BART., G.C.B., &c. &c. &c.
Sir,
As a soldier who has seen much service in all parts of the world, and
commanded large bodies of troops in the field, you can decide if my
views are correct or not. As a General of the 3rd division, you must
know whether I have erred (certainly unintentionally) in my statements;
and I also trust you will be able to bear me out when I say, that the
honour and renown of my companions in arms, and the good of the army in
general, are my sole objects in appearing before the public.
I wish to dedicate the fruits of my experience to you, as a trifling
tribute of the gratitude I feel for the friendship and kindness you
have shown me on many occasions.
I can with truth say, my motives in the following work are pure and
disinterested; but my views are not those of the generality of writers
of the day. I know, as well as they do, that British soldiers will
always follow their gallant officers in any attempt, if even requiring
the most supernatural efforts; but I am not, as they almost all seem
to be, blind to the great imperfections of too many of those allowed
to enter our regiments. I can gladly leave them the reputation of
possessing the most undaunted courage of any soldiers in the world, and
the nation the honour and glory their deeds in battle have acquired.
Let both pride themselves, as they have a right to do, upon these; but
for the time to come, we want, and ought to have, the good and true
men of the British Empire brought into the ranks of our armies; and of
whom many--very many--can be found, if called upon, as they should be,
to serve their Sovereign and their country as they might hereafter be
served by a British army, formed, as it ought to be, to suit the times.