A Strange Story of Tel-El-Kebir.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 22 April 1890, Page 2

A Strange Story of Tel-El-Kebir.

•» The Maroh numb rof the Nine* teenih Century contains under the title of " A Battle dosoribed from the Banks," a well written and in* teresting description of Tel-el'Kebir, by Mr Arthur V. Palmer who took part in that engagement as a Corporal in the 79th Highlanders. Corporol Palmer sa/s thafc when the 79th after carrying the first trench es were assaulting the second line of works, a general check was caus ed by some shou s of " Hetire, retire ! " The Corporal, continuing says:— I hose cries of " Retire " had been treacherously raised by a couple of Glasgow Irishmen, who somehow Hvaded the piecautions that were in force since the day of Fenianism to prevent the enlistment of disloyl characters. They had been proved cowards, or something worse, on two occasions when tlie regiment was belore Kalr Dowar, and in tit tne of instructions coming through tha

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captain the ncn'commissioned officer of the company appointed a sergean and a ooporal to watch the conduo of these two men in the battle They were charged to uso their owl discretion, and if that step becami necessary to put them summarily t< death. When the treacherous dogi raised their shouts of •• Retire '' thj non-commissioned officers appointee to watch them promptly did theii duty. I saw Sergeant kill om of them with a thrust of his sword bayonet, and also saw Corpor.il fire at the other ; but whether li€ was killed by the corporal s bullet or one from the enemy I oanuot under take to say. The regiment was un* animous that both riohly deserved to die, in which convictiou every hon«st soldier .•will. concur.'*'