The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-18
General in Command of England S
Forces Belongs to the "Reigning
Family of All That Is Left of
King Arthur's Lyonnesse

Bile for the failure to warn Sir Horace
Smith Dorrien OF the French with
drawal and who left the English COM
mander's subsequent demands for re-
endorsements unanswered is reported
to have been quietly court-martialled
and shot.
Sir Horace has been on several ccca-
slons recommended for the Victoria
Cross. the last time during the Boer
war at the battle OF Doom Kopje. His
brigade was moving forward to attack
the main Boer position when his Cana
dian corps and the Gordons, being eager
to get to close quarters with the enemy,
dashed forward so impetuously up the
hin that they got out OF touch with the
remainder of the brigade and were on
the point of being surrounded.
Realizing this. Smith Dorrien, utterly
regardless OF the heavy fire OF the foe.
expert marksmen ALL set OFF as hard as
his horse could gallop straight across
the English front in order to turn the
Canadians and Highlanders back The
onlookers gazed with amazement as the
hail NJ bullets plouRhed up the earth
all around the gallant rider. He came
through, however, wonderful to relate,
without a scratch, and having succeeded
in his object returned TO his position IN
the rear OF his troops TO direct their
further operations. In answer to pro-
tests as to the risk he had Just run he
made the characteristic reply:
We'll, some one had to stop the Can
adams and the Gordons, and l could not
very we'll send any one else to face that
fire. could II"
Some twenty years previously he was
| likewise recommended for the Victoria
Cross. II was IN the Zulu war One
day, when out studying the lay OF the
land he was suddenly set upon by a
body of Zulus. He put spurs TO his
horse and was ga,loping away with the
enemy after him when he came upon a
fellow officer on foot, who asked him
to let him hang TO his stirrup so as "a
help him along. Smith orrien con-
scented and they covered some ground
in this fashion, when the officer thor
, oughly tagged out. begged TO get on his
horse behind him.
Smith Dorrlen got down in order "a
help the completely exhausted man up
md had no sooner landed him in the
saddle than the horse straightway
| ho.ted. leaving It's owner to the tender
rnercies OF the fast approaching enemy
Nothing daunted. Smith-Dorrien. who
Ut Harrow had taken many prizes for
running, lsprinted ahead. with the Zulus
| who are among the swif.est and longest
| WiNd.d runners in the world, unpleas-
! autlv close upon his heels, until at last
| he spurtcd into camp and safety. He
| keeps to this day the pair of boots
which he wore on that occasion. They
were in perfectly good shape when h,
started out in the morning on horse.
back. But when he got back into tn,
camp on foot the soles were entirely
gone.
Sir Horace IS fine rider and an al
round sportsman, tiger shooting heinf
his pet hobby; and while he may whor
provoked lose his temper occasionally
which has caused HIM to he REGARDED
as irascib.e. he is warm hearted an,
generous. and never forgcts a friend
Above the medium height. he has
strong. we'll knit figure, and is a borl
leader of men.
HIS soldiers accord 10 him m ex
traordinary degree OF popularity, Will
he on his side never falls TO express hi
warm appreciation OF the many goo,
qualities OF Tommy Atkins. Thus whc'
appointed 10 the command OF the grea
permanent camp AT AluerNnOt rev
years ago he made a totally new de
parture by removing all restrictions 4
regard TO the men visiting inns an
public houses. that is. saloons, durin
the summer army manPuvres. Tn
men were free to go wherever the
liked, and 10 drink what they PLEASED
but were expected to behave themselve
I and TO keep sober And well they re
Sponded to the trust reposed In then
For although there were more than 1000
men engaged in the mlnpuvres Their
were but four charges of drunkennes
, during the whole time that they Taste,
remarkably good record, which wi
he appreciated by those who reall
know the temptations to which the so
diers are subjected and how ready tn
> townspeople are TO treat them on sue
| occasions.
| Smith Dorrien is one of the MOS
trusted l!eutenants OF Kitchener, undo
= whom he occupied several importar
= commands in India. where he helped II