Description

 

Churchill, Winston (1874 – 1965)

‘War is the most difficult of all the Arts and Sciences… not usually practiced by the cleverest men’

An excellent, early typed two-page letter (two separate sheets) signed by Winston Churchill, ‘Winston S. Churchill’. Dated November 29th 1900, and written on his Mount Street headed paper. Roundly defending his publication From London to Ladysmith via Pretoria the future war leader makes unusual and rare comments about the realities of military conflict.

He writes to a Miss Stella Scott, opening, ‘I fear I am unable to enter into the numerous questions you raise in your letter… You must remember in criticising, as you apparently do unsparingly, the operations conducted by military officers in the field that War is the most difficult of all the Arts and  Sciences, and that it is not usually practiced by the cleverest men, especially after a prolonged peace.’

Churchill continues, ‘The letters, of which my book London to Ladysmith is composed, were written in the field during the time when it was above all things desirable that every man should preserve the utmost confidence in the General, and looking at them in the light of after reflection, I do not desire to alter very much. They are not history and they do not pretend to be history, but they do give a true picture of the feelings and the spirit which animated the army in Natal, without which, in spite of all the valuable criticism and advice which was lavished on us from at home, I am very doubtful whether Ladysmith would have been relieved.’ Signed in fountain pen ink, ‘Winston S. Churchill’. Usual letter folds, otherwise in very fine condition.

A superb letter giving insight into the young Churchill’s burgeoning understanding of war, hinting at the strategic vision that ultimately turned him into a great war leader during World  War Two.

London to Ladysmith via Pretoria was first published in 1900, and contained the young Churchill’s impressions during the first five months of the Second Boer War. It features an account of the Relief of Ladysmith, and also details Churchill’s dramatic capture and escape from the Boers.