Topic: BW - NSW - NSWMR_A
A Sqn NSWMR
"A" Squadron, NSW Mounted Rifles
Antill Letter, 16 January 1900
Antill Letter, 16 January 1900
The following transcript is of a letter written by Captain John Macquarie Antill, Officer Commanding the New South Wales Mounted Rifles contingent to South Africa to the New South Wales Chief Staff Officer and Assistant Adjutant General Colonel Henry Douglas Mackenzie.
Houwater, 2 miles north of Britstown
16 January 1900
The Assistant Adjutant General
Victoria Barracks, Sydney
Sir
My last letter advised the departure from De Aar through Britstown to Prieska on the 30th Ultimo. The Column consisted of 80 Mounted Rifles, 1 Company Mounted Infantry, 1 Troop Remmington Guides and 2 Maxim Guns. The march (135 to 140 miles) was done in 3 days. The water is scarce in this district necessitating fixed stages: arrived within 15 miles of Prieska on the Orange River on the evening of the 3rd the end of the march being completed by 4 am the next day. Lieutenant Colonel Alderson (in Command) directed me to at once occupy the Southern Bank, the northern being in possession of the rebels and to attack immediately they made their appearance, which was expected to be at sunrise, 5 am: at 5am some 20 of them showed and after a smart fire for some 20 minutes in which 5 of them were wounded, they all decamped over the mountainous country toward Grequa Town. I crossed over in two boats and pursued them on foot with a Troop for some little distance but could not get near them. Returning to the tents occupied by them, secured a quantity of arms, ammunition, saddlery etc and found a Kaffir who was on the party badly wounded - one bullet passed through the back of his head coming out at an inch from the eye, 4 fingers were taken off by another, a 3rd passed through his thigh and the 4th through the calf. The man is still alive and doing well. Colonel Alderson then decided to return same evening, leaving me in Command with the Mounted Rifles and Guides. The following day one of the rebels gave himself up and on the next morning accompanied by him as a guide, crossed the Orange River at 3 am and at 5 am about 16 miles north surrounded and surprised a party of Boers, capturing the lot (7) with 12 rifles, ammunition, 8 horses, 1,000 sheep and 2 Cape Carts, returning to Prieska without casualty by 11 am; having reported to General Wood was directed to remain on the defence and hold the river if possible but to retire on this place (one of Sir Cecil Rhodes' farms) if opposed by superior fire, there being every chance our being cut off and no reinforcement available closer than De Aar. Held the 6 Drifts for a frontage of 8 miles for several days, and on learning that the place was to be attacked on 12th by 1,000 Boers from Grequa Town was directed to retire. This succeeded in doing, leaving Prieska at 3 am on 13th inst reaching Houwater at 10 pm on the 15th inst (75 miles). I am now covering Britstown which is held by 2 Companies Warwicks entrenched and awaiting orders. Received a telegram from General Woods, Commander of Orange River District saying "he was very pleased without vigilance and activity". Within two hours of our retirement there were some hundreds of Boers on the northern bank and at midday 800 with a Landrust has entered the town and taken possession. Strangely IU was allowed to get away without opposition, probably on account of our numbers being not known. The town was reclaimed I believe yesterday. The health of the men is good; their behaviour and spirits of the very best, and all are hard and fit: Provisions hard to procure and poor. Start today to make our own dampers from wheat, bread unprocurable. The men however are getting as much mutton as they can eat. I regret having to report that horses are a difficulty. Local horse sicknesses and very tough country has wrought great havoc. I have had 3 die of pneumonia and about 30 unfit for work. Colonel Alerdon was good enough to say the Scouting was exceptional. He was very pleased with the work of the Mounted Rifles. The Officers are doing their work well and my NCOs are a splendid lot of men, only one or two not up to the work. I make all ranks march one third of the distance and find it has done them much good. The roads being very rough cuts the boots up very quickly. There seems to be a general opinion that the Colonial Mounted men are the very class required. They appear to be better able to fight the Boer with his own weapons. The Boers will not come into the open and have a straight fight. He chooses a position under cover and sits down and smokes and waits. When forced out of it he retires independently to another the range of which he has fixed. It is common opinion that the war will be a long and protracted one. Our horses having a bad effect. Many doubtfuls are now joining the rebels: I will be glad if you will inform the relations of the men that all are in good health.
I am Sir
Your obedient servant
JM Antill, Captain
Commander, Mounted Rifles
16 January 1900
Previous: Antill Letter, 7 January 1900
Next: Antill Letter, 22 January 1900
War Diaries and Letters
All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
New South Wales Mounted Rifles, "A" Squadron
New South Wales Mounted Rifles, "A" Squadron, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: "A" Squadron, NSW Mounted Rifles, Antill Letter, 16 January 1900
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Tuesday, 3 May 2011 1:33 PM EADT
