C URRENT LITER AT URE.
IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH BULLER.
In South Africa with Buller. By G. C. Musgrave. (Gay and Bird. 7s. CxI.)—Mr. Musgrave adopts an unadorned style in relating the Natal Campaign, which, if it strikes the reader as somewhat unsympathetic at times, allows more room for facts and independent judgment. This, and the avoidance of a personal narrative, while they rob the history of the campaign of colour, also rob it ..of bias, and when taken with the three clear and succinct chapters relating the growth of the Boer power and the causes of the war, entitle Mr. Mnsgrave's book to be con- sidered of honest historical value. He writes for the instruction of his countrymen, some of the best of whom, he tells us, believe the war to be due solely to the effort of one man "to grab the two Republics." The Boer party, knowing him to be an American correspondent, were careful to give him all possible information as to their aims Few Americans outside the States, as he says, had any sympathy with the Republics, least of all those who knew the Transvaal. It was the same with the bitterest of the Irish, who foresaw in Boer supremacy worse evils than their wildest imaginings of Saxon cruelty. It is difficult to gather from Mr. Musgrave's impersonal narrative how much he saw and how much he gathered from investigation, though we may have a fair idea. The best portions relate the fights that preceded the investment of Ladysmith, Yule's famous march, and the battle of Waggon Hill, one of the most protracted duels between determined men ever fought. One can read between the lines a certain grim satisfaction as he relates the great mistake which led to the final British charge,--the Boer advance in the open, though it was nearly dark then. "With a
hoarse cry the British clashed forward. In distinct
crashes were the magazines emptied then with cold steel." The treachery exhibited by the Boers marred an otherwise glorious exhibition of resolution. Mr. Musgrave often alludes to the abuse of the white flag, and the severe punishment it prevented our troops inflicting on a retreating enemy. It will, however, have cost the Boers many lives in the end; it has cost us even more. He asks us to distinguish between the irresponsible authors of Boer cruelty and those who realised the obligations of civilised warfare. We cannot forget that the Boers were the same in 1881, and those who let loose the dogs of war must be held responsible. The strategy of the Natal Campaign is not much criticised by the author, but he brings out ably the enormous difficulties of the rugged country General Buller had to contend with, and the many excellent movements foiled by individual failures to accomplish almost impossible tasks. One thing is evident, "the men were splendid"; such determined and continuous fighting and storming have never been known before in fighting. Mr. Mus- grave speaks highly of the cordial feeling and the care of officers for their men, which nearly approaches that of Ameri- can officers. The account of Lord Roberts's advance lacks interest ; there must obviously be more interest than the author says there is in the great strategical advance and the final " worry" at Paardeberg. Otherwise, the story as told by Mr. Musgrave, as far as it takes us, is ably, fairly, and clearly outlined. It should most certainly be added to the historical library of the South African War.
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