GENERAL WINDHAM.—QUESTION. (Hansard, 15 July 1861)

MR. T. G. BARING

said, that when a Motion was brought forward some days ago by the hon. Member for Brighton he endeavoured to explain to the House the principle on which these appointments were made. Major General Windham stood first on the list of major generals on the ground of seniority and service for appointment to a regiment, and he was, therefore, recommended by his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief to the Secretary for War, and received the appointment to which the hon. Member (Mr. Coningham) had referred. With respect to the latter part of the question, he would ask why Major General Windham now found himself in the list of major generals of the army? and the answer to that question would be a sufficient answer to the question of the hon Gentleman. He found that Major General Windham was promoted to the rank of major general for his distinguished conduct in heading a column which attacked the enemy's defences on the 8th of September, 1855. The Gazettes of that day specified the services then performed by Major General Windham in terms most flattering to that officer. The Commander-in-Chief said— He felt himself unable in adequate terms to express the sense he entertained of the conduct and gallantry displayed by the troops, though this devotion was not rewarded by the success which they so well merited and to not one were his thanks more justly due than to Colonel Windham. This despatch was dated the 8th of September, 1855, and it was in consequence of it that Colonel Windham got his promotion as major general. In another de- 877 spatch, written by his more immediate commanding officer, and of the same date, Brigadier General Windham was specially commended for his gallant conduct during the whole struggle at the Redan. There was no officer in the army who more than Major General Windham would demur to the expression used by the hon. Member for Brighton, that it required what is termed "military exploits," in order to entitle a general officer to the rewards to which his rank on the list and general service would entitle him. But this he would say, that in all circumstances, during the whole of his career in India, from the time he landed in that country till the present day, Major General Windham had done his duty to the satisfaction of the commanders under whom he had served, and in all situations in which he had served, and in all situations in which he had been placed. So much for the question of the hon. Gentleman. But he would not be doing his duty if he did not appeal to the House against the practice of continually bringing forward in that House, not the principle on which appointments were made, but the personal claims and individual characters of officers selected for these appointments. It was not in behalf of his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, or the Secretary of State for War, that he said this, but hon. Gentlemen could hardly be aware of the pain that was felt by gallant officers when, if not attacks, at least insinuations were put down on the notice paper, and discussions took place regarding them in Parliament where they had no opportunity of defending themselves.