I gladly acquiesced; for I had been a long time on the staff, and had had three years of the Quartermaster-Generalship.
My friends expressed surprise at my accepting the position of Brigadier-General, after having filled an appointment carrying with it the rank of Major-General; but this was not my view.

I longed for a command, and the Frontier Force offered opportunities for active service afforded by no other post.
We were in Calcutta when the question was decided, and started very soon afterwards to make our arrangements for the breaking up of our home at Simla.

I took over the command of the Force on the 15th March, 1878.

My wife accompanied me to Abbottabad--the pretty, quiet little place in Hazara, about 4,000 feet above the sea, which was to be henceforth our winter head-quarters.

For the summer months we were to be located in the higher hills, and my wife was anxious to see the house which I had purchased from my predecessor, General Keyes, at Natiagali.