Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-04-28
ICopyrIght, 1850. By

have been sent by the generals to coin
pliment this body of men. AS this Is
the drst time the Dominion has taken
up the foreign quarrels Of the empire
the event is significant. The desire for
military glory Is catching and ineradi-
cable. Naturally there was opposition
In Canada TO this new departure in CO
lonal policy. but In spite of vigorous
protest the cabinet decided to take the
step the moment the war was ON. The
first contingent, battalion Of yolun-
teers numbering 1000 men, was dis
PATCHED to Cape Town in November,
and the men ate their Christmas dinner
IN the height Of South African sum-
mer.
The Canadians were sent to South
Africa to tgllr, not simply to make
show Of loyalty. The commander SO.
lected. Colonel William D, Otter, Is
known throughout Canada as the best
soldier in the militia service of the
colony. But he is not simply a holi-
day parade soldier. Over so years ugo
he went out with bis command against
the raiding Fenians. and In 1885 he
west rebellion. All bis bent Is for ar
tillery life, and his energies and talents
have been given 10 tie development Of
serviceable mjitiamen. In organiz.n.
bis battalion Colonel Otter had the
pick of the yeung men OF Canada. The
recruits were unmarried and were put
to severe test Not more than one in
ten passed the examining officers, and
these were chiefly those Of athletic
habit and training. the crack ball play
ers, riders and hunters Of the prov
inces, all of which We're represented,
and Of these the first chance was given
to those trained in the militia
The Canadians Joined General Me-
thuens column north Of the Orange
river late in December. After the bat
tie OF Belmont these soldiers were put
at work to reconstruct the damaged
railroad. Men who enlist to fight do
not take kindly to any form of labor,
but the Canadians were chosen he
cause their habits were hardy and
their training Of practical nature.
Like all Americans, they are resource
full, and have the pioneer spirit Of
adapting themselves to circumstances.
In the field around Belmont while the
army waited to gather new strength
for an advance toward Kimberley the
Canadians were given a taste Of war in
South Africa, On New Years day
contingent which had been mounted on
buck wagons set out from Belmont on
the expedition known as Pitchers raid.
The detachment also comprised mount
ed rifles. fusileers and Royal Horse ar
tillery. all quick moving troops. The
last stretch of the march, which cover
ed 15 miles, was made In the night un-
der the guidance Of loyal citizens. and
ut daylight on the I'd the raiders were
within gunshot Of the enemy at Sunny
side kopje.
Captain Barker's Toronto company
was assigned to support the guns of
the horse artillery, which opened the
hall by a vigorous shelllng of the Boer
laager. The Boer outposts were sur
prised and bolted after drawing blood
FROM the coloplals, Then Major dc
Rougemont took his. guns at gallop
to within 1.500 yards of the laager and
opened fire. The first shells went howl
Ing among the Boer tents. and their oc.
cupapts rushed out to man the trench
es on the slope Of the kopje above the
living quarters. From there they open
ed dire upon Rougemont's guns and
their supports. Nothing dauptad. the
Canadians dashed ahead of the battery