§ MR. WHITWELLasked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the statements of Dr. Russell that irre- 1197 gularities among the troops in South Africa occurred before Sir Garnet Wolseley took the command and of which his expected Report can give no personal information, Whether the War Office has received Reports of the conduct of the 2nd Division of the South African Army; and, if so, he will lay such Reports upon the Table of the House, and also the Reports of the Generals commanding the different divisions in Natal and in the Zulu war so far as they refer to the conduct of the men under their respective commands?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, to the best of my knowledge, no special Reports on the conduct of the troops in South Africa w ere received from Lord Chelmsford or the divisional commanders before Sir Garnet Wolseley took command; but on the publication of the letter of Dr. Russell inThe Daily Telegraphon the 11th instant, General Newdigate wrote to the Adjutant General upon this subject. His letter was forwarded to Lord Chelmsford, under whom he had been serving, who returned it to the Adjutant General with a covering letter. Both these I have agreed to give as an unopposed Return to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brighton (General Shute). Of course, it will be borne in mind that the Report of Sir Garnet Wolseley was written in reply, not to the letters inThe Daily Telegraphof this month, but in reply to that of October 10, published November 27.