STIRRING DEEDS BY OUR FOURTH CONTINGENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 June 1901, Page 4

STIRRING DEEDS BY OUR FOURTH CONTINGENT.

The Great Capture in the West TransYaal.

An Exciting Week's Work.

Nine Guns and a Big Convoy Taken

Pluck and Smartness of a New

Zealander.

(From the Post's Special Correspondent.) VENTERSDORP, 28th March. Thß Western Districo, or rather that triangular portion of it lying between Lichtenburgj Ventersdorp. and Wolmaranstaadt, has of late bean the scene of our. operations, and this because the conibined'movemont of four of our columns along the line of communication between Krugersdorp and Klerksdorp has resulted in the Boers being driven west. On the loth March we learned that the commandos of Smutx, Colliers, and l'otgieter had concentrated at a point about thirty miles south-west of Ventersdorp, and on tho 16th our column moved out to act in conjunction with a mounted brigade of 1200 men and eight guns under Colonel Shokolton. Our line of march lay due west, and our progress was wholly uneventful during the first day. Tin; following day, however, thirty prisoners wore taken. Those were all armed, but had no horses. They were Aiding in a mealic field, and were evidently much surprised at our advance, giving themselves up without offering any resistance. It is presumed they were wailing the arrival of Smuts: from the south witli the intention of joining his commando. The Imperial light Horse again in Trouble. During tho whole of the 18th the westward march was continued, and on that evening we encamped within six miles of Litchenburg. Tho following day we swung northwards towards Haartbeosfontein, reaching that village without opposition. As our provisions were running out a convoy wasjjdeapatched into Klerksdorp and returned with supplies. On the 22nd while were in camp awaiting its arrival a reconnaisanco in force was made by the Imperial Light Horse regiment, supporte:l by a pompom. This unfortunate regiment again got into troublo by being cut off from enrnp by a large party of Boers, while about 400 more attacked them in front. They fought desperately for about three hours, losing two officers and three men killed and twenty-threo wounded. As soon as their situation became known our regiment and the 6th Imperial Bushmen hastened to their relief, our regiment being in the advance.

Craftiness of the Boer. As wo approached the scene of operations four of our men were sent out to scoub a little immediately in our front. • They recognised armed men on it, dressed in khaki, and concluding that they were the I. L. H., rode right among them. To their surprise they found that they wero Boers busily engaged in stripping the wounded and dead. Our men instantly turned and rede for their lives, only escaping by dropping from their horses in a mealie field. Taking advantage of the excellent cover thus provided they oponed on the Boer?, who immediately returned the fire. Our men escaped, bat their horsos were shot, one having no fewer than four bullets in him. It would havo been a simple matter for the Boers to make the fouc men prisoners when they first rodo up. But the wily Boer was playing the deeper game of allowing them to come right up, so that they would get better shooting at our main body as it appeared over the ridge. However, the alarm was given, and the Boer plan frustrated. '< A Brisk fiction. Our general line of advance then halted, dismounted, leaving third horses under cover, and advanced up the hill and opened on the Boers, who in an incredibly short space of time had a fif-teen-pounder in action on them. Then, at a gallop, came two of our fifteenpounders, and shelled the Boer gun. The latter turned its attention to our guns, and succeeded in temporarily disabling one by dropping a shot on the trail. It was soon repaired and brought into action again. A general advance was then made, and the Boers were swept from the hills into the plain. As evening was coming on it was decided to discontinue tho chase, so we retired,to camp. Great sympathy was felt for the 1.L.H., who have been extremely unfortunate of late. It is' generally conceded that the gallant fellows would all have got away if they had not stuck to the gun. One of their officers was shot dead just as he was mounting, while another died seven hours after he was hit. Another Artillery Duel.

We left camp at 4 a.m. next morning, and marched towards the sec-no of the previous day's operations, but before wo had arrived at it our regiment, which was again in the advance, met a heavy rifle fire, which proved ineffective, . partly owing to tho heavy mist that hung over

the valley. Our pom-pom galloped up and opened on the kopje strongly held by Boerriflmen. But there were more than riffemen on it, for in a few minutes two Boer guns—a pom-pom and a Krupp—were wheeled into ac'.ion. Up came two of our fifteen-pounders, and then another B jer gun appeared. Then the fight began in real earnest. The rifle fire died away into insigniflcenco while the artillery duel was going on. Our guns were so handsomely served that the Boers were driven back across a series of hills, fighting desperately before they evacuated ono position to take up another. The Enemy Driven Back. Colonel Shokelton's brigade, operating on our deft, prevented a Hanking movement instituted by the Boers. At about '■) in the afternoon the Boer pompom, which was being galloped rearward to take up a position coverning the retirement of their men as they crossed a valley, capsi/.id, and was rendered uselecs. All that afternoon we pressed them hard driving them from one position to another and at sundown left them retiring in fairly good order. Across the plain we could see their convoy in full retreat, but were unable to continue the chase further, as our own convoy, witn ammunition and stores, was about eight miles in the rear Our mule transport, however, came up, and bivouacked for the night beside Colonel Sheklton's brigade. But They Come Again. The Boers thought we had gone right back to our own convoy, so instead of being eight milc3 away from where wo ceased to pursue them, we were only about three. Early on the following morning thay returned with the object of attacking our rear. At 330 a.m. we were again in the No lights were allowed, for that would have disclosed our position. Ifr was the morning of the 24th —the anniversary of the day on which we loft dear old Duncrlin—and was, too, our brigadier's birthday. The only impediments taken were arnmunitbn-carts and ambulance wagons. Colonel Shekelton's column took the advance while our brigade marched in the main body. Another Engagement.

After a silent march through the grey dawn for about two miles the familiar double report of the Mauser woke us from our reflections. Colonel Shekel ton's pompoms were speedily in action, driving the enemy from their positions. A Boer gun then opened in his advance, to which he replied by bringing up two 15-pounders, but these failed to reach the Boer gun. Then our new Elswick—a long range 12-pounder—was tried, and it succeeded in driving it out of action. Colonel Gray then detached our brigade to the right at a gallop, and soon we reached the position just vacated by the Boer gUn. We could now see plainly their whole force—guns, convoy, and everything—in headlong retreat. ''Here are the guns on the road, men," said the Colonel, " take them." And then the chase began. An Exciting Chase. Our regiment dashed up on the left of the convoy, while the Imperial Bushmen took the right, leaving Colonel Shekelton to bring up the rear. The possibility of securing a great capture nerved everyone to do his best. At first a few Boer riflemen made a feeble stand but our men dashed straight at them, when they broke and fled, For about twelve miles we galloped madly along at each side of the convoy, endeavouring to head it off. If an obstinate driver refused to turn his wagon back no time was lost in arguing the matter, for his leading oxen or mules were promptly shot. Colonel Shekelton now moved round on the extreme loft to prevent the enemy escaping in that direction. Weil Done, New Zealand! The first gun was taken after about a five-miles run. The second was taken by Trooper Bumble (A Squadron), of lloxbnrgh, Otago. He was some distance ahead of his troop, and when he was riding towards the gun four Boers opened fire on him at a 250yds range. He coolly reined in his horse, and without dismounting, shot two, of them dead. The other two rode off, as well they might. Rumble secured the gun, and proceeded to drive it back. " Who are you P" shouted a veteran staff officer, who had just come up. ." Now Zealand," was the reply. "Go it New Zealand ; great day for New Zealand ; great day for Australia. Scratch your name on it." And on went this old man, roused to the highest pitch of excitement at what now appeared the certainty of taking the whole convoy. Gritty Boer Y/omen. Nearly every wagon contained some armed men, who as soon as we came up, held up their hands in terms of surrender. But the women—and there were many of them on the wagons—showed a different spirit. In many cases they jumped down and whipped up the oxen. At last the head of the convoy was reached, the leading wagons were turned, and the rest followed back to camp. Details of the Capture.

Altogether nine guns were taken—six Maxims (tlivce of which used Martini ammunition) one pompom, and two 15-poundcrs ; besides 135 prisoners, 150 rifles, thousands of rounds of small-arm ammunition, boxes of pompom and 15-poundcr shells, Mauser rifles, Mauser carbines, Mauser pistols—indeed rifles, carbnes and pistols of all descriptions were found in the wagons, besides valuable loot of various kinds. There were 54 wagons in all, these being chiefly loaded with mealies.

Never before, perhaps, in the history of the war has such a capture of guns been made by our arms in a single day Other guns, however, two of which were 15-pounders, got away, these being at the head of the convoy when the chase began. De la Key himself only just managed to urge his weary horse far. enough to escape capture. Smutz, too, was wounded in two places, but made good his escape. Several Boers gave themselves up to the Klerksdorp garrison after the fight. During the two days' engagement not a single New Zealander or Bushman was hit, although several had ditl'erent articles of clothing pierced by bullets During the same period 36 dead Boers were picked up and buried by our men, while their wounded are supposed to be double that number. Among the prisoners were two officers and eighteen men of the Staats Artillery, while those killed included one commandant and two veldtcornets. An Enthusiastic Commander.

1 On the 25th we returned to Vintersdorp, and on arrival the brigade was addressed by Colonel Grey as follows : " Officers and men of the Second Brigade, I cannot allow this march to conclude without personally thanking you for the very estimable work of yesterday. By your dash and gallantry you have accomplished perhaps the brightest thing of the war-certainly the brightest thing of the latter part of it at any rate —and it will tend more than anything to demoralise the enemy, not only in this district, but all over South Africa. I know it has always been the object of Colonial officers and men to capture guns, and these you have taken from a bold and enterprising enemy. They were not dug up or found in rivers or among trees, but were taken by sheer force and fighting. If you had allowed j

i the enemy half a chance yesterday he would have rallied his force sufficiently to enable his guns and convoy to get away. You have indeed made a name for yourselves, not only in South Africa, but all over the British Empire. Australasia will feel proud of you, the brother Country will feel proud of you, and I must say from the depths of my heort, I also am proud of you. The time is now not far distant when your term of service will be concluded. For your sake I will be glad, and.for my own sake I shall regret it. I don't think I can say any more, so again I thank you sincerely for your estimable services not only of yesterday, but during the whole time you have been with me." Then saluting gracefully, he said, "1 thank you gentleman ; good night," and then rode away amid the dc.ifcning cheers of his much-loved Brigade.

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