Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-09
BULLER AND HIS VISIONS.
British Commander Said to Possess
second Sight.


curious story is current in London
which would seem to indicate that Sir Red
vers Butler, now commander-in chief in
South Africa, is possessed OF the strange
gift of second sight-a singuarly valuable
gift, it must be confessed, for a general.
1t seems that he was at Cape Town at the
time OF Sir George Colley's disastrous rout
at the battle of Majuba Hill, relates the
Washington Post. On the day of the bat
tie, although he was many hundreds of
miles away, he saw vvidly before him the
scene of Colley's defeat and death So
strong was the impression which this spe-
ces OF vision created upon his mind that
he Immediately rode out as fast as he could
to the suburban residence OF the Cape pre-
mier Sir James Sibewright, imparting to
him his fears and entreating him to get
at once in telegraphic communication with
the British base at Mount Prospect.
Sir James complied with his wishes and
while Butler and the premier were sitting
together reassuring replies were received
and the major Gas Butler was them was
bantered by Sir James on the subject Of
his apprehensions. Yet before evening had
arrived the news of General Colley's de-
feat and death on Majuba Hill was flashed
across the wires and it was then seen that
the disaster to British arms had already
taken place at the time when Butler called
upon the Cape premier, although nothing
was known about it then at Mount Prospect,
the British base of operations against the
Beers.
1t is likewise recalled in military cir
cles in London that Sir Redvers seemed to
be aware of the death of the French prince
imperial and of the fall of Khartoum, as
also of the death Of Gordon, at the very
moment when these things occurred and
long before news of the events arrived
Butler is such a strange, silent, saturnine
looking man, so repellent in his manner
and so upinviting- as far as familiar con-
versation and discussion are concerned, that
no one has ever been known to question him
about these matters yet the fact Is on record
that he has on at least three occasions given
marvellous demonstrations of the posses
sion of a second sight which enables him
to know and to see important events that
are in progress hundreds and even thou
sands of miles away from home.
Never before has commander of a big
army embarked upon a campaign thus
mentally equipped and much curiosity pre-
walls as to the services which his second
sight is likely to render to Sir Redvers in
that Immediately on learning the official
news of Colley's defeat and death Butler
went to his chief at Cape Town, Sir Lei
cester Smith, the general officer then in
command, and entreated him to proceed
at once to Natal by boat to assume COM
mand of the army in the field and to re-
trieve the disaster at Majuba Hill, before
the Beers had time to follow up their ad-
vantage Had Sir Leicester done 90 1t is
generally believed that the Beers would
have been defeated. the unfortunate con-
vention agreed to by Gladstone as premier
avoided and the present war averted.
Sir Leicester first refused to comply with
Buffers suggestion, then agreed to it, and
even left Cape Town for the purpose OF
proceeding to Natal. but changed his mind
before reaching his destination and returned
to the Cape, thus leaving open the way for
Mr.. Gladstone to give the Beers their inde-
pendence on the strength of their victory
over the British at Majuba Hill. After the
lapse OF nearly twenty years Butler now
a general, a privy councillor Of the queen
and a knight Grand Cross OF the Bath, is
sent out at the head Of the biggest army