NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA: REPORT BY LIEUT.-COLONEL PORTER, COMMANDING SEVENTH NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1901 Session I, H-06c

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1901. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA: REPORT BY LIEUT.-COLONEL PORTER, COMMANDING SEVENTH NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

Laid on the Table of both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

REPORT IN CONTINUATION OF REPORT FORWARDED TO 6th JUNE LAST. Pretoria, 10th July, 1901. June 6 : Trek No. 2. Marched on second " trek " with column under Brigadier Grey, direction Bethel, and was engaged on line of march with enemy from 7th to 11th. June 11 : The regiment made silent night-march to attack Boer artillery outpost near Boshman's Kop. At daylight the post was surrounded at a farmhouse occupied by detachment of the Staats Artillery, part of commando of Commandants Meyers and Bredenburg. Our men killed one Boer, wounded two others, and captured one lieutenant, one adjutant, one sergeant-major, and six members of the Staats Artillery. The main body of Boers had moved with their guns twenty-four hours previously. The enemy, from kopjes on left and front, attacked us at long ranges, but were driven off by shells from the big guns. No casualties on our side except horses shot. I obtained from the bandoliers of the prisoners a number of " dum-dum " and expanding-bullet cartridges. June 13: We had a rear-guard action with the Boers, and Sergeant Cotter, while retiring in the rear firing-screen, was shot dead, riddled by five bullets, and died gallantly fighting the pressing-on Boers. A number of horses were shot dead, and many hits were made in waterbottles, watches, and rifles, and many had narrow escapes, all behaving well. While engaged in rear of the column heavy fire was heard in the direction of the convoy, and the column moved at once, to protect and reinforce. The Boers, evidently having seen the column divided, had fiercely attacked the convoy, which we were just in time to relieve. Our casualties were—No. 2495, Sergeant John William Cotter, killed ; No. 4554, D. McAuley, wounded in thigh (severe); and 4575, J. H. Templeton, arm (slight). The commandoes that we were opposed to were those of Commandants Meyers and Bredenburg. Throughout the fighting the New-Zealanders behaved very steadily. June 14. Reitfontein : The column marched in the direction of Bethel, and at about 11 a.m. was fiercely opposed by Boers from front and both flanks. I was in command of the advance and received the brunt of the action, which soon became general, and lasted for about two hours and a half, the Boers being repulsed in all their attacks, front and flanks, with considerable loss. This day's fighting afforded many opportunities of developing useful lessons in attack and defence. Our casualties were: Wounded—No. 4662, J. W. Hulme, arm (slight) ; No. 4666, Jesse W. Smith, both hips (severe). Killed —A. Russell, of Q. 1.8. June 15 : The Boers attacked the column hotly in the rear, but the casualties on our side were nil. June 16 : The main body, under the Brigadier and Colonel White, made a detour to the left flank, and left me in command of the convoy. The Boers, evidently knowing the flying column had left the convoy weak, made a determined attack upon it, and I had my hands full, with urgent demands for reinforcements from all quarters. The rear-guard, found by the Q. 1.8., allowed themselves to be outflanked, and during the action suffered casualties—Killed, J. H. Matthews; wounded, W. McLelland, A. L. Gould, and W. Logan. The following brigade order appeared on the 16th :— " Brigade Order. —The officer commanding column desires to express his appreciation of the conduct of the troops during the fighting of the last few days. The enemy has been very active and enterprising, but his frequent attacks have been met and repulsed with a steadiness which reflects great credit on the troops."

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June 17 : The column marched and reached Standerton, to obtain supplies and remounts. June 18, 19, and 20 : In camp. June 20 :At 5.30 a.m. was aroused by heavy firing at the outposts. On proceeding to ascertain cause, found that an advanced outpost of scouts, in the darkness, had fired into one of the day relieving posts, mistaking them for Boers; they, not answering or possibly hearing the challenge, were fired into, and the following troopers were accidentally wounded : No. 4078, H. Houchen; No. 4090, A. Macfarlane ; No. 4054, A. Thorn ; No. 4052, J..Sellers. I was exceedingly annoyed and demanded an inquiry, and found that two mistakes had occurred—namely, the brigadier had himself sent out the advance post without advising the picquet officers; second, that the brigade-major had mistaken his orders, and made the time for relieving outposts 5.15 instead of 5.45, which would have been daylight, and for which he was subsequently censured. June 20 and 21: Again moving on trek in direction of Bethel. June 22 and 23: Trek No. 3. Were engaged each day with the enemy. No casualties on our side. June 24 : Trichardsfontein. At this place we found the grave of Stanley Hurry, of the Sixth Contingent, together with one of the Royal Artillery, and had photographs of the grave taken. Before marching the Boers showed up in considerable force on the kopjes surrounding, and all posts were reinforced. Captain Seddon with his squadron was sent to take up position in the right rear, and was nearly captured, owing to a ruse of the Boers. They boldly filed along, in imitation of our own movements, and used a looking-glass as a helio. Captain Seddon, alone, rode in the direction of the party, and would probably have been captured had not firing in the rear caused the enemy suddenly to retire, so disclosing who they were. A rearguard action was fought as far as Winkleup, at which place it was discovered a fairly large commando had camped the night previously. To-day communicated with Colville's column, by helio., about_ seven miles to our left. One of my rear posts, to-day, were nearly betrayed by the Boers under the white flag. They had shot a Boer from among three others, who fell from his horse, or pretended to do so. The others dismounted and held up a white flag, but when our men advanced towards it they were fired at by fifteen Boers from cover, killing one horse. Heard heavy firing in the direction of Colonel Colville's column, big guns and " pom-poms." June 25 : Expected, and were prepared for, an attack last night, which did not take place. The column marched at 8 a.m., the brigadier and Colonel White moving to the right flank with all the mounted men except two squadrons of New-Zealanders, comprising the advance of the rearguard of the convoy; I was directed to move with the convoy to Watervaalhoek. I asked that another squadron might be left to use as a left-flank screen, but was told that there would be no necessity, as Colonel Colville's column was moving parallel with us on our left. This subsequently proved incorrect, as, on the contrary, a large Boer commando was so moving. Just after noon I had advanced with the convoy across the " spruit " at Watervaalhoek and was preparing to outspan to encamp when my advance screen became engaged with the enemy, who had opened a heavy rifle fire and also a pom-pom. I ordered the convoy not to outspan, but to keep cover, and at once proceeded to reinforce the advance with the reserve squadron and a pom-pom. My screen was driven in and I found a firing-line along the ridge in the front, and on the left flank covering the convoy. The Boers were in very heavy force, upwards of four hundred with one pom-pom. With my pom-pom we drove theirs out of position, further to the right front, when the action became more extended and general. I was able to keep the enemy off until reinforced by the main body under the brigadier on the right flank about an hour before dark, they having been drawn in by hearing the firing. The firing at times was heavy and fierce, both from rifle and pom-pom, shells bursting among our men and horses, one horse being shot through by one shell. One Boer' was blown to pieces by a shell from our gun, and others wounded, afterwards discovered by us. There Were many narrow escapes on our side, but fortunately the only casualty was No. 4321, Robert McLean, killed, and several horses. The enemy was repulsed, and firing was kept up until dark, when I was able to rejoin the column with the squadrons, who had a very hard day, and behaved well. It was No. 21 (Auckland) and No. 22 (Wellington) and parts of No. 23 (Nelson). From prisoners we received the information that the commando, between four and five hundred strong, with one pom-pom and one gun (no ammunition) was under Commandants Meyers and Viljoen, who had attacked Colville's camp the previous night, and had marched parallel with us, on the left, during the day. Colville had not moved as was supposed by the brigadier. June 26 : The actions to-day were mostly during the march, on the right flank and rearguard. Our casualties—Wounded, No. 4262, F. Blair, foot (slight), and four horses killed. Known losses of the enemy —Four killed, two wounded. June 27 and 28 : Marching towards Greylingstad to obtain supplies and remounts. The enemy troublesome only in rear. June 29: In camp at Greylingstad. To-day the command of the column was assumed by Colonel Garrard, Brigadier Colonel Grey having to proceed to Rhodesia, much to the regret of all ranks. "Farewell Brigade Order by Colonel Raleigh-Grey. —Owing to urgent private affairs I am obliged to say good-bye to the column. I-desire to thank every officer, non-com., and man for their cordial co-operation and assistance. The column has been in existence for six weeks, and during that time much hard fighting and good, work has been done. I am proud to have commanded so fine a lot of men, and lam confident you will distinguish yourselves. I wish you all every success, and with great regret I bid you farewell." July 1: Trek No. 4. The column marched from camp, Greylingstad, to operate in the direction of Watervaalhoek.

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July 2 : At Wonderfontein passed the rearguard of Colville's column and destroyed the beautifully-furnished home of Field-Cornet Pretorius, from which we had deported a family on the previous trek. Marched and encamped at Paarlmeitfontein, the farm or station of a wealthy Boer. July 3, 4, and 5 : Still in camp. Sent out daily patrolling forces to destroy farms and bring in families. Heliographed message from General Blood to move outward to Springs for further supplies and orders. July 6 : The family of Meyers was removed and their homestead destroyed. When the column marched, an ambush of twenty men was detailed to occupy the destroyed house, to surprise any Boers that might, as usual with them, close in upon the rear after the column had moved. The surprise was not quite a success, but the party succeeded in wounding and capturing the adjutant of the Boer Scouts, Captain Prinsloo, a man of considerable importance. July 7 : Reached Springs, near railway-line, and encamped to await orders. July 9 : Came on to Pretoria to furnish all rolls, pay-lists, &c, being pressed for by headquarters staff. Reverting to the foregoing report, I have not detailed the losses sustained by the enemy nor the captures made by the column, in prisoners, women and children, cattle, sheep, wagons, arms, ammunition, &c. It is but just to the Contingent to state that absolutely all the captures made during the several treks in this report were by the New-Zealanders. The headquarters of the regiment have been, pending further orders, removed to Pretoria. I have, &c, T. W. Porter, Lieut.-Colonel New Zealand Staff. The Commandant, Defence Forces, New Zealand.

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