Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-01-08
Great Captains.
THE IRON DUKE, THE CoMoUERoR OF
NAPOLEON.

Arthur Wellesley, "the Iron Duke. u
the Hero of Hundred Battles" ranks
in history as one of the most illustrious
captains of ancient of modern times.
Great as are the names of her soldiers,
won on battle-felds that gave to Eng
land her prestige and glory, above them
all, in the esteem of all classes, stands
that of Wellington.
And justly 50, for the record he made
through life of field service that wit
messed his steady progress from CON-
mander-in-chief, was scarcely marred by
a defeat, while the crowning act of over
coming Napoleon, at Waterloo. by the
exercise of all the qualities that make
soldiers great, gave to English arms and
English prowess glory that time will
never dim.
In his career we read again the les
son Cn"N has had so many exempli6cation
IN eminent mems hves-namely, that
devotion to duty and patience in the
pursuit of an object are sure to effect
great results; and it is we'll for Ameri-
can youth, so impatient OF restraint and
so eager to obtain quick advancement,
to take to heart the moral which Well
ington's career presents.
Arthur Wesley was third son of the
Earl of Mornington, of the county of
Meath, Ireland. An was born at Dau-
gan Castle in 1859. was educated at
Eton college, but before he was eighteen
he was in the army as ensign. soon to
be advanced to lieutenancy and finally
to a captaincy, in 1891. Two years
later he was made mayor, but had as
yet seen no actual service.
After a session in the Irish Parlia-
ment, and action as side to the Lord
Lieutenant, he went, upon his first active
service, to the Netherlands, as lieuten-
ant-colonel of the SD regiment-after
ward to become so noted undor his COM
mand. He was made colonel of this
regiment in 1897, when he assumed the
name of Wellesley, in Difference to- the
wishes of his elder brother, the Marquis
Wellesley Orchard Colley Wellesley.
The regiment was then ordered to India,
and there Arthur's career may be said
to have commenced. In 1898 his broth
er, the marquis. arrived in India as
doveruUr- General. 1t was most crItl-
cal time to English supremacy in the
East. Napoleon. then in Egypt, was in
communication with Tippoo Saib, Sultan
of Mysore. with the design of expelling
the English from India. The French
intrigues make it necessary for Welles-
ley to act promptly and severely. The
British army marched, under General
Harris, into Mysore, accompanied by q
strong native contingent-of which Col
onel Arthur Wellesley had command.
| A brilliant and Decisive battle at Mala
velly followed, TippOO being defeated
Then the great city of Seringapatam wa'
besieged and taken by storm-the Sui
tan being among the slain.
In this, his first campaign, the colone
proved his good qualities. The fighting
was keen, and the generalship on boil
sides admirable. Sir Arthur was mad
Mayor General and governor of the cap
tured city and province Q799), and a
such added measurable to his reputation
in council chamber and field.
In 1903 the great battle of Assay
was fought. With only eight thousan'
men Wellesley met, and, after ferc
combat, defeated the Indian army q
thirty thousand under Scindiah and tn
| Rajah of Berar, taking ninety pieces c
fine artillery. This was rapidly succeed
ed by the siege and capture of severa
of the Indian strongly fortified towns
and the war Called the "Mahratt
War'') was ended by treaties with tn
Rajah and Scindiah that reduced thel
to the tributary of Great Britain.
He was voted sword valued at
thousand pounds by the British citizen
in Calcutta-received addresses, ovation
and most elegant service of plate, 6
Bambay, and held brilliant reception
at Madras and Seringapatam. Parlis
ment voted him thanks, ETC., etc. Th
war ended. he resigned his honorabl
offices and returned to England 1906
to enter upon that opposition to Napo
con and revolutionary France, whic
was to end in the great usurper's owe
throw.
Sir Arthur now served in Parliamen
married. was chief secretary of Irelan,
ETC.. ETC., but went in the expedite
against Copenhagen Q800-where
routed the Danes. In 1908 he W;
T made lieutenant general, and given cor
, mand of the army to drive the FrenC
out of Spain and Portugal, but, in IL
! very midst of campaign against Jun
: he outranked Sir Harry Burrard, and
l terrible mess was made of the whole a
fair. Instead of Junot being destroyt
q an arrangement" was made, wherel
t he and all his army were actually sen
= in English transports to a French nor