Monday, 15th January.—About 5.15 p.m. I saw Colonel Porter with Warrant-Ofhcer Duncan and Private Buckholtz, 1st Australian Horse. The latter reported that Lieutenant Dowling's patrol had been surrounded and cut up, and that he was the only one who had escaped. Warrant-Officer Duncan and two others nad been detached by Lieutenant Dowling to examine Foster's farm, and so escaped.
The patrol had reconnoitred, according to instructions, and was about returning to camp when Warrant-Officer Duncan with two men was detached to examine Mr. Foster's farm at Kleinfontein. After doing so, he went in search of Lieutenant Dowling's party, failing to find them, he concluded they had returned to camp. At 4.30 p.m. I was informed that a New South Wales Lancer patrol had been cut up.
Upon examination it was found that Sqdn. Sergeant-Major Griffin, 1st Australian Horse, had been killed, and Corporal Kilpatrick, New South Wales Lancers, was found severely wounded through the lungs, and the lower jaw smashed.
Corporal Kilpatrick expired at 11 a.m.
One officer (Lieutenant Dowling) and 13 men are still missing.
Bloemfontein, 4th May, 1900.—Writing a full report is out of the question, as our position has been continually on the front of the Cavalry Brigade (1st), consequently we have not been off " perpetual motion." On arrival here we were on our last legs so far as clothing, cleanliness, and horses were concerned.
We have now been re-fitted afresh, and we start off on the second phase, viz., " Bloemfontein to Pretoria." So we now move off again with the 1st Cavalry Brigade, in the best of trim and spirits. The men are all old soldiers now, and will be very useful.
Jordan's Siding, near Kroonstadt, 15th May, 1900.—The night before leaving Springfield camp for marching northwards, Captain Nicholson marched into camp with 37 N.C.O.'s and men (38) of the New South Wales Lancers, and 39 horses. They had been sent on from Cape Town. We will march from here with about 8 officers and 92 N.C.O.'s and men.
I have pleasure in reporting the arrival of four cases of warm clothing, tobacco, chocolate, <fec, from Lady Hampden.
Three boxes of tobacco came from Lady Duff; six cases (puddings, pipes, chocolate, &c), from F. H. Dangar, Esq.
24th May (Queen's Birthday).—We crossed into Transvaal Territory in the afternoon. A few days' rest and we moved off again north-west for a similar move to the north of Pretoria.
We marched through the Megaliesberg range at Crocodile Pont, about 14 miles west of Pretoria. Then, turning to our right, we camped north of Pretoria some 5 or 6 miles.
The following day, 6th June, we went to " Waterval" and released the British prisoners, or rather, the prisoners released themselves by breaking out on the arrival of our advanced scouts. From the 6th June, we have been operating north-west of where we now camp.
Prisoners.—When the prisoners were released, our lot (who were captured on patrol), with the exception of Ford and Whittington who had escaped, were among the released. They all looked thin, and were destitute of clothing. After being released, a Court of Inquiry was held, and found they were free from all blame. It was the 1st Cavalry Brigade that rescued them, and our squadron was in the advance guard.
(It appeared that there were some 3,000 prisoners altogether; and that they hastened to join the British troops. The sight' was characterized by Col. Lee as "novel.")
Eureka City, 12 miles from Barberton, 21st September, 1900.—On the 9th July, our Brigade was suddenly ordered south, to the east of the railway line.
After the engagement with Botha, we kept moving eastward on the south side of the Delagoa railway fine, thence towards Carolina, where we joined with General Buller. After a few days there, we moved north (leaving General Buller), keeping Belfast on our right. Our arrival at Waterval-Onder station caused the Boers to release the prisoners (except officers) they had at Noitegacht. Returning through ilachadodorp, we re-entered Carolina. Just before reaching here, Trooper Avard (New South Wales Lancers) was shot through the kidneys, and died some time afterwards.
Wittekop Farm, 15 miles east of Heidelberg, 25th October, 1900.—We have just reached this place from Barberton. Returning, we stayed a few days at Machadodorp, and then moved off towards this place, via Carolina, Ermelo, and Bethel. We were fighting from Carolina, a rear-guard action, right up to here. I had two men wounded. The casualties on the march to here are over 100.
- << Prev
- Next
