The Right Hon. Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal
17, Victoria Street,
London, England
TWYFREAAR COURT
August 16th, 1900.
Dear Lord Strathcona,
I have been notified that Her Majesty wishes to have representatives of the different Colonial Corps now serving in South Africa parade before her at the termination of the war. In the regiment there are 26 officers and 459 men who desire to return home to Canada via England, and to take part in the review before Her Majesty.
I do not know how many will be permitted to go to England, but perhaps your Lordship would be able to ascertain from Horse Guards.
The great majority of the men are Canadians by birth and I think in a case of this kind they should be given first chance.
I would be obliged if your Lordship would let me know as soon as convenient.
We started our advance Northward on the 7th inst. The enemy was entrenched with guns in the Rooi Kopjes, not far off, and it was intended to take these and occupy Amersfoort that day.
The 3rd Mounted Brigade covered the left and left flank of the advance and Strathcona's Horse formed the advance guard of the Brigade. The regiment had a very trying time of it as it was found necessary to change the front so often that the advance guard sometimes became the flanking patrols. In fact, at one time so many were out screening the Brigade that only one troop remained with headquarters. The object was carried out and "B" Squadron marched through Amersfoort and had picquets placed on the heights before the Army arrived. The losses in the Infantry were 25 wounded, 2nd Cavalry Brigade 5 wounded, our own 1 man, Regl.No. 304, Pte. Menteth, W.E.S., shot in the face and jaw. The men behaved splendidly displaying great caution.
On account of grass fires the baggage and supplies did not arrive until the following morning, and we halted for the day. On Thursday the regiment again found the advance guard covering, with the 3rd Mtd. Brigade, the right and right front of the advance. There was heavy firing on this flank all day. One of the Imperial Guides attached to the Brigade being shot. The Pom-Pom under Lt. Magee did excellent work, killing four of the enemy. Two others were also killed by our rifle fire. 4 prisoners were taken. Lt. Pooley's troop did good work with his troop in driving a party of Boers who had taken shelter in a donga. We had a long march back to camp and the next day were kept in reserve. The next day in marching Begin-der-lyn we experienced a South African dust storm. One Squadron under orders from Lord Dundonald was sent forward to seize Ermelo, if possible. This was done. The telegraph and other public offices were taken possession of the posts established in the town under Major Jarvis. The army did not arrive until the day after. The town is a very pretty place and a good many of the people seemed to be well disposed and all viewed our men with considerable curiosity, being the first Canadian troops they had seen. The Brigade halted here on Sunday. Monday night was spent at Klipstapel, the source of the Vaal River. Tuesday was another interesting day for the regiment. About noon Lord Dundonald ordered me to send a squadron and one troop of "A" to go forward and search the town of Carolina. I sent Major Belcher in command. He was fired upon from stone walls close to the town. He advanced the men in skirmishing order, drove the enemy out of the position and through the town. The place was held long enough to allow the Provost Marshal to complete the work of searching. The contents of the magazine were blown up before leaving, and a lot of ammunition and two prisoners taken. Three of the men on the right flank arrived in the town after the squadron had withdrawn and were forced to stay there owing to the darkness and the condition of their horses. They pretended to the inhabitants, who were mostly hostile, that they were part of a big force which had surrounded the town. Before leaving in the morning they succeeded in getting a lot of valuable information as to the whereabouts of the enemy, the number of guns in their possession, etc. Our force had been fired upon by the enemy to cover the withdrawal of a number of wagons belonging to General Prinsloo's train. They also learned that a Field Cornet had been shot by our men in the afternoon affair.
One man, Regl. No. 30, Pte. Nicks, Jno., was shot through the lungs in the afternoon but will recover.
We are to remain here four or five days waiting for supplies before continuing the advance.
I am,
Yours very truly,
(Signed) S. B. STEELE.
