Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-06

Sir Uarnet Nolseley, who has Just beer
appointed to the communicable of the
British forces operating against the Zulus
as well as to the civil control Of Natal, the
Transvaal and other outlying districts, wa:
born at Golden Bridge House, near Dublin
and springs from the ancient stock of Wolse-
ley, of Mount Wolseley, in the county Car.
low. The new commander-in-chiefi is COM
paratiYely young for either position, being
only A.. Thus ne is six years the junior Of
Lord Chelmsford, whom he supersedes as
military leader, and eighteen years the Junior
Of Sir Bartle Frere, whom he disp!aces as
chief executive in the border colonies lie
wet his first commission with his blood
while serving as an ensign Of the Eightieth
foot in the attack upon Mvatoon, robber-
chief of Burmah. lie also displayed con-
spicuous gallantry at the storming Of Pegu.
Before his twentieth year was full, he had
received severe wound, and won medal
Of honor. In 1854, when Just out of his
minority, he obtained leutenancy in the
Ninetieth light infantry. and went with
that famous regiment to the siege of Sebas-
topol. Here he served is an officer of engin-
GERS till the great fortress fell. lie was
present at the capture Of the Russian Quar-
ries, and took part in the unsuccessful
assault upon the Redan. His Crimean ex-
PLOTS obtained for him two decorations,
the Legion Of Honor from France and the
order of the Medjldic from Turkey.
Hardly had the capture OF Sebastopol re-
leased young Wolseley IRON the field. when
the Indian mutiny called him to another
continent and fercer struggle. We find
him now, a major in the Nlnetieth foot,
marching with Outram to the relief of Luck
now, and ranked with the heroic garrison
throughout the latter stages Of that terrible
investment. Subsequently he Joined the
staff of Sir Hope Grant, and after the last
spark OF the mutiny had been sttmped out,
accompanied that general to the Chinese
war. The short campaign against the Celes-
tials, which closed with the fall of Pekin,
added Il medal and two clasps TO Wolseley's
marks Of distinction. The threatened en-
broiment with this country over the seizure
of the Trent called large British force to
Canada, an Wclseley, very stormy petrol
Of the army, went with it for his share Of
the fighting. When the trouble passed he
settled down as quartermaster-g general in
Montreal. And there. in this most i'm
probable Of all unlikely places. his life
long luck brought him new and high dis
tinctiOn. The sauatters Of the Red River
broke out in semi-rebellion. A body
of troops wa1 organized to suppress
the rising and General Wolscley
took command Of tue expedition. Tho
instruction flashed in the pan. Resistance
collapsed at his approach. But the admin
istratise ability which he displayed through
out the affair secured for him his title AZ
Knight Commander Of the Order of St.
Michael aud ST. George, and brought him.
in 1871, TO the position of assistant adju-
tant-general ON the headquarters staff OF the
British army.
The war with the Ashantees drew Sir
Garnet Wolse.ey again to the fore front of
England's battle. His conduct of the Red
River expedition had proved him, beyond
dispute, the iittest commander to lead the
against Coomassie Never was an
enterprise crowned with swift
ter or more complete success. Sir Garnet
splendid staff, and placed every
department in competent hands. The pre-
partitions Tor the advance were made with
4 thoroughness which. of itself, was war
rant against failure. When the army
started upon its blind march through the
bush, adequate precautions were tax
en- to prevent disastrous sur
prise. Every encampment was fortified in
the best manner practicable. Recognizing
that strange foe would need to be met by
new tactics, Sir Garnet devised an "order Of
march and battle" which eilectually counter
acted the numbers and fury of the Ashantees
The invading column moved in such fashion
that it could at once be thrown into an
'open square" Thus, when the savage
enemy poured in on all sides, with the same
'ugiy rush" which broke the thin scarlet,
line at lsandlana, SIR Garnet met them with
A front in every direction, and formation
that drew iirmer under pressure. As the
fruits Of his faultless tactics and strategy, he |
defeated the Ashantees in every encounter,
occupied their capital by an advance 50 ire |
,istlble that in its last stages 1t was unOp-
posed, and dictated terms OF peace to the bar |
larian king. This triumph brought the VIC |
orous general splendid sheaf Of hOnors and |
ewards. On his return to England he was
made military knight Commander of the
Bath Parliament passed vote Of thanks
% him, and weighted its gratitude with a
,rsnt of Sl25 900 to recompense chs cOur-
Ige, energy and perseverance," The city
Il London conferred its freedom upon him.
md presented him with jewelled sword Of
lon,r. valued at one hundred guineas.
Since then Sir Garnet Wolseley has served
lis country in several high Offices, connected
With civil az well as military administration
n 1875, he was sent fer a short time to
fatal, to take charge of the government ami
range the deiences Of that colony. Subse-