Our Boys at the Front.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 3, 4 January 1901, Page 1

Our Boys at the Front.

LETTER FROM SERGTf G. B. CARTER. Under date ol Klerksdorp, November 16, Sergeant G. B. Carter writes : “ We are again on the march travelling all over the country. We have not been near a British town for ages. We have been in action a great deal lately, and our camp has been fired upon on several occasions. In Zeerust we were camped for a few days, when-one night we were suddenly told that the reveilie was to be called at 3 a.m., as the brigade was going to move off. Three miles from camp the advance guard commenced firing, We cut a record, having traversed to Ventersdorp in marvellously quick time. The following is a copy of a wire received by Lieut.-General Douglas from Lord Roberts: i‘ Yours to hand of the inst. I congratuate you on your successful march to Ventersdorp. Congratulate the New South Wales Bushmen and the New Zealand Regiment on their good work, and tell them I am informing their respective Governments of the same by telegraph. We were at Elands River the other day. You cannot imagine the number of dead horses, bullocks, and mules that are piled up there all killed by the Boer shells. The papers seem to think the war will shortly be over, or is over, but that is not the case. While we keep catching prisoners and letting them go with a pass, it never will cease. Only yesterday, as our column was advancing, the Boers commenced actually to fire at our' rearguard out of houses, and yet nothing is done to these particular houses. It seems strange, does it not? Tony wa3 bitten-by some insect, and was left at Zeerust. He was soon all right, but he lost his horse and could not. prooure another in time to come with us. Exoejt for the usual little ailm a

one meets with in this country, we have been in perfect health, although living on nothing but bully beef and biscuits. My hearing is greatly improved, thanks to the constant use of snuff. One of the Gisborne 4th, named Bruce, was out with the troop the other afternoon, and was left in a house with one of his comrades who had been wounded. Taking his rifle and bandolier, the troop went on, intending to call and bring them both into camp on their return. Lo, when they did return, Bruce had disappeared. The other said that a party of 50 Boers came and took him away, leaving a message that they would release him for one of their own chaps who was captured that morning. After spending a couple of nights with them he got away. They had made him do outpost work for them, and was out while our 15 pom-poms were being played on their oamp. 18th. —I had to close my other letter as we were called out suddenly. The day I wrote was the first time we had been under Boer artillery fire. We were all lucky enough to get off without any harm being done. A very amusing, incident occurred the other day. The Transvaal appears to be a great place for oranges. A lot of our chaps were down picking them, when suddenly a Tommy comes running up and says, "By Jove, its the fun of the world. The chaps down thar is getting oranges, an’ the bloomin’ Boers is knockin’ them down for ’em,” meaning that the Boers were firing at them, but too high, and bringing down the oranges by the score. We like our captain very much. He is a great favorite with everyone. He took me with him the other evening to a house where he had made some friends. We had a very enjoyable evening, with musio, etc. Our brigade has had its name altered, so address next time "sth N.Z. seettion Maxim Battery 3rd Mounted Brigade.” I oannot give you word of Tony, as he is garrisoned at Zeerust. Greetings to all friends.