The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-01
CAREER OF THE COMMANDER.
Lord Roberts a Warrior OF RenOwn
Since Hi. sck6olboy Days.

LOr0 HODertS n W0rrIOr Oh ReuOWn
Since His schSolboy Days.
Lord Roberts was born at Cawnpore,
Sept. 80. 1892. He is a son Of General Sir
Abraham Roberts. He was educated ut
Clifton, Elton, Sandhurst and Addiscombe.
entered the Bengal Artillery in 1851; was at
the siege Of Delphi and took active part In
the subsequent operations down to the re-
lief of Lucknow, winning the V. c. in 1858.
He was assistant quartermaster general in
the Abyssinian QS6s) and Lushai QS1-72)
expeditions. In the afghan war, in 1878,
Roberts. now major general. forced the
Afghan position on Peiwar Kotul. and was
made K. c. B. Qs79.) After the murder
of Cavagnari and his escort at Kabul he
defeated the Afghans at Charasin. took
possession of Kabul and assumed the gov
ernment Yahub Khan was sent a pris-
cner. to India, but Abdul Rahman was pro-
claimed Ameer: General Burrows was
crushingly defeated at Maiwand and the
British Kandahar garrison was besieged.
On Aug 8, 1880, Sir Roberts set out with
10000 troops on his memorable march
through Afghanfstan to the relief of Kan
dahar Three weeks later he reached 1t
and completely routed Ayub Khan. In
1881, now a baronet, he was appointed
commander-in-chief In India. Created
Lord Roberts of Kandahar and Waterford
in 1892, he became field marshal and COM
mander-in-chief in Ireland in 1895. He was
placed In command of the troops in South
Africa Dec. IT. 1899. His achievements in
South Africa are so fresh in the memory
OF all readers of current events it is un-
H.
1.-The Rise of Wellington" QSs5) and For
ty-one Years in India QS9D. the latter
a phenomenal success.
A HARD WORKER.
Lord Roberts is approaching the limit
of mans allotted term, but two years short
of the three score and ten that end most
lives; but he is still the hard-bitten, wiry,
indefatigable. irrepressible worker of the
old days, one who has quite grown out of
early Ill health. and who can still ride to
hounds with the first flight; who delights
in lawn tennis and is an enthusiastic
cyclst. When suddenly called upon to
start for South Africa he went with as
little fuss as though he had merely to call
a cab. 1t was in this prompt, straightfor-
ward way that he hurried down to Delhi
forty years ago. when all artillery officers
were gathered in to help at the seige, trav-
cling down from Peshawur in the mail
cart, with no more baggage than thin
roll Of bedding. his saddle. bride and
sword.
AS the child Is father to the man, so
the lieutenant forshadowed the field mar
shall. Roberts displayed in early life the
same traits that have since gained him
great distinction. He was ambitious in
the best sense from the very first. repining
much in his youth for the opportunities
himself into any line of work that gave him
a chance of showing what he was worth.
His first great aspiration was to get "the
jacket" TO be appointed to that famous
branch of the 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 consolidated the Indian empire; and
it's splendid appearance. with gold braided
jacket and leopard covered helmet, was
just what would most appeal to an ardent
young military spirit
When Roberts gained this. his first
coveted prize he pined for yet more. He
soon obtained an appointment on the staff
under the quartermaster general. a branch
OF the stan in which he remained almost
without a breap, rising higher and higher.
until he left it inally as its head.
What Roberts did in the mutiny. at Delhi.
cawnpore, LucAnow-his presence at all
the serious actions OF that momentous is
sue. his personal gallantry and constant
unquestioning e5npsure OF his life--all these
are recorded II Istory and are too well
known to nee ecapituiation. He was
still only So innate, youngster. ON