THE BOER WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12040, 11 May 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

• PORT CHAIiMKRS TO THE FORK Lieutenant ,1. li. Macdonnld, of the fourth • Kcw Zealand contingent, writing to a friend, sends him the following graphic! account of the plucky deed Hi.it dererve.*, ami ill iill probability will result- in, the decoration of the 'V.C. being conferred upon Captain Arthur Baucliop:— . Cyferfontcr, February 12, 1901. Last night at half-past 10 a lantern was flashed in at my tent door and the. adjutant fpolffl: "Sorry to disturb you, but il'n rouse Bt 1 o'clock, parade at 1.45; no rations ami iiohorscfecd; no lights ami no fires; each man to carry 200 rounds. Hood night." At 1 o'clock we got up and paraded in tho dark. Everything was done quietly, and orders were given in an undertone. Without any noiie except that occasioned by the jingliiig of a curb-chain oi the sound of a hoof striking a rtonc, we moved southwar.ls down tbe slope in column of fours, him out ovei the grassy billows that lie to tbe south of our ramp. "Form troops" wae passed back quietly, and the fours rode up into their troops. "No smoking," came the subdued order, 05 some- 'thoughtless- individual in the ranks struck a match, and in silence the troops moml on through the long grass which deadened the sound of hoofs. "What is the gnme this morning?" ,we asked one another, but nobody knew except the brigadier. We were beading-towards n, long jidge about six or seven miles south of tlie camp. At length, towards daylight, we were told. A party of Boere were in laager behind a somewhat detached kopje which rose just .beliind tho ridge, and we were to try to surround them. Wβ were about 250 strong, composed of the fourth New Zealand, 19lh Yeomanry, 14th Hussars, and the composite regiment. Tho.,New Zenlnndcrs were ordered to work round to the right and the Yeomanry to Iho left, while the Hussars and the composite formed llio main body. There's not much fun in being with the main body, liauclion was out in the front with a small advance guard of 16 men, and as I had the leading troop of our regiment I proceeded a', once to steer to the right of a flat-topped kopje, that- rose above the ridge. I hod got abreast of this - kopje when orders were sent out to me to keep to the left of the kopje This, unfortunately, spoilt my chance, for on i iding over the ridgrt we saw the Boers getting oway from a small belt of timber at the foot of the conical kopje.' Had 1 been allowed to jo round the right of the flat-topped kopje iny troop would have come out well on their ilank. As it was we were- straight behind thorn. We blazed away at them 'and they scattered at the gallop, about 30 of them making to my right front, while 40 or 50 inado away to. the left front with an ox ■waggon and two carls. We gave chase to the 30, and llio Yeomanry, accompanied by a troop of B Squadron, swept down after <he party with the waggon. Wn chased our mob for about two miles over open, undulating country, but, finding that we were not gaining on them, gave it up, and halted. The troop of D Squadron had no difficulty in getting up on the ox waggon and the '..arts, winch they took, together with two prisoner^—a man and n boy who were driving them. When the chase began Captain ISauchop, with his advance guard, not knowing where we had gone, got away on the left with the Yeomanry, who continued tho chaso on that (lank for about two miles. When the order to retire was given we on the right ilank wero not pressed, but tilings coon became lively on Iho left. Xo sooner had the general retirement begun than the enemy began io reappear over tlie midulating ground, at first in three? and four.', Ilicn in twenties and thirties, till there were fully 200 of them. The Yeomanry, who did not number more than 100, had not lime to ask where they all came- from. They had only timo "to get," as the Booh galloped up into range, dismounted, and fired into them. And now occurred the most- exciting incident of the day, nnd the most plucky notion yet recorded in the annaU of the fourth New Zealand. « Captain Baucliop, who had been acting on the left flank with the Yeomanry, was retiring with them, when ho saw a Yeomanry trooper named Craig endeavouring to drag an exhausted horse along. Tlio bullets were flying faet, and Baucliop advised the man to «hoot the horse and run. A Yeomanry officer rode up, and, borrowing llio mini's bayonet, tried to iirffe tbe horse along, when a Boer bullet put an end to tho difficulty by killing tho animal. . ' . The Boers were now within 600 yards. Hun, man, run!" shouted the Yeomanry officer, a* lie galloped on after his squadron, while Craig ran for his life with tho bullets humming about hi* ears. Tho'nearest cover wns the belt of timber at the foot of the conical kopje, about threerpmrtcrj of a mile away. Baucliop and the I.Y. oflicei had got about half-way to Ibis cover when they pulled up anil looked round. , " That man will lose bis life if something isn t done," said the I.Y. officer. '•Yes, , ; said Baucliop, "I'm goiinj back for him, and putting spurs to his horso lie galloped back towards those cracking nfies Before he had gone 100 yards a bullet thudded into his horse's flank, but he kept on till he readied the man, and, jumping off, told him to mount, Craig, who wa» completely "blown and beat, gasped out in most unmistakable Scotch: : "No. no, eir; I can't do that. Ynn're an officer, eir. I can't conscientiously tako youi horse." "fict up," said Baucliop; "I'm fresh,and you re done. You'ro only making us & target here." ;, ■"■N°. sir . not You gt back,'-' said Craig; 111 manage to run." . "Mount.' cried liauchop; "hnnj; it, do you think I came back here to argue with you. Mount, I say! " . But tho horse, trembling with the pain of its wound, excited by the firing, and anxious to got back to its companions' whined and neighed, r.nd would not fctaud still. "Swish," "fipp," came the nutlets, while Baucliop held the animal by the head, and as Craig was mounting it was hit behind tlin shoulder. "Your horso is bit again, sir," cried Craig. * "Never mind, lin'll carry you to the timber, replied Hauchon as he freed the horse's head, and tho poor brute, maddened by tho pain, bolted for the bush, with Craig iiaii|{ing on as host he could, and there fell dead. In the meantime the Yeomanry had .reached tho timber, and were replying to •the Uooi fire, as the- New Zealand canlain, who was risking his life .for one of their men, sped over that bullet-swept stretch of open veldt. . Hnuchop's crosscountry runs of other days Stood him in good stead now. He was found in wind anil limb, and he ran ac he 'had never run before, (he bullet.* flicking up" the jdust about bis feet. Ifc ran until he dropped. Theii the Yeomanry officer galloped out, and, dismounting, gave Itou'chop .bis horse while he took '-.is turn at the race for life. Next, Lieutenant Burgoyne (of tho signalling staff) mllopcd out. owl, taking the Yeomanry officer up behind him, rode hack with him to tho timber. And then the principal actors in the sccno had time to laugh and congratulate each other on their .miraculous e=oape. . . We on Ihe other flank were 100 far away to see what was happening, and knew nothing about the Incident till we sol bad; to, camp and tc breakfast at midday, after Jiaviug been out 10 hours. Then I gathered •tho particulars from those who had witnessed (he whole affair n<: well as from those who were concerned in it, and 1 have set down a plain, unvarnished (ale—a bare, bald narrative of a gallant deed—pumoselv refraining from dwelling on tho deadly crackle of rifles and the luiil of lead under which it was so daringly accomplished. Hut I hope I have made it clear that. Port Chill.mors liariwsoii Io he proud of her representative. Men have got the Y.C. for less.

THE SOUTH AFRICA MEDAI, The following* army order regarding the South Africa medal appears in The Times: ■ 1. Hie Majesty the lung has been graciously pleased to confirm the ordei given by her lute Majesty Queen Victoria thai a medal bo struck lo commemorate Die military operations in South Africa. • 2. The medal, in silver, will, provided the claims are approved by the Commamler-in-i Chief, be granted to all officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned' officers, and men of tiie British, Indian, mid colonial forces', and to all-nurses end nurnin:; sisters who'actually served in South Africa between October 11, 1890, and a (Into to he. hereaflt'l fixed; (o all troops stationed in Cape Colony and Jintal nt the outbreak of hostilities; ailil to troop* stationed in St. Helena between April 11, WO, and a date to be hereafter fixed. 3. A clasp inscribed "Belmoiil" will be granted to nil troops under. liieii|'!niuil-!feiir-ml Lord Mcthiicn'a command who wsre. north "I Wiflcpuh (exclusive) on Noreoilwr M, IKW. i. A clasp inscribed " MoMer. River" will bo granted lo nil troops under Uentrtian.i-ijeuHiil liord Methuen's coimnund who w're not.th oi Honey Nest Kloof (exclusive), unil shiith of the Miccrafontcin Hidge (exclusive!, on November 25,°J839. 5. A clasp inscribed " Vaurdeberg " will be granted lo all troops williin TOOUyds .it Ocmral ■Crouje's final laager between, midnight o[ the 17th and midnight of Kebmary 2G. 1Q00; and to all troops within 70011 yds of Kocdoe'a Kami Drift between-those dates. 0. A clasp, inscribed " Driefontein " : will .be granted (i all troops with Army Headquarters and Lieutenant-general French's coHmm-i.c,

tho left and centre columns—which advanced from Poplar drove on March 10, 1900. 7. A clasp inscribed " Wepencr" will be grunted to all troops c-uua«ed in Hie defence of that place between April !), 1901), and April 25, 19(10, both days inclusive. 8. A clasp inscribed " Johanneibim:" will be granted to all troops who, nn May 2!), ISim, were north of an cast and west line through Klip River station (exclusive), and enst oi a north mid south line through Ktuscrsilorp station (inclusive). 9. A rlasp inscribed " Diamond Hill " will he granted to all troops who, on June 11 or 12, ISDO, was east of a north nnd south line drawn through Pilverton Siding and north of an cast and west line through Vlaklont. 10. A clasp inscribed "Belfast" will be granted to all troops who, on August 20 or 27, 1900, were east o( a north and south line druwn through Womlerfpntein (the garrison and troops quartered nt Wundcrtoutein on those dates will not receive this clasp), and west of a north and south line through Dalmnnutlin station, nnd north of an cast and west line through Ualmaniitlia station. • 11. A clasp inscribed ")Vitleber»cii" will be granted to all troops who were inside a line drawn from Hnrrisinith to Bethlehem, thence to Senckal and Clocolan, along Hie Jiasnto border, and back to Harrismith, between .Inly 1 ami 20, IDflO. bolli dales inclusive. 12. A clasp inscribed " l)efencc of Kimberlpy" will be (.'muted lo all troops in the garrison of Kimbcrley between October 11, 1899, and February 15, lUOfl, both dales inclusive. K. A clnsp inscribed " Relief of Kimberley " will be granted to nil troops in the relief column under Lieutenant-general French who miirchcd from Klip Drift on February '15, 191)0, and all the Clh- Division under Lieutenant-general Kelly-Kenny who y.-ere within 7000 yds of. Klip Drift on February 15, 1900. 14. A clasp inscribed " Defence of alafekin" " will be panted to all troops in the garrison of Mafeking between October 13, ISOD, and May 17. inoo, both days inclusive. 13." A clasp inecribed " lielief of Mafeking " will be granted to nil troops-under the com-. niQiid of Colonel Malion who mnrched from Barkly West on May i, 1900, and to all troops who were under Colonel I'lnniv's command between October 11, IKI9, and May 17, 19tt,1, both dates inclusive, and who were south of an east and west line drawn tlirou<;li Piiliidnce. IC. A clasp inscribed "Cape Colony" will lie granted to all troops in Ctipc i Colony .it ;iiiy time between October 11, ISM, ami a ilnte tbe hereafter fixed, wlio receive no cln»p for an action already specified in the Cape Colony, nor the " Natal " clasp. ' -. 17. A clasp inscribed "Orange l-'rce Slate ' will be granted to nil troops in Orange Hivpr Colony nt any time between February 2H, 1900, ami n date to be hereafter fixed, who receive no clnsp which has been already specified for an action in the Orange ltivtr Colony. 18. A clasp inscribed "Transvaal" will be granted to all troops in the Transvnnl ut any time between May U, 1900, and a date to he licrojutcr fixpu, who receive no closp for on action in the Transvaal which has been already specified, , 19. A clasp inscribed "Rlia<lcsi<i"-will be grunted to all troops under the comnioml of liientcnant-gcnerai Sir. F. Carrington and Colonel Plumer in Ithodesia, between October 11,1631), and May 17, 190(1, both dat™ inclusive, who receive no clasp for tho relief of Mulckins. 20. A clasp inscribed " Talana" will bo granted to all troops under Lifutenantrgrneral Sir \V. Poiiu-Symmis's cnmmnm] on October 20, 1599, who were mirth of an east and west line drawn through Watch bank station. 21. A clasp inscribed " Ehindalaagte" will be. granted to nil troops nt Elnnilslaagte on October 21, 1891), who were on the right bank of the Sunday Hiver nnd north of an east and west lino lliroiisli Buys Farm. 22. A clasp inscribed " Defence of Lndysmith " will be granted to all troops in li-adyi smith between November 3,1T0, anil February 28, 1000, both dates inclusive. 2.1. A cla«p inscribed "TiiL-ela Heights ' will be granted to all troops of the Natal Field Force, exclusive of the liailymnith ynrrison, employed in the operations north of nu east and well line through Cliieveley station between February 14 ami 17, 1900, hotli dates inclusive. li. A clasp inscribed "Itflief of I.adysinith" will ha granted to all troops in Xalal north of and including Kstcourt between December 15, 1839, nnd February 2S, 13(10, both dates inclusive. 25. A clasp inscribed "I.aing's Nek" will be granted to all troops of the Xutal Feild Force employed in tlie operations, and north of an eaHt nnd west line through Newcastle, between June 2 and 9. 1900, both dates inclusive. 20. A clnsp inscribed " Natal : ' will be granted 4o all troops in Natal at nny time between October 11, 1599, and June 11, 1900, both dates inclusive, who receive no clnsp for an action in Nntal nor the Cape Colony clasp as already Specified. 27. No individual can have both the defence and relief clasps for cither Kiuibtrlcy, Maleking, or Ladysmith. 28. The medal in silver, with clasps, will be granted to any native soldiers specially employed within the sphere of operations, who fulfill the necessary condition*. 23. Non-enlisted men o[ whatever nationality •who drew military pay will receive bronze medals, without elatps. Thn ribbon which will be given with each medal is a very distinctive one. The centre if nf orange, nhout 4in in width', bordered by a thin line of black on cither side, which divides the orange centre from nn outer edge of dark red. As the total number of clasps to bo issued has not yet.been fixed, none will.be iffiied with the medals which will bo distributed by the Duke of Cornwall and York.