TOPIC:

S. S. "Lake Erie"

Gravesend, Feb. 12th, 1901.

The Right Honourable,
Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, G.C.M.G.,
High Commissioner for Canada,
London.


My Lord,

I have the honour to report that the Regiment left Petchesfstroom, by rail, on the 29th November by two trains, the first of which - containing Headquarters and "B" Squadron - arrived about 5 p.m. on Dec. 2nd, and the second train with "A" and "C" Squadrons arrived at Bethuli about 9 p.m. From then until the 20th January, the day on which we embarked on the S.S. "Lake Erie" for home, the Regiment was almost constantly on the march, and under circumstances far more trying than we had yet met.

The columns under General Knox were sent out with "first line" transport only so that it very often happened, during our chase after de Wet that we had to depend upon the inhabitants of the country for our food which consisted for days at time of mealies and flour. In addition to this the condition of the weather was such, during all the marches in the Orange River Colony, as to make it extremely uncomfortable. Being without tents and with very little baggage the men frequently had to sleep in wet clothes for days. Notwithstanding all this everyone entered into any work the Regiment was called upon to do in a perfectly cheerful and business like manner.

We marched at midnight on the 2nd December - the day on which we got into Bethulie - and joining Col. Laing's column marched with it until about dawn when we joined General Knox and moved on, the Regiment in support of the artillery. Heavy firing was heard on our right front with Pom-Poms and artillery, and we came in contact with the enemy about 7.a.m. We were then ordered to place 100 men in support of the Yeomanry and Highlanders at a farm near the centre of the enemy's position, the kopjes on either side of it being occupied so that is was subjected to a severe cross fire. I took "B" Squadron first, and after having a lot of difficulty with barb wire, found a greater impediment as the donga in which I intended to take cover in getting up was very deep and hard to get into. We lost nine horses in doing so. I pushed the squadron forward under a heavy fire, and supported by the other two, with the Pom Pom, reached the farm and held it whilst the kopjes were cleared of the enemy.

On the 4th of December we marched at 5 a.m. in pursuit of the enemy, Strathcona's Horse in support of the 9th Lancers who formed the advance. We were to have halted at a mill dam and farm some four miles out but this order was afterwards cancelled and we continued on for three miles further. The rain which had been falling heavily all day increased to a fearful extent until it was almost impossible for the horses to face it. Halted for the night at Carmel, a farm owned by a man named Webber who held an official position in the Orange River Colony prior to annexation.

On December 5th we marched in torrents of rain and got to the drift on the Caledon River called Karree. Found that Col. William's column was on the left bank. The artillery and some of the transport crossed the river first but as the rain continued the river began to rise so rapidly that it soon became unsafe. The Regiment was then ordered to remain on the right bank with the Irish Yeomanry and Transport and not cross until morning. I had marks placed on the river banks so that I could tell 3 a.m. if the water had fallen.

I paraded the regiment at 2:30 the next morning and finding that the water had fallen 2 feet in the night commenced the work of crossing although the river was still very deep. I ordered the men to move in Indian file at a distance of 20 feet so as not to become entangled in the stream and in half-an-hour the men were over. An officer of the Royal Field Artillery said it was the most business-like crossing he had seen in South Africa. On the left Bank we joined Col. Barker, who commanded our column and marched with him. After breakfast it was found that De Wet had turned up stream and was marching through Rouxville on Smithfield by Comissie Bridge. The pursuit was then resumed. We caught up to Col. William's column and Colonel Barker marched in support of him - Strathcona's Horse in support of the artillery. Some sniping took place at different times in front. Towards evening Captain Boyd was sent out to scout for the enemy and reported later that numbers of Boers were joining De Wet in two's and three's. Foraged at different times along the line as no supply of food or grain was with the column. We got a considerable quantity of grain, vegetables and fuel for all of which receipts were given.

On the 7th we marched at 4:30 a.m. the Regiment as advance guard. About four miles out the roads forked, the one to the left leading to Comissie Bridge, and in that direction I heard heavy firing which made it evident that De Wet was attempting to force a passage. I reported to Col. Barker who told me that General Knox, anticipating an attack on Rouxville, wanted us to continue along the road leading to the right front. The support going to the left was therefore recalled and we continued, camping at Rouxville for the night.

The column halted on the 8th which gave us an opportunity to get some of the horses shod. We commandeered some horses giving receipts for them.

The shoeing of horses continued on the 9th, and we also fitted the men out with what little we could get. We marched at 6:30 and made 12 miles in about three hours. We supported the guns and put out flankers arriving at Comissie bridge at 9:30. It is a fine structure of stone and iron crossing the Caledon river. De Wet attacked this bridge on the 7th but although he brought his guns and Pom Poms to bear on it he was unable to force a passage owing to the determined stand made by the Infantry guard. Failing in it he turned up stream.

Remained at Comissie bridge on the 10th and gave the horses a much needed rest,and on the 11th marched at 5:30 in support of the guns. We passed through Smithfield and met Col. White's column camping at Weltervrede.

On December 12th we marched at 4:30, the Regiment in rear of Colonel William's column which was in advance of ours. At 5:30 Colonel Williams came in contact with the enemy which we supposed when we left was about 14 miles away but in reality was only four. The Mounted Infantry fired on the farm and Strathcona's Horse were ordered by Colonel Barker to pass along the enemy's left flank. Their convoy could be seen not more than four miles off passing through a neck commanded on both sides by a range of rough, rocky kopjes. Pushed on with the Corps as fast as possible until we were at least two miles in advance of the columns. Met the enemy on the left of Helvetia farm. A heavy fire was opened. The supports took up a position under cover and opened fire on the enemy, large numbers of which lined the kopjes. The enemy then fired on the reserve, which I personally commanded, the bullets whistling through the ranks but without hurting anyone. The reserve was then withdrawn behind a ridge to the left front on which the advance party was extended. We then got around the ridge but still found the enemy in front of us. Finally we came in sight of the whole of the enemy's convoy, and I sent back for guns but they did not come up in time. The enemy held the kopjes on our right front and front, but became restless on account of the manner in which the Regiment was pushed forward, and gradually fell back. We were now in a position that we commanded the valley which lay 2000 feet beneath us. Halted for an hour to feed the horses and refresh the men, then went on, keeping in touch with De Wet until dark when the column came up. The Regiment was able to keep close to the enemy all day, sometimes being as close as 500 yards of him, and at, one time was within easy distance of De Wet himself. Boers laagered at Hen River.

December 13th - marched at 4:30 and found that the enemy had trecked all night. The Regiment supported the guns. Halted for two and a half hours for lunch at Masters Hook, and saw Colonel Settles column moving on our left. Towards evening again saw De Wet in full view about five miles off. He was evidently hard pressed but had gained several miles on us with his ox and mule transport by marching all night. Made thirty mules to-day and bivouaced at Hardwater.

December 14th - Marched at 5:30 and after many halts reached Dreifontein at five in the evening. Good camp. Distance 15 miles. Horses tired. Gave them as usual plenty of water and grass where possible.

On the 15th we received a heliograph message to the effect that De Wet with 3500 men was forcing his way through Springhook Nek which was being held by 500 of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry. We therefore marched thirty miles to that place but found that the enemy had succeeded in getting through but had suffered considerable loss. Col. Thorneycroft made a splendid stand considering the odds against him and captured 50 horses, 60,000 rounds of ammunition, a fifteen pounder and a Pom Pom!

December 16th - Halted at Springhook Nek all day Horses out grazing from dawn till sunset. Sent 50 men under Lieut. Kirkpatrick to bring in convoy from Alexandria, near Thu' Bancha. T.M.I. marched north after De Wet who is on a range of hills near Maseru farm.

December 17th - Marched at 6 a.m. We were ready at 5:15 but were delayed by lack of food for Colonel White's column. He had to march to Alexandria to get it. General Knox went with Colonel William's column marching on our right flank.

Reached Maseru at 11 a.m. and bivouaced. Turned horses out to graze on the grass and in the green corps. Receipts were given for the crops to the negroes who owned them. The country for the last forty miles has very much improved, there being a great deal more under cultivation. T.M.I. are here in front of the enemy's picquets. Thorneycroft reports that there are 4000 of the enemy before us - on the kopjes at Lokoal and Mount Beasant, near Holstein. It is not likely that they will be there in the morning.

December 18th - Marched from Maseru at 6 a.m. the Regiment in advance. Screens of three weak troops were thrown out to cover a front of 1 - 2 miles. Sighted Colonel White's advance guard at 10 a.m. near Englishmans Farm. He reported that the Boers were there last night and looted the store, then retired. The advance guard was then closed in and a report made to Colonel Barker. Afterwards we followed Colonel White's column, Bivouaced at Mangane Spruit. Lieut. Christie, who was sent out in the morning to scout for the enemy, reported strong on our front at Maseru, returned in the evening. Natives reported to him that the Boers are strong in laager on the plain near Vet river. The story is not believed.

December 19th - Halted at Mangane Spruit all day.

December 20th - Stood to arms at 4:30. Turned horses out to graze at 5. Marched at 5 p.m., 9th Lancers in advance. The enemy is supposed to be holding Maquatlines Nek, a very strong position. Halted seven miles from it. Bivouaced at a Kaffir Kraal. Found outposts on the right.

December 21st - Reveille at 3:30. Stood to horses at 4:30. Relieved the outposts at 5. Colonel Barker has sent forward but will not attack until he hears from General Knox. Colonel Williams is on our right and has been ordered to move along the range of hills for the purpose of forcing the enemy to retire. The column started with the Regiment in advance of the main body, but the 9th Lancers had been previously sent forward to reconnoitre the Nek. We halted at the Jews store four miles from the Nek. Lieut. Leckie with 12 men scouted the Spitz Kop, turned that position and climbed up to the high ridge to the left of the Nek. The advance of the 9th Lancers having been seen on the Nek Colonel Barker ordered us to advance, which was done. The halt seemed to be unnecessarily long but as Colonel Barker said the training of Cavalry was such that in an operation of this kind their duty ceased at the first exchange of shots, and others were left to fight it out. He added that our men would have taken the position in half the time whether they met the enemy or not. Halted in the Nek for dinner, and marching again passed some beautiful farms owned by Englishmen, reaching "Evening Star", a Roman Catholic Mission, at 6:30. The Regiment took up the advance from the Nek to this point.

December 22nd - Marched to Chocolan, 5 miles. It is only a store. Found General Knox with Colonels White and Williams columns. They were immediately ordered to march north and east. We are to remain here until supplies come in.

December 23rd - Stood to saddle up at 3:30 but did not get the order to do so until 8:45. Marched at nine in an easterly direction. Non-Combatants remained in camp. Marched 5 miles to fine house and grounds owned by a late official of the Orange Free State, then turned north three miles. Some sniping done in front. Returned to camp during evening. Before leaving camp in the morning Major Jarvis was sent out to examine the dongas and to cover certain points supposed to be threatened by the enemy, and at the same time to protect the right of Colonel Pilcher's column. Major Jarvis in performing this duty sent a small party of men to hold a point and in passing along a ridge came in close contact with eight of the enemy. Pte. Ingram was killed and Corp. McDonnell wounded. Five of the enemy were killed and the remainder ran away. Ingram was buried in the evening the whole brigade turning out.

We remained four days at Chocolan, leaving on the night of the 27th for Ficksburg, through Basutuland. We reconnoitred the country about Ficksburg, destroying some mills and left on the 28th for Franz Hoop. Near Commando Nek we had a skirmish, capturing two waggons and some small arm ammunition. We also destroyed a mill here. At Rooi Krantz, on the 29th we got another lot of ammunition.

On the 3lst December we fought an engagement at Kaffir Kop, driving the enemy from their position. The Regiment was subjected to a fierce fire all day but did not suffer loss.

We reached Lindley on the 1st January and remained there until the 3rd, the day on which the Commander-in-Chief's Body Guard was so badly cut up. On that day we were ordered to cover the party sent out to bring in the wounded. We captured a waggon in performing the duty.

The Corps furnished the rear guard on the 6th January during the march from Elandskop to Reitpan and were under a severe fire all day. The enemy was very bold, probably stimulated by their success with the Body Guard on the 3rd. We succeeded in killing five of them by laying a trap at a farm house which they thought had been abandoned.

We were at Lindley again on the 7th and marched over the dangerous ground between that place and Watevaal on the 8th. The Regiment was rear guard and met with a fire from the right and rear all day.

We arrived at Kroonstad on the 9th and on the 10th received orders to entrain for Elandsfontein. I then wired the Chief of Staff, through General Knox, to the effect that as our time was up a great many of the men were anxious, owing to urgent private affairs, to get home. We entrained for Elandsfontein on the 11th and on the way received a telegram to say that arrangements had been made for us to return to Canada by way of England; so that when we arrived the following day we immediately set to work to get things in readiness.

On the 15th, just before we entrained for Capetown Lord Kitchener addressed the Regiment. He said that he was very sorry the Regiment was leaving, that we had rendered valuable services to the country and had been in every portion of South Africa under British control. The Regiment had also marched many miles and been continually at work from the first. He wished to say that the Regiment would be highly pleased if he told them the number of letters he had received from Generals all over the country asking for Strathcona's Horse. He wished the Regiment a pleasant voyage and concluded by stating that if he had twenty such regiments the war would have been over long ago.

We arrived at Capetown on the 20th and immediately embarked. Before sailing I called on Sir Alfred Milner who said some very nice things about the Regiment. Colonel Cooper, Base-Commandant, who came down to the ship, also complimented the Regiment on the work done.

The voyage to England has been a very pleasant one, the weather being all that could be desired and the ships officers doing all in their power to make us comfortable.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,
Your obedient servant,


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