Note 198 — 1855. SEBASTOPOL. 9th September, 1855-28th January, 1856.

Distinguished at the battle of Giurgevo for his gallantry. A fine, handsome soldier, he was admired by both officers and men. When work had to be done, he would toil like a slave to accomplish it; and when duty demanded his services he was never absent. His propensity to drink, however, placed it out of the power of his officers to award him promotion. At the Cape of Good Hope, he earned a medal for his services in the Kaffir war of 1846-47, and received another medal and a second-class prize for his conduct and usefulness at the Great Exhibition of 1851. He was employed in that duty at the instigation of Major Bent, who generously became surety for his good behaviour. Well did he support the Major’s recommendation; but on his removal from London at the close of the Exhibition, he soon relapsed into his former habits. His bravery in the battle of Giurgevo is already told; and the decoration of the order of the Medjidie, placed on his breast by Omar Pacha—a distinction never before conferred on one of so humble a rank—failed to inspire him with sufficient pride to curb his excesses; and there is reason to fear, that his melancholy fate was brought on by his infatuated indulgence.