Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/315

 Literature of the South African War 305 Infantry of the City Imperial Volunteers, by Lieutenants Scott and McDonnell;' One Thousand Miles idth the C. I. V., by J. Barclay Lloyd ;^ and Tx<.<o Years at the Front, by Lieutenant Moeller,'' may be taken as typical specimens of this group of the South African literature. They are all written from the personal point of view of the author, either as an individual seeing war for the first time, or as a member of a unit whose share in the operations he desires to place on record. They are not quite of the same value as the regimental histories of regular corps, seeing that the writers lack the professional training which would enable them to discern the facts of importance to the professional student. Thus the text of the orders actually issued to the troops, the formations in which they marched and fought, their fine discipline, he has ignored. On the other hand the dramatic incidents of a fight, the personal experi- ences of the writer, the food and shelter he obtains from time to time, are set forth with superfluous ampleness. The chief value of such books lies in their laying open to an investigator the spirit and thoughts of the amateur soldier who, moved by patriotism and love of adventure, throws aside his normal work in life and, rifle in hand, thrusts himself forward in defense of the nation's interests. The actual facts and figures such narratives contain should, however, be accepted with caution, and when possible verified by reference to official despatches and records. The observations of the regular soldiers who played a part in the war must of necessity be offered a higher rank than those of amateurs. Unfortunately not many as yet have been confided to the hands of a publisher. Professional officers shrink justly from criticizing the actions and orders of superiors, many of whom are still in high places ; and, although some of the principal actors in the scene such as Lord Roberts, Sir Redvers Duller, Sir George White, Sir Henry Colvile, and Major-general Gatacre (the last of whom lately passed over to the majority) are no longer holding active commands, yet, while they live, a full and frank discussion of their merits and demerits is hardly to be expected from professional critics. Two books, however, have appeared, which cannot be ignored : The Work of the Ninth Division, by Major-general Sir H. Colvile,^ and Words by an- Eyeziitness: the Struggle in Xatal by " Linesman ". ^ Sir H. Colvile's work is of peculiar interest. One of the group of Guardsmen, who devote their lives and energies whole-heartedly to the profession of arms, he entered on the South ' London, 1902. '' London, 1900. '■> London, 1903.
 * London, 1901. ^ London, 1901,