Baden-Powell of Mafeking

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

53696

Title

Baden-Powell of Mafeking

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

J.S. Fletcher presents a vivid biography of Major-General Baden-Powell, blending military history with intimate character studies. This narrative chronicles his service in the Ashanti Expedition, the Matabele Campaign, and the legendary Siege of Mafeking. Written with a tone of patriotic admiration, the book celebrates British stamina, duty, and the transformative power of heroism, offering readers a compelling portrait of a man who remained cheerful and steady amidst the chaos of war.

Summary up to 500 words

J.S. Fletcher's *Baden-Powell of Mafeking* presents a detailed account of the life and career of Major-General Robert Baden-Powell, focusing on his defining moments in South Africa. The narrative begins by exploring Baden-Powell's background, noting his birth in 1857 to a distinguished family. Although his father, a Savilian Professor, died when Baden-Powell was only three, his mother, Mrs. Baden-Powell, nurtured his talents and provided a liberal education. Fletcher portrays Baden-Powell not as a prodigy, but as a typical example of the British officer defined by devotion to duty, courage, and 'cheery pluck.' The book details Baden-Powell's participation in the Ashanti Expedition of 1895–96, where he witnessed the exile of King Prempeh and engaged in reconnaissance work. Fletcher highlights Baden-Powell's scouting skills and the nickname 'Impeesa,' the Wolf that never sleeps, earned during the grueling Matabele Campaign of 1896. This campaign involved a ten-day coach journey to Buluwayo and intense combat at the Umgusa Fight, where Baden-Powell led a small force of 250 men against a superior enemy of approximately 1,200. The narrative captures the hardships of the march, the psychological resilience required to 'sit tight,' and the eventual relief of the besieged town by the columns of Mahon and Plumer. The climax of the book is the Siege of Mafeking (1899–1900). Fletcher recounts the hardships faced by the garrison, the psychological fortitude required to endure seven months of isolation, and the jubilation of the relief. The narrative captures the parades, the speeches to the troops, and the enduring legacy of Baden-Powell's character. Throughout, Fletcher emphasizes themes of duty, courage, and the moral strength derived from heroic examples, portraying Baden-Powell as a figure who transformed the vulgarity of English joy into a fine expression of race and country. The book concludes with reflections on how Baden-Powell's career serves as an incentive for others, embodying the qualities that make for greatness in the British officer class.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History