LETTER FROM TROOPER RUSDEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 20, 13 October 1900, Page 3

LETTER FROM TROOPER RUSDEN.

TEH BATTLE OF OTTOSHOOP. Tbo following letter received from Trooper Rusden will be found interesting:—We arrived at Ottoshoopon the 15th of last month, and had just unsaddled onr horses at dusk when the enemy opened fire on us. Luckily for us they were too far off to.do any damage, only one or two bullets fell near us. The nest day, the 16th, we went out and came up with them at about 2.30, They had taken up a strong position on two or three kopjes. The New Zealand batteries opened on them shell, and we were ordered to advance. We did so, and the Boers retreated to a hill behind. After exchanging a few shots our No. 3 troop were ordered to take the hill. They went on foot along with some o£ the South Islanders, and had to cross a 400 yard flat to reach it. Not a shot was fired at them while they were crossing that flat or climbing the hill, bnfc when they reached the top a terrible lire was poured into them. Captain Harvey was shot dead and a sergeant and several troopers wounded. They were in a terrible fix when we (No, 2 troop) were ordered to charge the hill. We were mounted, Bob Collins in command,[and went down the hillside, over rocks, through trees, and across the fiat at full gallop. As soon as the Boers saw us coming they turned their fire on to us, and the bullets fell like hail around us. I

could hear them whistle and sing as they passed my head. We raised the cry " Come on New Zealand," and rode like the very devil. We were lucky enough to reach the foot of the hill without a man or horse being* struck. Arriving there we dismounted and climbed the hill; the Boors retreated about 200 yards to a ridge and the firing was fast and furious on both sides. It was certain death tocxiwse yourself for a second. Trooper McDougal was shot dead, and Corporal McCartney wounded in the leg. Shortly after this, about 5 p.m., Bob Collins was shot through the wrist. It was now getting dusk, and the Boers retreating the firing ceased for the night. We retired to our horses and lay down to sleep. It was bitterly cold. .Next morning we retired to the first hill, and then the whole force moved to another position and c;in)ped. "We were called up and '•ompliihentod by the general on the way we charged and to-jk the hill. Went out that afternoon and did a bit of sniping, getting a lior.io wounded. Next day wc retired to here, doing a bit of scrapping along the road, and h,'iv(* i-.'.-n lih-c euT since. \Ve have been oui .several limes d-.-ing a bit of sniping. One day Cap'aii! AibutimuU. an English officer, who wa> iiUitched tons, was shot through ilm botlv, but is doing tirst rate; we also had two or three hor.-es shot. - The Australians ]ia\e a goofl number of men. We ha\c ne\er been, and 1 hope we never shall he again, in >uch a warm hole as we were on ihd lfitli. A few days ago Lord Metluien's! forces jias-ed tlirni'di on their way to] Maukiii- for repairs and a rest. The poor Ijujqian l.mkol a, tlMMigli tlusy necde.l both badly. \\ e had a n'\vic thunder storm, I which lasted two days and nights. The lirsl ; night we had no shelter, and it rained in torrents, so you can imagine what r tine w

had. The second day we rigged up a bit of a shanty with some sheets of iron, so we were not so badly off. It is beautiful weather again now. In New Zealand you have no idea of this country. I can understand now why! the war has lasted so long, Yon go out to meet the enemy, they are concealed in a hill, they pour a volley into you and then skidaddle to another hill, and bo on. We can never get a fair go at them. I don't care how soon peace is declared. Nothing to eat but bully beef and biscuits from one months end to another soon sickens one.