Life of Sir John Hawley Glover : RN, GCMG
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
OJotttcU llmttcr0ttg ffitbtarg atlfata, New Sarfe BERNARD ALBERT SINN COLLECTION NAVAL HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY THE GIFT OF BERNARD A. SINN, '97 1919 Cornell University Library DA 565.G56G56 Life of Sir John Hawley Glover : 3 1924 028 315 608 gg B| Cornell University ijroii h) Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028315608 SIR JOHN HAWLEY GLOYER R.N., G.C.M.G. ^'^rfrm/ '^ 'ft^i- LIFE OF SIE JOHN HA¥LEY GLOVEE R.N., G.C.M.G. BY LADY GLOVER 1^ EDITED BY THK RIGHT HON. SIR RICHARD TEMPLE, BART. G.C.S.I., D.C.L., LL.D., F.K.S. WITH PORTRAITS AND MAPS LONDON SMITH, ELDEE, & CO., 15 WATERLOO PLACE J 1897 PEEFACE This Memoir cannot be given to^the public without a word of explanation from me as to the circum- stances in which it was written. After the Ashanti War in 1874, there were various boots written by people who took a part in the expedition : by Mr. H. M. Stanley, then War Correspondent of the ' New York Herald ' ; by Mr. Henty, Correspondent ' of the Standard ; by Sir William ; ' Butler and, more particularly, by Major (now Sir Henry) Brackenbury. There was a strong feeling at the Colonial OflRce, which was also entertained by a number of Sir John Glover's personal friends, that he should write a history of his share in the Ashanti campaign of 1874, and the Colonial Office intimated to him that they wished him to undertake it. He pro- ceeded to collect his papers and despatches with the view of writing the book. He had got some way towards arranging them, and had finished writing the introductory chapter, when an appoint- vi LIFE OF SIK JOHN HAWLEY GLOVER ment to a new Grovernorship prevented him from continuing the history of his share in the war. This appointment was again followed by others, when the work of the colony in itself was more than enough employment for his time. Thus the book never was written. During his last illness, and shortly before the end, seeing by his face that he was pondering very deeply about something that seemed to be weighing on his mind, I asked what he was thinking of, and ' he answered : Work that I have left undone ; that book will never be written now.' Since that day I have looked upon the writing of a book containing some account of the Ashanti War as a last wish, which it was my duty, if it were possible f6r me, to carry out. I knew that his intention had been to write a very full and detailed account of the war, and I saw the innumerable difBculties of writing the book as he would have done it, or wished it written had he given any directions or expressed any desires in the matter. But I thought that the memories of the life of a man who had worked so long in the service of his country would always be acceptable, and might help others in following in the footsteps of one, who, by his own hard work, energy, courage and endurance, had placed himself in the ranks of the foremost men of his day. ; PREFACE Vn An author was selected to write the book, but, from one cause or another, he, as well as others who subsequently undertook the work, was unable to carry it out, and thus his literary project remained in abeyance. At the earnest request of friends, and with the kind assistance of Sir Eichard Temple as Editor, I at last consented to put together the materials in my possession for the purpose of this Life or Biographical Memoir. Chapter VIII., ' Native Expedition against the Ashantis,' was written by Sir John Glover, and is printed from MS. in his own handwriting. The Introduction to this book and Chapter IX., ' The Ashanti War,' is written by the Eight Hon. Sir Eichard Temple, G.C.S.I., CLE., F.E.S., from papers and despatches in my posses- sion, and I am also indebted for much valuable assistance to Sir Andrew Clarke, E.E., G.C.M.G. Sir Gilbert Carter, K.C.M.G., late Governor .of Lagos, Captain Eardley Wilmot, E.N., and Captain Eobb, D.A.A.G., of the Intelligence Division of the War Office, who has kindly prepared the map on page 40. The map, which appears on p. 1, and has the signature of Sir John Glover and General E. W. Sartorius, V.C, was left in the keeping of the Haussas. It was subsequently stolen from them, and afterwards found, by Captain Davison Houston, in an old box forming part of the loot taken at Viii LIFE OF SIR JOH^' HAW'LEY GLOVER Kumasi in 1896, where it had probably been for several years. I have long been accustomed to keep journals in considerable detail, but I have never written a book before. I have never been in Africa, nor was I with Sir John Glover during the earlier scenes described in his life, which took place long before I knew him. But I am well acquainted with all he thought and said and did since our marriage, and was with him in Europe, North America, and the West Indies. Therefore, what I state is either from my own knowledge or from my husband's graphic descriptions of events in his earlier hfe, and of things he knew and remembered of men and affairs in those earlier times. Indeed, I claim a knowledge which could hardly be possible to any- one else, even with the fullest access to papers and despatches which verify all that I state. What I write, therefore, may have a living force of its own, which no other hand could give. I have depicted the man, not as some might have supposed him to be from a study of papers, but as he really was in private as well as in pubhc life, and I have searched out and selected papers and documents for this purpose. Not having the hterary experience needed for writing an account of the Ashanti War I have been assisted by those who have had practice in such matters. PREFACE ix My description, however authentic and Hfe-Hke, may be very imperfect ; still it does show some- thing of the character of those who work in the Imperial interests of our country, and it may thus assist others who are striving for the good of the Empire. If this be so, I shall feel that I have not written in vain. In conclusion, I am the less inclined to regret the delay which has unavoidably occurred in the pubUcation of this volume, because I feel that its appearance at this moment may be the more useful, as it synchronises with the re-emergence of the West African question into the sphere of practical politics. E. E. G. —— CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. By Sir Richard Tbmplb .... xvii CHAPTEE I Early life of John Hawley Glover, 1829-1849—Descent—His father, the Rev. Frederick Glover—Important inventions Literary vi^orks—Incidents of the New Zealand War—Mrs. Glover's personality—Early education of John Hawley Glover —Appointment as first-class volunteer to H.M.S. 'Queen' Mrs. Glover's death—Mr. Glover's re-marriage—Difficulties begin with respect to John Glover—Reason for sending him to learn surveying—Effect on his character of early influences —Appointed midshipman—Return to the Mediterranean Beginning of active caj;eer, 1847-1851— Mr. John Glover, midshipman—Return to Mediterranean—Life at Malta Constantinople—Survey of coast round Athens—Self-educa- tion—First command—Sport in the Archipelago—Leave granted by Admiral Sir William Parker—Stay at Bonn—Re- appointed to command of ' Auxiliaire ' —Survey round Crete ' and Cyprus — Transfer to Victory ' — Appointment to ' ' Penelope —Return to Bonn—Sojourn on banks of Rhine . 1 CHAPTEE II Service in Burmah, 1851-1853—Steam-ship ' Penelope ' —Com- ' mand of ' Teazer on the African Coast—Promotion to rank ' of Lieutenant—China Station—Appointment to Sphinx ' at Rangoon—Second Burmese War—Command of paddle-box boats on the Irawadi—Cholera—Death of Admiral Austin Fighting at Pegu^Landing at Doiiabew—Fighting with the Burmese—Severe losses—Captain Loch killed—Lieutenant Glover severely wounded—Bringing ship back to England Receives public thanks from Sir George Lambert—Reoom- — xii LIFE OF SIR JOHX HAWLEY GLOVER PAGR mended for promotion—Baltic and Heligoland, 1854-1855— Russian War—Appointment as Senior Lieutenant to the ' Rosamond '—Sighting Russian cruiser—Court-martial—Sir Michael Seymour's opinion—Promotion stopped—Service off Scotland—Command of the ' Otter '—On special service— Heligoland—Despatch to Lord Clarendon—Naval Review . 18 CHAPTEE III ' Steam- ship ' Dayspring — Extracts from Lieutenant Glover's journal—Appointment by Foreign Office to survey of Niger Fernando Po—Notes by General Davis—Extracts from Mr. Glover's journal—Madeira—Cape Palmas—Arrival at the ' mouth of the Niger—Wreck of the Dayspring ' . .40 CHAPTER IV First survey of the Niger, 1857-1861—Account of the wreck by General Davis—Interview with King Abo—Rabba—Good reception at Boussa—Finding of Mungo Park's book—Return from surveying the Niger—Expedition to Lagos—First experience with the Haussas—Palavers with the Chiefs Return to camp—^Finish of survey—Return to England Commendation by Lord Clarendon ..... 62 CHAPTER V 1861-1863 The Gold Coast of Western Africa—Lieutenant Glover com- ' manding H.M.S. ' Handy —Letter to Lord Alfred Churchill —The Settlement of Lagos—Neighbouring Tribes—Porto Novo—Egbas and Ibadans —Departure of Mr.