The morning news., 1899-12-21
"BOBs," THE SOLDIERS IDOL.
Brilliant Career of New Commander
in south Africa.
From the Baltimore Sun.

From the Baltimore Sun.
Field Marshal Lord Roberts, who has
been appointed to the chief command of
the British forces in South Africa. Is
man whom all England trusts. The sol
diers love him and speak of him Familiarity
as "Bobs.''
Once before--in 1SS1--he was appointed
to command the British forces in a war
against the Beers. but peace had been
concluded before he arrived at Cape Town.
Lord Roberts is often spoken of as an
Irishman, but India is his native land. He
is of Irish descent, and is now commander
in-chief of the forces in Ireland. His
birthplace was Umballa, India, and he Is
6 years old, but still vigorous physically.
AS a field marshal Roberts rank Is
equal to Wolseeys, but he is junior by
five years to Woseley in point of service.
He received his first commission as sec
ond lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery in
1851, served with distinction throughout
the Indian mutiny campaign and received
the Victoria Cross for personal bravery
in the field in 1858. Says a report
Lieut.. Roberts gallantry has on every
occasion been most marked. On following
up the retreating enemy on Jan. 2, 1888,
at Khodagunge, he saw in the distance
two Sepoys going away with standard.
Lieut.. Roberts put spurs to his horse and
overlook them just as they were about to
enter q village They Immediately turned
round and presented their muskets at
him, and one of the men pulled the trig-
ger, but, fortunately, the cap snapped.
The standard bearer was cut down by the
gallant young officer and the standard
taken possession of by him. He also, on
the same day, cut down another Sepoy
who was standing at bay, with musket
ha n
Roberts rode to the assistance of the
horseman, and rushing al the Sepoy, with
one blow of his sword cut him across
the face, killing him on the spot"
Throughout the Abyssinian campaign of
1868 Roberts held the office of assistant
Quartermaster-genera he superintended
the RECOMMENDATION of the whole army,
and was selected by Sir Robert Napier as
the bearer of the latter's final dispatches.
He also acted as assistant quartermaster
general with the Cachar column in the
Looshai expeditionary force QS71-72).
At the beginning of the Afghan cam
paign he was appointed commander of the
Kuram field force, and subsequently had
the chief command of the army in Af-
ghanistan, where he achieved the most
brilliant triumphs. After the massacre
of the British Embassy Roberts reoccu-
pied Cabul at the close of 1879. Toward
the end of July, 1880. terrible defeat was
inflicted by the troops of Ayoob Khan, at
Maiwand, on Gen. Burrows, the remnant
of whose force with difficulty Joined Gen.
Primrose's garrison at Candahar. An at
tack on that city seemed imminent, but
Ayoob hesita ted and lost his opportunity.
Meanwhile, q bold resolution was taken
at Cabul; Roberts, gathering a force of
over 5000 picked men, marched to the
relief of Candahar, allowing Abdurrah-
man Khan to occupy Cabul, and leaving
to Gen. Stewart the duty of leading back
the rest of the British troops by the Khy-
Der to the Punjab. Cut Off from direct
communication with mis- countrymen, Rob-
erts disappeared, as 1t were, from human
ken for three weeks, during which time
the national anxiety was extreme At last
he emerged victorious from the trackless
region between Cabul and Candahar. Inn
mediately he grappled with Ayoob Khan
and inflicted on that pretender crushing
defeat.
On the return of Roberts to England he
was loaded with honors he was presented
with the freedom of the city of London
receiving the thanks of Parliament and
was created a Baronet.
In February, 1881. he was appointed to
succeed Sir George Colley in the COM
mand of the troops in Natal and the
Transvaa but peace was concluded with
the Beers before his arrival in the Colony.
He was afterward appointed a member of
the Council Of Madras and commanded
the troops in that presidency from 1SS1-S5.
Soon afterward Lord Roberts success
fully commanded an expedition to Bur-
nah. He was later appointed commander
in-chief in India, and left that post to be-
come commander-in-chief in Ireland, his
present post.