BAD NEWS.

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

BAD NEWS.

I was sent with some others to Mafeking to bring up a convoy of waggons. We arrived back at Ottoshoop on the evening of the 17th. We halted just outside the town, and Lieutenant Macdonald, who was in charge, went ahead. When he came back we could see that something had happened. He said : "Men, I have bad news for you. Captain Harvey has been shot dead, Captain Fulton is wounded, and also several of our troopers." This news gave us a bit of a shock,' as we. did not know that they had left camp, and expected to have met them here. After we left on Thursday to bring up the convoy, it appeared that the remainder of our A Squadron (about 30 men), with Captain Fulton, and all tho B Squadron, with Captain Harvey, got orders to act as rearguard to some waggons about six miles from Ottoshoop, near Botha's farm. They got orders to lake up a position on a kopje about a mile further away, across a valley. They left their horse** and set • off at a brisk pace. Captain Fulton, with some 13 men,, was first up. Just a> they were -within a few yards of the lop they received a heavy fire. The enemy were only about 10 j r ards away. Captain Fulton fell, shot in the back. Sergeant Hickey also fell, shot through both thighs. Soon after Captain Harvey, with B Squadron, charged. Captain Harvey was shot through the head. For between two and three hours a heavy fire was kept up. Finally they fixed bayonets, charged, and took the kopje. Trooper Sutherland, A Squadron, and >wg others ia 8 Squadron, were wounded..

M-'Dougall, C. Squadron, was shot through the head. C Squadron went to the rescue, and lent valuable assistance. The Boers occupied a very strong position. There were about 100 of them. Our fellows made a splendid "rush, and rome of the officers and men. showed great bravery, xlll our men speak highly of the uay Captain Fulton behaved. By the time our men reached the top they were all pretty well winded, as they had to run altogether about one and a-half miles, and only halted once to have a blow. Some of the meji showed remarkable coolness. While B Squadron were charging- with their 1 bayonets fixed, a Boer had a bead on onei of our fellows, who was ahead of the others. One of his mates was quick to notice it. Ha halted,, took careful aim, and shot the Boer through the head. Some of the fellows had marvellous escapes. The wonder is that more were not killed. When Captain Fulton was shot lie managed to get back a little way down, the kopje. After remaining theie a while he again, eeverely wounded though he was, bravely made his way up to where his men were. While all regretted the death of Captain Harvey and Trooper M'Dougall and the wounding of Captain Fulton and others, we were all very pleased to hear tliafc the ''Dandy Fourth" hod behaved so well, and were only sorry- at not being -there to resist them. Colonel Grey was delighted, and complimented the fourth, who, after taking the position, held it for about 50 hours till they were relieved. Captain Harvey anil Trooper M'Dougall were buried at the foot of the kopje. Saturday, 18th. — Arrived at camp of main body about 2 a.m. with convoy. Took us five hours to da six miles. Had to keep a good look-out, as the enemy are all around here. Once we got the order " Fours about," and were lined up in front of the waggons, but got safely through. The camp is in a largo bafnu with kopjes all around. About half a, mile from where Caplain Harvey is buried some men were wounded to-day, and there was some heavy firing two miles from camp.

Sunday. 19th. Things are quiet to-day. A good many are posted all around. Just received orders to raddle up. Everything ready foi- a march ; enemy in strong force a few miles off. Had fowl and pork for dinner, which my mate commau'deered. One fellow shot accidentally in foot while cleaning his rifle. In Thursday's attack" our fellows killed 20 Boers and secured about the same number of ponie=.

Ottosiioop, Monday Evening. — Retired here yesterday. Went oat this morning, v.ith Major Davis in command. Colonel Francis is not well. Proceeded a few mile?, and sighted the enemy. Took up position on a kopje on the opposite side of a hollow, where "Boers were on another kopje. We could ?ee» a good many of them flying about on horseback about 900 yard* off. We took the btsfc cover we could, getting behind rocks whero practicable. Thing? were pretty lively for a time. A hot fire v.as kept up, and indeed things were only middling. Some hod narrow escapes. Four New~Zealand fellows wera sent out on the kopje in advance, aud wero nearly cut off. Wo just anived on the scene in time. Tlieir hordes made away towards the enemy, and one chap went after them uiider cover of our fire. He had to beat a, hasty retreat, leaving behind his rifle. He had, however, the presence of miiid to take out the block. Seyeial horses were phot. One man had his f-houlder grazed by a bullet. We then got the order to retire. Hsd not proceeded far when we were ordered back on to the kopje. A few shots from our big gun were landed amn;-g=it the enemy, and these silenced them for a time. Then we again go I the order to retire, and while doing so the Boers pouixd a heavy fire into us. One captain near where we wero posted was dangerously wounded. Troops were sent out in a circle, as the enemy were all around us. We got back to Ottoshoop all right. I think we just went out as a " feeler." and we were not intended to hold the position. However, I am very plea' ed to have had an encounter.