LETTERS FROM THE FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 25

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT.

THE MOVEMENTS OF THE FOURTH CONTINGENT. The following extracts from a le ( ter written, by Trooper J. Moore, of the fourth contingent, in South Africa to his parents in Dunedin were written from Cypher Kraal, near Klerksdorp, on April 22:— "My last leiler, a nhort one, was written in "Ventersdorp, where we rested for a day while trekking around Tafel Kop, leaving this with Shaekelton's column, which operated on on our right flank. Our squad took up the advance guard when the column moved off on the 12th, expecting to get into Klerksdorp; but we altered our course for Hartbeestefontein, camping close to Lynberg's farm, from where a convoy was pent to Klorksdorp for previsions. This returned with si stock of groceries and fre--.h bread. Some excitement was caused in camp through the drowning of a Tommy, who was baihmg with others in a creek. I was not down at the time lie was drowned, but was present v>hm the doctor was trying to restore animation. A mate of the "departed and a few niggers, together with the medico, were the only persons who seemed interested in the operation,- though scores of swimmers were disporting themselves hard by, a- if nothing had happened. I merely mention this to show }'ou how callous one get-, in the game of war. " On April 13 all the mounted men, with some guns, left camp at 7.30 to reconnoitre, ond proceeded about six miles to a mining township without encountering Boer?. On the 14th we moved away with a long-range Elswick gun, a lyddite, and two 15-pounders, going along the creek towards "Ventersdorp. Colonel Rolleston, who is in command of Shackelton's column, left with us. After maiching some three hours or so we headed for the hills on o\vr left, where it was intended to surprise a Boer laager, supposed to be concealed in one of the gullies. Rolleston's men, who preceded us by about half a.T hour, stumbled upon a small laager just at daylight, and Jacky, having no outposts out, was surprised, and cleared, leaving a 15-pounder, a pom-pom, and several waggons. Rolleston stood a good chance of losing his own guns and those captured had we not appeared in the nick of time. The Boera, reinforced from the main laager, had captured Rolleston himself, and were making things real lively for his men, who were scattered all over the veldt. Our staff smiled a big smile when they learnt of the capture. It appears that Rolleston had galloped up a kopje, thinking it was occupied by his men. Before he reached the summit, however, his horse was shot down, and he wan convinced to the contrary. After stripping him of his watch, glasses, spurs, cash, coat, and hat, the Boera let him depart. Heavy firing on Txith sides ensued, and we retired to camp tired out and hungry. On the 16th Tennant, Jock M'Leau, and self had a tip-top bathe in the creek. Chops now form part of our regular diet. Sheep arc with us in numbers. On the 17th our three columns moved off in the direction of the mining town previously visited. The 1.L.H., who were acting as advance guard, ran against some Jackiss, and lost two killed, through taking a kopje the wrong way. In the afternoon our Elswick gun did some long-range shooting from the camp, and was watched by us with considerable interest, the shooting being very accurate. Rolleston's men are camped close to Hartbaestefontein. In the hills near by it is said there are from 3000 to 4000 Boers imder De la- Rey, Kemp, Viloen. and Leynburg. Next day we joined Rolleston's column, taking with us the Elswick and lyddite guns, all going towards the hills, the mounted men forming up at about 4000 yards, with a front- of five miles. The guns opened fire on town and hills. Splendid experience for us to see the lyddite, Elswick, three 15pounders, and two pom-poms going at top for four hours on end, planting shells in the township and on the hillside where the Boers were well hidden. Our gunners did capital shooting. Five of the enemy were seen to take shelter behind a pile of stones. A lyddite shell dropped right among them, and when the smoke cleared Boers and stones had disappeared. Another shell pitched among a number of saddled horses, killing most of them. " The next day a convoy had to return to Kle-rksdorp to replenish our stock of ammunition. General Babbington sent under a white flag a message to the Boers telling them if they did not leave in half an hour he would blow their town to pieces. However, he did not, to our intense disappointment and that of some artillery officers, who were wagering bottles of whisky as to how many shells would bring down the church, which formed a good target ; nor did the Boers go. Nothing of note occurred till Sunday, the 21st April, when we had a lively time of it. At 6 a.m. we left camp and proceeded along the foot of the hills in the direction of Ventersdorp, Rolleston's column, with two convoys, trekking parallel with us about three miles away on the flat, on our right. In some scrub at the foot of the kopjes about 4000 yards off we descried some Boers. Our advanced guard — the T.L H. — opened on them with a pom-pom, and were met with a heavy rifie fire. Our two 15-pounders then came into action, and threw a few shrapnel into the scrub, without apparent damage. Colonel Grey then sent B squadron of the fourth to take up a position on a kopje over-looking the scrub, but the troop were compelled to retire when within 200 yards of it, as the Boers, wko lined tlie whole ridge, opeaed

a terrific fire on them. The 15 pounders barked here, and the B squadron returned to the charge at a gallop and took the kopje in grand style, the Boers taking a position further back. A troop of the 1.L.H., who were arting as a support to the left fiank of the advance guard, were sent at the second kopje, tlipir advance being covered by the pom-poms, the Boers, who up to this had been lying low, now opened on them a teirific Mau-er fire at a distance of 300 yards, wounding three slightly end causing all to retire pell-mell. The pom-poms then had their opportunity, and did excellent work. We retired fiom" the hills, and camped on the veldt for a few days to await reinforcements, as our force was not ptrong enough to tackle Jacky in his favourite kopjes. Our regiment put in three hours this afternoon in digging trenches and gunpits to protect ourselves against the wily Boer. From present indications I am of opinion wo shall have any amount of fun ere long ; the kopjes around us are thronged with Boer;. Speaking for myself, I should like a good w hid-up before returning home. A Natal paper informed us the other day that the sixth Now Zealand contingent had had their baptism of fire in the taking of Pietcrt>burg, four or five of them beingwounded and two or more captured. The " Dandy Fourth " can beast of not having one man captured during our 12 months' sojourn in South Africa. Colonel Grey was heard to remark one day when a dozen Hussars were taken prisonei'3, and sent back to their column minus everything but a singlet and pair of drawers each, "that it takes seven years to make a regular cavalryman and one patrol to lose him." Several of our officers intend staying on with the seventh contingent. Small wonder. A lieutenant receives £1 Oe 6d a day, including mess allowance, field expenses, etc., and will receive a bonus of £100 at the close of the war. If I were certain that I would get 10s a day I would stay also,but would not risk another 12 months at this game for 5s a day. The wet season is about over here now — we have had no rain for week? Extreme heat during the day and excessive cold at night is our experience. My section now consibts of Jock M'Lean, West, and Tennant, all Dunedin men. We employ a Basuto boy to clean canteens, look after horses, etc.. at £1 per month : it lightens our labour very much. On the return of the convoy from Klerksdorp to-day (April 24) we learnt that the Boers had attacked it, giving the troops accompanying it a lively time. It appears that as soca as Rolleston's mounted men, who had escorted the convoy some distance clear of the kopjes, left to return to camp over 400 Boer 3 were seen coming at a haad gallop across the veldt towards the convoy. The small rearguard, consisting of the Eighth Mounted Infantry, kept them at bay until their ammunition gave out, when they retired to the waggona The Boers seeing this, and despite the fact that our two 15-pounders were pumping shrapnel into them at a, great rate, came on with a rush; but they had xeckoned without Tommy! Two companies of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers were riding in waggons, quietly formed up in open order alongside the guns, and allowed the Jackies to get within 800 yards, and then poured in four volleys, completely staggering them, and causing -them to beat a hasty retreat out of range. To show you .how close the Boers were to cur guns, which no doubt they were after, the gunners used case shot, which played havoc wifli the enemy. On the return of the convoy 23 graves were counted here ; but the most reliable account of the casualties was obtained from a Boer who came into Klerksdorp minus an arm. He slated that 35 in all were killed and 100 wounded. Our losses amounted to five killed and eight wounded. On the 25th we saddled up and left camp for a kopje and shelled the enemy, who followed at a safe distance as we returned to camp. Our sick parade to-day numbered 20 sufferers. Five were sent to the hospital — Arthur West with a touch of jaundice, and Findlater rheumatic fever. " April 26-^-exactly 12 months since we landed at Beira. By Jove ! we have passed through a lot since then. Every day one hears of our going home; but appearances at present do not favour reports. We have still heavy work before us here. As I write the boom of big guns in the distance can be heard. Probably a column is moving towards us to assist in our stirring Jacky up. It is rumoured that Methuen has left Klerksdorp, and is now near Hartbeestefontein. Sid Smith, Steve Cairns, J. Mathie. Jack Palmer, and A. Shalders desire to be kiodly remembered to you. H. White is still at Johannesburg, and not at all well. Dr Neil, Corporal Spragg, and a number of others are still away from us, but are likely to join us when we receive orders for home. We heard to-day the seventh are to relieve us. | " My little pony, which has stood well to me right through, 13 beginning to show signs of wear. He is getting very proppy in j his forelegs. The poor little beggar has hardly had a day's spell since leaving Marandellaa, and could do with a month or two. UoAvever, with careful nursing and no more hard gallops, I think he will see me through all right. We still have New Zealand horses in the lines, the best of the crowd being Matthew and Patrol, the latter having done wonders. Since leaving the boat at Beira he has carried a man over 13st right to the present. At Klei'ksdorp he had a month's spell, won a couple of races, and is with us again as fresh as paint. Were I to return to this country, I should certainly endeavour to bring back a thoroughbred. Such hor&es have more pluck than the ordinary horse and get on "better at this game." " To-day a Boer, carrying a white flag, came into camp. It is said his mission was to secure some ambulance waggons to convey 100 or sc of his comrades into Klerksdorp. He also asked for a few of our doctors. Of course, I cannot vouch for the correctness of this, but would not be a bit surprised were it so, as they must have suffered severely when they attacked our convoy aforesaid. " April 27. — Last night at 8 o'clock we had orders to sleep, with all gear on, by our rifles. Nothing happened, though Smudt, with a large commando, joined the Boeis around us. Our fighting strength is about 2000, and as we are well entrenched I think we could make things lively were the Johnnies to come along. By the way, in one of the papers you sent I caw a letter from someone commenting on the firing of big guns on the Sabbath. He should be here when our guns are let loose. It ia a strange fact that most of the engagements in which the fourth has been concerned have taken place on that day. " Remember me kindly to Messrs Sidey, Puddy, Cole, Searle, and the other members of the Caversham committee, also to the other frienda mentioned. I am in c&piUl bealttu"-