The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-03-09
A G0LFER IN TnE WAR
Tait, Ex-Amnfeur Champion, Tells
How lie Got Hia Wound at
the Front.

10 irlend IN Euinbufgn, Mf. lalt
has given an interesting account Of his
thrilling experiences at Magersfontein.
He writes from Wynberg hospital un-
der date December IS, as follows;
II am down here for little change
OF air, having received a Mauser bullet
through my left thigh. II is lucky
wound, as the bullet missed both artery
and bone. am a bit stiff, and can't
walk much, but hope to be up at the
front again in fortnight or so. My
poor regiment has suffered awfully--
seven officers killed, II wounded, and
the total is, l believe, 355 killed and
wounded-that is to say, well over one
third Of our strength. We marched off
from our bivouac, about four miles
from the enemy's position, at 1880 a.
IN. on the 11th (Monday), intending to
attack at dawn. Our force consisted of
the Highland brigade, Ninth and
Twelfth lancers, four batteries, includ-
ing howitzer battery, and the Guards
brigade in support. 1t was an excep-
tionally dark night, and we had to go
over very difficult country Glow prickly
bushes and rocks).
"Ths Gordon Highlanders were left
with the baggage, and did not come into
action till late in the day. We got Rotk- !
ing to eat before starting. The Black
Watch led the march, with the Seaforth
second, the Ninety-tirst third and the
II. L. l. last. Naturally, we had to 90
very slowly. The march went on all
right until about two a. M, when n
tremendous thunderstorm burst over
us. We got soaked to the skin, As
the rain came on the night got darker
and darker, and we got pretty well
mixed up.
About four a. m. we could just dim
ly see the outline Of the kopje, which,
we understood, was the position, about
500 yards off. We had halted and were
to deploy 1--WE were at that
time in the mass of quarter column}
when the most internal fire was opened
On us from about $50 yards in front
THAT is to say, between us and the
xopje). We got the order to lie down,
tx bayonets and charge. got in front
If the frontscompany and charged. In
his charge we got about 100 yards, but
lad to lie down again as we were los
ng very heavily We charged again
md got another so yards forward, but
his time it was good deal lighter,
nd we got bowled over like rabbits.
got plugged few yards in front Of
he line, and two Of my fellows pulled
ne back, as could not walk. 1t was
ow fairly light, and | could see the
'oer trenches fairly distinctly well in
ront of the kopje. We had only about
90 men with us; the remainder had !,
loved off to attack more to the right. :
ou won't believe it, but / tell you we !
amained there not more than 200 yards :,
rom the trenches from about 4:30 a.
!. to seven p. M, getting plugged at !,
II the time, and that out of the men
| that line not more than five or six .
ere unhit. Some poor fellows had :,
) many as four bullets through them, !
ld some more. =
Il tried shooting at the Beers for !
me time, but gave it up, as every !.
me / fired | got about dozen shots ..
return. Gen. Wauchope, our colonel, \
i'd one or two other officers were killed =,
it'll this lot. Poor young Wauchope =,
so got hit here four times, and was :
It picked up till the next morning. :,
: is very plucky fellow, and is get h,
1g on fairly well under the circum- :,
ances. expected to get one through :,
e head any moment, SO | made my :,
If as comfortable as my leg would per- b.
It and smoked a cigarette. l got h.
llet through my haversacl1, another
azed my heel and any number hit the ~
nd in front of my head. The sand was !,
,kily soft, so none of the bullets ~
ocheted, but stopped where they hit -
vas helped by two men to field hos ~
al, and arrived there about ten p. -
and got dressed The next day / -
3 sent in a hospital train to this ~
ice, about 100 miles off."-Golf Illus - -
ted. as