New-York tribune., 1900-03-31

night. He had been in bad health ror some years
and during the last six months had been unable TO
write or do anything owing TO complications aris-
Ing from rheumatism ana PaT4Io 5o 5l5c ne spe''
Archibald Forbes the famous correspondent,
first sprang into public notice during the Franco
Prussian war. He passed through seven distinct
campaigns of warfare and achieved numerous
specific triumphs gatherer The example
he in 1870 has been the inspiration OF his ju-
niors since that time.
He was born in Morayshire Scotland. in 1898, the
son OF the Rev Dr. /. w Forbes He studied at
the University Of Aberdeen, where he excelled in
the Classics In q spirit Of adventure ne enlisted
in the Royal Dragons. and for ten years served
IN the British army Though he never rose above
the rank OF corporal yet the intimate knowledge
which he gained Of army life in the field. IN bar
racks and on the march stood him in good stead
when he became war correspondent serving The
London Daily News through five campaigns i'll
Europe, one in Asia and one in South Africa
At the outbreak Of the Franco-Prussian he
first offered his services 70 "The Morning Adver
tiser" He at once went to saarbrjck and followed
the German forces. being present at the baptism
OF fire. there August 2 1870 How curtously his
experiences were afterward woven In with the sub
sequent history Of the last Imperial Napoleonic
family s shown by the fact that he Witnessed the
defeat of the French Sedan Louis Napoleon
surrender. afterward gazed upon his dead at
Chiselhurst and with the party which gath
cred up the remains of Prince Napoleon in Zulu
land.
He present at the battles OF Courcelles. Won
vile and Gravelotte and advanced with the Ger
toward Paris around which he the first
civilian ride before its complete environment.
At this juncture he ordered home, The
Morning Advertiser had already a correspondent
within the walls. Having some special information
OF value referring TO the siege, he unsuccesstuly
offered 1t The London Times THE Standard
and THE Daily Telegraph" but finally IT was
taken by "rhe Daily News" and the connection
thus formed continued long as he wished
He sent TO Metz, and there he began
to revolutionize correspondence by living on
foreposts witnessing every fight, and substituting
for curt kilograms OF bare facts long descriptive
letters telegra phed in full
Forbess early and exclusive news Of the Franco
Prussian War made hit for his paper, and caused
It's circulation TO increase at least nifty tno3sad
he the first non-com batant to enter Ilrls after
in the midst OF the lighting. and was almost L
torn to pieces by the mob. He saw some hgAthg
in Spain after the o bd!cation OF King Amadeus -
In his capacity OF correspondent OF The Daily
ne sGeG 2na n Se He was witness to
the plueky attempt OF servia 70 IsgoT TI s Gsn
pagn the summer and autumn or 49,, @ltr a. A.
ba+tIe of shipka Pass and under fire during sko-
beloffs ma gniicent attempt 10 take PleEha. ne ne
one Of the expeditions he was mentioned in the
generals dispatches s g5 tor sg9 s9yPg P
From Afghanistan he proceeded 10 Mandalay the IN e
Interviews with that potentate. Thence ne was
ordered by telegraph TO sea on 10 Zululand WIieIe
he arrived in time 10 plenty OF hshtlng anu 10
carry the news of the battle OF Ulundi alone al al
night through the enenys country Tor IZ0 hllies
to the nearest telegraph wire. al Durham. lie sent
the news or Lord Chelnsfords victory 10 Sir Garnet
Wolsel%v who travelling 20 Port Durntord
and to Sir Bartle Frere, the Governor or cape
Colony His telegram 10 Sir Bartle was trans
rnitted by the latter 10 London, and when read IN
both Houses Of Parliament was the nrst news re-
ceived from the trent up 10 that date.
Although this great ride was only one OF a loug
series OF similar adventures and hardshlps he never
fully recovered from its effects. and his career as
an active war correspondent which began IN 1871.
ended in 1913 Thereafter he lecJured on his eX-
per1ences large audiences in Great Britain, Amer
lea and Australia.
Most OF his letters dispatches were afterward
reprinted Among his published books are Drawn
! from Life q military novel MY Experiences OF
the War Between France and Germany, "Gtmpses
Through the Cannon Smoke. Soldering and
Scribbing ~ ffe OF Chinese Gordon" Souvenirs
OF some Continents" Life of the Emperor William
OF (sermsny 'Hsvelock, Barracks Rlvouacs and
BATTLES The Afghan Wars" "Czar and Sultan, .
Life OF Napoleon III and Colin Campbell. Lord
Clyde
He married in 1886 Miss Louisa MeIgs. daughter
or the late General NJ. {. Meigs, Z. s. A. formerly
quarterna ster general