THE HERO OF MAFEKING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 98, 23 May 1900, Page 2

THE HERO OF MAFEKING.

Colonel Baden-Powell, unquestionably the man of the hour, is the subject of most lengthy and favourable notice in the columns of the English and colonial press. -Needless to say, one and all bear testimony to the striking personality of the hero of Mafeking, and to his high courage and unique resourcefulness. The following sketch by Alexander Davis, in the Dunedin Star, is a good specimen of the notices referred to: —The popular hero among the officers and generals commanding forces in the present campaign is Colonel Baden-Powell, appointed in May, 1897, Brevet-colonel of the sth Dragoon Guards, but at present on special service in South Africa. Before .hostilities had begun, but when the present conflict appeared imminent, the War Office felt the need of sending out an efficient and experienced officer to superintend the border defences of Rhodesia and B9chuanaland, a stretch of frontier about 500 miles in extent, Under the mo3t favourable circumstances it was scarcely feasible to properly garrison all these outposts ! with Imperial troops in time w forestall Boer incursions. If reverses were mot with it was readily conceded that the task would be unsurmountable, which ha?, unfortunately, proved the case. In casting around for a suitable 'man the claims of Colonel BadenPowell to the post were found incontestable.

His subordinates were doubtlessly of his own choosing. Colonel Pluinsr and Major Vyvyan were both old comradis [in the Matabele Rebellion, and were at home in the districts destined for operations. It was a moot point today—as matters have developed—whether the services of Colonel BadenPowell would not have been more valuable in tho line of advance than on defence. The work entrusted to him had been done well—in fact, with the paucity of material to work with, remarkably 'well—but Baden-Powell in command of scouts in White's, Buller's, or Methuon's forces might possibly have spelt success where failure resulted. Most of our reverses have been set down to insufficient knowledge of the enomy's disposition, and to the superior craft of the Boers in the veldt. Baden-Powell is up to all their tricks, and can give them points, too.

The earliest reverse that has been recorded in the present campaign was tho destruction of the armoured train between Vryburg and Mafeking, with the loss of a gun, ammunition, and most of the man. The arms were* destined for Baden-Powell, but fell into the hands of the Boers instead. This was a bit of a blow, but Baden-Powell took it very coolly, and doubtless came to the conclusion that as they were so fond of shelling trucks he would allow them some further practice. Having some superfluous dynamite in the stores, he snnt a couple of trucks loaded with the explosive down the line ( and waited for developments. The Boers, elated with their recent success, pounded merrily away, and receiving ne response rushed the deserted waggons, The tableau when the show blew up can be left to imagination, " Here," said they, " is a man who knows a thing or two, and we must be careful." They have been cr.utions c.ve.v since, with the result tiv.b tin-

iuiliative i;i moyt of the iijhtiivj; his !sioa Ud:cn by tho colonel Tin R'ei'o iiiivo bcou looking on fion :\ ril-.tn ':;;.-, slmp'y shelling Hio fcowu .-J; a long range.

Circumstances brought the wiitor of this article much in contact with the sjillant c<))(i».'>) during the Matabele Km I ellion. ilo was then acting aw Chkf uf the Stair to General Sir Frederick GV.iriuglon.

Thoonofjnallsy prominent in B;id»)>iPowell contrasting somewhat with the '.vci'ijio officer is the manner in which he carries out his military duties. Dressed in the plain khaki uniform and slouched hat of South African warfare, there is nothing starched or imposing in his appearance or demeanour. H« has neither a poker down his back, nor padding in his shoulders, nor a forbidding or condesci'iiding' air in intercourse. Ho is simply qiikr, intiuil, iind gnnor.dly imiliu;.;. L: c.'t.VuiKitiAu you forget i ! ,e iu:U'.;iiy n.ai., , nd oi.ly sue tho sb'ir.vd uiin of tho woild and courteous gvntlemnn. At the time when many dfte : vftd anil w, rarcaßiis w> r" uttered a«a:'iiKt the Stuff p .;.niht-ion, Ktd'.'n-Powell ! -the liMla U;-jt wrei saeri of him in :e.imp alw'lVH IVK-t with prii,!(. |>i.| i".o wish mm thin;; druw. nr whatever dealings ho may have hi.d with fh.< : turekct'.p .»rs, he u'Way* ainuigud matters with Hie maximum of pleusi-nt-iiess and the miin aum of miliary .nili'ness oc- sense of cunm-ind. Nu«', this ;-. a, ve-y important (rait in a commanding cJliocr during t ; mo of war. It the whole-hearted aid of

civilians and an alacrity in providing for the forces, which tact alone can bring forth. We have ample evidence that in M&feking Baden-Powell has the whole population of the place following him implicitly, even to death. The power of command alone will not ensure this. A military leader requires other qualities than bravery and a knowledge of tactics and strategy to become a successful general. All the subordinate qualities required of a military leader Colonel Baden-Powell possesses, Hiintellectual and artistic abilities are well known, His books on the Ashanti campaign, on Matabeleland, and on scouting are standard works in military circles. Accompanying these are sketches from his own pen, Though very highly gifted in many directions, the gallant colonel is modesty itself. During the Matabele campaign, as Chief of the Staff and the Intelligence Department, Colonel BadenPowell was responsible for most of the military maps of the little-known and difficult country occupied by the enemy. Oa one occasion, after days and nights of reconnoitring, sometimes alone and sometimes accompanied by an ordeily, he had a rough map prepared of the Jlatoppo Hills selected for the next operations. He sent for the local lithographer and asked him if he could lithograph a few for use of the troops. The task was accepted, and the suggestion made that from Baden-Powell't rough plan a finished sketch could be executed by a local artist, an adept in such work. The colonel simply replied : "Thanks, I'll ju3t line it off myself roughly if you will supply me with the transfer paper." When the sketch was the lithographer looked very small indeed, for the talented colonel had sketched it as only an adept could do.

Colonel Baden-Powell's Kaffir name, ib may be stated, is " Impessi," which has been rather incorrectly taken to mean "be who scouts in the night." The literal meaning of this word is hyena, or wolf; it is also applied to those who are in the habit of taking solitary walks after dark. Baden-Powell, in the execution of#is duties, leaves very little to chance or to information brought in by others. Like a true' commander, in matters of importance he verifies all intelligence by personal observation. When oparating in an unknown or enemy's country, what h number of disasters have occurred through either false or incorrect data! In this wise almost all our recent defeats and repulses have occurred. It is highly improbable that, under Colonel Baden-Powell's command, such reverses would have been met with. He may be defeated by superior strength or by cleverer strategy, but by surprise or by tactics he would be a difficult man to catch. It has been said in South African circles, from information derived from Boer sources, that the Boers have no intention to taka Mafeking, The reason given is that Baden-Powell, locked up in Mafeking, is worth a little army to the Boers, for should he escape and bs omployed against them with the main columns their superiority in the veldt would disappar. They say that ha is the first rooi-baatje they have mat who can fight in their fashion, and givo thorn points at it. In tho Matabr.lo irsmpsign ho had many Afrikanders hi tho forces under hire, ami to a ram they admired ids " sliraness " and nervi>.

As a concluding example of his reIsource and readiness of stratagem, only ro:ently at Mafeking he found the Boers very restive owing to his periodical sallies and unexpected attacks. The least movement discerned in the direction of the defences was construed by tho Boers into a sally in forco. To profit by this nervousness, and cause the Boers to waste their ammunition and expose the position of their trenches, he provided an endless rope, running on a pulley affixed to a post, some distance towards the enemy's position. On this t ope he fastened lanterns, and in the, dead of sight started the rope on the move. To the watchful foe it looked for all the world as if the enemy was steal'-hiy approaching, as the lights app-.artd to be moving in their direction. A fierce fusillade from all points followed, aimt d in the direction of the ixpecied attack, and was continued intermittently throughout the night. One can well imtKine the resourctful Badenftiwoll chuckling in quiet gleo with his f. i;<n<l L M-d Edward Cecil at. the Boers' !'• uitie alalia, for we have chuckled 'V')' i" ui'ich at home.

Always wide awake, with an iron ei.i-.v i ution, contained in rather a slight tn m , Baden-Powell has by pluck, re-oi-Lf, iact, and determination, kept he foo at bay, though occupying a spot which by no aid of the imagination could be deemed moderately

capable of defence, Mafeking lies in the open veldt, in the midst of a population mainly consisting of Natives of doubtful loyalty and Boers of undoubted enmity ; yet, by the splendid efforts of this comparatively young but really brilliant officer, at the head of a mixed force of coloniets, the town bravely holds out. He accounted for a considerable cumber of the enemy, and will probably continue its glorious defence until downright starvation or sheer exhaustion shall perforin what a large army of Boers under a wily general could not effect. DIARY OF MAFEKING. THE STOIIY OF THE SIEGE AS TOLD BY THE CABLES.

[October 14,1899, to M-«y 18, 1900. Length of siege, 216 days. ii»!**3 IiJMTISH STRENGTH. 700 Irregulars and Mounted Police. 150 Volunteers. 600 Civilians. 27-pounders. Colonel Baden-Powell. BOWB STItENGTH. 7000 men. 1 Krupp 94-pounder. 1 10-pounder. 2 12-pounders. 5 7-pounders. Generals Cronje and Snyman,

October 9,1899.—80er ultimatum. October 12. —Boei\s occupy railway, isolating Mafeking.

Armoured train captured south of Mafeking. October 14.—Communication with the out' side world cut olf. Town isolated.

I attack an armoured train, but are beaten back, with a loss of two killed and three wounded. They also make an attempt upon the town, but are repulsed, with a loss of seventy killed and wounded.

October 18.—Cronje bombards the town and cuts off the water supply. Baden-Powell sends his historic message to the War Office: " Enemy bombard town for three hours. Dog killed." October 24.—Armoured train sent out. Enemy's loss fifty-three killed and many wounded; British loss two killed and fifteen wounded. Cronje goes to Kimberley. October 26.—Town shelled. Houses destroyed.

October 30.—Three Krupp guns do a little bombarding.

Novembers.—Storming party driven back with great loss. November !").—Lieutenant-Colonel Plumcr leaves Rhodes .Drill, for Mafeking. November 12.—Boors again repulsed. Investment close anil shelling continuous. November 15.—Boers shell hospital and women's laager. November 16.—Baden-Powell worries tho enemy.

November 22—Shelling continues, but enemy less in number. Hospitals fired upon. Fever makes its appearance. December C—The enemy still worried. December 13.—Town reported short of food.

December 26.—Intermittent shelling. Garrison determined.

December 31.—British make a sortie on the Boer position; enemy previously warned ; result, failure. Our loss, eighteen killed and twenty-three wounded. Captain Vernon and Lieutenant Pato'n among the killed. January 0. —Boers resume shelling. I January 18.—Women's laager shelled ; girl killed and two children wounded. ConI valescont home smashed by shells. j January 21.—Colonel Plumcr reported eighty miles from the town.

January 25—Convent shelled. Lady I Wilson and Major A-Unis wounded. February I.—Town reports "All well." February 3.—The mayor sends a message to tho Queen to commemorate the 100 th day of the siege.

February !). The colonel arrests forty Fenians, and has their leader shot. Crime: Communicating with tho enemy. February 14.—Message comes through that ■ill is well.

February 16. Message received from Lord •tobcrts. Prompt rolief promised. Boers .-holt tire women's laagsr. Colonel Plumer has an artillery duel at Crocodile Pools; the colonel has to fall bacis on Gabcrones.

February 22—Boer prisoners placed in women's laager, as the enemy have a weakness for shelling it.

February 23.—Manufacture of paper money.

March 2.—Another assault, with the same result.

March (!.—Force said to have left Kimberley for the relief of the town. March B.—Typhoid and dysentery rarepant. Food consists of horseflesh and bis. cuits.

Snyman ordered to " sack the town." The poor fellow would if he could, but he can't. Total deaths, all causes, 290. March 14.—Women and children much distressed.

March 15,—The garrison construct again. V sorgeant-major is sentenced to five -years' imprisonment for stealing food. March 16.—Lady Sarah Wilson presents the troops with flags worked by the ladies of the town.

March 18.—Colonel Plumer again tries to reach the town. Gets as far as Pitsani. His supplies hamper his movements. Snyman engages him at Lobatsi. Plumer has to fall back.

March 26.—Garrison captnre an enemy's trench, kill twelve men and seize tweaty-six head of cattle. " All well."

April 3. -Cheering message received from Lord Koberts.

April s.—Colonel Plumer again at Pitsani. April 10.—Knomy by ruses, rctieats, and like tricks .seek to draw out the garrison, Attempts fail. April 17— Town bombarded with five guns. Foe can't get in. One of Plumer's lieutenants pierces the Boer cordon, tells and receives tho news, then returns to the place from whence he came.

April 25. —Snyman reported reinforced. Native women who had. left the town are taken by the gentle general, stripped, and flogged.

Native cattle raiders shot by tho onemy. Total casualties end of March, :i»S. April 21). -General Hunter, from tho south, co-operates with General from the north, for the ivliof ol tho town.

May 2.—News received that Snyman had made a determined assault, but without success. Women's laager suffers severely. Three thousand I'.oors are outside, with many guns. They dynamite the railway. May 3.—Sir A. Blilner assures the Mayor of Ki in hurley that Hie town will he speedily relieved.

| Ma}' B.—Colonel Plumer establishes pigeon post communication. Enemy said to have withdrawn their artillery. May 9.—A British relief column 3,000 strong wiLli field guns, pass through Yryburg, ninety-six miles south of Mal'eking. May 12.—Boers make a last desperate assault upon the town, continuing their attack throughout the whole of this and the following day. They are, of course, beaten back, with an admitted loss of seven killed and seventeen wounded. They are said to havo set lire to the native quarter. May 18.—Mafeking relieved. Colonel Malion's column enters. Uod Save the Queen I