The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-19
CEN. BUTLER IN
SOUTH AFRICA

just Sdlleu 1Of the 3dpes dnu III Nhoih iihO
English people look for the conquest of the
Transvaal and of the Free State, Is a tall,
powerfully man, over six feet in
height, loosely jointed with a saturnine,
somewhat stern expression, which, taken
in conjunction with his reticence, his alb
sence of geniality, and his "reminiscences in
warfare has given him, on the whole, an
unmerited reputation for bloodthirstiness.
The latter is a fault that should never be
aseribed to a hero-and Sir RedYers Is a
hero. He wears on his breast the badge OF
heroism, namely, the Victoria Cross, priced
beyond every other insignia of honor by
the 800, 900 900 subjects of Queen Victoria,
owing to the fact that it is only conferred
for feats of the most exceptional and ex-
traordinary bravery. Butler won his Vic
,toria Cross in South Africa during the war
with the zulus, and should by rights wear
one or more clasps to the cross, since 1t
was granted to him in recognition, not of
one, but of several pieces of bravery, all
performed on the same day.
1t was during the battle on the lnhlodne
mountain. Finding a soldier who had been
isolated from his comrades and hemmed IN
by the Zulus, Butler, sword and revolver
in hand, dashed into the midst OF cloud
of blacks and rescued him. Then, on its
becoming necessary to Withdraw from
position it was Butler himself who covered
the retreat with little band OF seven men
and a Lieutenant Everett Four of the
men were killed and the lieutenants horse
was struck down, and his rider would have
FALLEN into the hands of the Zulus had he
not been rescued by Butler, who took him
up behind him on his own horse. Later in
the day Butler saved yet third comrade,
namely, Captain d'Arcay, who, having lost
his horse, was endeavoring to oubrun the
advancing Zuus who had got within
hundred feet of him, when Butler gallopea
back and took him up behind him.
With such record it is needless to state
that anything approaching cowardice calls
for his most unmeasured scorn, and lew OF
those who were present when Lieutenant
Gary reported to him the death OF the
French prince imperial, who had peeh III
his charge but whom he had abandoned
to his fate at the hands of the zulus, can
forget the look and the tone with which ne
inquired of the lieutenant:
.sBut how come it, sir, that you are still
alive?"
Carey, it may be remembered, was ac-
Quilted by court-martial OF the charge OF
cowardice. But he was ostraclzed oy eV-
cry one of his fellow Officers, who, leaving
aside the question of the imperial rank OF
the young prince of France, could not Tor
get that he had preferred his own safety
TO helping a dismounted comrade In MS
fight after being ambushed by the Zulus.
ath SIlpPpSSfnl
both in England and in foreign countries
Butler is so modest that he shuns rather
than seeks popularity, and if he has come
to the front it has been entirely on ms own
merits. skill as a military leader, and brav-
cry. Assuredly the press has contributed
in no sense toward his fame, for he aoomi-
mates newspaper correspondents, and does
rot conceal his dislike.
Those who know him best insist that De
meath his chilling manner and his stern ap-
pearance there exists very KIND ana
warm heart, and having known General
Butler for many years, l can confirm TINS
assertion A warm friend of Gordon, ne
displayed, on the news of his death at
Khartoum a degree of emotion that aston
ished the members of his staff, while, when
government commissioner in the county OF
Kerry, during the Irish land agitation, he
did all in his power to prevent eviction,
and was constantly putting his hand into
his pocket in order to accord relief to UNI
fortunate tenants, who, in spite OF his ell
forts had been turned out of their homes
by harsh landlords.
One of the most remarkable things about
Butler are his eyes, which seem to look
nd
men who can face his glance, If they do not
happen to have clean record ana Clear
conscience OF his obstinacy and opinion
atedness l could tell many story. re-
member one in particular, in which Lord
Charles Beresford, now in this country,
was concerned. The scene was In EGYPT,
during the Nile campaign of 1883. Butler
got into a discussion with Beresford as TO
the proper channel that should be taken by
their steamer in descending through one of
the cataracts. Each obstinately defended
his own course But in the end that which
Butler insisted upon was adopted, and the
steamer got through without accident.
you see l was right" cried Sir Redvers,
"mne was the right course
'That was mine, too" coolly replied Lord
Charles. 81 only recommended the other
because | knew you would go against what
ever l said" Possessed of a large fortune
in his own right, and another In that of his
wife, Sir Redvers is the master of mag
nificent country seat and large estate at
Creditor, of which he is lord of the manor,
and delights to live the life of an English
country gentleman. Formerly he used to
be very great friends with Lord Wolseley,
but when he got so near the head of the
military ladder, Wolseley became jealous
of him, and there was a moment while
Butler was adjutant general of the army
when he was scarcely on speaking terms
with the commander-in-chief, Lord Wolse-
ley. On the other hand, Butler is a very
great favorite of the late Duke of Cam
bridge, who warmly and strongly urged
that Butler should be appointed his success
sor as commander-in-chieff instead of Lord
Wolseley. Were it not for Field Marshal
Lord Roberts, who has prior claim to the
post, there is no doubt whatsoever that Bull
Ter would be the next commander-in-chief
of the army.
Irish people in this country will be IN