THE BOER WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2504, 19 March 1902, Page 25

THE BOER WAR.

ONE OF THE MOST UNTOWARD INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. LORD METHIKNS REVERSE.— UREAT BRAVERY DISPLAYED — REJOIC ING ON THE CONTINENT. DETAILS OF THE REVERSE —A REGRETTABLE PANIC. LORD METHUEN RELEASED.— DE LA REV'S CHIVALRY. NEW ZEALANDERS' GALLANTRY. DE WET AND STEYN CIiOSS TILE LINE. i ! NEAT ZEALAND'S TENTH CONTINGENT. STEYN AND DE WET .MOVING. K I TC J I E N Kit CO -\1 PLI M EN TS NEW ZKALANDELtS-. LONDON. March 10. Major Paris and hi- men, who wt re ml-sincr, have iwrived at Kraaran. Miirch 11 Sections of the Fourth and Thirtyeighth Batteries toucht with great gallantry during the attack on Methuen's column. Three hundred infantry of the Northumberland Fusileers and Loyal North Lancashires displayed conspicuous courage, protecting the waggons and refusing to surrender until resistance was useless. Cellier'*., Kemp's, and Vermaas's commandos were present. General Methuen had his thigh fractured. He is being well cared for in his own waggons. Lord Kitchener hope* that the reinforcements arriving will rectify the situation without disturbing operations elsewhere. Tiie consensus of feeling is one of disappointment and regret at one of the mo c t untoward incidents of the war. It is a temporary sgt-back which is most unfortunate in the face of the Boer re-olvc to greater and more determined efforts. Tiie Time- says that the commander ordered to deal with De la Rey ought to be a strategist of ability, and one exereisjnu an initiative based on good, rapid information. Colonels Byno's, Rimington's, and other forces are engaged in a sweep to the westward. The Boer leader 4 - in Holland suggest the exchange of Lord Methuen for Kruitziuger. The Paris paper-, while jubilant at the disaster, recognise Mcthuen's chivalry towards tiie late French Doer commandant Marueil \ llleboi-, who wa- killed at Ho. hoi in 1900 J'l" 1 lk-rlin populace repeatedly hurrahed the new- of the disaster.

A tremendous sensation was produced in New York, and the reverse ha- greatly injured Briti-h pre-tige.

Man.h 12

Intense indignation was expressed m the House of Commons at the indecent Irish exhibition. Sir H. C. Bannerman i- blamed for net attempting to re-tram it.

Baron yon Richthofen, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking at Beit, was cheered on acknowledging the facilities given for distribution of gifts in the concentration camps. He said England's natural susceptibilities wrre proportioned to her unflinching sacrifices of blocd and trea-uie. She had suffered a heavy loss of excellent officer-. He iirpod ju-ter criticism, and cjnottd Oorman <reuer.il-' eulogiuni on the camp in Ceylon. Lord Methuen was deriving of German sympatny. He, as an attache, enjoyed the particular esteem of the firM: two Kaisers. He added that he hoped the British would accept their German cousins' amlbulances for the benefit of their common cousins in South Africa. The Boers objected to British ambulances, fearing divulgation operations.

The German newspapers a-cribe the disaster to defective scouting, which was evidenced in the wildue*-s of the panic.

A War Office correction states that Lord Methuen wa ■ proceeding from Vrybiirg, not Wynbertr.

Mr Brodnck stated iv the Hou'-c of Common-, that the disaster did not require special reinforcements beyond the lartre ones airraid v arranged.

The casualty li-t <.tatc-- ihat Lord Methuen wj>. dangerously wounded, but i 1 - pro[ire-'-ni!z w<-11.

Tilney, who was wounded, has now rejoined..

Lord Rosebery, at Glasgow, 'bespoke Britain's unflinching firmness and equanimity in seeing this thing through. In the history of Empire a reverse was a momentary incident, not retarding for a single day the flow of fortune.

The Morning Po-t hopes that antiBritish persons will not be allowed to pass through the British lines.

Lord Kitchener's weekly report states that six Boers were killed, two wounded, 8S taken prisoners, and 36 surrendered. De Wet's captured cave contained 40 waggon-loads of ammunition, one Krupp, a pom-pom, a Nordenfeldt, and half a million sheaves of wh-eat.

De la Rey captured at Tweebosch much clothing, rifle-, and artillery ammunition.

Lady Mtthueii, on reaching Madeira on her way homewards, heard of the disaster to her husband. She at once returned to South Africa.

The reverse has not affected South African stocks on the Paris Bourse.

Mr M'NeiU, the Nationalist M.P. who was most demonstrative in cheering the news of Methuen's defeat in the House of Commons, has received several threatening letters.

Captain Vanderwolt was killed in a skirmish at'Peaston.

Baron yon Richthofen admitted during hi* speech that Auglophobian sentiments, were inspired only out of regard for German interests.

A commission in the Yeomanry, with temporary rank as lieutenant in the arm}', has been granted H. Scott, late a sergeant in the New Zealand volunteers.

March 13

Partial casualty li-ts from Tweebosch that four officers and fciO men were killed, and 10 officers ami 108 men wounded ; 200 were missing.

Mr John Morley, speaking at Manchester, admitted that it was difficult to discuss the Irish question after Monday's incident. Some Nationalists had committed a great breach of right feeling and decency. Such an exhibition was execrable. Referring to South Africa, he deplored the disaster a* prolonging the war, but added that '" when Lord Miluer and Mr Kruger met at Bloemfontein, if Lord Milncr had been patient, wise, and discreet — crafty, if you like — there would have been no war." Replying to Lord Ro«ebery, he said the fir^t business- of the Liberals was to make a league of peace, and meanwhile maintain the old principle.

Reuter gives pome details of the Vrede fight. The Boers twice tried unsuccessfully to rush through the Queensland Bushmen's outpost line. They then attacked the New Zealanders, led by De Wet, Wessels, and Manic Botha. They rushed the left post, killing five and wounding sis. They then worked along the flank, and captured the post after the men forming the posts on the right flank fell back on Rimington's column. His pom-pom servers being killed, two New Zealanders, under a heavy fire, wheeled the pom-pom down a gully and overturned it, thus saving it from capture. Lord Kitchener, addressing the New Zealanders, praised their gallant resistance against overwhelming odds.

Advices from Heilbron state that Do Wet and Steyn, on the night of the 9th, crossed the railway northwards of Wolvehoek, going westward, their columns being almost in touch with the Boer commandant Odendal.

The Standard's Brussels correspondent btates that Botha's move southwards and his ordering; De la Rey to advance was done to divert attention from De Wet, was intended to enable the latter to reorganise. If Botha was attacked by a superior force he could enter Swaziland under a secret treaty.

Many mounted men from Lichtenburg f.nd Klerksdorp are trying to drive Do hi Rev on to the railway to prevent Lord Methuen'b removal to the northern hill>.

The figure*, siven in the la&t me^-.apo m inference to the Tweebo^eh casualties have been cancelled as incorrect.

The King, when holding on investiture :it St. James's, took occasion to hand Xur-mg Sisters Bidmoad (Adelaide) and Nixon (Sydney) the Royal Red Cn>s bad^e 1 -.

The (*ovommeiit have enfr.igc-d Sir Bhmdell Maple's trainer to puicha-e fresh remount- m Hungary.

Man\ - newspapers commenting on Mr S«*d.cJ oil's view of tho io\er^c at TAveebo^eh, a- expressed in hi^ Duncchn say that hi> spirit i- worthy of some of the heroes who fought and died at Vrede.

March 14.

Lord Kitchener report*, from Pretoria on Thursday that Lord Methueu was brought to Klerksdorp to-day, doing well.

In the Hon^e of Common-,, Mr Brodrick said it v:a« presumed Lord Mpthuon had been released. The statement was received with cheers.

Private Albert H. Devine. of the <vi New Zealand Mountcds, has died of enteric at Maritzburj!;.

Mr Brodrick, in the Hou-^e of Commons, replying to Mr Churchill, snid the time had not yet come to consider the employment of Indian troops in South Africa.

Krmtzinejer's trial ha« been postponed because the evidence in incomplete.

The Times <-,+ rtte- that Lord Methuen's wound appealed to D<? la Rey% humanity aud chivalry, aad he declined to accept

the responsibility of the torturing that would be inseparable from his conveyance in a jolting waggon over rough country. The Standard rejoices that Lord Roberts's testimonial to "Boer generals' attributes has been justified. Other papers state that De la Rey, besides moderation and courtesy, showed a true judgment of the nation wherewith he was dealing.

Botha is retiring eastward before General Bruce Hamilton. He made several unsuccessful efforts to cro^s the HeilbronWolverhoek line. Fourteen of his men were captured.

Mr Seddon's offer of more troops has met with a warm response.

Continental criticism is increasingly impressed with Groat Britain's resolute optimism, Australia's fealty, and New Zealand's- latest outbur-t of fervor.

Lord Roberts inspected on Salisbury Plain 1100 militia who arc starting for South Africa.

Lord Wolseley sails for South Africa to-morrow on private business.

Lieut .-Colonel Cox's Australians pursued Meutze's commando, which broke the Heilbron-Wolvehoek blockhouse line at Gottenburg. One Boer was killed and five captured, the rest escaped in the direction of the Wilge River. Colonel Fonishawe's column is pursuing them.

Sixty Boers have been driven through the Kudu Pass, in the Drakensbevgs. >n the direction of Innersdale. The Yeomanry and police are pursuing them. The Standard says that the Boers .scattered before the westward drive, and 50 were captured.

Steyn accompanied De Wet across the railway line, westward. Lord Methuen received a Martini wound in the right thigh. The injury is «evere. The femur was fractured.

De la Roy, at the moment of Lorn Methuen's rapture, cau-ed a menage to be despatched to Lady Mothuen stating that her husband was safe. The Daily Mail states that the Government thanked De la Rey for his kind treatment, and it is understood that it will shortly give some propf that it recognises his elm airy

March 16

Colonel Parked mounted column captured two laagers and 25 Boers to the north of Middelburg, as the outcome cf several long night marches. Arrangements are progressing which indicate. that the 21st Lancers and the 11th Hussars will accompany the (5000 Yeomanry who are starting for South Africa in April.

The Natal Treason Court have completed their sittings. They tried 500 out of an estimated 800 Natal rebels. The aggregata fines amounted to £32,000. Courts-martial will deal with all future ca*es of treason.

March 17

Lord Methuen reports that the rear screen of mounted infantry to his, column were rushed and overwhelmed at da.wn by the Boers. The ox aud mule convoys were then a mile apart. While they were closing up without disorder, the rear screen, which had been reinforced by all the available mounted men and a section of the S3th Battery, maintained their position for an hour. Meanwhile 200 infantry were being disposed so as to resist an attempt to outflank the left of the rearguard. The Boers pressed the attack hard, and the mounted troops, attempting to fall back on the infantry, got completely out of hand, carrying with them in the rout the bulk of the ammunition. Some of the mounted force and the two guns of the .'soth Battery, which were left unprotected, continued in action until every one excepting Lieut. Nc-ham was hit. When called upon to surrender the lieutenant refused, and was killed.

Lord Methuen, v.ith 200 Northumberland Fusiliers and two guns of the 4rh Battery, though isolated, fought on for three hours. One hundred of the North Lancashires, with 40 Cape Police, occupied a kraal near the waggons, and repelled repeated attacks-.

When Lord Methuen was wounded the casualties were becoming exceedingly heavy and the ammunition was mostly expended. The Northumberland Ftf-i-hers surrendered at 9.30, the party in the kraal resisting until 10 o'clock, when the fire of the two suns and pompom ■> captured rendered their position untenable.

Most of ihp Boors wore cliul in khaki, many wtarine; a British buclgo of rank, and won- nulistintrui-linble from Biiti-h evon at close quarters.

Lord Methuou's report states th.it the infantry and artillery fought well. A

few parties of the Imperial Yeoinanrj and Cape Police coutinued to resist after the panic s« ept the bulk of the mounted men off the battlefield.

Schalkburger and the members of the Boer Government are north of Balmoral, in the Northern Transvaal.

Between Harvismith and Heilbron Colonel Garratt captured 46 Boers, including Celliers, who was wounded at the Boschkopjes fight.

Colonel Gordon captured 12 others.

The Daily Mail states that Lord Methuen was about to ride a distance to rally the mounted force when ho received his wound, the bullet killing his horse. De la Rey sent Lord Methuen to Klerksdorp in the care of his nephew.

Schalkburger bitterly opposed this, and sent a party of burghers, who brought Lord Methuen back. De la Rey persisted in liberating the General and overbore the opposition.

Steyn and De Wet are at Parys, west of Vereeniging.

Commandant Malan passed Willikop on the 12th, Colonel Doran closely pursuing.

The recent loss of two convoys in tho north-west of Cape Colony is delaying operations against Commandant Maritz.

Signor Prinetti, Italian Minister of W Q r, refused to intervene in South Africa. He emphasised cordial relations between Italy and Great Britain, and flatteringly referred to Mr Chamberlain's action in the Malta language difficulty.

The Federal Minister of Defence states that he has not considered the question of following Mr Seddon's lead in offering more troops. The Ministry are of opinion that the war is practically over, and that the men now going will be able to finish it. If more men are wanted tlu-y will be sent.

NEW YORK, March 12

Messrs Wc-<-els and Wolmarans, the peace delegates, on being interviewed, said they had never asked for or expected intervention from any country. They only begged to secure civilised warfare. They wanted a fair, square fight, and were able to continue the conflict for years.

WASHINGTON, March 12

President Roosevelt personally requested the Republican leaders in Congress to smother resolutions sympathising with the Boers.

MELBOURNE, March 13

General Hutton, on being interviewed, paid a high tribute to General Methuen's gallantly and perseverance in the face of difficulties.

The troopship Templemore has arrived. She has a number of New Zealand troops on board under the command of Lieutenant Cribb, of the 7th New Zealand.

MESSAGE FROM COLONEL PILCHER.

RETURNING TROOPERS

THE SIXTH COMING HOME

WELLINGTON, March 11. Colonel Pilcher cables to the Government as follows from Capetown, under date Bth. inst. : — 3331 Private Josephsou is out of danger ; Lieutenant Hovcll is well and with his regiment. Departures e\ Athenic : 1426 Private Corlott, 2420 Private Wilson, 4257 Private Anderson, 4636 Private Munn, and 3225 Piivate Daley. Major Andrew v«ire»: " The sixth contingent leaves Standerton for Capetown en route for New Zealand on the 11th.

DOWN WITH ENTERIC

Wellington, March 13. The Governor has received tho following cable from Capetown, dated 9th inst : — "The following New Zealand Mounted Infantry are ill with enteric: — 1-616 Devine, 3294 Warwick, 3367 Fraser. 3293 Walker, 3839 Cooper, Gilbert, ai' belonging to the smonth contingent. No 4072 Considiiio is -nrlering fioin a gunshot wound.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

AUCKLAND,

March 15

Colonel Porter writes thanking the town i ]prk for Christmas comfort* forwarded tc the si", onth contingent. He adds. "I reRirt that (ho gifts have not jet readied us, but ar.; Foinrwhcro on the railway lines, and no Joubt will he leceived in due eouivse. The contingent have been constantly in the field, operating against De Wet. 'ince the beginning of January, and ha\c been away from the mean? of trantport.''

HONOURING NEW ZEALANDERS

WELLINGTON, March 17. The Piemicr hab been advised that Cap tarns Stevenson and Tucker. Surgeon-c.iptaiJ, O'Neill, and Lieutenant Tr.doi hay*- been lccommPtidecl for the D.S.O. for goofl work in the field, and Corpora-l Walter Thorp (of Tc Euiti) and Sergeant Harris (of Christchur. li) for the distinguished conduct ir.cdat.

Y\Afe'lED INDIGNATION ON UNFOUNDKD RKPORTS.

WELLINGTON, March 17. With refci-pncp to certain statement* recently -published in New Zealand that some*

filing approaching a mutiny occurred in one of the New Zealand regiments in South fA-friea, and that certain members had been trussed at the gun wheels as punishment, 4he Premier communicated with Lord Kitchener on the subject, and the latter cables that such sensational report 3 were un founded, and intimates that a full report is following. (CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR NEW ZEA- £ LANDEES ON SERVICE. > 'BreVet-colonel liobin received the followfig letter yesterday morning from Colonel orter, who is m command of the New 'Zealanders servirig with Garratt's column, Frankfort, under date of 2nd February: — ,"I have the honour to acknowledge receipt 'of your letter of sth November, advising the despatch of Christmas gifts to the boys 'of the feixth and seventh, aa tabulated in the list attached to the letter, which will greatly facilitate their distribution. I regret to say that up to the present time tho beventh contingent have not received any •oversea gifts. As a matter of fact the gifts '■did not arrive in the country till the 29th {December, since which date we have been continuously in the field away from line of 'communication. The sixth contingent may ■fliave received their share at Volksrust, and I trust that the seventh will soon recdve '•theirs via Hei'.bro". On behalf of all ranks under my command, please convey to tho .Otago donor* the great pppreciation of their '•iind consideration for the iads in the field."' A LETTER FKO.M THE FKOIsT. Trooper Britteuden. of the sixth contingent, in a letter to his parents, dated from .Wakkerstroom. January 8, reports the .wounding of lm schoolmate and comrade, ?Trooper J. Clarke, of Woodhaugh. Trooper Clarke ai;d others were with Major Andrews repelling an attack by the Boer*, when hu was shot in the forehead, the bullet com ing out just a little above the Pnd of the light eyebrow. Trooper* Leewin and StJrift'en were wounded in tho leg-, and -•Trooper M 'Donald dislocated bis shoulder jby a fall from his hor-e. Trooper BrittenYen and about a dozen other members of 'the sixth contingent were unfortunate Enough to fall into the hands of the Boes*. /They were making for a farmhouse under Wder-, when about 300 Boers were seen fccming straight at thorn at full gallop. The enemy were about 600 yds distant when they appeared over the cr>*t of a kopje Lieutenant Mitchell, who was in chaige, de Bpatched a man for reinforcements, but as he and the other 11 men could find no cnei Jhe lieutenant, after firing a few rounds, ordered a retirement. A large fence, however, barred the way. and before the New j^ealanders could reach an opening the (Boers were amongst them. Lieutenant was .shot in the leg just alove the ankle, and mot of the hor»os had leeeiveJ .more than one bullet. The New Zealanderi were stripped of their outer garment- and j'lsggings, and in some caces of their shirts ?ho, the Boers giving them in exchange the old and somewhat ragged clothes they koto [scaring. Trooper Brittenden tells in an junusing Ftrain how he succeeded m remov ing his garuipnt3 and ictaining the belt lie wore, ah it rontained curios and coins W Fome value. The trooper a!»o succeeded Ma retaining, his diary and tome papers in Jiis coat pocket, by keeping the Boer who was effecting this unwilling exchange en'vaged in conversation. Lieutenant Mitchell (was conveyed to camp by his men on an Jmrrovißed" ftrcte-her, after- they had buried Bergeant-major Smith, of A Squadron, who was killed while conveying a despatch from his captain, who had some 19 men on the (eft of Lieutenant Mitchell On the day following these incidents a e trong patrol. Jvith the guns, under GencrM Plunier. went put and met the Boers The latter rushed the pompom, but were dm. en oil Kigiituen here killed and 20 wounded, nio^th <)upe*iF land 1.8.'5. but the Boei, lott 43 ki'led :n:d 68 wounded.

The Premier has received a ( ablo from ih'.jor Pilcher. Capetown, ss fo'lows: -"No. 3331 Trooper .iosepli-on 11 out of danger; Lieutenant Hovell (son of Don Hovcll, of -Xapiei) is well ynd w:th ins regiment." v A Wellington telegram says. — "Captain ,*Tuckey, of Wellington, who left New Zealand with the fifth contingent, but was, subsequent to the battle of Ottoshoop, given an •Imperial staff appointment under Major Paris, appears to have been with hie chief at the disaster which befell Lord Methuen. ■His relatives hrtve received a cable from JVryburgr stating that he was safe and not wounded."

• Lieutenant T Nosham, who wa» killed Jn the Iwebosch engagement, after display ing great gallantry at the guns, was the only eon of the late Admiral Neaham, who !»vas well known in Now Zealand as Captain of H.M.S. Tauraug* lt'ine or 10 yearago. Lieutenant Nesham was an officer of artillery about 28 year.- of ago. and his first cousin is Mr« (Dr) Ciaig, of Gisboruo.

An interesting letter fiom an officer of repute now" at the front is published in the Wellington Post. The writer t-ays:— "Tho Colonial regiments are keeping up their good Siame. I don't think there is any dotenora at all in them ()vei»ea colonial; — that is, Canadian-. Au»tialian->. and New Zealandero — are. the be-t suited foi this -tyle of and do the bo^t woik by f..r. At this period of the war we alwav- let the Vneri havo as free a hand as possible in the field, and explain what we don't want done, that if there- is a mistake made on their t>art it-is pointed out to them. This make= them very careful and self-reliant." '• Tho Oamaru Mail has been informed, though uo news ha* lia.s-c'd tbiough the prdinary pic-e thanne'-. tliat Mr Richard /Taylor, of ind*or. ha-, iccoivpd telegiAii.'from tho Governor and tho Pn-mier to t 1 o pffect that lu= i-on, Liriitnidlit Taylor, l* lying dangerously ill at Protoua Taylor Went with tho fir-t contingent, lelunr.'.iGf an. trooper. rlc was made a ser3p.nn on joining the Sixth, and in South Afnc.i received his coiiiinisMon shortly afterward-, nnd lately received an appointment iv 'ho fommisariat dopartmc.n. A colossal Celtic ero - -. in memory of the officers and men of the Highland Bnq;ade \x\\o fell at Mager^fontein, has jiu-t been completed by a film of Aberdeen sculptors The insciiption on the ba-o reach: — ."Erected by Scots the world o-.er in memory of the officer? and men of the Highland regiments who foil at Mageioioutein, December 11, 1899." Wi.- Do'iald Currie has arranged that the cioss,' which vyeigns Rbout 12 tone, shall be conveyed without r!\argc from Southampton or London to South Africa, and that tho official- of die Union-Castle Imp at Capetown vvi' 1 roc that 't is forwarded to the Modeler Rue . Hie rr.oiuiment i- to bo r-rcrted on :i gooJ fitc dv Mc-ci^foiHc.n Kill, and v, ill be rccii from a> >uck tt&tft