The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-05-05

seeing the Briton turn his back on us
once more. Time after time we drove
the English from their guns. The day
before the battle Commandant Nichardt
came to me and told me that he wanted
me to go to Colenso with the pick OF
my men. OF course was only too
happy to get the opportunity, as knew
we would have some stiff fighting. We
rode 10 miles with guns and wagons in
two hours, under blazing sun. The
following morning we were saddled up
at $3.50 a. m. and at 4 a. m. the COM
mandant sent for the 'majoor' Gas he
calls me) to accompany him on to the
kopje in order to have look at the
Briton lines. After look at the Saxon
enemy, rode back for my men and
posted them close at hand, and myself
took up my position alongside one of
our big guns. 1t was glorious sight to
see our cannon 1--WE had only two and
Making hunt the Saxons like red
shanks from their guns. The British
certainly had not less than 4S pieces,
and of these we captured ten, and there
were six more taken higher up the river.
The boosted British pluck was not much
in evidence. They outnumbered us by
six to one. After few hours cannon
aiding our muskets commenced to ring
out. l was getting tired of looking on;
and at my. request Commandant Mich
ardt Che has great faith in me) allowed
ME to take my men out to one of the
kopjes nearer the enemy. l led my men
across an open plain under heavy fire
from British cannon and rifles. The
burghers were astonished to see us gal
Looping over the plain as merry as if we
were going to wedding. One shell
went within few yards of my horses
nose; he swerved to one side, and tu1n-
bled somersault in the air, and thence
to mother earth. A half dozen of my
men came at once to my assistance, and
Sergeant Major O'Reilly insisted on
walking the horse broadside between me
and the enery's fire until we reached
our destination. implored him to go
away, as did not want him to be shot:
but all to no avail. He said he would
not desert his commanding officer. He
is married and the father OF seven chill
dren. In fact I had to drive seven or
eight away, and two of them gallopcd
across the line OF fire after my horse.
Thank God, did not lose single man.
killed or wounded. Some one must have
been praying for us in old Ireland, for
the place was literally ploughed with
shell. After we had driven the English
back MIR. Cortrey (aidc-de-camp to
Comlnandant Nicllardt) and myself
rode out to where the English cannon
stood, and we had the pleasure OF arrest
ing Lieutenant-Colon Bullock and
taking him back to camp. On his way
back he asked if his men could have
some fresh meat, etc, to eat; and l told
him thought not, as we had nothing to
eat ourselves all day; and he then insisted
on my taking a biscuit from him, and
wanted to share his flask with me- AS I
write some OF the cannon we captured
at Colenso are playing on Ladysnitl,,
and / can hear the shells whistlng
through the air We Lett Colenso two
days after the fight; and here we are
Smelling the town, and patiently waiting
for the English to show some fight.
The burghcrs are splendid fighters,
and can hold their own against all COM
ers.
II have been in some very tight cor
ncrs, but have gone through so far
without scratch | never asked my
men anywhere yet that | did not lead
them.
II was at the head OF the first detach-
mcnt OF the brigade that crossed the
border into Natal 1t is glorious thing,
you know, to ride at the head OF armed
men into the British empire.
"Tl,e green flag has arrived safe, and
is to be formally presented to the brig
AIDE by Mrs. Nichardt on Saturday next.
The Free Skaters are splendid fight
ers, and possess any amount of pluck
and dash. They would have held on to
the British forts on the 9th if the rein
forccments arrived in time AS it was,
they held them all day.
Colonel Blake is back in command
again; and l am glad, as it takes lot
OF responsibility off my shoulders"
Campaign Catchwords.
During the memorable campaign OF
1896, the republicans patented all the
words and nhrases in the ENGLISH Ian