danger, he never spared himself or others. What he did was always done courageously and thoroughly. His whole career was an example of earnestness amid which certain weaknesses of temper and disposition may well be forgotten. If at times he seemed to show too little consideration for those immediately around him, he was nevertheless devoted to the army generally. Any scheme for the benefit of the soldiers invariably received support from his pen and purse. A strict military disciplinarian, he was just and unflinching. Never was there an army equal to the Central India Field Force, either for fighting powers or discipline, when engaged in the field; and never was the army in India in such order as when he commanded in chief[1].
In the field, the rebel Sepoys of the Mutiny could make nothing of the general who routed and destroyed them. His rapid marches and indomitable energy struck terror into their hearts. Who could withstand a leader who — ignoring all traditions of ordinary tactics, and spite of cautions and reproofs — regarded himself and his troops as bullet and heat-proof? He surprised both friend and foe by grasping instinctively, with the genius of a born soldier, the great principle of Indian warfare, 'When your enemy is in the open, go straight at him, and keep him moving; and when behind ramparts, still go at him, and cut off chances of retreat, when possible; pursue
- ↑ For fuller details see an article on Lord Strathnairn by Sir Owen Burne, in the Asiatic Quarterly Review, of January, 1886.
