The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-01-12
HERO or MAFEk|NG 9
TO VISIT AMERICA
Washington Awaits the Ar
rival of General Baden
Powell Soon.

WASHlNOION, -. ", JAN lS.~OM'
ciai and military circles In the ma.
tional capital are looking forward with
uudisguised interest to the prospective
arrival in this city toward the end OF
the month Of Major General Robert
Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, the
Hero Of Mafeking, who has started
from England on a tour OF the world
and 10 expected to spend several weeks
In the United States. visiting a mum.
Der OF the large cities in various parts
Of the country. One Of the objects of
his tour 10 the qualification of the Boy
Scout movement, of which he is the
father, into an International organiza-
ton.
Gen. Baden-Powell. who Is consid-
cred one OF Great Britain's greatest
and most brilliant military men, was
born February 20, 1857. the son OF the
late Rev. Raden-Powell. OF Oxford and
daughter OF Admiral w. II. Smyth OF
the British Navy. Robert Stephenson.
the builder Of the first locomotive, was
his godfather. He received his educa-
ton at Charterhouse and. at the age
of nineteen joined the 18th Hussars.
He was made Adjutant and served
with that regiment in India, Afghani-
stan and South Africa. He served on
the STAFF as assistant military secre-
tary in South Africa from 1887 to
1882 took active part in the opera.
lions In Zululand and was mentioned
for his bravery in dispatches. From
1890 to 1893 he was assistant military
secretary in Malta. In 1895 he was sent
on special service to Ashanti, in COM
mand of native levies and for his en-
1nent services he was decorated and
brevetted Lieutenant Colonel
During the campaign in Matabelland
1895 to 1897, Col. Baden-Powell was
chief staff ofiicer and for his bravery
he was again mentioned in dispatches
and made brevet Colonel. Shortly at
terward he was made Colonel of the
Irregular Horse in South Africa and in
1897 he was placed in command Of the
9Th Dragon Guards.
As Lieutenant-C Colonel. commanding
the 5th Dragon Guards. he took part
in the early operations during the
duel wal Oily OduAs LAG bOcl SOuiudh-
der. shut him up in Mafeking on the
morning Of October Is. 1899, only
three days after the declaration of
war. Cronjo came over from Lady
smith and drew the lines closer about
him Joubert appeared and added to
the strength of the besieging forces.
After terrific bombarNment on Octo-
her %. he was asked to surrender. but
he answered. You can't take us by sit
ting down outside. Come in and get
u.s." The bombardment was continued
day after day. but steadfastly Baden
Powell refused to surrender. Then the
shells came flying too fast and furi-
ously, the besieged men dug holes in
the ground and made them bomb
proof.
Baden.Powell's force consisted of
600 South African rough riders. a few
kaffirs and handful Of town resi-
dents. His artillery consisted only of a
few old cannons that had seen service
IN South Africa fifty years before He
was $40 miles from Cape Town. 144
miles north of Kimberly and $50 miles
from Buluwayo. There did not seem
much prospect Of relief, as the British
troops were kept extremely busy at
other places. but Baden-Powell refus-
ed to surrender. Always smiling. al.
ways ready with kind word or joke.
sharing the privations Of his troopers
as he did their dangers. he was their
idol.
On October 81. Baden-P Powell with
his handful Of men made sortie, but
was driven back bu superior forces
The bombardment was continued by
the Beers. but without effect upon the
spirits OF the besieged. On December
20. Baden.Powell again made a sortie
and succeeded in reaching the Boer
trenches. but once more was he forced
70 fall back. Not until February Is,
1900. two months after the beginning
of an almost continuous bombardment
did the Beers made an attempt to
storm the town. Although weakened
by starvation and reduced in numbers
by sickness, the British defenders re.
pulsed the Beers with heavy losses.
During the following two months sew
eral other attempts were made by the