[275] Now Roman Catholic Bishop of Nottingham.
[276] Lord Wolseley to Sir Evelyn Wood: “Remain to see the desert posts cleared out yourself, an operation requiring wise calculation and a good military head. I have every confidence in your doing this difficult job well and quickly.”
[277] I was advised by one of the first surgeons in London, whom I consulted on my return, that I should never get another nail, but Mr. Bader, the oculist, who was a warm personal friend of mine, discredited this opinion, and said if I kept the finger plastered up long enough a new nail would grow, and he was right.
[278] Vide [page 468]. The same officer.
[279] We had boots sent out to the desert, but vanity causes the Briton to wear at home boots a size too small for him, and the men with swollen feet could not get on those they would have worn in England.
[280] Now Lieutenant-General Sir J. D. French, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G.
[281] Died from the effect of a bite from a panther while in command of the Madras Army.
[282] He wrote to me, Cairo, 18th March 1885: “You will be able to carry away the conviction that you did all that mortal man could do to make an army out of very indifferent material. I shall never forget all the support and assistance you gave me during a period of very great difficulty....” And as Lord Cromer, 5th October 1892: “I do not want to go to India; if, however, I were to go I should prefer you to be Commander-in-Chief to anyone else.”
[283] Extract from despatch, sent by Lord Wolseley to the Secretary of State for War:—
“Cairo, 15th June 1885.
“Major-General Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., G.C.M.G., K.C.B., was the General of Communications, and brought the utmost zeal to bear upon the arduous and difficult duties of that position. Our line of communications by rail, river, and desert, from Alexandria to Gubat, was about 1500 miles in length. The responsibility of supervising it was great, but, thanks to Sir E. Wood’s ability and energy, and to the efficient support he received from the large staff of officers under his command, the army operating in the front was well fed and provided with all it required. The officers and men of the Egyptian army, under General Wood’s immediate orders, worked along this line with indefatigable earnestness, and with the best possible results to the welfare of the Expedition.