The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-03
Recent Appointee to Position
Bears Name That Is Stun
bling Block.
BY LA IAnaUIsE DE FoNTENoY.

NJ appointed commander. in chief
Of all the British forces In India.
bears name that is continual stumb-
ling block to those who have occasion
to mention his family. For while some
OF them are named Smith Dorrien.
others reverse the order with full legal
right to do so. and call tn amselves
Dorrien-S Smith. Furthermore, while Sir
Horace a Smith-Dorricn, served with
distinction in the South African War,
winning the Distinguished Service
Order. two of his brothers. Dorrien-
Smiths, also fought in South Africa
and won the Distinguished Service
Order.
The elder brother. Thomas Algernon
Dorrien- Smith. was also an army on
Ger. He Ia sometimes called the King
Of the Scilly Islands" where he has a
/ fine place known as Tresco Abbey. This
miX-up OF names is somewhat confus-
ing. When Sir Horace was asked the
reason for this peculiar reversal. which
taxes place in every generation, he
replied that the family, not being sure
in which order the names ought to
: that they might be certain that at
least one branch was correct.
Sir Horace. who Is comparatively
speaking young man. being but nifty
deal of service. and is much beloved
, by the rank and file. the men of his
, Did regiment. the 95th, speaking at
day. His war record includes a medal
for Zululand, medal and star for Egypt
five clasps. the Distinguished Service
, order, knight Commandership of the
Bath. and many other orders besides.
In the Boer War he is said, by those
who are competent to speak. to be one
Oh the very few generals who made no
mistakes. and expert opinion declares
him to be also an admirable organizer
, and leader in the field. Years ago it
was predicted that he would one dav
N e. hl.S of rit
ish, forces in India. and this prophecy
has at last been fulfilled. He is a
great friend OF Kitchener whom n
goes without saying that he has Il
great capacity for work, and L genius
Tor detail and management. He is a
man-tiger shooting being his pet hob
! by-and while he may. when provoked.
7 occasionally lose iris temper. he is
warm hearted and generous and never
doubt. u man whose further career is
well worth following with attention,
especially by Canadians. of whose gal
lantry in action he has the highest
| opinion.
! In the Boer War. when Cronje was
cornered at Modder River, 1t was smith
Dorrien's Canadians aid Gordons who
IN night attack won a position which
enabled them on the following morn
I ing to eniilada n vitality important
stretch of Boer defenses. He speaks
most enthusiastically of his dashing
regiment of Canadian irregu!ars, and
/ Of the splendid fighting material thay
he said men Well aequainie, j With With
the rifle and expert in craftsmanship.
and l will lead them against any equal
number of men drawn from any Con-
! tinen;al army. with the greatest con-
hdence in the result"
One OF mis- pIuckiest acts was per-
/ formed a Doornkopje. curing the South
! African War. His brigade WAS moving
/ forward TO attack the main Beer posi-
/ ton, when the Canadians anu Gordons,
| being eager to set 20 close quarters
! witn the enemy, dashed forward so
| impctuously up the h.ll that tncy ran
! out OF touch with the remainder Of
/ the brigade. and wer. on the point OF
1 being surrounded by the enemy. lteai.Z-
] ing this, Smith-Dorrien, utterly regard
less or the heavy fire OF the invisible
foe. expert marksnIen all, set OFT
hard as his horse could gallop straight
| across the enemy's front in order TO
/ turn the Canadians ana HiEhianders
| back. The onlookers gazed with amaze
ment as hail of bullets plowed up
the earth all round the intrepid rider.
He came through. however, wondrous
| 10 relate, without i scratch, and having
| succeeded in his endeavor, returned
calmly 70 his place in the rear. and
proceeded TO plan the further moves
In the attack as quietly as though he
were merely manoeuvring on the parade
ground. WhSn demonstrated with for
putting so valuable a life to so great
u risk, he replied. Wen. some one had
to stop them. and | could not very
well send any one else TO face that fire.
could IL"
on another occasion. during the Zulu
War, was surprised by q party OF
Zuius. Mho sprang out of the bush.
Galloping off. he came upon officer
on foot who asked for a lift. Smith
Dorr!en got down. helped him w. and
before he could follow. the horse bolted.
( leaving him no choice but TO follow as
! best lie could. with the savages. who