§ MR. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the following incident in the Battle of El Teb, as narrated by three separate witnesses—
Colonel Burnaby did good work with a double-barrelled gun and slugs, finishing ten men with twenty cartridges" (Times, March 3rd).With the double-barrelled fowling piece he (Colonel Burnaby) carries, he knocks over the Arabs who assail him" (Standard, March 3rd).461Colonel Burnaby's massive form was the first I saw over the parapet, firing with a double-barrelled gun into the little cluster of rebels" (Central News telegram in Observer, March 2nd):and, whether he will ascertain whether those statements are correct; and, if correct, if he will state to the House whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, I have not received any official information as to the circumstances of the employment of Colonel Burnaby with General Graham's Force; and, in the absence of such official information, I do not think that I am called upon to express any opinion as to the alleged acts of that officer. I may, however, add that, even assuming that the newspaper accounts of the matter are accurate. I am not aware that Colonel Burnaby did anything contrary to the usages of war. I do not, therefore, propose to take any further steps in the matter.
§ MR. BUCHANANWill the noble Lord state what was the exact position which Colonel Burnaby held in General Graham's Force?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI have very little doubt that when the official despatches from General Graham come home, the circumstances of the employment of Colonel Burnaby will be mentioned.