A revealing Autograph Letter Signed ‘Ian Hamilton’, to “My dear Frankie”, describing his work in South Africa as Chief of Staff to Lord Kitchener, after expressing his concern over the illness of Mrs. Rupert: “The very name is a spell to raise pleasant images of beauty in this forlorn land.” by HAMILTON, General Sir Ian

Johannesburg [South Africa], 19 January 1902. 4 pp. 7 x 4½ inches, in fine clean condition. General Sir Ian Hamilton (1853-1947) served in Afghanistan (1878), the Boer Wars, and led the Gallipoli expedition (1915). In the Second Boer War he was attached to the Natal Field Force as acting adjutant general and commanded the infantry at the Battle of Elandslaagte. He took part in the Battle of Wagon Hill at Ladysmith and was frequently mentioned in despatches. He was knighted in 1902, was promoted major general, received a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath and became Chief of Staff to Lord Kitchener. “I am working very hard & am glad to think I am really taking something off the great K’s shoulders. I do the dispatches & home Telegrams and see all the heads of Departments & settle all but really matters involving a principle, so he has time to run about & see things for himself for from 2 to 5 days every week.”