[314] He wrote to me from Boston, U.S.: “These two books give descriptions which are realistic and modern. In my judgment, you are quite alone in this, and also in giving unbiassed descriptions of facts.”
[315] Now Major-General and Q.M.G. in India.
[316] Now Brigadier-General H. Lawson, C.B.
[317] Parliamentary Debates—16th March 1896. Supply in Committee—Army Estimates 1897:—“The Quartermaster-General, Sir Evelyn Wood, has in the last two years produced an annual saving of £21,000, on a not very large vote, by systematising transport of stores.” And again, 12th February 1897:—“Sir Evelyn Wood has succeeded in making arrangements to send soldiers by the shortest route, and to give the discharged soldier free conveyance to his selected place of residence.”
[318] “Despite these concessions, by a most careful economy in conveyance of stores, etc., Sir Evelyn Wood shows a reduction on the vote apart from special services on the manœuvres. The Vote was £329,000 in 1895–6, £309,000 in 1896–7, and £281,000 in the present year. This is, I think, peculiarly satisfactory.”
[319] Supply, 19th February 1897. Mr. Powell Williams, Financial Secretary, in reply said: “With regard to Land Transport, a sum of £13,000 had been saved under this head, owing to the Quartermaster-General having made satisfactory arrangements with the Railway Companies.”
[320] Extract from Diary: 10.1.96—Up at 4 a.m. Left St. Pancras by 1st train.
[321] See pp. 16, 17, Official History of the War in South Africa, 1899–1902. By Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice, K.C.B.
[322] Major Milton was not only a clever instructor, but a first-class fighting man, who always carried his troops to the Front. The two companies under his command at Belmont, on the 10th November 1899, lost two officers killed and two wounded, and when he fell, showing a grand example, on the 11th December, the three companies under him, comprising 13 officers, had lost six killed and six wounded. Captain E. M. FitzG. Wood being the only surviving Duty officer who had served with Major Milton throughout the month’s operations.
[323] My eldest son, now Major and D.S.O., Royal Dragoons.