The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-30

nearly all their military undertaking.
famous.
A survivor Of Majuba tells Of ths
courage OF CORPORAL J. T. Farmer Of
the British army hospital corps A
small force. about 100 u all ranks. had
been got 10 the summit Of Majuba In
the night by the unfortunate General
colley. when day broke the Beers, IN
oyerN hslmnig force. stormed the
heights. and. surrounding the defen-
ders on three sides. proceeded 70 anni-
hllate them. The British ammunition
was exhausted. there was no bayonet
/ work. and nothing was left bur flight, for
the general. many otfer officers and
nearly 100 men were lying dead. and
there was a sorry 10; u wounded.
Farmer was with the wounded on a
plateau when the flight began. He
could have got away IKE the rest, but.
in spite Of the bullets which were rain
Ing around him. he stuck 10 his charge.
He raised A white handkerchief TO
show that he associated with the Rcd
Cross. The hand that waved the iI.tle
flag was shot through, and the linen
fell TO the grouad.
Despite his pain the valiant soldier
stopped down. picked up the handker-
chief. and waved 1t with his uninjured
limb. Again a bullet struck him, and
he could hold up the flag no more.
But his nfe was spared. and though
he had to undergo amputation and was
discharged on pensip N. h. was able to
take the Victoria Cross with him. for
In recognition Of his valor on Majuba
Hill that first of distinctions was con-
ferred on him. "T hHve seen some
plucky things in war" said the mar
raior. but never such a show OF pluck
as Farmers.
At Lairg's Mex. reverse though It
was to the English. there were embryo
V. c. men. The Fifty-eighth Foot. now
the Second Battalion Northampton
shire regiment, suffered heavy loss.
When the British were repulsed Licu-
tenart A. r. Hill. OF the Fifjy-eighth
Crnw maior), saw a wounded comrade
lying helpless. He seized the prpstrate
officer and began 10 hurry to shelter
with him. As he struggled a bullet
struck his burden and the comrade died
In the neutenant's arms. In spite Of
this terrible shock HIN rushed back 10
succor his unfortunate brethren. and
brought two OF the wounded people
safely into shslter. For these three
acts Of valor ne received the cross.
Other Transvaal heroes were Lance
Corporal James Murray and Private
John Danaher, Of the Second battalion
Cunnaught rangers; Private James
Osborne. Of the same corps a. Leuten-
ant Hin. and Private j. Doogan. OF
the First (King's) Dragon Guards.
Murray and Danaher. on January 1s
1881 during an affair with the Beers,
saw two Scots fusiliers, and Byrne and
Davis, lying WOUNDED on the plain, shot
by the Beers in the leighboring hills.
Both Murray and Danaher were noun
ted and they rode 10 the rescue. Muir
rays horse was shot under him. but he
hurried on foot to the wounded. reach
ing them at The same time as Danaher
While STOPPING 10 raise Byrne. MUIR
ray was shot through the body and
badly wounded. Believing that all was
lost, he ordered Danaher 10 look to
himself. Poor Byrne died almost i'm
mediataly, and Murray and Davis were
captured by the Beers, who also took
the dead man. Davis. too died speed
lily, so that the rescuers' valor was al
most in vain but TO each Of them the
cross was given. for Danaher had
made wonderously courageous efforts
at salvation.
Osborne's reward was given for a
similar act on February %. near Ma
juba, and Doogan was decorated for
valor at Lalng's Mex. We see. there
fore, that, while Majuba and Laing's
Mex are among the most sorrowtul Of
English military memories, they afford
also examples Of valor which are
among the brightest in the records Of
the Cross.