A DRUMMER BOY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 14, 5 April 1900, Page 4

A DRUMMER BOY.

B. Fitzgerald, a drummer-lad in the Inniskilling Fusiliers, writes to his mother : — ' Well, mother, it is a mystery to me how I am alive to-day. On the day of the battle (Colenso) I had many a narrow shave. I was knocked over twice by the bursting of cannon balls at my side. My helmet was knocked off by a piece of shell, but I came out of it without a scratch. I risked my life that day. I went for reinforcements, and I dressed the wounds of fellows in the firing line while the shot and shell were flying. I was near being taken prisoner, only the Boer who had me was a decent sort of chap. He was able to speak English, and we had a few words together. The colonel told me he could not express in words what he thought of me for my coolness under fire, and the way I assisted him in every possible manner that day in the carrying out of his orders. I stuck with him everywhere* Even if I get nothing, it is all right to know that the colonel and all the officers think me a brave lad. I will die contented on the battlefield ai long as I have done honor to the good old name of Fitzgerald, and kept up the credit of the drummer-boys of our army. Although lam only a drummer-lad I have shown them that the good old Irish blood is in my veins. When the battle was over I went down to the Tugela, and I could have drunk it dry — I was so thirsty I I had given my own water bottle to a poor chap who was dying, and he said, " God bless you ! ' It was an awful sight to see the men dying on the field, some praying, and others saying a few farewell words to churn*. One poor fellow said to me, " Tell my mother lam dying like a soldier. "" Everybody died bravely fighting. Out of l."> in my tent, only six of us came out of the battle safely." A second letter from Fitzgerald is as follows . — ' Just a few lines to let you knowhow lam getting on. I have been promoted corporal. The general said I was too ycung to be made sergeant. I may be able to distinguish myself again some time during the war. I cannot make it out— it did not seem as if I was on a battlefield all that day."