Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 1.djvu/270

 star, and the Osmanieh (3rd class). He was made K.C.M.G. on 24 Nov.

He was appointed to the headquarters staff as assistant adjutant-general on 22 July 1883. In February 1884 he returned to Egypt to command the first infantry brigade of the force sent to Suakim under Sir Gerald Graham [q. v. Suppl. I], to deal with Osman Digna. He led his brigade at El Teb and Tamai. In the latter action the two brigades formed separate squares, and the second brigade, which was in advance, was broken and driven back in disorder by a sudden charge of the tribesmen. It was soon rallied owing to the firm attitude of the first brigade, which moved forward, and covered the burning of the Mahdist camp. Graham in his final despatch bore witness to Buller's 'coolness in action, his knowledge of soldiers, and experience in the field, combined with his personal ascendancy over officers and men' (Lond. Gaz. 6 May). He was promoted major-general for distinguished service on 21 May, and received two clasps.

In the expedition for the relief of Khartoum Buller was appointed chief of the staff on 26 Aug. 1884. Lord Wolseley wrote of him as invaluable in that capacity owing to his rare instinct for war (, ii. 270). He was sent forward to take command of the desert column, when Sir Herbert Stewart [q. v.] was fatally wounded. He joined it at Gubat on 11 Feb. 1885, with instructions to take Metemmeh; but the strength of its garrison and the approach of the Mahdist forces from Khartoum made him decide on a retreat across the desert to Korti. The skill with which this retreat was carried out averted what might have been a disaster. His services were noted in despatches (Lond. Gaz. 27 March, 25 Aug.), he was made K.C.B., and received an additional clasp.

He remained in Egypt till October, and on 1 Nov. he became deputy adjutant-general at headquarters. In August 1886 he went to Ireland for civil employment, to restore law and order in Kerry. The Salisbury administration, on taking office, thought that a ' resh, vigorous mind, accustomed to strict discipline,' would be useful in overhauling the police arrangements in Ireland (, ii. 328). Buller succeeded so well, that in November he was made under-secretary for Ireland, and called to the Irish Privy Council. He soon found this position irksome. His sympathy with the Irish peasantry made the enforcement of evictions distasteful, and he was not always in accord with ministers. On 15 Oct. 1887 he returned to military duty as quartermaster-general, and on 1 Oct. 1890 he succeeded Lord Wolseley as adjutant-general. He held this office till 30 Sept. 1897.

The ten years thus spent at the war office were a period of unusual activity there; and Buller took a leading part in the changes made to improve the condition of the soldier, and prepare the army for war. The question with which he was specially identified was the reorganisation of supply and transport, combining these two services, and adapting them to the regimental system. He showed a regard for the public purse which was rare among soldiers, and successive secretaries of state, conservative and liberal, thought highly of him as an administrator. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman [q. v. Suppl. II] meant him to succeed George, second Duke of Cambridge [q. v. Suppl. II], as commander-in-chief in 1895; but a change of ministry interfered with that arrangement, and Lord Wolseley was appointed. In 1893 Buller had been offered, but had declined, the post of commander-in-chief in India. He became lieut.-general on 1 April 1891, and general on 24 June 1896. He received a reward for distinguished service on 10 March 1892 and the G.C.B. on 26 May 1894. He was made a colonel commandant of the king's royal rifle corps on 13 July 1895, and he became honorary colonel of the 1st volunteer battalion of the Devonshire regiment on 4 May 1892.

On 9 Oct. 1898 Buller succeeded the Duke of Connaught in the command of the troops at Aldershot, but remained there only a year. On 14 Oct. 1899 he embarked for South Africa to enforce the British demands on the Transvaal republic, at the head of 70,000 men, the largest army which England had ever sent abroad. His knowledge of the country and the people, combined with his reputation as a soldier and administrator, justified the selection. He was informed of it in June, but it was not till the end of September that he could form a plan of operations, owing to the doubtful attitude of the Orange Free State. When it became clear that the Free State would be hostile, his plan was to advance on Bloemfontein with 45,000 men from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and East London, while 15,000 men should defend Natal, and 7000 should guard Kimberley and