GENERAL NOTES.
Trooper R. E. Smith, son of Mr J. Smith, blacksmith, of Timaru, writes to his brother in Timaru, from Potchefstroom prison, as follows: — "I am writing these few lines to let you know that I am alive and well. Just now I am a prisoner. I was taken last evening by two of the Free Staters. It happened this way: About 5 o' clock in the morning we had just started to march, when I was sent back with a message about two miles, and I never caught sight of the troop again. But I have been very kindly treated — could not be better; plenty to eat and drink. To-morrow I shall be sent to Pretoria. I shall be very pleased when the war is over." Trooper Smith concludes by wishing to be remembered to all, and adds a postscript: "Don't let mother know where I am; just tell her I'm all right." — Morning Post. -Otago Witness, 2/8/1900.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM OUR BOYS AT THE FRONT.
Mr J. Smith, the well-known farrier of Timaru, has received long and interesting letters from his son, Trooper, R. E. (Bob) Smith. The first letter is dated Pretoria, June 10th, and opens with the remark that he had been released from prison (news of his capture by the Boers was recorded by cable in May last), and had rejoined his company. His first job with the latter was attending on the horses — they were starving to death and dying like rotten sheep. Pretoria was full of soldiers, parading the streets and buying anything they could get. Butter was 6s a lb, jam 2s 3d a tin, sugar 3s lb and whisky £1 a bottle. Soldiers were not allowed to drink or frequent hotels. A great many of the colonials were joining the police or railway at 10s a day, but it was no catch. Johannesburg is a nice town, plenty of gold mines, and he could get 25s a day in a smithy, but that was too hard work for him now. "War is not the game it is cracked up to be; it would be all right if we could get enough to eat, but the waggons cannot travel fast enough to keep up to us, so the consejuence is that we have to starve until they come up." Lord Roberts had given Kruger seven days to surrender, and all hoped to soon see the end of it. Trooper Smith says that he had a great experience. "My own company did not know where I was, and were quite surprised to see me alive. I have been reported missing, and shot, but here I am." The horse Mr Smith (his father) sold to the 3rd Contingent came right up to Pretoria looking well, as also did the horse the writer sold to the 1st Contingent. The mare Mr F. Simmons gave him was also looking well, and was being ridden by the Major. If Trooper Smith had kept her he would not have been captured. He remarks that Knubley is getting on well, and expresses the deep regret all felt at the death of Willie Byrne. His letter closes by expressing the astonishment all felt at such a well fortified town as Pretoria being given up so easily to the British. In his second letter Trooper Smith gives the details of his capture. On the 22nd May he was sent back, with a message to some waggons, and his horse being done up on the retourn journey he could not regain his troop. He was bailed up by 13 Boers, who took him to Potchefstroom (he was supposed to be a Tommy and lived in London), and from there to Pretoria. For a couple of days he had nothing to eat, and was then sent to the racecourse, where they lived all right. When Pretoria was a bit shaky, he along with 100 others was sent to Waterval, where there were 4000 British prisoners. After six days there the British scouts came up, and the prisoners went nearly mad with joy. The Boers started shelling, and the prisoners made a bolt for it, a few being killed in the race for liberty. At Pretoria an enquiry was to be held, each man being called upon to explain how he was taken prisoner. Trooper Smith, so far as several cases are concerned, blames the horses, which had completely broken down. In closing his letters he sends kind messages to all, and looks forward with every confidence to his return home to Timaru. -Timaru Herald, 11/8/1900.
DEATH OF TROOPER R. E. SMITH
His Worship the Mayor yesterday received the following cable from Captain Crawshaw: — "Pretoria, December 6th. Smith dead. Break news to parents, and express Contingent's sympathy. Brown, Goldstone, and self doing well." His Worship undertook the sad duty thus imposed upon him, and when the news became known the sympathy of the townspeople was partially expressed by the flying of flags at half-mast. His Worship the Mayor will send a letter of condolence to the deceased's parents, to whom the blow will be the more severe, as their son was not only expected back m Timaru at an early date, but his letters expressed great anxiety to return. He had declined very tempting offers of engagement under the Imperial authorities, but as the conditions included a long engagement he declined to accept, as he wished to return to Timaru.
The following is the text of the letter sent by His Worship the Mayor to Mr J. H. Smith: — "It is with the deepest regret that I have just received a telegram from Captain Crawshaw, informing me of the death of your son, Trooper Robert E. Smith, and desiring me to convey to yourself and the members of your family the deepest sympathy of the members of the Contingents. Allow me to assure you and the members of your family, on behalf of my fellow townsmen and residents of South Canterbury, that they also most deeply sympathise with you in your sad bereavement. At the same time, although it may be a poor consolation to you, they feel proud of the courage and valour displayed by your son, in so valiantly asserting the rights and defending the British Empire from her enemies. Believe me, this poor meed of praise accorded to your son is, I am sure, endorsed by all your fellow-townsmen and South Canterbury residents, and that his memory will long be retained by them."
The following is the copy of a telegram sent, by the Premier to Mrs Smith: — "It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that the Governor of Capetown now cables me that your son, Farrier Sergeant. Smith, died of wounds on the 2nd December. You have my sincere and heartfelt sympathy with you in your trouble. He has died the death of a soldier nobly fighting the battles of the Empire. — R. J.
Mr Seddon has received the following from Major Cradock, dated the 6th: — "Whilst deeply grieving for the death of our gallant men on the 29th, I am pleased to say the doctors inform me that they anticipate no danger to life or limb amongst the twenty-one wounded the same day, except No. 418, Robert Edward Smith. But all fought magnificently." -Timaru Herald, 8/12/1900.
WILL the Returned Trooper who received last message, also keepsake, of late ROBERT EDWARD SMITH, of Timaru, Canterbury, who was wounded in the Battle of Rhenoster Kop, South Africa, on 1st December, 1900, please write to Evening Post? The young lady is now in Wellington. Address Thankful. -Evening Post, 24/12/1900.
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