The Right Hon. Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal
17, Victoria Street,
London, England
Paardekop,
4th August, 1900.
Dear Lord Strathcona,
I received to-day your kind favour of the 5th ulto. which gave me great pleasure and encouragement. Sir Redvers Buller was very kind to send such a flattering cable to you. Your reply gives me much pleasure.
We arrived here yesterday on our march from the North. The troops are concentrating here for an important move. Gen. Rundle's division and another, all under Sir Redvers Buller will make a long march North some day through Swaziland. Lord Dundonald's brigade consists now of the South African Light Horse, the Strathcona's, "A" Battery, R.H.A., and three other corps, now enroute from the South. We guarded the train all the way from Greylingstadt, a very considerable responsibility, the supply column being at least three miles in length. From Standerton to here it was increased by the addition of one hundred mule teams. I put out a very strong rear guard and it was fortunate that I did so for the right rear was threatened by a couple of hundred of the enemy who seeing the rear guard did not venture to attack, but satisfied themselves with firing (without effect) upon our flankers. Poor Sergt. Parker who wrote you re his commission was killed on the 29th. He was with 18 men under Lt. White-Fraser sent by the Commandant at Watervaal Bridge to get the arms of some Boers who sent in word by two others that they wished to surrender, but preferred the others to think that they were taken prisoner. This was a "ruse de guerre". The men went out with two black scouts and at the house named the two blacks and Parker, who were sent on in advance were shot dead, and Pte. Arnold dangerously wounded from fire of about seventy Boers behind a breastwork near the house, which by the way, had a white flag flying. The Boers are a very treacherous people, and unfortunately are trusted too much. They are allowed into the camps to sell stuff on any excuse as long as they have passes to show they have given up their arms and taken the oath. These are their spies and so are the women. One of the latter near hear is reported to have employed her black servant to cut the telephone line. I quite believe it. Pte. Arnold was brought in and his wound was a severe one. He may lose his leg. Sgt. Parker was a dead shot, but rash. He had killed two of the enemy a few days ago at a very long range when he and one of the men were surrounded. He forced the enemy to retire. Both of the men killed on this sort of duty in "C" Squadron were ex officers of the army. The regiment continues to work well. Their scouting is excellent. The papers have, in Canada, said things against the horses of the Corps, purchased by Dr. McEachran. All of it is untrue, very few of the horses have died; they are the best in this army - everyone wants them. They are a good advertisement. I have already used up and received at least four hundred Argentines and others since I left the Cape, while only three or four Canadians have succumbed. They are really very fine and much more intelligent than many others.
We expect to march tomorrow and hope we shall do good work. We did not blow up the bridge. It was considered too difficult an operation, the enemy having got information of our movements.
The correspondent is Richmond Smith, who went out for the Star, with the 1st contingent, and then wrote of our presence with the other Canadians at Bloemfontein. It is a pity that such statements are made!
Hoping that you are enjoying good health, I am,
Respectfully yours,
(Signed) S. B. STEELE
