A BRAVE DUNEDINITE. HOW TROOPER ROWE WAS WOUNDED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 26

A BRAVE DUNEDINITE. HOW TROOPER ROWE WAS WOUNDED.

Trooper James Cashman (late of Port Chalmers), of Waldon's Scouts, forwards us a spirited account of a skirmish in which a plucky Dunedinite, Trooper George Rowe, of the same corps, distinguished himself. He writes: — " On the 11th inst. Captain Waldon received instructions to take a body of men out and endeavour to capture a Boer patrol, which, was supposed to be camping in a farmhouse about 10 miles distant. I may here ptate that Waldon's Scouts were then holding an outpost about three miles from the Platrand railway station. Accordingly, at midnight on that date 32 members of the corps, inoluding officers, set out with that object in view. By 3 a.m. on the 12th we had surrounded the farm, but the Boers had evidently seen us approach, and had flown. That their flight was a hurried one was evidenced by the fact that they had left jjeUud revolvers bandoliers, amrnfiaition..

etc. Naturally we were all disappointed at being thus narrowly cheated of a good capture. Our captain decided to remain at the farmhouse until daylight, and then cross the Klip River with the object of securing a number of caitle that our scouts reported to be there. As soon as day dawned we again set out, and by 7 a.m. had got together a mob of about 300 head. Driving them merrily homewards, we were all congratulating ourselves on making such a good haul, when suddenly the ' ping-pong ' of a Mauser was heard, and in an incredibly short space of time the Boers were streaming over the kopjes on all sides, pouring a leaden shower of hail upon us. Captain Waldon called on his men to make a stand — a call which was promiJtly obeyed, — but as we had no shelter and were greatly outnumbered the order to retire was shortly afterwards given.' To do so we had to cross the swollen river — a dangerous task, as it was covered by about 60 Boers from a kopje not 400 yards distant. Before reaching the ri\er Rowc's horse was shot under him. Although stunned by the fall, he had the presence of miud to cling to his rifle. Arriving at the river on foot, there seemed no chance of getting across, but a trooper, seeing him in trouble, called out ' Get up behind me, Rowe ; my hot se may "be able to carry us both over.' He quickly did so, and they were soon in the river: but the ta-k set the knocked-up animal was too much for him, so Rowe, although still suffering from the effects of his fall, bravely and thoughtfully slipped off, and, clinging to the horse's tail, was m that manner enabled to reach the oppo->ite bank. All this time ihe bullets were splashing in. the water like rain, the wonder being that all- hands were not shot. Here Rowe got another horse, the owner of which had been wounded ; but had not gone far on it when he saw Trooper Kearns on ■ foot- Kearns called out, .' My horse is done, George, and can't go any farther.' Without a moment's hesitation Rowe gallantly galloped over and took Kearns up behind him. After riding for about a quarter of a mile they saw some of their comrades in difficulties .behnul them, and bravely docided to get off and cover their retreat. For this action neither of these brave men can receive too much praise, as. they were thereby throwing away their only chance of escape. Some Boers from a distance .signalled them to surrender, but they decided that they would never do that. After firing a few shots a, -Mauser bullet struck Rowe just below the right eye, passing out of the back of his head, and a few moments later he was shot through the right arm near the shoulder. Kearns, although his comrade was completely disabled, etill fought on and would not surrender, although having plenty of opportunities to do so. After fighting in the bravest manner possible for some time he was struck in the right breast, the bullet parsing through his heart and out of his left side. A few of the Boers then rode up, amongst them being Piet Botha, for it was that gentleman's commando, 200 strong, we had had the bad luck to meet. Botha, addressing Rowe, told him he was a. brave man for fighting ,so well. Then, - after- viewing" Kearns's body, and counting -the,, number, of louuas he had fired— l 7 aaftjy ''The dead man was also very brave, and' seldom have I men -fight braver and better.' Our casualties were one killed, seven wounded, and 11 prisoners, those .of the eneuiy' being three killed and 17 wounded. The Boers treated the ■wounded very 'well, and also the prisoners, wliom they released after taking all their clothing. During the day an ambulance waggon w^nt out for the woundrd, and the folowing morning thoy were sent to the military hospital at Standerton, where, with the exception of one — a young Englishman named Toppin, whose life is despaired of — they are all doing well. I saw Rowe yesterday, and he i<? now out of danger, although" b<> may lose the sight of the injured eyo. He is bright and oneerful, and the dorfcor=> and nurses say they never saw a man bear his wounds so bravely. Now, Sir, I think you and j your numerous leaders will agree that during this skirmish your fellow-townsman showed the utmo.st bravery — of this there i can be no doubt, when even the enemy coinphmentod him on such,— and he is a | credit to Dunedin. I tJiorofoio write this I brief account to give ' honour to whom ! honour is due,' and to tuggpst th^ on his | return to Dunedin he should receive some | fitting recognition for his bravery. Itowe ■ should arrive in Dunedin about two or J three months after you receive this, but i I am afraid it will be many months after ! before he will be able to work. It may interest your numerous sporting readers to ! know that one of our wounded was George | Kobson, the jockey, well known in New Zealand, who rode Glenloth when he won the Melbourne Cup."