put in command of it he was obliged to keep quiet. General Nuttall,
who commanded the Cavalry, and who was senior to General BROOKE, was
ordered to co-operate with him. After our Infantry, with whom General
BROOKE was, had penetrated into the village, the General found that
he could not hold it, and sent a note in pencil to General Nuttall,
who was with the Cavalry, which was drawn up in line to the south
of Deh Khoja, and thus between it and the villages to the south,
asking him to cover the retreat from Deh Khoja. However, General
Primrose, who was looking on from the walls just about this time,
sent his orderlies, one to General BROOKE, the other to General
Nuttall, ordering them both to retire. General Nuttall received the
order immediately after getting General BROOKE's note, and instead of
doing what the latter requested, retired his Cavalry at once to the
City. The result was that the villagers of all the southern villages
instantly swarmed round Deh Khoja, and cut off the retreat of the
Infantry. These poor fellows had to run for their lives through a
gauntlet of fire. General BROOKE got safely out of the village, but
went back with a few men to aid others, and in trying to save Captain
Cruikshank, of the Engineers, was shot through the head and killed
instantly. This, I believe, is the full account of the disaster, which
would not have occurred, if the Cavalry had remained to cover the
retreat.
* * * * *
From Colonel B.
Kandahar, 5th December, 1880.
My dear Mrs. Brooke,
... We had lived together up here, and I had learnt to love him as a
brother, for he was all that was noble and kind and generous, and I
felt his sad loss most truly and most deeply. I shall never forget
that fearful morning as long as I live. I was distracted when the
remnants of the Force returned and he was not with it. I fear I forgot
everyone else in my grief at losing my dearest friend, and _the_ one
head in whom we all placed full reliance and faith, and regarding
whom we universally felt, as long as _he_ was with us, all would be
well. I can assure you, dear Mrs. Brooke, he was beloved by every
one here, and his loss was universally mourned for as the greatest
one that could have happened to us, for every one appreciated his
splendid soldier-like qualities and clear-headed abilities, and as
to his courage and determination it was the admiration of everyone,
so you must not think he was not loved and valued here, for I have
no hesitation in saying that he possessed the love and confidence of
everybody, for everybody went to him for advice, and he never refused
it to anyone. Would that General Primrose had taken his advice, and
stuck to it alone, and then that wretched sortie would never have
taken place. I handed over his Letts' rough diary to Major H., and
in that he records his opinion on the sortie when ordered the week
before, and which he prevented. Unfortunately, as he told me himself,
his mouth was closed on the second occasion, as he was ordered to
command the attacking Force, and it would appear as if he was afraid,
and besides he had given General Primrose his opinion very clearly
about it, on the previous occasion, and the objections and arguments,
he then made against it, had become stronger, for it was known that
the enemy had been busily engaged all the week fortifying the place. I
will not relate again the particulars of that sad day, as I feel sure
you must have, before now, received the long account I sent through
Major H., and it is very painful to me to refer to it; suffice it to
say, that your dear Husband fell as a true and brave soldier, nobly
endeavouring to save the life of poor Captain Cruikshank, after having
remained to the very last in the village to collect all the remaining
men and bring them out. He might, no doubt, have secured his own
safety by retiring himself sooner, but _he_ was not the man to do so,
as long as he thought there was anyone else left behind, and in fact
he was coming out with Colonel Daubeny's party of the Fusiliers, by
the north of the village, when he returned to satisfy himself that no
one was left behind, and he went right through the place again, and
came out by the south, and it was then, I understand, he found Captain
Cruikshank and endeavoured to bring him out. I am sure it will be a
consolation to you to know that he fell perfectly dead, and never
suffered any pain. I had this direct from his Trumpeter orderly, a
European, who was with him all the time, and by his side when he fell.
I examined him most minutely on this point, and he assured me he never
spoke a word when he fell, and I found a wound through his body caused
by a bullet, which must have caused instant death.
* * * * *
From Col. E.
Simla,
12th October, 1880.
My dear Mr. Brooke,
... To all of us who knew your gallant Brother so well, and to myself
personally as an intimate friend, his death in action, nobly striving
to aid a wounded comrade, has been a painful blow. He was so true and
thorough a soldier that we had hoped for high distinction for him when
we heard he had been sent to Kandahar, and his letters to me from
that place were full of confidence. I am sure that we shall yet learn
that however depressed and dispirited others may have been during the
siege, that HENRY BROOKE was never down-hearted, or anything else, but
as brave a soldier in life as he was in death.
* * * * *
From Col. W.
Poona, Bombay,
October, 1880.
My dear Mr. Brooke,
By this time, of course, you have full particulars of your Brother's
death, so it is needless for me to enter into the sad details, but
amidst all this sorrow which this has caused you and his other
relations, is the proud recollection that no man ever died more nobly,
or as a soldier could wish for, whilst the high estimation in which
he was held by all who knew him, must be a source of satisfaction to
you all. For myself, I can only say that I sympathise most truly with
you all in the affliction which has fallen on you, for though our
acquaintance was not of long standing, we were for the time thrown
much together, and in him I mourn a true friend, whose friendship and
esteem it was an honor to possess, and whose untimely fate I shall
always deplore.
* * * * *
From Captain E.
Edinburgh,
20th November, 1880.
My dear Mrs. H.,
I was very glad to receive your kind note ... We were all very
much grieved to hear of poor General BROOKE'S death under such sad
circumstances, and for a time we had great anxiety regarding the
safety of Kandahar, for we all knew and felt the great loss the
garrison would sustain in his death, as he was one of the very few
they had to trust to. I have heard several officers say, "BROOKE was
the life and soul of the place during the siege."
* * * * *
From Lt.-Colonel White, V.C., C.B., 92nd Highlanders.
25th November, 1880.
My dear Brooke,
Your Brother's death gave me a greater shock than any incident in the
whole war. He died like the man I knew him to be, and as you and I
would like to die when our time comes. It would be some consolation to
you to hear the way he is spoken of by all who knew him--"about the
only man who held his head up all through the Kandahar investment, and
he had a cheery word and a helping hand for everyone." ...
The North of Ireland lost another fine fellow in Brownlow of the 72nd
Highlanders. He and your brother HENRY were perhaps the two men most
highly thought of in the armies occupying Afghanistan.
* * * * *
From Sir G. K.
St. Stephen's Club, London,
27th August.
... I am so grieved to see the telegram announcing General BROOKE's
death, and heartily sympathize with his Widow. He was the ruling
spirit of the Kandahar Force, and has died a soldier's death, and left
an honored name.
* * * * *
From Col. M.
St. James' Square, London,
2nd September, 1880.
Your Husband died nobly in the gallant attempt to save another life:
all honor, therefore, to his memory for so generously giving his own,
though it was given in vain. By his death the Kandahar Garrison were
deprived of their ablest leader, and the Bombay Army has lost an
Adjutant-General whose place will not be easily filled. Personally I
shall ever remember his kindness to me while I had the pleasure to be
associated with him on the Bombay Staff.
* * * * *
From Lt.-Colonel White, V.C., C.B., 92nd Highlanders.
Government House,
20th December, 1880.
My dear Mrs. Brooke,
... I was but a very few days at Kandahar, but in those few days I
heard enough to know what a name the General had left behind him.
Everyone I spoke to about him said, "that he had been so looked up to
and respected, that he had a cheery word and a look of confidence for
all his comrades throughout the investment," and at a time, when, I am
sorry to say, men of his stamp were badly wanted....
His heroic death speaks for itself; ... and every officer I spoke to
about him in Kandahar was as much impressed by his tender devotion to
others, as by the contempt for personal danger which he had invariably
shown....
I feel how inadequate anything I can write must appear to you, but it
may be gratifying to you to hear that at Bombay the most universal
regret was expressed to me for General BROOKE, who was known to
everybody there, and the deepest sympathy with you. Lord Ripon was
only too glad to do all in his power to carry out your wishes.
* * * * *
From Colonel Sir Andrew Clarke, K.C.M.G., R.E.
Bath, 23rd January, 1881.
My dear Mrs. Brooke,
I received back this morning the Journal which, with a letter from
Lord Hartington's Private Secretary, I now enclose, and trust you
will get them in safety. I have not proposed to retain the Journal
to be copied, as it has struck me you would like this rather to be
done under your own care than by anyone else. You have, no doubt,
heard from Lord Napier, as he will have told you most probably of how
much the recent successes achieved by the Bengal Army are, in a great
measure, due to the aid and co-operation he received from your dear
Husband, when on his Staff whilst commanding and re-organizing that
Army, and I know that already had the discipline and morale of the
Bombay Army been raised and improved during the comparatively short
time my lost Friend had been its Adjutant-General. If I can be of any
service, do not hesitate to make use of me....
Yours very sincerely,
AN CLARKE.
* * * * *
India Office,
21st January, 1881.
Dear Sir Andrew Clarke,
Lord Hartington desires me to return to you the Journal of the late
General BROOKE, and to beg you to convey to Mrs. Brooke how much he
appreciates her kindness in having allowed him the opportunity of
reading an account, so full of interest, in the scenes of which so
important a part was taken by her gallant and much-lamented Husband. I
am to add, that it gave Lord Hartington much satisfaction to receive
the messages you were good enough to send him from Mrs. Brooke.
I remain,
Faithfully yours,
R. H. HOBART.
* * * * *
_Private._
War Office,
23rd December, 1880.
My dear Clarke,
I sat up till 1 a.m., reading poor General BROOKE'S most interesting
Journal. I am very glad indeed to have been allowed to peruse it.
It proves (if proof beyond what we have had been wanted) how good a
soldier and administrator he was; and his criticisms on others never
go beyond the line, which habits of discipline and good sense lay
down. Forgive me for having kept it so long, but until yesterday I
have not had any spare time.
Yours very sincerely,
HUGH R. CHILDERS.
* * * * *
From the Honorable E. Stanhope.
3, West Eaton Place, S.W.,
January 28th, 1881.
Mr. Edward Stanhope presents his compliments to Mrs. Henry Brooke,
and begs to return herewith the later parts of General BROOKE's
Journal. No one could read it without the greatest interest. It
conveys a vivid picture of the events recorded in it, and makes one
feel again the great loss which the Country has sustained by the death
of one whose cool head and discretion are conspicuous throughout its
pages. Mr. Stanhope cannot presume to say more to Mrs. Brooke, but in
thanking her for the favor which she has shown to him in allowing the
perusal of the Journal, he can only say that he shall be glad, if the
opportunity should ever arise, of publicly bearing his testimony to
the value of the services recorded in it.
* * * * *
3, West Eaton Place,
April 4th.
My dear Mrs. Brooke,
I return, with many thanks, the last parts of General BROOKE'S Notes,
and the Letters. They have had very great interest for me, and make
one bitterly regret--more than ever--the blunders which led to so much
national disaster, and to the irreparable loss of valuable lives. With
renewed thanks.
Believe me, yours very faithfully,
EDWARD STANHOPE.
* * * * *
From H. E. Sir James Fergusson, Governor of Bombay.
Bombay,
18th January, 1881.
Sir James Fergusson presents his compliments to Lady Arabella Brooke,
and begs to apologise for not having sooner replied to her Ladyship's
letter of the 27th October.
Before he received it, all necessary orders had been given for
the suitable transport of the remains of the late and lamented
Brigadier-General BROOKE, and Sir James Fergusson trusts that her
Ladyship has been sensible that nothing has been omitted which could
mark the respect entertained by the Government, the Services, and the
public, for an officer whose loss was universally deplored, and whose
death was so honorable.
Sir J. Fergusson ventures to offer his sincere sympathy and condolence
with the family so grievously bereaved.
* * * * *
From Lord Napier of Magdala.
Gibraltar,
March 19th, 1881.
My dear Mrs. Brooke,
... It must have been a melancholy satisfaction to you to have been
able to consign the precious remains of your noble Husband to the
resting-place of his Family--a sad duty, but one of infinite value to
you. It is grievous to think that if his advice had been listened to,
the lives of many valuable men, as well as his own, might have been
saved.... Lady Napier desires her love. With kindest remembrances and
regards.
Believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
NAPIER OF MAGDALA.
* * * * *
From Lieut. C.
Kandahar,
11th January, 1881.
My dear Annie,
... Very few enjoy such general respect and admiration when living, or
when gone cause such universal expressions of praise and regret. I am
now living with the 7th Fusiliers, and I assure you when I came up,
and now when alluded to, no officer seemed then, or now, to be able to
say enough in praise of his late Brigadier, and many have some kind
act or word to record, as either received at his hands or spoken to
them during the siege.
* * * * *
In the Bombay Gazette of the 1st inst., there is an article in which
the way in which Brigade Commands are given, often to people who
have never, since boy service, done anything but staff work in an
office, is spoken of, and asking how such officers, save in certain
exceptions, can be expected to be efficient in the field, and it
goes on to say, "we have on more than one occasion testified to our
admiration of General BROOKE'S splendid qualities as a soldier, while,
as time goes on, the heroic manner of his death will more and more
command admiration."
I don't think in March, when the appointment was made, there was a
dissenting voice or a doubt expressed that it was otherwise than the
best that could be made. On the last night of the old year there was
a large fire in the Citadel Square, round which all the soldiers had
been singing; on our going out after mess to join them, they sang a
song all about the siege and sortie, recounting where and how they had
lost their Brigadier, officers, and men, the chorus of which was--
"All honor now to General BROOKE,
Who in his grave does lie,
And fighting for Queen and country,
Did like a soldier die."
Of course it is soldier's language, but it nevertheless is expressive
of their feelings.
* * * * *
From Captain C.
... General BROOKE was respected and beloved by every man and officer
in the Force, and esteemed by everyone. He gave me my orders on that
fatal day, when he fell, and I was never near him afterwards, for
he met his death, with one of our Colour-Sergeants, while nobly
assisting Captain Cruikshank, R.E., who was badly wounded; but the
name of General BROOKE will long be remembered, and in his death we
have lost one of our best Officers....
The English Army met with a great loss in General BROOKE, beloved and
respected as he was by all the Brigade....
General BROOKE was beloved by all who knew him, and the Soldiers
worshipped him....
* * * * *
109th Regiment,
Aldershot, September 6th.
Dear Captain Brooke,
Will you kindly forward the enclosed Regimental Card, "with sincere
condolence" to Mrs. Brooke. I do not know her address, and we are
desirous (though we do not know her personally) to express our
sympathy for her in her late bereavement, as General BROOKE was such a
favourite with all of the Regiment who knew him.
Believe me,
Very truly yours,
R. PRIOLEAU SIMPSON.
Lieut.-Col. Lucas,
and the Officers 109TH Regiment,
_With sincere Condolence_.
* * * * *
From Captain Cartwright, 48th Regiment.
Tipperary, 30th June, 1881.
My dear Brooke,
Many thanks for your letter and for the two Photos. enclosed, both of
which have taken their place in our Regimental Walhalla, and I hope
will be handed down to posterity, carrying with them the recollection
of old Officers, and one certainly a very distinguished Officer, of
whom any regiment may be proud as having been numbered in its ranks.
I return you the old Photograph of your Brother (General BROOKE), for
I fancy you may value it. Both in front and on the back there is his
handwriting....
Yours sincerely,
R. A. CARTWRIGHT.
* * * * *
From Colonel Forbes, Commanding 109th Regiment.
Aldershot, July 2nd, 1881.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly convey to Mrs. Henry Brooke the best thanks of
the Officers 109th Regiment, for sending us the Photograph of our
late comrade, General BROOKE, which, I need hardly say, we highly
appreciate, and have placed in the Regimental Album.
Yours very truly,
CHAS. FORBES,
Lieut.-Col. Commanding 109th Regt.
* * * * *
_Extract from the "Irish Times," August 25th, 1880._
AFGHANISTAN.
THE SORTIE FROM KANDAHAR.
HEAVY BRITISH LOSSES.
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED OFFICERS.
"From Viceroy, August 24.
"Following from St. John, Kandahar, 21st:--Sortie took place on 16th
against village on east face of City. Has secured us from further
molestation on that side, but loss very heavy.
"KILLED.
"Brigadier-General BROOKE, Captain Cruikshank, R.E.; Col. Newport,
28th; Major Trench, Lieutenant Stayner, 19th; Lieutenants Marsh and
Wood, Fusiliers, and Rev. Mr. Gordon.
"WOUNDED.
"Colonel Nimmo, 28th; Major Vandeleur, 7th; and Lieutenant Wood,
Transport (all severely); Colonels Malcolmson and Shewell.
"Casualties among men, about 180.
"A messenger has also come in from Kandahar. The position there is
regarded as perfectly safe. A sortie was made on the 16th, and Colonel
St. John reports that its result has been to secure the east face of
the City from further molestation.
"The enemy must, however, have fought with great determination, as our
loss is heavy, especially in Officers.
"We have lost in killed and wounded, about 180 men. Of Officers,
General BROOKE, Colonel Newport, of the 28th Regiment; Major Trench,
and Lieut. Stayner, of the 19th Regiment; Captain Cruikshank, R.E.;
Lieutenants Marsh and Wood, of the 7th Fusiliers; and the Rev. Mr.
Gordon, are killed. Colonel Nimmo, of the 28th; Major Vandeleur, of
the 7th, and Lieutenant Wood, of the Transport Corps, severely wounded;
and Colonels Malcolmson and Shewell, slightly wounded.
"General BROOKE was killed while carrying Cruikshank, wounded, out of
action."
* * * * *
28th AUGUST. 181
GENERAL ORDER
BY
HIS EXCELLENCY THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
Adjutant-General's Office, Head Quarters, Poona,
_28th August, 1880_.
It is with much regret that the Commander-in-Chief has to announce the
death of Brigadier-General H. F. BROOKE, Adjutant-General, Bombay Army.
Brigadier-General _Brooke_ having been selected for the command of a
Brigade in Southern Afghanistan was, at the time of his death, engaged
in command of a sortie made by the Garrison of Kandahar, and is
reported to have been killed whilst endeavouring to succour a wounded
brother Officer.
His Excellency desires to place on record his appreciation of the
valuable services and willing assistance rendered at all times by the
late Brigadier-General BROOKE, and the high estimation in which his
abilities and soldierly qualities were held by all who knew him.
The Commander-in-Chief feels sure that all ranks will sympathise with
him in the loss the service has sustained in the noble death of so able
an Officer, whilst gallantly engaged in the performance of his duties
on active service in the field.
By order of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief,
ALEX. WARDROP, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Officiating Adjutant-General.
* * * * *
DEATH OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROOKE.
We regret to announce the death of this gallant gentleman, which
took place under circumstances rendering the event very sad indeed.
Brigadier-General HENRY FRANCIS BROOKE, who was only forty-four years
of age, was in command of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Kandahar Field
Force, and took part in the sortie from the garrison on the 16th of
August, which resulted in securing the east face of the city from
further molestation by the besieging force. He had come out of action
unhurt; but with a humanity which adds lustre to his gallantry,
he endeavoured to carry away a wounded brother officer, Captain
Cruikshank, R.E., and while engaged in this act of friendship and of
mercy he was killed by a shot from the enemy. Brigadier-General BROOKE
was eldest son of the late Mr. G. Brooke and Lady Arabella Brooke, of
Ashbrooke, in the County Fermanagh, and was of the same family as Sir
Victor Brooke, Bart., of Colebrooke, in that County. He entered the
army in June, 1854, and his promotion was as follows:--Lieutenant,
May, '55; Captain, September, '58; Major, February, '61; Lieut.-Col,
December, '71; Colonel, February, '77. In April, 1855, he landed in
the Crimea with the 48th Regiment, and served at the siege and fall
of Sebastopol, for which he obtained a medal with clasp and a Turkish
medal. He served also throughout the campaign of 1860 in China, as
aide-de-camp to Sir Robert Napier, and was present at the actions
of Sinho and Tangku, the assault of the Taku Forts, at which he was
severely wounded, and the final advance on and surrender of Pekin, for
which he received a medal with two clasps and the brevet-rank of Major.
Subsequently he held the post of Adjutant-General in Bombay, with the
local rank of Brigadier-General. He was a gallant officer, sprung from
a gallant race, and one more of those brave men who have sustained and
increased the military fame of Fermanagh.
* * * * *
BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROOKE.
Brigadier-General HENRY FRANCIS BROOKE, killed in the sortie at
Kandahar on the 16th August, is the first general officer of Her
Majesty's army who has fallen in action since 1858. The last two
instances were those of Brigadier-Generals the Hon. Adrian Hope
and Penny, C.B., who were killed within three weeks of each other,
the former officer in Oude and the latter in Rohilcund. The sad
circumstances of the gallant Adrian Hope's death will long be
remembered, as well as the causes which led to the sacrifice of so many
precious lives through the rashness of General Walpole.
The late Brigadier-General BROOKE was one of the youngest Colonels
in our army, he having obtained his Brevet-Colonelcy in less than 23
years after his entry into the Service. He joined the army in June,
1854, and as a Subaltern landed with the 48th Foot in the Crimea on the
21st April, 1855, serving at the siege and fall of Sebastopol. After
the war he accompanied the 48th to India, and went as aide-de-camp
to Sir Robert Napier on the China expedition, serving throughout the
campaign of 1860, and taking part in the actions of Sinho and Tangku,
the assault of the Taku Forts (severely wounded), and the final advance
on and surrender of Pekin. For his China services he received a brevet
majority, dated the 15th February, 1861. He afterwards exchanged into
the 94th, and was selected for staff employ in the Bengal Presidency
at the close of 1864, when he was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General
of the Presidency Division. Colonel Brooke was subsequently Assistant
Adjutant-General at Mean Meer, and in November, 1877, was selected to
succeed Brigadier Aitchison as Adjutant-General of the Bombay army. On
the formation of a Bombay corps for service in Afghanistan, Brigadier
BROOKE was one of the first officers selected for command, and was
sent to Kandahar with General Primrose. He bore a very high reputation
in the service as a first-rate officer, and his loss will be greatly
felt, especially at such a crisis when reliable leaders are so much
needed at the seat of war.
The deceased belonged to an old Irish family, the Brookes, of
Colebrooke, County Fermanagh, and was a cousin of the Earl of
Huntington, his mother, Lady Arabella Hastings, having been a sister
of the late peer. An uncle of the deceased, Lieutenant Francis Brooke,
7th Dragoon Guards, was slain at Waterloo. The family has furnished our
army with several officers of distinction.