(Pall Mall Gazette, 8 Feb 1870, page 3)
THE LATE SIR CHARLES WINDHAM.
Few men of the present age have been more suddenly exalted at one moment or more unjustly depreciated at another by popular opinion than the late Sir Charles Windham. His hearty and eager manner and fluent unrestrained discourse may possibly have rendered him liable to attach where others would have escaped notice: by to him words were not given for the purpose of concealing his thoughts, and his vigorous language was the outpouring of a warm and honest heart. Born in 1810 and educated at the then new Military College of Sandhurst, Charles Ashe Windham devoted himself from his earliest days to the military profession. He entered the Coldstream Guards in 1826, but, with the exception of a trip to Canada during Papineau's rebllion, he saw no real service till the breaking out of the Russian war in 1854. He was then appointed Assistant Quartermaster General, and was attached to the 4th division. He was the Alma and at Balaklava. At Inkerman he was near Sir George Cathcart when that general was killed, and he was actively engaged in the first attack on the Redan. On the 8th of September he commanded one of the storming parties sent against the Russian works, and, dashing rapidly across the ground between the fifth parallel and the Redan, succeeded in driving the defenders from their post. But the latter, taking shelter behind their second line, poured so heavy a fire on the Englishmen huddled behind whatever cover they could find in the angle of the work, that further advance was impossible. Windham, perceiving that the advantage gained would be lost without further reinforcements, himself returned to Codrington to ask for assistance. In doing this he recrossed the open ground he had already traversed, which was now exposed to a murderous fire. Yet he was afterwards freely blamed for performing this dangerous service, for it was said that he should not have left his men alone in the Redan. Some idea that his action might be open to misconstruction evidently passed through his mind, for before he left them he said to Captain Crealock, "I must go to the General for support. Now mind, let it be known in case I am killed why I went away." He reached the English lines in safety, and was about to lead the reinforcement on when to his dismay he perceived his own men issuing from the Redan and hurriedly retiring. Those who were present on the spot, who knew all the circumstances of the case, and who were best qualified to form judgment on the cause of the failure, never attributed any blame to Windham, but, on the contrary, loudly proclaimed their admiration of his gallantry. Yet there were not wanting other who spoke sneeringly and disparagingly of the "distinguished and intrepid conduct" on this occasion for which he was promoted to the rank of major-general. He soon afterwards obtained the command of the 4th Division, and was then appointed chief of the staff to Sir William Codrington.
In 1857 he obtained employment in India, and accompanied Sir Colin Campbell on his march to relieve Lucknow. Windham was left with a small force at Cawnpore to protect the communication of the main body. Here he was threatened by ten times his own number. The Gwalior rebel army, 25,000 strong, marched upon him on the 27th of November. It is possible there may have been some justice in the criticism afterwards made in calmer moments, that he should have waited the attack in his entrenchments: but it must be remembered that his condition was desperate, that advantages might be expected from taking the initiative, and that he was not accurately informed as to the numbers of the enemy. He advanced upon them through the village of Cawmpore, beat them at Pandoo Nuddee, but on the following day was compelled to retire before their overwhelming numbers, and after losing his baggage was saved from defeat by the arrival of Sir Colin Campbell on his return from Cawnpore.
On the termination of the war Windham returned to England and performed his duties as member for East Norfolk till 1859. He was at this time guardian to his nephew, Mr. W.F. Windham, of Felbrigg, a young gentleman whose extravagant conduct threatened total ruin of the old family estates. After he had attained his majority his eccentricities became so serious that the General considered himself justified in making an attempt to save the young man and his property by asking for a commission de lunatico inquirendo. The trial, which took place in 1862, roused the greatest indignation in the popular mind, ever jealous of the liberty of any individual to ruin himself if he chooses. The most improbable stories were circulated and believed of the wicked uncle's cruelty and avarice, and received an apparent support from the verdict of the jury in favour of young Windham after thirty-four days' inquiry. Lord Justice Knight Bruce, on a petition as to costs, which amounted to 20,000 pounds, ordered them to be paid out of the Felbrigg estates, and said, "The jury had decided that Mr. Windham was not a congenital imbecile, and he (the Lord Justice) did not mean to impugn their decision, but if he were asked to go further he should not be prepared to do so. He did not doubt that there was sufficient cause for inquiry, nor could he question the motive of the original petitioner when he considered what had occurred shortly after he came into possession of his property. Upon the whole, his opinion was that the original petition was bona fide, not made from personal motives or considerations, but with a view to the best interests of this petitioner."
In 1868 General Windham was appointed Lieutenant-General Commanding-in-Chief in the Dominion of Canada. He was colonel of the 46th Foot, a K.C.B., and a Knight of the French, Turkish, and Sardinian orders.
THE LATE SIR CHARLES WINDHAM.
Few men of the present age have been more suddenly exalted at one moment or more unjustly depreciated at another by popular opinion than the late Sir Charles Windham. His hearty and eager manner and fluent unrestrained discourse may possibly have rendered him liable to attach where others would have escaped notice: by to him words were not given for the purpose of concealing his thoughts, and his vigorous language was the outpouring of a warm and honest heart. Born in 1810 and educated at the then new Military College of Sandhurst, Charles Ashe Windham devoted himself from his earliest days to the military profession. He entered the Coldstream Guards in 1826, but, with the exception of a trip to Canada during Papineau's rebllion, he saw no real service till the breaking out of the Russian war in 1854. He was then appointed Assistant Quartermaster General, and was attached to the 4th division. He was the Alma and at Balaklava. At Inkerman he was near Sir George Cathcart when that general was killed, and he was actively engaged in the first attack on the Redan. On the 8th of September he commanded one of the storming parties sent against the Russian works, and, dashing rapidly across the ground between the fifth parallel and the Redan, succeeded in driving the defenders from their post. But the latter, taking shelter behind their second line, poured so heavy a fire on the Englishmen huddled behind whatever cover they could find in the angle of the work, that further advance was impossible. Windham, perceiving that the advantage gained would be lost without further reinforcements, himself returned to Codrington to ask for assistance. In doing this he recrossed the open ground he had already traversed, which was now exposed to a murderous fire. Yet he was afterwards freely blamed for performing this dangerous service, for it was said that he should not have left his men alone in the Redan. Some idea that his action might be open to misconstruction evidently passed through his mind, for before he left them he said to Captain Crealock, "I must go to the General for support. Now mind, let it be known in case I am killed why I went away." He reached the English lines in safety, and was about to lead the reinforcement on when to his dismay he perceived his own men issuing from the Redan and hurriedly retiring. Those who were present on the spot, who knew all the circumstances of the case, and who were best qualified to form judgment on the cause of the failure, never attributed any blame to Windham, but, on the contrary, loudly proclaimed their admiration of his gallantry. Yet there were not wanting other who spoke sneeringly and disparagingly of the "distinguished and intrepid conduct" on this occasion for which he was promoted to the rank of major-general. He soon afterwards obtained the command of the 4th Division, and was then appointed chief of the staff to Sir William Codrington.
In 1857 he obtained employment in India, and accompanied Sir Colin Campbell on his march to relieve Lucknow. Windham was left with a small force at Cawnpore to protect the communication of the main body. Here he was threatened by ten times his own number. The Gwalior rebel army, 25,000 strong, marched upon him on the 27th of November. It is possible there may have been some justice in the criticism afterwards made in calmer moments, that he should have waited the attack in his entrenchments: but it must be remembered that his condition was desperate, that advantages might be expected from taking the initiative, and that he was not accurately informed as to the numbers of the enemy. He advanced upon them through the village of Cawmpore, beat them at Pandoo Nuddee, but on the following day was compelled to retire before their overwhelming numbers, and after losing his baggage was saved from defeat by the arrival of Sir Colin Campbell on his return from Cawnpore.
On the termination of the war Windham returned to England and performed his duties as member for East Norfolk till 1859. He was at this time guardian to his nephew, Mr. W.F. Windham, of Felbrigg, a young gentleman whose extravagant conduct threatened total ruin of the old family estates. After he had attained his majority his eccentricities became so serious that the General considered himself justified in making an attempt to save the young man and his property by asking for a commission de lunatico inquirendo. The trial, which took place in 1862, roused the greatest indignation in the popular mind, ever jealous of the liberty of any individual to ruin himself if he chooses. The most improbable stories were circulated and believed of the wicked uncle's cruelty and avarice, and received an apparent support from the verdict of the jury in favour of young Windham after thirty-four days' inquiry. Lord Justice Knight Bruce, on a petition as to costs, which amounted to 20,000 pounds, ordered them to be paid out of the Felbrigg estates, and said, "The jury had decided that Mr. Windham was not a congenital imbecile, and he (the Lord Justice) did not mean to impugn their decision, but if he were asked to go further he should not be prepared to do so. He did not doubt that there was sufficient cause for inquiry, nor could he question the motive of the original petitioner when he considered what had occurred shortly after he came into possession of his property. Upon the whole, his opinion was that the original petition was bona fide, not made from personal motives or considerations, but with a view to the best interests of this petitioner."
In 1868 General Windham was appointed Lieutenant-General Commanding-in-Chief in the Dominion of Canada. He was colonel of the 46th Foot, a K.C.B., and a Knight of the French, Turkish, and Sardinian orders.
(Pall Mall Gazette, 8 Feb 1870, page 3)
THE LATE SIR CHARLES WINDHAM.
Few men of the present age have been more suddenly exalted at one moment or more unjustly depreciated at another by popular opinion than the late Sir Charles Windham. His hearty and eager manner and fluent unrestrained discourse may possibly have rendered him liable to attach where others would have escaped notice: by to him words were not given for the purpose of concealing his thoughts, and his vigorous language was the outpouring of a warm and honest heart. Born in 1810 and educated at the then new Military College of Sandhurst, Charles Ashe Windham devoted himself from his earliest days to the military profession. He entered the Coldstream Guards in 1826, but, with the exception of a trip to Canada during Papineau's rebllion, he saw no real service till the breaking out of the Russian war in 1854. He was then appointed Assistant Quartermaster General, and was attached to the 4th division. He was the Alma and at Balaklava. At Inkerman he was near Sir George Cathcart when that general was killed, and he was actively engaged in the first attack on the Redan. On the 8th of September he commanded one of the storming parties sent against the Russian works, and, dashing rapidly across the ground between the fifth parallel and the Redan, succeeded in driving the defenders from their post. But the latter, taking shelter behind their second line, poured so heavy a fire on the Englishmen huddled behind whatever cover they could find in the angle of the work, that further advance was impossible. Windham, perceiving that the advantage gained would be lost without further reinforcements, himself returned to Codrington to ask for assistance. In doing this he recrossed the open ground he had already traversed, which was now exposed to a murderous fire. Yet he was afterwards freely blamed for performing this dangerous service, for it was said that he should not have left his men alone in the Redan. Some idea that his action might be open to misconstruction evidently passed through his mind, for before he left them he said to Captain Crealock, "I must go to the General for support. Now mind, let it be known in case I am killed why I went away." He reached the English lines in safety, and was about to lead the reinforcement on when to his dismay he perceived his own men issuing from the Redan and hurriedly retiring. Those who were present on the spot, who knew all the circumstances of the case, and who were best qualified to form judgment on the cause of the failure, never attributed any blame to Windham, but, on the contrary, loudly proclaimed their admiration of his gallantry. Yet there were not wanting other who spoke sneeringly and disparagingly of the "distinguished and intrepid conduct" on this occasion for which he was promoted to the rank of major-general. He soon afterwards obtained the command of the 4th Division, and was then appointed chief of the staff to Sir William Codrington.
In 1857 he obtained employment in India, and accompanied Sir Colin Campbell on his march to relieve Lucknow. Windham was left with a small force at Cawnpore to protect the communication of the main body. Here he was threatened by ten times his own number. The Gwalior rebel army, 25,000 strong, marched upon him on the 27th of November. It is possible there may have been some justice in the criticism afterwards made in calmer moments, that he should have waited the attack in his entrenchments: but it must be remembered that his condition was desperate, that advantages might be expected from taking the initiative, and that he was not accurately informed as to the numbers of the enemy. He advanced upon them through the village of Cawmpore, beat them at Pandoo Nuddee, but on the following day was compelled to retire before their overwhelming numbers, and after losing his baggage was saved from defeat by the arrival of Sir Colin Campbell on his return from Cawnpore.
On the termination of the war Windham returned to England and performed his duties as member for East Norfolk till 1859. He was at this time guardian to his nephew, Mr. W.F. Windham, of Felbrigg, a young gentleman whose extravagant conduct threatened total ruin of the old family estates. After he had attained his majority his eccentricities became so serious that the General considered himself justified in making an attempt to save the young man and his property by asking for a commission de lunatico inquirendo. The trial, which took place in 1862, roused the greatest indignation in the popular mind, ever jealous of the liberty of any individual to ruin himself if he chooses. The most improbable stories were circulated and believed of the wicked uncle's cruelty and avarice, and received an apparent support from the verdict of the jury in favour of young Windham after thirty-four days' inquiry. Lord Justice Knight Bruce, on a petition as to costs, which amounted to 20,000 pounds, ordered them to be paid out of the Felbrigg estates, and said, "The jury had decided that Mr. Windham was not a congenital imbecile, and he (the Lord Justice) did not mean to impugn their decision, but if he were asked to go further he should not be prepared to do so. He did not doubt that there was sufficient cause for inquiry, nor could he question the motive of the original petitioner when he considered what had occurred shortly after he came into possession of his property. Upon the whole, his opinion was that the original petition was bona fide, not made from personal motives or considerations, but with a view to the best interests of this petitioner."
In 1868 General Windham was appointed Lieutenant-General Commanding-in-Chief in the Dominion of Canada. He was colonel of the 46th Foot, a K.C.B., and a Knight of the French, Turkish, and Sardinian orders.
THE LATE SIR CHARLES WINDHAM.
Few men of the present age have been more suddenly exalted at one moment or more unjustly depreciated at another by popular opinion than the late Sir Charles Windham. His hearty and eager manner and fluent unrestrained discourse may possibly have rendered him liable to attach where others would have escaped notice: by to him words were not given for the purpose of concealing his thoughts, and his vigorous language was the outpouring of a warm and honest heart. Born in 1810 and educated at the then new Military College of Sandhurst, Charles Ashe Windham devoted himself from his earliest days to the military profession. He entered the Coldstream Guards in 1826, but, with the exception of a trip to Canada during Papineau's rebllion, he saw no real service till the breaking out of the Russian war in 1854. He was then appointed Assistant Quartermaster General, and was attached to the 4th division. He was the Alma and at Balaklava. At Inkerman he was near Sir George Cathcart when that general was killed, and he was actively engaged in the first attack on the Redan. On the 8th of September he commanded one of the storming parties sent against the Russian works, and, dashing rapidly across the ground between the fifth parallel and the Redan, succeeded in driving the defenders from their post. But the latter, taking shelter behind their second line, poured so heavy a fire on the Englishmen huddled behind whatever cover they could find in the angle of the work, that further advance was impossible. Windham, perceiving that the advantage gained would be lost without further reinforcements, himself returned to Codrington to ask for assistance. In doing this he recrossed the open ground he had already traversed, which was now exposed to a murderous fire. Yet he was afterwards freely blamed for performing this dangerous service, for it was said that he should not have left his men alone in the Redan. Some idea that his action might be open to misconstruction evidently passed through his mind, for before he left them he said to Captain Crealock, "I must go to the General for support. Now mind, let it be known in case I am killed why I went away." He reached the English lines in safety, and was about to lead the reinforcement on when to his dismay he perceived his own men issuing from the Redan and hurriedly retiring. Those who were present on the spot, who knew all the circumstances of the case, and who were best qualified to form judgment on the cause of the failure, never attributed any blame to Windham, but, on the contrary, loudly proclaimed their admiration of his gallantry. Yet there were not wanting other who spoke sneeringly and disparagingly of the "distinguished and intrepid conduct" on this occasion for which he was promoted to the rank of major-general. He soon afterwards obtained the command of the 4th Division, and was then appointed chief of the staff to Sir William Codrington.
In 1857 he obtained employment in India, and accompanied Sir Colin Campbell on his march to relieve Lucknow. Windham was left with a small force at Cawnpore to protect the communication of the main body. Here he was threatened by ten times his own number. The Gwalior rebel army, 25,000 strong, marched upon him on the 27th of November. It is possible there may have been some justice in the criticism afterwards made in calmer moments, that he should have waited the attack in his entrenchments: but it must be remembered that his condition was desperate, that advantages might be expected from taking the initiative, and that he was not accurately informed as to the numbers of the enemy. He advanced upon them through the village of Cawmpore, beat them at Pandoo Nuddee, but on the following day was compelled to retire before their overwhelming numbers, and after losing his baggage was saved from defeat by the arrival of Sir Colin Campbell on his return from Cawnpore.
On the termination of the war Windham returned to England and performed his duties as member for East Norfolk till 1859. He was at this time guardian to his nephew, Mr. W.F. Windham, of Felbrigg, a young gentleman whose extravagant conduct threatened total ruin of the old family estates. After he had attained his majority his eccentricities became so serious that the General considered himself justified in making an attempt to save the young man and his property by asking for a commission de lunatico inquirendo. The trial, which took place in 1862, roused the greatest indignation in the popular mind, ever jealous of the liberty of any individual to ruin himself if he chooses. The most improbable stories were circulated and believed of the wicked uncle's cruelty and avarice, and received an apparent support from the verdict of the jury in favour of young Windham after thirty-four days' inquiry. Lord Justice Knight Bruce, on a petition as to costs, which amounted to 20,000 pounds, ordered them to be paid out of the Felbrigg estates, and said, "The jury had decided that Mr. Windham was not a congenital imbecile, and he (the Lord Justice) did not mean to impugn their decision, but if he were asked to go further he should not be prepared to do so. He did not doubt that there was sufficient cause for inquiry, nor could he question the motive of the original petitioner when he considered what had occurred shortly after he came into possession of his property. Upon the whole, his opinion was that the original petition was bona fide, not made from personal motives or considerations, but with a view to the best interests of this petitioner."
In 1868 General Windham was appointed Lieutenant-General Commanding-in-Chief in the Dominion of Canada. He was colonel of the 46th Foot, a K.C.B., and a Knight of the French, Turkish, and Sardinian orders.
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