The History of Lumsden's Horse. A Complete Record of the Corps from its Formation to its Disbandment

Loosely inserted is a slip printed with the words "With the Author's Compliments." The words "the Author's" have been crossed out, and "Colonel Lumsden's" inserted, in a contemporary hand. 

Squarish royal 8vo; bright red cloth over bevelled boards; lettered in gilt on spine and upper cover; spine also decorated with gold, navy and cream regimental colours; t.e.g.; pp. xii + (ii) + 506, incl. index; numerous plates and illustrations in text; folding map. Backstrip a bit sunned, and slightly crumpled at extremities; trace of spotting. A very attractive presentation copy of this exceptional work. (Hackett, pp. 37, 175; Mendelssohn II, p. 147) 

'Colonel Lumsden conceived the idea "of forming a corps of Indian volunteers," and, in December 1899, "cabled ... to his friend Sir Patrick Playfair in Calcutta his proposal to raise a corps of European Mounted Infantry for service in South Africa, and backed it with an offer, not only to take the field himself, but to contribute a princely sum in aid of a fund for equipping any force the Government might sanction." It is stated that the volume "is intended to be no more than a regimental record enlivened by the personal experiences of men ... at a time when the whole British Empire was moved by one impulse." The corps took part in Lord Roberts' march to Bloemfontein, the occupation of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the pursuit of De Wet, and the campaign in the Barberton and De Kaap districts.' - Mendelssohn. "Detailed record of a volunteer contingent raised in India. ... Appendices include a regimental roll and a list of honours and decorations awarded." - Hackett: South African War Books - An Illustrated Bibliography.