Viceregal Lodge, "We are very busy over here with one thing and another, and I drop in for all sorts of work – one day I am a policeman, and the next a university reformer. This style of change suits my usual restlessness."
From this time Stewart's rise was very rapid. When selected for the Brigade-majorship of Cavalry in the expedition to Egypt in 1882, he was only a Major in the 3d Dragoon Guards, and a brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in the army, having served in three campaigns, and been several times mentioned in despatches. He was present with General Drury Lowe's cavalry – latterly as Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General – during all the actions of that campaign, and in the splendid march of the cavalry on Cairo after the battle of Tel-el-Kobir. By this rapid march and vigorous pursuit the enemy was prevented from again rallying, the fruits of victory were reaped, Cairo taken, and the campaign practically ended. With the audacity, combined with shrewdness, which should ever be the leading characteristic of the beau sabreur, Stewart, by a clever disposition of his small force, deceived the garrison of Cairo – 20,000 unbeaten regular troops – and demanded their instant surrender. Had they refused to capitulate, he could not for a moment have opposed the force against him with his tired-out cavalry. For these services Stewart was appointed A.D.C. to the Queen, made a Companion of the Bath, and promoted full Colonel.
Last year he was again called upon to serve his country: this time in the Soudan, under Sir Gerald Graham, when he had the honour to command the cavalry brigade at the battles of El-Teb and Tamai.
At each of these engagements the cavalry did effective and gallant service, although that miserable weapon, the regulation sabre, proved its worthlessness, and the troopers eventually armed themselves with the lances of the dead Arabs. At the fight at Tamai, Stewart, now commanding a cavalry brigade, proved a friend in need to his former chief and sporting ally, General Davis (to whom he had been adjutant in the old Indian days), by coming to his aid at a most critical moment, when Davis's square was partly broken and temporarily pressed back. Stewart cleverly and boldly dismounted his horsemen, and by their effective fire checked the wild rush of Arab fanatics, and enabled the brigade to rally.
Stewart's last campaign must be too fresh in the minds of every one to need more than a few passing remarks.
Selected at Korti by Lord Wolseley for the command of a most arduous and dangerous enterprise, he hastened across the desert to Gakdul, a distance of nearly 100 miles, where was the nearest ample water-supply. Leaving his men there, he returned almost without rest, and again directly crossed the dreary waste with another contingent. This march of nearly 200 miles in less than six days is unparalleled in its character, camels being the only mode of conveyance for men, water, and supplies. It will rank for rapidity and endurance – although a short march with a small force – among the greatest historical marches on record. Very shortly after, starting from Gakdul, with his whole force now concentrated – about 1500 fighting men – he again struck across the desert, making for the wells of Abu Klea and the Nile. How he fought two successful battles – Abu Klea on the 17th January,
