Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Murray, Chief of the General Staff; Major-General Wilson, Sub-Chief of the General Staff; and all under them have worked day and night unceasingly with the utmost skill, self-sacrifice and devotion; and the same acknowledgment is due by me to Brigadier-General Hon. W. Lambton, my Military Secretary, and the Personal Staff.

In such operations as I have described the work of the Quartermaster-General is of an extremely onerous nature.  Major-General Sir William Robertson has met what appeared to be almost insuperable difficulties with his characteristic energy, skill and determination; and it is largely owing to his exertions that the hardships and sufferings of the troops—­inseparable from such operations—­were not much greater.

Major-General Sir Nevil Macready, the Adjutant-General, has also been confronted with most onerous and difficult tasks in connection with disciplinary arrangements and the preparation of casualty lists.  He has been indefatigable in his exertions to meet the difficult situations which arose.

I have not yet been able to complete the list of officers whose names I desire to bring to your Lordship’s notice for services rendered during the period under review; and, as I understand it is of importance that this despatch should no longer be delayed, I propose to forward this list, separately, as soon as I can.

      I have the honour to be,
  Your Lordship’s most obedient Servant,
    (Signed) J.D.P.  FRENCH, Field-Marshal,
          Commander-in-Chief,
        British Forces in the Field.

INDEX

  Abu Klea, battle of, 17.

  Asquith, H.H., 103.

  Baden-Powell, Lieut.-General Sir Robert, 26.

  Barrow, Col.  Percy, 12, 18, 19, 23.

  Beresford, Lord Charles: 
    Knocked senseless, 15.

  Bernhardi, General von, 33, 127.

  Bewicke Copley, General—­Admiration of French, 24.

  Bloemfontein, 75, 85, 86.

  Botha, General, 56.

  Buller, Sir Redvers: 
    Relief for the Expedition, 18. 
    Desperate measure, A, 19. 
    Checking the enemy’s advance, 20. 
    Tribute to French, 21. 
    His knowledge of French’s value, 34. 
    Oppressed by misgivings, 53. 
    Preparing to relieve Ladysmith, 54. 
    Disaster at Colenso, 56.

  Butcher Major E.E.A.:  Ingenious solution of a difficulty, 62, 63.

  Carleton, Colonel, 46, 47, 48, 49.

  Cavalry: 
    Test against camels, 12. 
    Distinguishing themselves, 14. 
    Buller’s belief in, 21. 
    Enemy’s respect for, 22. 
    Cavalry regiments in India, 25. 
    French’s, Sir, J., idea of the function of, 26. 
    Opinion of the late Sir Robert Russell, 27. 
    British cavalry reform, 28.