Trooper Dean.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9833, 4 August 1900, Page 8

Trooper Dean.

Writing from Silverton, near Pretoria, under date June 10th, Trooper George Dean gives an interesting account of the operations in advancing on Pretoiia. He says : — "Just before leaving Kroonstad we were joined by the First and Third N.Z. | Contingents, and have since been all together under Major Robin. Just before continuing our great forward march from Kroonstad on Sunday, May 20, we all attended a short church parade, followed by a very complimentary address by General Hutton (our General). The march was without interest till the 25th, when we crossed the Vaal river and entered the Transvaal without opposition. It was expected a big stand would be made here by the Boers, owing to the natural advantages of the place. It was not until the 28th that we came in contact with the enemy, strongly fortified in numerous kopjes. We had an important and dangerous part to play, having to ride out under heavy shell fire and occupy a kopje, and keep the enemy occupied till Generals French and Hamilton advanced up the Klip river, and att icked and drove them out after some heavy fighting. We fared pretty well — oue killed and one seriously wounded. Our horses suffered most, however; aiiout twelve were killed by the shells. This proved to be the turning point of the campaign, and resulted in the occupation of Johannesburg. For the two following days we followed them up under fire, capturing,one of their * Long Toms. 5 We marched on without further

opposition and occupied Pretoria on Wednesday, June 6th. We are now about twelve or fourteen miles from Pretoria waiting orders. There is a large commando of Boers a tew , miles from us, negotiating terms 'jf peace, and as soon as things are up we expect to return to Pretoria our homeward march."