ARMY WORKS CORPS. When the British generals engaged in the Crimean war, in the later months of 1854, knew that the siege army would need to winter outside Sebastopol, grave difficulties were presented to their notice. The distance from the landing place at Balaklava to the front of the siege-camp was not less than 8 miles; and the only road was a mud track, almost impassable in wet weather. How to get the heavy guns, the shot and shell, the provisions, and the general stores up to the front, was a question not easy of solution. The British soldiers were too few even for the ordinary military duties, and yet they were called upon for services of an extra and arduous nature. When these facts became known in England, a suggestion was made that an " army works corps" should be formed, to consist of strong and efficient rail way excavators, Cornish miners, and well-sinkers; that these should have with them all the tools and appliances for making roads and digging wells; and that they should be accompanied by traveling workshops and skilled artisans, to effect that which might require more skill than physical labor. The immediate necessities of lord Raglan, in regard to bringing up supplies, were met by the construction of a railway from Balak lava to the heights outside Sebastopol, by special contract with Messrs. Peto and Bras sey; but the large amount of bodily labor continually needed for various services, led to the formation of the A. W. C. The raising and organization of this force were
intrusted to Sir Joseph Paxton. As soon as he had obtained 1000 efficient men, he sent them out; and their value was so soon felt by lord Raglan, that other detachments gradually followed, until the corps comprised 3500 men in the later months of 1855. The men were paid well, and they worked well; and as their engagement related only to the special duties connected with the siege-camp, the country was not saddled with any burden after the need for these services had ceased. They did not require to be drilled for their duties, like sappers; and they were ready for work at once, as artisans or laborers. There were some cases of disagreement between the men and their em ployers, after the whole of the British had returned from the Crimea, in a matter of wages due; but this was a question of detail, and did not affect the usefulness of the corps. The experience • was valuable, as showing the relative advantage and disad vantage of employing civilian laborers in military operations. As one result, it may be observed that the military authorities have been careful not to repeat the experiment in later wars.