Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-12

the relief OF Kimberley, is to be re-
lieved Of his command within two
weeks.
Later he will be sent to Cape Town
and eventually ordered home. When
he reaches England he will be retired.
These facts have been confirmed by
an official of the War Office.
y SAD CASE.
Lord AIethuen's case is a sad one. AL
ways man of rather frail physique
although clever boxer and an all
round sportsman-his constitution be-
gan to show signs of breaking down al
most Immediately after he took COM
mand of his division.
Three days after the battle of Bel
mont. General Wolseley suggested to
the War Office that Methuen be re-
lieved. His advice was not needed.
The wisdom OF the aged but keen COM
mander-i chief of the British army is
now realized to the fullest extent by
the War Office, who Scoffed at his Sug-
gestion.
Friends OF Lord Methuen insist he is
only in broken health; that the strain
of many campaigns has shattered his
naturally nervous system.
MIND UNBALANCED.
Those who know the circumstances
and the situation OH M1odder river
equally well. and who are willing to
state facts plainly. say that Methuen's
mind is unbalanced.
Constant proof of this has been COM
ing TO the notice of the officials Of the
War Office for two weeks past. The
commander of the Modder river forces
has bombarded the government with
some of tho most remarkable MESA ges
n IN, ;,,,
One received just three words: Dark
ness after dawn"
KITCHENERtS STATION.
1t is stated by those acquainted with
the inner workings and campaign
adopted by the War Office that Lord
Kitchener, the hero of Omd,rman who,
with Lord Roberts, arrived at Cape
Town to-day, will proceed Immediately
to Moddcr river. He may not take ac-
tive field command of the troops, but
VIII nut the column in working order
again. and then assign some one else,
probably General Colville, to take Me-
thuens place.
OFFICIALS ORDERED HOME.
Lord AIethucn in addition to his
other eccentricitlcs, has uuarreled with
number of officers under him. Three
OF them, Colonel Arthur Paget. Colonel
Cough and Captain Campbell, he or
dcred home. They arrived in London
to-day. Colonel Cough, who command
cd the cavalry detachment in the Mag
ersfontein battle, is seeking a vindica-
ton by courtmartjal. When Cough at
tempted to discuss the plan or the Mag
crsfontein attack Mothucn ordered him
under arrest. The London press is con-
sidcrably supprcssng the true state of
affairs so far as Mcthuen's ailmcnt Is
concerned, but the papers do not hes
itate to print the hard facts about the
battle OF Magersfontein. which are Just
reaching London through the mails all
of which go TO show. in the language
OF an officer. that the attack was that
OF mailman"
LORD WAUCHOPE'S DEATH.
The death of Lord Wauchope. COM
mander of the Black Witch, was one Of
Tie many sad results of that engage
mcnt. Lord Wauchope. it is we'll
known. realized the futility of the as
sault as planned by Methuen He ar
gucd strongly and eXpostulated bitterly
against 1t. Mcthuen. however persist
cd and the two quarrelcd over the mat
ter the night before the battle which
proved so disastrous to the British
forces. a member of the Black Witch
III IL IetleT just received, gives the de-
tails of the charge which led Wauchopc
to his death. He quotes the Generals
dying words-words showing how fully
he realized the situation even in the
hour of his death. The latte.refsslls;
ut was one OF the darkest nights we
ever saw. The rain fell in torrents and
We vert on and forward, falling,
stumbling and slipping over rocks and
anthills.
HIS LAST WORDS.
"It was impossible TO see where we
were going. After we had been taken
by surprise our right half battalion
charged. but the men were mown down
like grain before reaper. General
Wauchope was shot at the beginning of
the charge. When he saw the mistake
that had happened he shouted
Rally round me, Black Watch; it's
not my fault
Then he fell, literally riddled with
bullets"
Letters from men serving in the Mod
der river column tell OF the demorali-
cation of the troops since the COM
manders Interpretation. A Highland
Brigade man says: There is not the
ls.xl.