TOPIC:

1901 - Kritzinger surprises Lovat's Scouts at Quaggafontein.

Raiding in Natal:

1901 - Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Andrew David Murray, of Lovat's Scouts, was killed in action at Quaggafontein today.

...."An Inverness trooper in the Lovat's Scouts, writing to his friends, gives some details of the terrible disaster which befell the corps at Spitz Kop on 20th September. He writes :—Just when they would be enjoying a nice waltz in the Northern Meeting Rooms (Friday evening), and the moon had gone down, in comes a tremendous volley of fire to the camp, and the next thing, the Boers, cheering, and rushing the camp, made for the big gun. As our men made for the gun they were shot down. The men were bivouacking on the veldt, and the Boers made for them, shouting—"Hands up or I'll shoot you."
...."If anybody hesitated one second a bullet was put into him. Some asked money and watches. Two days before that we were paid a sovereign each, so the Boers got some coin. All was confusion. The men did not know what to do, and it seemed as if the Boers held the camp.
...."The colonel managed to get down through the Boers to the waggons. He was sleeping very near the part where they entered. He was in a dreadful state, and said—" For God's sake, men, fix bayonets and charge!" telling one of the sergeants at the same time to try and get some more men. In a moment afterwards Colonel Murray was shot through the heart, and in falling his last words were—"Do your best, men." He then ...."When the sergeant came back he could neither see the colonel or men, and thought it best to get away. Bullets were flying in all directions, and it is a miracle how one man has been left alive. The Boers cut in between two pickets, and the adjutant (Capt. Murray) was shot dead in his bivouac, receiving about a dozen shots.
...."Donald Forbes (Inverness) was killed. He heard the first volley, and was making a rush in the direction of the waggons, when he was told to halt, but as he took no notice he was shot through the head, and received a second shot before expiring.
...."The Boers stayed in the camp till about four o'clock in the morning, and called their roll before leaving. They had a lot of shouting for a "Charles Botha," but he did not turn up, and then the Boers made off the way they came in.
...."The commandant's name was Wessels, and he was a real gentleman. When the shooting halted he observed some wounded, and said he was sorry for them, and asked where their doctor was, and went and fetched him. Afterwards Wessels asked for horse shoes and nails and got them, and then spoke about the proclamation, remarking that Kitchener might not think that they were going to give in.
...."It was a good job it was Wessels, as they say if it had been any of the other leaders none of us would be left alive. There were eleven killed and thirty-two wounded, besides seven killed and five wounded of the Artillery, and eight killed and five wounded of the n.....s. We were just about 120 strong."
Dundee Courier, Tuesday 22nd October 1901


A. D. Murray was one of the few British officers whose remains were brought back to Britain for reinterment; his remains were buried at Scone Palace, Perth, presumably in the Old Scone Graveyard.