New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-01
ROSE FROM RANKS
TO LEAD ARMIES
Famous Officers Who Have
Climbed 10 High Places
Through Ability and Valor.

If one thing more than another
should Undue the private soldier win
the spirit of emulation, says "Ilt-bits,
It is surely the record of those famous
"rankers' who fought their way up
ward to the position of general, and
even to that Of field marshal, the high
cat TO which any soldier can attain.
Colonel Sir John Lane Harrington,
who was British representative at the
court of King Menelik OF Abyssinia'
rose from the ranks. lie joined the
Irish Fusiliers, and subsequently
found himself lieutenant OF the In
dian staff Corps. For three years, from
1895 TO 1893. he acted as vice-consul
at Zaila. afterward occupying the oner-
Gus position of British representative
in Abyssinia. where he rendered inyal-
liable service to his Sovereign ana MS
country.
General AdnA r. Chafree, of the
United States Army, who held supreme
command in the Philippines, was the
first private of the American regular
army 70 be elevated 20 such high rank.
The son of a farmer, he enlisted IN the
9Th United States Cavalry IN 1861, re-
solved never TO fail in the performance
of his duty, which doubtless accounts
for his success.
Perhaps the most brilliant example
of n British officer who rose from tho
ranks was General Sir Hector Mac
donald, the man who saved the day at
Omdurman, and who succeeded TO the
command Of the Highland Brigade
when the lion-hcarted General Wau-
chopc was shot down at the battle OF
Magersfontein.
Like Colonel Baden-Powell, the dc
fender Of Mafekng. "Fighting Mac"
revealed in a tight place. Few soldiers
could boast, as he could. Of having
served under the same officer as pri-
waite and general. In the latter capac-
ity he held command under Field Mar
shall Lord Roberts, from whom he like
wise received his first commission,
earned in the Afghan war.
THE CASE OF FIGHTING MAC"
When the British. with Lord Roberts
i'm command. were marching 20 Cabul
TO avengc the murder Of Cavagnari
Macdonald was stationed in hill fort.
There a rumor reached him that large
force Of Afghans intended TO waylay the
British commander and his staff This
force the future general. then a
Young non-commissioned officer. sue
cessfully located, and with coolness,
judgment and gallantry attacked and
dispersed.
He thus gained his first step on the
ladder of promotion, and never after
ward looked back. So rapidly did he
advance that at the age of forty-seven
he was a general But for his untimely
end he might have attained to still
more exalted rank.
Another officer who rose from the
ranks was Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton,
who commanded the l4th Hussars. He
was for five years a private In the Life
Guards. aftcrward being promoted TO
the rank Of corporal Subsequently he
received a commission IN the regiment
he was destined 20 command, and, like
Macdonald, took part m campaign IN
South Africa, acting as aidc-de-camp
20 Sir George Colley, who was his
brother-iu-law.
No one will be more pleased 90 hear
that Sir William Robertson is men
toned by General French in his dis
patches than King George, who has the
greatest admiration for him. Sir Will
lam, who rose from the ranks. has
been Director Of Military Training
at the War Office since last year, and is
one Of the souudest soldiers living. For
three years he was also I'm command of
the staff College, where all our
Cracks" are trained, his sterling abil-
ties being widely recognized.
THE DISTINCTION OF DAUNCEY.
Another ranker was Major r. II. E.
Dauncey, of the famous lnniskilling
Dragons, formerly Of the DIST Lancers
Before obtaining his commission in the
latter regiment he served a period OF
five. years in the ranks, promotion com
ing to him in 1854.
Eight years later saw him a captain,
and IN less than another eight he was,
az the age Of thirty-seven. made "A ma
jor IN one of the most renowned regi-
ments of the service
Major Daunccy saw a good deal of
warfare, having been through the
t'ortrufiau ur.r of 1890 10 ,t.., ,t.o..., B.