WITH THE RHODESIAN FIELD FORCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 30

WITH THE RHODESIAN FIELD FORCE.

THE FOURTH CONTINGENT IN A

WARM CORNER.

HOW CAPTAIN HARVEY MET HIS

DEATH,

BRAVERY OF OFFICERS AND

TROOPERS,

CAPT. FULTON, THOUGH WOUNDED,

RETURNS. TO HIS MEN.

(Fsoii Our Own Coebesfoxdent.)

WELLINGTON. September 25

By a mail which arrived this morning MiMalcolm Ross received from his brother in the fourth eonKngc-nt an interesting letter giving the first detailed news of the march from Mafeking to Otto^hoop, and the engagements which resulted in the death and wounding of several of the New Zealanders there. Tho latter wan written under difficulties m intervals snatched during midnight marches, Ihe convoying of waggons, and attacks on the Boer position. The writer says : —

We left Mafeking with Carringlon'b column, consisting of 3000 men, on the 14-L'i August. We inarched ten miles, and caniped shortly after dark. We have ten traction engines for transport. We have also a considerable number of mule waggons, and some big guns with us. It is surprising the extent of country covered bj* thi=: force while on the ir.preh. As the country is bo very lev.el, one cannot sec from front ro real. We nvrch ia double column of troop*, with transport:, ambuiince •vvnogons, etc., in the centre. We travelled a good part of the way at a brisk trot. Although the country is as level as the palm of your band, it is very stony. In places there is a kind of clinker, winch has the appearance of having passed through the action of fire. TLe horses' shoe*; ring on this as we trot a10n.2. The fourth contingent formed part of t're left wing under Colonel Grey. Whenever I got to the top of a bit of rising ground I used to pause and look back at the column. It was a sight worth seeing.

Wednesday, 15th.— Off at 6 o'clock this morning. We are allowed two blanket.; and a waterproof* sheet, which are carried on the waggon?. In the pouches op our saddles we havo grooming gear, a pair of socks, and a shirt. ril he rest of the kit was left at Mafekins\ Each man has to boil his ovn canteen when a oliancs offers. We passed several deserted farmhouses, with fences all down and goat* grazing on the green crops of waive, which are just covering the gicund. We were maiching at ease, smoking pnd leading our horses, v.hen suddenly shots ViC-re heard. There was a rush of big gunr, cmmimitiop. carts, troop*, etc., and in dotible quick timo we were lined up in extended order, some taking _ cover behind kopjes and others out in the open. The enemy, however, did not show himself, and the troops retired. We camped ,at a little village called Ottoahnop. Tho enemy directed his fire on ii- 1 . but most 'of the bullets fell short. A few landed araongpt us in camp. Pretty v»ell everything in the town has been looted by the Boeiv. There are a few Boer women with theii.' families in pome of the houses. Their husbands are in the war. When, fitting on tho verandah of a house talking to two women we heard a rush of something coming oast the door. In the dusk I could just distinguish a pig going at top spe9d, with two troopers in hot pursuit. One of the women told us the pig was the last of thiee. There .v/as also an ominous commotion among the poultry. There is a great demand for the Kru^er coins, somo of which I have sent you. Well, soon after the pig hunt a trooper come up and asked the woman if she had any of these coins. I thought I would have a joke with him, so, acting tho officer, I shouted, " Get away to your camp, and double." He took tho hint, and was off in a twinkling. I bought some eggs here at 2s a dozen. Thirty of the enemy left in hot haste just before we entered the village. We jjot three prisoners. There being some farmers here, two of us took a stroll rourd at night to buy some bread or eggf. In every house Aye went there were women with young families, but no appearance of any men. The women only speak a few words of English, and it is hard to make them understand. They are lather nice-looking, and everything in their houses is scrupulously clean. The houses are built of a kind of brick, with thatched roof. Thrre are no chimneys to them, and the doors are in two halves, after the manner of a New Zealand barn. We secured two loaves for 4s. As we approached one house we heard the voices of children singing. We crept up quietly to the door and looked through a crack. At the head of the table sat a mother, and around her a number of little children. There was an open Bible on the table, and they were singing hymns. The sight was one that made us think of the horrors of war.