First Edition. Publisher File Copy. 247pp + 30pp Publisher Catalogue dated May 1901. 8 folding maps. Original cream cloth with large File Copy sticker on the front. General toning and browning of the cloth. Internally a very sharp copy, about near fine or better.
“This book is the defense of Major-General Colvile, who was relieved of his command on the Ninth Division after twice incurring the displeasure of Lord Roberts. The affair led to Parlaimentary Inquiry (instigated by a young Winston Churchill who backed Robert’s condemnation of Covile’s conduct. In his report to Parliament, Roberts stated that Colvile had twice shown ‘A want of initiative and military capacity’ and had ‘Failed to grasp the situation and to act with the energy and enterprise … essential for command in the field’. In a private note attached to his copy of this book General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien – later a distinguished Great War commander – was even more damning. Smith-Dorrien – who had disobeyed Colvile’s orders to retire during the engagement at Sannah’s Post in order to rescue wounded men – wrote: “Were all the facts known about Gen. Colvile’s conduct on this occasion he would have (incurred) much severer comments than Lord Roberts’. I was a Brigadier under him there and was absolutely disgusted with him as a General and as a man”. “
Hackett p43
- Jacket Condition: n/a
- Binding Condition: Very Good
- Overall Condition: Very Good
- Size: 23cm x 15.5cm
