Sir John French: An Authentic Biography

g up th

e Artist-An Ambush-Doing the Impossible Again-Shor

east of the Modder. Although the river was in flood, as the result of torrential rains, French forthwith led out two brigades with their batteries to make a reconnaissance. In forcing the stream both French and his A.A.G. very nearly lost their lives. Losing its foothold the General's horse took fright and fell, flinging him into the raging torrent. As the animal strove to recover, it upset Colonel (now

PLAR

he Colesberg campaign-De Wet and Delarey. For once his old antagonists were able to get back at least a little of their own. Their position extended acro

r from the shock of Cronje's surrender. French was, therefore, ordered to circle round the B

retreat. Before the cavalry were in position, the Boers and their wagons could be seen scurrying off for the river. Arm-chair critics at home have strongly c

m a farmhouse in the rear, and, when it was taken, from a low kopje, a small body of men poured forth a hail of bullets. In man?uvring to take the kopje, the t

of De Wet proved as successful as when it was practised by French at Colesberg. Finally the event of the day is attributable to two of French's best qualities-his caution and his extreme parsimony in the m

pushed on towards Bloemfontein, which surrendered on March 13. For six weeks the main body halted there to rest, but chiefly to obtain remounts for the cavalry. During that time,

NFUL

omplexion, grey moustache, thick-set figure, and the last personality in the world to help an artist as a sitter. He promised to sit for the painter, although most characteristically he could not for the life of him think what he had done to be of sufficient interest for anyone to want to sketch him. At last, after a great deal of trouble, the painter got him to sit one morning just outside the club at Bloemfontein. That sitting w

and the main body, and led the way to Kroonstad, once again the seat of the Free State Government. Here by one of his famous turning movements, French cleverly forced the enemy to surrende

E

d to reach open country before nightfall (of June 2). But the Boers were before him. A sudden hail of Mauser bullets and shells announced an ambush. But French was undismayed. "Quietly, in complete mastery of the situation, General French gave his orders. 'Make room for the guns,' passed down the line; and like a fire engine to the rescue, up dashed a section of horse artillery and a pom-pom."[14] Very quick

vement on their flank, which he would follow by the usual frontal attack on foot. So energetic were the Boers in harassing Lord Roberts

ous targets, the cavalrymen were forced to dismount and fight their way up to the ridges on foot. For two days they fought gallantly against a steady fire, until the infantry's attack on the enemy's other flank gave French his chance to drive

ING V

pposite direction. While the Boers prepared to meet this he was able to reach Carolina with comparative ease. Here he remained for three days in order to prepare for a flanking movement against Barberton. As he must cut himself off entirely from sources of supply, such preparation was very necessary. French was about to attempt one of the most daring achievements of his career. He was going to take mounted men ove

arrow path, whose gradient was frequently one in four, the men crawled, often on hands and knees, while their horses stumbled on behind. Frequently they were scaling towering crags several hundred feet in height, from which there was sometimes a sheer fall of over a thousand feet. In teams of sixteen the oxen panted

owards the town. On descending the other side of the pass the soldiers had still to lead their horses, who were as often on their haunches as their feet. Barberton and the Boers saw the oncoming of the British fo

WITH S

m various vantage points in the vicinity. But French knew how to treat the sniper. The followi

ABITANTS O

ng in its vicinity takes place, the Lieutenant-General Commanding

ord

ig, L

ficer to Lt.-G

ber 15

g stopped

ail. That worthy, having surrendered, had come into bad odour with his fellow countrymen. In consequence he had b

to Barberton had been. Apart from the trying climb over the heights of the Kaapsche Hoop, and the eternal sniping of the Boers, the weather now brought new sufferings.

him unless General French pledged his word that he would burn no Boer farms. French replied that unless the captured medical officer were brought into the British camp next m

OBERTS

preciation of French's work and informed him that, while retaining his cavalr

ounding-up of the Boers which Kitchener was now planning in such elaborate detail. During the early part of 1901 he was able to clear the Boers out of the central district of

were the loyal citizens to fête the most successful of all the British Generals. But French would have no banqueting on his account. The wa

Also he is by nature a silent man. His silence is not the detached, Olympian and rather ominous silence of Kitchener. It proceeds simply from a natural modesty and reticence, which reinforce his habitual tendency to "think things over." He is the

tkins admires. "If the British soldier likes one thing in a General more than another," wrote a soldier who served with French in South Africa, "it is the golden gift of silence, especially when joined to straight action, just to disti

-SLEEVE

e of hay, smoking a dilapidated looking old briar pipe, asked where the General was. "The old man is somewhere about," coolly replied the soldier. "Well, just hold my horse while I go and search for him." "Certainly, sir," and the smoker rose obediently and took the bridle. "Can you tell me where the General is?" inquired the corresp

ts; he does not lose his head and rush his men into danger. In fact, he always looks before he leaps, and when he does leap, he makes us move-and the Boers too." Perhaps French was best su

TNO

P., Augus

in South Africa. By C.S. Goldman. By pe

iment, Septe