NEWS OF THE WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 15 August 1901, Page 4

NEWS OF THE WAR

Our Sixth Contingent. A Warm Engagement. How Lieut Ryan met hia Death. Boers Firing on the Red Cross Flag. (Evening Post’s Correspondent.) Utrecht, June 25. Part of our contingent when encamped at Goedvendon, in this district of the South-east Transvaal, met with an adventure on the 16th instant. Major Andrew marched from camp with 100 men divided into six troops towards Groethoekj five miles distant, to bring in a number of cattle and wagons reported to bo in laager there. Lieut Williams with a troop of the Wellington squadron moved in advance, Lieut Ryan with Otago men, on the left Hank, and Lieut Rose, with Wellington men, on the right. Tho other three troops under Liouts Watkin and Mansion, were with tho main body under ■ Major Andrew, Lieut Mitchell acting as galloper. After marching about four miles Lieut. Ryan reported about 50 head of cattle in a ravine on his left, but as the place was inaccessible these bad to be left at that time. Liout. Ryan then moved in roar of tho advance guard down a deep ravine along which tho road ran to Groothoek. Lieut Rose at the same time occupied a ridge overlooking the ravine to cover Lieut. Williams’s advance. Major Andrew took up a position near Lieut. Rose’s party. Almost immediately tho enemy began a heavy fire from the bush growing along both sides of a narrow kloof running northwards out of the valley. It appears that tho guide with Lieut. Williams met a Kaffir who lived in a kraal up a ravine to the left, and ho reported that there were about ten wagons and a few Boers with a lot of cattle up a ravine and that the Boers did not want to fight. Lieut. Williams asked the guide if he could trust the Kaffir. On the suide replying in tho affirmative Lieut. Williams decid- d to go up tho ravine. B<4 re do ing so he asked Lieut. Ryan to put his men behind rocks and cover his (Lieut. Williams’s) retreat if necessary. Lieut. Ryan appeared to understand what was required, and Lieut Williams with his

troop moved on up the ravine. After going a short distanpe he saw a Boer wagon flying the white flag. He naturally assumed that the enemy had surrendered, and so he trotted on towards.it.

As soon, however, as ho got close to it the Boers lying concealed in the bush on both sides of the ravine opened a rapid fire on him. He at once ordered his troop to retire at a gallop. Dive of his horses fell, shot by the enemy’s first volley, and nine of his men, including the five whose horses fell, were taken prisoners. As he retired he noticed that Lieut. Fiyan had left the position assigned to him and moved further up the ravine with his men.

Lieut. Ryan decided to retire also, and ordered his men to run back to the spruit one at a time, as the fire was very severe. All the men got bask safely, until only Lieut Ryan and Trooper Forbes were left. They decided to run for the spruit, but hsd not gone far when Lieut. Ryan fell mortally wounded. *

blior ly afterwards Trooper Forbes came in and ceportedtbat Lieut Ryan and Trooper Aitken were lying wounded up the ravine. Major Andrew ordered his men to cease fire, and despatched Surgeon Capt. O'Neill with five men to attend to the wounded and bring them in. As soon as the doctor moved forward, flying the Red Cross flag, the enemy directed a heavy fire on him, forcing the party to retire. Surgeon-Captain O’Neill then attempted to reach the wounded from another direction, but with the same result. Our men then commenced a terrific fire on the enemy, who after a time were silenced.

After an hour Dr O’Neill again volunteered to go forward, and this time the enemy allowed him to proceed. He brought in Lieut. Ryan, who was dead, the bullet having gone through the thigh; also Trooper Wilson, who had injured his back through a fall. A heliograph message was sent by Major Andrew to General Plumcr’s camp as soon as tiro enemy were located, but it was not until 4 p.m. ( hree hours after the enemy opened fire) that the signaller could get the message through, owing to the dense elcuds.of smoke blowing across the ridges.

As it was now late, and impossible to drive the enemy out of their position without artillery, Major Andrew retired to camp. Dr O’Neill stated that there were about 40 or 50 Boers in the ravine. One or two came up and talked to the doctor.

At 6 30 a. m. on 17th June Lieut Ryan was buried at Goedgevendon, SurgeonCaptain O’Neill reading the burial service, the officers of the headquarters staff, officers and men of the Sixth New Zealand Mounted Rifles, and representatives from other units being present. It is not too much to say that Lieut. Ryan was one of the most popular officers in the regiment, and that on more than one occasion ho had proved himself to bo a brave and reliable leader. Quite a gloom was cast over our camp.

Sir Jervois White Jevoi--, commanding one of General Plumer’s brigades, shelled the Boms position that day and accounted for some of the enemy. However, it was practically impossible to effect their capture, owing to the difficult nature of the ground. Private Hulse (Fifth Queensland Imperial Bushmen) was wounded. Sur-geon-Captain Hutchins, of the same corns went out to bring him in, and after some difficulty in finding him, the Boers firing repeatedly on the doctor, he at last succeeded in getting him transferred to Dr Draper’s ambulance tonga.