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LETTER 9

Berg Vlei Bivouac
Nine Miles North of Johannesburg
June 2nd, 1900

My Dear Lord Minto

I have not written to you in some the 24th April and 16th May. In fact I could not well have done more, as we marched from Bloemfontein on the 1st May, and except for a few days at Kroonstadt we have been marching and fight continually.

This has been a most interesting climax to our earlier operations, and the continuation of the successful strategy which gave us Brandford, The Vet River, The Sand River, and Kroonstadt with such small loss, has since given us the Vaal River, Vereeniging, Klipriviansberg and Johannesburg.

On the 28th and 29th the Canadian Mounted Rifles, both battalions distinguished themselves very much. We had to seize and occupy three salient points covering the Klip River, The Valley and The Bridge on the 28th, and these three points had to be held, during the night of the 28th – 29th, and on the 29th as well until the whole force General French's Column and Ian Hamilton's Column had marched up the valley to make the flank attack which eventually turned the very position of Klipriviansberg.

The 1st Battn., in the first instance seized and held a ridge covering the Klip River Bridge on the 28th, and the 2nd Battn., assisted in holding another long ridge and Kopje captured by the New Zealanders during the following night. Upon the following morning the whole of these troops had to be withdrawn after that the main column and its supply teams had passed up the Klip Valley. This withdrawal was carried out in a masterly way by Colonel Alderson under a heavy cross fire of artillery and Vickers-Maxim Guns and rifle fire. The two battalions of the Canadian Mounted Rifles, and the 1st Battn., Mounted Infantry (the battalion employed) responded splendidly to the cool and experienced handling of Alderson, and the whole were ultimately withdrawn over the bridge covered by a battery of Horse Artillery with the loss of only six men wounded, all of whom were brought away.

The preceding was quite one of the best instances of the tactical leadership that I have ever seen, and General French and I who witnessed it brom another part of the field through our glasses could hardly believe it possible that the loss was so small. The coolness and steadiness of the Canadians under these very trying conditions were all that could be desired.

Upon the 30th the good luck befell the Brigade to have the opportunity to following our enemy. Alderson's Corps took a prominent part and young Borden particularly distinguished himself in following up at great distance from the main column some of the enemy's waggons which he seized. He was somewhat hard pushed to hold on to them. Having only 12 men dismounted he was attacked by some 25 Boers, but after firing away all their ammo young Borden and his Nova Scotians succeeded in beating off the enemy until the arrival of support.

We have had much hardship and shortage of food often, but I have never heard the symptom of a grumble. In fact the Brigade one and all are just of that stuff which enables a General to fee confident of the result no matter he may undertake.

I regret to say that Colonel Herchmer's health broke down in Cape Colony and on return to duty at Kroonstadt his surgeon very properly stated that he was medically quite unfit for the serious hardships and responsibility before us. Colonel Evans has therefore continued to command, but I hope that Colonel Herchmer may be able to rejoin us soon.

We march again tomorrow and shall be in Pretoria probably on the 4th June. We may have a fight on the Six Mile Spruit, but the war is coming to a close.

I have heard little lately of the Royal Canadian Regiment, except that they are now very weak, about 300 strong in effectives I believe!

I have Major Cartwright on my staff, as you know, but as he had been rather unwell I left him at Kroonstadt in charge of our Advanced Depot. I have now ordered him to rejoin. He has been very useful. Young Elmsley ( Lieut. Royal Canadian Dragoons) is my extra A.D.C., and is most useful. As an A.D.C. I can always rely upon it that he will reach his destination with a note or message no matter what difficulties.

I am so very sorry that the Royal Canadian Artillery have not taken part in this final part of the campaign. I did my best to get them sent up, but it could not be done for strategical reasons.

I do trust that things military are improving in Canada. The outlook for the future of the Canadian Militia is not bright if the Iipas Tree of party political intrigue is not cut down or its branches lopped off.

I have not entered into discussion of the war, as it would be almost ancient history when it reaches you.

We have not had an English newspaper since the 2nd of April, nor mail of any kind since 23rd April.

Remember me most kindly to Her Excellency and the two girls. No doubt when our overdue mails arrive I shall hear from you, and of the arrangements made for the command of the Militia and other news of Government House party etc.

Believe Me
my dear Lord Minto
Yours very sincerely
Edw. T. H. Hutton

P.S. I had an especial pleasure, especially after his fathers outrageous discourtesy to myself of sending sending yesterday for young Borden, and before his Corps Commander, and Commanding Officer thanking him for his conduct on the 30th. It was a surprise to Colonel Alderson, as he had no reason to be particularly satisfied with the young fellow before that occasion!!

E.T.H.H.

LETTER 10

Pretoria
June 20, 1900

My Dear Minto

I will wright to you a good ling letter later, but I am anxious to tell you now that I am sending you a semi-official account of the best thing which the Canadian Mounted Rifles have done since they have been under my Command here in the field. You will read it, I know with much pleasure and gratification.

I am anxiousto give you the complete account of the incident, as the Press may publish some twaddle on the subject. The affair really was a good business in all respects, and I am so glad that our representative Canadian Cavalry Regiment has had such a chance of distinguishing itself and has made so good a use of it.

We had on the 11th and 12th two very stiff engagements with the enemy East of Pretoria. The 2nd Battn. Canadian Mounted Rifles particularly distinguished itself by the steadiness under a heavy cross fire of artillery and rifles. Poor Captain Macdonald was fairly badly wounded during this action while building a sangar for the protection of one of his posts. I fervently trust that he may survive his very sever wound. He is one of the best officers in my Brigade, and higher praise I cannot bestow since I have finest fighting force that any Commander could desire. A very fine and promising soldier, Corp. Frost (N. W. Mdt. Police) of the same battalion was mortally wounded in the same action. I happened to see the poor fellow as he was being carried to the Field Hospital. His wound was a desperate one from a shell, but he died like a Christian and a Soldier.

I am very sorry to say that Colonel Herchmer's health due to his age no doubt could not stand the exposure and hardship of this trying campaign.

I have been just been hearing kind and complimentary things of our Canadian Field Artillery from Baden Powell.

As far as that excellent Otter and is Canadians I would be superfluous ro say that they continue to maintain their already very high reputation.

We have had no letters of any kind since 12th April and only 2 or 3 newspapers of various dates.

Pray remember me most kindly to Her Excellency and all your cheery party. I haven't an ides of what has happening in Canada or anywhere else except in my immediate ( very immediate ) vicinity.

Yours Very Sincerely

Edw. T. H. Hutton

P.S.

I am giving the C. in Chief last night my personal account of what happened as regards the Canadians, he begged me to furnish him with further details, so that he could deal officially with it. I was very glad therefore to be able to comply,and sent him a somewhat similar account to that which I am sending you.

Private:

I suggest that perhaps he might like to one of the captured guns to the Canadian Government, and that it would be taken as a pretty compliment. The Field Marshal liked the idea and will probably write to you.

E.T.H.H.

LETTER 11

Reitfontein
near Pretoria
July 5th, 1900

My Dear Lord Minto,

How can I sufficiently thank you and Lady Minto for your truly kind and sympathetic letters. Her Excellency's gave me immense pleasure and Excellency's was so full of interest that I have read it several times before destroying it, as you requested me to do.

Oh! The iniquities, and the sadness of it all. I feel positively wretched at the idea of such a fine Army as that which might be in Canada being torn to shreds for a political faction. I see that they have now given you old O'Grady Haly. It might have been worse. He is old, and not the man for a young country. He will not take any strong line and will, I fear, not suit you at all, the position is and intolerable one for an active minded and honorable man.

The kind remarks you make of my very fine Brigade, any success which it has achieved is due far more to the material and opportunities which providence has granted to it than to my humble efforts.

I have sent you a semi-official letter re an heroic and gallant episode in a fight on the 22nd June in which a Cossack Post of the 2nd Canadian distinguished itself. I brought the affair and the man's name to the official notice of the Commander in Cief, and he has very probably ( I asked him to do so. ) cabled to you. This is fortunate as both battalions have now distinguished themselves in particular instances.

I am starting tomorrow with a large mixed force of nearly 7000 men and a powerful artillery to attack the Boer position ehich they are said to have taken up 20 miles South East from here threatening the railway.

God grant that success may continue to follow the efforts of my Troops.

No wonder your heart is here. It is exactly the campaign which would have interested you.

I will write at length shortly but tonight I must turn in as I shall want all my wits and energy tomorrow and the next day.

The final advance should be in ten days at most and then, China of perhaps for me, Australia.

Give my very best kindest remembrances to Her Excellency and all the Government House Party. Poor S. Hughes, lord he has hung himself. Even the kind hearted Field Marshall could stand him no longer.

Yours very sincerely

Edw. T. H. Hutton


Bell writes as delighted to join you. How I do wish that I were going back to help you ever so small a way. Poor Lord William! I fear that he will have softening of the brains. Dr. Parkin, our friend, writes me that the Laurier Ministry and Government have alienated the Militia Vote and will very probably go out.

LETTER 12

Riet Vlei
33 Miles East of Pretoria
July 19, 1900

My Dear Lord Minto

I must just write to you a line, and tell you how very much I appreciated your kind note of the 7th of May. Its very brevety was its charm.

Much has happened since I wrote you on the 1st July. I came out here upon the Pretoria – Standerton Road on the 5th July with 7000 men, 2/3 rds Mounted Troops and 1/3 rd Infantry with a powerful Artillery. We have been constantly engaged viz on 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 15th, and 16th without of course including outpost affairs.

The action of Riet Vlei on the 16th was the great effort of the enemy to get into Pretoria, and to strike across our lines of communication. The conseption was a good one, and as I had been weakened on account of the threatened attacks upon Pretoria from the North, and the organized rising in Johannesburg and the Capital, my position was a very critical one.

I had only 700 Mounted Infantry, 1000 Cavalry and 600 Infantry with 18 Guns and two heavy 5 Inch guns of position and with this had to hold a stretch of 35 miles.

The enemy concentrated on the night of the 15th without any knowledge on my part some 2500 men and 8 or 12 guns and at daylight commenced their attack which lasted until sundown. Their tactics were those peculiarly their own which heir extreme mobility enable them to se successfully carry though. Feinting after the initial attack upon my center, they simultaneously attacked my right on the high ground above the camp of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, and my left ata post which I had established holding a Poort or opening in the ridge of Kopjes six miles North of my own Camp.

The front which I had necessarily to hold covering our Camps was six miles, but was strong in itself and with my artillery I felt fairly secure. My Cavalry Commander was Clowes of the 8th Hussars, and I was quite uncertain as to whether he would be equal to the crisis or no. He was attacked by about 1900 of the enemy and 3 guns and although he had with his Brigade, 6 R.H.A. guns and a company of Infantry with a 5 inch gun it was not until 2 p.m. That he could assure me that he could hold his position.

I dare not to make use of my slender reserve until I was certain that my right was secure, so that it was late before I was able to pile up all my available Mounted Troops and Artillery to the relief of Wittpoort. However by 2.45p.m. We got well into the enemy on my extreme left, and simply swept them away and so released the gallant defenders of my Post there under Major Munn, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

The enemy made the most determined and persistent assaults upon this Post, and it was not until a Squadron of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles and 2 R.H.A. guns were pushed right up on to the ridge at the Post that the enemy forces began to retreat.

The enemy had collected in large numbers in the dead ground under the ridge upon which the infantry holding the main positions were.

They had already made one or two rushes which had been repulsed and Major Munn asked Colonel Lessard who had just then arrived with his Canadians to send some men and attacking his party of the enemy in flanks over some rocks to oust them from their position.

Lessard immediately sent up three Troops dismounted, and clambering over the rocks round the shoulders of the ridge these came suddenly upon a mass of the enemy there concealed and waiting for the moment to assault again. Young Borden and Birch were in advance and calling upon their men to advance and close, they were shot at close range quite dead. The Canadians however were not to be denied, and they soon cleared the position, and thus by this timely counter attack a very critical movement by the enemy was averted.

Young Borden was a particularly fine young officer. I had twice previously mentioned him in despatches for gallant and intrepid conduct, once on the 5th May for swimming across the Vet River under heavy fire and making together with Lieutenant Turner and 6 other Canadian Mounted Riflemen a lodgement on the enemy's side of the river, and secondly on the 30th May in the pursuit of the enemy at Dreifontein when a small detachment of his men he captured three of the enemy's waggons and at a long distance from any support engaged and drove off a very superior party of the enemy.

We buried these two gallant lads in a little cemetery which we have made close to my Head Quarters at the Dutch Farm House of Reit Vlei by torch light on the night of the 17th.

The simple burial service was read and conducted by out Chaplain, and we all attended the sad ceremony over the remains of two gallant British Officers as ever led gallant British soldiers.

I telegraphed the sad news and my deep sympathy to Doctor Borden, as also did the Field Marshall.

It is a strange irony which should have so worked our destinies that while the father was abusing me and accusing me of all that can be most mean and contemptible in my absence and behind my back in Canada, the son should be leading his men to Victory in repeated engagements and finally lose his life while serving with and under me in South Africa.

We advance on the 21st upon Middleburg and thence probably upon Leydenburg when we shall no doubt finish the Campaign. The final adjustment of this Country will be a political problem of the greatest difficulty. My command will no doubt be broken up and a considerable percentage of the Colonial Troops comprising it will no doubt go to England, en route to England and be made much of.

I have somehow the presentiment that I shall go to Australia and complete my work begun in '93 and organize the Commonwealth Army. The present crisis in China makes the Military Power of Australia a very important factor in the early future.

I have written in great length to our mutual friend Dr. Parkin, perhaps he will talk our favorite topics over with you some day. I have not commented upon Canadian questions with you, because space and time are limited, and I knew that you would like to hear about my last battle, and poor young Borden.

Lord Roberts, (usual with him) wired me 'The fight on the 16th was most successful. I congratulate you and all concerned!'

As the C. in Chief rarely if ever bestows praise the above is all the more satisfactory.

Will you remember me most kindly to Her Excellency and all your Excellencies circle. I fear that it may be yet some time before you will have all your Canadian heroes back again October probably.

Believe Me

Yours Very Sincerely

Edw. T. H. Hutton.

Confidential

I must fear that old O'Grady-Haly and his pomposity will first amuse and then disgust my Canadian Comrades. He is an ass and I fear will not be a persona gratissima to you and Lady Minto. He has however brains than courage and it is only men of that class who are available at home now or would go to Canada and expose themselves to the indignities and petty annoyances of Laurier and Co.

I shall be very glad when this Campaign is over. One after other Generals are being sent home for mistakes of one sort or another. This War is not like Napoleon's War with Spain which as you will remember wrecked man of his Generals and caused the defeat and surrender of many of his best troops.

It is War under difficult and abnormal conditions in which the best men must make mistakes sometimes!



To be continued.....
Mike