South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 4 (of 8): From Lord Roberts' Entry into the Free State to the Battle of KarreeCreswicke, Louis
History
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 4 (of 8): From Lord Roberts' Entry into the Free State to the Battle of Karree
Creswicke, Louis
South African War, 1899-1902; Transvaal (South Africa) -- History
_Daily Telegraph_ (London):--Early morning while camp asleep
rose prepared my coffee saddled horse left camp each side lay
poor wearied soldiers fast asleep dreaming doubtless home
mothers wives sweethearts some tossed uneasily hard veldt moon
shone pouring paling with silver light features [please insert
here one my night-before-battle scenes No. 4] but I could not
help feeling Army doing wrong sleep knew enemy front determined
myself go forward find out position enemy passed outlying
picket told officer keep good look out as knew enemy front
officer answer and actually wished prevent me passing picket
but when told him my name allowed pass sun now rising glorious
[insert sunrise scene No. 2] moved cautiously forward saw near
distance kopje approached near suddenly whole kopje burst forth
into flame of flashes bullets whizzed past but I remained still
counting carefully each flash till I found out exactly number
Boers then putting spurs galloped back full speed flying past
picket sentries horse lines arrived myself and horse breathless
Field Marshal's cart dismounted saluted told him I had
discovered fifty enemy in position four miles on. Field marshal
drinking coffee said thank you continued eating breakfast I
then developed to him my plan campaign drew statement correct
map. Field marshal continued breakfast again said thank you I
left him field marshal following my plan ordered two companies
Mounted Infantry reconnoitre position which did with loss one
man six horses wounded [insert famous "Vulture Scene"].
_Daily News_ (London):--Again British arms successfully came
contact enemy locating position number with great exactness
early morning two companies mounted infantry under Major Jones
pushed just as sun tinging kopjes with ruby light saw kopje
front which from indications appeared be held enemy opening
into skirmishing order small force advanced till within rifle
range when enemy opened heavy fire Major Jones having found
what he wanted immediately ordered retirement of force without
replying to enemys fire our loss man wounded six horses enemys
loss unknown but must be enormous value of horses wounded about
£150.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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