LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4874, 17 July 1901, Page 2

LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

We make the following extracts from a letter from Pte. Alex. Wilson, of Wetherstones, who went with the Sixth Contingent to South Africa. The letter is dated Standerton, May 28th, 1901. "... We left Daasport on May 9th for the main column, which was camped at Silverton, about 10 miles from Pretoria, and on May 13th we left that pjape for Sftanderton, where we now are. We had to §ght bar way right through, as the Boers were pretty strong, The big guns were banging away every day. " Nine of as got into a very hot corner at Bethel. We were on oossack post doty when about 50 Boers attacked us, and the bullets did whistle. They were dropping all round us, and some within as close as 2ft ; and, as they were explosive ones, we got smothered in ths dust they raised. It got too warm and we retired, causing the Boers' fire to slacken, and then we retarned to oar former position. We managed to force them back a littfe be.fore the arrival of supports and a 15:poundejr. We were firing at from 400 yds to 2tßoQydu.2 t BoQydu. They then attempted to outflank as, whip)) meant either our capture or being hell tt bay while they shelled the camp. We fired over 60 rounds per man, and the rifle barrels got 80 hot they could not be touched. We had our horses well under cover, bat even then the stirrup-irons got hit. I don't want it any hotter than we got it that day. The Boers are not good shots, or they would have hit some of as ; bat I suppose it was through good luck we escaped. " The Seventh Contingent left here a day or so before we arrived, and I hear that two of them were shot since while on oossaok post. . . . " Bethel was a fair-siz?d township, bat we made ashes of it, and took the women with . us. We burn all the houses we come across, including furniture, pianos, mirrors, and all, most of which is real good stuff. . . , i " Labes is in the hospital but is getting all right. M'Eay and myself are in splendid neaith. We have Jived high on thig much, generally a turk-y, goose, Or other tow}, ot uioe sacking pig for tea. I have lyrbbig music books to send boine ' fronj the first postal town we arrive at. . , .??

The Fourth and Fifth Contingents arrived at the Blaff early on Friday morning and proceeded to Inveroargill, where they were yer? hoipH&bly tre»t«d, Bfe Biwlitnoj ttw

Governor presented the war medals to the members, but several did not get theirs as some lists of those who had been on service in South Africa had gone astray. In the evening there were illuminations and fireworks, etc. Owing to a ship's signal rocket (used in the illuminations) bursting prematurely a woman named Sneyd was killed and several others injured. On Saturday at 8.30 the troop-trains left for Dunedin where they arrived at 3.30. All along the line the reception was very hearty. On the arrival of the train.after being formally welcomed, the men were told off to their billets and dismissed. In the evening a most snooessful social was tendered the men in the Agrioal*ar»l H»U, whenabont 300 coapleg were on the floor. On Sunday morning most of the North Islasd men embarked on board the Tagus for Wellington. In the afternoon the funeral of the late Gunner Forbes (N.Z. Battery) took place. Deceased, who went with the Auckland section, developed pneumonia on the return voyage and died near the New Zealand ooasr. He was aoaorded « military funeral and was buried in bis mother's grave at North Dune* din. Another North Island trooper died in Dnnedin, but bis body was embalmed and sent to his friends. Several men are still in the doctors' hands, but are recovering. The 14 Gore members of the Fourth Contingent were welcomed home on Saturday afternoon at a banquet, find eaoh presented with a gold medal. The Governor was present. The Fourth Contingent olaims one unique record. None of its men were court-mar-tialled, and only two (both Auokland members) were in the hands of the enemy— and that for just a few minutes. At Lilliefontein the contingent oaught up with a Boer convoy and were busy capturing things. Sharp and Swarm, intent on increasing their prize, pushed on too far ahead, and when * they rounded ap a waggon, several Boer rifles peeped out and oommenoed work. The adventurers turned and fled, but were ultimately oaptured and stripped of everything, including overcoats and tunics, and let go. On their way back to camp they peacefully ambushed an unarmed Boer, supplied themselves with his overcoat and coat, and took him prisoner to their lines. Trooper F. Siranwiok is to be weloomed home by the people of Wetherstones at a social turf dance on Friday oigbt ia tbe BOboolaoose. He will be tbe recipient of a presentation. Elaborate preparations are beiog made to make the affair fitting for the occasion; The public are cordially invited. Col. Davles says he has seen the men of the " Dandy Fourth " turn up their noses at poultry in South Africa. The equipment of the Fourth Contingent is said to have been better than anything else seen in South Afrioa. Some cf the Otsgo and Southland men wore at their return the shirts that were served out to them On their departure. The quality of everything they had was, they declare, exceptional. The Fourth Contingent, on leaving Afrioa, handed ©yet no less than 140 horses whioh they htd used through their part of the campaigns to the Sixth Contingent. They say there were no horses in South Africa like those they took, but the remounts now sent are very indifferent animals. Two sergeants caused envious remarks among their fellow travellers when they stated that they were billet' d in a beauti-fully-furnished mansion at lovercargill on Friday night, and had champagne with a sumptuous dinner, and were provided with a private carriage to convey them where they wished. Altogether, the billefing, scheme wasasuooess. Thimambwa ol tha Fourth Oontrngpnt are of opinion that the D.S.O. mefial lor gallantry in aotion at Ventersdorp should have gone to Capt. Bauchop, of Port Chalmers (brother of Dr Baochop, of Lawrence), but Ihey hope he will get a ?.O. for his bravery. Col. Davis was absent through illness on that day. Capt. Bauchop is stity on duty in South Afrioa. Farrier.-sergt. Hardham (of Wellington) of fhe Fourth Contingent has been recommend-d for a V.C. for gallantry in rescuing a oomrade qoder heavy fire, and the Governor, in presenting him with his war medal at Invercargill, said he would probably hear more of tbe matter. " Col. Davis, of the Fourth Contingent :— I* Give me 2,000 men in the North Island, whioh I know and where I am known, and }et me play 'De Wet,' and inside a month any enemy would wish he had never landed." About 100 of the troops missed the speoial train from Inveroargill on Saturday morning, and came on with the express. The '♦ Daily Timeß " Bays that at the troopers' dance in Dunedin on Saturday night all classes of society, from the most Beleot to the least pretententioua, were represented: never before was there such a bright and animated aeeoe in Dnnedin. His Excellency the Ooverai* »bA ibe L&a? Mbjdlbbb d! Dnne&m took part in the first set.