The San Francisco call., 1897-10-31

on my horse made for camp. Our reserve
re- enfrce ments came.up. Thus we
ad cur first exchange of civilities with
e Boer.
"The next morning we returned and
shelled the Beers out of their position.
The carbineers, in attacking, got warm
reception and lost several men. l had
narrow escape, two bullets passing through
my hat as ] lifted the captain off his
horse, he being severely wounded. Then
the artillery came up and made it too hot
for the Beers. who retired rapidly as their
iaager (fort) became demolished by our
field guns.
The New Y ear saw no i'm provement ia
our position. Sickness, hardshlps and
privations left their imprints upon our
people. There was little of Joy or pleasure
IN our midst that morning.
The Ninety-fOurth Regiment had been
ordered to leave Lydenburg and re port at
Pretoria. TRANSPORT was difficult to OBJ
tain and the downward march was de.
layed. A commi -sariat train of twenty
nine ox-wagons with other imped imenta
covering over mile in extent rendered
me company comparatively helpless, but
the tfficers in CHARGE had no idea that
Five hundred armed Beers lad left the
district of Potcheffstrom. The column
advanced, and on the 18th of December
had cam ped al Honev's Farm. At this
hating place Colonel Anstruther was told
that there was an assemblage of Beers
ahead, but all we've friendly and it was
only social gatherings fitting prelude
10 the butchery which followed.
1.-THE following day the column was
ain in motion, the band leading and
playing Kiss Me. Mother, Kiss Your Dar-
ling We had reached ford of the
Honde River, known as Bromkhurst
Sprint. The commanding officer was sur
prised to see ahead three mounted Beers,
bearing flag of truce. At the same time
large party of armed Beers was discov-
cred, under cover on the flank of the col
umn. One of the Beers handed Colonel
Anstruther paper which was afterward
picked up, blood-stained, on the field. In
substance 1t said: We will not permit any
movement OF troop. Any such action will
be equivalent TO a declaration of war
This document was signed by Presi-
dent Kruger his nephew, NJ. H. Prsto-
rious, aud others. OF course Colonel An
struther could only reply that his orders
were TO so 10 Pretoria and they must be
obeyed. During this interim discussion
the Beers got into position where
they had previously marked off the
distances to make their fire more &C.
curate.
Colonel Ans,ruther eturned to the head
of his troop. Some 12O men were in front.
the rest scattered among the wagons. No
sooner had he done this than we'll prepar-
ed fire came from the Beers, the captain and
half OF the non commissioned officers and
several men falling. Those still alive lay
down and returned the fire of the Beers.
who completely encircled the band
Colonel Austruther. wounded in five
places, lay in front OF the line. cheering
on the men, who kept up the fight un I'll
two-tbirds OF their number were killed,
Then. seeing il utter folly to further per-
sit. the colonel gave orders to cease fir.
ing. The am bushed Beers rose from their
cover and rode forward TO glory in the
deed they had so treacherousiy planned.
Some of the men had as many as
eleven bulle holes through them. The
diummer-boys and Mrs. Fox. wife of the
ergsant-major, were am ong the wounded.
Every officer was struck down. In many
cases their bodies were fairly riddled with
balls. One lady, accompanied by two
little children, escaped in miraculous
manner. The noble mother, forgettul of
all save her suffering companions, moved
among the wounded. tearing to ribbons
her clothing to help make bandages
for the suffering, whose life blood
stained the sparkling waters o. the Honde
River.
"The Beers were led by Franz Joubert.
He absolutely refused TO allow norses to
be given to the two messengers who were
permitted to bring he news to Pretoria,
and so the brave fellows were com pelled
to march all night, blood-stained and
wearied. One brave man had the colors