Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-23
Anecdotes of the Boet War

Lucas Meyer took Dundee from the British they cautured General Sy- mons's headquarters. The officers had been surprised at dinner, and left the table all set. The Boers took the chairs of their foes and began a feast.
 When they saw the cut glass finger bowls of the British they exclaimed:
 Now did you ever see such wicked ex- travagance as these English capital ists are showing? Here they are drink ing Whiskey out of regular basins. Is not this enough to Justify war?'
 One day l was standing at the sta ton at Machadodorp when l saw a long line of British soldiers appearing over the hills to the west. At first 1t seemed like the advance guard Of Lord RobertS's army. But soon 1 perceived thatthey. were on foot and accompanied by about twenty mounted Boers. It was batch of 6OO prisoners coming from De Wet in the Free State. They were to be entratned at Nachadodorp for NoOitSedacht, the new Boer prison after Pretoria was taken by the Bit ish. The populace gathered around in a quiet way. No jeers were heard. nc tauntS, no threats. The Boers are the most remarka ble people for stolidity l ever saw. When some Highlanders came in the Boer women seemed shocked ar the peculiar paucity of the garment, and turned away.
 There was contingent of the Irish brigade present under Captain O'Con- nor. They, too, like the Boers, were
 usually quiet until an Irishman ap- peared wearing the shamrock on his collar. This was too much for his compatriDts. They crowded around him and told him IO take ir off. ''-Ach, it's enough to be sarvin' the base ty- rants; but wearin' the green while yir doin' it. Begob I'd loike to shtring up the villain to q lamp post.". The Irish patriots talked late in the camp that night. The subject was largely about the shamrock. 1 heard MT Dar- cy say as he rose to go to his tent: The divvil damn the Irishman was that. He's one of thin cockney scabs from Birmingham
 AS rule the Irishmen with the Boers were very kind to the 1rishmen they captured from the British army. After the battle of Nicholsons Nek it is said that GOU captured Irishmen offered their services to old Dom Paul. I asked q young Irishmen how the Dublin Fusileers seemed to feel being captured by their own country men. ''Ach, begorra, feel, they never woz as proud and continued in all their born days, sur, and every wan of thin WoZ as drunk as a Lord.''
 The night the Boers entertained their prisoners at Nachadodorp went among the Engushmen and talked with them about their capture and their march or 25O miles. They toll, me that Christian De Wet was q gen tleman, that he gave them all their personal property and allowed them to take their servants with them. At Ermelo they had bought fruit from the townspeople. At first oranges Were ten-pence q dozen; but the Im- perial Ieomanry prisoners had lots of money. and they raised the price of oranges to half q crown or 60 cents. There were several flsticufr fights among the prisoners when the poorer of the Tommies learned what the Yeo- manry had done. The Boers took the side of the Tommies.
 The Englishmen shook hands with their guards. when they parted with
 
 guards were to go on the cars. These were old, typical, bearded Boers. The train moved out and the guards, who were smoking and talking. did not get on till it was in motion. Then it was fun to see the old fellows running to catch the cars. The Englishmen laughed and holding out their hands pulled up their guards, gun and boards and all, and tumbled them in among the prisoners. There Is far more bit ter feeling shown by folks at home who read the bulletins than by the men who make the history and do the fighting. l saw no race hatred as be- tween man and man. The prejudice, if any exists, has been worked up by ag1tators.
 1 visited the English prisoners at Nooitgedacht means NO body would have thought it. q very name. Here were nine teen hundred private soldiers and twenty three officers. Among the officers were NIT Goschen, nephew of the first lord Of the admiralty. Lord Leitrim, and many of the most arlsto- cratic men in England. In fact one day Christian De Wet captured three grandsons Of the Queen of England and not knowing his prize he let them go. While 1 was in the office Of the states secretary, Mir Reitz, letter came from Lord Le1tri1n. It was q l good Irish letter, asking for a leave of bsence to go home and celebrate his 1 twenty first birthday. l believe it was granted.
 The British boys in prison were a I jolly lot. They used to charf the old l .wachtmeister" or jaller, MT Norval. | Can't we have some meat? inquired | bix Saxon lad from Northumber- and. Your government has held up 10, GOO boxes of corled beef at Loren 70 Marquez, or you would have plen- V of meat" said Norval. "Oh. bother, ,our corned beef," shouted Ieoman- .yman, Il wished Butler would send LU,ugO men," Some of the Tommies were allowed to go outside the prison which was situated among lofty noun ains. These favored ones would gath IT wood for the camp fires which were much needed because of the cold lights. May, June, July and August Ire the cold months. Sometimes the commies would try to run away. Then he old wacfitmeiSte would sit down