WAR ACCORDING TO TEXT BOOKS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11636, 18 March 1901, Page 3

WAR ACCORDING TO TEXT BOOKS.

The South African correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes :—: — I was told a story by an officer the other day which I think worth repeating, as it shows how colonials have reason to grumblo at the want of common sense shown at times by some British officers. It appears that daring one of the slack days with the Ladysmith relief force a colonial force, under colonial officers, was doing picket duty in front of Bui ler's army, when a staff officer (a major) rode over to tbe major in command of the colonials and put the query, "Where are your outposts?" To which that officer replied, " All along the ridge to yonder point." '• But," said the staff major. " how am I to know tbey are there ? I cannot see them." " The men," replied the colonial officer with pride, " know bow to conceal themselves. My instructions to them were not to show themselves to the enemy, who are likewise concealed on tbe opposite slopes." ♦'But this is nonsense," broke in the staff officer ; " these outposts must be visible to the General, and see, sir, that they are so without delay." We presume that colonial officer swore, but, the other being the senior, he had to obey with the best grace he could, the result being that the men were very soon under a hot fire from the opposite ridge, which completely commanded the position of our men. The above is. lam convinced, undoubted'y true, the officer from whom I had it being an eye-witness of tho scene. Such is the manner in which ihe war lvK>k was translated by some staff officers in tbe beginning of this war.