Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Third Supplement.djvu/614

 In 1869 Wolseley increased his reputation by publishing The Soldier's Pocket Book, a manual of military organization and tactics, the keynote of which is preparation for war in time of peace. At that time the official manuals and regulations were almost solely concerned with peacetime drill and administration, and Wolseley's book, which ran through many editions, was the forerunner of the modern field service regulations. The next year he obtained his first chance of displaying his ability as a commander. During his period of service in Canada, the Fenians had been giving constant trouble by raids from the United States into Canada, and by their endeavours to enlist the sympathy of the French Canadians. These disturbances culminated at the end of 1869 in the rebellion of Louis Riel [q.v.], the direct cause of which was the transfer of the Hudson Bay Territory to the Canadian government. Riel proclaimed a republic of the North West and established himself at Fort Garry. It was necessary to send an expedition, known as the Red River expedition (August–September 1870) against him, and Wolseley was chosen to command it. The problem was chiefly one of organization, and consisted in transporting a little force of 1,200 men with all their stores some 600 miles from Lake Superior to Fort Garry mainly by river. For this Wolseley relied largely on the services of the Canadian voyageurs, and he was completely successful, receiving the K.C.M.G. and C.B. for his services. In May 1871 he was brought home to the War Office as assistant adjutant-general, and was from the first an ardent supporter of the reforms which Mr. (afterwards Viscount) Cardwell [q.v.], then secretary of state for war, was inaugurating. He became the military leader of the reformers and was deeply involved in the fierce struggle which resulted in the establishment of short service, the creation of an army reserve, the abolition of purchase, and the amalgamation of the regular army, auxiliary forces, and reserve under the commander-in-chief.

While this struggle was still in progress, the outrages of King Koffee of Ashanti brought about the first Ashanti War (1873–1874), and Wolseley was sent out in command of the expedition. He took with him a band of men most of whom were to serve with him for the remainder of his career. This band, which became known as the ‘Wolseley ring’, was the target of much unreasoning jealousy. He had made a practice of noting down the names of soldiers of ability and character, who were keen students of their profession, wherever he met them, and these were the only passports to his favour. The men whom he selected were little known even in the army at the time when he chose them, and included those known later as Sir Evelyn Wood, Sir Henry Brackenbury, Sir Redvers Buller, Sir George Pomeroy Colley, Sir William Butler, and Sir Frederick Maurice. The last of these he picked out for the sole reason that he (Maurice) had beaten him in a competition for a prize offered by the second Duke of Wellington for an essay on the lessons of the Franco-Prussian War. Wolseley's essay, entitled Field Manœuvres, was published in Essays written for the Wellington Prize (1872). Wolseley landed at Cape Coast Castle in October 1873. The chief difficulties to be overcome were those of country and a pestilent climate. He made his plans so as to keep British troops as short a time as possible in the country. These reached him early in January 1874, and on the 21st of that month he had defeated King Koffee at Amoaful; the capital, Kumassi, was occupied four days later. For this swift success he received the thanks of parliament, was promoted major-general, created G.C.M.G. and K.C.B., and given a grant of £25,000.

These rewards may seem excessive in relation to the scope of the expedition, but Wolseley had come to be regarded by the government as a political asset. The Franco-Prussian War had opened men's eyes to the immense importance of military organization, and there were loud outcries about British unpreparedness. Strangely enough, the man who was the leader of the military reformers was used to show that all was well. Wolseley became a popular hero. ‘All Sir Garnet’ was the slang equivalent of the day for ‘all correct’, and George Grossmith [q.v.] made himself up as Wolseley to sing ‘The Modern Major-General’ in The Pirates of Penance. After a short spell at the War Office as inspector-general of the auxiliary forces, Wolseley was sent in 1875 as administrator and general commanding to Natal, where difficulties had arisen between the colonists and the Kaffirs. He settled these difficulties with tact and judgement. On his return home he became a member of the council of India at the India Office, and in 1878 was promoted lieutenant-general. In that year Lord Beaconsfield acquired Cyprus from the Turks and sent Wolseley to take over the island and to be its first 588