Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-15
General Sir Douglas Haiq

associated with some famous anilitary
commander. Sometimes the war has
been Initiated by the ambition of the
leader himself, as in the case of Cyrus
the Persian, Alexander the Greek, Gaze
sar the Roman, Charles XII of Sweden
and Frederick of Prussia Sometimes
the military genius has been discover
ed or developed by the events of the
war, as in the case of Miltiades of
Athens, GustaVus Adolphus of Sweden
Napoleon of France, Wellington of
England Washington of America, and
our famous commanders on both sides
of the civil war Whether the present
contest in Europe will discover some
one extraordinary genius, or whether
the honors will be divided between two
or more is an interesting question not
vet answered The following article
from the Eagle Magazine, however
presents a British leader who seems
destined to overshadow most of his
colleagues.
The appointment of Sir Douglas Haig
to the supreme command of the British
forces in France, in December, 1915
was confession that Great Britain
was looking for guiding military ge-
MUS. The events of the years that
have succeeded indicate that she has
found the man. The recent successes
of the British on the western front are
attributable in no small part to his
energy and resourcefulness
General Haig is a Scotchman, with
however, a strain OF English blood His
father, John Haig, was a justice in
Cameronbridge. Fife, Scotland, and his
mother. Rachel, was the daughter of
Hugh Veitch of Stewardtfield, Midlo-
THAN Douglas. a younger son, was
born June 10. 1861.
He was a thoughtful, studious youth,
and entered Brasenose College. oxford,
with the thought of pursuing literary
career. About the time of his gradu-
alton. however the family fortunes suf-
f red decline, and he found it neces-
Sary to choose a profession. Since he
had always been an expert horseman,
the army appealed to him, so he joined
a cavalry regiment the 7th Hussars,
in 1885. 1t is interesting to discover
that, his career as a soldier was threat
ened at the outset by the refusal of
the medical board to admit him to the
staff caIIege on the ground that he was
color blind; and he was only saved by
the interposition of the Duke of Cam
bridge who as commander in -chief,
overruled their decision.
Sir Douglas was close student of
our civil war and particularly admired
the dash of Stuart and FSher3daT;A the
boldness of StoneWall Jackson and the
logged persistence of Grant. His own
military career seems to be a blend
ing of the characteristics of these COM
manders. In the British army, as in
that of the United States. promotion
is slow in the cavalry; and it was not
until the Sudan campaign in 1897 s.
that Haig'j abilities began to be rec
L 4otrG ffan hot hof
matrimony was an obstacle to military
efficiency. is said to have selected him
as his aide because, at that time. he
was unmarried; but the young man
soon proved his merit and became a IA
yorite with his superior. He is, in
deed, said to have been the only subor-
dinate that could thaW the cold Sirdar
into the warmth of cordially At the
battles of Itbara I'D Khartum, Haig
displayed such skill and bravery that
Kitchener praised him most warmly
and secured his promotion to breyet
major general.
Sir Douglas found his second oppor-
tunity in the South African war. in
1899. He was made chief of staff to
the cavalry commander, Sir John
French. Here he acquitted himself so
wisely and so valiantly that Sir John
gave him great credit for his part in
the daring exploits which relieved
Kimberly and cut off Cronje's retreat
from Koodoosrand DIR. t. and for more
definitely strategic skill which, dur
ing three months, held most superior
force in check at Colesburg, and thus
prepared the way for the final success
of Lord Roberts.
In 1903-6 he was inspector general of
cavalry in the army of Indies, being
made a full major general in 1904. Re
called home, he served as director Of
military training during 1867, and
was returned to india as chief of staff.
1909-12. Upon lis return to England
he was appointed general commander
of the great military post at Aldershot
in 1912-14 When the war broke out,
he was made commander of the First
Army Corps, and was sent to France
with the first troops under Sir John
French.
The ten days fighting before Ypres
and the bloody battle of the Marine
soon came on For military political