TOPIC:

Orders by Lt. Col. Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"

Bergin-der-Lyn,
August 10th, 1900

1. Detail

Field Officer of the Day:- Major Snyder
Orderly Officer:- Lieut. Laidlaw
Next for Duty:- Lieut. Kirkpatrick

2. Horse Deaths

The following horses having died are hereby struck off the strength of the regiment No. 780 killed in action, No. 105 killed in action, No. 237 died of horse sickness, No. 167 died of horse sickness.

3. Reveille

Reveille will be at 5.30 to-morrow and as the baggage has to move off at 7.am an extra effort will have to be made to get everything packed and ready. The N.C.O. of the guard will be responsible that the cooks are called and turn out at 5 o'clock. The order of march for the regiment to- morrow will be "C" Squadron, “B" Squadron, “A” Squadron.

4. Horses

The following horses have been handed to the regiment by Capt. Denny, A.S.C. and they are detailed to the squadrons marked opposite the descriptions.

Chestnut Pony 6 years old to "C" Squadron
Chestnut Pony 6 years old to "C" Squadron
Branded P.H. to "C" Squadron
Bay Pony Star on face to "A" Squadron
Bay Pony 9 years old to “A" Squadron
Chestnut Pony aged 4 to "A" Squadron

After Order

The time for the baggage to move off having been changed so that it will now leave at 9.am, the time of our reveille will be 6.am. The cooks will be called one half hour earlier.



3rd Mounted Brigade
Routine Orders

Begin-der-Lyn,
Friday, August 10th 1900

1. Movements

In accordance with Field Order No. 153 issued Movements herewith the Brigade will march at 8am to-morrow. Order of march - S.H., R.H.A., R.E., S.A.L.H., the hour at which the hospital, Regtl. baggage, and supply column will move off and cross the drifts on the Ermelo Road will be notified hereafter but it will probably be about 7am before the Brigade itself moves.

Notice - Lost in Genl Lylteton's camp last evening a small black mule (with leather panniers both sides and small camp wash stand on top) marked A.A. off neck. If found kindly send to O.C., S.H.

After Order:

With reference to order re-baggage the supply column lead off at 7.45 am, Field Hospital and Regimental baggage move off at 9.am. Animals should be allowed to close to the camp until it is time to inspan.



3rd Mounted Brigade
Regimental Orders

Ermelo,
August 11th 1900

1. Duties

Regiment for duty to-morrow, S.A.L.H.

2. Devine Service

The Brigade will attend divine service to-morrow as follows:- C. of E. in the Dutch church in the town at 9.15.am. Holy Communion after the service. units will leave sufficient men to guard their camp during service.




Regimental Orders
Lt. Col. S.B.Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"

Ermelo
August 11th, 1900

1. Reveille

Reveille will be at 7.am to-morrow.

2. Divine Service

The regiment will parade for divine service at 8.30.am to-morrow with arms. One troop of “C" Squadron will guard the Camp during service.

3. Picquet

The night picquet will not come in to-morrow morning until relieved by the S.A.L.H. as usual.



Morning Order- Ermelo - 12th August 1900

The town is out of bounds and no one is permitted to leave camp under any pretext without permission from O.C.



Regimental Orders
Lt. Col. S.B.Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"

Ermelo
August 12th, 1900

1. Complaint

Last night there were no outposts placed for the protection of the rear and flanks of the Camp until at least two hours later than it should have been. This arose through a misunderstanding with regard to the duties of the officer in command of the advance guard. It must therefore be understood that no one has any right to give orders to the Officer in Command of the advance guard unless he is commanding the regiment or brigade or other authorized Staff Officer of the G.O.C. 3rd Brigade in which case he must have written instructions. The negligence of last night caused a complaint against the regiment to be made to a higher authority. It is hoped that such a thing will not happen again.

2. Wood and water

The regiment on various occasions has been without water, wood and other things necessary for the comfort of the men. When such a contingency could be avoided. The C.O. wishes therefore to point out that the water carts and N.C.O. in charge of them are under the direction of the R.S.M. who will be held strictly responsible as to the whereabouts of the water supply in Camp, and that carts are sent there and when empty replenished. The Q.M. will see that the wood supply at any halting place is sufficient. Cooks and others travelling with the waggons will as usual pick up wood where they can find it and other members of the Corps should be active to obtain any when they think the supply is likely to be short.

3. Horses

Several times it has come to the notice of the C.O. that horses have been picked up in Camp after the regiment has marched and have been found in the lines of other regiments. No report has been made to the C.O. or Adjutant that the horses were missing. There are horses used belonging to squadrons of the regiment the whereabouts of which the C.O. is aware and there are no enquiries being made or reports submitted. Such carelessness is quite inexcusable.

4. Horse Replacements

Efforts will be made to obtain horses from the inhabitants of the country, and receipts given for them, but permission to retain them will have to be obtained before retaining them and detailing them to squadrons.

5. Advance Guard

When the regiment is on duty the O.C. the advance party of the advance guard will when possible extend the men by sections. When he does that, they will be four times the distance apart than they would be if they were extended by files. Besides it is the safest formation as the men have support close at hand but it has been noticed that when in sections some of the men converse with one nother which they would not have the power to do if they were extended in single file. When in this formation No.1 of the section will be held responsible that there is no inattention. He will march in front, No.4 in rear and 2 & 3 on the right and left at considerable distance apart but near enough to come rapidly to each other i s assistance, hand over their horses to the proper No. and dismount. The regiment is cautioned when scouting against crowning the summits of hills to suddenly. It should be done with great care either by one man dismounting, crawling carefully up or if a party, by a very gradual approach to the top. The scouts towards the flanks and on other parts of the line should when they ascend and are in safety scan the ground to the right and left, as well as to their front and see that there are no enemies lurking or lying in the front of their comrades or on the right and left.

6. Police

O. C. 's Squadrons will submit as soon as possible the names of all N.C.O.'s and Men desiring to enlist in the permanent police force which may be formed in the Orange River Colony or in the Transvaal. The names already sent in are those applying for enlistment in the Provincial Police, the formation of which has been deferred. At the same time a list of those wishing to go home via England may be sent but it must be explained that in the latter case no names will be accepted of those men who may apply and are recommended for further service here.

7. “B” Squadron will return to Camp at once from town. A patrol composed of one Sergeant, one Corporal and 8 men will patrol the town occasionally and bring into camp and N.C.O. 's and men of the Corps found not in possession of a pass, signed by the c.o. of this regiment. The days on which the regiment is on duty and furnishes the advance guard, the O.C. the leading squadron will report to the Brigade Major on coming into Camp and inform the Adjutant where the water supply is and be prepared to give information as to the most suitable place for watering with buckets, where the drinking water is &c.

8. The Squadrons will take the duty of advance guard alternately and the O.C. the Squadron on duty will be the Field Officer of the Day. He will detail his outposts and provide for the proper protection of the Camp reporting his action to the c.o. on coming into Camp.

10. Detail for To-morrow:-

Orderly Officer: Lieut. Kirkpatrick
Next for Duty: Lieut. Tobin

11. Casualty

The C.O. regrets to report the death of Regt. No. 402 Pte. F. G. Arnold who died at Standerton yesterday of wounds received in action at Watervaal on the 30th ultimo.

12. S.O.S.

Regt. No. 402 Pte. F. G. Arnold having died of wounds received in action at Watervaal on the 30th ultimo is struck off strength of the regiment.

13. Reveille

Reveille will be at 6.am to-morrow, the cooks will be called at 5.30.

14. Officers are reminded of the watering order setting out that the horses are to be watered immediately after feeding and before the regiment forms up ready to move off. This order has not been observed lately and yesterday had it not been that water was found on the march the horses would have suffered very much especially on account of the dust and sand.

15. Waggons of the Telegraph battalion employed in technical work are to be allowed free passage up and down the line of march and facilities are to be granted by all accordingly. (Authority Cir. Memo I Chief of Staff 11 Aug. ‘00)


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3rd Mounted Brigade
Routine Orders,

Ermelo,
12th August 1900

1. Rations

From to-morrow inclusive the biscuit ration will be reduced by one quarter.

2. In accordance with Field Order No. 155 issued here with the Brigade will march at 8. am to-morrow. Order of march, S. A. L. H., "A" R. H. A., R. E., Strathcona's Horse. The destination will probably be Klipstapel. Hospital, 2nd line transport and supply column will move off at 8.45 am under Capt. Denny, A.S.C.




Regimental Orders
Lt. Col. S.B.Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"

Klipstaple
August 13th, 1900

1. Detail

Detail for To-morrow:-

Orderly Officer: Lieut. Tobin
Next for Duty: Lieut. Adamson

Squadron for Duty: “A” Squadron

2. Straggling.

It has been noticed that a good deal of straggling goes on whilst on the march, particularly in the gun detachment. Serrifiles and other Non-corns in the Squadrons and especially in the guns will be held responsible that no man falls out without permission from his officer and that when such permission is granted that the man returns within a reasonable time. Permission must not be gi ven to men to fallout unless for a necessary purpose. The C.O. regrets to say that the gun detachment sets a bad example by committing more of these irregularities than any other unit in the regiment.

3. Ropes.

When at Cape Town the C.O. was informed that a good many of the men would like to have ropes or lariats. The C.O. recognized the usefulness of the ropes in fact he had always known that for successful scouts such an article was indispensable. This order is just to notify the regiment that a number of theses ropes are now gone and something further will be said on the subject later on.

4. Horse Deaths

The following horses having died or were killed in action are struck off strength:- No.s 912, 50, 529, 507 - Horse Sickness. No.s 157, 213 Killed in Action.

5. Reveille

Reveille will be at 6.30 to-morrow.

6. Horses

Horses will be taken to water to-morrow morning so as to allow sufficient time on returning to have men inspected dismounted, by Squadron Commanders commencing at 8.30

7. The field officer to-morrow will be the O.C. "A" Squadron.



3rd Mounted Brigade
Routine Orders

Klipstapel,
13th August 1900

1. Moves:

Moves In accordance with Field Order 156 issued herewith the Brigade will march at 9. am to-morrow. Order of March:- S.H., "A" R.H.A., R.E., S.A.L.H. Field Hospital, Baggage and supply Column will march at 10.am taking the route east of Klipfontein Farm.




Movements the Brigade will march at 8. am to-morrow. Order of March: - S. A. L. H., ”A" R. H. A., R. E., S. H. The squadron 18th Hussars will cover the left flank. Field Hospital, Baggage and Supply Column will march at 9.15 am.




Regimental Orders
Lt. Col. S.B.Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"

Klipstaple
August 15th, 1900

1. Duty

Detail for to-morrow: -

Orderly Officer - Lieut. Kyle.
Next for Duty, Lt. Magee.

2. The following promotions will date from to-day:- Promotion Reg. No. 517 L.Sgt. Nelles to be Sergt.

3. The following promotions will date from August 1st Promotion 1900: -

Reg. No. 38 L.Sergt. Sawyer to be Sergt.,
Reg. No. 50 L.Sergt. Traill to be Sergt.

4. The following promotions will date from to-day :-

Promotions

50 L.Cpl. Irwin H.M. to be Corporal,
102 L.Cpl. Norquay to be Corporal,
15 Private Clarke E.H. to be L.Cpl.,
457 Pte. McLellan to be L.Cpl.
435 Cpl. Lee H.A., to be Sergt.,
232 Pte. Pierson A., to be Cpl.,
277 Cpl. Cree A.H., to be Sergt.

5. Commendation.

The C.O.. wishes to place on record his satisfaction at the excellent conduct of Officers, N.C.O. 's and men of "C" Squadron and the Officer, non-corns and men of 1 Troop "A" Squadron when reconnoitering the town of Caroline under commander of Maj. Belcher.

Major Belcher reports that their behaviour could not have been better under any circumstances. The town was carries without loss and very valuable information obtained.

In connection with this the conduct of Reg. No. 135 Pte. Stewart, Reg. No. 155 Pte. Saxby, Reg. No. 624 Pte. Carey in acting with such judgment when out off from the rest of the force and obtaining valuable information is highly commendable.

6. The regiment is reminded that bodies of men marching at night in an enemies country outside their own line should not be permitted to talk loud enough to be heard at any distance from the column. Good scouts on the enemies side would be sure to take notice of such noises with the result that the column might be in serious danger.

7. It is notified for all concerned that a report must be made of any man who is absent from the regiment at a time when they should be in camp. A number of men were absent this morning without the knowledge of the C.O.

These absentees might have been in serious difficulties somewhere and may have require assistance to be sent to them before the regiment left camp. If they had been in such straits it would have been impossible to help them until later in the day. Men who are unavoidably cut off must report themselves immediately on coming into camp so as to relieve the C.O. of any suspense in connection with their absence. Absentees should be shown on the morning state which is handed to the C.O. before the regiment marches.

8. The regiment is reminded that the Orderly room is intended for the work of clerks of the regiment and other business of the two senior officers and the Adjt. Members of the regiment visiting it about trifles causes the business of the regiment to be interrupted.

9. Reveille

Reveille will be at 7.am to-morrow.


3rd Mounted Brigade
Routine Orders,

Tryfelaar,
Wednesday 15th August 1900.

1. Mails

The English mail will close to-morrow at 7.pm.

2. Duties

Regiment for Duty To-morrow: - Strathcona's Horse. until further orders the regiment for duty will furnish a picquet of 1 N.C.O. & 3 men to prevent men bathing or animals watering in that part of the river immediately west of the 3rd Mounted Brigade Camp. The picquet can be relieved during the day for meals &c at the discretion of the O.C. unit furnishing it. All other duties will be furnished by 2nd Cavalry Brigade.


3rd Mounted Brigade
Routine Orders,

Tryfelaar,
16th August 1900.

1. Duties

(1) Regiment for duty:- Strathcona's Horse

(2) Attention is invited to the circular re-examining guards issued herewith.

(3) O.C., S.A.L.H. will detail one squadron to proceed with the convoy in accordance with orders issued to him.

2. Rations

From to-morrow inclusive the ration of oats for colonial horses will be reduced from 10 to 7 lbs. 3 lbs of mealies will be issued if available.

3. Returns

Please submit by 8.am to-morrow a return of casualties among horses during recent operations (from Aug. 1st) on the form order laid down in N.A.O. No.7 of 23rd Mar. last.





Regimental Orders
Lt. Col. S.B.Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"

August 16th, 1900

1. Duty

Detail for to-morrow: -

Orderly Officer - Lieut. Magee.
Next for Duty, Lt. Harper.

2. Horses

The C.O. desires that the men will take pains to take advantage of the halt to get the horses into shape by grooming and extra care.

3. Picquet

The regiment will be responsible for the protection of the camp to-morrow. "B" and "C" Squadrons will do duty and will be divided into 4 posts. The first post will be posted at a spot to the N.E. of the camp and will be called No. 1 or the N.E. Post. The 2nd post will be posted on a spot S.E. of the camp and will be called the S.E. Post. No. 3 will be posted to the S.W. and will be called the 3rd or S.W. Post. The fourth will be posted to the N.W. and will be called the 4th or N.W. Post. The squadron must be ready to leave camp at 6.30. The squadrons will be detailed on parade by Officer Commanding the regiment. The O.C. Squadrons and troop Officers will be particular to impress on their men the No. and compass bearing of their post in making their reports they must be careful to state the no. and compass bearing. They must also impress on them the necessity of keeping the strictest watch while they are on this duty. They must be most careful in examining any parties approaching from any direction. The maxim guns will accompany the squadron and will be detailed on parade.

4. The following orders issued by the Chief of Staff are published for the information of all concerned and particularly for the two squadrons on duty to-morrow.