. I am inclined to think with him, that the strictly “discretoniary decorations” will, after all, form a too striking constituent in our modern system of distributing military rewards, for, presuming Mr. Morley to have one of the ordinary Crimean medals, it scarcely, in his case, seems an adequate recognition of services rendered under very trying circumstances, and by so young a man. Indeed, it appears an exceedingly questionable policy to pass over, comparatively unheeded, one who could, at a conjuncture—such as is stated to have occurred at Balaclava—rally a dozen men, mere fugitives racing for their lives, and inspire them with confidence sufficient to bear down upon, and literally rend assunder an entire regiment of the enemy. This, when regard is had to the fact, that they were just emerging from a most fearful storm of shot, poured upon them by the Russian artillery, was a display of no ordinary intrepidity and daring in men, who, previously to that campaign, had never crossed swords with an enemy, and well worthy, I think, of some special mark of approbation,—the more so, when we reflect that he was thereby instrumental in saving eight or nine lives of the flower of the army, who would, in all probability, have been shot down, or lanced piecemeal, had they not at that critical moment acted in perfect concert.

The fact of our Lord Lieutenant having given Sergeant Morley an appointment in the Sherwood Rangers, is a sufficient guarantee for the truth of his statements, and many, doubtless, who have read his very interesting letter, will join me in congratulating him upon obtaining the favour of such a man.

I am, Sir, respectfully yours,

EVARDUS.

Nottingham, April 29, 1857.

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I have proved by living officers, generals, and noblemen that my statement is the living truth to-day, although 43 years have passed. Yet this Colonel Benson was allowed to turn Her Majesty’s and Prince Consort’s Noble Order and the Royal Warrant into mockery and the Victoria Cross into a sham. He was the cause of me receiving an official letter, dated 8th October, 1857, stating that all claims for the Victoria Cross must be founded upon facts. This Colonel Benson wrote the most cruel false statements to the Commander-in-Chief, and was the cause of me purchasing my discharge out of the 17th Lancers, and then losing promotion in the Yeomanry. He made false statements respecting my being promoted to sergeant. I can prove I was promoted in November, 1854, and he did not arrive in the Crimea till 22nd February, 1855. I have received all kinds of official letters telling me they see no reason to open my case. I received an official letter dated 22nd February, 1892, stating that the case cannot now be opened. If a brave British soldier cannot be heard by the authorities, what can he do but appeal to his countrymen? Truth never dies.

The royal warrant states, that for the Victoria Cross there shall be no preference of age or rank, and the youngest soldier shall be rewarded for valour.

My next article will be to prove that all claims for the Victoria Cross are not founded upon facts. Yet they wear it just the same. I will also prove by their own official letters I never had an investigation.

For myself I have the proud consciousness of having done my duty to Queen and country.

Fought Under Two Flags, AND A RECORD SECOND TO NONE FOR VALOUR.

[Picture: Death or glory flags, skull etc.]

NO British soldier that I ever read about did more distinguished proved valour. I received a letter from Major Jervis, late 13th Light Dragoons, dated December 5th, 1876. He says amongst other things “that he well remembers a young corporal of the 17th Lancers helping him to take the gun,” and from the fact named in my letter, it could be none other than myself.

I received a letter from Lord Tredegar, dated December 9th, 1876. In which he says, “that he well remembers, after the regiment had retired a short distance, I asked permission to go back and bring in Cornet Cleveland who lay in the thickest of the fire, mortally wounded.” See his other letter, in my sworn claim for the Victoria Cross, General Sir Drury Lowe, K.C.B., in answering a letter to me said “if he could do me any service he would be happy to do it,” several officers wrote me at the same time to the same effect. I was holding the position of Regimental Sergeant-Major in the Yeomanry, and in charge of head quarters and stores. I explained this to them and thanked them, telling them I was well off. I am Sir Drury Lowe’s oldest Non-Commissioned Officer, I served under him all the time he was in the Crimea and in Ireland, and when he commanded a detachment in Clonmel. In the Baida Valley he came to my assistance several times, once at Prince Challertoff’s residence, when I charged the Russians and took back the waggons of the Land Transport. I was on picquet duty with Lieutenant Barbour, some Greeks came into the picquets on little ponies, and explained to us the Russians were stealing. Lieutenant Barbour took all the picquet and left me in charge of the Videtts; being absent longer than I liked, I sent a man who was very sick into camp, explaining the matter to now Sir Drury Lowe, who commanded the 17th, telling him I had no men to patrole with, he did not send any reinforcements, but came himself with the regiment. He lost no time in getting to me and remained in command till Lieutenant Barbour returned with two Russian Greek spies, who tried to decoy his command into a village in which the Russian Cavalry were hiding. Sir Drury Lowe was loved by all men and I never heard or knew an enlisted man to say any thing but kindness respecting him. I was in Aldershot when he commanded the regiment, and I was in the Sergeants Mess. I heard Sergeant-Major Davis repeat that he would sooner soldier under Colonel Lowe without pay than any other officer with pay and the rest shouted “hear hear.”

There is an old proverb that “Comparisons are odious” and it cannot be better proved than by Colonel Drury Lowe and Colonel Benson, both commanded the 17th Lancers. The latter was never under fire in the Crimea. He was the only officer that flogged the soldiers. I saw him flog three at once at Ismid, who rode in the charge of the “600,” one of them had 17 wounds upon his back, all bleeding, through the lashes of the Cat o’ Nine Tails. I saw tears running down the officers cheeks. This Colonel Benson is the only officer that drummed out any men of the 17th Lancers, some of whom had ridden in the charge of the “600.”

Sir Drury Lowe, when Colonel, had a Regimental Sergeant-Major in the name of Brown, every soldier in the 17th Lancers had the greatest respect for him and officers too.

Colonel Benson had a Regimental Sergeant-Major Wooden, a foreigner, that could not speak the English language when he joined the regiment, went by the name of Tish-me. Colonel Benson went by the name of Dosey, he always looked as if he was asleep. But when he played at cards with young officers they found he was not dreaming. Colonel Benson and this Wooden, their teeth fit in their jaws like Hyenas. Every officer and soldier feared them.

Sergeant-Major Wooden was allowed to insult officers, one leaving the regiment through the bad language he used to him. I can name three sergeants out of one troop that left the 17th Lancers through him, and they all rode in the “Charge of the 600.” Colonel Benson procured him quarter-master of the 5th Lancers, and the commanding officer soon had him retired on the smallest allowance, 3/6 per day. It was Colonel Benson who secured his promotion as quarter-master of some infantry, but he soon got into debt and shot himself. It was the same officer who procured him the Victoria Cross and the French Order, although he never crossed swords with a Russian, and all those who knew anything concerning him, and who were in the “Charge of the 600,” say he threw himself off his horse. It is a well-known fact that he never went to the Battle of Inkerman, but drew our grog and got dead drunk with it.

Sir Drury Lowe, purchased Regimental Sergeant-Major J. Brown a commission, and appointed him adjutant of the regiment. I will undertake to prove all I have said, and more, by officers and soldiers now living.

Colonel Benson was the means of me losing promotion by writing lies to the Duke of Cambridge. The Duke of Newcastle, my commanding officer, read Benson’s letter and told me he should believe Colonel Benson’s statement before mine. He promised afterwards that if I would not write any more letters something would be done for me. That promise was never fulfilled, for he promoted a sergeant over my head in the name of Smith.

Through General Charles Frederick Havelock, who became Inspector of Cavalry at Washington, D.C., I left the regiment and went to America. I went with him to inspect the 12th Pennsylvanian Cavalry at the time the regiment had just been mustered into the United States Service, and was appointed Drill Instructor to the regiment.

At the battle of Bull Run I saved the regiment from being captured, my horse being killed and myself taken prisoner. When I returned to the regiment I received a commission and all back pay and allowances which amounted to some hundreds of pounds. They also paid me for horse and equipments. I was in all the stirring engagements. I was second in command in Dismounted Camp in Pleasant Valley, Maryland, to equip all cavalry without horses, and was afterwards Assistant Commissariat in Pleasant Valley. I was then appointed Assistant Inspector of Cavalry, with Major Gordon, for the department of Western Virginia. I was in Libby prison for twelve months, and while I was there 109 made their escape by making a tunnel. I was in when powder was laid down to blow us all up.

During the time I was prisoner of war, General Cesnola saw me compelled to be vaccinated. The matter turned out bad, my left side and arm swelled to such a degree that I was compelled to lay on the floor for months, my brother officers believing I should die.

During the war I received a bullet in my head, and it remained in for eight years.

One of the worst running fights I ever was in was when General Max Weber sent me from Harper’s Ferry, Va., to Charlestown to capture fifteen of the enemys cavalry. I was allowed to pick thirty horses and men. After we had advanced about five miles we saw them and pursued, we found two thousand with two guns. Two squadrons charged us and we had a fight with revolvers for four miles, till close to the forts. I lost twenty-one out of the thirty men. This was on the 29th June, 1864. The United States paid me for two horses killed in battle.

I am the only officer that knew the plans which General Grant used to capture Richmond in nine days. I also assisted General L. P. Di Cesnola to make out these plans and forward them to President Lincoln. I saved General Cesnola’s life. My horse was killed in a charge in the night, and it lay on me till the sun rose. Through being a freemason I was bandaged up. I heard that General Cesnola was wounded and I went to his assistance. He had a sword cut in the head, was shot in the thick part of the arm, the point of a sword through the palm of the hand, and horse killed whilst leading his brigade in a charge. I attended to him and dressed his wounds. I stayed with him, and managed to hire horses and conveyances to travel a distance of 150 miles to Stanton Va. He is now, and has been for years, Managing Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park, New York. He often writes thanking me for saving his life. I was introduced to him when he was Colonel of the 4th New York Cavalry, by Major-General C. F. Havelock, at Washington, who knew him when he was on Field Marshal Marmouer’s Commander-in-Chief’s Staff of the Italian Army, in the Crimea. I received second and first lieutenant’s and captain’s commissions on the field of battle, and have them now.

I resigned after the war and returned home and joined the Ayrshire Yeomanry as drill troop sergeant-major, 1st of January, 1868. In June 1871 I was promoted regimental sergeant-major in charge of headquarters and stores. I remained with them till June, 1877. I was so well liked in Ayr that they gave me, an Englishman, the birth place of Robert Burns on lease, in preference to hundreds of Scotchmen. In a few years the place was sold to the gentleman of the county for thousands of pounds more than they asked me for it. I was the last lessee of the place. Only three persons were born in this house, these being the poet himself and two of my children, one of whom is still living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I took another business, but it did not do well, the rent being too high—£600 a year.

I then went to America, and in a few years I thought I should be better off under the government. In April 1884 I called upon Senator Morrell, the father of the house of the Senate, and went with him to interview the Hon. Robert Lincoln, the Secretary for War, who informed me that he could not give me the first place as he had promised it. In a few days I got an appointment and received pay on it till the end of 1893. Mr. Lincoln afterwards became Ambassador to England. On the 9th of May, 1863, I was employed in the government building, in which President Lincoln was assassinated, when part of the building fell, killing 25 and injuring nearly 200. I was one of the latter, and being unable to perform my duties was discharged. I applied to the Patriotic Fund in London for aid out of the money the people of England subscribed—five children depending upon me at the time. I received a reply telling me I was not entitled to anything. This is the first and only time in my life I ever asked for assistance.