South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 2 (of 8): From the Commencement of the War to the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899Creswicke, Louis
History
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 2 (of 8): From the Commencement of the War to the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec. 1899
Creswicke, Louis
South African War, 1899-1902; Transvaal (South Africa) -- History
The enemy, triumphant, then opened fire with a Maxim and two 9-pounders
from a kopje covered with brushwood, while Boer sharpshooters hidden in
dongas and behind boulders also assisted. The Dublins and Volunteers
fought gallantly; thrice they drove the enemy back, but the brave
fellows, already suffering from the shock of having been shot with great
force on the line, were from the first at a disadvantage, and unable at
once to gather themselves together to meet the instantaneous fire of the
Dutchmen. All they could do was to scramble to their feet--some were too
securely jammed under the trucks to be freed--take up a position as firm
as barked knees and bruised spines would allow, and defend themselves
against the sudden attack. Mr. Churchill and Lieutenant Frankland
immediately called for volunteers to help in clearing the line. Many
hearty voices responded. Wildly they worked amid a hailstorm of bullets
to free the engine and remove the wreckage, Mr. Churchill, between the
screams of the injured and the rattling of the rifles, rallying the men
and helping them, though every moment volley after volley picked off
some of their numbers and sensibly thinned them. Some of these men were
not only men but marvels; they worked with the zeal of giants and the
pluck of heroes. Vigorously the Dublins and Durhams continued to fire at
the unseen enemy, while the rest of the party by sheer main force got
the engine into working order, smashing everything in its way, and
packing it, as tenderly as possible, with the helpless creatures whose
groans and cries were in themselves enough to make the blood of the
stoutest hearts run cold. Every man seemed bent on eclipsing the courage
of his comrade and following the example set by the gallant war
correspondent. Sergeant Bassett of the Dublins roared his orders with
firm and steady voice, giving his men the range with an air of cool
unconcern that was truly reassuring, while Wright of the Durham Light
Infantry was also conspicuous. During the turmoil he fired from the knee
in the regular position, and was as calm and collected as if he had been
at a rifle-range. With each shot he cracked a joke and kept his comrades
from getting excited. All this time the poor fellow was wounded, half
his right ear having been shot away. Private Kavanagh, the wag of the
Dublins, chaffed his comrades, telling them the Boer shells were
harmless, they could hit nothing "at all, at all!" and Corporal Dickie,
though wounded and lying on his back, continued to bellow to his mates,
"Give 'em beans, boys! give 'em beans!" And meanwhile Mr. Churchill,
though rained on with lead and almost stunned by the noise, was coolly
giving directions for the lifting of the wounded and for the moving of
the engine. Finally, he had the satisfaction of getting the engine and
tender safely charged with their mutilated human freight and started on
the melancholy return journey. Swiftly the train steamed off, protected
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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