The Portland daily press., 1899-11-09
CoNNAUGHT's WAR RECORD.
(From the New York SUM-

The refusal Of the Queen and Lord
wolseley to allow the Duke Of Con-
naught to accompany the army In south
Africa In any capacity has recalled the
Incident with which he was connected at
Tel-e -kebir In the Egyptian cam paign
of 1889.
In some quarters attempts were made
20 cast doubt on the Dukes personal cour-
age, but he was NOT In any way RESPONSE
BILE for what took place. and no one who
had az opportunity Of observing his oon-
duct during that campaign entertained
any doubt either as to his devotion to
his duty or his pluck. He was simply q
yicti m to his elevated position and to
maternal affection.
In the order uf the advance made by
Sir Garnet, now lord Wellesley, the
Guards brisads. under Connaught, had
| the post Of honor, the right OF the at
lacking line, and was supported BY bril-
gade composed Of two Irish regiments
and battalion of marines from the Med
iterranean squadron.
Late In the evening Of the day before
the hattie. when the regiments had take n
up their places In the line Of advance out
side the camr at Ksssassin Look on the
Sweet Water canal, Q telegram was re-
oeived BY Wolseley from she Queen ex-
pressing her desire that Counaught
should not be put where he would be In
| danger.
As telegraph official put 1t. "Ths Old
Woman has photographed Molseley that
Connaught is not to he put In place OF
-. 'ka In In ofinn
rally embarrassed Wolselsy considerably,
for to deprive the Quesn's SON Of his com.
manti In the face Of the enemy would
| have cast q slur on mis- reputation that IL
would have been hard to explain away.
| 1t was finally resolved to send the
Guards brigade to the rear IN support
and move mp the supporting brigade into
the attacking line. The movement
brought about panic among the bag
gage and transport animals that nearly
| ended In a general stampede
For q time the noise resembled nothing
so much rs the wash Of the waves on
pebbly beach during gale. but after a
time the animals were quieted and the
march began. Had the Egyptians not
been In the habit Of Withdrawing their
outposts about midnight. the uproar
| IN ust have given them warning and pre-
pared them for what was coming.
But although taken by surprise. they
opened heavy, though fortunately u
badly directed fire, and the British casu-
alties were relatively small. Ii happened.
however. that the casualties among the
Guards brigade were gTestsr than In the
brigade In front, the EGYPTIAN fire being
high and passing over tbs front line to
catch the battalionB In rear.
The Duke OF Connaught had run Q
greater risk than II his brigade had re-
manned In Its original place in the for m
alton of attack.
The incident, however. decided the
British army authorities that In future
no members of the royal family near the
throne should be allowed to hold COM
mand OF run danger In battle. In ad-
dltion to the anxiety for their personal
safety in case Of danger, they are an In
mbrancs on account of the special oon-
sideration with which thcy have TO be
treated.
There Ia also n certain amount Of pro-
fessional jealousy at privileged persons
occupying positions belonging by right
to men who are rasssd over and so lose
chances or earning distinction.
In the case of Connaught In Egypt,
this was very much SO, for it was up to
that time q tradition In the Guards that
only o guardsman could command
guardsmen In the field; and the dissatis-
faction his appointment to the command
caused was very great.