New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
SOME ACCOUNTS OF IT'S CHIEF ACTORS AND SCENES
HE TURNED THE TIDE.
FIELD MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS. UNDER
WHOM ENGLISH ARMS ARE
VICTORIOUS

Among the passengers on board the P. and O.
steamer Ripon. which left Southampton, England,
in February. 1852. to perform the first stage of
the so called overland route to India, was youth
named Frederick Roberts, who had just been
appointed to G cadetship IN the Bengal Artillery.
Some there are who still remember that youth on
that the outset of a remarkable career; they re-
member him as small. delicate looking very de-
sponcent lad who did not take kindly to the pro-
fession in which he was destined to earn great
fame.
He appeared hipped and homesick and very sorry
himself. doubtful wheth he would be able to
stand the Indian climate. his health from child
hood had been precarious. The heat in the Red Sea
nearly overpowered him. and he was heard to ex-
press wonder how any fighting could be done in
India under its rorrid sun.
Yet 10 India and the great opportunities that soon
to him. 10 be turned to such splendid account
he owes everything-name and fortune, and the
high esteem of his fellow men. Nearly half a
century since that sorrowful debut he again en-
barked the service of his country, a peer a
field marshal. leader of such acknowledged Prov
ess and power that every eye turned to him the
man most likely to bring England safely through
q great national crisis
OF MATURE YEARS.
Lord Roberts is approaching the limit OF mans
allotted term, but two short of the threescore
and that end lives; but he is still the hard
bitten, wiry. indefatiga5le irrepressibe worker
the old days one who has quite grown out of early
I'll health, and who still ride to hounds with
enthusiastic cyclist.
When suddenly called upon TO start for South
Africa he went with little fuss though he
Way that he hurried Mas IN downs 5S t aS
Iorty years ago when al artillery officers were
from Peshawur in the mail carts with no more bag
gage than thin roll of bedding, his saddle. bride
As the child is father to the man. so the lieuten-
ant foreshadowed the field marshal. Roberts dis
played in early life the traits that have since
gained ne, HI, him great distinction He was ambitious
IN his youth for the opportunities that tarried:
work that gave him chance of showing what he
was worth.
IN THE ARTILLERY SERVICE
His first great aspiration to get 1.-The jacket:
be appointed to that famous branch Of his corps
the Horse Artillery, with its grand traditions and
its gorgeous dress. The Bengal Horse Artillery had
done much in the unceasing conflict that had con-
pearance. with gold braided Jacket and leopard
covered helmet was just what would most appeal
When Roberts gained this, his first coveted prize
Continent i9 on s the a uade So4 fb a aP
General. branch of the staff in which he remained
until he LETT it finally as its head
W nat Roberts did in the Mutny at Delhi: Gavin
tons Of that momentous issue his personal gal
e-a these are recorded in history and are too
well Rn0Tn to need TeSaDit,aon He was stil
and richly deserving it. but ending with more
ration of the V. c.. and a promising reputation
Long years OF peace service followed broken only
the expedition to Abyssinia under Napier and
seToe and @ore r ms estabshed his H o m SGg
reputation AS steh officer his value was shown
books and other EXCAVATIONS for marches to ncq
such vast territory India.
POPULAR WITH THE MEN
One of the secrets of Roberts's success has no
doubt been his personal influence upon his staff
upon all who come in contact with him.
In lesser sense. as regards the rank and file,
Lord Roberts has always enjoyed the fullest conf
oence Of his men, This may be partly due TO the
are quickly brought to believe in a generals ca
pscity. and particularly in his luck. Little Bobs
shaves in his second Afghan campaign
tribes about e cab d m to to eR Rs ef f
and Bala-9issar. TO take refuge in the Sherpur
That was very thing. for quite one hundred
ten thousand, not half of them British; and when
they made their great attack on December q. 1879,
pluck Of his he have been overwhelmed
CONFIDENCE OF HIS SERVANTS
1t doubt to his personal ascendency so
quietly but firmly exercised. that we may trace the
simple but implicit faith that ALL including his ma
tive servants. have reposed in him An through the
most dangerous episodes of the Mutiny he was
the hottest fire. His kitmutgar or native butler,
Delhi; his grooms waited with his horse wherever
ordered regardless of the storm Of shot and shell
IN the middle of the fierce onslaught of the Afghans
upon Sherpur, mis- bath attendant to him in
the mick OF the nght and touched him quietly IN
the shoulder, with the simple words, Bath ready:
that was his duty-what was expected of him Just
Is ne was sure MS master expected TO wash even In
the middle of a battle $3.50 49,
The most touching devotion to his person was
SHOWN IN the Afghan campaign by his native or
derlies; Of whom he had two sikhs two Ghoorkas
ana TWO Pathans- They left him: two or
more followed him wherever he went night or day:
they hao always the best news of what was in the
VINO. ana II there was any dangerous business
atoot they turned out and kept close to their be-
loved general wherever he might go. II he got
into a tight place. they were there to keen him
from harm II they could; and in one fight a tan