THE FIGHTING AROUND OTTOSHOOP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 29

THE FIGHTING AROUND OTTOSHOOP.

Mr H. Niekless, of Orepuki, received the following letter from Gunner D. Stalker, of Ist 1-Pounder Battery, R.F.F.A.. It is dated August 19, from Bull's Nek kopje: — " We had a big day on the 16th, but have not been engaged generally since. Even now there is rifle firing going on, just a few cracks now and again. We started early on Wednesday morning, just after daylight, and came out of Ottophoop, and met an outpost of the New' Ze:;lancl fifth contingent, who were returning with some of their horses shot in different placss. The firing was going on amongst the scrub and kopjes on our lett as we came out, but the enemy retired back, and we did not come into action until we were about three miles out. When we did, the 88th 3?ield Battery of 15-pour.ders and ours went together. The rifle fire became very heavy. The whole place seemed full of swishing and hissing lead. That'.s jupt the sound — a prolonged sound between a sharp swibh and his-s-s. Our Maxims and Galloping Colts kept up a terrible crackling, banging 15pounders, and our deadly pom-poms shelling at the right, left, and front. The enemy fought very stubbornly, not leaving their v/ell-dheltersd position until their shelter and fcome of themselves were literally blown to 2)ic-ces. One great advantage we had — the i3ocrs had no artillery. 7^ ou could see the Dutchmen running for their lives when some ot our well-directed shells burst right amongst their trenches, and, to hear our fellows cheering, it simply electrifies you. You can feel a thrill run up your spine, making your hair stand on end. The colonials deserve all tho praise they get in the newspapers. We did not think so when we used to see the account- 1 , but to see them in action, advancing on to what, to some of them, is sudden death, I did not see our own, the fourth contingent, as they were operating on some kopjea tour or five miles to our right, and supported by our artillery. I hear that they did excellent work. Without artillery we could do nothing here. We would simply fall into cunningly-con-cealed death-pits on every hand. The pompoms arc gieat favourites with our mounted infantry ; in fact, by everybody. This makes our fourth go in, that is, if the intermittent firing now going on comes to anything later on. Things were very quiel yesterday, but we are playing a wailing game. We have a very large convoy with us of traction engines loaded, and about four or five miles of bullock waggons. I like this life very well. There pre some lovely valleys the other side of Zeerusl, and sor.ie splendid orange groves. We filled our haversacks, horses' nose-bags, and everything we could get hold of. We dropped in for a very hot corner the Sunday we went out to Eland's River. If I get through this business all right, I intend going back to New Zealand, and returning again. This is vory peculiar country. There i& not a switch or a blade of grass or anything els-e that we have in New Zealand; but if it is always as fine weather here as what we have had, I would sooner live here. We have not Jad rain since 1 wrote last. A fellow would require to have capital to do anything here, as the blacks 4° a^ the labour. There is some talk of giving; the colonials opportunities of staying here. If they arc anything favourable I think I will accept them."