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.