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
So many are the minor yet exciting incidents of war, that it is
impossible to recount them; yet in these minor incidents many glorious
lives have been heroically hazarded, and indeed sacrificed, with scarce
any recognition from the country in whose service the daring deeds were
done. Some idea of the adventures of scouting parties may be obtained
from an account given by the correspondent of the _Natal Times_ on the
25th of November.
"A patrol party of sixty members of the Rifle Association went out
to-day under Captains Gough and D. E. Simmons to locate the enemy on the
Berg side of the railway.
"They found the enemy encamped on Simmon's farm, and commissariat
waggons on Blaker's farm, about twenty-two miles from here, and seven
and a half west of Mooi River.
"On reaching the swollen river near Nourse Varty's farm, eight of the
party swam across on horseback to scale the kopje.
"While doing so, the scouts, who had been sent along the river-bank,
gave the alarm, and reported that the Boers were closing round the kopje
to cut them off.
"They at once retreated, and crossed the river, but the horses could not
climb the bank and returned riderless to the other side.
"The riders swam in and brought them back, and succeeded in dragging the
exhausted animals up, when they discovered that they had been the
victims of a false alarm.
"After resting, the party again crossed the river, leaving their clothes
behind.
"Without a vestige of clothing, they proceeded to a height a mile off,
and saw the Boers breaking up camp, and moving towards Ulundi Road.
"The naked party remained watching for an hour and a half, when Simmons
recrossed the river and came back to camp to report the news, leaving
Gough to report the enemy's further movements."
Here it must be mentioned that General Hildyard spoke most highly of the
members of the Rifle Association and of the admirable scouting done by
them. He said also that great credit was due to Captains Symonds and
Ross and their officers for the wonderful efficiency which they had
displayed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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