CAMPAIGNING IN AFRICA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 66

CAMPAIGNING IN AFRICA.

ON THE WE S TEEN FRONTIER. WITH THE FOURTH AND FIFTH CONTINGENTS. (From Our Own Correspondent). . . Field Hospital. Mafeking, December 17, 1900. COLONIAL' MOUNTED FORCES. In my r last I mentioned that a rumour was current that the Rhodesian Field Force was about to be transferred from Fort Tuli to more southern latitudes, and I am glad to> say that there is now no reason to doubt the report. All the Imperial Yeomanry have passed south, and within the lash few days several detachments of artillery and mounted infantry (New Zealand) have passed through, eu route to Klerks dorp (120 miles east but 1500 miles by rail), where all the colonials are apparently mobilising, the object being, I understand, to form a flying column of picked men. under General French ; and in this event we may expect some brilliant work, for French is considered to be one of the finest cavalry officers in the British army. The Australasian troops have not yet had an opportunity to fully demonstrate their fighting qualities, as up to the present time they have only been employed in. small detached bodies in conjunction with infantry or yeomanry, who, as a body, are very indifferent horsemen, and unused to rough country, though it is only fair to say that they are as brave as England’s bravest. This they have proved on more than one occasion. It is therefore to be hoped that Lord Kitchener really has decided to place’all the. Australasians under one of his smartest officers, and thus give them a chance to prove exactly what tney can dq.,- ( These troops are only too proud to fight' side.,by side "With volunteers from the- Mother .Country ; but in view of their special qualifications and fitness for the peculiar work 1 now in hand, I think they may be excused if they cherish a desife to try a lone hand and look forward with, pleasure to the prospect of a brilliant opportunity to prove their real worth. A.S .scouts they have proved themselves valuable adjuncts to the British army and well able to look after themselves, and the Boers too; but scouting, though the most important work eonneletbd with military evolutions in South Africa, is very trying and unsatisfactory work to those engaged in it, and it is not unnatural that the colonials as a body should desire a change before the last shot sounds the prelude to peace. Of course they have not been exclusively employed in scouting.—they have done some splendid work otherwise, hut they have not yet been given a. chance as a distinct brigade, and this is what they desire. NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION. A squadron, of New Zealand mounted infantiy and a section of the First New Zealand Battery took part in the relief of Schweizer Reneke (a small place about twenty-five miles south), which was effected a week- or two ago after a siege of five months. There was not much opposition, offered to the relieving force; but- in a subsequent attempt to take a convoy with provisions through, these New Zealanders and a squadron oar two of Australians got into a very tight corner, and only with the greatest difficulty managed to save the convoy. They were almost surrounded, and were subjected to a heavy fire for over five hours. The enemy had set a nice little trap for them, and if they had not learned to regard the white flag as a .danger signal nothing in the world could have saved the convoy and guns from falling into the hands of the Boers. A large white flag was seen flying from a house, which otherwise would have been passed at close quarter's, but, fortunately, the escort was “ not taking any ” white flag that day. The Boers , will have to resort to some other method to put Britons off their guard now their white sheets are stained with too much British blood, to be regarded with a friendly eye any longer. A wide detour was consequently made to the left, with the result that large numbers of armed Boers were seen to emerge from the house and an adjoining dam or reservoir, in which they and their horses had been completely concealed. As soon as . they realised that their diabolical scheme had failed to decoy their prey, off they galloped as hard as they could to various kopjes, from which they immediately opened fire. The engagement was a very warm one indeed; but the enemy, notwithstanding his superior numbers, got the worst, of it. TYith their almost invariable luck, not one of the New Zealanders was hurt, though it is almost superfluous to add there were many hair-breadth escapes. Trooper Webb (Gisborne) escaped by the skin of his arm, a bullet peeling it off nicely from the wrist to the elbow, without drawing any blood. Unfortunately, several Australians were killed. A FLUCKY AUSTRALIAN. Lieutenant McPherson (New South Wales) greatly distinguished himself m leading a brilliant charge, which probably saved the convoy. The Boers occupied a kopje,- from which they shot the horses and mules down in large numbers, and threatened to annihilate the whole column, and from this position the Australians drove them, Lieutenant McPherson’s horse being shot from under him, no fewer than six bulLihafes striking the animal—four after it

mutely forced to take shelter behind an ant-hill and there he was kept under a. heavy fir for four hours. He lias been recommended for the D.S.O. RHEN OS TER KOP.

From fittest despatches received, in which the “ exceptional gallantry ” of the New Zealanders is mentioned. T learn that “six New Zealanders were killed and nineteen wounded, including • five officers,” in the recent engagement at Bronkhorst Spruit. The West Ridings lost sixty in the same engagement. There were 3000 British and 3500 Boers engaged—not by any means a small battle. The fighting lasted fifteen hours without intermission. The Boers, who used explosive bullets, and inflicted dreadful wounds on our poor fellows, lost very heavily. Then, on the top cf this comes the news that four guns and about 500 men have been captured by the enemy! And yet “ the wav is over.” KITCHENER’S PREPARATIONS. The one refreshing feature is the fact that the authorities, paradoxical as it may seem, are making more elaborate preparations for the protection of life and property and for the prosecution or the war than seemed expedient—or necessary before “the war was over.” A Town Guard is being formed for -Mateking, and for every other place worth calling a. town; and during the last month Cape Colony alone has contributed no fewer than 2313 recruits to the various irregular forces in the field—such as the Firstsnd Second Brabant’s Horse, Kaffrarian Rifles, Queenstown Volunteers, Marshall’s Horse, Border Horse, Nesbitt’s Horse, Eastern Province Horse, Imperial Light Horse, French’s Scouts and other regiments, in addition to hundreds sent forward for Baden-Powell’s special force. Lord Kitchener, too, by his action in ordering the convalescent Australians to leturn to South Africa and requesting the New Zealand Government to “ allow the New Zealanders to remain,” has signified pretty clearly that he is not satisfied that “the.war is over.”

It is generally recognised that Lord Roberts was far too kind .too humane, and too credulous or honest to himself to thoroughly grasp the situation and deal successfully, at the present stage of affairs, with his cunning, and treacherous opponents. It is felt that if Lord Kitchener, whose capacity for stern business, when necessary, is well known, be given a free hand, the war will be over all the sooner. For warfare conducted on civilised and honourable principles Lord Roberts is the man. But tor "Boers and barbarians, Lord Kitchener is undoubtedly the man—his stern precept and unbending will are the only attributes that will command respect and secure loyalty to. the British flag in South Africa. The uncivilised respect ""anti appreciate power, but only the power that they can feel. So it is with the Boers. They will not respect England til; thev can feel her power. In my last I hinted that things were not very settled in Cape Colony; nor has the outlook improved since that date. It seems alinosfTcertain that martial law will be proclaimed before long. Loyalists are crying out for it on every hand; and as this form of government is by no means welcome in a civil community, under ordinary circumstances, upsetting trade and intercourse as it does, one must conclude that there is some stern necessity for it. Field Hospital, Mafeking, December 17, 1900. THE WORCESTER CONGRESS. The sedition-mongers are certainly very busy, both male and female/ parsons and legislators—Dutch, of. course. At the Worcester Congress, whereabout 10,000 Boers and pro-Boers blew off steam, in one day, the atmosphere was very sultry. But what a dignified, and, it is to be hoped, satisfactory reception their representatives received at the hands of Sir Alfred Milner, who had been abused in a most scandalous manner, and was actually asked to forward to her Majesty a resolution which practically amounted to a petition for lus removal from office on the grounds of his persistent hostility to the interests of the colony and inability to govern. Sir Alfred, with characteristic magnanimity, consented to forward the absurd resolutions, as desired, but. as he stated, not because he felt' that- they were of such a nature that he '‘ought to do so,” but because he : "wished to avoid the appearance of a desire to suppress them on account of the one directed against himself.” The reply altogether was most excellent, short, to the point, most courteous, and straightforward, and will no doubt obviate the necessity for a second Worcester Congress. It certainly will, if the Cape JDutch are not absolutely brainless or blind. The Rev W. P. De Villiers was “ sorry his Excellency could not say anything :n favor of the resolutions,” which pointed to the‘ ‘extermination of a white rar tionality.” charged us with cruelty to women and children, and demanded the independence of the Republics! These Dutchmen must think they have a “soft thing on.” From Pretoria I. learn that “there has been execrable treachery on the part of the Boers, in murdering two unarmed Highlanders, after previously demanding their surrender,” and that . the sternest repressive measures are demanded under, the regime , of Lord Kitchener, until our armed opponents are declared outlaws, as was done m Burmah under Sir George White. . They evidently know how to talk business at Pretoria. If this course be adopted at

their way home within six weeks, or even less. Bloemfontein is quite prepared for any possible attack. Extra scouts are out, and extra guards watch the streets by night. Mines have been laid along tile railway line, so that any Boers tampering with them are likely to get more than they bargained for. Similar precautions have been taken here. A town gt'ard. as already stated, lias been formed. new forts have been constructed, the garrisons at all the forts have been doubled, special mines have been laid, and altogether things are apparently ready for an attack. But I have not the least doubt that if the Boers were to go the right way to work, they could take Mafeking. Of course, they could not hold it long with safety—not longer, perhaps than would be necessarj 1, to replenish supplies, which would be their only object in making an attack now, though no doubt they would like to.be able to say that they took Mafeking. . Any Low, they are" certainly very, active all round us just now, and I think an attack is quite on the cards. BOER ACTIVITY. Last Sunday a convoy on the way to Ottoshoop was attacked very soon after it star fed, and was obliged to return. Another attempt was made to-day, with the same . result, and the other night Cannon Kopje—the key to Mafeking—was called to arms three times, the Boers being quite close to the fort. But the height of impudence was reached when, on the following morning, a Boer tried to force his way through the guard into town, no doubt to get provisions, his loaded rifle still being in the bottom of the waggon, which was drawn by six Government mules. As this gentleman had no pass, his implied contempt of British wit cost him his liberty, and the mules reverted to the Crown. Then, again, last week a waggon was commandeered, and the natives in charge were slioU within sight of the camp. The Boers and natives now shoot each other at sight—no quarter on either side. The natives are terribly bitter against the enemy. They almost go mad at the sight of a Boer prisoner. The skeletons of twenty-five natives were recently discovered in a heap about six miles out, marks on the scrub and trees proving that they had been mowed clown with a Maxim. Many little family groups—men, women and’ children —have been found in such attitudes and positions as to suggest that they had been killed whilst innocently squatting on the ground!

Owing to large supplies having reached the enemy through the questionable loyalty of some of the local storekeepers, the authorities have been obliged to issue an order prohibiting them from .supplying Dutch refugees and farmers with more than a very limited quantity of provisions at a time. General Lemma, who some time ago sent in word to Methuen, per released Yeomen, that he would give no quarter to any colonials caught, has been shot, and the New Zealanders have the credit of having shot him. This is the man who was in charge of the mob that murdered Lieutenant White . (New South Wales) under such brutal circumstances ; and it was he who arranged' his men—all dressed in British uniforms —in front of a farmhouse in such a manner that they were taken for our own men, and led twenty-eight Bushmen into a trap, eight being shot by men concealed m and about the house before they had time to realise that behind those uniforms were hearts that desired their blcocl, and cared not by what means they obtained it. Full particulars of these incidents have been given in previous letters. No one is sorry on our side that Mr Lemma has at last met the fate he so richly deserved. THE NEW ZEALANDERS. On the 15th all the New Zealand details were sent (by rail), in charge of Lieut. Seddon, to Klerksdorp to rejoin their respective squadrons there. So that there are very few New Zealanders left in this quarter now —only one section each of the Ist and 2nd New Zealand Batteries (the former with Methuen, at Vryberg,’and the latter doing garrison duty here), and a squadron (mostly sth) of mounted infantry, also with Methuen. I regret to say that enteric has claimed two more victims from the ranks cf our boys. Trooper James (Fifth Contingent, Nelson) died of this fell disease at Zeerust on 23rd ult., and on the 3rd inst. Trooper York (Fourth Contingent) breathed his last at Kimberley. This unfortunate young fellow fell down the hold on the way over, and was never quite right afterwards-. He frequently complained of a pain in the back. He was invalided home some months ago, but was not disposed to avail himself of the opportunity to leave this country. One must admire - his spirit in desiring to stick to his squadron, but it is very probable that his life would have been spared if he had. returned to New Zealand. He was a very nioe young fellow. Corporal Corlett (1426 Fourth Contingent), Q.-M-. Sergeant Francis (244, Fifth), Trooper McEwen (1443, Fourth), Corporal Blake (£216, Fifth), Sergt. Wallace (2528. Fifth), and Trooper Stot (2412, Fifth), are in Hie Field Hospital here. The two first-named are in,the “observation”, ward for suspected enteric cases. McEwen has malaria, and the three lastnamed are very bad with the dreaded enteric. At the present moment this ho spital contains forty-two enteric cases,

and there are another fifty under observation. Then there are about a hundred other cases, malaria, rheumatism, pneumonia, and such like. There are nany out-patients too. The death rate is very hi. gh, and almost every day there is a funeral; sometimes-two or three. PARCELS FOR THE TROOPS. The other day Sergt. Black (Dunedin, 2nd New Zealand Battery), received a case of luxuries from home, and it is worthy of note that it cost him (though only a small package) the excessive sum of £1 18s—14s 6d to the Cape and 23s T>d thence to Mafeking. Though all the cakes, jam and sauce (bottles brbken) and a lot of ether very acceptable things were ruined and unfit for food, having been on the way from August to December, he gladly paid the excessive charges, but it seems a pity that some special arrangements could not be made in respect to parcels for our boys, whose earnings are not large, and soon melt away in this country, prices being so high. A few luxuries from home are worth their weight in gold. I would recommend mothers, sisters and sweethearts, in sending parcels to this country, to send only such things is will keep and not to make the cakes toe »rick Plain cakes without fruit I think keep the best. Ginger-bread and such-like I believe would keep well and is very wholesome. Biscuit tins protect cakee from the “ship sweat,” which ruins them. Everything should be securely packed. Don’t trust your precious gifts to paper parcels; the address will get torn off and all will be lost. Small parcels should be sewn up in seme strong material, and” the address should be sewn on to it.. Moisture affects gum or glue, and friction teal's paper. Large parcels should be packed in strong cases, and the address should be painted on the wood itself. Parcels and packages for soldiers on active service get a terrible “doing” before they cease to ream. At almost every post office in South Africa there are hundreds cf parcels without addresses. Letters, too, should be carefully addressed and enclosed in strong envelopes. Attention to these hints will save much disappointment to our boys. I have just heard that the Boers have driven our troops from a position a few miles out.