THE EASTER-MONDAY VOLUNTEER REVIEW. To THE. EDITOR OF THE "
SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In your impression of last Saturday you have a paragraph referring to the two defects of the Volunteer Army, which were chiefly observed by military critics on Easter Monday. In reference to the incompetency of officers I say nothing, because, as a constant reader of the Daily New,, I am well acquainted with the imbecile ignorance and the mean lust of military rank that characterize that body of men. So far as I can speak for my own battalion, I plead guilty to the charge that the men did not march solidly enough, in fact, far less solidly than ever be- fore, and I desire to give an explanation of this falling-off. It was simply owing to the fact that they were not allowed, by order of the authorities, to break off for refreshments. My men had all been on foot from between 3 and 4 a.m. ; they expected, as usual, time for breakfast, were disappointed, and went through the whole day, practically, fasting. Considering this fact, the performance of the long and heavy day's work was immensely to their credit, and I hope the critics will admit that it was sufficient to account for some want of steadiness both in marching and firing.—I am,
Previous page
