The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-01-30

~ NV XVI GSS the Victoria
va @-N8IAl cross or being
1bNHN1 gazetted and |
RsA.y7%llEZ&1 reigning as the |
SEE95I hero of the hour |
AelG for nine days or |
W W. so. but whatever |
~ theimpulse there
is something grand in a man who. in
'se possession Of his full senses. dares
death for any reward. Let it be am
bition or pride or that very common
desire 20 beat the other fellows game
which spurs OH the ball player, there
are comparatively few men with the
nerve to face the ordeal for weeks and
weeks and in the supreme moment
take the plunge like an immortal
In the bloody battles which opened
the war in South Africa the officers on
the British side suffered terribly under
Boer craftsmanship Whether this was
due to recklessness or an itching for
scars and glory or in the ordinary pur-
suit of duty can only be conjectured.
But the details which come to light
seem to show that many of them were
cut down in some very natural and
commemorate action. AT the battle of
Belmont where General Methuen had
his first stubborn fight on the way to
relieve Kimberley, Colonel keith-F al-
coner was shot through the chest and
killed Instantly. He commanded the
lancers and went out to reconnoitei
the Boer lines Climbing the height
1,-o nri
within 400 yards of the enemy before
discovering the danger.
Suddenly the Beers opened fire upon
the lancers. and among those who fell
was Lieutenant Bevan. Colonel keith
Falconer rushed to the aid of his
wounded comrade. intending to carry
him back out of danger, and was him
self cut down in the act. A lieutenant
was killed and two We're wounded on
the spot where the colonel fell. Lieu
tenant Brooke of the lancers had q
most marvellous escape. but his adven-
lures were all in the line of duty.
While sketching the Boer position the
lieutenant advanced ahead of his troop
ers and dismounted to sketch. Sud
denly party of Beers opened fire. All
the first shot Brooke sprang into the
saddle, and bullet grazed his leg as
he did SO, second riddled his helmet
and a third killed his horse There
was nothing to do but to run for it
with mounted Beers in hot pursuit. Al
intervening wire fenced saved the lieu
tenant, for he skillfully climbed II
while the bullets fell thick around him
but the Beers stopped at the barrier
and peppered away at the fleet Briton
Brooke evidently bore Il charmed life
and was he reckless or only brave?
In the armored train fight near Bel
mont one old veteran of the Blacl
Watch exposed himself recklessly il
clearing away the derailed trucks. II
the same fight volunteer remained
coolly in position. firing and crackin!
jokes to keep his comrades in nerve
yet he was suffering keenly from hay
ing an ear shot away completely.
corporal. wounded and lying upon hi
back. shouted to his fellows. give 'er
beans. boys!" The chief victim o
Boer Mausers at Elandslaagte wa
Colonel Scott Chisholme of the In
perial Light horse. The Imperial
charged beside the Gordon highland
ers, going in dismounted. During til
charge Colonel Chisholme took cove
once or twice. showing that he did nc
court death. but generally went anon
his troops. giving them encouragin
words. At the last ridge he stopped I
tie up the leg Of wounded troope
and was himself shot in the leg. Will
erect bullet struck him in the. ches
and trooper caught him as he fel
saying, Hadn't you better go bac1
colonel?" Just then bullet pierce
his brain.
Calamity Of the British masses /;
the battle of Elandslaagte is evide1
from tho losspS