LORD RAGLAN. 257 and besides — since the first days of May — to be chap. hearing from Lord Eaglan with the frequency '. and the speed ensured by an electric telegraph, was to have the surest clue there could be for dealing not only with the business of war, but also with those anxious questions which touched, or bordered on touching, the state of our relations with France. The Home Government was more impatient of French shortcomings than their general in the field; but his wise and moderate despatches brought them always into accord with his own judgment. They seemed to hang on his words. IT. Resulting in painful losses, and the blank dis- Lord Ragian appointment of hopes which at one time, we thedisap- i it i'ii pi-ini pointnient know, had run high, the engagement or the 18th and losses of June laid so heavy a weight of grief on the the isth of J ° ^ June. mind of Lord Eaglan, that for once he failed to throw it aside, and even confessed to our Govern- ment the bitter affliction he felt.* So accomplished a soldier as he, knew of course that assaults on strong places are always regarded as tentative, may have to be often repeated, and, when failing, are only ' repulses ' far enough from importing ' defeat.' And again — at least under one aspect — he might comfort himself by reflect- ing on the admirable conduct of our troops. Having witnessed the advance of Yea's column
- Private letter to Lord Panmure, 19th June 1855.
VOL. IX. R
