Autograph Letter Signed From Jack Churchill, On Winston Churchill's Cavalry Charge At Omdurman. Churchill, Winston S.

Winston Churchill's brother Jack writes to their mother with details of Winston's participation in the cavalry charge at the Battle of Omdurman, often cited as the last great cavalry charge in British military history. The charge became part of the myth of the young Churchill, but Jack's early report presents it as a military blunder, wasting troops and allowing the escape of the Khalifa. The Battle of Omdurman was fought during the Anglo-Egyptian conquest of Sudan, pitching forces commanded by Herbert Kitchener against the Khalifa's Mahdist forces. Churchill served as a cavalry officer in the 21st Lancers, while - against the objections of Kitchener - reporting on the war for the Morning Post. His regiment "galloped by accident into a hidden ravine crammed with armed men. Churchill, who shot and killed at least three of the enemy with his Mauser pistol, was cool and courageous but lucky to survive a bout of hand-to-hand fighting in which 22 British officers and men were killed. Nevertheless he was eager to renew the charge at once. 'Another fifty or sixty casualties would have made our performance historic', he explained to Lady Randolph, 'and made us proud of our race and our blood'" (ODNB). Churchill extensively publicized his role in the charge, presenting it as a triumph. He reported on it in his despatches back to the Morning Post, in The River War, his account of the conflict, and in his autobiography My Early Life. It became part of the legend of Churchill as the young man of action, helping to fuel his rapid political rise in the coming years. However, the letter presents the charge as a disaster. Jack reports "I have heard some further details of Winston via Cecil Grenfell from his brother Harold, who arrived last night". Three Grenfell brothers, Cecil, Howard Maxwell, and Robert served in the battle, the latter losing his life in the cavalry charge. "It appears that the charge was a great mistake and that the Sirdar [Kitchener] was furious, so furious about it that he has hardly mentioned it in despatches. The 21st were supposed to be kept fresh, and prepared to catch the Khalifa when he bolted. They charged and crippled themselves". As a result, Jack notes, the Khalifa got away and indeed he was to survive another year until he was killed in the Battle of Umm Diwaykarat. Jack goes on: "Winston on the 'sound' of charge, sheathed his sword at once and went into it with his 'Mauser' pistol. He said - all this comes from H. Grenfell - that after firing 4 shots the Dervish would not come near him. When he was through he turned back and & rescued his non-coms". This account of Winston's actions concurs with the account he himself gave - he had recently bought the newest Mauser automatic pistol in London and was determined to use it. Jack proceeds to note Kitchener's anger. "But I am afraid that he will not get anything for it as the Sirdar I believe has not mentioned anybody who took part in the charge. Col. Franky [Colonel Frank Rhodes, war correspondent for The Times, subsequently edited Churchill's The River War] told the men the Sirdar was furious at Winston arriving up there". Kitchener's anger at Winston was long lasting. A further handwritten addition to the letter, by Churchill's cousin, Shane Leslie (diplomat and writer, son of his mother's sister, Leonie Jerome Leslie), adds "Afterwards Kitchener sent for Winston and said he understood he wished for a job? He told him to go to the rear and look after the mules! They never spoke again till they met in the War Cabinet of 1914". The feeling was mutual - Churchill is very critical of Kitchener in The River War, including for his desecration of the Mahdi's tomb. Provenance: the collection of Steve Forbes. Autograph letter, on Bachelors' Club Piccadilly stationery, 6 handwritten pages by Jack and further page by Churchill family member, on 2 bifoliums, c.300 words, page size 176 x 111 mm. Housed in black chemise within quarter morocco slipcase, red morocco label to s