129Now General Sir George Greaves, K.C.B.

130Later, General Sir Thomas Durand Baker.

131The only surviving child of a widow.

132Later, General Sir Thomas Durand Baker, K.C.B.

133Now General Sir Frederick Maurice, K.C.B.

134He wore only a small loin-cloth on his gigantic body.

135Later, General Woodgate, mortally wounded at Spion Kop, in the Boer War.

136Major-General Sir George Colley, killed in action 1881.

137Field-Marshal Lord Wolseley.

138General Sir William Butler, G.C.B.

139Later he asked to remain on till November 1878, in order to complete thirty years’ service, and thus get the full pension of 20s. per diem.

140She was rescued by a missionary.

141The name given to a little post from the fact that in 1836 a Colonist of that name with 24 Hottentots had been surprised there by Gaikas, and after a brave resistance killed without one man escaping. It was not known for many months what had become of the party, in spite of a protracted search ordered by Sir Harry Smith. Eventually a belt worn by Macomo was recognised as having belonged to the deceased Hottentot leader, and later his Bible was repurchased from the Gaikas, with a pathetic note on the fly-leaf that the detachment was surrounded, their ammunition nearly exhausted, and they must soon be killed.

142When the German legion, enlisted towards the conclusion of the Crimean War, was about to be disbanded, all who cared to go to South Africa were sent out, to the great advantage of the Colony. They were industrious, hard-working, and successful gardeners, giving their old country names to prosperous villages, such as Wiesbaden, Hanover.

143I wrote to the Military Secretary of Rupert Lonsdale, in the following December: “Brave as a lion, agile as a deer, and inflexible as iron, he is the best leader of Natives I have seen.”

144The Colonial papers attributed Brabant’s reverse to Colonel Wood having for some reason failed to support him. Our Burghers only laughed at the local papers, but it was republished in the Times.

145The High Commissioner, writing on the 15th August 1879, after pointing out the important bearing which the position of the Flying Column in Zululand had on the safety of Natal and the Transvaal from January to July, said: “I would beg to call attention to the excellent Political effects of the dealings of these two officers with the Colonial forces, and with the Colonists in general. Up to 1878 there had always been amongst the Colonists something of a dread of the strict discipline which was, as they thought, likely to be enforced by a Military officer were they to serve under him, and a great distrust of Her Majesty’s officers generally to conduct operations against the Kafirs. This feeling has now, I believe, disappeared amongst all who served under General Wood and Colonel Buller.”

146The growers which hang from and interlace the forest trees.

147Now Lieutenant-General Lord Grenfell, G.C.B.

148Now Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Warren, K.C.B.

149The Gaika was the legitimate Head of his section of the tribe, but was deposed by General Sir George Cathcart in 1852, and imprisoned for a time, his younger brother, Siwani, being made Chief.

150Bowker was one of eleven children not one of whom was under 6 feet, and three of his brothers were 6 feet 3 inches. Like many others of those serving with us, he had seen his cattle driven off, and had known his relations and friends murdered by Kafirs; but he had a high type of mind, as is indicated by the following story. In a petty skirmish in 1864 he was fired on by a Basuto, who missed him but killed his horse. Bowker fired on the Basuto as he ran, and broke his arm. The man fell, but when Bowker approached stood up stoically to meet the death he anticipated. Bowker bound up his arm and let him go, thinking no more of the matter. Many years after, when Bowker was travelling with his wife in a waggon in Basutoland, buying cattle, he halted at a kraal at sundown, and as usual the Basutos crowded round him. He noticed one man who stared at him closely and then disappeared, but came back within an hour, with all his family, bearing on his head a bundle of firewood, a sheep, and some milk and vegetables, saying, “I offer these gifts to the man who broke and mended my arm.” The firewood could not have been worth less than half a crown, as the country is treeless, and the only fuel is the manure of cattle.

151Now Major-General Laye, C.B.

152Now Sir James Sivewright, K.C.M.G. of Tulliallan, N.B.

153Now General Lord Grenfell, G.C.B.

154Ex-private soldier, 73rd Regiment.

155Killed in Ashanti. Vide p. 279.

156The place of teaching.

157Colonel Sir Arthur Bigge, K.C.B., K.C.S.I.

158General Woodgate was mortally wounded at Spion Kop, Natal, January 1900.

159This letter refuses the assistance on account of Military risks.

160Messrs. T. White & Co., Outfitters, Aldershot.

161Rope made of ox hide.

162I measured the track next morning, and found I had taken the wheel to within 5 inches of the scarped outside of the hill.

163I had been appointed Political Agent for North Zululand and Swaziland in October.

164Son of my friend, General Sir Daniel Lysons.

165A light four-wheeled American carriage.

166Extract from a letter from Lord Chelmsford to Colonel Evelyn Wood:—

“Maritzburg, 10th December 1878.

“You have done wonders with the Dutchmen, and I am quite sure the High Commissioner will be as much obliged to you from a Political point of view as I am from a Military one.—Chelmsford.”

Sir B. Frere to the Secretary of State for the Colonies:—

“Maritzburg, 23rd December 1878.

“I have but little doubt but that the firm, conciliatory, and judicious treatment of these gentlemen by Colonel Evelyn Wood will have an excellent effect, not only locally, but generally throughout the South-eastern Transvaal districts.—B. Frere.”

167Coldstream Guards, serving in Frontier Light Horse; he was Aide-de-Camp to Sir Hope Grant at Aldershot in 1870–1871.

168Now Major-General Sir C. Clery, K.C.B.

169He wrote: “I was sorry not to see your name in Orders for some reward, for all your good service, and for the help you have given me, but it is only deferred. Your loyal and excellent work will not, and shall not, go unrewarded, if I have anything to say to it.”

170Reported as killed in Bambaata’s rebellion, June 1906.

171These were fired by Lord Chelmsford’s troops returning from Sirayo’s district to the wrecked camp. Our Senior officers asked my opinion, what was the probable cause, and I said guns fired after dark indicated, I apprehended, an unfavourable situation.

172It appeared later I had greatly under-estimated the Zulu force, imagining it was the Makulusi regiment only, but the High Commissioner learnt from his agent, and reported to the Secretary of State, not only was the Makulusi routed and dispersed, but that the Nodwengu and Udloko regiments shared in their fate. Later, Sir Bartle Frere wrote: “The Zulus are greatly impressed with the skill with which this force (Colonel Wood’s) has been handled, and are afraid it may push on to the Inhlazatze, and threaten the Royal Kraal.”

173They were drawn from the Border Zulus I enlisted at Luneberg in November, and attached to battalions, 6 to each company; their powers of hearing were extra *ordinary; they could see farther than we could with field glasses,—their vision was surpassed only by the telescope. They lived near the battalion cooking fires, and were the cause of considerable difficulty with respect to their clothing. I could not buy soldiers’ greatcoats in Africa, but it was the dumping ground of cast-off full dress uniforms of the British Army, and I obtained from Maritzburg old Cavalry tunics, those of the Heavy Dragoon Guards being the only ones into which the Zulus could squeeze their bodies, and in these it was only the top buttons that would meet.

174The nervous Chief who feared I was going to arrest him in September.

175Sir Bartle Frere eulogised my agent, Captain Macleod, and me for our “temper, judgment, and patience” in getting Uhamu over from his brother; and a Zulu agent told Bishop Colenso, and Sir Bartle later, that Cetewayo’s altered tone was due to the defection of Uhamu.

176General Woodgate, mortally wounded at Spion Kop.

177Both killed in action a fortnight later.

178Now Colonel Sir Arthur Bigge.

179Lately Colonel Commanding a battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment; now on Staff in India.

180Horses are linked by a headrope being passed through the head collar, and then through that of the next horse.

181They both received the Victoria Cross.

182The death of Piet Uys was a great loss to us, and Lord Chelmsford supported the earnest representations I made in his favour, as did also Sir Bartle Frere, who knew a great deal about him. He was intensely Patriotic, and had done not only good service to No. 4 column, but to South Africa, for although he had opposed the Annexation, the justice of which he denied as regards his countrymen, he admitted its necessity in the interests of the country at large, and he lent all his great influence, in opposition to many of his oldest and dearest friends, in pressing on the attention of his countrymen their duty in combatting our savage foes. He had armed, equipped, mounted, and provisioned his numerous family at his own expense, bringing all his sons into the field. He had persistently refused to accept pay for himself, or for any of his relatives, who, after his death, declined to accept the arrears of pay which I offered. He constantly acted as Arbitrator in compensation cases for damage done in the operations to the property of Dutchmen, and no decision was ever questioned by the sufferers, or by myself, who had to decide on the claim. When one of his own farms was accidentally damaged, he would not allow it to be reported. I asked for 36,000 acres of Government land to be set apart for his nine children, and was supported in my request by the High Commissioner, whose last official letter before leaving Natal some months later was to urge on the Colonial Office the importance of giving effect to my recommendation; but I doubt if it would ever have been carried into effect had I not been afforded the opportunity of stating the case personally to Her Gracious Majesty the Queen, who ensured the provision being made.

183When the latter joined me, not very long before, I had a very favourable report of him from the Assistant Military Secretary, Colonel North Crealock, and my experience during the few days in which he worked under my command fully justified it.

184I tell now the manner of Robert Barton’s noble end, although it was fourteen months later that I obtained the details. He had shown not only distinguished courage, but in actions great humanity, and in the previous January nearly lost his life in trying to take a Zulu prisoner, the man firing his gun so close to Barton as to burn the skin off his face.

When, on receipt of Colonel Buffer’s warning, he descended the mountain, he trotted on westward, followed by the men of the Irregular Squadron who had been with me at the eastern end, and who, before I returned, had gained the summit without further loss. As they reached the western base of the mountain, some of the Ngobamakosi regiment headed them, and they tried to cut their way through, but, after losing some men, retraced their steps eastwards, and, though many fell, Barton got safely down over the Ityenteka Nek.

When I was with Her Imperial Majesty the Empress EugÉnie, in May 1880, on the Ityatosi River, I asked Sirayo’s son, Melokazulo,185 who was a mounted officer of the Ngobomakosi tribe, if he could tell me whether any of his men had killed my friend, whose body had never been found. He said, “No; for I followed you, although you were not aware of it, and, when failing to overtake you, I turned back, I was too late to overtake those who were going eastward, and the pursuit was taken up by mounted men of the Umcityu regiment. I know a man named Chicheeli, who was a mounted officer of the Umcityu, and I believe saw what took place.” I said, “Send for him,” to which he replied, “He won’t come unless you send for him. He will believe Lakuni.”186 Chicheeli came, and talked quite frankly, giving me a still higher opinion of the powers of observation of the savage than I already had. After describing the coat and other clothes that Barton wore, he said, “The White man was slightly pitted by smallpox.” Now I had lived at Aldershot for two years in daily intercourse with Robert Barton, and at once said, “Then it is not the man I mean.” Chicheeli, however, declined to be shaken from his statement, and repeated that the marks on his face were slight, but that there was no doubt that he had had smallpox. Opening my portmanteau, I took out a cabinet-sized photograph and a magnifier, and, examining the face closely, I then perceived that what I had for two years taken to be roughness of skin was really the marks of smallpox, which Chicheeli had noticed as he stood over the dead body.

Chicheeli told me that on the Ityenteka Nek he followed several White men and killed them, one man, as he approached, turning his carbine and shooting himself. When he, with several others, got down on the plain, 7 miles from the mountain, he overtook Captain Barton, who had taken Lieutenant Poole up on his horse. He fired at them, and when the horse, being exhausted, could no longer struggle under the double weight, the riders dismounted and separated. Chicheeli first shot Lieutenant Poole, and was going up towards Barton, when the latter pulled the trigger of his revolver, which did not go off. Chicheeli then put down his gun and assegai, and made signs to Barton to surrender. I asked, “Did you really want to spare him?” “Yes,” he replied; “Cetewayo had ordered us to bring one or two Indunas down to Ulundi, and I had already killed seven men.” Barton lifted his hat, and the men were close together when a Zulu fired at him, and he fell mortally wounded; and then, said Chicheeli, “I could not let anyone else kill him, so I ran up and assegaied him.” I said, “Do you think you can find the body?” “Yes, certainly,” he said; “but you must lend me a horse, for it is a day and a half.”187 I sent Trooper Brown, V.C., with him next day, and, with the marvellous instinct of a savage, he rode to within 300 yards of the spot where fourteen months previously he had killed my friend, and then said, “Now we can off-saddle, for we are close to the spot,” and, casting round like a harrier, came in less than five minutes upon Barton’s body, which had apparently never been disturbed by any beast or bird of prey. The clothes and boots were rotten and ant-eaten, and tumbled to pieces on being touched. Brown cut off some buttons from the breeches, and took a Squadron Pay book from the pocket filled with Barton’s writing, and then buried the remains, placing over them a small wooden cross painted black, on which is cut “Robert Barton, killed in action, 28th March 1879,” and then he and Chicheeli buried the body of Lieutenant Poole.

185Reported as having been killed in Bambaata’s rebellion, 1906.

186This was my name among the Zulus. The word describes the hard wood of which Zulus make their knobkerries, or bludgeons.

187Equal to 60 miles.

188One of my ponies had carried me 94 miles in fifty-four hours, without corn, getting only the grass he could find when knee-haltered.

189Where Vryheid now stands.

190When in December 1878 I was endeavouring to get Dutchmen to join, some queried my impartiality as Arbitrator in deciding claims for captured cattle—the South African form of prize money,—and I rejoined, “I’ll not take any for my personal use.” I gave my share towards erecting a memorial to Piet Uys in Utrecht, and all the soldiers of the column contributed.

191Gun placed on raised ground, thus firing over the parapet.

192Now Colonel Sir Arthur Bigge, K.C.B.

193General F. Slade, C.B., lately Inspector-General, Royal Artillery.

194We paced it afterwards—195 yards.

195Now General Laye, C.B.

196Zulu Chiefs told me in 1880, when they saw our tents struck at 1.15 p.m., they made certain of victory, believing we were about to retreat, and they were greatly depressed by our stubborn resistance.

197A very light waterproof of the day, advertised: “To be carried in the pocket.”

198Locally called the Upoko.

199Lately Commanding a district in the United Kingdom.

200Lord Chelmsford to the Secretary of State for War:—

“Entonjaneni, 7th July 1879.

“I cannot refrain from bringing again to your special notice the names of Brigadier-General Evelyn Wood, V.C., C.B.,... whose service during the advance towards Ulundi from the advanced Base, and during the recent successful operations near Ulundi, have been invaluable.

“Brigadier-General Wood, although suffering at times severely in bodily health, has never spared himself, but has laboured incessantly night and day to overcome the innumerable difficulties which have had to be encountered during the advance through a country possessing no roads.”

201My Zulu name.

202Much has since been done in this direction. The parents of soldiers wounded on service are now relieved from painful anxiety by weekly telegraphic reports.

203Lord Penzance’s Royal Commission on Army Promotion. August 1876.

204Military Life of H.R.H. Duke of Cambridge, by Colonel Willoughby Verner, page 62: “I intend to send Brigadier Wood, he being the best Commander of those in South Africa. His name is in every one’s mouth, from Bugler up through all Ranks, as the man of the War....”

205See page 405, and

Despatch from Lieutenant-General Thesiger to the Secretary of State for War:—

“King William’s Town, June 26th, 1878.

“I am of opinion that his (Colonel Evelyn Wood) indefatigable exertions and personal influence have been mainly instrumental in bringing the war to a speedy close.”

206Now Colonel Sir Arthur Bigge, K.C.B., K.C.S.I.

207Now General Slade, C.B., Royal Artillery.

208See page 352.

209A cow is equal to £3, and a calf 30s.

210Killed at Ulundi, 4th July 1879.

211The War Minister, apprehensive of criticism in the House of Commons, declined to allow me to draw any, even half-pay as a Colonel, for the six months I was absent from the Command.

212They had broken up their laager at Leo Kop that morning.

213Rope by which oxen pull a waggon.

214Vide p. 294.

215I had thought much during the weary hours spent on the post-cart between Maritzburg and Newcastle of the Military Situation, and of the Duke of Wellington’s views expressed in his letter to Viscount Castlereagh, dated the 1st of August 1808. “... You may depend, I shall not hurry the operations, or commence them one moment sooner than they may be commenced, in order that I may acquire the credit of success.” And again, a year later, in a letter written at Badajos to Marshal Beresford, he insists “above all on a determination in the Superiors to obey the spirit of the orders they receive, let what will be the consequences.”

In addressing privately the Secretary of State for War many months later, referring to this period, and the conduct of Detachments employed at Majuba, I wrote: “The depressing effect of the Majuba affair on officers and men at Camp Prospect lasted for some time, but we should undoubtedly have taken the Nek about the end of March; and I think such a victory would have been a gain to all, English, Dutch, Kafirs, and to Humanity generally, and that it would have been cheaply purchased, even had you lost your generals and a large number of troops. I confess I am disappointed at some of the criticisms on my duty in England. It is assumed by many that the generals in command of troops should disregard the orders of the responsible advisers of the Crown, if such orders are distasteful to him and the troops.”

Mr. Childers, who always treated me with the greatest consideration and kindness, in replying on the 21st July, thus expressed his views: “I do not think you need be in the least way unhappy about Newspaper criticisms. Everyone knows you are guided by Instructions from home, which the telegraph makes now more detailed than ever.”

In a letter to my wife, dated the 4th May, endeavouring to console her for the vexation she felt at the unsparing criticisms on my conduct, I wrote: “My life has been spent in worrying the Boer leaders about the murderers of Messrs. Elliott and Barbour. You ask me how much of the feeling in England was known to me? I reply, I always anticipated a great outcry, for I have read History, but such outcry will, I hope, never influence me in Public events. I could not go beyond the clear words of the Instructions I received. So long as I serve out here I shall loyally carry out, not only the words, but the spirit of the orders of the Ministry, if that body is led by Gladstone or Stafford Northcote. We are all astonished here at the Praise and Blame measured out to me on the subject. I should utterly despise myself if I allowed personal feelings to sway me in a matter of Life and Death. I wished to fight, not because I am willing to purchase reputation by expending our soldiers’ lives, but because I believed, and believe that by fighting, the peace of this country could be assured, as it will not be now. I am as vexed at the Praise as I am at the Blame, which is so freely accorded to me. Do not distress yourself, Dearest; I value my own sense of duty much more than the opinion of anyone.”

216Telegram from Secretary of State for the Colonies to Major-General Colley:—

“16th February 1881.

“Your telegram of the 13th. Inform Kruger that if Boers will desist from armed opposition we shall be quite ready to appoint Commissioners with extensive powers, and who may develop scheme referred to in my telegram to you of 8th inst. Add that if this proposal is accepted, you are authorised to agree to suspension of hostilities on our part.”

217From Sir Evelyn Wood to the Secretary of State for the Colonies:—

“Newcastle, 13th March, 9.50 a.m.

“Kruger sending Reuter’s 22nd February message, with Mr. Gladstone’s statement that steps to avoid bloodshed will be taken, asks how far my instructions go. I have replied I am still awaiting your orders, and shall be at Prospect to-day.”

218The Boers did not haul down their flags at sunset.

219I thought I was the only British officer in Heidelberg, but Colonel Fortescue, K.R.R. Corps, came in that evening from Lydenburg, as he mentioned to Mr. Butcher, M.P. for York, and myself when we were riding in Hyde Park in 1900.

220With reference to the Boers’ conduct, I suggested another appeal to arms.

From Sir Evelyn Wood to the Secretary of State for the Colonies:—

“19th April.

“I should allow them to reoccupy Nek. We are quite ready. This will give a decisive military result, and the happiest result for the country. I guarantee we dislodge them.”

221Extract from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir Evelyn Wood:—

“1st November.

“I am quite satisfied with the result of your visit to Umbandeen, which will no doubt have been very useful, and I think you have done all that was possible in the circumstances to settle Zulu affairs.—Kimberley.”

222Mr. Brand told them at the Nek, unknown to me, that if they gave way he was confident the British Government would not curtail the Transvaal.

223My Dissent was published in Blue Book, Transvaal Royal Commission Report, Part I., C. 3114, pages 34 and 56–66, issued in 1882, but a subsequent edition issued soon afterwards omitted my Dissent, which I therefore republish.

Sir Evelyn Wood, while concurring generally with the views of his colleagues, feels bound to record the grounds of his dissent on certain points, at the end of which Dissent he has signed the report.

Dissent.

As regards the question treated in paragraph 16, viz. the trial of those accused of murder during the late hostilities, Sir Evelyn Wood desires to place on record, that, in a telegram of the 30th March, he gave an opinion adverse to the trial of these persons, either by Boers or by ordinary process, and recommended the creation of a Special Tribunal: eventually, however, the Commission recommended the course which was adopted.

2. With reference to the territorial question, Sir Evelyn Wood is unable to concur with his colleagues in the arguments which led them to recommend the abandonment of the Scheme of Separation of Territory agreed to at Lang’s Nek. Paragraphs 44 to 53, of this report, give the arguments of the Boer Leaders against the separation of any territory East of the 30th degree of longitude.

These objections must have been just as evident to the Leaders, when treating with Sir Evelyn Wood at Lang’s Nek, as when treating with the Commission at Newcastle. At Lang’s Nek, they acquiesced in the principle of separation of territory; that they did so is, Sir Evelyn Wood thinks, a proof that they preferred peace, with the proposed separation, to a continuance of war.

To contend afterwards that the Royal Commission ought not to decide contrary to the wishes of the Boers, because such decision might not be accepted, is to deny to the Commission the very power of decision that it was agreed should be left in its hands.

In paragraphs 53 and 54, the majority of the Commission hold that sentiment was the mainspring of the late outbreak, and imply that none of the peace stipulations antagonistic to this feeling can be enforced, without detriment to the permanent tranquillity of the country. Sir Evelyn Wood cannot concur with even the premisses of his colleagues, and he is convinced the approximate cause of the late outbreak was a general and rooted aversion to taxation.

His colleagues appear to have received the statements of the Leaders as expressing the feelings of their followers. In Sir Evelyn Wood’s opinion, the views of the Triumvirate should have been accepted with reserve; and he could not attach the same value that the majority of the Commission did, to the Leaders’ account of Boer sentiments. As it was, his colleagues arrived at their conclusions on this question in Newcastle, before the Commission had entered the Transvaal, and practically before they had any opportunity of learning the wishes of the inhabitants, except through the mouths of the Leaders.

As Sir Evelyn Wood cannot accept the conclusions of his colleagues, based on the arguments of the Boers, still less can he accept those they have arrived at in paragraphs 56 and 57, on the aspect of the Native question. It is argued that by concessions to the Boers on the Territorial question, the Commission would obtain large powers for the British Resident, and also gain the consent of the Boers to conditions not contained in the peace agreement, viz.:—

The creation of a Native Location Commission; the right of Veto on Native Legislation; and the settlement of the disputed boundary of the Keate Award territory;—all of which will, the majority of the Commission think, form the best guarantees for the protection of all Native interests.

Schedule 2 of the Agreement of the 21st March 1881 left to the Commission to define, and to the British Government to determine, what powers should be assigned to the Resident, and what provision should be made for the protection of Native interests, while Schedule 3 made complete self-government subject to Suzerain rights.

It is not apparent to Sir Evelyn Wood that in the Convention any powers greater than those justified by the peace agreement have been so assigned to the Resident: and the creation of a Native Location Commission: the power of veto on Native Legislation: and the settlement of the Keate Award question, appear to him to be matters so directly affecting Native interests, as to be entirely within the scope of the Agreement of the 21st March: however, be this as it may, he cannot believe that any power the Government or the Resident may derive from the Convention will prove as beneficial to the Natives as would the existence of British Rule Eastward of the 30th degree of longitude.

It is admitted that all the Eastern natives would prefer the retention of British Rule in this country, and also, that it would benefit them; it is, however, argued that these are the Natives best able to protect themselves.

To a certain degree this is correct, but we have recently destroyed the military power of the Zulu nation, and have disarmed the people.

In the interests of the Transvaal, but at England’s expense, we subdued Sikukuni, and we have checked the acquisition of firearms by all Natives.

Sir Evelyn Wood maintains, therefore, that the Eastern tribes are not so capable of defence as to be independent of our protection; and while admitting they are not so defenceless as are those on the Western border of the Transvaal, he submits that the arguments of his colleagues prove more conclusively the importance of protecting the Natives on the West, than the desirability of withdrawing protection from those on the East side of the Transvaal.

Sir Evelyn Wood’s colleagues admit the desirability of retaining the Eastern territory under British Rule, and the substantial benefit to the Natives living therein and to the Eastward of it; but they argue that those in the West, who, by their position are unavoidably excluded from our protection, would have suffered loss by missing those favourable conditions which have been secured to them by the Convention. The value of the said conditions must be a matter of opinion until tested by time; and the necessity for making concessions to obtain them is not, Sir Evelyn Wood submits, apparent: but whichever may be the more accurate view, in summing up numerically the interests concerned, the question cannot be confined to those named, but should be considered to extend indirectly to all the natives in South-East Africa.

Sir Evelyn Wood agrees with his colleagues in thinking that the grounds for retaining the country East of the Drakensberg, are less cogent than those for retaining the whole territory East of the 30th degree, and he admits that the relatively small number of the Transvaal natives, East of the Drakensberg, does not alone justify the proposed rectification of boundaries, but he cannot follow his colleagues in the rest of their argument, and thinks that, while studying how best to balance the interests of Boers and Natives, they have overlooked, what was to him, the most important factor in the question, viz.:—the interests of the English Colonies in South Africa. The proposal for a separation of territory proceeded from Her Majesty’s Government. In the month of March, when the negotiations at Lang’s Nek were approaching completion, Sir Evelyn Wood submitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what he considered would be (for British and Native interests) the most suitable boundaries for the Transvaal in case we left it.

The Commission being opposed to the retention of the territory lying to the Eastward of the 30th degree of longitude, Sir Evelyn Wood suggested as a compromise, the retention of the District which lies to the East of the Drakensberg: but it was far less in the interests of its native population that the smaller measure was suggested, than for the sake of tranquillity in Swaziland, Zululand, and Natal. His colleagues have balanced the Eastern and Western Native question, by a comparison of numbers, but a glance at the map will show how very much more important it is to our Colonies to have quiet on the Eastern than on the Western borders. Separated as we now shall be by the Transvaal from the Eastern Natives, it will be impossible for us to exercise over them the influence for peace due to our paramount position in the country.

It is from this cause, he thinks, trouble to England may arise, and this is the consideration which has led him to dissent from his colleagues on the Territorial question.

3. As to the question of belligerency, touched on in paragraphs 107 and 108, it should be borne in mind that although, by the Agreement of the 23rd March, immunity was granted to both the Leaders and to their followers, yet this did not apply to those “who had committed, or were directly responsible for acts contrary to civilised warfare.” This is apparent from Schedule 4, of the Agreement of the 21st March, in which the Leaders engaged to co-operate with the British Government in bringing such persons to justice. Sir Evelyn Wood is therefore unable to agree that there was any question of amnesty in such cases, though the attitude of the Boers, no doubt, precluded the possibility of obtaining evidence.

4. In paragraphs 121 and 122, the question of compensation for damages due to war is considered, and the liability of the Boers, under the terms of the peace agreement, is questioned by one member of the Commission.

Sir Evelyn Wood, who negotiated the agreements of the 21st and 23rd of March, holds them to mean that the Royal Commission was empowered to settle questions of compensation for acts which were in its opinion not justified by the necessities of war, and also questions of compensation for acts fairly subjects for compensation.

In support of this view he stated that, during the peace negotiations, he had quoted, as an instance, the case of a Kafir whose crops had been consumed by the Boer Forces on Lang’s Nek. This act was evidently justified by the necessities of war, but nevertheless in this case, as in that of all subjects of the Queen commandeered against their will, the justice of compensation was alike evident.

5. The next point on which Sir Evelyn Wood desires to touch, is the question of Sub-residents mentioned in paragraph 139.

While concurring with his colleagues that it was desirable to interfere as little as possible with the internal affairs of the Transvaal State, he was, however, of opinion that, in a country as large as France, it could not be expected any one individual, however active, would become acquainted with the real state of feeling of the Natives, and of their treatment by the Boers; and he considered that complaints, however just, would rarely, if ever, reach Pretoria. As regards the Natives external to the State, he held it would be impossible for a British officer resident in Pretoria to ascertain, without aid, their complaints, wishes, and intentions, or to exercise that peaceful influence over them so desirable in the interests of South Africa.

6. Lastly, on the question of remitting the expense of the successful war with Sikukuni, Sir Evelyn Wood dissented from the opinion of his colleagues. Until Sir Garnet Wolseley subdued Sikukuni, no Government was able to obtain taxes from his people, and he occasioned the Boer Government constant trouble and expense; the last expedition, under President Burgers, having reduced the Republic to the verge of bankruptcy.

When we last collected taxes in the country, the people were well disposed and paid cheerfully. Seeing, therefore, that the Boers are about to reap the benefits, both financial and peaceful, brought about by the war, it seemed to Sir Evelyn Wood but just that the Transvaal State should give some return to England for the expense incurred.

EVELYN WOOD, Major-General.

225Now Major-General Sir Thomas Fraser, K.C.B.

226Now Major-General Slade, Royal Artillery.

227Now Major-General Sir Bruce Hamilton, K.C.B., Aldershot.

228Now Sir William Brampton Gurdon, Bart., M.P.

229Who was made a Privy Councillor.

230Who was made a knight.

231It should be remembered that the Boers at this time had no Artillery.

232Sir George Colley’s predecessor had expressed dissatisfaction with the award which had been given on a disputed land case, but he was no horseman, and it was difficult to get to the spot on wheels. Sir George Colley equally doubted the propriety of the decision, and a quarter of an hour on the ground with a meeting of the contending parties left no doubt in my mind that the complaint of the Native was well founded.

233Now Sir James and Lady Sivewright.

234“Yet surely no greater proof of devoted steadiness was ever given than that shown by the Natal Carabiniers on the 22nd of January 1879. Imagine a gentle slope up which is storming a resistless, surging wave of encircling black bodies, which, though constantly smitten by leaden hail, breaks but to sweep on again with renewed force. Imagine a crowd of terrified non-combatants, and friendly Natives, flying through the already burning camp, and pressing on to the rapidly narrowing outlet over the fatal Nek.

“Then there comes on the scene a one-armed man, who, having slowly fallen back before the ever-increasing foe, is now determined to die. ‘Save yourself, as for me I shall remain.’ He thus dismisses the Staff officer, and H’Lubi’s black soldiers, who vainly urge the great Chief to retreat with them.

“Recognising his commanding courage, around him gather some 20 similar spirits, who, nobly disdaining death, resolve to cover the retreat of the guns, or die with them.

“That melancholy field of Isandwhlana is a Record of what Colonists did, in Silence and Death, but none the less a living Record now and for ever. In the place where Durnford fell there was a heap of slain; the enemy lay thick about him, but your sons were as close, and the brave hearts of the best of your fighting men ceased to beat, in the effort to shelter their elected heroic leader. He himself was fully worthy of their devotion, and history will narrate how the ring of dead White men that encircled him, formed a halo round his, and their, renown.”

235The Secretary of State for War telegraphed to me, a small number of soldiers would be sent to strengthen the position in front of Alexandria, about which the Cabinet was apprehensive, and ended with the request, I would mention anything in which I desired help, officially or unofficially; this gave me an opportunity. I replied to the following effect:—“I am greatly obliged for your letter and telegram. I believe there is very little chance of the Egyptians attacking us, but if they do I am confident of defeating them. As a personal request, could you persuade your Department that I was alive from the 22nd December last to the 14th February, which has hitherto been denied, and I have been refused Half-Pay for that period.”

I wrote also fully to a similar effect, adding, “I am ashamed to trouble you on a personal matter, but I am more ashamed of the War Office’s interminable delays.” Mr. Childers was prompt, and long before he got my letter, had a telegram sent to me, “Amount claimed paid to your account at Cox’s.”

Later, I told Mr. Childers I had addressed his office three times without any result, and without his help I should never have got it, unless, perhaps, my refusal to pay some stoppage accruing in January 1882, on the grounds that I could not pay something out of nothing, brought the case to the notice of a higher placed civilian than he who at that time generally decided such questions, even in the case of claims made by Generals.

236Vide page 491.

237From the Secretary of State for the Home Department to Sir Evelyn Wood:—

“London, 16th March 1882.

“Sir,—Though I have not the honour of your personal acquaintance, the great esteem and admiration which I entertain for the service rendered by you in the course of recent events in South Africa induce me to make to you a proposal for which I have received the sanction of the Commander-in-Chief, and the Secretary of State for War.

“The post of Governor of the Isle of Man is vacant, and if it were agreeable to you, I should be happy to submit your name to the Queen to fill that office. I should not have thought of proposing to so distinguished a soldier as yourself a civil office if I had not ascertained from the Military authorities that the temporary discharge of its duties would form no impediment in the future to your military career.

“Of course, if any considerable command offered itself to you, you would be at liberty to accept it, to cancel it, and rejoin the Government when you pleased.

“(Signed) W.V. Harcourt.”

238Now Lieutenant-General H.L. Smith-Dorrien, commanding the Quetta District.

239I took the opportunity which Mr. Childers had given me of corresponding with him direct to tell this story, and to urge for an increased expenditure in the training of Mounted Infantry. I pointed out also that in spite of my remonstrances, we had only a Brigade Signaller, and thus when the Divisional Signalling Officer moved off with the General, the 4th Brigade was left without any signalling apparatus, as lamps, heliographs, were all taken away. The sailors put an electric light on the top of a fort on the extreme left of our position, which lit up at night the most vulnerable portion of the approach to the city.

240Lord Granville to Sir Evelyn Wood:—

“Foreign Office, 28th November 1882.

“It is most important to get the best possible man to be the first of the English officers in the Egyptian service. Everything depends upon it. Should you be willing that I should tell Dufferin you would be available for the post....—Yours sincerely,

Granville.”

241Vide page 483.

242Now Major-General Sir Thomas Fraser, K.C.B.

243Major-General F. Slade, C.B.

244Colonel the Honourable E. Stuart Wortley, D.S.O.

245Major-General Sir F.R. Wingate, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., Sirdar.

246General the Right Honourable Lord Grenfell, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.

247Major-General Sir H.C. Chermside, G.C.M.G., C.B., Late Governor of Queensland.

248Major-General Sir C. Holled Smith, K.C.M.G., C.B.

249Major-General Hallam Parr, C.B.

250Lieutenant-General A. Wynne, C.B.

251Colonel Duncan, later M.P. for Finsbury.

252Lieutenant-General J.H. Wodehouse, C.B., C.M.G.

253Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Rundle, K.C.B.

254Major-General Sir C. Parsons, K.C.M.G.

255General Lord Kitchener, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief in India,

256Lieutenant-General H.S. Smith-Dorrien, C.B., D.S.O.

257Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Hunter, K.C.B., D.S.O.

258Lord Dufferin to Sir Evelyn Wood:—

“Cairo, 1st May 1883.

“Before quitting Egypt I cannot help expressing to you in the warmest terms I can command my appreciation of the extraordinary energy you have exhibited in the creation of the Egyptian Army.

“Though not a military man, I am quite capable of understanding the innumerable difficulties you have had to encounter. I am sure it will be a satisfaction to you to know that the success of your efforts is recognised by everyone, by the Khedive, by his Ministers, and by the Egyptian colony, as well as by Her Majesty’s Government. The justice, the humanity, and the consideration with which you have treated your men have already changed the point of view from which the Native regards Military service, and all your countrymen are proud to think of the effect your character and conduct have produced upon all who have come into contact with you.—Yours sincerely,

Dufferin.”

259Now Colonel Sir John Rogers, K.C.B.

260He had shown remarkable courage at Tokar, Eastern Sudan, and was drowned later in the Nile.

261Extract: Sir E. Malet to Earl Granville:—

“Cairo, 11th August 1883.

“I cannot forward Sir Evelyn’s report on the cholera Epidemic among the Egyptian troops at Cairo, without adding a word to record the high admiration which the conduct of the English officers towards their men has elicited. Sir Evelyn Wood and his Staff, and all the officers, have worked night and day at the measures necessary to ward off and mitigate the disease, and their efforts have met with an almost unhoped-for success. Beyond the immediate benefit of the saving of life which they have obtained, an example has been given of Self-devotion which may have lasting consequences for good in the promotion of respect and regard of the men towards the officers.”

262Now Lord Cromer.

263Vide page 474.

264Telegram—Evelyn Wood to Gordon Pasha, Khartoum:—

“April 19th, 1884.

(Extract): “Fifthly: I would give anything to be allowed to go up to Khartoum by river with British and Egyptian troops when the Nile rises, but I fear I may not be so fortunate as to get the chance, and, I gather from your telegrams in March, you think Egyptians are useless. I think that, considering about two-thirds have four months’ service, and one-third three months only, they would do fairly well with British troops, or in fighting defensive actions. I could not recommend they should take the field without British support.”

The gradual restoration of confidence, coupled with the brilliant example of the Sudanese Battalions, so encouraged the Fellaheen that General Sir Herbert Kitchener wrote to me: “Cairo, 17th February 1888.—I hope my wound will soon be healed up. The Egyptian troops with me behaved splendidly, and were quite steady under fire, which was pretty hot at one time. If I had had more of them I could have cleared out the Dervishes. The Irregulars got quite out of hand.”

Ten years later there were some remarkable instances of the change effected in the spirit of the Fellaheen.

On the 9th April 1898, Captain Hickman, with two troops of Cavalry, intercepted, near the Southern end of the Second Cataract (Wadi Haifa), a raiding party of Dervishes, mostly mounted on horses and camels, under the command of Emir Wad Rahma, driving off a number of looted cattle. Hickman charged home in the centre, his men fighting hand to hand, killing all except two horsemen, who escaped, and eight prisoners whose lives were spared. The Emir resisted with desperate courage, until a trooper, dismounting, literally jumped on and slew him.

Half a Battalion 16th Regiment, 300 men (Fellaheen), in September 1898, in a force under Colonel Parsons, near Gedareff, repeated the manoeuvre for which the 28th Gloucester Regiment wears a double fore and hind peak to its head-dress, and alone successfully resisted a determined simultaneous attack in Front and Rear. As the Dervishes came on the Rear Rank faced about, and both attacks were repulsed.

265Now General Grant, C.B.

266I heard later, in reply to various inquiries from Pall Mall as to whether I had not been unduly severe, he replied that he had the fullest confidence in my sense of justice.

267The invariable answer in the East, where nobody does anything to-day that can be left till to-morrow.

268Some officers, seeing little chance of promotion to be gained by serving in the Egyptian Army, got employment on the British Army Staff. I offered Colonel Wynne such a post, but he declined, saying: “I have a definite Command, and feel bound to hold it until the Expedition returns Northwards.”

269Now Admiral Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean.

270Now Major-General Sir Holled Smith, K.C.B.

271I had purchased every Native cargo vessel working on the Nile, north of Merowi.

272Now Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet.

273Now commanding at Colchester.

274Captain Lord Charles Beresford, to chief of Staff, 10th December 1884: “Colonel Wynne’s organisation here is perfect. I suggest he be made Captain of Cataracts.... Do not see any chance of a block here if all is left to Wynne.”

275Now Roman Catholic Bishop of Nottingham.

276Lord Wolseley to Sir Evelyn Wood: “Remain to see the desert posts cleared out yourself, an operation requiring wise calculation and a good military head. I have every confidence in your doing this difficult job well and quickly.”

277I was advised by one of the first surgeons in London, whom I consulted on my return, that I should never get another nail, but Mr. Bader, the oculist, who was a warm personal friend of mine, discredited this opinion, and said if I kept the finger plastered up long enough a new nail would grow, and he was right.

278Vide page 468. The same officer.

279We had boots sent out to the desert, but vanity causes the Briton to wear at home boots a size too small for him, and the men with swollen feet could not get on those they would have worn in England.

280Now Lieutenant-General Sir J.D. French, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G.

281Died from the effect of a bite from a panther while in command of the Madras Army.

282He wrote to me, Cairo, 18th March 1885: “You will be able to carry away the conviction that you did all that mortal man could do to make an army out of very indifferent material. I shall never forget all the support and assistance you gave me during a period of very great difficulty....” And as Lord Cromer, 5th October 1892: “I do not want to go to India; if, however, I were to go I should prefer you to be Commander-in-Chief to anyone else.”

283Extract from despatch, sent by Lord Wolseley to the Secretary of State for War:—

“Cairo, 15th June 1885.

“Major-General Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., G.C.M.G., K.C.B., was the General of Communications, and brought the utmost zeal to bear upon the arduous and difficult duties of that position. Our line of communications by rail, river, and desert, from Alexandria to Gubat, was about 1500 miles in length. The responsibility of supervising it was great, but, thanks to Sir E. Wood’s ability and energy, and to the efficient support he received from the large staff of officers under his command, the army operating in the front was well fed and provided with all it required. The officers and men of the Egyptian army, under General Wood’s immediate orders, worked along this line with indefatigable earnestness, and with the best possible results to the welfare of the Expedition.

284Warren’s Ten Thousand a Year.

285Each unit taking it in turn for three months.

286This discussion lasted from the time Sir Garnet Wolseley joined the Horse Guards Staff, after the Red River Expedition, till 1904, when a Chief of the General staff was appointed. The Duke of Cambridge’s opposition to any change was shared by many of his contemporaries. General Sir John Michel, who was singularly broad-minded, opposed it. In the 1872 Manoeuvres, from my accident I was unable to ride until the last few days, so undertook the office work of both branches. One evening Sir John Michel was arguing the point against his two Senior Officers, Colonel A. Herbert287 and Sir Garnet Wolseley, and as neither disputant would give way, Sir John, to terminate the discussion, said, “There is no overlapping of work where Staff officers are properly trained, as I’ll show you.—Here’s Wood who has done all our writing, we’ll leave it to him. Tell me, Wood, have I ever in the last three weeks made a single mistake in addressing the Adjutant-General, when I should have written Quartermaster-General, or the reverse?” I owed much to Sir John, but had to speak the truth: “Sir, I cannot recall a single day when you have not made mistakes.”

287Later, Sir Arthur Herbert, Quartermaster-General.

288Now a General officer on the Staff.

289General Sir John Ardagh, K.C.B.

290Lord Wolseley, when informing me privately the matter was settled, wrote: “And I hope you may be as successful in teaching soldiers at Aldershot as you have been at Colchester.”

291Now Major-General Sir Charles Parsons, commanding at Halifax, Nova Scotia.

292Now Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hildyard, Commanding Troops in South Africa.

293Now General Sir C. Mansfield Clarke, Bart., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Malta.

294Now Major-General Sir Charles Parsons, K.C.B.

295Extract from a private letter to Sir Evelyn Wood from Brigadier-General Rimington, one of the most successful Light Cavalry Leaders, who commanded a mounted column in the Boer War, dated Heilbron, O.R.C., 5.8.01: “Nearly all our work is done at night, and we have not yet made a night march without a fairly good result.”

296This has since been changed.

297He died when commanding a Division in India.

298The contractor became a Bankrupt.

299Lieutenant-General Sir James Yorke Scarlett told me in 1868, that to a committee in the early 60’s on which he served, it was clearly shown that on one Station all non-commissioned officers and men on duty received various sums from the forage contractors, down to the orderly officer’s batman, who received 1s. 6d. per diem.

300Now Lieutenant-General C.J. Burnett, C.B.

301The War Office system of centralisation was shown markedly by a Paymaster’s conduct in this case. I received several telegrams suggesting I should give way to the contractors’ demands, rather than risk a failure of supply; and when I declined, I was asked if I was prepared to accept the full responsibility of feeding the Troops. I answered in the affirmative. On the 30th May, sending for a Paymaster, I ordered him to give me a cheque for £1700. He absolutely refused to do so, without War Office authority. However, when I told him to go away under arrest for disobedience, and to send me the next senior Paymaster, he wrote the cheque.

302Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Hildyard, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief in South Africa.

303Now Major-General Sir Edward Hutton, K.C.B.

304Sir C. Mansfield Clarke, Bart, G.C.B., now Governor and Commander-in-Chief at Malta.

305Now General Sir John French, K.C.B., commanding at Aldershot.

306In discussing a possible successor to the Aldershot Command, he wrote, 6th October 1889: “It would be a real calamity to the Army that you should leave it.”

307Now Lieutenant-General C.J. Burnett, C.B.

308As indeed I have often been, but may say now that its statements, and awkward questions, have enabled me, since I became a General, to check many undesirable practices.

309Now the General commanding at Aldershot.

310On the 2nd October 1891: “No man has in my time effected more useful Military work than you, and the Army is beginning to realise this as fully as I do.”

311Such rigidity of movement was suitable to the smooth-bore musket, “Brown Bess,” used in the Peninsular, armed with which our troops embarked for the East, in 1854, and which the 4th Division still carried at the Alma, as sufficient Minie rifles had not been issued to equip it. Unfortunately in the eighties all the Heads of the Army had not, like Higginson, appreciated the history of the Campaigns of 1866, 1870–71, and the bloody lessons around Plevna in 1877.

312Now Lieutenant-General Sir Ian Hamilton, K.C.B., Southern Command.

313Killed in the Boer War.

314He wrote to me from Boston, U.S.: “These two books give descriptions which are realistic and modern. In my judgment, you are quite alone in this, and also in giving unbiassed descriptions of facts.”

315Now Major-General and Q.M.G. in India.

316Now Brigadier-General H. Lawson, C.B.

317Parliamentary Debates—16th March 1896. Supply in Committee—Army Estimates 1897:—“The Quartermaster-General, Sir Evelyn Wood, has in the last two years produced an annual saving of £21,000, on a not very large vote, by systematising transport of stores.” And again, 12th February 1897:—“Sir Evelyn Wood has succeeded in making arrangements to send soldiers by the shortest route, and to give the discharged soldier free conveyance to his selected place of residence.”

318“Despite these concessions, by a most careful economy in conveyance of stores, etc., Sir Evelyn Wood shows a reduction on the vote apart from special services on the manoeuvres. The Vote was £329,000 in 1895–6, £309,000 in 1896–7, and £281,000 in the present year. This is, I think, peculiarly satisfactory.”

319Supply, 19th February 1897. Mr. Powell Williams, Financial Secretary, in reply said: “With regard to Land Transport, a sum of £13,000 had been saved under this head, owing to the Quartermaster-General having made satisfactory arrangements with the Railway Companies.”

320Extract from Diary: 10.1.96—Up at 4 a.m. Left St. Pancras by 1st train.

321See pp. 16, 17, Official History of the War in South Africa, 1899–1902. By Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice, K.C.B.

322Major Milton was not only a clever instructor, but a first-class fighting man, who always carried his troops to the Front. The two companies under his command at Belmont, on the 10th November 1899, lost two officers killed and two wounded, and when he fell, showing a grand example, on the 11th December, the three companies under him, comprising 13 officers, had lost six killed and six wounded. Captain E.M. FitzG. Wood being the only surviving Duty officer who had served with Major Milton throughout the month’s operations.

323My eldest son, now Major and D.S.O., Royal Dragoons.

324Major-General the Hon. Sir F. Stopford, K.C.M.G., C.B. commanding the Home District.

325The pressure may be gauged by the fact that whereas in other years I had taken for hunting purposes forty-six of the sixty days’ leave granted to a Staff officer, yet with the same number of horses I took twelve days only that hunting season.

326I had previously, on hearing Redvers Buller had gone to Natal, telegraphed and written to him my anxiety to serve under and assist him in any way I could. In reply, he wrote: “Frere Camp, 27th December 1899.—Your telegram offering to come and serve under me was a very great compliment to me, and also a temptation.... I was twice on the point of telegraphing from Cape Town to ask that you might come out, and then I thought it was not fair to ask you to come and undertake a job that I in my heart thought only doubtfully possible.”

327The British army had 2½ guns for 1000 sabres and bayonets. On the Continent, armies had 4 or 5 guns for 1000 men.

328He came under my notice in February 1885 at Gakdul, where he arrived on a camel from Abu Klea, with an amputated leg, and I have never forgotten his cheerful demeanour, with the prospect of another 100 miles’ journey to the Nile, which I endeavoured to make as little painful as possible.

329Letter from Major-General Sir George Marshall, K.C.B., general officer commanding the Artillery:—

“I thank you very sincerely for all the assistance you have given us in so promptly supplying all our heavy demands in the Artillery, in men and horses, since we came out. I can assure you that the feeling of Gunners is one of amazement and admiration at such a large force of Field Artillery being sent out so efficiently and promptly. We owe you much for all you did to make us Shoot, and improving our Tactical efficiency, and now when we succeed we give you the praise and gratitude.”

330I put in 64 hours a week in office, besides what I did at home, making up the time after an occasional day’s hunting, by working till after midnight.

331Now Brigadier-General.

333The best lady “on any horse” to hounds in the Essex Hunt.

334“What a magnificent production is the British Infantry soldier. I thought as he went by, tattered and torn, black and greasy, bearded and filthy, on the squares of Johannesburg and Pretoria, how much the British nation owes to him and the officers who made him. I shall never forget the scene at these two places for the remainder of my lifetime; it was worth all the hardships of this war to have been privileged to be present.”

335On the following 2nd May I received an order that all officers attending the Royal Academy dinner were to appear in full dress uniform, so I duly passed it on to a General who I knew had received an invitation. Late in the afternoon I received a telegram cancelling the orders which had been issued to me, not only by the Adjutant-General but by the private secretary of the Commander-in-Chief. I was unable to communicate with my General, who was the only person in uniform, but was much less annoyed than most of us would have been, while I was amused at the excitement of a court official who highly disapproved of officers appearing as such at this function.

The dinner was to me very pleasant, as I sat between the Dean of Westminster and Mr. Ouless, the Royal Academician, who were both delightful companions. Mr. Ouless capped my story of the corporal recognising me as an officer by my bad language when I was lying wounded under the Redan in 1855, by telling us one of an artist, celebrated as etcher and author, who was walking one winter’s day on Hampstead Heath, and passing near one of the ponds, which was frozen over, he saw a crowd collected round it watching a small dog, which having ventured on the ice, had fallen through into the water. The ice was just so strong it could not get out, and yet would not support its weight. The excited owner was shouting, “Half a crown for anyone who will save my dog.” The artist plunged in, and having rescued the animal put it down on the edge of the pond and started running at top speed towards his house at Highgate. He heard a panting man behind him, but fearing rheumatism ran on to change his clothes, till the man caught him up, shouting, “Hi, hi,” and as he reached him called out, “Here’s your money.” Mr. Ouless’ friend being very cold and cross said, “Damn you! Damn your dog; damn your half-crown.” The man touched his cap and said, “Beg your pardon, sir. I didn’t know you was a gentleman.”

336Copy of letter to the Military Secretary:—

“1st February 1901.

“My Dear Grove,—I have thought over your query, ‘If Lord Roberts invited you, would you go out to South Africa and serve under Lord Kitchener?’ I do not think the fact that Kitchener joined me in 1883 as a Lieutenant, when I was raising the Egyptian Army, should influence my decision. If it is thought I can serve our Country by going out, I will willingly go, and serve under Kitchener on the following assumptions: (a) If I am not killed, I come back here if I so desire, and that my South Africa time is not deducted. This was done in Lord Wolseley’s case, (b) That if Lord Kitchener becomes a casualty, no one junior to me shall come out to supersede me.”

337Copy of letter to Lord Kitchener:—

“1st October 1901.

“My dear Kitchener,—As I am now out of office, I can unburden my mind on the subject on which I have long desired to write to you, but I did not feel justified in doing so when I was Adjutant-General. I saw a very generous telegram from you relative to the proposition that I should go to South Africa to serve under your orders. I do not suppose you would ever have thought I was doing anything to try and inconvenience you in any way, but I should like you to know from me that the suggestion that I should go out did not emanate from me in any way, as will be seen by the answer which I gave to Sir Coleridge Grove when the proposition was made. Please regard this as confidential between you and—Yours very sincerely,

“(Signed) Evelyn Wood.”

338Three times mentioned in Despatches.

339“It has been most carefully threshed out by the A.G. The proposed Reports seem to me to be all that can be desired, and I recommend their immediate adoption.”

340Now Major-General J. Grierson, C.B., C.M.G.

341By Charles Dickens.

342See page 553.

343Who was also Assistant Military Secretary.