First Rebuffs

Abstract

After escorting Saint-Arnaud over the crude and bumpy road that led to Balaclava, the spahis returned for service about the person of the new French commander, Canrobert.¹ The particular choice of who was to succeed Saint-Arnaud had been as much a mystery to the British headquarters as it was to most of the French generals. Some were even unconvinced that Saint-Arnaud had recognized his imminent death and given up the command voluntarily. Rather, they believed that he had been relieved because of the Dobrudja affair.² They had guessed that Canrobert would succeed the Marshal and when this proved to be the case, their anxiety turned to relief. In common with Saint-Arnaud, the British at this time regarded Canrobert as a competent officer. “His bravery is without question, and he is esteemed one of their best generals.”³ Raglan wrote to the Duke of Newcastle that he viewed Saint-Arnaud’s retirement “with deep concern” since the Marshal always had “every disposition to act in concert with me... Fortunately,” he went on, “he is succeeded by an officer of high reputation, General Canrobert, with whom I am satisfied I shall have great pleasure in acting, and who is equally desirous of maintaining the most friendly relations with me.”⁴ While Canrobert’s service in Algeria and demonstrated courage in battle made him popular among the French troops, he was reputed an exacting administrator as well. Raglan would now, perhaps, be able to get along better with the French headquarters. This was both the British hope and expectation.⁵