The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-04-05
FIGHT
ON THE VELDT
Running Battle For Eight Miles
Between Beers and British.
CRUELTY TO THE PRISONERS
AUSTRALIANS PUNISHED FOR
MISTREATING CAPTIVES.

T ONDON, April 4.-The war office
today issued an official statement
Of the facts in regard to the Aus
tralians sentenced for numbering Boer
prisoners. as follows:
The Bushveldt carbineers, who were
recruited in South Africa, but included
other colonials, were employed in July
and August in the widest part Of the
Transvaal, eighty miles northeast Of
Petersburg. and took a certain number
Of prisoners. Grave irregularities on
the part Of certain officers of the corps
came to the knowledge of the military
officers in October, and an investigation
was ordered by Lord Kitchener. As a
result. five officers were tried by 4
court-martial at Petersburg in Janu-
airy, 1902. and were found guilty, as
principals or accessories, to twelve
murders. Lieutenants Hancock and
Morant were sentenced to death, which
was carried out.
These officers we're also charged with
the murder Of the Rev. c. Reese, Al
though there was strong suspicion that
they committed the murder, the evil
dence was not considered sufficient to
Wilton was found guilty of murder and
was sentenced 70 death, but there were
mitigating circumstances, and the sent
ence was committed to life imprison-
ment at penal servitude.
One Was Cashiered.
Lieutenant Picton was found guilty
of manslaughter and was cashiered
Major Lenahan, commanding the carbl-
neers. who became aware of the crimes
subsequent to their cOmmittal, was con-
victed of culpably neglecting to report
them and was ordered home to Aus
tralia, his discharge being unnecessary
owing 20 the dishand0nment of the
corps. No doubt exists as to the guilt
/ of the accused, whose plea, in extenua-
ton, that a number of their corps were
iIi-treated by the Beers. was not sUs-
tanned by the evidence at the trial. The
sentences were such as would have
been inflicted on any officers similarly
guilty"
London. April 4.-There was severe
fighting all day long March 81 in tbs
neighborhOOd Of Harris river, in the
southwestern extremity of the Trans
vaal. between part Of General Kitchen
er's force and the forces of General:
DelaTey and Kemp, resulting in Jn'
/ repulse Of the Beers after heavy losses
on both sides The Canadian rife!
/ especially distinguished themselves. ont
! party. commanded by Lieutenant Bruce
/ Carruthers, holding its post until ever!
man was killed or wounded
Lord Kitchener's oIhciaI report. dated
/ from Pretoria, yesterday evening, says
Running Battle on Veldt.
General Kitchener Oord Kitchener
/ brother) sent Colonies Kerr and Cook
! son from Vriekuit, western Transvaai
/ March 81. to reConnOiter toward Hart
: river They soon struck the track o
/ guns and carried on running fight 70
eight miles, following the track througl
the bush. Emerging on a plain larS
. Boer re-infOrcements advanced agains
: their TANKS. forcing the British troop
to take up defensible position, Whicl
they hastily entrenched. Fighting en-
J sued at close quarters until the BOer
were reDulsed on all sides. Delarey
Kemp and other leaders vainly at
tempted to persuade their men to renew
the action.
Fifteen hundred Beers participate
in the engagement, but they had SUI
fered too heavily and cleared away L
the northwest and south. The Births
, losses also were severe. The Can2di2l
rifles especially distinguished them
selves. one party, commanded by Lieu
tenant Bruce Carruthers, holding it
post until every man was killed o
! wounded. Others OF the forces shove
great steadiness. allowing the Beers {
/ advance within 200 yards of them an
repelling them with a steady rifle fire.