CRABBE'S STRATAGEM

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7203, 14 September 1901, Page 4

CRABBE'S STRATAGEM

OUTWITTING KETOZINGER. THROUGH *TRE BOER LINES MNltoT. The V Star's" war news from South Africa on Thursday afternoon contained an item briefly describing how Colonel Crabbe,. at dawn on Sept. 10, had surprised anil defeated . Commandant Scheeper's chief lieutenant at Drifontein, ffaose Boers ■who were not killed or captured fleeing eastwards. • Colonel Crabbe is. probably one of the most , resourceful officers at ithe -front. He often gets into tight places, but generally manages to get out o>f them without much loss. • " ; On ona occasion, on July 21 last, he slipped smartly through «he fingers of Commandant Kruitainger at Jackalsfontein, near Cradook. . Learning that Kruitzinger was msmng: east through Kafeebasch, Colonel Crabbe lef fc camp on July 20 with t"he object of following and engaging the enemy. Owing to the mountainous nature of the country he took only [mounted troops, leaving guns and transports behind. After a stiff climb over the bJUs the column reached JaSkalsfontein. Farm, without having sighted! the enemy. The occupant of the farm reported) that three Boers had! off-saddled in. the garden an hour previously, 'but although the horses were discovered, the men -were not found. Colonel Crabbe decided to stay at the farm for the night, andi accordingly prated strong pickets round) the camp. On the following morning there was no trace of the Boers, so prior to breaking ' camp the outposts were withdrawn. As the pickets fell back on the main body, the Boers, w!ho had remained hidden in 'the mountains, quietly occupied the posts evacuated', and! about seven o'clock opened a brisk fire on the column, causing the horses- to stampede. Colonel 1 Cr abbe's position was admirably suited) for defence, and after an hour's fighting Kruitzinger sent in a. flag of truce, .summoning Colonel Crabbe to surrender, and telling him he knew the strength of the garrison, and that large Boer reinforcements were expected. Later in the day a strong Boer force ari rived, and paraded) on the (hills beyond range. Kruitzinger agarin commanded Colonel Crabbe to surrender, and Captain Russell, a staff officer, replying, said: "What is the good of your bothering us? You know we won't (surrender, andi you cannot make us." Kruitzinger's envoy asked why, and Captain Russell pointed out ihe stretch of open country the would have to cross before reaching the camp. The fight then proceeded till night, when Colonel Crabbe- found himself with fifty round? of ammunition per man, no food and the enemy all round him. After the moon had set, led by Dixon, a. guide. Colonel Crabbe's little force, moving silently and carefully, passed through the Boer lines and reached the hills beyond. So silently did they miove that at sunrise Kruitzinger resumed, firing on the deserted camp, and continued for a considerable time before he discovered that Colonel I Crabbe had gone. The enemy was twice our strength. Colonel Crabbe considers it was the tightest place he has ever been in.