THE LATE MAJOR CAVAGNARI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 266, 20 November 1879, Page 6

THE LATE MAJOR CAVAGNARI.

[From the "World."] Major Pierre Louis Napoleon Cavagnari, C.5.1. , who was only in July last nominated a Knight Commander of the Bath, Civil Division, was a son of the late General Adolphe Cavagnari — who belonged to an ancient and noble Parmese family, and was in the French Service under the first empire — by his wife Caroline, third daughter of Mr Hugh Lymes Montgomery. He was educated at Christ's Hospital, aad entered the service of the East India Company as "direct cadet," ani served with the lst Bengal European Fusiliers in tbe Oude campaign of 1858-59. He also served with the 3rd Goorkhas throughout the Umbeyla campainn of 1863, and also with the same regiment throughout the Hazara campaign of 1868. Major Cavagnari received the Victoria Cross for the daring capture of a band of murderers in connection with what was known as tbe Swat Canal outrage in 1876. This occurred near the English fort of Abazaie, where many native workmen were killed, but the culprits escaped. In January, 1878, Major Cavagnari, who was then in I command of the Punjaub Frontier Forces, heard that the principal in this outrage had taken refuge at Cbapri. He got together fifty meo, procured guides, made a night march, and surprised this man in a house at Chapri, capturing bim and his son. This event which took place 15 months after the perpetration of the crim., was considered the most dashing feat on the frontier. Major Cavagnari waa long Deputy Commissioner at Kowhat, acted in the same oapacity at Peshawur, and was made a 0.5.1, for his services in 1877. He was selected to aooompany Sir Neville Chamberlain when that officer waa ordered ou a mission to the Ameer Shere Ali. He was in advance with a small body of the escort when he was stopped by the Afghans of Ali Musjid and compelled to torn back, an incident which was the immediate cause of the late war. He accompanied General Sir Samuel Browne as political officer, and at the termination of the campaign was appointed our Plenipotentiary, and in that capacity negotiated the peace with Yakoob Khan, at Gundamuk. He was a most able and energetic officer, aod waa universally popular. His loss will be deeply and generally regretted. Sir Louis Cavagnari was one of tbose few men created by nature to make their mark iu tha world's history. Utterly uo-Eagiißh in his aspect, his manner, his style of thought, and hia character of action, he recalled the Continental diplomatists of the moyeu age. It has been generally assumed at Pesbawur for years back that it was only a question of time when Cavagnari should be assassinated, as had been Mackeson, Macdonald, and so many others who had been his predecessors in the perilous fascinating career of frontier management. A slight man, of rather feeble physique, but with an eye like a twoedged sword, he never carried arms, differing in this from John Nicolson, who always had a pistol on his writingtable ; and when, at an interview, a hillman or an Afghan waxed truculent, took care to secure the first trick in the game. Cavagnari (writes a correspondent) although he never loses his temper, can, on occasion, hit wonderfully straight from the shoulder. I remember once riding with him to an appointment he had with some Afridis to settle some vexed land question. I remained on the road while he, alone, in the centre of about a dozen stalwart ruffians armed to the eyebrows, walked round the field. Presently the loud angry accent of a dispute reached my ears. The Afridis were surrounding Cavagnari, gesticulating with passionate vehemence, some with hands on their daggers. Cavagnari stood quiet, perfectly fearless, utterly impassive. Suddenly I saw the biggest of the Afridis go down like a bullock, and Cavagnari, with unruffled composure, returning his hand iuto his pokecfc, He had knocked

the ruffian down, and the swift thoroughness of the act cowed the fierce hillmen. About half-way on the return journey Oavagnaria remarked apologetically, "It was absolutely necessary. Please don't think I lost my temper; I was perfectly cool ; but I was forced to maintain my ascendency ;" and then ho added meditatively, "and I wanted to save my life."