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Lt. Col. Sam Steele - Report to Lord Strathcona - July 16th, 1900 12 years 4 months ago #4583
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WATERVAL DRIFT
16th. July. 1900 My dear Sir, The Regiment at present is divided up in detachments but will be concentrated to-morrow, excepting 40 men at Standerton, 60 at Watervaal Bridge and Station, and 50 at Grout Spruit. I left Greylingstadt on the 12th, instant with one Squadron and Headquarters accompanying Lord Dundonald's brigade in advance of Lt. Gen. Cleary's division en-route to the North-East. We were in support of the guns and early were fired upon but the enemy was driven off. We halted at Platkop farm that night and marched the next morning as advance guard. The right of the advance was under Major Sangeneister of the Border Mounted Rifles. We proceeded cautiously for some time but finally ascended the kopje and received a volley from a large force of Boers concealed on the hill. His horse and those of four of the Strathcona's were shot and the five, including the Major, taken prisoners. Two men, Pvtes. Robinson and Dodd were wounded. We recovered them that night from where they were left in a farm house. The Boers took all of their personal property, gold watches, money etc. etc. They were not dangerously wounded. A change of direction of the Column was ordered at this time on account of the guides misunderstanding the route intended at first; consequently, there was great danger incurred. Time was not sufficient to let the flank and the advance party swing around. I was ordered to move the reserve to the front of the Column which had already changed. On passing over to my place we got under a flanking fire from a party of the enemy on our proper front. I placed the horses under cover though one hundred men dismounted to the flank, which was smartly done by the men, and opened fire. The enemy was driven off without loss to us, but if the cover had not been smartly taken we would have suffered seriously. I sent scouts to where the Major was taken and in other directions. The work was done with great intelligence, each scout being able to clearly explain the whole situation. They were all several times under hot fire. Lord Dundonald then advanced on the kopje with us in front. Artillery fire caused the enemy to retire to the right rear of their position. The brigade followed and came in contact with them near Holgat Fontein (a farm) and two of Thornycroft's M.I. and the R.H.A. were wounded. The enemy had 4 guns and a Vickers Maxim or Pom-Pom. We suffered none but if further to the right rear might. The enemy's shells went over us. We eventually retreated and we went into camp at Platkop (a farm). The next morning, the 14th., T.M.I. was in turn to furnish the advance guard and the advance being troubled by the smoke of veldt fires burning on all sides was closer than usual. We were in support of the guns. The advance, and in fact the whole of us, got under rifle and Pom-Pom fire and two of T.M.I. were wounded and a horse killed. Our men took position on the ridge except four with the horses, but had not to fire to much. The enemy fell back after a heavy fire of artillery was brought to bear. We encamped at Holgat Fontein farm the same night. Major Sangeneister sent me news of the strength of the Boers, viz., 800 men and five guns on each occasion. Our force was only 500 all told and we might have made a capture. The men were perfectly cool all the time and left nothing to be desired. We are likely to march to-morrow having come here yesterday when our men formed the advance and left, surprises quite impossible. Major Laurie and Lt. Stevenson are still in hospital. All the rest of the officers are well. Major Snyder and Jarvis, and all but some four officers, show good ability and energy. Major Belcher is of course capable in every way, plucky and careful. Lord Dundonald is much pleased with the gun detachment and our armourer. The scouting was perfect and the loss on the missing is not the fault of the men. They obeyed the Major and he was apparently right at the time. I will send the usual detailed report. I hope your lordship is quite well and that the regiment will be able to prove themselves the right stuff. Yours respectfully, (Signed) S. B. STEELE Life Member
Past-President Calgary Military Historical Society O.M.R.S. 1591 |
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- Lt. Col. Sam Steele - Report to Lord Strathcona - July 16th, 1900