Gilbert&Sullivan were lampooning Sir Garnet Wolseley, who, arguably, really was a model Major General. He was a master of logistics and operations, and had great experience in “expeditionary” warfare besides. It probably helped a lot that he came up from the Engineers, and saw firsthand the consequences of sloppy planning in the Crimea. His Egyptian campaign was a model of coordination and efficiency, fought against a “near peer” opponent, at least on the grounds of technology and equipment.
Its a pity that many of his successors werent so gifted.
Hmmm. I always thought it was either Gordon or Kitchner!