The notion of employing a large cavalry force at Eupatoria or near it, is fallacious, for the Russians command the scanty water supplies, and the allies would have to force the Russian positions ere our cavalry could operate. Even then their services would be limited to a small district, or to the area over which they could carry their own supply of water. LieutenantGeneral Sir Richard Airey, late QnartermasterGeneral of the army, returns to England to-day. He succeeded to that arduous post on the retirement of Lord de Ros, a little before the expedition for the Crimea left Varna, and up to that time he commanded a brigade of the Light Division as plain Brigadier Airey, but his attainments as a scientific officer were well known, and it was supposed that he would fill the office of Quartermaster-General with distinguished success.
However, the mild and quagmires of Balaklava tarnished his reputation. He was overlaid with office work, unable to procure labour, and attacked by sickness and a painfiil affisction of the eyes, which scarcely left him a moment's freedom from pain, and at times entii'elj^ prevented his attendance to his duties, and his administration was not so successful as it was expected to be, nor did the arrangements of the Balaklava charge, which led to the memorable Cardigan-Lucan controversy, exhibit much of the lucidus ordo for which a Quartermaster-General should be above all things distinguished. What difficulties General Airey may have had to contend against no one knows so well as himself, and he can best explain, no doubt, the reason why he failed in achieving what, after all, may have been an impossibility to any one but a man of great genius, vast resources, indomitable will, untiring perseverance, and unfailing strength, spirits, and animal energy.
General Windham leaves the Fourth Division this afternoon, z2