The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-23
WHITE AND JOUBERT.
EARLY Brilliant Exploits of These Two
Opposing Officers.

Philadelphia North American.
Gen. Sir George Stewart White. Y. q
commander-in-chief of the British forces
In Natal, is not only one of the most cam
able officers in her Majesty's army, but his
record for personal valor Is unsurpassed i'm
the annals of military history.
General White Is a thoroughbred Irish
man. taking his name from both branches
or the family. He has been in the British
army forty-six years, having Joined the
Twenty-sixth Royal Inniskilling Fusileers
when only eighteen years old. lie served
with honor in the Indian mutiny, but IL was
during the Afghan war in 1879 that as a
major In the Gordon Highlanders White
did work which made him famous AND wen
for him the Victoria cross, the highest
badge of bravery i'm the power of The queen
of England to bestow.
At Charasiah, on the road to Cabul. the
Afghans had congregated in thousands
among the hills, blocking tie line of Brit
ish advance. They had cor centrated their
big guns in a rock gorge and could work
them with skill and precision. General
Baker, with the main division, was to make
a circuitous march and strike the enemy's
right flank. Meanwhile Maj. Stewart White.
with a wing of the gallant Gordons and
three big guns, was to storm and carry the
heights. The roar of battle commenced
along the line of Bakers route and White
emerged from his cover just after daybreak.
Before him on the heights of the Sang-i-
NaWlshta pass could be seen the enemy.
while fantastlcal Ghazis, in robes of spot.
less white, nitted about.
Whites guns opened fire on the nearest
CROWDED NIL and four rified guns i'm the
pass replied, giving as good as they got.
ihis Will not do" said White. Il will
drive the enemy of the hills on the right
VII NV W. mo ~ lfrann -
throw a covering fire on the nearest emf
hence lined with the enemy, White called
upon his handful OF gallant Gordons to fol-
low MIN. The action which followed was
worthy OF an equal place in history with
the famous charge of the Light Brigade at
Balakiava.
Up the steep rocky hillsides at a swing
ing pace went the dark green kits. here
and there one dropping every moment and
rafting fire kept up by the enemy was nor
all empty sound. B0tn sides took advan-
tage OF every little bit of cover. but still the
closer and closer TO the foe crept the High
landers. but neither rife nor artillery nre
could dispense the Afghans, SO, ordering two
companies TO follow MIN, White determined
10 storm the fortified position in person.
On they went from ledge to ledge until.
turning a corner on the mountain side, they
suddenly came face TO face with a host Of
the enemy The position was extremely
critical. Whites men were exhausted by
their last rush and for a moment faltered.
t&L[1 "a IlllC ~
one OF his men. and, shouting TO the Cor
dons 10 follow. singled out the Afghan lead
er and shot him dead Then he dubbed his
rine and rushed upon the enemy. The
dusky Afghans were paralyzed by the au-
dacity OF the attack. and the Highlanders,
shouting their slogan, dashed after their
dauntless leader. The blacks turned and
fled, and in five minutes the Gordons had
captured the Fights. A dozen guns were
taken, and. pushing through the gorge,
White joined forces with Baker. The bat
tie was won and George Stewart White had
secured the much coveted Victoria cross.
General White was not on Majuba Hill
when the Beers gained their famous victory.
but he was I'm command at Ladysmith.
where he now awaits the coming of the
Transvaal troops. IL was his hand that
penned the story of the disaster i'm the
records OF his regiment. and * is worthy
or note that he incidentally expresses the
opinion that IL was not possible under the
conditions to have held the hill against the
Poer attack, with their advantages OF cover
and position.
Commandment General Joubert. Vice Presi-
dent of the South African Republic and
head OF the Boer army, has a record as a
lighting man scarcely less brilliant than
that OF his British opponent. General Jou-
bert IS q typical Boer. although descending
from an ancient Huguenof family. He
stands six feet two In height. and has all
the charactertstice OF the sturdy sons OF the
yeldt. The story q how Jpubert beat the