He Had Gone Out With The Reputation Of A
Downright John Bull Fighter, Who Would Take Punishment Or Give It,
But Slog His Way Through Without Wincing.
There was no reason for
attributing any particular strategical ability to him.
But as a
matter of fact, setting the Colenso attempt aside, the crossing for
the Spion Kop enterprise, the withdrawal of the compromised army,
the Vaalkranz crossing with the clever feint upon Brakfontein, the
final operations, and especially the complete change of front after
the third day of Pieters, were strategical movements largely
conceived and admirably carried out. On the other hand, a
hesitation in pushing onwards, and a disinclination to take a risk
or to endure heavy punishment, even in the case of temporary
failure, were consistent characteristics of his generalship. The
Vaalkranz operations are particularly difficult to defend from the
charge of having been needlessly slow and half-hearted. This
'saturnine fighter,' as he had been called, proved to be
exceedingly sensitive about the lives of his men - an admirable
quality in itself, but there are occasions when to spare them
to-day is to needlessly imperil them tomorrow. The victory was his,
and yet in the very moment of it he displayed the qualities which
marred him. With two cavalry brigades in hand he did not push the
pursuit of the routed Boers with their guns and endless streams of
wagons. It is true that he might have lost heavily, but it is true
also that a success might have ended the Boer invasion of Natal,
and the lives of our troopers would be well spent in such a
venture. If cavalry is not to be used in pursuing a retiring enemy
encumbered with much baggage, then its day is indeed past.
The relief of Ladysmith stirred the people of the Empire as
nothing, save perhaps the subsequent relief of Mafeking, has done
during our generation. Even sober unemotional London found its soul
for once and fluttered with joy. Men, women, and children, rich and
poor, clubman and cabman, joined in the universal delight. The
thought of our garrison, of their privations, of our impotence to
relieve them, of the impending humiliation to them and to us, had
lain dark for many months across our spirits. It had weighed upon
us, until the subject, though ever present in our thoughts, was too
painful for general talk. And now, in an instant, the shadow was
lifted. The outburst of rejoicing was not a triumph over the
gallant Boers. But it was our own escape from humiliation, the
knowledge that the blood of our sons had not been shed in vain,
above all the conviction that the darkest hour had now passed and
that the light of peace was dimly breaking far away - that was why
London rang with joy bells that March morning, and why those bells
echoed back from every town and hamlet, in tropical sun and in
Arctic snow, over which the flag of Britain waved.
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