- In full:
- Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley of Wolseley, Baron Wolseley of Cairo and of Wolseley
- Born:
- June 4, 1833, Golden Bridge, County Dublin, Ire.
- Died:
- March 26, 1913, Mentone, France (aged 79)
Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley
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Who was Garnet Wolseley?
Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley (1833ā1913), was a British field marshal renowned for his service across the globe and his role in modernizing the British army.
Wolseley's distinguished military career included action in the Second Anglo-Burmese War, the Crimean War, and the Indian Mutiny. He was sent to Canada in 1861 to improve the colonyās defenses and led the Red River expedition in 1870. Later, he commanded forces in the Asante empire, Natal, and South Africa. Wolseley also reformed the War Office and suppressed a nationalist uprising in Egypt, seizing the Suez Canal in 1882.
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What was Garnet Wolseley's role in the British Army?
Garnet Wolseley was a British field marshal who played a key role in modernizing the British army, seeing action in conflicts worldwide. Entering the army in 1852, he served in the Second Anglo-Burmese War, the Crimean War, and the Indian Mutiny, becoming the youngest lieutenant colonel at age 25.
His career included leading the Red River expedition in 1870 and serving as assistant adjutant general at the War Office from 1871. Wolseley was known as the British Empire's "chief troubleshooter," commanding punitive expeditions such as the one against the Asante empire in West Africa in 1873. Later, he became commander in chief of all Britainās forces (1895ā1901), mobilizing the army for the South African War.
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What are some major wars or campaigns that Wolseley was involved in?
Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley, served in many battles throughout the world. As second lieutenant, he fought in the Second Anglo-Burmese War, the Crimean War, and the Indian Mutiny. He was sent to Canada to improve defenses, and he led the Red River expedition to suppress Louis Riel.
Wolseley led an expedition against the Asante empire, was sent to Natal to promote federation in South Africa, and was given command in South Africa during the Zulu War. Later, he seized the Suez Canal and defeated `Urab`i at Tall al-Kab`ir. He also headed an expedition to rescue General Charles Gordon.
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How did Wolseley change or improve the British Army?
Garnet Wolseley was a British field marshal who modernized the British army. He entered the army as a second lieutenant in 1852 and served in the Second Anglo-Burmese War, the Crimean War, and the Indian Mutiny. Wolseley became assistant adjutant general at the War Office in May 1871 because of his success in the field and dedication to improving service, as demonstrated in his Soldierās Pocket-book for Field Service (1869). He reformed the British army as quartermaster general (1880) and adjutant general (1882). As commander in chief of all Britainās forces (1895ā1901), he mobilized the army for the South African War (1899ā1902).
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Why was Wolseley given the title of Viscount?
Garnet Wolseley was elevated to the title of Viscount for his efforts in Egypt in 1884, where he organized and led an expedition to the Nile in an attempt to rescue General Charles "Chinese" Gordon, who was besieged at Khartoum in the Sudan. Although the rescue mission was unsuccessful, Wolseley was still honored for his efforts. Earlier, after seizing the Suez Canal and defeating Ź»UrabÄ« Pasha at Tall al-KabÄ«r, Prime Minister William Gladstone rewarded him with a barony.
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What lasting impact did Garnet Wolseley have on the military or British history?
Garnet Wolseley was a British field marshal who modernized the British army and saw action worldwide. His book, Soldierās Pocket-book for Field Service (1869), showed his dedication to improving service.
As a "troubleshooter" for the British Empire, he led the destruction of Kumasi during the expedition against the Asante empire in West Africa (1873). Wolseley also suppressed the rebel Louis Riel, who had proclaimed a republic in Manitoba. He seized the Suez Canal and defeated `UrabÄ« Pasha at Tall al-KabÄ«r during a nationalist uprising in Egypt. As commander in chief of all Britainās forces (1895ā1901), he mobilized the army for the South African War (1899ā1902).
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Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley (born June 4, 1833, Golden Bridge, County Dublin, Ire.ādied March 26, 1913, Mentone, France) was a British field marshal who saw service in battles throughout the world and was instrumental in modernizing the British army.
The son of an army major, Wolseley entered the army as second lieutenant in 1852 and fought with distinction in the Second Anglo-Burmese War, the Crimean War, and the Indian Mutiny. Surviving many wounds, which cost him the sight of one eye, Wolseley became at 25 the youngest lieutenant colonel in the British army. As a staff officer under Sir James Hope Grant, he sailed to China in 1860. His planning and deeds are described in his Narrative of the War with China in 1860 (1862).
Late in 1861 the U.S. seizure of two Confederate agents on the British ship Trent created a temporary crisis. Wolseley was then sent to Canada to improve that colonyās defenses in case of war with the United States. In 1870 he led the Red River expedition through 600 miles (950 km) of wilderness to suppress the rebel Louis Riel, who had proclaimed a republic in Manitoba. Success in the field and dedication to improvement of the service, as revealed in his Soldierās Pocket-book for Field Service (1869), led to his appointment (May 1871) as assistant adjutant general at the War Office.
A highly efficient commander with an admiring public, Wolseley was employed by successive governments as chief troubleshooter of the British Empire. In 1873 he was sent to West Africa to lead a punitive expedition against the Asante (Ashanti) empire, resulting in the destruction of its capital at Kumasi. Two years later he was sent to Natal in southern Africa to induce the colonists to surrender some of their political rights to promote federation in South Africa. When calamity struck the British forces battling the Zulus in 1879, Wolseley was given command in South Africa. After restoring order in Zululand, he moved on to the Transvaal, where he discouraged rebellion among the Boers.
Returning to the War Office, first as quartermaster general (1880) and then as adjutant general (1882), he devoted himself to reform until interrupted by a nationalist uprising in Egypt under ŹæUrabÄ« Pasha. In his most brilliant campaign, Wolseley swiftly seized the Suez Canal and, after a night march, surprised and defeated ŹæUrabÄ« at Tall al-KabÄ«r (Sept. 13, 1882). Prime Minister William Gladstone rewarded him with a barony. Back in Egypt in 1884, Wolseley organized and headed an expedition to the Nile to rescue his friend General Charles (āChineseā) Gordon, besieged at Khartoum in the Sudan. An advance party arrived on Jan. 28, 1885, two days after the city had fallen and Gordon had been killed. For his efforts, Wolseley was elevated to viscount. (The title devolved on his only daughter upon his death.)
After serving as commander of the troops in Ireland (1890ā94), he became a field marshal and commander in chief of all Britainās forces (1895ā1901). In that office his greatest contribution was in mobilizing the army with characteristic thoroughness for the South African War (1899ā1902).