It is the lot of
military men to vegetate in days of peace. They live upon action.
Haig was no exception to this rule. He welcomed new fields. He went
to South Africa as aide and right-hand man to Sir John French--the
general whom he was to succeed in later years on the battlefields of
France.
In this war, Haig is not credited with many personal exploits. His was
essentially a thinking part. Yet he served as chief of staff in a
series of minor but important operations about Colesburg, which
prepared the way for Roberts's advance. As usual Haig pinned his faith
upon the cavalry. All his life he had made a close study of this arm
of the service, and was of opinion that it was not utilized in modern
warfare nearly so much as it should be. He was a warm admirer of the
American officer, J. E. B. Stuart, the Confederate General whose
dashing tactics turned the scale in so many encounters.
Now he tried the same strategy in the operations around Colesburg--and
paved the way for later victory.
Haig somewhat resembled another Southern leader, Stonewall Jackson, in
his piety. It was not ostentatious, but simply part and parcel of the
man, due to his Presbyterian training. Haig did not swear or gamble or
dance all night. He was more apt to be found in his tent, when off
duty, either reading or writing.
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