16th was a peculiarly sad one. No doubt it was the death which this
gallant and distinguished officer would have preferred. It was, we take
it, a soldier's death, realised at the head of his men. But there are
enemies _and_ enemies, and certainly a soldier might be excused if he
shrank from having his throat cut by a fanatic, fighting in a cause
which on the British side is not by any means clear. Colonel BROOKE,
as our notice of his service will show, had led a brilliant military
career. He entered the army in time to take part in the Crimea war,
and was present at the siege and fall of Sebastopol. Subsequently he
shared the perils of the war in China, and was engaged in the assault
on the Taku Forts, where he was severely wounded. It is true that a
British officer must be prepared to face death wherever he may be
sent to meet his country's enemies. But in the Crimea and in China
there was a tangible object to be realised sufficient to justify the
campaign, and to lift the enterprise from the miserable conflict which
is now being raged, through no fault of ours, in Afghanistan. Colonel
BROOKE, like other gallant officers and men who have fallen with
him, adds very heavily to the already too heavy losses of the war in
Afghanistan.--_Broad Arrow._
* * * * *
THE LATE BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROOKE.
On Friday evening the sad ceremony of transferring the remains of the
late Brigadier-General BROOKE, from the I.G.S. _Dalhousie_ to the
troopship _Serapis_, took place in the Bombay Harbour, in the presence
of a large number of the deceased Officer's sorrowing friends and
comrades. The circumstances under which General BROOKE met with his
death in the sortie from Kandahar, whilst endeavouring to rescue a
wounded Brother Officer, are too fresh in the minds of our readers to
require any recapitulation from us. He died nobly as became a soldier,
and it was only fitting when his remains were passing through this
City for interment in his native land, that those who had known and
respected him during life, and others who knew him only by his deeds
and his glorious death, should meet and offer their tribute of respect
to his memory. It will be remembered that the deceased's body was not
recovered until several days after the memorable sortie; but when
found it was buried with the customary military honours at Kandahar.
Subsequently General BROOKE'S friends expressed a wish that the body
should be buried in Ireland, and, accordingly the remains were exhumed
and brought to Kurrachee last Sunday. A party of the 98th Regiment
escorted the remains from M'Leod Station to the Kurrachee Arsenal,
the band of the Regiment accompanying the procession and playing the
Dead March in _Saul_. It was at first intended that the body should be
handed over to the Rev. Kilbee Stuart, with a view of its transmission
to England, but a communication was received from the authorities to
the effect that the Secretary of State had issued orders that it was
to be sent home in a troopship. In accordance with these instructions,
the body was, on Tuesday, placed on board the I.G.S. _Dalhousie_ for
conveyance to Bombay, where it was to be transhipped to the troopship
_Serapis_. The _Dalhousie_ arrived in harbour yesterday morning at
about nine o'clock, flying its flag at half-mast, and having its
yard arms "cock billed," or placed in transverse positions, the
usual manner of denoting that a vessel carries the mortal remains of
some distinguished personage. After the _Dalhousie_ had entered the
harbour, the Government and other ships in the fort hauled their flags
down to half-mast point, in which position they remained during the
whole of the day. Orders had been issued by the military authorities
directing that the transfer of the body from one ship to another should
be attended with every mark of respect; and accordingly, yesterday
evening, shortly before five o'clock, there was a large gathering of
Military Officers on board, and in the vicinity of the _Dalhousie_
to take part in this ceremony to the honoured dead. The body on its
leaving Kurrachee was encased in a shell coffin of common wood; but
on its arrival in Bombay it was transferred to a handsome teak wood
coffin, with brass handles and furniture. No inscription appeared upon
the lid, this work being left for a future occasion. Amongst those who
took part in the ceremony were:--Brigadier-General C. T. Aitchison,
C.B.; Colonels A. H. Dawson, R.A., and J. F. Chapman, 28th N.I.;
Lieutenant-Colonels C. S. Stuart, 21st N.I., J. Jameson, 25th N.I.,
and C. P. Stokes, 2/4th K.O.; Majors C. C. Gore, 83rd Foot and Latham,
R.A.; the Ven. Archdeacon Sharpin; Captains R. A. Knox, 2/4th K.O., C.
T., Echalaz, 21st N.I., W. G. Muloy, R.A., H. B. Lawrence, 2/4th K.O.,
J. de B. Lynch, 25th N.I., R. S. Simpson, 21st N.I., and M. E. Crofton,
2/4th K.O.; Lieutenant A. J. P. Nuttall, 25th N.I.; A. B. Mein, 21st
N.I.; J. Rawlandson, 2/4th N.I.; J. M. Gawne, 2/4th; G. E. Evans,
21st N.I.; C. B. Adams, 21st N.I.; H. O. Powell, 25th N.I.; Matthews,
2/4th; P. R. Simmonds, 10/9th R.A.; A. B. Ridley, 2/4th; E. Dolphin,
2/4th; J. W. Tritton, 2/4th; G. V. Burrows, 25th N.I.; Paymaster J. W.
Deage, 2/4th; Quartermaster H. Rowland, 2/4th; and Surgeons-Major J.
Parr, A.M.D., Codrington, A.M.D., Robinson, A.M.D., and Thorpe, I.M.D.;
Captain Mellis, Assistant Quartermaster-General; Captain Moore, Deputy
Assistant Quartermaster-General; Captain Middlemass, Deputy Assistant
Adjutant-General; Major Spring, R.A., Commissary of Ordnance; Captain
Davis, R.A., Assistant Commissary of Ordnance. At the appointed time,
the coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, was placed on board
a ship's boat by several sturdy Tars from the _Serapis_, the boats
containing the mourners, in the meantime taking up their position in
the rear of the corpse. The boat containing the body slowly moved off
under the tow of the steam-launch _Lorelie_. Immediately following the
boat containing the corpse was one with Brigadier-General Aitchison,
who acted as chief mourner, on board; and twelve other craft, carrying
the remainder of the mourners. As the procession moved away, the yard
arms of the _Dalhousie_ were placed in their proper positions, and
minute guns were fired from the Apollo Bunder Saluting Battery, until
the deck of the _Serapis_ was reached. On arrival at the _Serapis_
the mourners disembarked from their boats, and the coffin having been
placed in slings, was conveyed to the deck, where it was received
with due honours, the mourners and crew of the vessel all uncovering
their heads in token of respect. The body having been placed in the
mortuary of the troopship, the mournful ceremony terminated, and the
mourners left for the shore in their respective boats. We believe that
the deceased's remains, on arrival at Portsmouth, will be forwarded to
Ashbrooke, Brookeboro', Fermanagh, Ireland, his native place, for final
interment. We should not omit to mention that in addition to the naval
and military mourners who took part in the procession, the ceremony was
watched with interest by a number of private spectators seated in boats.
[Illustration
Boats of the Marine for the Accommodation of Officers
"Serapia" Gig with Officers of "Serapia"
"Serapia" Galley with Brigadier General
"Serapia" Cutter with four Pall bearers
Steam Launch]
* * * * *
11th November, 1880.
The Galley of "Serapis" will be at Apollo Pier for the
Brigadier-General, at 4·30 p.m., Friday.
Steam Pinnace will be there at same time to take Pall Bearers to
"Dalhousie" at once.
"Serapis'" 2nd Gig will follow Galley in procession with Officers of
the "Serapis."
Six Cutters belonging to ships of the Indian Marine will be at Apollo
Pier at 4·30 p.m. to embark Officers for procession.
Minute Guns should commence firing when body leaves "Dalhousie." A flag
will be shown at Fore Mast-head of "Dalhousie" at that time.
* * * * *
THE LATE BRIGADIER-GENERAL BROOKE.
A noble Fermanagh man and a gallant soldier was committed to his
last resting place on Tuesday at Colebrooke, one at whose loss the
nation grieved, and one for whom the army he commanded has mourned.
Brigadier-General BROOKE died not only a soldier's death, but the
noblest death--for he fell not only at the call of duty but in an act
of christian benevolence, in saving the life of a brother officer.
There is not a Fermanagh man at home or abroad, by the country fireside
or in a foreign land, but will join with our gracious sovereign in
sympathy with the widow and the fatherless in their sad bereavement.
* * * * *
FUNERAL OF THE LATE GENERAL H. F. BROOKE.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT).
The remains of the late General BROOKE, which had been brought home
from Kandahar, and arrived in H.M. Ship "Serapis" on the 11th inst.,
were interred in the family burial ground at Colebrooke, on Tuesday,
the 14th. The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, on which
were placed numerous wreaths of white flowers, was carried by men of
the 94th regiment, under the command of Captain Lionel Brooke, 94th
regiment (brother of the deceased). The chief mourners were--George
Cecil Brooke (son of the deceased), Captain Arthur Brooke, Royal
Navy, Captain Hastings Brooke, Captain Lionel Brooke, 94th regiment,
and Frank Brooke, Esq. (brothers of the deceased), and Major Hall,
of Narrow-water, Warrenpoint (brother-in-law). Amongst those present
were--Viscount Cole, M.P; Viscount Crichton, M.P.; Lieut. Campbell,
94th regiment; Lieut. Mackan, 94th regiment; Captain Lemon and Lieut.
Bradshaw, Armagh Militia; George F. Brooke, Esq.; F. Wrench, Esq.;
J. C. Bloomfield, Esq.; Dr. R. P. Walsh; Major R. C. D. Ellis; C.
Richardson, Esq.; and five hundred of the Colebrooke Tenantry followed
the remains to the grave. The deepest sorrow was shown by all for
the loss of one who had been so well known and beloved by them all.
During the day a telegram was received by Lady Arabella Brooke, from
the Dowager Marchioness of Ely, expressing the sincere sympathy of Her
Majesty the Queen with her and Mrs. Brooke in their great sorrow. The
coffin, which was made at Bombay of teak, had on a brass plate with the
following inscription:--
Brigadier-General
H. F. BROOKE,
Born 3rd August, 1836;
Killed in action,
Kandahar, Southern Afghanistan,
16th August, 1880,
Aged 44 years.
The coffin was brought from England by Captain Arthur Brooke and
arrived at Colebrooke on Monday at 12 o'clock, where it lay in the
entrance hall, and was visited by Mrs. Brooke and the children of the
late General BROOKE, who placed wreaths of white flowers on the coffin.
Mrs. Hall, of Narrow-water, also placed a beautiful wreath of white
flowers intermingled with sprays of a fern which General BROOKE had
sent home from the foot of the Bolan Pass, near Kandahar, and which is
now growing at Narrow-water. Wreaths were also placed on the coffin by
Lady Arabella Brooke, Mrs. Frank Brooke, Lady Hume, and other friends.
General BROOKE was killed whilst trying to carry Captain Cruikshank, a
wounded brother officer, out of action, and General BROOKE was heard to
say, when the enemy were closing round him, that he would not leave the
village until the last man and the last case of ammunition were out of
it, and it was in waiting so long under a galling fire, and then trying
to carry a wounded man, that he met his death.
* * * * *
EXTRACT FROM A SPEECH MADE IN ENNISKILLEN
BY THE RIGHT HON. H. CHILDERS,
SEPTEMBER 22nd, 1880.
... to another sentence in the generous address, in which he was
introduced as having charge of one of the great departments of the
State, and they reminded him of what Enniskillen had done for that
department. The charge which he had was a most onerous one, and was
likely not to be less onerous during the future. But it was a great
satisfaction to him to be able to think that such glories as had been
attached to the British arms in past and present deeds of arms were
connected with this country and ancient borough. The two regiments
which sprang from the town, he was happy to know, were steadily
recruited from its people, and were among the most gallant in the
British army. (Applause). They had sent into the service of Her Majesty
men who had risen to the greatest honours and positions as commanders
of men. The right honourable gentleman then referred to the great loss
the British army had sustained in the loss of one of its greatest
generals--General BROOKE, who had lost his life in Afghanistan. He
was one of the best soldiers in the British army. He was a marked
man, who was certain to rise to a place of the greatest distinction.
Just before the news came by telegraph of General BROOKE's untimely
death, he was reading some letters of the General which showed such
good sense and practical knowledge as fitted a distinguished general
officer, and he felt certain Her Majesty could have no more efficient
or useful soldier. All honour to his memory--he died in the attempt to
save a brother officer--and he (the speaker) would appeal to the men of
Fermanagh to follow his worthy example. He was afraid he was keeping
them too long. (No, no). He thanked them very much for their kind
reception, and his wife and daughter heartily joined in the thanks.
* * * * *
THE LATE CAPTAIN CRUIKSHANK, R.E.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "BOMBAY GAZETTE."
SIR,--I venture to send you the accompanying extract from a letter
received from Kandahar, thinking that the many friends of the late
Captain Cruikshank, R.E., may like to know how highly he was thought
of. If a dark cloud at present hangs over the Bombay Army, here at
least is the "silver lining" amid the general gloom. "Poor Cruikshank
was a great friend of mine, as indeed, he would be of anyone who got
to know him well. His duty was to blow up the walls of Deh Khoja with
gunpowder. He dined with me on the 15th, and was as cool in talking
over his work for next morning as if it were the ordinary work. He went
out to the village, and set about his mining operations in the same
cool way. When he received his first wound, either in the side or in
the hip, General BROOKE helped him outside the City (village) walls,
and then got him into a doolie, but, I suppose, the doolie-bearers
fled. Then General BROOKE would not leave him, and they died side by
side. All the wounds received that day were very severe ones, as all
were in such close quarters, and the enemy, posted on roofs, shot
downwards. Cruikshank was thus shot. The enemy rushed out on our
retreating troops, and cut them up at once, so poor Cruikshank would
not be long left in pain. When I saw his body, 10 days after, it was
clear his end had been speedy. The body was not, however, mutilated
at all. His clothes were left on, and his butler's watch, with some
maps, were found in his pocket. He was a very regular communicant,
and even during the siege, when he was worked on Sunday as hard as
on other days, he generally (if not always) managed to get to church
for the mid-day service. He communicated last on the 15th of August,
_i.e._, the day before he died. I had formed a very high opinion of
poor Cruikshank as an R.E. Officer. He always seemed to me to be at
work, and never seemed to talk about it; so after his death I asked his
Commanding Officer if I had formed a too high opinion of him, and I
should wish any of poor Cruikshank's friends to have heard his reply.
He said he would sooner have lost any two men in the Garrison, not
excluding the highest, than poor Cruikshank. He always did any work he
was put to, at once, and well. For days and days he worked away outside
under the walls, exposed to the enemy's fire, and never seemed to think
of it. His Commanding Officer said he deserved a V.C., and had he lived
he would have tried to get it for him. I can't tell you half he (the
C.O.) said, but I never heard an Officer so spoken of by his immediate
superiors in my life before." Alas, that sad day, the 16th of August,
which saw such noble spirits, BROOKE and Cruikshank, who were indeed
"lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in death were not divided,"
left dead upon that fatal field.--I am, &c.,
HIS MOST INTIMATE FRIEND.