History of the Corps of Royal Engineers

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. One Of the consequences of the adoption of this new principle has been the production of the present volumes. They are the result Of diligent research, extending over several years, on the part Of one who has sought thus to occupy such talents as it has pleased Providence to leave unimpaired. I trust that I have in this way created, at all events, a framework which may be developed at some future time in the hands of a more capable historian. It was my intention, when first I began my task, to have embraced the Indian branch of the Corps. I soon discovered that its records were so numerous and full of picturesque interest that it demanded separate treatment. To include it here would have been either to treat it most inadequately, or to produce a book far too voluminous for the ordinary reader. Indeed, as it is, I have been compelled to suppress much that I consider of secondary importance, in order to keep within reasonable limits. As an instance, I have not referred to our New Zealand wars, although undoubtedly the Royal Engineers bore their fair share in these as in other more immrtant campaigns. I simply mention this to show that the omission is not through neglect but of design. The history of the Indian Engineers remains to be written, and a valuable and interesting record it will prove. It is to be hoped that before long some member Of that service will supply the void. The names Of two men pre-eminently qualified for the task naturally suggest themselves - lieutenant-gen eral George Chesney and Colonel Henry Yule. In the hands Of either of these, full justice would be done to a most attractive subject.