Seldom has so general and so spontaneous an expression of public feeling been given in this country. In Scotland especially was this so, as might naturally be expected. In Edinburgh, where both the Black Watch and the Gordon Highlanders had recently been stationed, the death of Colonel Downman of the Gordons, and many others with him in the same engagement, gave a sharper edge to the calamity. Lieutenant F. G. Tail, also well known in Edinburgh, and popular all over the country as a champion golfer, was wounded on this occasion. After his recovery he went again to the front and was killed on 7th February at Koodoosberg Drift. From Mr. Low's record of his life it is interesting to quote what he says as to the Black Watch at Magersfontein, inasmuch as it differs somewhat from the despatch of Lord Methuen already quoted, and expresses the opinion of one who was on the spot. 'The papers say the Highland Brigade retired and re-formed. The Black Watch never did; and, furthermore, we held our ground all day.' As to his commanding officer he says, 'General Wauchope is in no way responsible for the fearful loss of life amongst the Highland Brigade: he got his orders, and had to carry them out, and he was killed in front of his brigade.' {198} CHAPTER XI CHARACTERISTICS [Sidenote: A devoted soldier] That General Wauchope was a skilled officer goes without saying. He had made military tactics his life study. And he had the personal influence that enabled men to follow his leadership without hesitation. Several of his brother officers who had been with him for years, and had fought beside him in many a battle, have favoured us with their opinion of his skill as a commander; and, as to his responsibility for the blunder or misadventure of Magersfontein, one of them says: 'As a commanding officer, he was beloved by all ranks; respected as a born leader of men, for he had but to hold up his little finger and the whole regiment would have followed him to--anywhere! He brought the battalion to a wonderful pitch of excellency, both in professional and social success, and invariably received the highest praise from every general officer who ever inspected them.' And from another we have the remarkable testimony: 'Wauchope diligently studied his profession, to which he was devoted, and was noted in his regiment for his coolness and judgment. I say this with special reference to the circumstances preceding his lamentable death, and the loss of a large part of the Highland Brigade recently in South Africa. Eminently a cool and cautious leader, Wauchope would have never led his brigade in close formation into the very {199} jaws of destruction without scouting or other means of discovering the near proximity of the enemy, unless he had had direct stringent orders to do so.' From still another distinguished officer comes the following: 'General Wauchope's name as a soldier was known to all ranks in the army, and I am certain