TOPIC:

The Right Hon. Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal
17, Victoria Street,
London, England


BADFONTEIN,
September 3rd. 1900.

Dear Lord Strathcona,

My last report was dated the 16th. ult., from Turffelaar.

On the 17th. the regiment was on duty and supplied the outposts for the protection of the camp. Some firing occurred and No. 1 picquet but there were no casualties.

The army marched on the 21st., the 3rd. Mtd. Brigade covering the right and rear. The 2nd Cavalry Brigade with the Gordon Highlanders suffered rather severely, the Gordon's losing 4 killed and 9 wounded.

The force halted at Van Wyks Vley and remained there for the 21st. and 22nd.

On the 23rd. we marched to Gelutt, the Brigade covering the right and rear. The S.A.L.H. had 4 wounded and the Liverpool's 80 killed, wounded or missing. The regiment picqueted the kopjes to the right rear of the camp.

The next day a heavy artillery fire took place between the enemy's guns and ours, some of the shells bursting in camp. The enemy also directed a very heavy Pom-Pom fire and rifle fire on the S.A.L.H., picqueting the rocky kopje to the right rear. In the afternoon the fire was so hot on this kopje that 2 guns of the Royal Horse Artillery were unable to reply and remained undercover until dark.

On the 26th. the force marched towards Machadodorp. The regiment had to cover the movement on the right rear, occupying six trenches which had been held by the Infantry the day before.

A continual fire was kept up between us and the enemy from dawn until 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when Lord Dundonald ordered up Field and Machine guns to enable us to withdraw, which was done very well. Only No. 1 picquet had any casualties, 4 being wounded, though not dangerously, in withdrawing. We then moved into camp at Vogelstruitpoort, arriving long after dark.

All day the main column was heavily engaged on the right where the enemy held a strong position several thousand yards in extent. The artillery and rifle fire was of a very heavy character and continued until after dark.

The following day the regiment guarded the left rear and left flank of the column which moved very slowly to Bergendal. The fight of the previous day was resumed and towards night the infantry under cover of the artillery carried the position of the enemy at the point of the bayonet. Our losses, principally in the Rifle Brigade, was 85, 14 being killed.

Due credit must be given to the enemy for their tenacious defence.

On the 28th. our Brigade covered the advance the regiment supporting the Royal Horse Artillery. The movement to the front was rapid and about ten miles from camp we came in contact with the enemy. The regiment was under shell fire and was employed dismounted in moving from our position to another which finally resulted in the village of Machadodorp being carried by "A" Squadron under Captain Cartwright.

The regiment was assembled in the village while the rest of the Brigade moved to the next ridge. We then pushed forward supporting the advance and remaining close to the front undercover.

A very heavy artillery fire was kept up by the enemy and our own guns. The casualties in the regiment amounted to two slightly wounded by a shell. We were very fortunate in having so few.

The following day it was our duty to cover the advance of the Brigade which was the advance guard of the army.

The work was well done by every squadron sent out. "B" Squadron, under Major Jarvis, moved over the mountain range in front, which had been occupied by the Boers the previous day, and it was supposed that they were there still. They were supported by troops of the other squadrons, some of which entered the village of Helvetia before any other troops arrived, except a small patrol party of General French.

At this time our advance troops were two miles beyond the town.

The regiment was assembled here and took the right hand road towards Watervaalboven, "C" Squadron in advance. The leading troop was under rifle fire for a time but reconnoitred towards Watervaal Onder and Watervaal Boven, until General French came up. We then returned to Helvetia and encamped.

On the 30th. a portion of the army marched to Nooitgedacht, S.A.L.H. in advance. We halted on the heights some distance from the station and found that the British prisoners who had been at a laager at this place were released, and were streaming along the railway towards Watervaal Ouder.

Lieut. Leckie was sent to reconnoitre the town of Nooitgedacht and to communicate the fact to General French that the Brigade was on the heights. He took six men. The work was well done and Lt. Leckie and two of the men will get honourable mention. I enclose a copy of his report which pleased Gen. Buller very much. Lt. Leckie met General Buller who expressed his satisfaction with the work well done.

The country was very rough resembling parts of the rocky mountains, though not so lofty, but nearly so.

The General's object having been effected the Brigade returned as far as Vlucktfontein and halted there the next day.

On the 1st. inst. we commenced the march on Lydenburg, the 3rd Mtd. Brigade covering the front with the regiment in advance of the Brigade.

We came in contact with the enemy at Crocodile River. The Pom-Pom was brought up and the Boers pressed back.

We halted here for the night to enable the rest of the army to catch up. During the day the flankers of the corps captured several prisoners and gained valuable information regarding the enemy's movements which has since proven correct.

Yesterday the army was ordered to continue the march. The 3rd. Mtd. Brigade was again in advance with the S.A.L.H. in front. Strathcona's Horse moved in support of the guns. The Brigade, under Lord Dundonald, successfully reconnoitred the enemy's position, the Boers being forced to develop their strength. It is considered one of the best pieces of work of its kind in the campaign.

During the day we were exposed to one of the heaviest artillery fires of the war, as many as 300 high velocity shells falling.

Fortunately only one in the regiment was wounded. The Royal Horse Artillery has two men wounded and 19 horses, the 4th Division Mounted Infantry, one killed and 4 wounded, and the S.A.L.H. one man wounded.

The object having been attained the Brigade returned to camp after dark when the artillery fire ceased.

I have to report that the conduct of the men since my last report (under fire) has been admirable.

I have been informed that some of the men on baggage guard in the rear have been guilty of looting but so far I have not been able to get the names of the delinquents. I have, however, issued strict orders to prevent such a thing in future and have placed an officer and non-commissioned officer in charge of the men on duty in the rear.

Properly speaking it is not for me to say much about the behaviour of the regiment but I am satisfied that when you hear more from those higher in authority you will be pleased with the conduct on the whole.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) S. B. STEELE, Lt. Col.
Commanding, "Strathcona's Horse"

Hello Mike,
Well, I was going to ask, what has happened to Lieutenant Leckie, but, I see after reading this post, he had been very busy in the thick of it! I would think meeting Sir Redvers Buller would have been quite a memorable moment for him too!
I'm enjoying these posts, more please!
Kind regards Frank

Hello Frank......

You will notice that the last report from Sam Steele stated:

Dear Lord Strathcona,

My last report was dated the 16th. ult., from Turffelaar.

He most likely sent a copy of the report from Lieutenat Lieckie to Lord Strathcona just to keep him informed of the activities of his regiment.....

I will keep posting them as till they end with the disbandment of the regiment.....

Mike