Pedantic In His Accuracy, He Actually At The Battle Of
Colenso Drilled The Irish Brigade For Half An Hour Before Leading
Them Into Action, And Threw Out Markers Under A Deadly Fire In
Order That His Change From Close To Extended Formation Might Be
Academically Correct.
The heavy loss of the Brigade at this action
was to some extent ascribed to him and affected his
Popularity; but
as his men came to know him better, his romantic bravery, his
whimsical soldierly humour, their dislike changed into admiration.
His personal disregard for danger was notorious and reprehensible.
'Where is General Hart?' asked some one in action. 'I have not seen
him, but I know where you will find him. Go ahead of the skirmish
line and you will see him standing on a rock,' was the answer. He
bore a charmed life. It was a danger to be near him. 'Whom are you
going to?' 'General Hart,' said the aide-de-camp. 'Then good-bye!'
cried his fellows. A grim humour ran through his nature. It is
gravely recorded and widely believed that he lined up a regiment on
a hill-top in order to teach them not to shrink from fire. Amid the
laughter of his Irishmen, he walked through the open files of his
firing line holding a laggard by the ear. This was the man who had
put such a spirit into the Irish Brigade that amid that army of
valiant men there were none who held such a record.
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