Colonel Henderson.

Signed,

The remains of the late major Henderson, will be interred this day at three P. M. with the usual honours of war, such officers of the garrison as think proper, will attend; the major-general and staff will be present. J. R. BOYD, Military-sec. Colonel Henderson's outward appearance was extremely prepossessing.. His countenance was the index of a mind possessing every amiable quality— gentle in manners-modest in deportment-quick in decision-determined in action--and indefatigable in every pursuit. He was honourable in public, affectionate in private and family life, and altogether exemplary in his conduct as a son, a brother, a friend, and as a man. In short he was truly, as expressed by general Carmichael in public orders, "as honourable in mind, and mild in manners, as firm in action."-Ile very early resolved on a military life. With a mind enthusiastically devoted to his profession, and possessing strong intellect, he was eager to acquire every branch of knowledge requisite for a soldier. He availed himself of those occasions when he was sent to Aberdeen on the recruiting service to improve himself in mathematics, drawing, fortification, languages, &c. in a place affording every advantage for such acquirements. He was convinced that a good officer is formed as much in the closet as in the field; and his future conduct shewed that he had not studied in vain. He was fully aware of the numerous qualifications necessary for an officer, and looking forward with a laudable ambition to the hopes of rising to a higher command with increased responsibility, he endeavoured to qualify himself for such a trust; so that, in the hour of danger or negotiation, he might be able to acquit himself with credit to himself and advantage to his country. His mind was often bent towards improvements in the art of war. After the campaign of 1799 in Holland, where he was always employed in front, having there seen and experienced the difficulties which an advancing army had to contend with in a country intersected by ditches, which often prevented our advanced parties from gaining and establishing themselves in positions favourable to the movements of an army, and which in retreating also retarded its movements, he turned his mind seriou to the subject, and invented a moveable bridge in the form of a waggon, which, after having been tried and highly approved of by committers of field officers of artillery at Plymouth and Woolwich, was adopted by the board of ordnance, whose thanks he received, together with a premium. By this invention, infantry, cavalry, and artillery may pass a ditch forty feet wide. It may be drawn by three horses, can be erected in five minutes, and again in motion in as short a time.-Though convinced that the bayonent is the weapon best suited to the character and courage of the British soldier, still, whenever business was to be done by fire, he had observed that the effect produced by that of the enemy was always superior to ours. This may probably be denied by some, but still the experience of Colonel Henderson must give great authority to his opinions.

The gentleness, and, at the same time, the firmness of Col. Henderson's dis

Colonel Henderson.

1

position, formed a combination admirably calculated for military, command; and no man had a more just conception of the character of the British soldier, whom it is generally more easy to lead than compel to his duty. Colonel H. had always the good fortune to win the affections of the well-disposed, while his firmness awed the vicious. In himself they saw an example of the most implicit obedience to his superiors, and of attention to his duty. He was a father to those of all ranks placed under his command; and while he made it his business to see that justice was done to every one, and no cause left for complaint, he in return enforced order, regularity, and attention to duty. In addition to the means afforded to a commanding officer, of rewarding good conduct by promotions from the ranks, he kept a book of merit, in which be noted for promotion those privates who were exemplary in their conduct. To know that merit does not pass unobserved, is always the strongest stimulus to exertion. Being once entered on this book, the men were sure of promotion. By these means, so many were interested in shewing an example of good order, that the happiest effects were seen in the health of the men; and their regularity in quarters was acknowledged in the most handsome manner by the inhabitants of every place in which they were stationed "The credit which the regiment has gained in the field," said colo. nel I. in regimental orders "can only be retained by a steady perseverance in a sober and orderly line of conduct in quarters." The following letter of thanks from the inhabitants of Fort Royal in Martinique will shew the sense entertained of the good conduct of the regiment.

TRANSLATION.

Fort Royal, April 10, 1809.-MAJOR HENDERSON-The inhabitants of the town of Fort Royal receive with regret the intimation of your departure from this colony, and would wish to testify its gratitude for the excellent conduct which has been kept by the brave regiment under your command, during the time you have been master of it. It would offer to you, personally, its sincere thanks for the kind attention you have shewn to all its inhabitants, for the prudent and firm judgment you have evinced for its interior u rity, and for the respect shewn to the persons and property of the inhabiThe town of Fort Royal wishes me to convey to you, these sentiments of its gratitude, which your regiment has so well merited; and in which I partake in the most lively manner. This wish flatters me the more, as it affords me an opportunity of expressing my particular respect for you.

tants.

Receive, Major Henderson, for yourself and your regiment, this tribute of esteem, and of attachment from my fellow citizens, and from me; you carry with you our regret for your departure, and our most ardent wishes for your greatest prosperity. Signed, CROYANT, Civil-commis.

The management of the royal York rangers was an instance of the justness and wisdom of an order since issued by the commander-in-chief, recom, mending that punishment be avoided as much as possible, and that the cha

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racter and judgment of an officer would be estimated very much by this circunstance.—We have been induced to enlarge on the character and conduct of this promising young officer, as we conceive it will be interesting to our readers, and may be otherwise useful. Colonel Henderson was honoured with the particular friendship of his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, with whom he corresponded, as well as with many of the first characters in the country. Two of his brothers are now in the service of the country, one a captain in the navy, the other a captain of engineers.

[We have inserted this Life as we received it, and must be allowed to express our thanks to the able and excellent Writer of it. When Gentlemen favour us with biographies, or materials of those with whom they have served, it would prevent mistakes if they would have the goodness to say in a postscript―This to be inserted as written-or-lhe Editor will consider the enclosed as materials; and add, omit, or alter, at his discretion.]

E.

FROM the sympathy which the benevolent Author of our Nature has attached to all good actions, and to all great events, there is a pleasure, even in the narration of them, secondary only to that in the actual performance. It is from this feeling, indeed, that the humble historian of an act of heroism, partakes himself in the peril, difficulty, and ultimate triumph of his hero.— It is this feeling which has given even to us our own peculiar share in the glories of Salamanca, and rendering us, as it were, one of the train of a more pompous triumph than Rome, in all her magnificence, ever led to her Capitol ; has caused us, occasionally, to forget our own insignificance, and, under the effect of the general inspiration, to assume the port and mien which belonged to the occasion. Our imagination is happily not confined within the same limits of our natural powers. And let it be forgiven to us, therefore, (we address ourselves to a correspondent who complains of an air of vanity in us) let it be forgiven to us, I say, that with the natural sympathy of men, and freemen; with the proud feelings of Englishmen in them who maintain and elevate our national character, we accompany, in fancy, our mighty hero, through his bright career of light and glory; that we lead his way, as it were the herald of his virtue and his fortune, after a Battle gained and a nation delivered, to the gates of Salamanca, and there partake with him in that large and golden shower in which the gratitude of an acclaiming nation descends upon their DELIVERER. There is a charm in true glory which throws even a great mind from its due balance. Let it be pardoned to us, that even the secondary draft has mounted into our weaker brain. Our vanity, Sir, is the self-congratulation of an Englishman, in those who have so VOL. IV. NO. 24.

*3G

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bravely maintained the English name. Our vanity, Sir, is in the daily augmentation of that stream of our national glory, which, having begun in distant ages, and having been fed as it flowed, by the successive virtue of our ancestors, has now become like the ocean that surrounds us, at once our pride, our defence, and the element in which we peculiarly live. To say all in a word, and we presume, to say it satisfactorily, our vanity, Sir, is in a conqueror controuled, a nation delivered, and in the commnon liberty and independence of Europe, in progress, to be restored by the British arms.

In our Military Chronicle of last month we carried the thread of our narrative to the battle of Salamanca. We left the commander of the forces in pursuit of the fugitive enemy. On the night of the 22d, (July 1812), the night of the day of the battle, his lordship pursued them from the field of battle, to the banks and fords of the Tormes; but as the intervening ground was covered with woods, and the fords probably not well known, he deemed it prudent to call in the pursuing divisious till the following morning.

On the dawn of the 23d, the pursuit was renewed. This service was assigned to the 1st and light divisions, and to major-general Anson's, and to major-general Bock's brigades of cavalry. They crossed the Tormes, and very shortly came up with a part of the enemy's rear-guard of cavalry and infantry, near Serena. In the official dispatch, his Lordship speaks with great commendation of the bravery with which this body was charged by the German legion." I have never," says his Lordship, "witnessed a more gallant charge than was made on the enemy's infantry by the heavy brigade of the German legion, under major-general Bock, which was completely successful, the cavalry taking to flight, and the whole body of infantry, consisting of three battalions, being made prisoners."--The pursuit on this day was continued to Penaranda.

We have the more pleasure in repeating this eulogy, because the uniform good conduct of the German legion has lately procured them a liberal reward from the British government, and because certain popular writers, (perhaps, from a laudable jealousy of constitutional principles), have clamoured loudly against this act of gratitude. It has been invidiously denominated an act of equalization. Let it be granted to be so-where is the just objection to it. Have not the German legion equally shared with us in all the labours, perils, and merit of the campaign. Upon what principle, therefore, should they not have the same share in its rewards. In every army in Europe, even in the French army, the service of one campaign confers the character and rights of denizenship; and one third of the French marshals, and the same proportion of the Russian commanders, are foreigners. In military service this jealousy is peculiarly ungenerous, and we trust that it will never be avowed by a British officer. There is another objection, however, of a better kind. It is alleged to be contrary to the spirit and principles of the constitution. I should be sorry to weaken the force of this objection, in which, in a degree at least, I feel disposed to concur. I would propose a compromise:-Let the present

to.

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German legion have that equal share which their equal merit entitles them But, as it is certainly contrary to the spirit of the constitution, to introduce foreigners, distinctly regimented and legionized, into " the British army," and more particularly into the permanent establishment, and into somewhat of the relation of body-guards to the sovereign-let not the German legion be further kept up, or supplied, than either by the children of its own soldiers, or by Germans actually denizens or residents for a term of years in the British dominions. This limitation will answer all purposes.

During the retreat of the enemy on this day, (the 23d) they were joined by a body of cavalry and artillery of the army of the north, a circumstance of no value to them in their offensive character, but which came very opportunely to strengthen their rear-guard, and thereby to facilitate their retreat.

A subject of astonishment must here suggest itself to every military reader, that is to say, what could possibly induce Marmont to give battle before the arrival of his reinforcements, and more particularly when they were so near at hand-here, for example, on the day after the battle, he is joined by the cavalry and infantry of the army of the north; and which on the 21st were at Pollos, and on the 22d, the day of the battle, within only twenty miles to the northward of him. It will be seen, moreover, in the progress of this summary, that whilst general Chauvel was thus moving to him from the north, Joseph Buonaparte likewise, with the army of the centre, was marching up to him from the east, having left Madrid with that purpose on the 21st. Within seven days, therefore, Marmont would have been joined by these reinforcements, the effect of which would have given him an undoubted superiority. Why did he not await their arrival? In the first place, from his absolute ignorance of the relative state and purposes of the allies, whom he believed to be inferior, and flying before him; and secondly, from that blind precipitancy and headlong confidence, which, at Maida and Alexandria, brought them from the heights to give the English bayonet fair play in the plains.

It will not be amiss, moreover, in this place, to give a cursory view of the line by which they were now retreating. The kingdom of Spain, from north to south, is watered by five main rivers, the greater part of which flow from east to west across the Peninsula, and by courses parallel to each other, and from eighty to a hundred miles apart. The most northerly of these rivers is the Ebro, the next the Douro, then the Tagus, the Guadiana, and the Guadalquiver. Now, as all military operations, according to the system of Frederick the Second, follow the lines of rivers, Buonaparte, in his military distribution of Spain, had assigned the districts accordingly, giv ing to distinct armies the country between the one or the other of these rivers. Thus the army of the north had the country between the Douro and the Ebro, and the Ebro and the ocean. The army of Portugal had the country between the Douro and the Tagus. The army of the centre, Madrid, La Mancha, &c. The army of the south, (Soult's army) the country between the Guadiana and the Guadalquiver, and the Guadalquiver and the Mediterranean Suchet's army, the country, coast-ways, from the Ebro, along the Mediterranean, to the exit of the Guadalquiver into the sea. And Victor's army