The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-12
ARMYL LED TO ITS
RUIN BY A MADMAN
Gen. Methuen's Mind Said
to Be Unbalanced.
SOME EVIDENCE GIVEN
HIS REMARKA ABLE MESSAGE TO
THE WAR OFFICE.
HE IS TO BE RELIEVED OF HIS COMMAND
So Il is Stated, Though the officials in Lon
don Deny That He Has Been Re-
called. The Losses at
ladysmith.

Chicago, H., Jan. ia special cable
to the Chicago Tribune from London
says:
Lieutenant General Lord Methuen,
commanding the column advancing to
the relief of Kimberley, is to be relieved
of his command within two weeks.
Later he will he 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
Lord Methuen's case is sad one AL
ways mani of rather frail physique-al-
though a clever boxer and all-round
sEortsman--his constitution began to
show signs of breaking down almost i'm
mediately after he took command 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 beeded. The
wisdom of the aged but keen commander
in-chief of the British army is now real
lied to thes fullest extent by the War
Office. who Scoffed at his suggestion
Friends Of Lord Methuen insist he is
Of many campaigns has shattered his nat
urally nervous system.
THEY SAY AIETHUEN'S MAD.
Those who know the circumstances and
the situation on Modder River equally
we'll and who are willing to state facts
plainly, say that Methuen's mind is un-
balanced.
q IL. 1. III ~,
ing to the notice of the officials of the
War Office for two weeks past. The
commander of the AIodder River forces
has bombarded the Government with
some of the most remarkable messag
ever received from a general in action.
One received few days ago, is a fair
sample of the rest. 1t contained just
three words: Darkness after dawn"
1t is stated by those acquainted with
the innerworkings of the campaign
adopted by the War Office, that Lord
Kitchener. the hero of Omdurman, who
with Lord Roberts arrived at Cape
Town today, will proceed Immediately
to Modder River. He may not take
active field command of the troops, but
will put the column in working order
again and then assign some one else,
probably General Colvile, to take Me-
thuen's place.
ATTACK OF A MANIAC.
Lord Methuen,. in addition to his 9TH
or eccentricities, has quarreled with a
number of officers under him. Three
of them. Colonel Arthur Paget, Colonel
Cough and Captain Campbell. he order
ed home. They arrived in London to-
day. Colonel Cough. who commanded
the cavalry detachment in the Magers-
fOntein battle. is seeking a vindicatiOn
by court martial. When Cough at
tempted to discuss the plan of the
Magersfontein attack Methuen ordered
him under arrest The London press Is
considerably suppressing the true state
of affairs so far as Methuen's ailment
is concerned. but the papers do not hesi-
tate to print the hard facts about the
battle of Magersfoptein, which are Just
reaching London through the mails all
of which go to show. in the language
of am officer, that ''the attack was that
of madman.'
The death of Lord Wauchope, COM
mander of the Black Watch, was one of
the many sad results of that engage
ment. Lord Wauchope. it is now well
hHON Ill, fedllZeu lue IutlllIy Oh tue as
sault as planned by Methuen. He argued
strongly and espostulated bitterly
against it. Methuen, however, persisted
and the two quarrelled over the matter
the night before the battle which proved
so disastrous to the British forces. A
member of the Black Watch in letter
just received, gives the details of the
charge which led Wauchope 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 letter reads:
ut was one of the darkest nights we
ever saw The rain fell in torrents and
we went on and forward. falling, stumh-
ling and Slipping over rocks and ant
hills.
WAUCHOPE WENT TO DEATH.
1T 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 re mistake
that had happened he shonaea.
Rally round me, black Watch.
It's not my fault
'Then he fell, literally riddled with
bullets"
Letters from men serving IN the Med