SIR EVELYN WOOD ON THE ZULU WAR.

Kumara Times, Issue 1000, 13 December 1879, Page 4

SIR EVELYN WOOD ON THE ZULU WAR.

[public opinion, oct. 4,] The following is that portion of Sir Evelyn Wood’s eloquent speech at the Fishmongers’ Banquet, which refers to his brave companions in arms in the War:— While gratefully acknowledging your welcome to-night, my thoughts naturally revert to the, alas ) many gallant friends who have, in memory only, accompanied me back from Africa—Ronald Campbell, of the Coldstreams, who gave his unselfish life up for others, when he dashed forward into a cavern and, absolutely touched by a Zulu gun, fell a voluntary sacrifice, but a sacrifice instantaneously avenged by two brave boys—Lieutentant Lysons and Private Fowler, of the 90th Light infantry—who, undaunted by Campbell’s fate, ran in and slew Campbell’s slayers. (Loud cheers.) I call them boys, because really their united ages scarcely exceed my own, so you will not wonder that I retain considerable confidence in “ our boys ” (cheers) —and do not believe the race has deteriorated in fighting power. (Renewed cheers.) I was, however, unusually fortunate in my comrades. The 13th Light Infantry and the 90th, which joined me in time for Ulundi, were composed of veteran soldiers, while the 90th Light Infantry—which corps I have yet the honor to command—is remarkable for its excellent non-commissioned officers. (Cheers). Such was the spirit in the corps that when in 1877 the battalion was ordered to South Africa for the Gaeka war, many, non-commissioned officers who were entitled to join the reserves, and who bad, in several cases, obtained promises of situations in private life, sought and obtained permission to remain with the colors. (Loud cheers.) These men have been the loyal and efficient assistants to those gallant officers under whom our “short-service lads,” have done many long days of work. They bore privations and endured fatigue with a cheery readiness I can vever forget. (Cheers.) And when on that glorious March 29th 34,000 Zulus measured their strength for some five hours against our 1800 men—a long five hours I can tell you 1 thought it—the veteran 13th, the younger 90th, Tremlett’s gunners, and Buller’s horsemen, young and old, upheld equally the traditions of our arms. (Cheers.) I will not dwell long on sad reflections, but while thanking you for the compliment you are paying the Flying Column, through its leader, I must recall some who, having died in your service, deserve to live in your memory. (Loud cheers.) There are Robert Barton, anothe Coldstream who, “ brave as be was humane,” when last seen alive, was endeavouring to save a comrade from the remorseless foe—(cheers) ; Llewellyn Lloyd—(cheers)- my interpreter, brave, wise, and kind, of whom I have previously reported, “ he possesses every attribute of an English gentlemen,” and who was acquainted with every side of the Zulu character, who was shot down at my side; Lieutenant C. Williams, 58th Regiment, a voluntary, who was slain when rallying Ohamer’a men, in company with Charles Potter, the sole hope of his parents, a gallant and intelligent colonial officer, beloved by the natives, by whom he was known only as “ Charlie Nicholson, the enthusiastic yet imperturbable lieutenant of artillery, who, scorning the shelter of the breastwork thrown up to cover his gun, was mortally shot through the body ; Private Grosvenor, 13th Light Infantry, who, remaining behind to save a sergeant, did so, but at the cost of his life ; Piet Uys, that grand Dutchman to whom I promised, in England’s name, the protection of his children, of which their father’s death in our service has deprived them ; Sergeant M‘Allen, 90th Light Infantry, who, after having his first wound dressed, hurried out to rejoin his company in an exposed position, where he fell dead ; the gallant Saltmarshe, who died at the head of his company in the Gaeka War; the no less gallant Corporal Hillier, who met his death in snatching his captain’s body from the Geakas ; Arthur Bright, whose lovable qualities are ever in my mind. (Prolonged cheers.) These soldiers of my regiment, and many of other corps, in the manner of their death have emphatically contradicted the ignorant assertions that the war, in South Africa was one in which no honor was to be gained. (Hear hear.) In remembering these brave spirits and that gallant youth—the son of England’s ally—whose widowed mother is now our honored guest, I am reminded of the words of Shakespeare, and humanity is the same in all ages. You remember Siward’s query— Had he hurts before ? Their bodies answered that, just as did that of the gallant young Frenchman who had many wounds, but all “ on the front.” (Loud cheers.) I may say, as Ross says to Siward : Yonr son, my lord, has paid a soldier’s debt ; He only lived but till he was a man The which no boo er had his powers confirm’d In the unshrinking station whete he fought, But like a man he died. (Cheers.) And I would add, with Siward : Why then, Goi’s folder be he ! Had I as many sons as L have hairs I would not wish them to a fairer death (Loud cheers.) My thoughts brighten when I revert to the living, and I think with pleasure of Pearson—(loud cheers) — he will pardon me when I call him by his South African name, “ The Bulldog of Ekow ” —(renewed cheers) —of D’Arcy, of the Frontier Light Horse, who so nearly lost his life in trying to rescue a wounded comrade, you have all

heard—(cheers)—l think of Sergeant Jeff and Private Graham standing over their wounded captain—(cheers)—l think of Color-Sergeant Smith, who when both officers were lying sorely stricken and senseless, bravely commanded the company of the 90th Light Infantry as well as any officer could ; I think of the rank and file who marched with me many hundreds—nay, thousands—of miles, who were loyal and untiring, and, notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary, withal a Christian soldiery. I am aware it has been said we “lifted” many cattle and committed much arson. I plead guilty. As regards the cattle, they are in Africa the sinews of war. Some uninformed, people have not only blamed us for destroying the enemy’s military kraals, but have assertd that such a proceeding was useless, as the kraals were of no practical importance. The truth is that the military kraal to the Zulu is as much a rallying-point—a badge of honor if retained, or a symbol of disgrace if lost —as the colors are for which men in Europe give and take hecatombs of lives. From the days of the “Battle of the Standard” to the late sorrowful hour when Coghill, of the 24th, leaving his vantage point, swam back to bear company in death with Melville, going down under the bloody waters of the Buffalo, honorably encumbered with the Queen’s colors, there has always been what some call a fictitious, but what I call an ideal, value attached to certain objects in war. We have been accused of inhumanity. I have denied this charge officially for my troops End for myself. (Prolonged cheers.) I can assure you the only Zulu I personally chastised was one «vho declined to help us to carry a descrepid woman from a mountain where she must have starved. When I tell you it was the man’s mother, you will pardon the practical effort to induce the heathen to honor his mother, (“ Hear, hear,” laughter and cheers.) The flying column is broken up—Captain Woodgate impassive as a rock under the hottest fire, the brave Surgeons Rielly, Connolly, Brown, who, exposed to a storm of bullets, tenderly cared for our wounded ; Major Hackett, one of the ablest and bravest officers, who, directing his men to take cover, himself walked erect amongst them, amidst a hail of missiles, until one wounded him so cruelly ; and so with Beresford, Browne, Leet, andßuller, now well-known names, and 1 am proud to claim them as comrades. (Loud cheers.) You all know how they gained their crosses. It was not merely in taking life. Each in his turn carried off soldiers who must else have fallen under the assegais of the Zulus. (Cheers.) You probably do not know, however, that when Major Leet took up on a tired pony the double burden he incurred a double risk, for he went into the fight so crippled by a sprained knee that, once dismounted, he could not have made an effort to escape —he could not then have got the length of this room in five minutes. You have all heard of the valor of my right-hand man, but I alone, perhaps, can realise the full value of his services. Careful of his men’s lives, (feckless of his own, untiring and unflinching in the performance of his duty, we owed much of our success to his brilliant leadership of the mounted men. To his devoted friendship I owe more than I can express. Men learn to know each other well in active service, and I have not kuown a better soldier than Redvers Buller. (Great cheering.) These my comrades, are all dispersed. Some are still serving nnder that splendid soldier, Sir Garnet Wolsely—(loud cheers) —and they are fortunate ; for no leader has ever before succeeded in drawing to his service men of promise. The story of a bloody and selfish despotism has ended with the clever capture of Oetewayo by my friend Major Marter, and our courageous Ashantee scout, Lord Gifford. Our eighteen months’ hard living, hard marching, and hard fighting is over, and we are home again. (Cheers.) To you at home our thanks are due. You inspire our best actions. (Cheers.) Your blame is what we fear more than assegais. (Cheers) You have found money, men, and munition. Your sympathy with us in the course of the Zulu war has been an electric current. Your welcome repays us for the hardships and misfortunes of war. I am aware I owe much to your spontaneous kindness to-night—much to the fact that I am the grandson of Matthew Wood—name synonymous with truth, justice, unswerving honor and courage. (Cheers.) It would be impertinent in me to praise his son and my uncle, Lard Batherley—(cheers)—but I must avow I am very proud of being his nephew, and I am sure he prizes very highly, with me, the honor you have done me this evening. For this I thank you, not only for myself, but in the name of those gallant soldiers, Imperial and colonial, Dutchmen and natives, who during a time of exceptional anxiety and difficulty worked so harmoniously together for the good of the service and in the interests iof our great country (Prolonged and enthusiastic cheering.)