The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-05
COLONEL HADEN-PowELL.
Sketch Of the English Commando
Now in Public Eye.

Col. Baden-Powell, who has occa-
stoned so much surprise by moving
from Mafeking toward the Transvaal,
is an officer who has a varied expert
ence of South Africa, where he is well
known, and is feared by the Beers more
probably than any other officer in the
British army. Like Cecil Rhodes, he
is a son Of the rectory, and is still in
the full vigor of manhood. His father
was the late Prof. Baden-Powell of Ok
ford and Langdon Manor, and on his
mothers side he claims descent from
q naval family of distinction.
X Educated at Charterhouse, he joined
the thirteenth Hussars 23 years ago
and as adjutant served with his regi-
also in South Africa. Thus early in his
career he became familiar with the por-
ton of the African continent with
which his name is most intimately as
sociated. In 1887 he was again at Cape
Town as assistant military secretary to
Gen. Sir Henry Smyth, and during his
two years tenure of this appointment
he served in the Zululand operations,
and was mentioned in dispatches-an
honor Of greater value in those days
than now.
After three years service at Malta.
Col. Baden Powell again returned to
Africa. charged with the special SER
vice Of raising and commanding the
ma tive levies in the Ashanti operations.
He was fresh to this part of the coast,
but was fortunate in securing the as
sistance of Capt. (now Maj) Graham,
D. S. o.. Fifth Lancers, who knew the
country and its people well. These two
Officers set to work at Cape Coast Cas-
tie. and in very short time organized
a considerable force, which did good
service pioneering scouting and per-
inc WI
many critics who had hitherto derided
the west coast tribes. Col. Baden-P Pow
ell showed their value as warriors. and
be returned home with the breyet rank
ct lieutenant colonel.
IN 1896, when the Matabele rose for
e. second time, Sir Frederick Car
rington, who was given command of the
British forces to drive home the blow
Col. Plumer had already struck, Sc
lected Col Baden-Powell as his chief
staff officer. His acquaintance with the
country and the people proved of the
. greatest service. and he was again hon
.torably mentioned in the dispatches
>. and received a further step in promo
ton. His services had by this time
marked him out as an officer Of rare
courage and determination. of whom
the military authorities could not af-
ford to lose sight. and soon after he
returned to England he was appointed
to the command or the F1ftn urdSOOnS
Three months ago, on reaching Eng
land from India, he was selected to
proceed to South Africa to raise mill
tary force on the spot and drill it into
efficiency. This he has succeeded in
doing.
Col. Baden Powell is man of
many parts. Distinguished as a soldier
he can also use his pen effectively, and
is the author of several books, in some
Of which he has told the story of the
African warfare in which he has taken
: part. Fond Of painting and etching, he
is also known as a yachtsman, an adept
stage manager and actor, and is keen
sportsman, hunting, polo, big game
shooting and pig-sticking being his
favorite recreations. He takes much in
terest in the last-named sport, and ten
years ago wrote extensively on the
subject.
He has quite remarkable gift of
locality. That is to say, he is able by
some extraordinary instinct to find his
way about a totally UNEMPLOYED coun-
try, and always to turn UP just where
he wished-or thereabout. The natives
think he is "uncanny." He has had adj
ventures of all sorts in many different
parts Of the world. He played polo in
Malta when he was aide-de-camp to his
nncle. Gen. Smythe. and nearly got
killed. He has shot big game wherever