The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-05

impassive face adorned by a heavy gray
mustache and set off by a pa n of keen
gray eyes His manner is cod and aus
tere, his speech terse J nd cutting. He is
disciplinarian to the last degree. He COM
mands little love but thorough respect
among his subordinates. HIS ability both
as a tactcian and a field commander is
unuuestioned Ii is generally believed in
well-informed circles in London that the
plan OF campaign put into effect against
the Beers is largely of Sir Redvers Bull
ler's devising.
An OLD African Soldier.
Gen. Butler has had long and varied
military career, and is thoroughly famil-
lar with all the phases of African cam
paigning in which, by the way, his lau-
reIs have been won, although his earliest
field experience was gained in the China
war of 1860 In 1870 he took part IN the
Red River expedition. 1t was 'Ne~e tha'
he attracted the attention of Wolseley and
began the upward career which nas ied
him 10 the most coveted if not the high
est position in the British army.
Three years later Butler was made the
deputy assistant adjutant general of the
British forces in the Ashanti war in At
RIGA, and established a reputation for him
self as a daring and sklful fighter He
was IN the fighting against the native
tribes in South Africa, and commanded
the mounted troops of Sir Evelyn Wood 5
column in the serious campaign against
the Zulus II was in this war that Butler
won the Victoria cross-that diploma of
personal bravery, which is the most prz-
ed in the British army. 1t is significant OF
Buffers steadfast character that the act,
or rather the acts, which gained for him
the famous medal were performed, not in
the heat of an engagement, but In the
course of a disastrous defeat.
The action opened in March. 1879. Bull
Ter had been dispatched by Sir Evelyn
Wood to clear the Iuhlobaur mountain Of
u force of Zulus. He had practically ac-
complished his TASK, when the natives
were strengthened by enormous reinforce
ments, and in the face of overwhelming
numbers the British were compelled to
retire to avoid annihilation. The retreat
was down the precipitous sides OF the
mountain. ana It was only by careful man
agemenl that The British force was SAY ed
from utter destruction.
BuIIer's Heroic Act.
While carefully guarding his troops the
commander showed his disregard of per-
sonal danger by turning back three times
under the fire Of the closely pursuing Zu-
lus 20 rescue troopers who had been I'M
horsed, In each case carrying them OUT
of danger on his own mount 1t is this
combination of the cautious commander
and the dashing soldier that has made Bull
ler's success and won his renown.
1t is noteworthy fact that Gen. Bull
ler's most distinguished performances has
been Ia rescuing threatened columns by
mastery retreats. In the Egyptian war Of
1882, when the Desert column OF the Brit
ish force had been all but hemmed ia at
Metemmeh and had lost it's leaders. Bull
Ter was dispatched post haste 10 take COM
mand. lie brought the column back to
Koru in safety executing the maneuvers
In a way that won high praise from his
superior IN The Gordon relief expedition
Of -9 he served as chief Of STAFF.
This ended Gen Buffers active seryics