Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 2.djvu/536

 highlanders ; his commission was ratified on 7 Jan. 1880, when his claymore was presented to him by his brother officers. He was awarded the Afghan medal with three clasps and the bronze decoration (Despatches, Lond. Gaz. 16 Jan. 1880). On the way home from India Macdonald and two companies of the 92nd Highlanders were landed in Natal to join Sir George Colley [q. v.] in his attempt to relieve the British garrisons in the Transvaal. At the battle of Majuba 'Fighting Mac' displayed heroic courage (Lond. Gaz. 3 May 1881). He was taken prisoner, but General Joubert was so impressed with the bravery of his defence that on his release his sword was returned to him. He became full lieutenant on 1 July 1881.

In 1883 Macdonald's appointment to a post in the Egyptian constabulary under Valentine Baker [q. v. Suppl. I] opened a new phase in his career. Incidentally he shared in the Nile expedition of 1885, serving as garrison adjutant at Assiout from 22 Jan. to 5 June 1885. After the failure of that expedition Macdonald played an important part in reorganising the Egyptian army, and was mainly associated with the training of the 11th Sudanese regiment, which he modelled on the Highlanders. He became captain in 1888, and was transferred to the Egyptian army. The Sudan campaign of 1888-91 gave Macdonald the opportunity of testing the steadiness of the Sudanese troops under his command. Their conduct at Toski {3 Aug. 1889) and the capture of Tokar (19 Feb. 1891) reflected great credit on Macdonald's training and example (Lond. Gaz. 11 Jan. 1889 and 6 Sept. 1889). He received the medal with two clasps, bronze star with clasp, third-class of the Medjidie, and the distinguished service order (25 Feb. 1890), as well as the third-class of the Osmanie. He was promoted major on 7 July 1891 and was attached to the 7th royal fusiliers, while remaining in Egypt. In 1896, when Sir Herbert (afterwards Viscount) Kitchener began the reconquest of the Sudan, Macdonald was appointed to the command of a brigade of Egyptian infantry in the expedition to Dongola. Both at Ferkeh on 7 June and Hafir on 19 September he showed a rare gift for handling troops, and for his services received the brevet of lieut.-colonel on 18 Nov. 1896 and the Egyptian medal with two clasps. He served also in the Nile expedition of 1897-8, and commanded an Egyptian brigade at the action of Abu Hamed (Lond. Gaz''. 25 Jan. 1898, two clasps to Egyptian medal), and at the battle of Atbara (8 April 1898). The adroitness he displayed at Omdurman (2 Sept. 1898) in wheeling round his brigade through a complete half circle, half battalion by half battalion, to meet an unexpected flank attack of the Dervishes, turned what might have proved disaster into victory (''Lond. Gaz''. 24 May and 20 Sept. 1898). 'Fighting Mac' became a popular hero on his return, and the enthusiasm was enhanced by the fact that he had risen from the ranks. He had been nominated CB. on 22 June 1897, and was appointed A.D.C. to Queen Victoria, with brevet of colonel, on 16 Nov. 1898. He was thanked by both Houses of Parliament and received the Egyptian medal with two clasps.

From 24 Oct. 1899 till 3 Jan. 1900 he was a brigadier-general in India, commanding the Sirhind district in the Punjab with headquarters at Umballa ; he attained the rank of major-general on relinquishing the command. On the death of Major-general Wauchope [q. v. Suppl. I] at the battle of Magersfontein (10 Dec. 1899) Macdonald succeeded him in the command of the Highland brigade, and at once proceeded to South Africa. There he maintained his high reputation. He prepared the way for Lord Roberts's march to the relief of Kimberley by seizing Koodoesberg (5-8 Feb. 1900), and by this demonstration the attention of the Boers was distracted from the main advance. He was present at the operations which resulted in the surrender of General Cronje's army at Paardeberg (16-27 Feb. 1900). In the attack on the Boer laager on 18 Feb. he was slightly woimded while leading the Highland brigade. During the reduction of the Free State he was attached to the ninth division under Sir Henry Colvile [q. v. Suppl. II]. On the march from Lindley to Heilbron he took part in several stubbornly contested actions (27-31 May 1900), and was engaged in the operations that led to the surrender of General Prinsloo at Brandwater. During the subsequent guerilla warfare he directed bodies of troops in the south-east of the Orange River Colony, being from the beginning of 1901 stationed at Aliwal North. For his services in South Africa he was created a K.C.B. in 1900, and given the command of the Belgaum district in southern India in 1901. In May 1902 he was transferred to the command of the troops in Ceylon.

There disaster befel him. Early in 1903 an opprobrious accusation against him was reported to the governor of Ceylon (Sir West Ridgeway), who at once granted Macdonald's request for leave to return to