Yesterday I received your Letter of the 25th April in Answer to my requisition for a corps being attached to the Artillery. As his Excellency the Commander in Chief does not readily give his Consent to it, I will not press the matter, however necessary it may be.

With regard to the Idea which you say prevails with many Corps "that Detachments when with the Artillery are exposed to services of Labour and Danger beyond what is fairly their proportion--" I can only say, as I never knew of any such instance of partiality take place, that the Idea of those Corps respecting Labour and Danger must exceed any ever formed by the Artillery; which proceeds perhaps, from our being more accustomed to both.

The Grounds on which this Assertion is founded, however requires a more exact investigation; and I do make it my most particular request, that His Excellency The Commander in Chief will be pleased to Order, the Report of the Commanding Officer of York Volunteers, as also that of the Officer lately attached to the Corps of Artillery, to be formally inquired into: When I trust, it will be found that the Hardships and dangers complained of, exist only in the Nature of a Service They could never before have form'd any Idea of.

And as for their being selected for Danger in particular instances, I believe the Character of the British Artillery makes it unneccessary to say, that it is impossible for them to act so very humble a part.

I have the Honor to be
Sir
Your Most obedt.
Humble Servant
P: TRAILLE Major
Commanding the royal Artillery

Major ANDRE´
  &c &c &c

Copyright Restrictions    Document Formatting    Optimal Viewing