The Dickinson press., 1901-03-02
Stabler'S Letter.

Less than a year ago George left
Dickinson for South Africa and his form
er ranch. as we'll as Dickinson, acquain-
tances will be interested in the accom-
panying letter taken from the St. Paul
Dispatch:
The following letter, just received by
Mrs. Edward F. Staples of St. Cloud.
Mimi. from her brother, Geo. E. Stabler,
under date Of Glands, Kraal. South
Africa, Jan. 10, contains much interest
ing reading. Young Stabler left St.
Cloud some ten years ago. His relatives
heard from him occasionally from Dick
inson, N. D., where he was located.
Last May his trunk was shipped to St.
Cloud and fortnight later a letter was
received under date of New Orleans,
saying that he was about to take passage
for Cape Town, where he enlisted in the
English army.
The letter reads as follows: II ex-
pect you are enjoying nice. cool weather
in Minnesota now Well, it is as hot as
the hub of hi here. Just think of a hot
Christmas and New Years. would like
very much to see a little snow, but won't
this year. will make tracks back home
just as soon .as II can get out of this
country, and l hope that will be by Feb.
IS, but cannot tell for certain. l have
received but one letter since coming
from the States. A man stands little
show Of getting his letters down here,
and it is a scratch if he does.
SWELL, l will tell you about a battle
that we did not win, and in which we
were beautifully trimmed down. The
encounter took place Dec. 18th at a place
called "Nooitgedacht." which being
translated, means "never thought it"
The name applied to III case, to the let:
ter, for we never did,"
1.-THE papers will not say a whole lot
about that fight, but it was a daisy. We
we're under command of Gen. Clemens,
and are, at this writing. The Beers were
under Delarey. He had between 5000
and 1000 men against our 1000 or l,1oo.
The fight commenced at 3:45 in the
morning, and lasted, including the rear
guard action in the retirement, until
nightfall. We had about 300 men on top
of a hill and the Beers went after them
$500 strong. We stood them off until
ammunition gave out, and then sur
rendered. That gave the enemy the
camp, and the battle was terrific. Flesh
and blood could moi Withstand such odds
-2,5oo rifles pouring down on us at 300
yards range. was n of the party of
ten men, INT into the center of the
camp into an old stone kraal, to check
the advance, while the rest of them re-
tired. We commenced firing as fast as
we could and succeeded in our purpose
for a few moments, thus letting the guns
and a few wagons get away. We then re-
tired by 6ves. l retired fifty yards first.
Then they came to me and l retired
again to an old garden wall and the
officers retired after the column. This
left FIVE of us alone and we concluded it
was about time to get out. Some of the
boys wanted to shoot some more, but l
had a great suficiency, and struck out.
In less time than can tell it, a score or
more rifles were directed my way, and
bullets were awfully thick. How l got
away l don't know, unless my time had
not arrived. l soon reached a thick
growth of long grass, and crawling on
my stomach to a big rock, sat down be-
hind it to rest. As | started up the hill,
the enemy cut loose on me again. Their
aim was bad and l was soon out of range.
The boys that stayed behind for sat
isfactien' were taken prisoners or killed.
was the only n to get away safely.
"We expected an attack JAM 2, but the
Beers flew the coop and l was glad they
did. We could have whipped them but
not without great loss to US. 1 shall
be home by May"
Young Stabler is a member of o648
Tenth reserves, Kitchener's horse, South
African field force. His mother, two sis
tiers and one brother live here. He is a
corporal.