Crimean War: Military reforms

Question 1

Administrative reform in 1855

Answer 1

Select committee to investigate conditions reported in June 1855
- criticised arrangements for transport, provisioning, hospital care and condemned ministers for having sanctioned an expedition which was ill prepared

Question 2

McNeill-Tulloch report

Answer 2

Jan 1856: Sir John McNeill ( Scottish surgeon and diplomat) + Colonel Alexander Tulloch were sent to Crimea to inquire into working of Commissariat and cause of delays in distributing stores sent to Balaclava

• sharply criticised Raglan’s personal staff and General Filder
• led to reform of Commissariat in 1858

Question 3

Overall lack of impetus for military change

Answer 3

1856-68 over 17 royal commissions, 18 select committees and 19 internal war office inquires
- little was actually done as military success in India and other places + waning of public protest over army affairs undermined cause of reform
-Commander in chief was sceptical of change, believing it would damage moral of the army

Question 4

Armstrong’s artillery: an upgrade to previous

Answer 4

late 1850s William Armstrong developed a breech-loading and rifled artillery piece
- more accurate than muzzle loading, smoothbore artillery pieces
- yet army decided old guns were superior in range accourage and ease of work

Question 5

Condition of recruitment:

Answer 5

Poor pay// scant provision for recreation // harsh military discipline

Flogging was not abolished until 1881

Question 6

What were the Cardwell reforms 1868-74

Answer 6

1868: Edward Cardwell appointed secretary of state for war
- reorganised war office, establishing clear division of duties
- short term enlistments introduced
-Determined to abolish purchase system
Localisation Act of 1872

Question 7

Why did Cardwell introduce short term enlistments?

Answer 7

( hoped it would reduce pension list, help for a reserve, ensured army contained men from their prime, induce better class of man to enlist and enhance appeal of service life and improve recruitment)

Question 8

was Cardwell able to abolish purchase system

Answer 8

failed to secure passage of bill initially yet resoled this by announcing the abolition of the purchase by Royal Warrant from 1871 Nov 1

Question 9

What was the Localisation Act of 1872?

Answer 9

divided the country into 66 territorial districts and based 2 battalions, two militia battalions and a quota of volunteers in each district with a depot to receive recruits
- one based at home one served abroad ( home was to train recruits and supply drafts and reliefs abroad

Question 10

How effective were Cardwell’s reforms?

Answer 10

Promised war more than they delivered:

1. no planning department established and no chief of staff appointed to set out strategy of army
2. Army lost more men than gained through introduction of short-service enlistment ( recruitment still a problem)
3. Abolition of purchase did little to alter social composition
4. Localisation did not transform the army, with the constant need for men to serve overseas putting a great strain on home battalions