MATTERS MILITARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 310, 9 November 1864, Page 5

MATTERS MILITARY.

1 THE 43kd (MONMOUTHSHIRE) L.I. It would afiord us very great pleasure to bo in a position to place before our readers —both military and civil—the records of the gallant Moninouths, but up to the present moment we have not obtained all the information necessary to such a publication. In the meantime we give a short sketch of some of the services performed by the 43rd. .Emblazoned upon the colours of the 13rd are the significant words '* Corunna," '• Busaeo," " Puentes d' Onor," " Ciuilad liodrigo, " Badajoz," "Salamanca," Vittoria," " ivelle," "iSive," "Toulouse," "Peninsula" distinctive of the various engagements in which that regiment has taken a part. iN'ew Zealand too, might well be added to the list, for the best blood ot the regiment has not been spared in our service, and the gallantry of a Booth, the devoted and heroic conduct of the brothers (Hover, will never be forgotten by the colonists of Xew Zealand. Notwithstanding worthless and mischievous insinuations to the contrary, the 13rd, have since their arrival in the Colony maintained their well-earned character as brave and courageous men. We need say but little ; could we publish them, the records of past deeds of dariug aud gallantry performed by the 13rd would dearly prove the material of which that corps is made. What they have been tliey still are — and wherever fair play and an open field is given they will ever continue to prove their valour and ellieieney. The lafe lamented Colonel Booth, a gallant ollieer anil thorough gentleman, had had some Colonial war experience, having served with the ■l:ircl in the Ivallir war of 1851-3. There was something touchingly sad in the death of the brothers Glover. Manj- a popular story lias been netted together with far less truthful material than has been afforded by that tragic, event. Capt. Glover had seen service in India with the olst regt. through the Burmese war of of 1852—and on board the Ji.l.C. steam frigate ' Ferooz.' during the naval action and destruction of the enemy's stockades 011 the .Rangoon River; and during the three days' operations in the vicinity, and at the storm and capture of liangoon. Captain Mure served in the Ivaflir war of ISo 1-3 —served also in the Crimea. mi: 13lill AT CniIUNXA. Connected with the celebrated retreat to Corunna there occurred scores of incidents illustrative of the courage and firmness of the British soldier. Indeed, in this very retreat, many of our greatest generals served their apprenticeship to the stern art of war. As a subaltern, Colin Campbell was there, and with him Hardinge. afterwards the hero of Allmeva, and finally Governor-General of India, and conqueror of the Sikhs. The three Napiers, too, were at Corunna : George, who lost an arm at the breach of Hadajoz : Sir William, who wrote the " Achievements of the British Army and Sir Charles, renowned alike as a warrior and administrator. But 'tis not with these great men we have now to do—'tis with the more humble, but not less brave, officers aud men ot her Majesty's arm}'. During the retreat to Corunna the light cavalry of the Imperial Guard, riding close up to the bridge of Castro Gonzalo, captured some women aud baggage, and endeavoured to surprise the which gave rise to a remarkable display ot courage and discipline in our common men which might have put to shame some of higher ranks, ■lolin Walton and Richard Jackson, private soldiers of the -IMril, were posted beyond the bridge, with orders that, one should stand linn, the other fire, and run back to the brow, and give notice whether there were many enemies or few. Jackson lired. but was overtaken, and received several sabre cuts in an instant ; nevertheless, he came staggering on and gave the signal; while Walton, with equal resolution, stood his ground and wounded several of his assailants, who retired leaving him unhurt, but with his cap, knapsack, belt, and musket cut. in above twenty places ; his bayonet bent double— bloody to the hilt, and notched like a saw. At Bcnevente several thousand infantry slept in the upper part of an immense Con.ent built round a square, and a frightful catastrophe was impending, for the lower galleries were thickly stowed Willi eavalrv horses, and there was but one entrance. Two ollicers of the -lliril coming from the bridge, perceived on entering the eonvent that a large window shutter was 011 fire, that in a few moments the straw underneath the horses would burn, and six thousand men. and animals u otild inevitably perish in the flames. One of t'neni, Capt. Lloyd, a man of great strength and activity, and of a presence of mind that never failed, made a sign of silence to his companion, and springing 011 to the nearest horse, ran along the backs ol' the others until he reached the blazing shutter, which he tore oil its hinges and threw out of tlie window ; then awakening a lew men. he cleared the passage without any alarm, which in such a case would have been as destructive as the lire. Such an act. performed in these days, would have gained for the actor the "\ ictoria Cross.