THE BOER WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11937, 10 January 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

THE FOURTH CONTINGENT AtfTER DE LA REY. (Br Otm Special Correspondent.) KLERKSDORP, November 23. On the Ist of November our column again moved out from Zecnist, this time to cooperate with Generals Methuen, Broadwood, Clements, and Paget with a view of surrounding the combined commanjdos of De la Key and Lemmer, which were reported as being in the Eland's River district, close to Brakfontein. Wo marched south for three days and then due east to Mabaal Staadt, meeting with comparatively ■ little opposition on the way. After halting for two days at the latter place we proceeded north to Brakfontein, only to find that the Boer leaders had in some unaccountable manner become acquainted with the plan of operations directed against them, and skipped again into the Magaliesberg Ranges We relumed to Mabaal Staadt, and pursued a south-easterly line of march, our objective being Kierksdorp, tlio terminus of the Johannesburg-Potchefstroom railway. On the 12th tfo learned that Liebenberg's commando, consisting of 300 men and two guns, was at Yenleredorp, about 24- miles away, and an attempt was made to surprise him by a forced march. Our column marched "all night, and when within six miles of the town the'four squadrons comprising our regiment went off at a gallop to surround it. Wo wore in position at dawn, only to find that tho Boers had again anticipated our movements, and retired the previous night to a valley about two miles away. On the approach of our main body they retired still further to the south-west, and our regiment proceeded to the village for commandeering purposes. In this we were very successful, as wo brought in 810 head of cattle, 1300 sheep, and 30 horses and mules. We burned a large quantity of forage, and the Boers, seeing flames rising from their houses, returned to the attack. Two small parties of our men had gono some distance beyond the village, and had a very warm time, and were driven in by tho Boers, who showed considerable ■boldness in following them so closely. The majority of our men had gono back to camp with tho cattle, and the few remaining were compelled to take shelter in the village. The Boers, too, succeeded in gaining an entrance ito the village also, and took cover in a church, but after a few well-directed volleys from our men they hurriedly forsook it. It was'fully an hour, however, before we succeeded in driving them back over tho veldt. Having accomplished this we relumed to. camp, We had one casualty during the day, Trooper Rundle, of D Squadron, being slightly wounded in the leg. Pending the arrival of the ambulance waggon he was loft at a Boer farmhouse in the care of one of his comrades, Trooper Bruce, of C Squadron. When we retired, the Boers came to the house and took Bruce prisoner, and refused to release him until one of their men, whom we had taken during tho day, was exchanged. Bundle was brought into camp, and skilfully attended to by Dr Watt, who expects he w,ill be fit for duty again in a few clayed Our regiment was complimented by the General on the success of the day's work. Lord Roberts, too, congratulated General Douglas on the successful march to Yentersdbrp, mentioning especially his recognition of the good work done by the 4th and sth New Zealand Regiments and the 6th Imperial Bushmen. Our column halted for a day at Yentersdorp, as ■both men arid horses were in need of a rcet after the arduous duties of the two preceding, days. I might here mention that tho majority of our regiment were in the saddle for 23 hours with the exception of a short halt in the middle of the night. The English residents of the town, together with tho loyal Dutch, waited on the General, urging him to leave a garrison in the town. The Fieldmarshal was communicated with, but decided that at present no garrison would be left. Wo resumed our march the following morning, and very soon got into touch with a largo body of tho enemy. Wo drove them westward for about 'eight miles, and -commandeered soveral hundred head of cattle. Colonel Grey, our brigadier, expressed his great satisfaction at the excellent manner in which all ranks worked, and considered it to be ono of the best day's work done since the column started. During the three following days we came in contact with small parties of the enemy, but.these offered very little opposition to our inarch. We therefore, turned our attention to commandeering, with the result that several hundred head of cattlo were added to our already large herd.

When within four miles of Klerksdorp we found Lichtonberg's commando occupying a very strong position on our right. He was supported, by two guns—a pom-pom and a 12-poimder.—with v which ho opened on ( our flank guard, detailed that day from the' 6th 1.8. The whole of our available mounted force at once drew up ready for making an attack, while onr artillery shelled the Boer position vigorously with shrapnel and lyddite. The, result was that the Boer guns were silenced after the duel had lasted _ about half an hour. Our casualties were nil, but the Boers must havo suffored. severely before they retired. They sent in ji man to our hospital to have his foot amputated, he having been hit by a shell. It was not deemed advisable to pursue the enemy, m we resumed our march, and arrived in Klerksdorp shortly after noon. Tho residents of the town were overjoyed at our arrival, as for the past four months the town has boon invested by tlio-.Boers, and all communication with the outer world had ceased. When the lino to Johannesburg was destroyed it was impossible to obtain supplies. Further, the Boers had. looted the shops of all the provisions they contained, with the result thai food was almost as scarco as it was in Kimbcrley or Mnfekinj; during the siege. However, the work of restoring the railway line is being carried on expnditiouely, and it is anticipated that the train service will begin again in about 10 days. Since our arrival wo have done little work other than outpost and'patrol duty. Yesterday a cricket match Australasia v. England was played on tho recreation ground, the result being a decisive win for ihe former. Today sports wero held, at which the townsfolk turned out nn ma«?o. I am pleased to say that the fourth Now Zealand alnnß carried off eight o\\jt of the 12 items on tho programme. In tho evening a ball was given by the officers of the column, and proved n- groat

success. Since leaving , Zeerust the weather has been shockingly had. For tho first three tlnys wo wore oh the march it mined in 'torrents, day and night. Bivouacking under these circumstances were very trying. Tents had been sent to JSeorust for-tho use of our column, but we left before they arrived.. However, tho men aro very comfortable now, as they are quartered in unoccupied private houses and public building?. Our officers were quartered for the first two days in the local gaol, but more suitable quarters wore subsequently taken in a pretentious disused hotel. Dγ Watt, our popular medico in Forbury Pork, rejoined the 'regiment with tho Wellington squadron n| Zoeruet. I regret to say that Lieutenant .T. Ross, of Napier, has left tho regiment for New Zealond. On arrival hero, he found a. cablegram awaiting him stating that his wife was dangerously ill, and advising his immediate return. Ho at once proceeded to tho Cape, via I'otchefstroom and Johannesburg. Our veterinary officer, Lieutenant Young, to also left UE, but we believe ho goes nn a visit to Great Britain before returning lo New ZonJand. Tho general health of (lie officers and men continues very good, and this is largely owing to tho efforts of our medical officers, Drs Watt and Neil, who are very assiduous in tl'eir attendance on all cases requiring medical attention. Our horecs have improved in condition very much of late. Tho recent rains have brought away tho young grass, and every opportunity is taken of allowing the horses to graze. .Large quantities of oaten hay have beon commandeered lalcly, and this forms a welcome addition U> Ilio feed. About 150 of tho British African 'I'olire, who of ialo hr.ve been with ottf column, returned Inst week to Rhodesia, having their horses with us, with tho result l-liat for the first time sinco we landed in Africa every man has a mount. The fighting over the whole of the western district has degenerated into a system of guerilla warfare. Whenever we got within touch of a. commando—and the biggest of (hem rarely number? more than 300-they break up into small parties and scatter in all directions, frequently without offering the least resistance. Fighting, or rathor running away, in this manner, the Boers can remain in the field for many mouths yet. It may be asked why wo don't pursue similar.-tactics? Well, I think it would lead to many disasters among our men, as we could not travel without a cortain amount of transport. Tho Boer forces

are very much more mobile than oure, and, further, they have advantages over us in knowing every road, and could consequently unite more rapidly than we, and inflict heavy losses on any small party that they come in contact with. We are thus obliged to move in comparatively large bodies in order to avoid disaster; and herein lies the secret of the long continuance of the war. Very many of the enemy, we are .assured, are desirous of surrendering their arms, but if they do so, and return to their farms, they are almost immediately commandeered again. It is generally agreed that the occupation of Hie towns is tho next important ntep towards the termination of the war, for then those who surrender have the protection of a garrisoned town. It lias been decided to garrison Klerksdorp until the termination of the war, and already 12 Boera have eouirht our protection. It is anticipated by the townsfolk that the whole of the Klcrkedorp commando, or rather what.remains of it, will come in to surrender; or, if the leaders of the principal commandos were captured, the majority of the rank and file would lay down their arms, for they are truly in a pitiable condition, being literally in rags and without food other than mealies. November 25. We learned with regret to-day of the death of Troopor 0. Bottom, of the Hnwke's Bny portion of the contingent, which took place at Kimberley last week. It will be remembered he was one of those severely wounded in Urn Buffal's Hoek engagement on August 16. It was considered at tho time that his .wound would by no means prove fatal, but a careful diagnosis uhowod it to have been caused by an explosive bullet. The remainder of those wounded in the same engagement have sufficiently recovered to be able to rejoin the regiment. Our mails have of late been arriving more regularly than hitherto. During the past 10 days two mails have arrived, although tho latest files from New Zealand date September 20. We have now been eight days in Klerksdorp, and it is rumoured we shall again move out in a day or two. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all friends in New Zealand! :