Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-19
DUKE or coyNAUGHTs RECORD.
Refusal 10 Let Him Go 10 Africn Re-
calls His Experience in Egypt

/ calls HIS Experience ih IL y pr
(New York SUM
The refusal Oi tho queen and Lord
Wolseley TO allow the Duke OF Con-
naugh. 20 accompany the army in South
/ Africa iu any capacity mas recalled tho
! incident with which be was connected at
! Tel-el-Kebir in she Egyptian campaign
! o.. 16Sl. Ia some quarters attempts We're
made 70 cast doubt ON tho Dukes per-
/ sonal courage, but he was not in any way
/ responsible for what took place. and 10
| one who had an opportunity or observing
hIs conduct during that campaign enter
tanned any doubt either as 10 his devo-
| ton 10 his duty or his pluck. lie was
simply o victim 10 his elevated position
and 20 maternal affection.
IN tho order Of the advance mado hy
Sir Garnet. now Lord W0i-elcy. the
Guards Brigade under the Duke Of Con-
naught, had the post OF honor. the right
Of the attacking line. and was supported
BY a. brigade composed OF two IRISH resl-
meuts and ID battalion " marines from
tho Mediterranean Squadron. Late in the
evening Of the day before tho battle.
when the regiments had taken up their
places la the line of advance outside
the camp at INass9ssin Lock, on the
Sweet Water Canal, telegram was re-
celved by Sir Garnet Woseley from the
Queen expressing hor desire that lhe
Duke OF Connaught should not be put
in any dancer AS d telegraph OfI-
clal pat it. 1.-THE old Woman has tele-
graDhed Wolseley that COnudlght is nor
10 be put in place OK Danger Inc queen
Injunction naturally embarrassed r4t
Garnet Wolseley considerably, for TO dee
privc the Queens son OF his command
in the face or the enemy would nave cast
a slur on his reputation that DC would
have been hard Co explain away. IL Was
finally resolved TO send the Guards Bri-
gadc 10 The rear On support and move
mp the supporting brigade into the at-
lacking line. Ine movement brought
about a panic among the baggage and
transport animals that nearly ended iu
general stampede. For a time the noise
rcsembled nothing 50 much as the wash
OF the waves on a pebDly beach during
q gale, but after a time the animals were
qulctcd and the march began. Had the
Egyptians not been in the habit OF with
drawing their OulpOsts about midnight
tie uprOar must have given them warn
ins ana prepared them for what was
coming. But, although taken by surprise,
they opened a heavy though fortunately
a badly-directed fire, and the British cas-
ualtiCs were relatively small. IL happen
od. however, that the casualties among
the Guards Brigade were greater tlan
I'm the brigade in front, The Egyptian ire
being high and passing over the 'front.'
line 10 catch the battali0ns in rear. Tho
Duke OF Connaught had run a greater
risk than If his brigade had remained
In its original place in the formation or
attack.
The incident. however. decided the Bril-
tish army authorities hat I'm future no
members of the royal family near tho
throne should be allowed 20 hold COM
mand or run danger of battle. I'm addi-
ton 20 the anxiety for their personal
safety in case Of danger. they are an in-
cumarance on account OK the special con-
slderation with which they have 90 be
treated. There Is also a certain amount
OF professional jealousy at privileged per-
sons occupying positions belonging by
right 20 men who are passed over and SO
lose chances Of earning distinction. lu tho
case of the Duke of COnnaught, in Egypt,
this was very much so. for 10 was up 20
that time "a tradition In the Guards that
only Guardsman could command
Guardsmen in the field; and the dissatIs-
faction his appointment to the command
caused was very great