The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1901-02-14


Thus writes Joseph schweitcher. formerl,
a member Of the First Oregon volunteers
to J. c. Shillock, Minneapolis. who was
member of Co. L., 18th MINI. During thu
service of the two regiment In the Philip
pines Mr.. Shillock made the acquaintance
OF Joseph Schweitcher, who after being
mustered out of the service OF the United
States. went to South Africa to seek new
adventures
In recent communication received BY
Mr.. Snill book, from Schweitcher he offers
no comparison in fighting in Transvaal and
Mantle. While he casts no reflection on the
work of American troops, he decalres thai
IL is not to be compared with the endurance
and danger that characterizes the Boel
war.
THE LAST STRUGGLE.
'.Tbe final and last struggle for liberty
writes Mr.. Schweitcher, lis now being
brought by the Beers. Though l do moi
suppose it is being made known in England
1T is fact That they are stronger now
than ever. Assistance is coming in secret
ly from all the adjacent colonies, and the
reports circulated by English war cor
respondents that thousands of Beers are Civ
ing up and removing into the Portuguese
territory are d lies
Since l arrived here, about year and
a half ago, there has been nothing but
continual fighting. The work of the Boel
scouts is practically the life of the strug-
gle. Since the arrival OF European and
American soldiers, who come here to helI
the Beers ON their own hook, there has
been organized a corps of scouts, whose
only duties are to feam the conditions Of
the British.
1.-The numerous uniforms captured from
the British are justIthe thing for this kline
of work, and there are many scouts in
the British army now that they do moi
know if they hang one OF their own men
or spies from the, Boer army, after they
are mistrusted and convicted.
LIVE IN RUDE HrTS.
During the fight at Sauna Post there
were some Beers and their sons and grand
sons who were on duty to from As to 20 and
80 hours, and continually fighting. Fol
nine months many Of them have net seen
the inside of house.r Rude huts are being
built, in mountainous regions, which serve
as hospitals, headquarters, churches, in
truth, it is all some of the Transvaalers OWL
in the way of shelter.
Twenty men held back for over half a
day whole battalion OF British troops from
on top of little kopje, near a place called
Wilmington. 1t seemed that the British
could not summon courage enough to storm
the place, for fear of not knowing how
many there actually were. During this
scramble there was not single Boer killed
One was slightly wounded in the left loin
but not so seriously that he could not
continue.
when the insurgents attempted to attack
the railroad at Bigaad, Island Of Luzon, +
L. which fight is we'll remembered,
thought l would never live to another
night like it. l can assure any American
soldier that we weren't in it with some oil
the reckless attempts of these farmers and
ID fools, as the British call them.
I'VE are still in perious position on
account of the overwhelming majority OF
the British. The whole war can well be
called hand to hand fight, four to one
Delay in the arrival of supplies and other
causes of discomfort are causing trouble in
the British camps. An entire reorganiza
ton of the British troops is being effected
which, fortunately for us. | believe will
oompicate matters a great deal more than
ever