Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-04-04
A B0ER WAR INCIDENT.
Account of Commandant De
Wet'stMost Dashing Exploit.
GRAPHIC STORY OF ONE OF his MEN

duct of President Steyn TO Presl-
dent kruger Told by p. Pienar-A
Critical Moment-The Commandant
Was Overwrought.
P, Pienar has written In The Con-
temporary Review for March the fol-
aowing interesting account of Com
mandant Christian De Vets most
dashing exploit in the South African
war. The article, which is published
by permission Of the Leonard Scott
Publication company, is in part as fol-
lows:
" or the various exploits to the credit
of Hoofd Commandant Christian De
Wet there Is not one that for historical
importance will ever compare with his
dash through the British Gordon
around Fourdiesburg and subsequent
march into the Transyaal. He was
charged with the escort Of President
Steyn TO President Kruger. Nearly all
the members of the government &C
companied the president, and had the
British efforts to capture this COM
mando been as successful as they were
untiring the war would long since
have ended. However, De Wet got
through, and one who was there pro-
poses to tell how.
Bethlehem had been taken. We were
cooped up in the mountains. News
from the Transvaal was discouragtng.
Something had to be done, and we
determined to break through, neck or
nothing. 1t was In the dusk Of bit
terly cold and windy day that we
moved forward into Retiefs mex, 1900
horsemen In front and rear, the guns
mostly captured Armstrong; and not
much loved of our gunners, In the CEN
ter and a wagon train fully four miles
long forming the columns backbone.
The next evening the real march be-
gan. We moved forward out Of the
mex at a fair pace, hating every now
and then to let the wagons close up.
At first not a sign could be seen of
the British, and fears Of an ambush
began to be whispered. The advance
was continued in the most cautious
manner. Presently, however, the Brit
ish camp was observed. There 1t lay
in the blackness not thousand yards
from the road, evidently fast asleep
and ripe for a surprise. De Wet held
his hand, for the Issues involved were
too grave, and our column passed by
In silence and secrecy. Shortly after,
the moon rose, and by its light we pass
ed and cut the telegraph wire connect
ing Bethlehem and Senekal. At mid
night we halted, safely through the
Gordon.
A few days later we were almost
captured. A convoy had been observed
to our left, and commando left to at
tempt its capture. When they were
busily engaged. a large body Of Eng
lish swooped down upon the laager
from the right The wagons were has
tily inspanned and sent off, and the
men took up positions to keep the Eng
ush back. The commando which had
been drawn off by the convoy got back
Just in time to save the situation, but
80 close a call was 1t that after sunset
the British Nordenfeldts could be seen
splitting fire on our retreatlng wagons.
Fighting now slowed down a little,
and we began to think more Of the
problem before US than Of the enemy
behind. Very few were in De Vets
confidence, but all could see that we
should have to cross the railway and
probably at fortified point. At last
we came in sight Of the railway. The
long column halted. 1t was now 4 in
the afternoon. We had started that
morning at 10, with the enemy in close
pursuit. In the distance was seen the
railway line-the line that must be
crossed that night or never. Suddenly
a train appeared, steaming slowly
along. Look, look! See the smoke"
Can they see us| or course they
could, and a warm reception that night
appeared probable. Some became very
thoughtful. A few even made their
wills. All were determined While
the wagons and carts were being form
ed into eight separate columns the
burghers. lying in groups on the veldt,
discussed a simple meal and gave their
Mausers a Hnal polishing. AS dusk
fell the word was given to advance
One troop Of horsemen swept away to
the right, another to the left, while the
main body moved slowly forward.
President Steyn at the head. De Wet
galloped from column to column on his
white horse, arranging. swearing, jok-
ing Under the stars we moved along,
a silent, resolute body OF men. We
near the railway. We see light. 1t Is
that Of q train, which, standing mo-
tionless upon the track, appears to US
like some giant sentinel. We approach
to within go yards and halt De Wet
dismounts, steals forward and with his
own hand places a stone on the track.
He returns. The train moves slowly
forward, strikes the obstruction and
stops. The driver gets down, lantern
In hand. and removes the stone, all un-
conscious Of his danger and our pres
ence. "Shall l shoot himf whispers
some one. Nor says De Wet He Is
right. A deep stiffness reigns, broken
at intervals by the ne!ghing Of some
restless stallion. Curse the brute! All
sit motionless, every nerve at the high
est tension. longing for something, any
thing, to break the spell. The trucks
and carriages may be filed with sol
diers. and an engagement might spoil
everything. De Wet Is overwrought.
Back. president; back a little wayv'
he urges hoarsely. Steyn does not stir.
Then slowly-ah, so slowly-the train
moves on, and we cross the line, draw
ing long breath as we reach the other
side. Soon every vehicle is safely over,