Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-17
THE LATE LORD NAPIER.
The Long and Eventful Career of a British
Soldier.

The Long and Eyentful Career of a British
Soldier.
Robert Cornelius, Baron Napier of Mag
dala whose death from influenza has been
announced by "a London d dispatch, has oc-
cupied for nearly thirty-fiye years an en-
viable position IN British military circles.
He was the son Of Major @. +. Napier, II.
A., and was born in Ceylon in 1910. Edu-
Gated at the Military Acadelny of Adds
combe, he Joined the Bengal Engineers
in 1928 as a lieutenant. In the Sutlej cam
paign of lSij-'46 he was twice wounded and
came out of it with the title of major.
During the Indian mutiny he further dis
tinguished himself as chief of the engineer
department of Sir Colin CampbelPs army.
Sir Henry Lawrence. recognizing the sol
dierly qualities OF Napier, advanced him
from post TO post under his administra-
tion. The knowledge the young officer
gained of indian affairs proved OF incalcu-
liable value later on in his career. To him
Is due exclusively the plan of bridging the
Goomtee river prior to the siege of Luck
now. When, after the fall of Lucknow.
the rebels had reunited under the flag OF
Tantla Topee, Napier, now u colonel, was
given command of the forces sent out
against them But dispute arose ut this
juncture, Sir Hugh Rose claiming the
execution of thiS task. Napier was
forced to yield, but. nevertheless, as second
In command of the expedition, did yeo--
mans service. Napier's fame as soldier and
engineer was now widespread. He added to
his laurels in Sir Grant Hopes Chinese
campaign, and was rewarded by being
made major-general and X. G. B., and
the successor of SIR John Outram as mill
tary member OF the Council of India. But
the most brilliant portion Of his career fast
approached. In 1868 ne was created CON-
rnander-in-ehief at Bombay, with the local
rank Of acknowledgement. -Four years later
he began his celebrated campaign in Abyssi-
mia against King Theodore. Its ostensible
purpose was to rescue the Christian cap
tives which that monarch had taken:
Napier's successes made him q national
Zero. In 1868 occurred the battle Of the
Heights of Islamgee and the subsequent
release of the captives. Three days later,
April 10, 1868, Magdala was stormed. and
Theodore. despairing OF making Roadway
against his conqueror, committed suicide.
This was the most romantic chapter IN Sir
Robert Napier's life. On his return to
England after the Abyssinian campaign the
nation rose to welcome him. Parliament
voted him its thanks. the sum OF ~ 900 q
year was granted him and his next heir, no
was given tho freedom of London, was pre-
sented costly sword, and no was finally
raised TO the peerage under the title OF
Baron Napier of Magdsla. In 1870 General
Napier succeeded TO the command OF the
forces in India and was madea member OF
the Governor-Gencral's council Appoint
oil 10 the governorship OF Gibraltar IN 1875,
three years afterward, before the treaty Of
Berlin had ayerted wa with tho Car,
Baron Napier was selected bv the Govern
ment TO command the expeditionary forces
against Russia. HIS browning honor came
to him in 1852, when be was appointed o
British field marshal. He had been Q Fell
low Of the Royal Society since 1869. Twice
married., no has left family Of eight sons
and half as many daughters.