General Gatacre

Assured of worthiness, we do not dread Competitors; we rather give them hail And greeting in the lists where we may fail: Must, if we bear an aim beyond the head! My betters are my masters; purely fed By their sustainment I likewise shall scale Some rocky steps between the mount and vale; Meanwhile the mark I have, and I will wed. So that I draw the breath of finer air, Station is naught, nor footways laurel-strewn, Nor rivals tightly belted for the race. God-speed to them! My place is here or there; My pride is that among them I have place: And thus I keep the instrument in tune.

GEORGE MEREDITH.

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PREFACE

The main object in laying this book before the public is to provide an authentic narrative of Sir William Gatacre's work in South Africa. At the time of his recall no despatch giving the reason for this step was published, but a letter dealing with this matter has since appeared as an Appendix in the Official History of the war; it is with reluctance that I have been persuaded to reprint this letter at the end of this volume. It seemed, however, that Sir William's previous career was such a large factor in determining any opinion regarding his later work that some account of the man and his surroundings from the beginning would not be without interest.

In preparing the first half of this story I have been entirely dependent on the recollections of others, and have studiously avoided any attempt to eke out the material with an imaginary amplification; in the latter half my own personal knowledge of himself and his affairs has enabled {x} me to seek my information from numerous sources, and to draw the portrait in richer colours on a more suggestive background.

I wish to acknowledge in full the loyal assistance afforded me by my husband's friends. In every case I have received the most cordial response and co-operation. I am sincerely grateful both to those who have asked me to refrain from naming them and to those who have given me the support of their names. Through the courtesy of these officers and others, I am able to say that every word has been read by one who has personal knowledge of the incidents recorded. In this way I trust that this narrative will have acquired an unimpeachable accuracy.

I am also deeply indebted to the Official History of the War in South Africa. Indeed, before the publication of this authoritative statement my task would have been impossible.

To the facts therein recorded I have added extracts from officers' reports, and from Sir William's own letters, and also the words of certain important telegrams which I had found amongst his papers, and for the reproduction of which official permission has been graciously accorded.

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I beg the indulgence of the reader for faults of literary inexperience, and trust that he will recognise my honest endeavour to handle the facts fairly and dispassionately.

BEATRIX GATACRE.

April 8, 1910.

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

GATACRE . . . 1

CHAPTER II

TO INDIA AND BACK . . . 13

CHAPTER III

RANGOON . . . 38

CHAPTER IV

SECUNDERABAD . . . 52

CHAPTER V

BLACK MOUNTAIN EXPEDITION . . . 63

CHAPTER VI

MANDALAY . . . 82

CHAPTER VII

POONA . . . 98

CHAPTER VIII

BOMBAY . . . 110

CHAPTER IX

CHITBAL . . . 127

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CHAPTER X

QUETTA . . . 145

CHAPTER XI

THE PLAGUE . . . 161

CHAPTER XII

FROM ALDERSHOT TO BERBER . . . 184

CHAPTER XIII

ATBARA AND OMDURMAN . . . 198

CHAPTER XIV

COLCHESTER . . . 214

CHAPTER XV

CAPE COLONY . . . 221

CHAPTER XVI

ORANGE FREE STATE . . . 239

CHAPTER XVII

BACK TO COLCHESTER . . . 261

CHAPTER XVIII

ABYSSINIA . . . 273