Edmund Musgrave Barttelot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edmund Musgrave Barttelot
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| Born | 28 April 1859 Petworth, Sussex, England |
| Died | 19 July 1888 (aged 29) Banalya, Congo Free State |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1879-1888 |
| Rank | Brevet Major |
| Unit | Royal Fusiliers |
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| Alma mater | Royal Military College, Sandhurst |
Edmund Musgrave Barttelot (born March 28, 1859 – died July 19, 1888) was a British army officer. He became known for his difficult leadership during a challenging journey in the Congo Free State. This happened during Henry Morton Stanley's Emin Pasha Relief Expedition. Some people believe he was an inspiration for the character of Kurtz in Joseph Conrad's famous novel Heart of Darkness.
Contents
Early Life and Military Career
Barttelot was born in Petworth, Sussex, England. He was the second son of Sir Walter Barttelot, 1st Baronet. He studied at Sandhurst. This is a famous military school.
In 1879, at age 19, he joined the 7th Regiment of Foot as an officer. He served in India. He also fought in the Second Anglo-Afghan War and the Anglo–Egyptian War. During a journey in 1884–85, he joined the Camel Corps. They marched towards Khartoum. Barttelot was promoted to captain in 1886. The next day, he became a Brevet Major. This was to recognize his service in Sudan.
The Emin Pasha Expedition
In 1886, Barttelot volunteered for Henry Morton Stanley's expedition. This trip aimed to help Emin Pasha. Barttelot was Stanley's second-in-command. He led a group called the Rear Column. This group stayed behind at Yambuya on the Aruwimi River. They were supposed to wait for more porters. These porters were to be brought by a trader named Tippu Tip. Stanley, meanwhile, continued his journey to reach Emin Pasha quickly.
Challenges of the Rear Column
While Stanley was away, the Rear Column faced many problems. Barttelot found it hard to keep order among the group. People working with him suffered from a lack of food. Many also became sick and did not get treatment. Some even left the group.
The Rear Column eventually received some porters. However, they only reached a place called Banalya. Here, a tragic event occurred. Barttelot had a conflict with a local woman. He was then killed by the woman's husband, a man named Sanga or Samba.
Reports from Other Officers
Stanley later heard reports about Barttelot's actions. Another officer, William Bonny, said Barttelot acted very harshly. He also said Barttelot showed intense dislike towards African people. However, historians have questioned Bonny's reports. This is because he was known for not always being truthful.
Another officer, John Rose Troup, also reported on Barttelot's behavior. He said Barttelot had a strong dislike for African people. Stanley himself cared for a 13-year-old boy named Sudi. Sudi had been harmed by Barttelot. Sudi died six weeks after Stanley returned. Stanley mostly blamed Barttelot for the Rear Column's difficulties. He also criticized the other officers for not stopping him. Barttelot was buried in the forest.
His Legacy and Portrayals
After the expedition members returned, Barttelot's actions were widely discussed. His brother, Walter George Barttelot, published his brother's diaries. He tried to defend Barttelot's reputation. He also added comments about Stanley's behavior.
Most historians today agree with the negative view of Barttelot.
In Literature and Plays
Barttelot is often seen as a possible model for the character Kurtz. Kurtz is a main character in Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness. Some believe Barttelot's actions, like becoming mentally unstable and harming people, might have inspired parts of Kurtz. However, others think Kurtz was based on several people from that time.
Barttelot also appears as a character in a play. It is called The Rear Column by Simon Gray. This play tells the story of the men left behind by Stanley. In the play, Barttelot is shown as being weak and unstable. The actor Barry Foster played Barttelot in the play and a TV version.
See also
- Barttelot baronets
