_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.