Note 44 — Chapter IX

A correspondent from Newdigate's column writes as follows:—"Réveille at 5 a.m. as usual; the men dispersed at 6.30 to drink the warm coffee prepared for them. Shortly after the disperse was sounded, to the annoyance of every one in camp, the enjoyment of their coffee was spoilt by the assembly being sounded; the tents were lowered, the cavalry saddling up and riding some 200 yards from camp. The utility of this manœuvre was not apparent to the troops, being at an unreasonable time. In Wood's column the alarm is invariably sounded about sunset after a new laager has been formed, in order that every one might know at night what waggon he is stationed at, without creating confusion. If a night attack should be made, everything is so slovenly and loosely carried out here that we pray for the return of General Wood, to rejoin our own column; for then we feel that we should be safer from our enemies than we are from our friends. This column has too much gold lace and red tape about it for South African warfare. The contrast between the two columns is very striking in many things, more especially in the punctilious military etiquette of this column, where on every side one is likely to be stopped by the sentry, and told that you must not go through a row of huts because a staff tent is under his charge. At head-quarters, plebeian's feet must not intrude within a certain distance. With General Wood's column there are no sentries over staff tents; the only day sentries are over Government stores, the regimental colours, and guard tents. All the staff tents display flags, denoting that business is done there, and they are open to the approach of every one who may have business to transact. General Wood, Colonel Buller, and their officers, have no pride or affectation. As a rule the officers of all branches of the service follow the example of their commanders, and are as courteous and friendly as they are brave."