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(The  Golden  Book) 

of  the         « 

Canadian^ 
^Contii\ê,ei\t 
in  South 

Africa 


Gaston  P.LeJjat.  ^- 


^/^St-^^X- 


IsE  felVRE  D'OR 

(THE    GOLDEN    BOOK)  — 

Canadian  Contingents  in  South  ^frica 


WITH    AN   APPENDIX    ON 


CANADIAN    LOYALTY 


CONTAINING    LETTERS,    DOCUMENTS,    PHOTOGRAPHS 


Portraits  of  Queen  Victoria  ;    King   Edward  VII  ; 
and   the  Queen  of  England. 


By  GASTOK  P.  LABAT 

Auilior   of  "Les   Voyageurs   Canadien:  à  V Expédition  du 
Soudan  en  i88§." 


FOR  SALE  BY  ALL  THE   BOOKSELLERS- 

Principal  Depot  :  479  St.  Louis  St.,  Mile-End 

1901 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Parliament  of  Canada,  in  the  year 
1900,  by  Gaston  P.  Labat,  in  the  office  of  the  Minister  of 
Agriculture. 


(Ail  rîg/its  of  authorsJiip  and  tianslation  reserved.) 


"  I  WILL  BE  GOOD."  —  The  Queen. 
The  glorioiis  past. 


I  bave  alrt-ady  declarcd  it  wcmld  be  my  constant  endeavor  to  tbllow  the  grcat  cxample 
which  lias  beeii  bequeathed  to  me."  —  Edward  Riîx. 

The  glurious  pi-esent. 


HiS  EXCELLENCY  THE  RiGHT  HONORABLE  THE  EaRL  OF  MiNTO,  G.  C.  M.  G., 
Govbrnor-Genbral, 


DEDICATED 

TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY,  LORD  MINTO. 
Governor  General  of  Canada. 

Your  Excellciicy  : 

I^V^HEN  I  took  the  liberty  of  requesling  Your  Excel- 
^v/l\//^  lency's  permission  to  dedicate  te  you  my  book, 
(SQ^^  I  was  already  aware  of  the  deep  interest  Your 
Excellency  felt  towards  Canadians. 

In  fact,  on  the  occasion  of  Your  Excellency's  retum  to 
this  country,  while  referring  to  one  of  your  charming 
daughters,  born  in  this  Dominion,  you  remarked  :  «  She  is 
a  Canadian  that  I  am  happy  to  bring  back  to  you.  » 

Hence  it  is,  Your  Excellency,  that  I  desired  to  place 
this  work  —  entitled  «  Le  livre  d'or  des  Contingents  Cana- 
diens en  Afrique,  »  under  your  distinguished  auspices, 
convinced,  as  I  am,  that  the  Canadians  will  be  proud  and 
happy  to  conserve  one  of  the  brightest  pages  of  their 
history  under  Your  Excellency's  high  and  distinguished 
patronage. 

May  Your  Excellency  accept  the  humble  expression  of 
the  sincère  gratitude 

Of  Your  Excellency's 

Obedient  and  respectful  servant, 

Gaston  P.  J.abat. 


AN  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER 


My  dcar  confrère  : 

:EFORE  becoming  a  littérateur  you  hâve  been  a 
soldier,  and  before  being  a  soldier,  you  were  a 
Frenchman. 

In  othcr  words,  your  race,  your  character  and  your 
professional  inclinations  hâve  nalurally  inspired  you  with 
a  passion  for  ail  that  is  noble  and  chivalrous. 

Even  more  tnan  ihis,  your  very  passion  is  guided  by 
reason.  Whilst  French  in  blood  and  at  heart,  as  faithful 
as  ever  to  the  memory  of  the  grand  old  motherland,  from 
the  day  upon  which  your  foot  first  rested  upon  our  soil, 
with  the  intention  of  making  this  your  future  home,  you 
became  a  Canadian,  and  a  Çanadian  both  loyal  to  ihe 
country's  existing  flag  and  sincerely  devoted  toward  the 
institutions  under  which  we  live. 

You  hâve  proven  thèse  attachments  under  the  military 
cloak,  whether  in  distant  expéditions,  or  with  in  our 
citadel-barracks  ;  you  hâve  proven  them  since,  at  the 
officiai  desk,  and  not  unfrequently  wiih  the  journalist's 
pen  in  hand.  None  other,  then,  has  a  better  right  to  sign 
liie  iittle  volume  which  you  now  présent  to  the  public, 
and  for  which  you  hâve  asked  me  to  write  a  few  Unes  of 
préface. 


VI  AN    INTRODUCTORY    LETTER 

This  small  book  is  a  precious  gem  ;  it  adds  to  our 
national  wealth,  for  it  supplies  our  glorious  annals  of  the 
by-gone  with  another  page  of  heroism.  I  will  not  infringe 
upon  the  political  domain  by  the  discussion  of  the  more 
or  less  oppoituneness  that  existcd  for  Canada  to  send 
troops  into  South  Africa  to  raake  war  on  the  Boers.  For 
the  moment,  I  would  fain  behold  merely  the  spontaneous 
outburst  of  a  young  nation,  proud  to  contribute  its  share 
of  sacrifices  in  the  cause  of  an  Empire  of  which,  under 
circumstances  loyally  accepted,  it  forrns  a  portion. 

No  more  can  there  arise  any  question  as  to  the  justice 
or  injustice  of  that  war.  Even  as,  by  a  légal  fiction,  the 
highest  tribunal  and  the  sovereign  of  a  country,  aie 
considered  as  infallible,  on  the  same  principle,  the  standard 
that  waves  over  a  people's  vanguard  can  ncver  be  raised 
in  the  wrong.  I  wish  only  to  admire  the  bright  side  of  tlie 
picture,  and  to  appreciate  the  happy  results  that  cannot 
fail  in  conséquence  to  be  produced. 

And,  after  ail,  is  it  npt  touching  to  behold  a  valiant 
and  vigorous  young  people  rising  up,  arms  in  hand,  in 
answer  to  an  appeal  from  the  olher  end  of  the  world,  and 
Crossing  from  one  hémisphère  to  the  other,  there  to  march 
to  the  rescue  of  their  imperiled  national  standard  ! 

Is  it  not  sufficient  to  fill  our  hearts  with  legitimate  pride 
to  witness  those  young  heroes  emulating  the  traditional 
heroism  of  our  race,  even  to  the  extent  of  challenging  the 
undivided  admiration  of  the  vastest  Empire  upon  which 
the  Sun  has  ever  shone  ! 

And,  considering  the  results,  is  it  not  something  to 
hâve  won  the  confidence  and  respect  of  our  English 
fellow-countrymen,  who,  in  certain  sections,  are  only  too 
prone  to  suspect  our  loyalty  towards  the  British  Crown  ? 
That  confidence  and  liiat  respect  constitutc  the  first  con- 
dition of  harmony  betwcen  the  various  cléments  of  our 


AN    INTRODUCTORY    LETTER  yil 

population,  a  harmony  indispensable  toour  people's  happi- 
ness  as  well  as  to  the  development  of  our  national 
prosperity. 

From  this  stand  point,  more  than  from  any  other,  the 
part  taken  by  our  volunteers  in  Africa  is  both  eminently 
patriotic  and  civilizing.  They  deserve  well  of  the  country  ; 
they  hâve  a  right  to  public  récognition  ;  and  it  is  only  just 
that  their  memory  should  be  perpetuated,by  the  conserva- 
tion of  their  names  and  their  deeds-of-arms,  in  our  archives 
and  our  lib-aries. 

How  often  has  not  the  devotedness  of  our  soldiers,  in 
1812,  served  as  a  triomphant  argument  against  the  préju- 
dices raised  against  us  in  ultra-loyal  circles  I  Those 
patriots  of  other  days  were  blamed  by  some  of  their 
contemporaries,  yet  their  achievements  were  fruitful  in 
benefactions. 

Their  memory  was  dying  out  ;  it  is  revived  to-day  by 
our  valiant  ones,  who,  in  lenewing  history,  hâve  succeeded 
in  crushing  the  last  head  of  that  hydra  of  suspicion. 

Henceforth  we  can  only  be  a  homogenous  people,  both 
m  our  aspirations  and  in  our  interests,  and,  which,  while 
being  composed  of  différent  races,  faithful  to  their  respective 
traditions  and  origins,  should  prosper  and  grow  in  the 
bonds  of  an  indissoluble  fraternity. 

Suppose,  for  an  instant,  a  refusai  on  our  part  to  corre- 
spond with  that  national  désire,  and  the  crisis  growing 
acute,  the  French-Canadians  would  hâve  becn  cast  half 
a  century  backvvards. 

Therefore,  my  dear  confrère^  with  both  hands  in  yours, 
accept  my  congratulations. 

Louis  Fréchette. 
Montréal,  October  i6ih,  1900. 


PREFACE 


ÎHIS  book  is  not  ours.  It  is  written  by  the  soldiers 
of  the  Canadian  Contingents,  whose  remarkable 
^ôt^      heroism  has  astonished  the  entire  world,  and  whose 
blood  has  bedewed  the  death-deaHng  soil  of  South  Africa. 

That  their  names,  and  a  faithful  record  of  their  brave 
and  chivaîrous  deeds  may  be  transmitted  to  posterity, 
constitutes  our  aim  in  pubiishing  this  volume.  The  question 
may  be  asked  ;  why  is  this  book  partly  in  French  and 
partly  in  Engllsh  ?  Because,  having  taken  up  arms  together, 
irrespective  of  race  or  creed,  hand  in  hand,  and  shoulder 
to  shoulder;  having  shed  their  blood  on  the  same  batde- 
fields  ;  having  sunk  to  their  last  rest  beneath  the  same 
sodj  and  wrapped  in  tke  folds  of  the  same  flag,  it  is  meet 
that  they  should  live  on  in  the  same  book,  and  together 
repose  in  ail  the  librares  of  the  îand  -  those  sanctuaries 
of  immortality  wherein  every  nation  enshrines  its  national 
glories. 

Wc  say  that  this  work  is  written  by  our  brave.  And 
truly  is  it  se  :  for,  apart  from  a  few  incidental  articles,  for 
which  we  hâve  to  thank  their  authors,  the  book  consists 
entirely  of  lettprs  from  members  of  the  contingents  ;  some 
of  them  heretcfore  xmpublished,  but  which,  throiigh  the 
kindness   of  the  respective  families,  we  sccurcd  ;  others, 


X  PREFACE 

which  .ippeared  in  the  newspapers,  and  for  the  careful 
collection  and  gathering  into  one  volume  of  which,  we  leel 
confident  none  will  reproach  us,  since  thereby  we  leave  to 
Canadian  history  a  compact  and  tangible  record  of  the 
noble,  heroic  and  glorious  achievements  of  our  young 
soldiers. 

With  them,  and  through  them,  Canada  is  more  favorably 
known  the  world  over  than  ail  that  has  been  said,  written, 
or  done  during  one  hundred  years  back  could  hâve 
accomplished  —  so  true  is  it  that  creeds  and  races  draw 
their  strength  from  the  blood  that  is  shed  in  their  cause. 

To-day,  Canada  is  a  nation,  and  one  that,  henceforth, 
ail  the  other  nations  of  the  world  must  take  into  con- 
sidération. 

Hence  is  it  that  in  présence  of  the  blood  sacrificed  by 
our  brave  sons,  in  présence  of  such  remarkable  heroism, 
in  présence  of  a  sacred  and  mad  détermination  to  triumph, 
we  should  bend  the  knee  over  the  graves  of  those  that 
hâve  vanished,  and  receive  with  open  arms,  like  on  the 
day  of  the  ProdigaFs  return,  those  who  come  back  to  us 
covered  with  glory. 

Gaston  P.  Labat, 

Montréal. 


^^^^ 


A  WORD  OF  EXPLANATION 


./HE  work  we  now  publish  might  easiJy  consist  of 
/^^     ten  volumes  were  we  to  relate  ail  the  feats-of-arms 
Ci>t*^      perfoimed  by  our  brave,  and  to  insert  ail  their 
letters. 

As  such  is  neither  our  aim  nor  our  pretension,  we  hâve 
been  content  to  gather  in  this  modest  volume,  letters  and 
documents  from  ail  the  Canadian  Provinces,  and  there- 
with  to  pay  a  patriotic  tribute  to  our  young  heroes. 
Consequently,  let  not  any,  whose  letters  are  not  included, 
but  whose  names  are  given  —  for  ail  the  names  are  to  be 
found  herein  —  feel  hurt  :  this  work,  like  unto  a  monument 
erected  to  the  memory  of  a  gênerai,  reflects  upon  ail  his 
companions  in  the  struggle  and  his  associâtes  in  the 
victory. 

Finally,  we  deemed  it  well  to  insert  the  portraits  of 
certain  personages  who  interested  themselves  in  the  form- 
ation of  the  contingents,  and,  in  an  Apperidix,  those  of 
Canadians  —  none  the  less  heroic  —  who  spread  a  knowl- 
edge  of  Canada's  military  worth,throughout  EgyjJt,  India, 
China,  the  Philippines,  and  over  the  entire  globe:  for 
Canadians  are  everywhere  to  be  found. 

For  myself,  in  1885,  I  hâve  met  wiih  them  in  the 
Soudan,  singing  :    Un  Canadicfi  errant. 


XII  A   WORD    OF    EXPLANATION 

And  if  histoiy  is  to  be  believed  \ve  are  told  that,  at  the 
time  of  the  déluge,  a  man  trying  to  escape  from  the  rising 
waters,  reached  a  mountain-top.  The  Ark  passed  by,  and 
the  man  called  Noah  to  take  him  on  board. .  .  The  latter 
replied  that  there  was  no  room  for  him. 

—  «Go  to  Old  Nick  with  your  barge,»  shouted  the  man, 
«  it  is  only  going  to  be  a  shower,  after  ail.» 

The  man  on  the  mountain  was  a  Canadian.  .  .  Apart 
from  this  grave  statement,  which  appears  to  hâve  originated 
in  Marseille,  we  will  deal  only  with  what  we  can  authen- 
ticate  as  being  historical. 

G.  P.  L. 


CANADIAN  LOYALTY 


^0    show   that  loyal ty  is  a  sentiment  that    exists 

throughout  the  whole  of  Canada,  even  as  it  does 

(st^      in  the  breasts  of  our  gallant  volunteers,  we  deemed 

it  well  to   introduce    their  letters    with    the    foUowing 

documents. 

To  begin  with  ;  it  is  thus  Mgr,  Bégin,  in  his  admirable 
letter  to  Mgr.  Bruchési,  underdate  the  isth  January,  1900, 
gives  expression  to  his  feelings  :  — 

«  The  loyalty  of  our  French-Canadian  Bishops  and 
priests,  is  written  in  letters  of  gold,  in  characters  of  fire, 
upon  the  tablets  of  history,  and  ail  the  sovereigns,  and  ail 
their  représentatives  that  hâve  succeeded  each  other  hère 
since  the  ceeding  of  Canada  to  England  —  even  those 
amongst  the  latter  against  whom  it  was  necessary  to  wage 
a  légal  struggle  in  défense  of  our  most  legitimate  rights  — 
hâve  ail  borne  the  most  solemn  and  most  cordial  lestimony 
to  its  existence. 

«  Need  I  hère  recall  a  Mgr.  Briand  who,  occupying  the 
see  of  Québec  at  the  turning-point  of  history  in  New 
France,  living  successively  under  the  lily-flag  and  under 
the  British  standard,  loyal,  in  the  first  instance,  to  the 
former  until,  on  the  plains  of  Abraham,  ail,  save  honor, 


2  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

was  lost,  and  then  generously  transferring  to  the  latter  his 
entire  loyalty,  made  use,  during  the  terrible  days  of  1775» 
of  his  sacred  influence,  to  keep  French  Canada  faithful  to 
the  new  masters?  And  yet,  God  knows  how  great  must 
hâve  been  the  temptation  for  the  sons  of  France  in 
America  to  unité  their  destiny  with  that  of  those  sons  of 
Brilain,  less  scrupulous,  less  loyal  than  they  —  and  we 
might  add  less  vilified  and  more  excusable  for  a  real  and 
effective  revolt  than  we  of  to-day  are  for  a  fanciful  dis- 
loyalty  ?  If  the  Catholic  envoys  of  the  United  States,  if 
the  warm  appeals  of  those  French  officers  serving  in  the 
cause  of  American  Independence,  could  not  overcome  the 
résistance  of  the  Canadian  people,  it  is  because  the  grand 
voice  of  the  head  of  the  Church  in  Québec,  invoking  the 
sacrea  principle  of  respect  due  to  the  existing  authority, 
and  branding  as  rebels  ail  who  allowed  themselves  to  be 
carried  away,  raised  an  unsurmountable  barrier  to  the 
idea  of  révolution.  And  England,  already  deprived  of  the 
richest  portion  of  her  héritage  in  America,  owed  to  a 
French  Bishop  the  préservation  of  this  Canadian  land  — 
now  one  of  the  brightest  gems  in  her  impérial  crown. 

«  What  could  I  not  say  —  were  it  not  that  I  wish  to  be 
brief  —  about  a  Mgr.  Denaut,  whose  devotedness  to 
England  was  expressed  in  deeds  of  heroic  generosity,  and 
of  a  Mgr.  Plessis,  recalling  to  the  faithful  of  his  diocèse, 
in  1807,  «that  it  is  impossible  to  be  a  good  Christian 
without  first  being  a  loyal  and  faiihful  subject, »  and  «that 
they  would  be  unworthy  of  the  name  of  Catholics  and  of 
Canadians,  if  they  showed  disloyalty,  or  even  indifférence 
when  it  is  a  question  of  fulfilling  their  duties  as  subjects 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  their  sovereign,  or  in  the  defence 
of  the  country.  »  It  was  this  illustrions  prelate,  who,  in 
1812,  devoted  his  whcle  being  and  succeeded  in  maintain- 
ing  the  Canadians  faithful  to  their  British  allegiance.  The 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  9 

same  course  was  followed  by  Mgr.  Panet,  the  maternai 
uncle  of  the  late  lamented  Cardinal  Taschereau. 

«  Then,  again,  in  the  regretable  days  of  1837-38,  it  was 
Mgr.  Signay,  in  Québec,  and  one  of  your  predecessors, 
Mgr.  Lartigue,  in  Montréal,  who  interfered  in  the  name  of 
religion,  to  quiet  the  fraticidal  struggles  of  the  hour  ;  an 
act  of  loyalty  which  frequently  brought  down  upon  them 
the  censure  of  a  number  of  their  fellow-countrymen  :  a 
sacred  duty  which  they  had  to  perform,  notwithstanding 
the  voice  of '.heir  blooa-cies  and  of  their  paternal  solicit- 
ude.  Later  on,  we  find  Mgr.  Baillargeon,  indicating  for  ail 
who  listened  to  him,  a  similar  line  of  conduct,  in  regard 
to  the  invading  Fenians,and  Mgr.  Taché,  who  at  a  criiical 
moment,  calmed  the  Métis  and  kept  them  attached  to 
England. 

«  And,  if  I  would  make  bold  to  refer  to  myself,  I  might 
repeat  that  which  I  stated  m  the  heart  of  France,  in  the 
Cathedral  of  Rheims  —  on  the  occasion  of  the  grand 
célébration  of  the  XlVth  centenary  of  the  baptism  of 
Clovis  and  of  the  Francs — that,  while  ever  preserving  our 
affection  for  the  olaen  motherland,  we  are  happy  to  live 
under  the  shadow  of  the  British  flag,  and  that  we  inhabit 
one  of  the  mostfree  countries  on  earth.  » 

And  further  on  he  adds  :  — 

«  If  ever  —  and  please  God  never!  —  the  question  of 
annexation  to  the  United  States  should  be  seriously  agi- 
tated,  it  would  be  curious  to  note  the  respective  attitudes 
of  the  two  races— Anglo-Canadians  and  French-Canadians 
—  in  présence  of  such  an  evcntuality.  I  am  confident  that 
we  would  not  hâve  to  blush  for  our  people  on  such  an 
occasion,  for  they  would  again  know  how  to  fulfil  their 
duty  as  loyal  subjects  of  Her  Britannic  Majesty.» 

Such  is  the  noble  language  of  Mgr,  Bégin. 


4  LE    LIVRE   D  OR 

After  ihe  clergy,  let  us  hear  our  public  men. 
\Ve  commence  with  Sir  Wilfrid  : 

«  To  Her  Majesty,  the  Queen, 

M  Most  Gracious  Sovereign. 

«  We,  loyal  and  submissive  subjects  of  Your  Majesty, 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Gommons  of  Ganada,  in  Parlia- 
ment  assembled,  désire  to  offer  Your  Majesty,  our  cordial 
congratulations  on  the  occasion  of  the  approaching  end 
of  the  war  in  South  Africa,  an  end  foreseen  by  the  récent 
successes  of  British  arms,  crowned  by  the  fall  of  Pretoria. 

i(  The  sentiment  of  pride  and  satisfaction  with  which  we 
hail  every  fresh  addition  to  the  already  lengthy  and 
glorious  list  of  deeds  of  English  valor  and  resource- 
fulness  is  even  still  more  intensified  by  the  knowledge 
that  we  possess  that  Ganada,  thanks  to  the  active  co-oper- 
ation  of  her  sons  on  the  battle-held,  has,  in  a  new  and 
spécial  manner,  a  right  to  participate  in  the  joy  of  the 
présent  triumph. 

«  We  rejoice  that  the  struggle,  which  happily  is  about 
to  close,  shall  hâve  the  effect  of  causing  to  disappear  the 
embarrassmenls  from  which,  during  such  a  long  time,  many 
of  our  fellow-citizens  suffered,  and  we  doubt  not  that  the 
extension  of  Your  Majesty's  benificent  dominion  over  the 
whole  of  South  Africa  wiîl  bring  to  thèse  lands  the 
blessings  that  flow  from  a  wise  and  happy  administration 
of  just  and  équitable  laws. 

«  We  pray  that  Your  Majesty's  reign  may  continue  for 
long  years  to  come  for  the  happiness  of  your  people.» 
{ Parliamentary  session  of  içoo.) 

Turn  we  now  to  Sir  Charles  Tupper: 
«  It  is  wiih    great  pleasure  that   I  second  the  address 
which  the   Honorable  the  Prime  Minister  has  just  moved 


SIR   WILFRID    LAURIER. 

"  May    Providence  watch   over  you,   may   He  protect  yoii  on   the   fields   of 

battle  where,   perhaps,  you  will   shed  your  blood  for  ihe 

flag   that  protect   oiir   libcrties." 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  5 

in  such  éloquent   terms,  and  that  I  join  in  the  sentiments 
so  nobly  expressed. 

«  Sir  Charles  then  spoke  of  the  noble  conduct  of  the 
French-Canadians  since  the  fortunes  of  war,  caused  their 
country  to  pass  under  British  rule,  and  it  is  from  the 
bottom  of  his  heart,  he  said,  that  he  déclares  that  the 
British  Crown  has  no  more  loyal  subjects  than  the  two 
millions  of  French-Canadians,  who  inhabit  this  Canadian 
land.  »  (Parliameiitary  session  of  içoo.) 

Let  us  novv  hear  Honorable  Mr.  Evanturel,  Speaker  of 
the  Ontario  Législative  Assembly  : 

«  I  feel  that  I  can  add  nothing  to  the  sentiments  of  perfect 
loyalty  and  contentment  which  this  entire  Province  has 
just  expressed,  by  the  voice  of  its  First  Minister,  and  that 
of  the  leader  of  the  Conservative  Party.  The  Speaker  of 
this  House,  is  net,  in  a  certain  sensé,  in  a  position  to  add 
anything  to  that  which  has  been  already  said  by  men  of 
much  greater  importance  and  authority  ;  but,  the  House 
will  allow  me,  1  hope,  to  forget  that  I  occupy  an  officiai 
position,  and  to  déclare  that  there  is  no  people  in  Canada, 
that  has  learned,  with  more  exubérant  joy,  the  glad  tidings 
that  come  to  us  from  South  Africa,  than  the  French- 
Canadian  race,  to  which  I  belong.  (Applause.)  I  address 
an  educated  audience,  possibly  the  most  highly  educated 
audience  in  this  grand  Province  of  Ontario,  and  I  will  take 
the  liberty  of  quoting  a  page  of  our  history,  certain  as  I. 
am,  beforehand,  that  I  will  not  be  denied  that  privilège. 

«  At  one  time,  upon  this  very  soil  which  we  to-day- 
occupy  —  and  what  a  magnificent  page  of  our  history  it 
recalls  to  my  mind  —  when  as  yet  not  a  single  English- 
man  had  come  hère,  when  not  one  of  our  Irish  friends, 
who  hâve  laken  such  a  large  share  in  the  shapiiig  of  our 
deslinics,   had  crosscd  the  scas,  at  that   lime,  thon,  ihe 


6  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

French-Canadians  stood  alone,  and  had  to  resist,  from 
the  American  side,  the  most  serious  temptation  that  had 
ever  assailed  them. 

«  The  temptation  was  such  as  is  not  to  be  found  in  the 
entire  history  of  the  world.  The  Americans  had  gone  to 
France  for  General  Lafayette,  the  same  one  who  unfolded, 
at  the  frontier  that  bounds  us  to  the  South,  the  flag  of  my 
race,  the  flag  beneath  whose  folds  we  were  born,  as  he 
thus  appealed  to  my  fellow-countrymen  :  «  Why  do  you 
not  return  to  your  old  flag?  After  ail,  that  flag  which  they 
call  the  Union  Jack,  or  the  Royal  Standard  of  England, 
you  hâve  never  beheld  upon  your  shores.  I,  Lafayette, 
speaking  in  the  name  of  your  neighbors,  of  that  people 
now  at  my  side,  I  represent  liberty,  equality  and  fraternity.» 

«  Then  another  voice  was  heard  ;  it  addressed  the 
French-Canadian  troops.  It  was  the  voice  of  the  good 
Bishop  of  Québec.  The  worlhy  prelate  stood  in  front  of 
the  ranks  of  soldiers  and  spoke  to  them  in  thèse  words  : 
«  That  flag  may  tempt  you  ;  the  laws  of  nature  may  also 
tempt  you  ;  you  could  take  refuge  under  the  folds  of  that 
flag  ;  but,  do  not  forget  one  thing,  that  only  yesterday  you 
swore  fidelity  to  the  flag  that  must  be  the  flag  of  this 
country.  If  you  are  to  deny  your  allegiance  to  that  flag, 
from  this  day  Divine  Providence  will  deny  you  those 
blessings  that  youmight  rightfully  expect  from  that  source.» 

«That  appeal  was  heard,  and  the  French-Canadians 
shouldered  their  muskets  and  drove  before  them  the 
soldiers  of  Benedict  Arnold  and  Montgomery.  (Applause.) 

<(  I  hâve  no  désire  to  retard  tliis  House  in  its  labors  ; 
but,  allow  me  to  say  that  there  are  no  more  loyal  subjccls 
of  Her  Majesly,  iu  ail  the  country,  than  the  French- 
Canadians. 

«  Sons  of  my  race  are  lo-day  fighling  under  the  British 
flag  in  South  Africa.  I   am  proud  of  ihe  fact;  allhough  I 


L'HONORABLE   EVANTUREL. 


I  hâve  no  désire  to  retard  this  House  in  its  labors  ;    but  allow  me  to  say 
that  there  are  no  more  loyal  subjects  of  Her  Majesty,  in  ail 
the  country,  ihan  the  French-Canadians." 

{Parliaiiientary  session  0/ iqoo.) 


LE   LIVRE   DOR 


regret  that  there  are  some  of  them  who  hâve  been  wounded  ; 
even  amongst  the  latter  I  see  the  name  of  one  brave  fellow 
who  vvas  born  in  the  same  street  and  in  the  same  city  as 
niyself. 

«  Yes  ;  yonder,  stretched  in  the  trenches  of  Paardeberg, 
or  in  a  British  ambulance  waggon,  you  will  find  the  son  of 
the  Speaker  of  our  highest  Parliamentary  Chamber  —  Sir 
Alphonse  Pelletier  —  who  is  one  of  ihe  tirst  officers  of  the 
Canadian  régiment.   (Applavise.) 

«  Permit  me  to  say,  in  closing,  that  there  is  no  race, 
represented  in  the  precincts  of  this  Législature,  to  which 
the  victory  announced  to-day  appeals  more  strongly,  or 
causes  more  satisfaction,  than  that  race  to  which  belongs 
the  one  who  présides  over  the  législative  debates  of  this 
Province.  » 

This,  without  doubt,  is  the  most  noble  and  grandest 
profession  of  loyalty  that  has  ever  been  pronounced  by  a 
French-Canadian  in  an  English  Parliament. 

Now  listen  to  Benjamin  Suite  :  — 

«  Our  wars  hâve  proven  that  we  wished  to  défend 
Canada  and  keep  it  under  the  British  flag.  Three  times, 
in  1765,  1775  and  1812,  when  we  formed,  as  it  were,  the 
only  white  population  in  the  country,  and  when  England, 
engaged  elsewhere,  could  not  assist  us,  the  French-Can- 
adian militia,  performed  miracles  of  valor  and  saved  the 
position.  Thèse  facts  should  suffice  in  answer  to  the 
attacks,  the  suspicions,  the  innuendos  that  are  showered 
upon  us.  Happily  truth  triumphs  over  ail  injuries  even  as 
of  yore  did  our  arms  in  the  conflict.»  (Lecture  at  the 
Château  de  Raviezay.) 

In  one  of  his  lectures,  delivercd  in  Québec,  Ulric  Barihe, 
expresses  himself  as  follows  :  — 

«  And  in  this  new   nation,  the  FrcnchCanadians  hâve 


8  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

one  of  the  leading  rôles  to  play,  which  consists,  not  in  the 
perpétuation  in  America,  on  this  soil  of  America,  the 
hatreds  that  date  from  the  period  of  Joan  of  Arc,  and 
which  hâve  no  meaning  hère,  but  rather  to  serve  as  a 
hyphen  between  the  two  greatest  races  of  the  world,  and 
to  prove  how  much  they  can  do  together  for  civilization.  » 

In  fine  that  loyalty  is  confirmed  and  established  by  the 
following  extracts  :  — 

«  Mr.  de  Lery  Macdonald,  Mayor  of  Rigaud,  pronounced 
a  few  warm  expressions  on  the  subject  of  the  success  of 
our  soldiers  in  Africa,  and  gave  vent  to  the  opinion,  that 
under  the  circumstances,  it  would  not  be  out  of  place  to 
affirm  our  loyalty. 

«  In  conséquence,  he  moved,  seconded  by  Mr.  William 
Brown,  Mayor  of  Pointe  Fortune,  the  following  resolution 
which  was  unanimously  adopted  :  — 

«  That  the  Mayors  of  the  County  of  Vaudreuil,  assem- 
bled,  désire  to  express  to  Her  Majesty,  Queen  Victoria, 
their  lively  satisfaction  on  learning  the  success  of  her 
arms  in  Africa,  and  to  profit  of  the  occasion  to  reiterate 
their  loyalty  to  the  British  Crown  ;  and  as  an  évidence  of 
their  sympathy  they  offer,  as  a  personal  contribution,  the 
sum  of  twenty-five  dollars  to  the  Patriotic  Fund  of  the 
Dominion.  » 

The  Resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Mayors  of  the 
County  of  Vaudreuil. 

The  Acadians,  in  convention  met,  at  Arichat,  decided 
to  hold  their  next  assembly  at  Caraquette,  N.  B.,  and 
adopted  the  following  resolution  which  was  cabled  te 
London :  — 

«  We,  the  French-Acadians,in  gênerai  convention  assem 
bled   at   Arichat,  Cape-Breton,  make    profession   of  our 


LE   LIVRE   D  OR  9 

unchangeable  loyalty  to  the  British  Crown,  and  in  proof 
of  our  love  for  Her  Majesty  we  tender  Her  our  sympathies 
on  the  occasion  of  the  récent  death  of  His  Royal  High- 
ness,  the  Prince  of  Saxe-Cobourg.  » 

A  Resolution  adopted  by  the  Acadians. 

In  order  to  conclude  this  subject  of  French-Canadian 
Loyalty,  we  v/ill  finally  quote  the  lofty  and  patriotic  senti- 
ments expressed  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Tellier,  M.  P.  P.,  by  His 
Honor  Judge  Baby,  by  Mr.  Dugas,  Q.  C,  and  by  Rev. 
Father  C.  Beaudry,  C.  S.  V.,  of  Joliette,  on  the  occasion 
of  the  distribution  of  medals  to  the  vétérans  of  1S70  :  — 

«  May  this  day's  démonstration,  gentlemen,  be  for  ail  of 
us  a  salutary  lesson,  above  ail  may  it  be  so  for  the  young  ; 
may  this  démonstration,  in  a  spécial  manner,  remind  us 
ail  that  each  one  should  love  his  country,  faithfuUy  serve 
it,  and,  in  case  of  necessity,  be  prepared  to  even  sacrifice 

his  life  for  it. 

«  Tellier.  » 

«  After  this  harangue,  by  the  président,  which,  vibrating 
with  patriotism,  was  frequently  interrupted  by  the  long 
and  hearty  applause  of  the  audience,  Honorable  Judge 
Baby  was  called  upon  to  speak. 

«  The  learned  judge  said  that  he  was  happy  to  address 
the  great  concourse  of  the  day.  He  is  a  child  of  Joliette. 
He  feels  growing  somewhat  older  now,  and  this  reminds 
him  that  he,  as  well  as  many  of  his  contemporaries  will 
soon  dlsappear,  and  that  then  the  weight  of  the  affairs 
and  the  interests  of  the  country  must  fall  upon  the  strong 
shoulders  of  the  brilliant  young  men  that  he  has  now 
before  h:s  cyes. 

«  He  recalled  an  event,  during  the  Fenian  Campaign 
which    serves   well    to    illustrate    the    patriotism   of    the 


lO  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

French-Canadians.  He  remembered  how  in  the  company 
from  Sainte-Mélanie,  there  was  a  private,  named  Perreault, 
a  brave  farmer,  accompanied  by  his  two  sons.  He  is 
happy  to  notice  that  both  of  thèse  sons  received  the 
medals  of  that  occasion  ;  the  father,  however,  has  gone  to 
his  reward  on  high.  Who  dare  say  that  thèse  French- 
Canadians  were  not  loyal  ;  they  were  more  loyal  than  are 
the  men  who  say  that  they  are  not.  Only,  the  French- 
Canadians  make  no  parade  of  their  loyalty;  but  when 
called  upon  to  défend  their  country,  there  is  no  race  on 
earth  that  could  withstand  them.  At  this  moment  England 
is  engaged  in  a  fearful  war  ;  after  one  of  the  victories,  the 
commanding  gênerai  sent  a  message  to  England  to  the 
effect  that  the  victory  was  due  to  the  Canadian  Artillery  ; 
and  that  corps  is  commanded  by  Major  Hudon,  of  Québec, 
a  French-Canadian  like  ourselves. 

«  He  begged  to  ask  one  favor  of  the  young  men.  It  is 
to  be  ever  loyal  to  England,  to  the  British  fîag  that  shields 
us.  Without  England's  support  what  vvould  we  be  ? 
Nothing;  a  small  tribe  of  adventurers  destined  to  become 
the  prey  of  the  great  nations.  .  .  Let  us  ever  love  France, 
our  motherland,  but  let  us  venerate  and  respect  Great 
Britain  our  adopted  country.» 

«  Mr.  F.  O.  Dugas,  Q.  C,  advocate,  of  Joliette,  was  the 
next  speaker.  His  warm,  ardent  and  patriotic  language 
found  an  écho  in  every  heart.  He  was  most  heartily 
applauded  by  the  audience.  He  said,  that,  during  the 
period  of  danger  in  question,  the  district  of  Joliette  con- 
tributed  a  large  share  to  the  defence  of  the  country.  He 
paid  due  compliment  to  each  company  of  volunteers,  but 
in  an  especial  manner  did  hc  piaise  the  Irish  of  Rawdon 
who  formed,  of  themselves  alonc,  two  fuU  companies.  The 
speaker  ihcn  sketched  the  story  of  the  Iwo  Fenian  invasions 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  II 

—  in  1866  and  1870.  He  raentioned  the  loyalty  of  the 
French-Canadians.  He  said  tliat  the  troubles  of  1870 
afîbrded  ihe  Frer.ch-Canadians  an  opportunity  of  proving 
to  the  whole  universe  Ihat  ihey  were  loyal  subjects  ;  that 
their  patriotic  conduct  liad  shown  them  worthy  of  their 
ancestors.  He  is  a  native  of  the  parish  of  Saint-Jacques- 
de-i'Achigan.  He  desired  speciaîly  to  congralulate  his 
fellow-parishioners  onhaving  fi:rnished  a  company  of  their 
own.  He  recalled  the  fact,  that  when  the  trumpet  call  was 
heard  the  captain  of  that  company,  Mr.  Euclide  Dugas, 
was  in  Chicago.  That  valiant  soidier  hurried  back  to  his 
parish,  at  Saint-Jacques,  and  placed  himself  at  the  head 
of  his  company  to  rush  to  the  defence  of  his  threatened 
couutry.  » 

«  The  Kev.  M.  Prosper  Beaudry,  pastor  of  the  town  of 
Joliette,  was  then  invited  by  the  président  to  address  the 
assembly. 

«  Religion  and  patriotism, »  said  he,  «hâve  buried  their 
roots  deep'.y  in  our  hearts,  and  on  many  occasions,  the 
French-Canadians  hâve  given  proof  of  their  devotedness 
to  both  their  faith  and  their  country.  Each  time  that 
Canada  was  threatened,  arms  were  found  to  défend  her. 
We  are  French  in  sentiment,  in  origin,  in  affections,  but 
we  are  faithful  British  subjects,  nor  is  it  necessary  to 
speak  English  in  order  that  we  be  loyal  men,  and  I  do  not 
beheve,  that,  in  ail  her  vast  Empire,  Great  Britain  can  find 
more  loyal  and  devoted  subjects,  than  are  the  French- 
Canadians —  even  when  speaking  the  French  language.  .  . 
As  an  orator  once  said,  the  French-Canadian  gives  his 
heart  to  France  and  his  arms  to  England.  If  ever  our 
country  should  be  in  danger,  England  will  again  find 
many  strong  arms  amongst  us  to  défend  her,  and  priests 
to  bless  her  banners.  » 


12  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  The  superior  of  Joliette  Collège,  Rev.  C.  Beaudry, 
C.  S.  V.,  was  Ihe  next  to  speak.  The  first  men  of  the 
Joliette  régiment  who  left  to  engage  the  Fenian  invaders 
were  three  students  of  the  Joliette  Collège,  Dr.  Sheppard, 
the  late  Arthur  McConville  and  Mr.  J.  U.  Foucher.  In 
our  educational  institutions,  he  said,Ave  cultivate  the  faith, 
but  also  do  we  cultivate  the  love  of  country.  » 

We  might  add  to  ail  those  whom  we  hâve  cited  the 
names  of  the  Mayors  Payment,  of  Ottawa,  Préfontaine,  of 
Montréal,  and  Parent,  of  Québec,  whose  speeches,  on  the 
occasions  of  the  departure  and  of  the  return  of  the  con- 
tingents, bear  the  impress  of  the  purest  loyalty,  as  well  as 
the  names  of  many  others;  but  we  feel  the  necessity  of 
stopping  hère,  for,  were  we  to  continue  on  the  thème  of 
Canadiati  Loyalty^  our  volume  would  not  suffice  to  con- 
tain  ail  we  might  write. 

In  fine,  and  to  close,  we  will  mercly  recall  the  fact  that 
on  the  occasion  of  the  Queen's  Jubilee,  the  Church  was 
happy  to  receive  in  her  sanctuaries,  ail  who  were  désirons 
of  chanting  with  us,  the  loyal  and  sacred  canticle  : 
Domine^  salvam  fac  rcginam  ! 


lilb  IIUNUR  MAVÛR  PRLl'OXTAINE. 


FORMATION  OF  THE  CONTINGENTS 


^TT^T  was  in  accord  with  the  évident  désire  of  a  large 
"Ti  G  number  of  Canadians  that  the  Government  offered 
(s^  the  services  of  our  troops  to  England.  After  ail,  it 
was  net  a  forced,  nor  obligatory  enlistment,  rather  was  it  a 
free  and  enthusiastic  wish  of  the  majority.  So  much  so  was 
this  the  case,  that  had  they  been  accepted,  ten  thousand 
additional  volunteers  could  hâve  been  found,  ail  of  whcm 
would  even  to-day  be  glad  to  walk  in  the  glorious  foctsteps 
of  their  illustrious  predecessors. 

Moreover,  this  is  not  the  first  essay  of  Canadians  upon 
the  soil  of  Africa,  for,  when,  in  1885,  an  appeal  was  made 
to  them  to  go  to  the  relief  of  Kartoum,  and  of  the  heroic 
Gordon,  volunteers  started  away  amidst  the  enthusiastic 
plaudits  of  ail  Canada  ;  and,  on  that  occasion,  Lord 
Wolseley  thus  referred  to  them  : 

«  Cairo,  i3th  April,  1885. 

«  To  the  Governor  General  of  Canada, 

«  The  Marquis  of  Lansdowne. 

«  My  Lord  : 

<(  The  Canadian  Voyageitrs,  employed  in  the  Egyptian 
campaign  hâve  ail  returned  to  Canada.  I  heartily  désire 


14  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

to  express,  to  Your  Excellency,  my  deep  appréciation  of 
their  services,  and  of  the  assistance  they  hâve  been  in  the 
expédition. 

«  With  few  exceptions,  they  hâve  proven  their  perfect 
capacity  as  boalmen.  They  worked  admirably  well,  and 
they  endured  the  fatigues  of  that  rough  campaign  without 
ever  allowing  a  single  murmur  to  escape  them. 

«  On  several  occasions  they  displayed  not  only  much 
skill,  but  also  great  courage  in  the  difficult  and  dangerous 
navigation  of  the  Nile.  I  feel  a  deep  regret  that,  in  the 
exécution  of  their  duty,  some  of  them  fell  victims  under 
the  difficulties  which  they  had  to  surmount. 

«  The  officers,  and  Colonel  Denison  in  particular,  gave 
évidence  of  great  energy  and  goodwill;  their  services 
were  of  great  value.  Permit  me  to  request  of  Your  Excel- 
lency to  communicate  this  letter  to  the  officers  and  to  ail 
the  other  members  of  the  Canadiaii  Voyageurs^  detach- 
ment,  as  well  as  to  the  Canadian  authorities.  Certain 
papers  hâve  published  unfounded  reports  to  the  effect 
that  the  services  of  the  Canadian  boatmen  were  productive 
of  unpleasant  results. 

«  I  désire  to  register  not  only  my  opinion,  but  also  that 
of  ail  the  officers  engaged  in  the  leading  of  the  troops,  and 
ail  of  whom  agrée  in  saying  that  the  services  of  the 
Voyageîirs  were  of  the  greatest  importance,  and,  more- 
over  that  their  conduct  was  excellent.  They  made  a  fine 
réputation  for  themselves  amongst  the  troops  engaged  on 
the  Nile.  The  latter  felt  a  lively  satisfaction  on  beholding 
Canadians  participating  in  the  expédition  and  sharing  with 
them  the  privations  and  dangers  of  the  campaign.  The 
présence  of  Canadians  at  the  moment  when  English,  Scotch 
and  Irish  soldiers  came  together,  brought  into  évidence 
the  ties  that  bind  ail  parts  of  our  grand  Empire   together. 

Il  In  closing,  I  wish  to  express   to   Your   Excellency. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  15 

personally,  ray  sincère  thanks  for  ail  the  trouble  you  hâve 
taken  in  the  enlisting  of  those  Voyageurs  and  in  the 
arrangements  arising  therefrom. 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

«  WOLSELEY, 

«  General.  » 
Add  to  the  above  the  following  despatch  :  — 

«  Downing  Street,  igth  August,  1885. 
«  My  Lord  : 

«  I  am  very  pleased  to  forward  you,  in  order  that  they 
may  be  conimunicated  to  Your  Lordship's  Government, 
the  votes  of  thanks  unanimously  adopted,  on  the  i2th 
instant,  by  the  House  of  Lords  and  by  the  House  of  Gom- 
mons, to  the  troops  of  the  Soudan  expédition  (1884-85)  ; 
thèse  votes  recog-'àze  the  bravery,  discipline  and  good 
conduct  of  the  Canadian  Voyageurs  and  of  their  officers, 
and  "Lhe  services  wbich  they  rendered  the  expédition. 

«  I  hope  that  the  ordinary  means  wili  be  taken  to  make 
public  the  action  of  Parliament  on  this  occasion. 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

«  î'red.  Stanley  (i).  » 

Whence,  therefore,  that  divergence  of  opinion,  amongst 
some  people,  conce:ning  the  expéditions  of  1885  and  those 
of  1899?.  .  .  . 

1S85 I .  .  .  .    1800 : .  .  .  . 

Thèse  two  dates  shall  long  remain  mémorable  in  the 
hifitory  of  Canada  !  .  .  .  . 

So  Great  Eritain  had  accepted  the  voîuntary  ofTer  made 

(i)  The  Canatiiiin  Voyageurs  in  lhe  Soudan  expeUilion,  or  ninety  days  wilh 
lhe  crocodiles,  by  GasiON   P.   La  bat. 


l6  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

by  Canadians,  and,  after  the  exchange  of  messages  between 
the  two  GovernmentSj  three  contingents  departed  (i). 

The  following  is  the  ténor  of  the  despatches  that 
passed  be'ween  the  Ottawa  Government,  Lord  Minto  and 
Mr.  Chamberlain. 

«  According  to  the  promise  given  by  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier, 
at  the  opening  of  the  session,  the  correspondence  con- 
cerning  the  sending  of  Canadian  troops  to  South  Africa, 
was  laid  to-day  upon  the  table  of  the  House.  It  is  now 
clear  from  the  information  that  Sir  Wilfrid  asked  of  Lord 
Strathcona  in  regard  to  what  the  other  colonies  paid  for 
the  sending  of  contingents,  that  the  Government  had  not 
intended  paying  of  itself  ail  the  expenses  occasioned  by  the 
transportation  of  the  troops. 

«  The  correspondence  reads  thus  :  — 

«  A  despatch  dated  the  3rd  October,  1899,  and  coming 
from  the  Hon.  Mr.  Chamberlain,  had  been  submitted  for 
the  considération  of  the  committee  of  the  Privy  Council  ; 
it  reads  as  follows  :  — 

«  The  Secretary  of  State  for  War,  and  the  General-in- 
Chief  désire  that  you  should  express  your  deep  apprécia- 
tion of  the  patriotism  of  the  Canadian  people,  in  offering 
to  send  contingents  into  South  Africa,  and  that  you  give 
the  following  instructions  which  will  aid  in  the  organization 
of  the  troops,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  form  units  which 
may  accord  with  military  requirements  :  ist.  One  hundred 
and  twenty-five  men  should  constitute  each  unit  ;  2nd.  they 
may  be  either  infantry,  or  mounted  infantry,  or  else 
cavalry  ;  3rd.  ail  should  be  armed  with  guns  of  203  décimais, 
which  can  be  supplied  by  the  Impérial  Government,  if 
necefesary  ;  4th.  each  one  should  supply  his  own  equipment, 

(i)  At  the  end  of  this  volume  we  give  an  accoiint  of  the  dep.irture  of  each 
contingent,  as  wcU  as  the  names  of  ail  who  formed  part  thereof. 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  17 

and  the  horse  soldiers  their  mounts  ;  5th.  not  more  than 
one  captain  and  three  subalterns  to  each  unit.  An  officer 
of  a  grade  not  higher  than  that  of  major  can  command  the 
who!e  division.  As  to  the  number  that  we  might  employ, 
the  War  Secretary  will  take  the  nature  of  the  offers  as  a 
basis,  but  he  desires  that  each  colony  be  represented  in  a 
just  and  équitable  manner  ;  but,  at  the  same  time  he  adds 
that  he  could  not  go  beyond  the  necessary  requirements 
should  the  State  make  use  of  ail  the  troops  that  form  part 
of  the  Impérial  forces.  He  will,  with  pleasure,  accept  the 
units,  on  the  fcllowing  conditions  :  the  troops  will  be 
disembarked  at  the  port  of  arrivai,  in  Africa,  fully  equipped 
at  the  expense  of  the  Colonial  Government,  or  of  the 
volunteers,  themselves.  From  the  day  of  landing,  the 
Impérial  Government  will  see  to  their  paymentaccording 
to  the  tarifïol  the  Empire,  will  furnish  the  equipment  and 
munitions,  will  pay  ail  expenses  for  the  return  of  the  troops 
to  Canada,  will  give  pensions  to  the  wounded,  and  will  be 
answerable  for  compensations,  according  to  the  rates 
allowed  by  the  Impérial  Government. 

«  The  contingents  should  not  sail  after  the  3ist  October, 
and  should  be  ordered  to  Cape-Town  where  they  will 
receive  the  necessary  orders.  Please  give  informations 
according  to  the  above-mentioned  instructions,  to  ail  who 
hâve  offered  to  enlist  volunteers. 

«  Signed,         Chamberlain.  » 

«  The  Right  Honorable  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier,  to  whom 
this  despatch  was  sent,  remarked  that  the  Colonial  Secre- 
tary, in  reply  to  the  offers  received  from  diflerent  parts 
of  Canada,  expressing  the  desires  of  the  militiamen  to 
fight  for  Her  Majesty,  said  that  units  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  men  and  a  few  officers  would  be  accepted,  on 
their  arrivai  in  South  Africa  ;  provided  their  expenses  be 
paid  by  themselves,  or  by  the  Colonial  Government. 


l8  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  The  Prime  Minister,  in  view  of  the  well-known  désire 
of  a  great  number  of  Canadians,  anxious  to  enlist  on  thèse 
conditions,  is  of  opinion  that  the  moderate  expenses  of 
the  equipment  and  of  the  transportation  of  the  volunteers 
should  be  paid  by  the  Government  of  Canada,  without 
calling  the  House,  above  ail  it  being  understood,  that 
a  like  expenditure,  under  such  circumstances,  would  not 
be  looked  upon  as  a  departure  from  the  well-known  princi- 
ple  of  Constitutional  Government,  and  of  the  customs 
prevailing  in  colonies,  nor  as  establishing  a  précèdent. 

«  New  Zealand  had  already  sent  two  companies  on  the 
same  conditions  and  under  similar  circumstances  ;  Queens- 
land  will  send  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  ;  Australia  and 
Tasmania  are  sending  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  each. 

«  Consequently,  the  Prime  Minister,  recommends  that 
the  Government  take  from  the  storehouses  of  the  Militia 
Department  what  is  needed  to  equip  a  certain  number  of 
volunteers,  not  exceeding  one  thousand  men  and  provide 
for  their  transportation  from  this  country  to  South  Africa, 
and  that  the  Minister  of  Militia,  take  ail  the  necessary 
steps  towards  this  end. 

«  The  committee  begs  of  Your  Excellency  to  transmit  a 
certified  copy  of  this  minute  to  the  Right  Honorable  the 
Colonial  Secretary. 

«  The  whole  respectfuUy  submitted  for  Your  Excellency's 

approval. 

«  John  J.  McGee, 
«  Secretary  of  the  Privy  Council.  » 

Telegram  from  Mr.    Chamberlain  to   Lord   Minto. 

«  i6th  October,  1899. 

«  Her  Majeàty's  Government  has  received  with  great 
pleasure  your  telegram  of  the  i3th  October  transmitting 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  I9 

me  Canada's  generous  offer  to  send  i,ooo  men,  which  is 

accepted  with  gratitude. 

«  Chamberlain.  » 


« 


Lord  Minto  to  Uk.  Chamberlain. 

«  Ottawa,  2nd  November,  1899. 

:  The  news  of  the  South  Africa  reverses  hascaused  deep 
émotion  in  Canada  ;  but  everywhere  there  is  found  the 
strain  ofhope  thatno  reason  for  alarm  exists.  Myministers 
are,  however,  ready  to  act  in  accordance  with  the  state- 
meîits  of  your  last  despatch,  and  to  immediately  send 
another  contingent,  if  Her  Majesty's  Government  deems 

it  well.  .        ,  ,, 

«Signed,        Minto.» 


Mr.  Chamberlain  to  Lord  Minto. 

((  London,  2nd  November,  1899. 

«  I  communicated,  to  the  War  Secretary,  your  Govern- 
ment's   generous   and    patriotic    offer    to    send    another 
contingent.    His  answer  will  be  wired  you  as  early  as 
possible  ;  I  désire  to  express  to  you  my  thankfulness. 
«  Signed,        Chamberlain.  » 


Mr.  Chamberlain  to  Lord  Minto. 

«  London,  7th  November,  1S99. 

«The  generous  offer  of  your  ministers  to  send  wiihout 
delay  a  second  contingent  for  service  in  Souih  Africa  has 
been  taken  inlo  serious  considération  by  the  War  Secretary 


20  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

and  his  military  advisers  ;  but  he  regrets  not  being  able, 
under  the  circumstances,  to  accept  it. 

«  lier  Majesty's  Government,  however,  takes  note  of  that 
offer,  and  will  not  hesitate  to  take  advantage  of  it,  should 
events  render  the  thing  necessary. 

«  Her  Majesty's  Government  attaches  great  importance 
to  this  fresh  proof  of  sympathy  and  good  will  on  the  part 
of  Canada,  and  desires  to  express  its  grateful  appréciation 
thereof. 

«  Signed,         Chamberlain.  » 


Mr.  Chamberlain  to  Lord  Minto. 

«  London,  i6th  December,  1899. 

«  Referring  to  my  despatch  of  the  yth  November, 
following  anotber  despatch  received  from  New  South 
Wales  asking  :  '  Does  Her  Majesty's  Government  désire 
that  ihe  British  colonies  should  send  more  troops  to 
South  Africa?'  the  following  despatch  was  sent  in  reply  : 
*  Ready  to  accept  fresh  oITers  fiom  the  colonies.  If  such 
offers  be  made,  it  wonld  be  préférable  to  hâve  mounted 
troops  The  soldiers  should  be  trained,  be  good  shots, 
and  be  provided  with  t  hcir  own  horses.'  Communicate 
this  to  your  ministers  for  their  guidance  in  regard  to  their 
offer  of  a  second  contingent  which  Her  Majesty's  Govern- 
ment accepts  with  pleasure. 

«Signed,         Chamberlain.» 

If,  after  ail  this,  tliere  is  anyone  to  blâme,  let  us  only 
blâme  ail  those  who  were  carried  away  by  sentiments  of 
enlhusiasm,  patriolism  and  loyalty  ;  ail  of  whom  heartily 
joined  «  La  Marseillaise  »  to  «  God  Save  the  Queen.  » 


DEPARTURE  OF  THE  CONTINGENTS 


'|TÎ\oLTHOUGH  many  hâve  already  witnessed  a  de- 
Mlfe  parture  of  troops,  we  scarcely  believe  that  they 
■»ic^  ever  experienced  a  sentiment  such  as  at  this 
moment  takes  possession  of  ail  hearts.  In  reality  it  was 
the  first  step  taken  by  our  soldiers  in  the  direction  of 
glory.  .  .  or  of  death,  and  each  one  felt  that  indescribable 
anxiety  of  a  mother  who  notes  her  child's  first  attempts  to 
walk.  "VVill  he  fall  before  he  reaches  the  goal  ?  .  .  .  Yes, 
our  brave  lads  did  reach  the  goal,  and  if  some  of  them 
fell,  at  least  they  fell  gloriously. 

Ail  honor  to  them  ! .  .  And  how  could  it  be  otherwise  ? 
So  numerous  were  the  prayers  and  good  wishes,  from  the 
sincerest  hearts,  that  followed  them,  that  the  God  of 
battles  and  of  victory  must  hâve  taken  them  under  His 
protection.  Those  prayers,  those  wishes,  and  the  hearts 
whence  they  emanated  constituting  the  Mascotte,  the 
talisman  of  the  expédition,  arose  on  ail  sides  and  were 
manifest  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific.  Behold  the  picture  ! 
Vancouver,  Winnipeg,  Toronto,  Kingston,  Hamilton, 
Ottawa,  Montréal,  Québec,  Halifax,  in  a  word,  the  enlire 
Dominion  unfolding  its  standard  over  cur  soldiers,  lo 
bless  iheni,  evcn  as  Christ,  before  His  dcpirlure  from 
earth,  blessed  those  whom  He  sent  forih  to  Jo  battie. 


22  l.E    LIVRE    D  OR 

We  vvill  not  linger  to  tell  and  to  depict  ail  that  was  said 
and  donc  on  that  occasion,  raiher  will  we  quota  from  the 
public  utterances  of  the  leading  personages,  who,  in  the 
name  of  tlie  entire  population,  bade  «  God  speed  »  to  the 
heroes. 

Not  pretending  to  give  in  full  ail  that  was  said  and 
donc  concerning  the  Departure  of  the  Contingents,  we 
will  merely  trace  in  large  Unes  what  took  place  ;  for, 
whether  it  was  the  first,  or  the  second  contingent  that  left, 
ihe  manifestation  was  the  same  ail  around  on  both 
occasions,  the  patriotic  display  of  feeling  was   identical. 

We  will,  however,  dwell  somewhat  more  fully  upon  the 
departure  of  the  Strathconas,  because  the  generosity  of 
the  one  who  established  that  troop  deserves  a  spécial 
mention. 

Therefore,  it  is  amidst  flags  flying  from  ail  public 
édifices,  streets  brilliant  with  décorations,  the  joyous  and 
grand  strains  of  military  music,  and  the  cheers  of  a  whole 
people,  that  we  will  accompany  our  young  soldiers. 

After  Vancouver,  Winnipeg,  Toronto,  Hamilton,  where 
the  send  off  was  royal,  let  us  come  to  Ottawa,  and  there 
listen  to  the  language  in  which  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier  inter- 
preted  the  universal  sentiment  of  the  Dominion  :  — 

«  May  Providence  watch  over  you,  »  he  said,  «  may  He 
protect  you  on  the  field  of  battle  where,  perhaps,  you  will 
shed  your  blood  for  the  flag  that  protects  your  liberties. 
Be  failhful  to  that  flag.  March  in  the  footsteps  of  your 
fellow-countrymen,  who  hâve  already  done  honor  to  Can- 
ada, upon  the  soil  of  Africa.  Remember  that  yonder  you 
will  be  the  custodians  of  our  national  honor  ;  recoUect, 
above  ail  that  you  are  Canadians.» 

Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier's  peroration  was  drowned  in  the 
applause  and  cheers  of  the  vast  concourse. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  23 

After  Sir  Wilfrid,  Sir  Charles  Tupper  spoke  for  three 
quarters  of  an  hour. 

In  Montréal,  Mayor  Préfontaine  made  use  of  the  follow- 
ing  expressions  :  — 

«  The  people  of  Montréal,  and  of  ail  Canada,  estimate 
at  its  true  value  the  îiberty  which  the  British  flag  guaran- 
tees,  because  they  enjoy  the  blessings  thereof.  They  trust 
that  God  will  bless  your  undertaking  and  will  favor  you 
with  an  early  and  triumphant  return  to  the  distant  fields 
of  the  West.  We  honor  the  grand  principle  in  defence  of 
which  you  are  going  to  struggle  ;  we  love  and  respect  that 
glorious  flag,  our  flag,  under  the  folds  of  which  you  will 
fight  ;  we  are  proud  to  witness  Canada  contributing  so 
many  valiant  and  brave  soldiers  to  fight  the  battles  of  the 
Empire. 

«  May  your  trip  across  the  océan  be  a  pleasant  one,  and 
may  each  one  of  you  show,  under  the  enemy's  fire,  what 
sort  of  heart  beats  in  his  breast  !  May  your  patriotism, 
your  loyalty,  your  heroism  be  an  everlasting  example  for 
the  générations  that  ihe  future  will  behold  growing  up 
under  the  folds  of  the  glorious  standard  of  the  Empire.  » 

At  Québec,  it  was  Mayor  Parent  who  gave  expression 
to  the  patriotic  note  that  ever  rings  in  that  good  old 
French  City  :  — 

«  The  Mayor  and  citizens  of  Québec,  offer  you  the  city's 
congratulations,  on  the  eve  of  your  departure  for  the  seat 
of  war  in  South  Africa.  We  désire,  once  more,  to  express 
as  strongly  as  is  possible,  the  hope,  which  we  entertain 
that  you  will  maintain  in  Africa  the  proverbial  réputation 
of  the  old  city  of  Québec,  for  loyalty  to  the  Empire  and  to 
Her  Most  Gracions  Majesty  the  Queen. 

tt  We  express  now  to  you,  in  the  most  cordial  manner 


24  '  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

possible,  the  hope  that  you  may  land  in  South  Africa  in 
time  to  celebrate  the  triumph  of  British  arms  and  that 
you  will  assibt  in  restoring  the  prestige  and  supremacy  of 
the  Empire  in  those  far  off  lands. 

«  We  are  confident  that  you  are  worîhy  to  represent  the 
valor  and  enterprising  spirit  of  our  country,  and  we 
treasure  the  hope  that  you,  as  your  fellow-countrymen 
who  ha/e  preceded  you,  may  be  able  before  long  to  bring 
back  fresh  laurels  to  your  Canadian  homes.» 

Finally,  Halifax  shakes  off  its  British  coldness  to  wel- 
come  our  brave. 

« .  .  .  .  Never  before,  as  to-day,  hâve  the  citizens  of  this 
old  military  town  cheered  on  the  departure  of  the  Moujited 
Rifles  for  Sou'^h  Africa.  It  is  an  event  that  can  never  be 
forgotten.  They  could  not  hâve  been  more  démonstrative 
even  were  ail  the  soldiers  who  left  by  the  Milwatikee 
citizens  of  Halifax.  The  populace  applauded,  sang,  shouted 
and  cheered  from  the  departure  of  the  transport  vessel 
from  the  wharf,  until  it  had  pasbcd  beyond  the  city  and 
had  taken  the  high  seas.  Enthusiasm  was  at  its  height. 

«  To  a  certainty,  the  fact  is  that  the  volunteers,  while 
hère,  had  made  many  friends.  They  had  been  welcomed 
by  the  be5t  families,  and  ail  that  is  possible  was  done  to 
prove  to  them  how  much  their  patriotic  zeal  was  appreci- 
ated.  During  the  raaich  several  ladies  entered  the  ranks 
to  say  a  word  of  farewell  to  the  boys.  As  the  volunteers 
reached  the  gâte  of  the  marine  arsenal,  Hon.  Dr.  Borden 
requesied  Colonel  Steele  to  call  a  hait,  and  going  up  to 
the  top  of  a  high  snow-drift,  the  Minister  of  Militia  read 
a  cablegram  from  Mr.  Chamberlain  to  the  Governor- 
General,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  «The  Queen  fully 
appréciâtes  the  great  zeal  of  Canada,  and  wishes  the 
troops  a  good  trip  and  a  safe  return.  » 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  25 

«  This  gave  rise  to  fresh  cheers.  The  différent  military 
bands  played  patriotic  airs  while  the  troops  embarked. 
There  were  over  three  thousand  people  at  the  marine 
citadel.  » 

Hère  are  a  few  scattered  extracts  from  accounts  of  the 
manifestations  that  took  place  in  several  cities  :  — 

«  Calgary.  —  The  Mounted  Rifles  of  Calgary  left  at  five 
o'clock,  last  evening.  They  received  a  hearty  send  off.  » 

«  St.  John,  N.  B.  —  The  artillery  men  of  Woodstock, 
on  their  way  to  HaHfax,  had  a  fine  réception  at  the  St. 
John  dépôt.  Ail  the  city  was  assembled  at  the  station. 
The  Bank  of  New-Brimswick  voted  five  hundred  dollars 
for  the  Transvaal  relief  fund.  » 

«  Galt,  Ont.  —  The  subscription  fund  for  the  five  young 
volunteers  of  Galt,  amounted,  in  less  than  three  days,  to 
three  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  » 

«  At  Ottawa,  the  train  carrying  three  hundred  soldiers 
arrived.  At  forty  minutes  past  noon,  the  régiment,  dressed 
in  bear,  astracan  and  buffalo  skins  ;  with  feetware  of  beef- 
skin  mocassins,  with  ail  manner  of  head  gear,  carrying  red 
handkerchiefs  around  their  necks,  as  well  as  other  kinds  of 
tics,  and  presenting  a  very  nightmare  appearance,  reached 
the  Parliament  square  on  foot,  preceded  by  Colonel 
Herchmer,  on  a  beautiful  bay  horse,  and  Captain  Winter, 
of  Ottawa,  the  adjutant  of  the  day,  and  followed  by  two 
bands  of  music. 

«  There  were  at  least  twenty-five  thousand  people  pré- 
sent. The  soldiers  formed  three  wings,  at  the  foot  of  the 
stair  way  in  front  of  the  central  tower.  The  Governor 
arrived  at  a  quarter  past  one,  with  Lady  Minto  and  two 
aides-de-camp,  preceded  by  the  dragoons  under  the  com- 
inand  of  Lieutenant  Powell. 


20  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  The  cheers  awakened  the  most  distant  echoes.  Lord 
Minto,  surrounded  by  twelve  ofiîcers,  inspected  the  sol- 
diers,  the  cadets  and  vétérans  of  1S76,  stopping  hère  and 
there  to  speak  to  the  most  remarkable  types  among  them. 
Then,  Colonel  Cotton,  coming  out  from  amongst  ail  the 
officers  of  the  Ottawa  régiments,  in  full  uniform,  called  to 
the  front  the  four  commanding  officers,  as  well  as  Colonel 
Foster,  of  the  engineers  ;  having  drawn  ihem  up  in 
présence  of  Lady  Minto,  the  latter,  after  a  very  neat 
little  speech,  presented  each  one  with  a  lance  with  a 
deep  groen  oriflamme,  while  bordered,  bearing  the  words 
«  Canadian  Jïfounted  Rifles  »  in  red  letters,  and  the  arms 
of  Canada  in  the  corner.  Lady  Minto  m.ade  a  référence  to 
the  services  of  her  husband  in  the  West,  and  said  that  she 
placed  thèse  bannerettes  in  good  hands.  She  closed  by 
wishing  ail  a  happy  trip.  The  Governor  and  Sir  Wilfrid 
delivered  addresses. 

«  The  municipal  councii  and  several  of  the  ministers 
were  présent.  » 

Before  proceeding  we  feel  bound  to  dévote  a  page  to 
Colonel  Gordon,  the  kindly  commander  in  the  district  of 
Montréal  :  — 

«  Saturday  evening,  about  two  hundred  officers,  in  gala 
attire,  assembled  in  the  banquet  hall  of  the  Place  Vigcr 
Hôtel,  to  pay  a  tribute  to  Colonel  Gordon,  commander  of 
the  military  district  of  Montréal,  on  the  occasion  of  liis 
departure  for  South  Africa. 

(t  The  cnlhusiasm  with  which  ail  the  officers  of  mililaiy 
district  No.  5,  of  Montréal,  answcred  ihc  invitation  of  the 
organizers,  and  the  tact  and  zeal  of  tlîesc  latter  turned 
ihat  démonstration  intoan  unpiccedented  military  success. 

<i  Colonel  Cole  acted  as  chairnian,  l.aving  ou  his  riglit 
Colonel  Gordon.  The  musical  portion  of  tlie  programme 


l.E    LIVRE    D  OR  27 

had  been  confided    to   one    of   Alontreal's    best    orches- 
tras. 

«  Afier  the  health  of  the  Queen,  which  was  toasted 
amidst  indescribable  enthusiasm,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cole, 
in  appropriate  language,  proposed  that  of  Colonel  Gordon. 
In  a  few  well-chosen  words  he  recalled  the  kindly  corn- 
niander's  successful  career.  His  expressions  concerning 
Canada's  loyalty  created  universal  applause. 

«  Colonel  Gordon  was  heartily  received  when  he  arose 
to  reply.  He  ihanked  the  officers  for  such  a  mark  of 
esteem  and  fellow-feeling.  Too  much  moved  to  deliver  a 
lengthy  address,  he  begged  of  the  guests  to  beHeve  in  the 
sincerity  of  his  friendship  and  gratitude.  The  health  of 
Mrs.  Gordon  was  proposed  by  Lieuteiiant-Colonel  Labelle 
with  ail  that  gallantry  peculiar  to  the  French.  The  popular 
commander  of  the  ôsth  spoke  of  Mrs.  Gordon's  good 
quahties  and  her  devotedness  to  the  patriotic  fund.  After 
having  referred  to  her  courage,  and  the  grief  which  she 
fait  at  his  departure,  lie  spoke  of  the  great  void  that  the 
colonel's  absence  v»'ould  cause.  » 

As  we  stated  before,  we  owe  a  spécial  mention  to  the 
Strathconas,  both  in  praise  of  thcir  martial  beariiig  and 
as  a  tribute  to  Lord  Strathcona  and  Mount  Royal,  the 
distinguished  patriot  who  is  at  once  the  father  and  the 
colonel  of  that  régiment. 

If  the  words  iheir  martial  bearing  are  italicized,  we 
certainly  do  not  wish  to  take  from  the  valor  of  the  other 
troops,  but  having  nearly  ail  lived  on  the  prairies,  they 
shov/ed  by  their  appearance  that  in  going  to  the  Transvaal, 
tliey  went  into  a  well-known  country.  In  fact  we  might 
say  that,  by  the  rugged  life  they  both  lead,  the  man  of  the 
prairies  and  he  of  the  Veldt  must  be  akin. 

«The  Strathcona  s  Horse  was  inr.pected  yesterday  after- 


28  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

noon  by  His  Excellency  the  Governor-General.  There 
were  very  many  spectators  and  beveral  members  of  Parlia- 
nient  présent,  amongst  others,  the  Hon.  Dr.  Borden, 
Minister  of  Militia,  Sir  Charles  Tupper,  and  Messrs. 
Monk,  Davin,  Clarke,  Cargill,  and  the  Marquis  and 
Marchioness  of  Hertford. 

«  After  the  inspection,  an  address,  from  the  citizens  of 
Sudbury,  was  presented  to  Colonel  Steele  and  his  men,  as 
well  as  a  rich  silk-bordered,  silver-fringed  banner,  with  a 
polished  oak  staff  decorated  in  nickel  and  with  golden 
cords.  In  the  centre  of  the  standard  are  the  words; 
Strathcona  s  Horse. 

n  The  banner  was  made  by  the  ladies  of  Sudbury  and 
had  been  sent  lo  Mr.  Klock,  the  member  for  Nipissing  in 
the  Fédéral  House.  It  was  the  latter  gentleman  who  read 
the  address  to  Colonel  Steele,  the  answer  to  which  evoked 
hearty  applause. 

«  The  Hon.  Dr.  Borden,  Sir  Charles  Tupper  and  Mr. 
Davin,  M.  P.,  then  addressed  the  soldiers,  congratulating 
them  on  their  bravery  and  their  fine  appearance. 

«  The  assembly  dispersed  with  shouts  of  «  Long  Live  the 
Queen  »  and  cheers  for  the  Strathcona  Cavalry. 

«  This  morning  the  contingent  paraded  in  front  of  the 
Parliament  Buildings,  and  Madam  Borden  handed  the 
guidons  to  each  of  the  soldiers.  Lord  and  Lady  Minto 
were  also  présent.  On  Sunday  there  will  be  a  Church 
parade.  The  ofîiccrs  of  tlie  Governor-Generars  Foot 
Guards  and  of  the  43rd  balDllion  wiU  form  the  guard  of 
honor. 

«  At  least  ten  thousand  p'îople  assisled  this  morning,  on 
the  Parliament  Square,  at  the  parade  of  Lord  Slralhcona's 
régiment. 

«  After  having  passed  Ihrough  the  principal  streets  of 
the  city,  the  batallion  drew  up  in  front  of  the  Central 


HONORABLE    BORDEN, 

MINISTER  OF   MILITIA. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  29 

Block  to  receive,  from  the  hands  of  Madam  Borden,  four 
banners  presented  by  the  wives  of  the  Civil  Service 
Employées. 

«  The  ceremony  took  place  in  présence  of  the  Governor- 
General  and  Lady  Minto,  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier,  and  the 
Hon.  Messrs.  Mulock,  Tarte,  Borden,  Blair,  Mills  and 
Scott.  There  were  also  présent  Sir  Louis  Davis^  Sir  Henri 
Joly,  Sir  Charles  Tupper,  Sir  Alphonse  Pelletier,  and  a 
great  number  of  the  members  and  senators. 

«  After  the  présentation  of  the  flags,  the  Governor- 
General  spoke  to  the  volunteers.  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier  was 
the  next  speaker,  and  he  received  an  ovation.  He  highly 
eulogized  the  commander  of  the  régiment,  Colonel  Steele. 
This  military  officer,  as  commander  of  the  North-West 
Mounted  Police,  had  rendered  signal  services  to  the 
country,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  hâve  selected  a  better 
soldier  to  place  at  the  head  of  the  brave  lads  whom  Lord 
Strathcona  was  sending,  at  his  own  expense,  to  défend 
the  Empire's  flag  in  South  Africa. 

«  Sir  Wilfrid  then  referring  to  Lord  Strathcona,  said 
that  the  High  Commissioner  seems  to  consider  that  he 
merely  holds  the  wealth  that  he  has  amassed  as  a  deposit. 
Already  has  he  given  a  large  portion  of  that  fortune  to 
the  cause  of  éducation.  To-day  he  generously  opens  his 
purse  to  aid  in  defending  the  Empire  and  in  bringing 
honor  upon  the  name  of  Canadian. 

«Sir  Wilfrid  closed  by  vvishing  the  volunteers  a  success- 
ful  journcy.  » 

«  The  holiday  which  the  City  of  Montréal  held  yester- 
day,  in  honor  of  the  four  hundred  brave  Canadian.s,  who 
go  to  South  Africa  to  défend  the  Briiish  flag,  will  long 
remain  engraven  in  the  memory  of  the  people  of  Canada's 
commercial  metropolis. 


30  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

«  Young  and  old,  men,  women  and  children,  will  well 
remember  the  i2th  March,  1900.  It  was  a  day  of  spécial 
glory  to  be  recorded  in  oiir  history,  when  the  British  flag 
was  hailed  most  franlically.  Never  in  the  history  of  our 
city  was  such  enthusiasm  known,  as  that  which  took 
possession  of  the  citizens  of  Montréal  as  they  greeted  the 
four  hundred  warriors  that  left,  last  evening,  to  represent 
Canada  and  to  join  in  the  struggle  by  the  sides  of  their 
Canadian  comrades  who  had  gone  before  them.  Mayor 
Préfontaine  declared  a  civic  half  holiday  yesterday.  AU 
the  population  of  Montréal,  irrespective  of  creed  or  race, 
responded  to  the  Mayor's  invitation,  The  number  of 
persons  who  witnessed  yesterday's  procession  is  estimated 
at  no  less  than  fifty  thousand.  As  much  as  fifty  dollars 
was  paid  for  a  suitable  position  to  witness  the  passage  of 
the  Strathcona  Horse.  The  mayor,  the  city  council,  and  a 
large  concourse  of  citizens  met  the  régiment  at  the  railway 
station. 

«  As  soon  as  the  crowd  perceived  the  volunteers,  there 
was  a  regular  outburst  of  applause.  The  scène  that  then 
took  place  is  indescribable  ;  ihe  shouts  and  ihe  cheers, 
mingled  with  the  harmony  of  patriotic  airs  executcd  by 
the  différent  bands,  were  beyond  ail  description.  When 
the  head  of  the  procession  reached  tlie  corner  of  St.  Denis 
and  St.  Catherine  streets,  it  passed  before  the  magnificent 
structure  of  Laval  University,  covered  with  the  banners 
of  ail  nations  as  well  as  British  standards.  The  University 
authorities  did  things  in  grand  style,  and  ail  cheered  in 
frantic  joy  the  appearance  of  the  Strathcona  Horse. 

«  The  students  of  Laval  were  grouped  upon  the  steps 
and  under  the  portico  oî  \\\t\x  Abna  Mater.  Each  of  them 
held  a  British  flag,  and  again  and  again  they  clieered  the 
troops  as  they  marched  past.  On  the  façade  of  the  build- 
ing was  the   following  inscription,  in  French  :  Pour  Dieu 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  3I 

et  r Empire  (For  God  and  the  Empire),  and  this  other 
one  :  Dieu  sauve  la  reine  !  {God  Sav  the  Queen  !) 

«  It  would  not  be  easy  to  describe  the  ovation  on  the 
part  of  the  McGill  students,  who  formed  portion  of  the 
procession,  in  honor  of  the  Laval  students  ;  as  the  former 
passed  the  doors  of  the  University,  the  McGill  boys 
shouted,  in  their  enthusiasm,  «  IVhai  is  the  matier  wiih 
Laval  ?  She's  ail  right,  you  bct^  »  and  the  Laval  students 
returned  the  cheers  with  wild  and  prolonged  hurrahs. 

«  Six  hundred  people  attended  the  banquet  at  the 
Windsor  Hôtel,  over  which  Mayor  Préfontaine  presided. 
On  his  right  were  seated  Colonel  Steele,  commander  of 
the  Strathcona  régiment;  Mgr.  Racicot;  Hon.  Judge 
Tait  ;  Hon.  Judge  Davidson  ;  Principal  Peterson  of 
I^IcGill  University  ;  Hon.  Senator  A.  W.  Ogilvie  ;  Pion.  J. 
J.  Guerin  ;  and  Alderman  Faucher:  on  his  left  were 
Hon.  Mr.  Forget,  Lieutenant-Governor  of  ihe  North-West 
Territories,  Sir  Alexander  Lacoste,  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Court  of  Queen's  Bench  ;  Colonel  Roy,  commander  of  the 
5th  military  district;  Hon.  Alphonse  Desjardins;  Ex- 
Mayor  Wilson-Smith  ;  and  Colonel  Ibbotson,  commander 
of  the  Royal  Scotts. 

«  Âfter  the  healih  of  the  Queen,  letters  of  excuse  were 
read  from  Mgr.  Bruchési,  Bishop  Bond,  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Jette,  and  oihers. 

Il  Speeches  were  then  delivered  by  Mayor  Préfontaine, 
Principal  Peterson,  of  McGill,  Mgr.  Racicot,  Hon.  Judge 
Lacoste,  Hon.  Judge  Davidson,  Ex-Mayor  Wilson-Smiih, 
Hon.  Mr.  Forget  and  Colonel  Steele.  » 

We  will  hâve  to  be  content  with  a  few  extracts  from  the 
address  delivered  by  the  Mayor,  which  contained  the 
substance  of  the  noble  sentimenis  cxpressed  by  ail  the 
others  :  — 

«  Permit  me,  at  this  moment,  as  a  French-Canadian,  to 


32  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

déclare  that  no  portion  of  our  cosmopolitan  community 
expériences  a  greater  pleasure  in  your  visit  nor  wishes 
you  more  sincerely  success  and  a  complète  and  crowning 
triumph  in  your  South  African  campaign,  than  do  the 
French-Canadians  of  Montréal.  We  vvish  you  good  fortune 
and  victory,  because  the  Queen  and  the  flag  for  which 
you  are  to  fight,  are  equally  our  Queen  and  our  flag.  The 
French-Canadians  hâve,  themselves,  fought  for  the  Union 
Jack  at  St.  Johns,  at  Plattsburg,  at  Bennington,  at  Sarato- 
ga,  at  Chateauguay,  at  Butte-aux-Français,  in  Egypt,  in 
the  Soudan,  in  South  Africa  and  elsewhere,  and  they  are 
ready  to  do  the  same  again  as  often  as  their  services  may 
be  required. 

«  More  than  that,  Colonel  Steele,  officers  and  soldiers, 
the  citizens  of  Montréal  are  proud  of  you  on  account  of 
the  enterprise  you  hâve  so  nobly  undertaken,  and  because 
they  believe  you  are  the  very  men  to  accomplish  it. 

«  We  count  upon  you,  as  vve  do  upon  your  comrades  of 
the  mounted  infantry,  the  field  artillery,  and  of  the  infantry, 
who  hâve  gone  before  you,  to  sustain  the  honor  and  name 
of  Canada  ;  and  judging  by  your  condition  for  service,  we 
know  that  we  will  not  be  disappointed. 

«  This  country,  thanks  to  the  heroism  of  her  sons,  who 
are  serving  in  the  first  contingent,  has  already  gleaned  a 
rich  and  imperishable  harvest  of  glory  on  the  fields  of  the 
présent  unfortunate  war  in  South  Africa;  we  feel,  that 
with  entire  confidence  we  can  dépend  upon  the  Strathcona 
régiment  to  sustain  that  réputation  for  bravery  and  other 
military  virtues,  which  the  brave  Canadians,  who  belong 
to  the  detachment  commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Otter,  hâve  established. 

«  We  will  follow  you  with  interest  and  pride,  as  we  havc 
donc  the  various  corps  recruited  in  this  city.  Rest  assured 
that  the  Canadian  people  will  follow  you  with  a  sympa- 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR 


33 


thetic  eye,  through  ail  the  vast  expanses  of  the  dark 
continent,  that  they  will  be  proud  of  your  sacrifices  and 
your  bravery,  that  they  will  remember  the  sufferings  that 
you  shall  hâve  endured  in  the  accomplishment  ot"  your 
duty.  In  spirit  we  will  follow  you  in  your  long  nnarches  ; 
we  will  stand  sentinel  with  you  upon  the  désert  sands  of 
Africa,  and  under  the  marvellous  and  serene  brillancy  of 
the  Southern  stars.  We  will  follow  you  through  the  ravines 
and  over  the  kopjes,  upon  the  red  fields  of  battle,  where 
the  sensé  of  danger  imparts  a  fresh  energy  to  the  valiant 
ones  who  learned,  beneath  the  folds  of  the  Uniori  Jack  to 
fight  like  heroes  ;  where  the  grandeur  of  the  situation 
imparts  an  energy  of  iron  and  nerves  of  steel  to  the 
glorious  soldiers,  who,  from  Eneland,  from  Ireland,  from 
Scotland,  from  Wales,  from  South  Africa,  from  Australia, 
from  New-Zealand,  from  India,  and  from  Canada,  hâve 
gone  forth  to  do  battle  for  our  noble  and  beloved  Sovereign. 
«  Our  thoughts  will  be  with  you,  when,  scorning  danger, 
you  shall  march  to  victory,  over  rocks,  plains  and  rugged 
mountains,  and  when  each  step  of  your  glorious  advance 
shall  chime  in  with  our  prayer,  as  it  ascends,  ardent  and 
persistent,  to  the  God  of  armies  and  of  justice,  begging 
that  He  spare  your  lives  and  accord  to  your  courage  and 
devotedness  the  success  that  they  so  well  deserve.  « 

We  must  net  omit  a  few  of  Colonel  Steele's  remarks  : — 

«  As  he  arose  to  speak  he  found  himself  face  to  face 
with  his  two  little  grand-daughters,  standing  on  the  table, 
and  presenting  him  with  a  splendid  bouquet.  He  kissed 
them  affectionately,  and  then  turned  from  that  enjoyment 
to  the  duty  of  culogizing  his  soldiers. 

«  And  to  begin,  »  said  he,  «  he  was  very  far  from  expect- 
ing  such  a  démonstration  when  he  left  Ottawa  ;  he  could 
find  no  words  to  thank  the  people  of  our  city.    In  any 


34  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

case,  he  fdt  proud,  far  more  so  than  hecould  express  ;  he, 
an  obscure  Canadian  (cries  of  no  !  no  !)  lo  be  honored 
vvith  the  command  of  the  Strathcona  Horse. 

«  He  could  never  enumerate  the  fine  qualities  of  the 
soldiers  composing  that  régiment.  There  are  amongst 
them  men  from  the  Yukon,  from  Peace  River,  who  travel- 
led  six  hundred  miles  to  enlist.  The  recruiting  was  done 
with  extraordinary  rapidity.  The  colonel  closed  by  saying 
that  we  shouîd  remember  that  he  was  only  a  soldier  and 
that  a  soldier's  duty  is  action  rather  than  speech.» 

«  The  Mayor  read  a  cablegram  from  Lord  Strathcona, 
expressing  his  regret  at  not  being  able  lo  be  in  the  midst 
of  his  men  on  this  occasion,  and  thanking  the  people  of 
Montréal  for  the  réception  given  to  them.  God  Save  the 
QiteeJi  closed  the  event,  and  the  guests  took  iheir  depart- 
ure.  The  day  had  been  a  splendid  one  from  every  stand- 
point.  Montréal  rarely  ever  witnessed  a  more  successful 
démonstration. 

«  The  Straihcojia  Horse  started  again,  at  eight  o'clock, 
for  Halifax,  thence  for  South  Africa,  and  (who  knows  ?) 
possibly  for  eternity.  Let  us  hope,  however,  that  some  day 
soon  they  will  come  back  to  us,  happy  after  their  distant 
expédition,  and  bearing  with  them,  under  a  raass  of  laurels, 
a  ray  of  Africa's  sun  as  a  souvenir.  » 

Now  they  are  at  Halifax  :  — 

«  Halifax.  —  The  Strathcona  régiment  embarked  about 
five  o'clock,  yesterday  afternoon,  on  board  the  Monter ey, 
wliich  started  for  the  African  roast  this  morning,  at  five 
o'clock.  The  embarkation  took  place  amidst  the  greatest 
enthusiasm.  Immediately  before  leaving  the  barracks,  the 
cablegrams  sent  by  Lord  Strathcona  were  read  to  the 
soldiers.  Messrs.  Elder-Dempster  had  the  Monterey 
grandly  decorated.    Speeches  were  delivered  by  General 


GOOD  BYE  MY  BOY,  A.\D  L.UD  BLESS  YOU. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or 


35 


Lord  William  Seymour,  Lieutenant-Governor  Daly,  and 
Colonel  Steele.  Then  Hon.  Dr.  Borden  read  the  following 
cablegram  :  — 

«  London,  to  Borden,  Minister  of  Militia,  Halifax. 

«  Please  read  for  my  régiment,  the  following  note,  which 
I  received  from  Her  Majesty's  private  secretary,  and  to 
which  you  will  give  fitting  publicity. 

«  Her  Majesty  is  happy  to  express  her  confidence  in 
the  régiment,  before  its  departure,  and  sincerely  believes 
that  the  soldiers  will  equal  iheir  Canadian  comrades,  who 
are  fighting  so  valiantly,  at  the  présent  moment,  for  the 
Empire.  The  Queen  wishes  them  ail  success  and  an  early 
return  to  their  homes. 

«  In  my  reply  to  Her  Majesty's  secretary,  I  stated  that 
the  officers  and  soldiers  considered  it  a  privilège  to  hâve 
the  honor  to  serve  both  their  Sovereign  and  the  Empire  ; 
that  they  will  be  ever  ready  to  perform  their  duty  as 
Canadians  and  as  loyal  British  subjects,  in  order  to  justify 
the  confidence  so  graciously  reposed  in  them  by  Her 
Majesty. 

«  Signed,        Strathcona.  » 

«  Borden,  Minister  of  Militia,  Halifax. 

«  Please  convey  to  Colonel  Steele,  to  his  officers  and 
soldiers,  the  expression  of  the  great  disappointraent  I  feel 
in  not  being  able  to  assist  at  their  departure.  I  am  none 
the  less  happy  to  personally  wish  them  a  good  journey 
and  an  early  return,  absolutely  certain  as  I  am  that  they 
will  bravely  fulfil  their  service,  thus  doing  honor  to  the 
Dominion  and  to  our  well-beloved  Sovereign. 

«  Strathcona.  » 


36  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  AU  along  the  roule  of  procession  the  streets,  stores 
and  houses  were  filled  with  great  crowds.  The  Législature 
had  adjourned,  and  the  members  of  the  House,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  municipal  council,  preceded  the  oOldiers  in 
carriages.  The  Strathconas  were  immediately  preceded 
by  the  66th  Princess  Louise  Fusiliers,  with  band.  Then 
came  :  Lieutenant-Colonel  Irving  and  the  band  of  the 
Leinster  régiment;  one  hundred  soldiers  of  the  63rd  Rifles 
with  band  closed  the  Une  of  march,  followed  by  thousands 
of  citizens  and  a  few  members  of  the  Leinster  régiment. 

«  The  contingent  of  one  hundred  men,  destined  to  take 
the  places,  over  there,  of  the  Canadians  who  had  fallen  on 
the  field  of  honor,  attracted  the  spécial  attention  of  the 
spectators,  and  were  most  enthusiastically  greeted  for 
their  imposing  and  proud  bearing. 

«  At  five  o'clock,  the  embarking,  which  took  place  at 
the  Government  wharf,  was  over  and  the  Monterey  slowly 
moved  out,  the  stem  pointing  seaward.  The  bands,  in 
vibrating  notes,  pealed  forth  the  national  anthem,  and  the 
enthusiasm  of  the  people  did  not  subside  until  the  anchor 
was  weighedand  the  vessel  beyond  range  of  the  eye.  » 

AT  CAPE-TOWN  1 

«  Toronto.  —  A  London  despatch  to  the  Evening  Teh- 
gram  says  :  — 

«  A  cablegram  from  Cape-Town,  states  that  the  transport 
SardiniaJi.  bearing  the  Canadian  contingent  has  reached 
hère.  At  Cape-Town,  the  Canadian  troops  will  march 
through  the  principal  streets  of  ihe  city,  and  the  Governor 
will  proclaim  the  day  a  légal  holiday.  » 

«  Cape-Town.  —  Sir  Alfred  Milner  has  issued  a  procla- 
mation to  the  people  of  Cape  Colony,  in  which  he  draws 


LE   LIVRE    d'or  37 

their  attention  to  the  many  proofs  that  the  Queen  does 
not  favor  any  one  nation  at  the  expense  of  another  one. 

«  That  proclamation  was  read  in  the  schools,  the 
churches,  and  ail  the  public  places.  » 

«  Ottawa.  —  The  followiug  despatch  has  been  received 
from  Sir  Alfred  Milner,  Governor  of  British  South  Africa. 

«The  Cape. — Hâve  just  wished  'God  speed'  to  the  Can- 
adian  contingent  ;  ail  well  and  pleased  to  go  to  the  front. 
The  people  hère  showed  in  a  most  undeniable  manner 
their  deep  appréciation  of  the  help  coming  from  Canada. 

«  MlLNER.  » 

Finally  ;  they  hâve  ail  arrived,  haie  and  hearty,  from 
first  to  last,  upon  the  scène  of  their  glorious  exploits,  and 
we  now  make  room  for  their  letters,  written  in  their  blood 
and  with  the  sword  point. 

NOTICE. 

We  désire  to  inform  the  reader  that  we  bave  eliminated 
from  the  letters  aught  that  might  not  be  of  public  interest, 
and  that  the  extracts  which  we  give  hâve  not  been 
arranged  according  to  dates,  rather  hâve  they  been  classi- 
fied,  and  without  any  préférence  as  far  as  our  braves  are 
concerned  —  for  from  first  to  last  they  equally  participate 
in  the  glory. 


Montréal,  April  24th,  1900. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Laeat, 

I  don't  think  I  can  do  better  thrai  give  you  the  enclosed 
as  my  contribution  to  your  work.  «  Strai/icona's  Horse  n 
certainly  could  not  hâve  a  better  setting  than  in  a  book 


38  IS    LIVRE    d'or 

dedicated  to  the  memories  of  our  brave  soldiers  on  the 
South  African  Veldt.  Hoping  this  will  meet  with  your 
approval  and  wishing  you  ail  success. 

Believe  me  faithfully  yours, 

W.  H.  Drummond. 


STRATHCONA'S    HORSE 

"A  tout  seigneur  tout  honneur.' 


O,  I  was  thine,  and  thou  wert  mine,  and  ours  the  boundless  plain 

Where  the  winds  of  the  north,  my  gallant  steed,  ruffled  thy  tawny  mane, 

But  the  summonshath  corne  with  roU  of  drum,  and  bugles  ringing  shrill 

Startling  the  prairie  antelope  ;  the  grizzly  of  the  hill, 

'Tis  the  voice  of  Empire  calling,  and  the  children  gather  fast 

From  every  land  where  the  cross  bar  floats  out  from  the  quivering  mast. 

So  into  the  saddle  I  leap,  my  own,  with  bridle  swinging  free, 

And  thy  hoof  beats  shall  answer  the  trumpetsblowing  across  the  sea  ! 

Then  proudly  toss  thy  head  aloft,  nor  think  of  the  foe  to-morrow, 

For  he  who  dares  to  stay  our  course,  drinks  deep  of  the  Cup  of  Sorrow  ! 

Thy  form  hath  pressed  the  meadow's  breast  where  the   sullen  grey- 

wolf  bides, 
The  great  red  river  of  the  north  hath  cooled  thy  burning  sides, 
Together  we've  slept  while  the  tempest  swept  the  Rockies'  glittering 

chain, 
And  many  a  day  the  bronze  centaur  hath  galloped  behind  in  vain  ! 
But  the  sweet  wild  grass  of  mountain  pass,  the   shimmering  summer 

streams, 
Must  vanish  forever  more,  perchance,  into  the  land  of  dreams; 
For  the  strong  young  North  hath  sent  us  forth  to  battlefields  far  away. 
And  the  trail  that  ends  where  Empire  trends,  is  the  trail  we  ride  to-day  I 
But  proudly  toss  thy  head  aloft,  nor  tliink  of  the  foe  to-morrow, 
For  he  who  bars  Strathcona's  Horse  drinks  deep  of  the  Cup  of  Sorrow  I 

William  Henry  Drummond. 


LORD  STRATIICUNA  AND  MOUxNT  ROYAL. 


A  LETTER  FROM  COLONEL  STEELE 


The  Commander  of  Strathcona's  Horse  sends  good 
news  of  his  men. 


HE  following  very  interesting  letter  was  received 


K:) 


X31|     by  Mr.  John  A.  Kerr,  Town  Clerk,  of  Perth,  Ont., 
<^sî^      from  Colonel  Steele,  of  Strathcona's  Horse  : 

«  Standerton,  June  25lh,  1900. 
«  My  Dear  Jack, 

«  I  am  with  the  third  Mounted  Brigade,  General  Buller's 
advance,  under  Lord  Dundonald,  who  is  a  very  fine 
soldier  and  a  perfect  nobleman.  We  lay  at  the  Cape  for 
some  time  under  orders  for  very  important  work,  and 
were  then  sent  to  Zululand  and  Kosi  Bay.  The  A  and  C 
Squadrons  to  the  former  country  and  B  Squadron  to  the 
latter,  a  bay  in  the  Indian  Océan,  to  land  and  make  a 
rapid  march  through  Tongaland,  almost  unknown,  and 
destroy  the  railway  and  bridge  at  Komati  Poort,  which 
supplies  the  Boers  from  the  Portuguese  territory.  Tl^.e 
scheme  had,  when  I  arrived  at  Kosi  Bay,  leaked  ont 
through  some  fool  at   the  Cape,  and  the  Boers  had  put  in 


40  LE    LIVRE   D  OR 

an  enormously  superior  force,  which  rendered  our  ex- 
tremely  risky  business  still  more  risky.  I  had  to  change 
my  way  of  going  about  it,  and  join  my  other  Squadrons. 
I  did  this  at  Durham  and  marched  to  Estcourt,  Zululand, 
and  then  was  on  the  point  of  advancing  the  250  miles 
through  Zululand  and  Tongaland,  when  Lord  Roberts 
again  changed  the  plan  and  sent  us  hère.  I  had  to  make 
a  forced  march  to  Durban,  iio  miles,  in  three  days,  with 
a  big  outfit,  and  from  thence  corne  by  rail  to  Newcastle 
to  join  General  Buller.  I  did  so,  and  after  arranging  my 
transports  made  two  days  of  forced  marches  to  Volksurst 
in  the  Transvaal,  and  there  joinedthe  Brigade,  with  which 
we  now  are.  I  marched  with  it  to  Paardekop,  where 
opposition  was  expected,  but  we  found  none.  Then 
marched  hère,  28  miles,  where  we  hâve  remained  while 
General  Buller  is  concentrating  for  an  important  move- 
ment.  We  saw  the  tremendous  strong  position  of  the 
enemy  forced  by  General  Buller  to  relieve  Ladysmith,  and 
the  other  positions  of  Laing's  Nek  which  he  skilfully 
turned.  It  is  no  use  for  any  one  to  abuse  General  Buller 
in  this  army.  I  consider,  and  so  does  every  one  else,  Ihat 
the  difficulties  with  which  he  had  to  contend  were  greater 
than  any  yet  met  with  in  South  Africa,  and  could  not  be 
accomplished  except  by  an  extremely  able  commander. 
The  position  was  almost,  if  not  quite,  impregnable  and 
the  troops  that  would  face  them  are  certainly  of  a  high 
character  as  soldiers. 

«  The  régiment  is  splendid,  but  it  has  taken  constant 
attention  to  get  it  into  shape. 

«  Hoping  you  are  well,  I  am 

«  Yours  truly, 

Il  S.  B.  Steele.  » 


é 


LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  S.   B.   STEELE. 

APPOINTED    TO    FOITRTH    CLASS   OF   VICTORIAN     OKUER. 

In  reply  to  ihe  King's  speech.  Colonel  Steele  said  :  —  "  The  Strathconas  are 
always  ready   to   défend  the   flag,  the  King  and  the  rights 
of  the  British   Empire." 
THE   KING'S   COLOURS 

PRESESTED     BY 

HlN  MoMt  «mclous  Majesty   Edwanl   VII. 

KINIi     ANO    EMPEKOK     TO 

LORD    STKATHCONA'S    CORPS 
In   rfiognifion  of  si-rvices    rendered  to  tli,-  Eiitfiire   in    South    A/rfca    in    IQOO. 


LE   LIVRE   d'or 


41 


STRATHCONA  HORSE  COVERED  THEMSELVES 
WITH  GLORY 

«  Pretoria,  June  2  5th,  1900. 

«  Strathcona's  Horse  has  done  one  of  the  great  deeds 
of  the  war. 

«  Leaving  Cape-Town  a  month  ago,  they  went  to  Dur- 
ban by  water,  and  then  proceeded  up  country,  reaching 
General  Buller's  forces  in  time  to  do  splendid  service  in 
the  advance  from  Newcastle  on  towards  Standerton  and 
Pretoria,  service  for  which  they  received  spécial  mention 
in  General  Buller's  despatches  to  the  War  Office,  approved 
by  Lord  Roberts. 

«  Now  they  hâve  done  a  deed  which  vvill  live  in  history. 

«  They  hâve  blown  up  the  railway  bridge  at  Komati 
Poort,  on  the  railway  between  Pretoria  and  Komati  Poort, 
and  hâve  eut  off  ail  communication  of  the  Boers  with 
the  sea. 

«  Ail  the  Delagoa  Bay  Railway  rolling  stock,  the  Boer 
artillery,  the  whole  Boer  army,  including  the  gold  taken 
by  Président  Kruger  from  the  mint  hère,  are  west  of  that 
break,  and  must  now  inevitably  fall  into  our  hands. 

«Strathcona's  Horse  has  effectually  bottled  up  the  Boers. 

«W.  RicHMOND  Smith, 
«Spécial  Correspondent  of  the  Star  in  South  Africa.» 

WITH  STRATHCONA'S  HORSE 

«  Mrs.  Fraser,  of  Esquimalt,  B.  C,  has  received  the 
following  letter  from  her  sons,  Harry  and  Wilfrid  Fraser, 
serving  with  Strathcona's  Horse  in  South  Africa  : 

«  Standerton,  June  24th,  1900. 

«  We  hâve  just  got  hère.  Buller  is  hère  wiih  his  army, 
and    it   makes   quite   a    large   camp.    For  one  night  we 


42  LE   LIVRE   D  OR 

camped  at  the  foot  of  Majuba  Hill,  and  then  just  missed 
the  Boers  at  Laing's  Nek.  Now  they  don't  expect  any 
more  fightiag,  so  the  gênerais  say.  One  of  the  sentries 
hère  was  shot  last  night.  He  was  not  one  of  our  men.  He 
was  shot  in  two  places  —  in  the  head  and  shoulder —  and 
died  in  ten  minutes.  Our  men  don't  do  the  outpost  duty, 
this  being  left  for  the  regulars. 

«  Dundonald's  and  Clery's  men  are  camped  hère. 
Yesterday,  Sunday,  we  had  Divine  service,  and  the  old 
clergyman  who  conducted  the  service  said  he  had  been 
hère  for  27  years,  and  for  21  years  had  known  that  the 
Boers  hâve  been  preparing  for  this  war.  He  also  spoke  as 
though  the  war  was  entirely  over,  so  you  may  expect  to 
hear  any  day  of  our  coming  home. 

«Standeiton  is  about  100  mi'es  in  the  Transvaal,  on  the 
Vaal  river.  We  are  camped  about  half  a  mile  from  the 
town.  The  country  itself  is  just  like  the  prairie.  At  night 
there  is  about  5  degrees  of  fiost,  and  tht  day  is  very  warm, 
just  like  we  had  in  Calgary. 

«  Just  before  the  Boers  left  hère  they  blevv  up  the 
railway  bridge  and  burnt  ûown  the  work  shops.  They 
were  still  burning  when  we  got  in,  so  they  could  not  hâve 
been  very  far  ahead  of  us.  There  are  a  few  British  families 
hère,  and  you  may  be  sure  they  were  very  glad  to  see  us. 

«  This  is  the  place  they  expected  the  Boers  to  make 
their  final  stand,  but  they  hâve  left  the  railway  and  gone 
across  country,  right  between  BuUer  and  Roberts,  so  the 
whole  thing  will  soon  be  over. 


«  Standerton,  June  2Sth,  1900. 

«  I  will  add  a  few  more  lines.  We  got  some  mail  last 
night,  only  one  ietter  from  you,  of  îlay  Sth.  We  also  see 
by  the  paper  that  war  is  about  to  be  declared  between 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  43 

Japan  and  Russia.  They  are  practising  the  farewell  march 
every  day  to  play  when  we  leave  South  Africa.  We  can't 
hâve  too  many  letters  from  hère,  as  the  trains  hâve  only 
run  twice  since  the  Boers  blew  up  the  bridges.  There  is 
an  arm  inspection  at  lo  o'clock,  so  I  must  stop.  We  hâve 
taken  two  or  three  prisoners,  including  one  old  man  of  80. 
He  said  they  would  stop  fighting,  but  if  they  did  they 
would  be  shot  by  their  own  men.  » 

STRATHCONA'S  HORSE  ON  THE  SEA 

«The  Cape  Times,  of  April  iith,  pubHshed  a  lengthy 
account  of  the  arrivai  of  Strathcona's  Horse  on  the 
Moiiterey.  According  to  this  account,  the  Western  men 
suffered  severeîy  from  sea-sickness. 

«  The  quarter-deck  was  turned  into  a  deck-chair  hospital 
for  invalided  officers,  suffering  from  a  very  painful  and 
unpleasant,  but  non-infectious  complaint.  The  lower  decks 
seemed  strewn  with  corpses.  A  lyddite  shell  might  hâve 
exploded  over  the  forward  decks,  killing  ail  around  merely 
by  its  deadly  fumes.  From  personal  observation  during  those 
days  I  am  convinced  that  more  than  one  would  hâve 
welcomed  a  shower  of  grape  shot.  AU  things  corne  to 
those  who  wait,  however,  if  they  live  long  enough  ;  and 
with  very  few  exceptions  the  fourth  day  out  saw  men  with 
good  appetites,  if  not  quite  certain  in  their  strides.  The 
troopers  gained  their  sea-legs  much  quicker,  on  the  aver- 
age,  than  did  the  officers. 

«  One  short  week  (seven  days  after  leaving  Halifax), 
and  we  were  in  a  groove  —  might  bave  been  born  on  a 
transport,  and  lived  ail  our  lives  there.  Drills  were  in  full 
swing,  both  with  Strathcona's  Horse  and  the  contingent 
of  the  Royal  Canadian  Régiment,  and  we  had  settled 
down  to  work  and  enjoy  ourselves. 


44  LE  LIVRE  D  OR 

FrOM  SNOW  TO  SUN. 

«  We  soon  left  the  ice  and  snow,  and  cold  winds,  and 
ran  into  vvann,  balmy  air.  It  was  glorious.  Men  off  duty 
lay  full  length  on  anything  soft,  and  drank  in  the  soft- 
tempered  air,  until  sleep  carried  them  and  their  thoughts 
to  realms  of  imagination. 

«  From  this  génial  atmosphère  to  still  warmer,  and  from 
this  to  hot  weather,  till  the  pitch  in  the  deck  seams  sizzled 
in  the  sunshine. 

«  It  was  then  that  we  fuUy  appreciated  the  thoughtful- 
ness  of  the  owners  of  the  Moiiterey  for  having  such  a 
splendid  store  of  ice  on  board.  We  at  once  reaHzed  that 
we  were  specially  favoured  ;  therefore,  as  a  transport,  the 
Monterey  stands  out  in  successful  prominence. 

«  Naturally,  with  this  abundance  of  ice  on  board,  our 
food  and  water  were  exceptionally  good,  both  in  quality 
and  condition.  Indeed,  the  fare  provided  was  so  good 
that  several  had  to  do  many  arduous  sentry-goes  in  the 
cool  of  the  evening  in  order  to  obviate  any  tendency  to 
an  increase  in  avoir  du  poids. 

«  Once  the  deck  awnings  were  stretched,  there  was  a 
rush  to  stake  claims  for  sleeping  berths  above,  for  despite 
ail  artificial  means  to  induce  the  air  to  cool  the  staterooms, 
they  more  resembled  upholstered  ovens. 

EpIDEMIC   AMONGST   THE    HORSES. 

«  About  this  tinie  an  épidémie  that  had  broken  out 
among  the  horses  became  very  much  worse.  Our  veterinary 
surgeon  diagnosed  it  as  a  bad  ibrm  of  pneumonia,  and 
whatever  the  cause,  the  poor  animais  died  in  half-dozens. 
Up  to  the  time  of  writing  this  (April  8th)  we  hâve  lost 
over  a  hundred,  and  although  the  worst  is  over,  we  still 
continue  to  lose  a  few.  I  asked  Colonel  Steele  if  he  could 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  45 

in  any  way  account  for  the  loss  —  for  the  épidémie  — 
and  he  admitted  that  he  could  not.  The  only  reason  he 
could  think  at  ail  probable  vvas  their  having  left  a  particu- 
larly  dry  and  high  région  to  corne  dovvn  to  the  damp  and 
moist  airs  that  they  were  unaccustomed  to.  Everything 
that  human  ingenuity  could  devise,  or  skilled  labour,  or 
careful  watching  and  attention  do,  was  done  ;  but  it  was 
in  vain,  though  the  mortality  might  hâve  been  greater  had 
not  this  great  attention  been  shown.  Of  this  latter  I  am 
convinced,  although  I  practically  know  nothing  of  the 
ailments  of  horses,  and  of  bronchos  in  particular. 

«  As  I  said  before,  we  got  into  a  groove.  I  suppose  it  is 
so  on  every  vessel  on  a  long  voyage.  Groove,  or  no  groove, 
we  managed  to  put  in  a  good  time.  Ofifîcers  fraternized, 
and  so  did  the  men,  and  there  appeared  to  be  some 
instinctive  feeling  that  personal  matters  and  feelings  were 
to  be  under  subjection,  and  that  one  and  ail  must  act  for 
the  comnion  weal.  With  ideas  like  thèse  prévalent,  it  may 
be  taken  for  granted  that  our  leisure  moments  were  ones 
that  can  be  looked  back  upon  with  feelings  of  satisfaction. 
Little  edges  of  friction  arose  at  times  (especially  in  the 
very  great  heat),  but  thèse  only  go  to  show  that  men  can, 
if  they  like,  easily  control  their  tempers  ;  or,  if  an  occa- 
sional  outburst  does  come,  or  a  hasty  word  slips  out  (and 
repented  of  next  moment,  of  course)  it  proves  we  are 
human  beings  and  not  angels,  and  it  leaves  the  opportunity 
of  showing  vindictiveness,  or  otherwise.  On  board  the 
Monterey  it  has  been  the  otherwise  throughout,  and  I  am 
pleased  to  be  able  to  make  this  statement  public. 

An  alarm  of  fire. 

«  The  evening  of  the  2  7th  March  produced  the  one  bit 
of  real  excitement  of  the  voyage,  and  it  was  excitement  of 
a  kind  few  people  désire  a  répétition  of. 


4^  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

«  It  was  just  eight  o'clock.  Eight  bells  had  gone,  and 
we  in  the  officers'  mess-room  were  loitering  over  the  final 
stages  of  dinner,  Loitering,  for  a  refreshing  breeze  had 
sprung  up,  and  coming  through  the  open  portholes  of  the 
saloon,  sent  a  glorious  cool  wave  of  air  through  the  room, 
a  much  appreciated  change  from  the  hitherto  stifling  heat. 

«  Suddenly  we  were  ail  startled  by  hearing  the  bugles 
ringing  out  the  fire  call. 

«  There  was  a  rush  from  the  saloon.  Some  made  for  the 
quarter-deck  to  try  and  find  out  at  once  where  the  fire 
was.  Others  dashed  to  their  squadron's  quarters,  and  yet, 
although  it  was  a  rush,  it  was  an  orderly  one,  a  mère 
hurried  movement,  just  a  natural  désire  to  get  somewhere 
quickly,  but  knowing  where  that  somewhere  was.  Of 
panic  there  was  no  sign.  It  might  hâve  been  a  daily 
occurrence,  having  a  fire  on  board.  I  saw  one,  or  two  even, 
stop  to  finish  their  coffee.  It  only  occupied  a  second  or 
so,  but  it  showed  nerves,  or  want  of  them. 

«  As  smoke  generally  means  fire,  so  does  fire  usually 
mean  water.  Hence,  as  I  had  only  a  thin  pair  of  slippers 
on,  I  made  a  hasty  movement  to  my  stateroom  for  a  pair 
of  boots,  I  was  not  many  minutes  away,  but  when  I 
reached  the  quarter-deck  some  of  the  troops  were  standing 
in  line  handing  along  buckets  of  water,  while  others  were 
drawn  up  at  either  side  of  the  vessel,  or  were  watching 
calmly  and  orderly  aft. 

«  Colonel  Steele  was  standing  by  the  bridge.  I  saw  him 
lean  over  the  rails  towards  his  men,  who  were  watching 
the  second  ofiîcer  of  the  Monterey,  and  some  sailors 
smashing  down  the  temporary  bakehouse  that  was  the 
scène  of  the  fire. 

«'Steady,  there,  men.  No  talking.  Keep  silent  there,' 
were  the  only  words  the  commanding  ofiîcer  uttered,  and 
they  acted  like  magie.    Not  a  sound  was  audible  but  the 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  47 

crash  ing  of  the  axes  against  the  wood,  and  the  swish  and 
splutter  of  water. 

«  Fifteen  minutes  of  waiting,  and  then  we  heard  the 
ship's  officer  call  oui  that  ail  was  over.  Men  vvent  back  to 
their  quarters,  but  before  going  gave  a  ringing  cheer,  a 
cheer  that  meant  victory,  and  a  cheer  that  will  be  raised 
again  and  again  for  still  greater  victories.  That  cheer  on 
the  Aloiiterey  was  the  pioneer. 

Stovvaways  turn  up. 

«  The  next  thing  in  séquence  was  the  remarkable  daily 
increase  in  the  transport's  company.  First  one  stowaway 
came  to  light.  then  a  couple  would  come  upon  the  scène, 
and  finally  a  batch  of  five  put  in  their  appearance.  How 
some  of  thèse  men  got  to  Halifax  is,  and  possibly  will 
remain,  a  mystery.  I  believe  that  three  of  thèse  gentry 
were  medically  examined  and  accepted  for  the  Canadian 
Régiment,  but  afterwards  for  some  reason  not  explained 
they  were  rejected  and  left  behind  at  Montréal.  Now 
Montréal  is  not  far  short  of  a  thousand  miles  from  Halifax, 
and  the  fare  is  accordingly  high.  The  question  is,  did 
thèse  men  pay  their  fare,  or  did  they  travel  free  by  freight 
train  à  la  Winston  Churchill  7  The  authoriiies  at  Cape- 
Town  will  find  out  something,  no  doubt,  and  the  other 
stowaways  will  find  out  something  also,  probably  not  to 
their  liking. 

Crossing  the  line. 

«  As  we  neared  the  Equator  the  heat  became  very 
oppressive,  but  notwithstanding  great  préparations  were 
made  for  Father  Neptune  to  initiate  the  novices,  and  as 
the  day  approached  excitemcnt  ran  rcally  high.  The 
cérémonies  commençed  on  the  night  of  Mardi  30ih.  when 


48  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

Father  Neptune  boarded  the  Moiiterey  somewhere  near 
the  bow,  and  in  a  stentorian  voice  (through  a  mégaphone) 
asked  several  questions  concerning  the  health  and  détails 
of  those  on  board,  finally  departing  with  a  promise  to 
return  at  two  p.  m.  the  following  day.  At  the  appointed 
hour  Neptune  and  his  motley  suite  duly  put  in  an  appear- 
ance  —  a  huge  canvas  tank  full  of  water,  and  a  kind  of 
flag-covered  dais  for  Father  Neptune  being  in  préparation. 
The  weird-looking  contingent  paraded  the  deck  to  the 
accompaniment  of  much  beating  of  empty  méat  tins,  and 
other  and  several  sounds  outside  the  chromatic  scale. 
Their  appearance  was  supposed  to  be  awe-inspiring,  it  was 
superbly  ridiculous,  and  was  capitally  done.  Neptune  and 
his  suite  then  took  up  their  positions,  and  the  great 
cérémonial  began.  Impetuous  troopers,  glad  of  the  chance 
of  a  few  minutes'  cooling  and  a  respite  form  the  sweltering 
heat,  plunged  into  the  tank,  without  waiting  for  being 
formally  introduced  to  Neptune  and  his  missus.  Then  a 
few  reluctant  bathers  were  unceremoniously  plunged  into 
the  tank,  and  thoroughly  ducked.  Officers  and  men  were 
then  introduced  to  the  great  sea-god  —  duly  lathered 
with  a  mixture  of  soap  and  glue  —  shaved  and  shampooed. 
«  Matters  were  progressing  gaily  and  coniparatively 
smoothly  when  an  enterprising  Strathcona  Horseman 
gained  possession  of  a  neighbouring  kopje  with  a  hose, 
which  he  promplly  used  as  a  Maxim.  The  deluged  spec- 
tators  hastily  beat  a  retreat,  but  quickly  reforming,  a  hot 
engagement  ensued  for  the  possession  of  the  kopje,  or 
rather  the  hose.  The  attacking  force,  although  outnumber- 
ing  the  defenders  considerably,  made  the  mistake  of 
approaching  in  close  formation.  The  attacking  party 
wavered,  and  were  on  the  point  of  retreating,  when  another 
contingent  making  a  clever  flank  movement,  the  contest 
was  renewed  with  double  vigour,  and  finally  the  kopje 
was  taken. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR 


49 


«  This  little  épisode  was  the  beginning  of  the  end. 
Instead  of  their  ardour  being  cooled  by  the  copious 
draughts  of  water  poured  on  them,  it  was  just  the  oppo- 
site. An  immédiate  rush  was  made  for  Neptune  and  his 
gorgeous  pavilion.  Father  Neptune  was  immediately 
dethroned  and  his  robes  of  office  stripped  off  him.  His 
attendants  were  one  and  ail  duly  ducked  in  the  bath 
arranged  for  the  benefit  of  others,  and  Neptune  himself 
narrowly  escaped  a  similar  fate,  a  brass  curtain-rod  being 
his  salvation.  The  novices  of  the  day  were  later  on 
presented  with  a  certificate  of  membership  to  the  Neptune 
Lodge. 

ChARACTERS    of   THE   CORPS. 

«  Although  there  has  been  much  fun  on  board  it  must 
not  be  assumed  that  there  has  been  no  work.  Drills  hâve 
been  going  on  raorning  and  noon,  theaft  upper  decks  never 
being  free  from  one,  or  an  other  squadron.  Considering 
that  thèse  men  when  they  left  the  North-West  of  Canada 
practically  knew  nothing  of  mihtary  work,  their  progress 
has  been  simply  marvellous.  I  ascribe  this  efhciency  not 
only  to  perpétuai  drilling  and  a  keen  intelligence,  but 
more  to  that  esprit  de  corps  that  has  permeated  ail  ranks. 
Everyone  appeared  by  instinct  to  understand  that  their 
future  success  depended  upon  individual  as  well  as  col- 
lective efforts,  and  every  praise  is  due  for  the  manner  in 
which  this  prevailing  idea  has  been  put  into  exécution, 
and  Colonel  Steele  may  well  be  proud,  as  he  is,  of  the  fine 
body  of  men  he  commands,  and  it  will  be  pleasing  to  Lord 
Strathcona  to  know  that  his  anticipations  hâve  been  more 
than  vérifie  d.  » 

i(  The  Rev.  Canon  Bland  has  received  the  following 
most  interesting  letter  from  his  son,  E.  Mallby  Bland,  of 


50  LE   LIVRE   DOR 

Strathcona's  Horse,  which  was  published  in  the  Hamilton 
Times  of  October  30th  :  — 

«  Spitkop,  September  isth,  1900. 

«  Since  I  last  wrote  to  you  we  hâve  been  under  fire 
every  day,  and  hâve  had  lots  of  hard  work  and  no  rest. 
For  over  a  week  we  did  not  get  into  camp  till  after  dark, 
and  were  off  again  at  dayhght.  We  used  to  get  a  cup  of 
tea  as  soon  as  we  got  in,  and  then  tumble  into  bed.  It 
was  hard  on  the  poor  horses,  and  we  hâve  lost  a  great 
many,  nearly  a  hundred  having  to  walk.  My  steed,  fortu- 
nately,  is  as  well  as  ever,  and  looking  fine.  We  had  a  big 
fight  the  other  day,  though  the  Strathconas  were  not 
actually  in  it,  being  some  distance  ofif  protecting  the  left 
flank.  However,  we  could  see  the  whole  battle  quite 
plainly.  First  of  ail  the  Boers  took  up  a  position  on  the 
top  of  a  kopje,  with  their  big  guns  and  pom-poms.  The 
big  guns  opened  the  bail,  and  there  was  an  artillery  duel 
for  several  hours,  our  guns  just  pouring  the  shrapnel  and 
lyddite  into  them,  bursting  just  right  every  time.  Then  the 
Rifle  Brigade  charged  and  the  Boers  turned  pom-poms 
and  machine  guns  on  them  at  close  range,  knocking  out 
116  of  them.  However,  they  took  the  hill  just  about  dusk, 
the  Boers  going  out  on  the  run  with  the  Lancers  in  fuU 
pursuit. 

«  Next  morning  I  went  over  the  place  and  there  were 
dead  Boers  lying  ail  around,  and  we  buried  70  of  them  in 
one  big  trench. 

«  The  country  which  we  are  in  at  présent  is  the  roughest 
I  ever  saw,  something  like  the  north  shore  of  Lake 
Superior,  perhaps,  on  a  little  larger  scale,  with  almost 
inipassable  roads.  One  thing  is  certain  that  we  can  never 
go  back  the  way  we  came  with  any  load,  as  it  will  be  ail 
the  cattle  can  do  to  pull  back  the  empty  waggons.  We 


LE    LIVRE    D'OR  SI 

struck  a  town  the  olher  day  called  Lydenburg.  You  will 
find  it  on  the  map  north  of  Delagoa  Bay  Railway.  It  is  a 
very  pretty  little  place,  with  lots  of  trees,  which  are  a 
scarce  article  in  this  country  as  a  rule.  The  Boers  had 
their  big  guns  on  some  hills  surrouuding  the  town,  and 
they  made  things  pretty  lively  for  two  days  till  we  got 
them  out.  I  saw  a  Long  Tom  shell  knock  out  fourteen  of 
the  Gordons  one  day.  The  whole  battalion  was  marching 
across  an  open  place  which  the  Boers  were  shelling,  when 
bang  !  went  a  shrapnel  just  thirty  feet  above  Company  I, 
who  were  the  last.  The  whole  company  were  knocked  flat 
on  their  faces  and  when  the  dust  had  cleared  they  got  up, 
but  fourteen  lay  on  the  ground,  one  killed  and  the  rest 
wounded.  The  remainder  of  thera  went  right  on,  never 
looking  behind,  and  I  déclare  some  of  them  never  even 
got  out  of  step,  I  was  standing  within  a  hundred  yards  of 
them  when  it  happened,  and  I  rushed  up  at  once  to  see  if 
I  could  be  of  any  help,  and  they  told  me  to  help  carry  the 
wounded  ofî  the  field  under  cover.  So  another  fellow  and 
I  carried  two  of  them  over  to  an  ambulance  near  by.  One 
chap,  a  sergeant,  and  a  magnificent  fellow,  wilh  legs  like 
an  ox,  got  a  pièce  of  shell  in  the  upper  part  of  the  leg 
which  severed  the  main  artery  and  broke  the  bone.  Oh  1 
how  he  did  suffer  !  In  carrying  him  off  we  had  to  lay  hira 
down,  as  he  was  so  heavy,  and  he  just  begged  us  not  to, 
as  it  hurt  him  so  in  speading  out  his  legs  when  the 
stretcher  touched  the  ground.  I  heard  afterwards  at  the 
hospital  that  he  will  pull  through  ail  right,  though  he  may 
lose  his  leg.  Such  a  pity  I  The  other  chap,  a  pièce  of  shell 
had  come  down  the  right  side  of  his  head  and  laid  open 
his  cheek  and  broke  his  jaw,  and  he  actually  tried  to  go 
on  with  his  régiment,  but  had  to  drop  out  from  sheer 
weakness.  That  shov/s  you  what  stuff  the  British  soldier  is 
inade  of.  .  .  1  muit   say  afler   sccing  that,  I  would   ralher 


52  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

be  hit  with  a  rifle  bullet  than  with  a  sharpnel  ;  and  it  is 
not  a  very  pleasant  thing  to  hear  those  big  shells  corne 
whistling  lowards  you  for  ten  seconds  or  so  before  they 
explode.  You  always  imagine  every  shell  is  coming  straight 
for  you  and  novvhere  else,  and  you  duck  your  head  when 
it  gets  close. 

«  The  other  day  we  were  in  a  valley  back  of  hère,  and 
there  were  320  shells  fired  at  us,  and  only  13  men  hit.  I 
got  so  used  to  them  that  in  the  afternoon  I  went  to  sleep 
for  a  couple  of  hours.  We  were  lying  under  cover  at  the 
time  in  the  bed  of  a  creek,  where  the  Boers  could  not  hit 
us  very  well,  though  some  of  the  shells  came  a  little  too 
close  to  be  comfortable.  The  mail  closes  to-night  at  8.15, 
and  as  it  is  already  dark  I  must  close. 

«  Your  loving  son, 

«  E.  Maltby  Bland.  )) 

TWO  BROTHERS  IN  ARMS 

Sons  of  the  Honorable  Wm.  Macdougall,  C.  B.,  Q.  C,  P.  C. 

John  Gladwyn  Macdougall  was  born  in  Toronto  in  1876, 
received  his  primary  éducation  at  Trinity  School,  Port 
Hope,  after  which  he  matriculated  at  the  parent  institution 
—  Trinity  Collège,  Toronto.  He  graduated  from  there  in 
1898,  taking  his  B.  A.  degree,  and  for  a  time  studied  lavv 
in  the  office  of  John  Abbott,  Esq.,  Q.  C,  Montréal,  at  the 
Lame  time  following  the  law  course  at  McGill  University. 
m  health  compelled  his  removal  to  Vancouver,  B.  C, 
where  he  continued  his  légal  studies  in  the  office  of 
Tupper,  Peters  &  Gilmour.  When  the  reserve  company  of 
the  Stralhcona  Horse  was  being  raised,  he  was  one  of  the 
first  to  volunieer  for  service  in  it  under  Captain  Adamson. 
He  wai  wounded  at  the  baitle  of  Siandcrton,  and  after  a 


THE  TWO  BROTHERS  IX  ARMS. 
TROOPER  H.  V.  MACDOUGALL,      TROOPER  J.  G.  MACDOUGALL, 

Canadian  Mounted  Rifles.  Of  Strathconas. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR 


53 


long  and  tedious  period  of  confinement  to  hospital  at 
Howick,  Natal,  was,  in  October,  invalided  to  England,  to 
enable  him  to  recuperate,  having  manifested  great  pluck 
and  endurance  throughout  his  trying  expérience. 

Harold  Macdougall,  was  educaled  at  Trinity  School, 
Port  Hope,  and  subsequently  held  a  position  in  the 
service  of  the  Dominion  Bank.  Resigning  therefrom,  lie 
was  appointed  to  a  place  on  the  staff  of  the  Library  of 
Parliament  at  Ottawa,  where  he  remained  but  a  short 
time,  owing  to  the  Klondyke  fever,  which  seized  so  many 
of  our  adventurous  young  men  at  the  opening  of  the  Gold 
fields,  in  that  région,  and  just  retumed  from  Dawson  City 
on  his  way  home,  when  the  call  to  arms,  was  made  in 
Canada,  for  a  second  Service  Corps,  to  proceed  to  South 
Africa,  and  enlisted  in  the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles,  at 
McLeod,  N.  W.  T.  From  the  time  of  his  arrivai  at  the 
seat  of  war,  he  served  with  his  régiment  continuously.  He 
is  a  man  of  splendid  physique,  and  strong  and  hardy 
nature,  which  is  proven  by  the  fact,  that  during  his  long 
service  in  South  Africa,  he  has  never  been  ofif  duty  a  day, 
from  any  cause  whatever. 

In  April,  he  was  given  charge  of  a  Maxim  gun,  and 
promoted  to  the  lank  of  Corporal. 

«  Toronto,  July  7th,  1900. 

«  The  Eveniîig  Telegram's  spécial  cable  from  London, 
says  :  — 

«  A  despatch  from  Vlakfontein,  in  the  south-eastern 
portion  of  the  Transvaal,  reports  that  some  sections  of 
Strathcona's  Horse,  after  seeing  a  convoy  safely  through 
Rustfontein  Défile,  near  Greyslingstadt,  left  eighteen 
Strathconas  watering  their  horses  on  this  side  of  the  défile. 
One  hundred   Boers  concealed  in  the  long  grass  on  a 


54  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

kopje,  opened  fire.  Reinfoicements  hurried  to  the  scène, 
and  the  Strathconas  brought  a  Maxim  up  into  play  and 
knocked  several  Boers  oft  their  horses  as  Ihey  were 
retiring.  The  enemy  decamped.  » 

MORE  FRAISE  FOR  CANADA 
Mr.  Chamberlain  and  Lord  Strathcona  pleased  with 

THE    PART   SHE    HAS    PLaVED. 

«  Ottawa,  July  çth,  1900. 

«  The  foliowing  letter  fiom  the  Hon.  Joseph  Chamber- 
lain, Colonial  Secretary,  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Walkley,  Minister 
of  the  Church  of  Our  Father  (Unitarian),  has  been 
received  :  — 

«  Colonial  Office,  London,  June  25th.  1900. 

«  Dear  Sir, 

«  I  hâve  received  your  letter  of  June  iith,  saying  that 
the  Church  of  Our  Father  will  hold  a  spécial  service  on 
Sunday,  July  ist,  being  Dominion  Day. 

«  The  voluntary  and  spontaneous  resolution  of  Her 
Majesty's  Canadian  subjects  to  support  with  their  blood 
and  treasure  their  fellow-subjects  in  South  Africa  in  their 
strûggle  for  political  freedom  and  equity,  has  made  the 
past  year  a  mémorable  one  in  the  history  of  Canada  and 
the  Empire.  The  révélation  which  has  thus  been  given  of 
the  strength  and  unity  of  the  Empire  must  tend  to  promote 
the  cause  of  liberty  and  progress,  with  which  the  British 
rule  is  identified. 

;i  I  am,  yours,  very  faithfully, 

(■  J,  Chamberlain.  » 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR  55 

«  Lord  Strathcona  also  writes  to  a  prominent  member 
of  the  same  Church  as  foUows  :  — 

«  I  think  that  Canada  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  the 
success  of  Confédération,  and  every  anniversary  must 
strengthen  the  feeling  of  pride  which  we  feel  for  our 
country,  the  great  resources  which  it  contains,  and  the 
rapidity  with  which  they  are  being  developed.  Canada  is 
no  longer  a  colony,  but  a  Dominion,  and  an  important 
intégral  part  of  the  British  Empire.  The  events  of  the  past 
few  months  hâve  done  more  than  anything  that  has 
happened  for  years  past  to  bring  the  différent  parts  of  the 
Empire  doser  together,  and  to  show  the  world  the  feeling 
of  kindship  that  exists  among  Her  Majesty's  subjects,  no 
matter  where  they  may  réside.  This  community  of  interest 
and  the  doser  union  that  is  sure,  sooner  or  later  to  follow, 
is  bound  to  hâve  results  of  the  highest  national  and 
Impérial  importance. 

«  Believe  me,  yours  very  truly, 

«  Strathcona.  » 


LORD  STRATHCONA  MEMORIAL 

«  Ottawa,  April  20th,  igoo. 

«  Subscriptions  hâve  been  opened  to  raise  a  fund  to 
commemorate  the  patriotic  action  of  Lord  Strathcona  in 
equipping  the  splendid  régiment  of  horse  for  service  to 
the  Empire  in  South  Africa,  and  his  many  munificent 
gifts  to  Canada.  It  is  proposed  to  hâve  executed  a  bust 
of  Lord  Sirathcona  in  white  marble  for  the  capital  of  the 
Dominion.  The  Government  has  given  permission  to 
place  the  bust,  when  complète,  in  the  library  of  Parliament. 


56  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

"  The  work  is  in  progress  by  Mr.  Hamilton  MacCarthy, 
R.  C.  A.,  sculptor,  Ottawa.  » 


HOW    STRATHCONAS    DIED 

«  London,  October  iith,  1900. 
«  A  spécial  despatch  from  Lydenburg  says  :  — 

«  A  Boer  prisoner  tells  the  story  of  the  way  in  which  a 
patrol  of  five  troopers  of  Strathcona's  Horse,  under  Ser- 
geant  Brothers,  met  death. 

«  It  appears  that  they  were  suddenly  surrounded  by  a 
strong  force  of  Boers. 

«  The  Canadians  indignantly  refused  to  surrender  and  a 
murderous  fire  was  exchanged  at  short  range,  until  every 
man  in  the  party  was  riddled  with  buUets,  but  not  before 
each  Canadian  had  accounted  for  three  Boers.  » 

PRAISED  BY  BULLER 

«  London,  October  iith,  1900. 

«  Sir  Redvers  BuUer,  while  passing  through  Machado- 
dorp  and  bidding  farewell  to  the  troops,  said  he  should 
be  greatly  pleased  to  tell  Lord  Strathcona  of  the  magni- 
ficent  work  of  his  troopers.  » 

After  this  just  and  valuable  compliment  we  leave,  not 
with  our  heart,  but  with  our  pen,  the  Strathconas  at  their 
noble  and  arduous  work. 


-§^ 


COLONEL   W.    D.  ÛTTER. 


COLONEL  W.  D.  OTTER,  D.  O.  C. 

Commanding  Officer  2nd  'Spécial  Service^  Battalion,  Canadian  Staff, 

A.  D.  C.  to  His  Excellency  the  G ovemor- General.    Fenian 

Eaid,  1866.     North-West,  1885.     Wounded  Israel's 

Pouit.    April   25th,   1900,   since   promoted 

Colonel  for  his  brilliant  condact. 


AARDEBERG  was  the  Waterloo  of  the  Boers 
1^  through  the  heroic  conduct  of  the  Canadians.  I 
^  où  &  leave  the  explanation  of  that  mémorable  day  to 
Colonel  Olter's   report. 

The  Colonel  tells  of  the  Canadiens  at  Paardeberg. 

LaY    ADVANCE    POST.     LaY  WITHIN  65  YARDS 
OF    THE    MAIN     BOER    TRENCH. 

«  Ottawa,  April  6th,  1900. 

«  In  the  House  of  Commons  to-day  Dr.  Borden,  Minis- 
of  Militia,  read  the  following  report  from  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Otter,  the  officer  commanding  the  Second  Battalion 
Royal  Canadian  Régiment,  addressed  to  the  chief  staff 
officer  of  militia,  Canada:  — 

«  Paardeberg  Drift,  February  26th,  1900. 
«  Sir, 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  report  upon  the  part  taken  by  the 
battalion  under  my  command  in  the  engagement  at  Paar- 
deberg on  the  iSth  instant. 


58  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  The  battalion  arrived  near  Paardeberg  Drift  with  tlie 
içth  brigade,  at  6  a.  m.,  of  the  iSth  instant,  having  fornied 
the  rear  guard  to  the  brigade  in  its  march  during  the  night 
from  KHp  Drift  ;  a  distance  of  21  miles. 

«  Within  half  an  hour  of  the  arrivai  of  the  battalion 
orders  were  received  to  be  ready  to  parade  at  7  a.  m., 
and  at  7.20  a.  m.  the  battahon  moved  out  to  support  the 
artillery  about  a  mile  away.  The  men  in  the  meantime 
had  a  biscuit  and  a  cup  of  tea. 

(t  Hardly  had  the  battalion  reached  the  place  designated 
than  it  was  ordered  to  move  to  the  drift  and  cross  the 
river.  This  was  done  and  the  crossing  began  at  about 
8.30  a.  m.  The  current  ran  nine  miles  an  hour  while  the 
water  was  sufficiently  deep  to  reach  up  to  the  men's  arm- 
pits.  Two  crossings  were  used  about  50  yards  apart,  over 
one  of  which  a  rope  was  stretched,  by  which  the  men 
passed  across  by  holding  on  to  it,  and  at  the  other  the 
men  passed  over  in  fours  with  linked  arms. 

In   THE    FIRING    LINE. 

«  The  companies  as  they  crossed  were  pushed  forward, 
and  at  9.30  a.  m.  A  and  C  companies  were  in  the  firing 
Une  at  about  500  yards  from  the  enemy,  who  occupied  the 
woods  along  the  near  edge  of  the  river,  but  were  totally 
hidden  from  view.  They  also  occupied  a  séries  of  dongas 
enfilading  our  left  flank,  but  this  was  not  discovered  until 
towards  afternoon,  when  they  disclosed  themselves,  al- 
though  they  were  quietly  '  sniping  '  from  that  direction 
ail  day.  D  and  E  companies  formed  the  support,  while, 
■as  B,  F,  G  and  H  came  up,  they  formed  the  reserve. 

«  The  remainder  of  the  brigade  was  disposed  of  as 
under  :  — 

«  The  D.  of  C.  L.  I.,   on  our  right,  the  Cordons  and 


LE    LIVRE    d'or 


59 


Shropshires  were  on  our  left,  in  the  order  named,  but  on 
the  other  side  of  the  hill,  on  our  left,  and  behind  the 
artillery.  The  baltalion,  however,  was  practically  alone, 
and  during  the  whole  day  received  no  orders,  or  instruc- 
tions from  any  one  until  about  4  p.  m.,  as  noted  later  on. 

«  In  addition  to  the  iQth  brigade  the  3rd  Highland 
brigade  was  engaged  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  besides 
artillery  and  mounted  infontry. 

«  Firing  began  at  about  9.30  a.  m.,  from  the  enemy's 
right  and  continued  along  their  front  towards  the  centre. 
The  advance  of  the  battalion  took  place  over  perfectly 
open  ground  somewhat  undulating,  and  with  no  cover 
save  the  inequalities  ot  the  ground,  and  a  few  ant  hills. 
The  firing  line  attained  a  position  from  the  enemy  varying 
from  400  yards  on  the  right  to  800  yards  on  the  left,where 
it  remained  until  late  in  the  afternoon. 

«  After  the  establishment  of  the  firing  line,  the  enemy's 
fire  was  for  some  time  very  severe,  and  Captain  Arnold, 
who  at  the  time  was  doing  most  excellent  service,  was 
mortally  wounded,  and  many  others  hit. 

«  During  this  time  three  or  four  men  in  the  reserve  (H 
Company)  were  wounded  at  a  distance  of  over  1,600  yards. 

DOES    EXCELLENT   SERVICE. 

«  At  about  noon  D  company  reinforced  the  firing  line 
and  shortly  afterwards  E  and  part  of  B  companies  âlso 
reinforced,  the  remainder  of  B,  F  and  G  companies  be- 
coming  supports,  with  H  still  in  reserve.  Only  one  maxim 
gun  could  be  crossed,  and  that  was  soon  got  into  position 
by  Captain  Bell,  on  the  rising  ground  to  the  left,  at  a 
distance  of  some  1,000  yards,  where  it  did  most  excellent 
service  during  the  day,  being  in  a  position  to  keep  down 
the  fire  of  the  enemy  who  occupied  the  dongas  on  our  left. 


•6o  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  A  battery  of  the  field  artillery  occupied  the  hill  on  our 
left  rear  and  shelled  the  enemy's  lines  at  intervais  during 
the  day. 

«  The  fire  discipline  of  the  several  companies  engaged 
was  excellent  and  perfect  coolness  as  well  as  accurate 
shooting  was  maintained  throughout. 

«  Throughout  the  day  the  fire  was  maintained,  at  times 
being  coriparatively  slack  and  then  severe.  The  enemy 
evidently  had  the  ranges  marked,  as  their  fire  at  certain 
prominent  places  was  so  accurate  as  to  render  them 
almost  untenable  by  us.  Interruption  to  our  fire  was 
occasioned  several  times  during  the  day  by  the  cry  from 
beyond  the  right  of  our  line  to  '  stop  firing  on  the  left,'  as 
men  in  that  part  were  being  hit  from  the  fire  from  our  left. 
The  fire  complained  of  was,  I  am  satisfied,  from  the 
dongas  occupied  by  the  enemy  on  our  left,  and  not  from 
our  own  men. 

«  At  about  4  p.  m.,  three  companies  of  the  Duke  of 
Cornwall's  Light  Infantry  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  AU- 
worth,  came  up  and  this  ofiicer  informed  me  that  '  he  had 
been  sent  to  finish  this  business,'  and  '  proposed  doing  so 
with  the  bayonet.'  He  then  asked  for  information  respect- 
ing  our  own  position  and  that  of  the  enemy,  which  I 
gave  him. 

«  One  Company  of  the  Coinwalls  was  at  once  sent  into 
the  firing  line,  foUowed  in  half  an  hour  by  the  other  two, 
this  reinforcement  being  received  by  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
whole  length  of  the  enemy's  front. 

FORWARD    WITH   A   RUSH. 

«  At  5  p.  m.,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Allworth  notified  that 
a  gênerai  advance  would  take  place,  and  about  5.15  p.  m. 
the  whole  force,  with  the  exception  of  parts  of  G  and  H 
companies,  which  I  held  in  reserve,  went  forward  with  a 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  .  6l 

rush.  The  fire  of  the  enemy  became  intense  and,  after  an 
advance  of  about  200  yards,  effectively  stopped  our  men, 
and  no  further  progress  could  be  made.  The  loss  to  both 
the  corps  taking  part  in  the  charge  was  very  severe. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Alhvorth  was  killed.  The  position 
gained  was,  however,  held  and  a  continuons  heavy  fire 
maintained  until  darkness  set  in  about  7  p.  m.,  when  I 
gave  the  order  to  coUect  the  dead  and  wounded  and 
withdravv  to  the  bivouac  at  the  drift.  The  enemy  also 
withdrew  from  their  position  at  the  same  time  to  the  Boer 
laager,  some  two  miles  up  the  river,  leaving  a  few  men  in 
the  dongas  on  our  left,  who  continued  '  sniping  '  our 
collecting  parties  until  10  p.  m. 

«  Many  instances  of  individual  bravery  were  displayed, 
as  for  example,  the  case  of  (No.  8,110),  Private  Kennedy, 
who  led  one  of  the  ammunition  mules  right  up  to  the  firing 
line,  where  it  was  instantly  killed.  The  company  stretcher- 
bearers  exhibited  great  pluck,  and  five  of  them  were 
among  the  wounded.  Three  were  wounded  in  conveying 
Captain  Arnold  from  the  firing  line,  the  stretcher,  upon 
which  he  was,  being  made  a  spécial  object  of  attention  by 
the  Boer  marksmen.  In  connection  with  this  incident  I 
must  note  the  courage  displayed  by  Surgeon-Captain 
Fiset,  who,  when  the  stretcher  upon  which  Captain  Arnold 
was  being  brought  to  the  rear,  was  stopped  a  short 
distance  from  the  firing  line,  by  the  wounding  of  one  of 
the  bearers,  went  forward,  and  attended  to  Captain  Arnold, 
and  subsequently  assisted  as  a  bearer  in  bringing  him  to 
the  rear.  Captain  Fiset  also  attended  to  many  others 
wounded,  under  fire  during  the  day. 

Work  is  effective. 

«  Lieutenant-Colonel  Buchan  was  in  charge  of  the  firing 
line,  which  he  directed  and  controlled  in  the  coolest  and 


02  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

most  effective  manner,  while  my  acting  adjutant,  Lieuten- 
ant Ogilvy,  rendered  excellent  service  in  carrying  my 
orders  about  the  field. 

«  The  following  N.  C.  officers  and  men  distinguished 
themselves  during  the  day,  viz.  :  No.  (6,559),  Sergeant 
Utton  ;  (No.  7,1 1 7),  Private  Andrews  ;  (No.  7,040),  Private 
Dickson;  (No.  7,043),  Private  Duncafe;  (No.  7,376), 
Private  Page  ;  and  (No.  7,806),  Private  Curphy. 

«  The  collection  of  the  dead  and  wounded  of  both  our 
own  battalion  and  those  of  the  D.  C.  L.  I.  was  made  by 
parties  of  the  Royal  Canadians  and  continued  ail  night. 
The  duty  was  a  most  onerous  one,  and  too  much  crédit 
cannot  be  given  to  those  who  were  engaged  in  it.  By  7  a. 
m.,  of  the  igth  instant,  ail  the  dead  of  the  battalion  were 
buried,  beside  many  of  those  of  D.  C.  L.  I.  and  the 
wounded  sent  to  the  rear. 

«  I  must  hère  place  on  record  the  great  services  ren- 
dered by  the  Roman  Catholic  chaplain  of  the  battalion, 
the  Rev.  Father  O'Leary,  who  was  présent  in  the  field  ail 
day,  and  towards  the  end  in  the  firing  line,  while  during 
the  night  he  was  prominent  in  thesearch  for  the  wounded, 
as  well  as  officiating  in  the  burial  of  the  dead.  Several  of 
the  officers  accompanied  thèse  parties  up  to  midnight, 
while  (No.  685),  Q.  M.  Sergeant  Reading  ;  (No.  7,304), 
Sergeant  Ramage  ;  (No.  7,302),  Sergeant  Middleton  ;  and 
(No.  7,258),  Private  Whingate,  were  out  ail  night  on  this 
duty. 

«  Another  incident  of  coolness  and  pluck  was  that  of 
(No.  7,347),  Private  Hornibrook,  who  at  daylight  in  the 
morning  of  the  igth  instant,  was  down  into  the  extrême 
right  of  the  Unes  occupied  by  the  enemy  the  previous  day. 
He  was  uiiarmed,  and  came  suddenly  upon  an  armed 
Boer,  looking  for  a  stray  horse.  With  great  présence  of 
mind  Hornibrook  pretended  to  be  armed  with  a  revolver, 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  63 

and  called  upon  imaginary  assistance  at  the  same  time 
demanding  the  man's  surrender.  The  Boer  at  once  sub- 
mitted  and  on  being  brought  in  proved  to  be  one  of 
General  Cronje's  adjutants  and  a  most  important  officer. 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

«  Your  obedient  servant, 

«  W.  D.  Otter, 
«  Lieutenant-Colonel  Commanding  Royal  Canadian 
«  Régiment,  2nd  Battalion.» 

OTTER'S  SECOND  REPORT    " 

«  Paardeberg,  February  ayth,  1900. 
«  Sir, 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  report  upon  the  opérations  upon 
which  the  battalion  under  my  command  was  engaged 
upon  the  2oth  instant^  on  which  occasion  four  men  of  the 
corps  were  wounded. 

n  Following  the  retirement  of  the  enemy  from  the  posi- 
tion which  he  withdrew  from  on  the  evening  of  the  i8th 
instant,  the  battalion  was  at  6  a.  m.  of  the  20th  instant, 
detailed  for  the  outpost  line  and  advanced  to  within  1,000 
yards  of  the  trenches  in  front  of  the  Boer  laager.  The 
Shropshire  Light  Infantry,  being  on  our  right,  the  Gordon 
Highlanders  on  our  left. 

«  The  ground  occupied  by  the  battalion  was  quite  open, 
and  slightly  roUing,  but  fairly  covered  with  ant-hills.  The 
men  were  served  with  tea  and  biscuits  about  10  a.  m.,  the 
cook  waggon  and  water  cart  being  brought  up  to  within 
200  yards  in  rear  of  the  reserve. 

«  An  intermittent  rifle  fire  was  kept  up  ail  day  until 
about  4  p.  m.,  when  that  of  the  enemy  increased,  and 
their    celebrated   Vickers-Maxim    gun    (Pom-Pom),   was 


64  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

turned  upon  us  no  less  than  five  différent  times,  but 
fortunately  without  loss  to  us.  The  moral  effect  of  the  gun, 
however,  is  very  great,  and  infinitely  more  disastrous  in 
that  direction  than  any  other  arm  we  hâve  experienced. 

«  The  wounds  received  were  entirely  among  men  in  the 
reserve,  and  from  long  range  rifle  fire,  about  1,700  yards. 
The  day  was  a  trying  one,  being  very  hot,  while  owing  to 
the  enemy's  fire  it  was  almost  impossible  to  get  water 
forward  to  the  men,  it  was  the  attempt  to  bring  the  water 
cart  forward  that  first  brought  the  Pom-Pom  to  bear 
upon  us. 

«  At  6  p.  m.  the  battalion  was  withdrawn  to  its  bivouac 
thoroughly  done  out.  The  position  occupied  I  hâve  de- 
noted  on  the  sketch  accompanyingmy  report  of  the  action 
of  the  i8th  instant,  and  a  list  of  the  wounded  included  in 
the  gênerai  list. 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

«  Your  obedient  servant, 

«  W.  D.  Otter, 
«  Lieutenant-Colonel  Commanding  Royal  Canadian 
«  Régiment,  2nd  Battalion.  » 

CANADIANS   IN  ACTION 

«  The  foUowing  reports  were  also  received  to-day  :  — 

«  Paardeberg,  March  2nd,  1900. 
«  Sir, 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  report  on  the  action  of  the  ayth 
ultimo,  in  which  the  battalion  under  my  command  was 
engaged. 

«  In  accordance  with  instructions  received  from  the 
gênerai  officers  commanding  the  içth  Brigade,  gih  division, 


LE   LIVRE   d'or  65 

on  tlie  previous  evening,  the  following  disposition  of  the 
battalion  was  made  by  lo  p.  m.,  of  the  26th  instant  : 

«  In  the  main  trench,  running  north  and  south  from  the 
river,  and  beginning  on  the  left,  were  placed  C,  D,  E,  F, 
G  and  H  Companies,  while  on  the  extrême  right  was  a 
party  of  thirty  engineers.  This  trench  was  about  240  yards 
long,  the  right  of  it  resting  within  twenty-five  yards  of  the 
river,  and  500  yards  from  the  nearest  Boer  trench.  The 
force  placed  in  this  trench  numbered  500  officers  and  men 
of  the  battalion.  A  Company  remained  on  the  south  side 
of  the  river,  where  it  had  been  detailed  for  spécial  duty 
on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  and  was  posted  just  opposite 
the  line  of  the  main  trench  continued  southwards,  while 
B  Company  and  a  few  détails  formed  a  reserve  at  the 
bivouac  some  300  yards  to  the  rear,  and  the  waggons 
were  fuUy  1,000  yards  to  the  rear  again.  The  continuation 
of  the  main  trench  from  where  it  turned  to  the  northeast, 
was  occupied  by  200  of  the  Gordon  Highlanders,  and 
about  1,500  yards  on  our  left  was  the  Shropshire  Light 
Infantry. 

«  The  plan  of  attack  was  that  our  six  companies  on  the 
main  trench  should  advance  on  the  Boer  trenches  at  2  a. 
m.,  the  front  rank  of  each  company  to  move  with  fixed 
bayonets,  with  orders  not  to  fire  until  fired  upon  by  the 
enemy,  while  the  rear  rank  carried  shovels  and  picks, 
with  which  to  entrench,  when  the  advance  could  go  no 
further,  the  Engineers  on  the  right  to  give  a  base. 

«  At  2.15  a.  m.  the  six  companies,  wiih  the  Engineers, 
moved  forward,  a  distance  of  fifteen  paces  being  placed 
between  the  ranks,  and  an  interval  of  one  pace  between 
men.  The  brigadier  was  on  the  right,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Buchan  and  Major  Pelletier  being  in  charge  of  the  attack, 
the  former  on  the  left,  the  latter  on  the  right,  the  ofiicer 
coramanding  in  rear  on  the  left. 


66  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

MeET   TERRIFIC    FIRE. 

«  The  line  advanced  without  interruption  for  about  400 
yards,  when  it  was  met  by  a  terrifie  fire  from  the  enemy. 
The  prématuré  discharge  of  a  couple  of  shots  just  before 
the  gênerai  fusilade  served  as  a  warning  to  many  of  our 
men,  who  instantly  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  ;  but 
the  effect  of  the  fire  was  disastrous  to  us.  H  Company 
being  in  the  wood  on  the  river  bank  did  not  sufîer,  but  G 
and  F  Companies,  being  on  the  open,  lost  heavily,  the 
former  having  4  killed  and  12  wounded,  the  latter  2  killed 
and  9  wounded.  G  Company  was  within  65  yards,  actual 
measurement,  of  the  advanced  trench  of  the  enemy  when 
the  fire  was  opened  on  them  ;  the  companies  on  the  left, 
Ej  D  and  C  being  from  75  to  100  yards  distant  from  a 
subsidary  trench  in  prolongation  of  the  enemy's  line.  On 
receiving  the  enemy's  fire,  the  line  at  once  laid  down  and 
returned  it,  while  the  rear  rank  generally  began  to  entrench. 
The  time  was  about  3  a.  m.  A  trench  on  the  right  began 
by  the  part  of  the  R.  E.  was  100  yards  from  the  enemy's 
nearest  trench,  and  covered  by  G  and  H  Companies 
made  rapid  progress,  but  those  begun  by  the  other  com- 
panies did  not  advance  very  rapidly,  and  after  the  battalion 
had  been  for  some  20  minutes  under  fire,  some  one 
unknown  called  in  an  authoritative  tone,  '  to  retire  and 
bring  back  your  wounded,'  in  conséquence  of  which  the 
left  Company  failed  to  establish  themselves  in  the  new 
trenches  and  retired  on  the  old  ones,  leaving  G  and  H 
holding  the  ground  on  the  right,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Buchan  being  the  last  to  retire,  which  he  did  by  the  right. 

«  Daylight  found  G  and  H  Companies  well  entrenched, 
with  the  R.  E.  still  pushing  the  work  on. 

«  Firing  continued  on  the  right  till  about  5.15  a.  m., 
when  the  enemy  in  the  advanced  trench  made  proposais 


LZ    ilVRE    d'or  67 

to  surrender.  Our  men  being  doubtful  of  the  genuineness 
of  the  proposition  —  continued  their  work  and  firing  for 
nearly  an  hour.  At  about  6  a.  m.  one  of  the  enemy 
advanced  with  a  white  flag,  when  firing  ceased,  and  the 
enemy  began  to  come  in  by  batches  to  the  number  of  200. 
«  General  Sir  Henry  Colville,  commanding  division,  had 
come  up  about  6.15  and  directed  the  disposai  of  the 
prisoners,  sending  forward  an  olficer  into  the  nearest  part 
of  the  Boer  laager  to  make  tenus  of  surrender,  the  resuit 
of  which  was  the  unconditional  capitulation  of  General 
Cronje  and  his  whole  force,  numbering  upwards  of  4,000. 

DeSERVE   GREAT    CREDIT. 

«  Captains  Stairs  and  Macdonell  deserve  great  crédit 
for  their  pertinacity  in  holding  out  as  they  did,  the  resuit  of 
which  undoubtedly  had  a  material  efifect  in  hastening  the 
final  resuit  achieved. 

«The  supporting  companies  of  the  Gordon  Highlanders 
were  not  engaged,  although  the  trench  which  protected 
them  was  subjected  to  a  fairly  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy. 

«  The  battalion  of  the  Shropshire  Light  Infantry  on  our 
left  fired  volleys  at  long  range  for  some  time  after  our 
attack  developed,  and  materially  assisted  us. 

«  AU  the  wounded  were  brought  in  before  daylight,  and 
sent  back  to  the  collecting  station  by  our  men,  and  the 
bearers  of  the  N.  S.  W.  Bearer  Company,  and  Naval 
Brigade  Bearers,  H.  M.  S.  Barrossa,  who  rendered  us 
every  assistance  possible  in  the  arduous  service. 

«  The  dead  were  buried  close  to  where  they  fell  at  7  a. 
m.,  by  the  Rev.  Father  O'Leary,  Roman  Catholic  chaplain 
to  the  battalion. 

«  That  the  duty  entailed  upon  the  Royal  Canadian 
Régiment  was  most  difficult  and  dangerous,  no  one  will 


68  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

deny,  and,  though  ihe  advance  was  not  so  successful  at  ail 
points  as  was  hoped  for,  yet  the  final  resuit  was  a  complète 
success  and  crédit  can  fairly  be  claimed  by  the  battalion 
for  such,  as  it  was  practically  acting  alone. 

«  I  attach  a  sketch  of  the  positions  occupied  and  list  of 
those  killed  and  wounded  in  the  day's  opérations.  The 
night  was  star-lit  with  the  moon  in  the  last  quurter 
at  4  a.  m. 

«  The  varions  actions,  beginning  on  the  i8th,  and 
conciuding  on  the  2  7th  February,  hâve  been  denominated 
*  Paardeberg.  ' 

«  I  hâve  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

«  Your  obedient  servant, 

«  W.  D.  Otter, 
«Lieutenant-Colonel  Commanding  Royal  Canadian 
«  Régiment,  2nd  Battalion.  » 

HOW  COLONEL  OTTER  RECEIVED  HIS  WOUND 
AT  THABA  N'CHU 

« .  . .  .  On  practically  every  occasion  in  which  he  has 
been  under  fire  in  this  campaign  Colonel  Otter  has  shown 
himself  freely  to  the  enemy.  At  Paardeberg  he  remained 
erect  during  a  considérable  portion  of  the  first  Sunday's 
fight,  and  on  February  2oth,  when  the  Pom-Pom  disturbed 
the  equanimity  of  the  battalion,  he  strolled  about  the  field 
in  a  very  nonchalant  manner.  Seeing  the  disorder  into 
which  the  left  of  the  firing  line  had  fallen,  or  was  in 
danger  of  falling,  Colonel  Otter  and  Lieutenant  Ogilvy, 
the  Adjutant,  hastened  to  the  spot,  steadied  the  nien,  and 
restored  order,  the  Colonel  taking  the  right  of  the  disor- 
dered  line,  and  the  Adjutant  the  left.  Colonel  Otter  was 
observed,  and  just  as  he  was  settling  down  he  was  struck. 


I 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  69 

It  was  a  curious  wound,  and  a  narrow  escape.  The  buUet 
struck  him  on  the  right  side  of  the  chin  and  eut  along  ihe 
side  of  the  neck.  The  crown  which  formed  part  of  his 
rank  badge  on  the  right  shoulder  was  detached,  the  clip 
which  goes  under  the  strap  was  destroyed,  and  the  «  C  » 
of  the  «  R.  C.  R.  »  on  the  point  of  the  shoulder  was  carried 
away.  It  was  a  singular  course,  and,  while  the  wound  was 
slight,  it  became  painful  ;  while,  of  course,  it  was  a  very 
narrow  escape  of  a  piercing  of  the  jugular.  When  he  fell, 
the  command  devolved  upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Buchan, 
the  senior  major,  and  a  message  was  sent  to  him  to  take 
charge  of  the  movements  of  the  régiment.  For  some 
reason  a  delay  occurred  in  the  assumption  of  control  by 
Colonel  Buchan,  and  delay  occurred  also  in  reinforcing 
the  firing  line  by  the  second  Une.  During  this  period  the 
régiment  continued  the  fight,  the  Adjutant,  Lieutenant 
Ogilvy,  especially  distinguishing  himself  for  zeal  and  con- 
duct,  as  well  as  courage.  »  —  The  Globe. 

THE  CANADIANS  THANKED 
OuR  boys'  gallant  conduct  recognized  by  Lord 

ROBERTS  AND  OTHER  OFFICERS. 

«  Lord  Roberts  personally  thanked  Colonel  Otter,  on 
behalf  of  the  régiment,  for  the  splendid  work  donc  and 
stated  that  he  intendedsending  a  message  to  the  Canadian 
Government  congratulating  it  upon  the  work  done  by  the 
régiment. 

«  Speaking  to  the  régiment  the  Brigadier  General  Smith- 
Dorrien  said  :  — 

«  Colonel  Otter,  officers,  non-commissioned  officers  and 
((  men  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Régiment. 

«  I  was  proud  the  other  day  when  I  heard  that  your 


70  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

régiment  was  placed  in  the  brigade  which  I  hâve  the 
honor  to  command  and  I  naust  say  that  I  am  novv  proud  a 
hundred  fold  more  of  you  since  I  saw  the  magnificent 
work  you  did  yesterday.  To  my  mind  your  advance  and 
steadiness  was  simply  perfect,  especially  under  such  a 
galling  fire.  I  stood  to  the  left  on  the  hill  and  watched 
the  whole  advance  with  the  greatest  interest  and  I  am 
proud  that  you  belong  to  the  same  Empire  as  I  do. 

«  I  may  say,  however,  that  it  was  never  intended  that 
you  should  hâve  charged  the  enemy.  Again  I  congratulate 
you  and  cannot  say  how  deeply  I  feel  the  heavy  losses 
you  sustained  in  your  ranks.  » 

TORONTO'S   WELCOME 

Colonel  Otter  and  his  men  given  an   enthusiastic 
reception. 

«  Toronto,  December  25th. 

«  Colonel  Otter,  Captain  Mason,  Lieutenant  Temple 
and  some  forty  men  of  C  Company,  R.  C.  R.,  and  invalids 
of  other  corps,  arrived  home  this  morning,  and  were  given 
a  hearty  welcome  by  the  civil  and  military  authorities.  Al 
the  Union  Station  a  big  crowd  had  gathered,  and  the  city 
régiments  were  formed  up  on  parade  to  welcome  the 
colonel  and  his  men.  Colonel  Otter  and  Mrs.  Otter,  with 
Mayor  and  Aldermen,  entered  carriages  in  waiting,  and 
the  men  were  conveyed  in  two  tally-hoes  to  the  armories 
by  way  of  the  principal  down-town  streets,  which  were 
pretty  well  filled  with  spectators.  On  their  arrivai  at  the 
armories  the  city  régiments  lined  the  street  on  both  sides, 
and  amid  great  cheering,  the  gallant  little  band  passed 
into  the  armories  where  the  formai  welcome  took  place. 

«  Replying  to  the  civic  address  and  that  of  the  Queen's 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  71 

Own  Reserve,  Colonel  Otter  said  he  had  had  the  unique 
expérience  of  having  thrice  been  welcomed  back  from  the 
front  by  the  citizens  of  Toronto  .  In  1866,  after  the  Fenian 
Raid  ;  in  1885,  after  the  North-West  rébellion,  and  on  the 
présent  occasion.  The  Colonel  paid  a  splendid  tribute  to 
the  Royal  Canadians.  So  fully  imbued  he  said,  were  they 
with  the  necessity  for  maintaining  and  upholding  the 
honor  of  Canada,  that  there  was  nothing  that  could  be 
imposed  upon  them  ;  no  work  which  they  were  asked  to 
do,  which  they  were  not  only  glad,  but  anxious  to  accom- 
plishjto  meet  the  wishes  of  those  in  authority.  The  Royal 
Canadians  were  imbued  with  only  one  object,  and  that 
was  to  do  their  duty  and  to  gain  crédit  and  honor  for 
Canada,  and  that  there  was  no  one  in  that  battalion  but 
would  freely  and  willingly  again  enroll  for  service  against 
any  cause  that  threatens  the  safety,  honor  and  integrity 
of  this  country,  or  of  any  part  of  the  British  Empire. 

«  To-night  a  number  of  the  principal  buildings  are 
illuminated  in  honor  of  the  Colonel's  return.  The  huge 
transparency  on  the  Parliament  buildings,  'Welcomehome 
heroes  of  Paardeberg,'  can  be  seen  a  mile  off  in  the  snow- 
storm.  »  —  The  Gazette. 

TORONTO  HONOURS  COLONEL  OTTER 
Governor-General's  speech. 

«The  toast  of  the  Governor-General  given  by  the  chair- 
man,  was  prefaced  by  a  speech,  in  which  référence  was 
made  to  the  past  record  of  Lord  Minto  in  Canada. 

«  After  sorae  preliminary  remarks,  Lord  Minto  said  :  '  I 
hâve  come  to  assist  in  doing  honour  to  Colonel  Ott^r, 
and  I  need  not  assure  you  how  glad  I  am  to  hâve  such  an 
opportun  ty  of  being  présent  at  this  great  démonstration 
to  him  in  my  public  capacity,  and  also   as  an  old  friend 


72  LE    LIVRE    DOR 

and  comrade.  I  rejoice  to  see  him  receive  this  well-earned 
appréciation  from  his  fellow-countrymen.  I  first  knew 
Colonel  Otter  when  I  was  hère  with  Lord  Lansdowne, 
'  fifleen  years  ago.  He  had  then  made  for  himself  a  réputa- 
tion as  a  first-rate  officer  and  organizer,  and  when  the 
rébellion  broke  out  in  ihe  spring  of  1885  he  was  glven 
charge  of  the  column  destined  to  relieve  Battleford. 
ThoLigh  I  myself  served  with  another  column,  I  was 
enabled  to  find  opportunities  of  forming  an  opinion  of  the 
abilities  of  Colonel  Otter,  and  how  he  conducted  the  long 
march  across  the  prairie,  and  the  subséquent  opérations 
around  Battleford.  I  will  say  now,  what  I  thought  then, 
that  Colonel  Otter  received  but  chary  praise  for  the 
valuable  services  performed  by  him  at  that  time.' 

«  Lord  Minto  went  on  to  say  that  when  the  war  broke 
out  in  South  Africa  there  was  no  doubt  as  to  who  was 
Canada's  best  officer.  It  was  a  proud  duty  for  Colonel 
Otter,  and,  in  considering  his  duty,  it  was  essential  to 
take  into  account  the  composition  of  the  battalion  which 
he  commanded. 

A    SPLENDID    REGIMENT. 

«  Referring  to  the  nature  of  Colonel  Otter's  command 
in  South  Alrica,  Lord  Minto  sald  :  '  His  was  a  magnificent 
régiment,  composed  of  splendid  material.  It  was  raised  in 
the  shortest  time,  and  under  circumstances  which  reflected 
the  greatest  possible  crédit  upon  Canada;  but  is  was 
composed  of  company  units,  raised  from  locaîities  at  very 
great  distance  from  each  other,  ail  full  of  magnificent 
esprit  de  corps,  and  full  of  the  very  best  kind  of  material  ; 
but,  when  gathered  as  a  battalion  it  must  hâve  been 
necessarily  rather  déficient  in  that  internai  machinery 
which  is  the  main  standby  of  the  commanding  officer.' 

«  Lord   Minto   then   continued  :    '  You   ail   remember, 


LE   LIVRE    d'or 


73 


under  the  administration  of  Colonel  Otter,  the  gallantry 
in  the  field  of  battle  of  Royal  Canadians,  who  hâve  so 
distinguished  themselves.  It  was  Colonel  Otter's  lot  to 
command  the  first  Canadian  régiment  that  left  the  shores 
of  the  new  world.  New  that  he  has  returned  to  the 
Dominion,  I  hope  it  will  fall  to  his  part  to  organize  the 
troops  of  the  Dominion.'  (Applause.) 

<<....'  Whatever  the  Dominion  may  be  able  to  do  for 
Colonel  Otter,  out  of  the  very  deep  debt  of  gratitude 
which  she  owes  to  him,  I  can  certainly  say  this,  that  when 
the  question  of  the  distribution  of  distinctions  comes  to 
be  considered  by  Her  Majesty's  Government  for  those 
who  hâve  served  the  Empire  so  well  in  South  Africa, 
Colonel  Otter's  services  there  will  not  be  forgotten.' 
(Loud  applause.) 

Ax  ovATiox  TO  Otter. 

«  The  toast  of  Colonel  Otter's  name  was  drunk  with  the 
greatest  enthusiasm,  the  cheers  and  singing  being  kept  up 
for  some  minutes.  When  the  gallant  Colonel  rose  to 
respond  there  was  another  tremendous  outburst.  Colonel 
Otter  replied  to  the  toast  as  follows  :  — 

«  '  Your  Excellency  and  kind  friends.  I  feel  that  I  am 
beginning  one  of  the  most  trying  ordeals  that  hâve  fallen 
to  my  lot  during  the  last  fifteen  months,  viz.,  that  of 
properly  acknowledging  this  more  than  enthusiastic  récep- 
tion this  evening.  Your  Excellency  has  kindly  said  you 
hoped  and  you  hâve  no  doubt  that  I  shall  get  ray  reward 
from  those  in  authoriiy,  but  I  will  ask  you,  can  any  man 
ask  for  more  than  I  received  to-night?  Can  anyone  give 
me  the  respect,  the  confidence,  the  love,  I  may  say,  that 
is  shown  me  this  evening  ?  No,  good  friends,  I  am  satisfied. 
You  trusted  me.  You  had  confidence  in  me  when  I  left 
fourteen  months   ago.    You  had  e very  confidence  in  me  ; 


74  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

and  now,  after  fourteen  months  hâve  elapsed,  after  I  and 
the  others  hâve  gone  through  many  hardships,  privations 
and  troubles,  you  meet  me  hère  to  say  :  '  Otter,  you  hâve 
done  well.'  I  cannotask  for  more.  Idonot.  I  am  perfectly 
well  satisfied  that  you  most  intimate,  and  my  best  friends, 
can  certainly  now  lake  me  by  the  hand  and  say  :  '  Otter,  you 
hâve  done  well.'  It  is  useless  for  me  this  evening  to  try  to 
thank  you  properly  for  this  démonstration.  If  I  strive  to 
do  so  I  cannot,  I  feel  that  I  shall  go  to  bits.  But,  believe 
me,  that  while  I  thank  you  from  the  very  bottom  of  my 
heart  for  this,  that  I  fully  appreciate  its  whole  meaning, 
and  that  I  am  more  than  satisfied  with  the  welcome  that 
you  hâve  given  me,  I  don't  think  it  is  fair  or  right  to  the 
régiment,  that  I  hâve  had  the  honor  to  command  for 
some  time  past,  to  sit  down  without  craving  permission 
to  say  a  few  words  in  connection  with  their  services.  I 
don't  think  I  need  refer  to  the  composition  of  the  régiment. 
His  Excellency  the  Governor-General  has  already  told 
you  how  it  was  formed,  of  what  it  was  composed;  and  I 
can,  I  think,  bear  hira  out  by  saying  that  I  agrée  with 
him  that  it  was  composed  of  the  best  physique  and  the 
best  intelligence  that  our  country  can  produce,  which  is 
saying  a  good  deal.  We  were,  I  must  admit,  however,  on 
leaving  Canada,  a  rather  fresh  lot.  Ail  of  us  required  a 
great  deal  of  training.  The  majority  of  us  lacked  expér- 
ience, but  owing  to  that  peculiar  spirit  that  exists  in 
Canadians,  namely  that  of  enthusiasm  in  whatever  they 
may  be  called  upon  to  do  and  the  détermination  to  carry 
it  out,  to  say  nothing  of  the  deep  and  fervent  feeling  for 
the  country  that  has  given  them  birth,  that  feeling  under 
which  we  are  ail  so  proud  to  serve,  it  became  a  very  easy 
matter  for  the  officers  of  that  battalion  to  soon  convert  it 
into  one  of  the  most  efficient  battalions  that  tramped  the 
veldt  of  South  Africa.    And  we  did  a  good  deal  of  tramp- 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  75 

ing.  Our  record  as  a  marching  régiment,  I  think,  we  can 
safely  flatter  ourselves,  was  a  good  one.  The  many  priva- 
tions and  hardships,  long  marches  and  heavy  outfits  and 
the  other  incidents  of  warfare  were  ahvays  borne  and 
always  performed  with  the  greatest  possible  good  humour 
and  always  with  the  prevailing  désire  to  do  our  duty.  I 
could,  if  I  had  time,  enumerate  hundreds  of  instances  of 
endurance  on  the  part  of  ofîîcers,  non-commissioned  ofïicers 
and  men  of  the  Royal  Canadians.  We  saw  a  lot  of  service  ; 
we  had  the  good  luck  to  form  a  part  of  the  main  army 
which  moved  from  the  west  to  Bloemfontein  under  Lord 
Roberts,  that  army  of  35,000  men  which  eut  itselfadrift 
from  ail  communication  and  virtually  broke  the  back  and 
broke  the  hearts  of  the  Boers.  We  had  the  honor  after- 
wards  of  forming  a  part  of  the  same  army,  and  marched 
with  it  from  Bloemfontein  to  Pretoria,  and  it  was  there 
that  after  a  march  of  i,ooo  miles,  the  Royal  Canadians 
swung  through  the  streets  of  Pretoria  singing  'The  Land 
of  the  Maple.l  (Great  cheering.) 

ThOSE    LEFT   on   THE    VELDT. 

«  'AU  this  was  not  done,  of  course,  without  loss.  Many 
who  left  with  me  from  Québec  in  health  and  spirits  were 
left  on  the  veldt  ;  many  others  hâve  returned  with  me,  but 
not  the  same  men,  and  never  to  be  the  same  men  again. 
The  régiment  had  its  full  share  of  losses,  its  fuU  share  of 
sickness  and  of  every  other  privation  that  falls  to  the  lot 
of  the  soldier  in  active  service.  It  may  be  of  interest  to 
you  to  hear  that  our  deaths  numbered  70,  and  wounded 
120  and  that  400  were  invalided  from  fever.  His  Excel- 
lency  has  referred  to  the  Royal  Canadians  as  having  been 
the  first  battalion  that  had  the  honor  of  rubbing  shoulders 
with  the  Impérial  troops.  Such  is  the  case,  and  I  am  glad 


76  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

to  be  able  to  tell  you  that  that  association  was  one  of  the 
greatest  possible  pleasure.  Our  relations  wilh  the  battal- 
ions  and  the  corps  of  the  Impérial  service  were  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end  of  the  campaign  most  pleasant,  and 
while  we  bring  with  us  the  happiest  recollections  of  the 
différent  corps  in  the  Impérial  service  I  feel  glad  that  I 
am  safe  in  saying  that  the  same  happy  feeUng  exists  with 
regard  to  us  on  the  part  of  many  of  the  battalions  of  Her 
Majesty's  Impérial  army. 

((  '  Very  soon  after  our  arrivai  in  South  Africa  we  came 
in  contact  with  the  Cornwalls,  Shropshires  and  our  fast 
and  lasting  friends,  the  istGordons.  Thèse  four  battalions 
ultimately  formed  what  was  known  for  many  months  in 
the  campaign  as  the  içth  Brigade,  Other  corps  we  met  in 
equally  friendly  relations,  particularly  the  Household  Bri- 
gade. We  were  enabled,  I  am  glad  to  say,  to  nierit  the 
confidence  of  our  own  brigadier,  the  gallant  Smith-Dorrien, 
in  our  own  divisional  battalion,  the  man  who  was  the 
mainspring  in  the  defence  of  Ladysmith,  lan  Hamilton, 
and  that  great  soldier  and  statesman,  Lord  Roberts. 

Many  anxious  moments. 

«  '  One  cannot,  of  course,  go  through  a  campaign  such 
as  occurred  in  Souih  Africa  without  some  anxious  mo- 
ments, and  thosewehad.  In  connection  with  this,  I  might 
refer  to  one  in  particular,  viz.,  in  the  cold,  dark  morning 
of  the  27th  February  last,  when,  at  2  a.  m.,  we  began  our 
advance  on  the  Boer  laager  at  Paardeberg.  We  exper- 
ienced  then  trying  moments,  moments  that  none  of  those 
who  hâve  survived  will  ever  be  likely  to  forget.  We  felt  in 
those  moments  that  not  only  the  réputation  of  the  régi- 
ment, but  that  of  Canada  and  the  future  of  the  campaign 
rested  upon  us.    The  interval  beiween  the  time  in  which 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  77 

we  left  our  own  trenches  until  that  when  we  came  under 
the  fire  of  the  enemy,  at  less  than  loo  yards  from  their 
trenches,  seemed  an  âge;  and  it  was  almost  a  relief  when 
their  hellish  fusilade  came  upon  us,  and,  for  the  time, 
stopped  our  further  progress.  There  were  many  more 
anxious  minutes,  I  may  say  hours,  which  were  to  follow, 
and  it  was  only  at  six  a.  m.,  when  the  white  flag  went  up, 
that  we  could  breathe  freely,  for  we  knew  that,  on  its  içth 
anniversary,  Majuba  was  avenged,  and  the  Canadians 
had  done  it.  (Loud  applause.) 


A   RECORD    OF    GOOD    SERVICE. 

«  '  This  was  only  the  beginning  of  the  record  of  good 
service  of  Canadians  in  South  Africa.  Much  more  was  to 
follow,  for  there  were  other  Canadians  who  had  come  to 
join  us.  You  ail,  no  doubt,  recollect  the  death  grip  with 
which  the  Second  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  held  on  at 
Honing  Spruit.  You  recollect  the  spirited  march  of  the 
Canadian  artillery  to  the  relief  of  Mafeking.  You  recollect 
the  glorious  death  of  Borden  and  of  Burch  at  Reitz  Vlei, 
foUowed  by  that  of  Captain  Chalmers,  in  an  attempt  to 
rescue  one  of  his  men  (great  applause),  and  only  a  month 
ago,  we  read,  and  heard  of  one  of  the  pluckiest  incidents 
of  the  war,  in  which  the  Royal  Canadian  Dragoons  of 
Second  Mounted  Rifles  saved  a  coluran  of  Smith-Dorrien's 
and  his  guns.  In  this,  as  on  other  occasions,  several 
ofilcers,  who  distinguished  themselves,  were  known  in 
Toronto.  Colonels  Lessard  and  Evans,  Lieutenants  Cock- 
burn  and  Elmsley,  and  while  doing  homage  to  those 
officers,  I  feel  that  I  should  not  forget  another  Toronton- 
ian,  one  of  my  own,  who  was  ihe  first  man  on  the  27th 
February  in  the  Boer  laager,  viz.,  Captain  McDonnell.' 


78  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

Made  Archie  stand  up. 

«  Cries  of  *  Stand  up,  Archie.'  Captain  McDonnell  was 
received  with  great  cheering. 

«  Colonel  Otter  continued  :  '  We  hâve  nicknamed  him 
'  Light-house,'  and  he  will  answer  to  that  name.'  » 

Spécial  to  the  Star. 
Toronto,  December  2Sth,  1900. 


LIEUT.-COLONEL   BUCHAN'S  REPORT 


March  into  Pretoria 

«  Ottawa,  August  3rd,  1900. 

[he  Militia  Department  has  received  a  report  from 
_        Lieutenant-Colonel  Buchan  for  the  period  he  was 

^i^  in  command  of  the  2nd  (Spécial  Service)  Battalion, 
R.  G.  R.  It  is  dated  Florida,  near  Johannesburg,  May 
3ist,  and  covers  the  period  from  April  26th  to  May  26th, 
inclusive,  during  which  Lieutenant-Colonel  Otter  was 
disabled  by  his  wounds.  On  Apnl  27th,  at  9.30  p.  m.,  the 
Colonel  detailed  B  and  D  Companies,  who  proceeded  on 
spécial  duty  with  the  Gordon  Highlanders  to  rescue  a 
body  of  Kitchener's  Horse,  reported  to  be  surrounded  on 
a  kopje  about  five  miles  northeast  of  Thaba  N'Chu  Treck. 
At  1 1  p.  m.  he  received  orders  to  march  with  the  remainder 
of  the  brigade,  at  5  a.  m.,  to  support  the  spécial  duty  force. 

«  On  April  28th,  they  marched  in  the  dark  and  joined 
the  Gornwalls  and  Shropshires  with  artillery.  After  a  six 
miles  march  they  reached  a  very  large  kopje,  and  were 
met  with  a  good  deal  of  firing.  They  gradually  advanced 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR  79 

with  the  remainder  of  the  force  and  cleared  the  kopje  at 
10  a.  m.  The  enemy  was  in  large  force  ail  about  the 
neighboring  hills  and  on  Eden  Mountain,  where  they  had 
large  guns  playing  on  our  force.  At  4  p.  m.  the  battalion 
was  ordered  to  scale  the  Eden  Mountain  and  hold  it 
against  a  force  of  3,000  Boers,  who  where  reported  on 
the  far  side  of  it,  two  companies  of  the  Cornwalls  doing 
likewise  on  our  left.  At  5  p.  m.  we  reached,  after  a  very 
hard  climb,  a  sort  of  plateau,  about  half  way  up  to  the 
top.  It  was  by  that  time  dark,  but  we  proceeded  rapidly 
to  build  trenches  and  prépare  to  hold  a  position  on  a  front 
of  a  half  a  mile.  Whilst  doing  this  it  became  dark,  and 
very  cold. 

«  About  7  p.  m.  we  received  orders  to  withdraw  quietly 
and  retire  to  Thaba  N'Chu.  This  was  a  very  difficult 
opération,  owing  to  the  darkness  and  précipitons  and 
rugged  character  of  the  mountain.  About  8.30  p.  m.  ail 
were  coUected  and  formed  up  at  the  foot  and  after  a  long 
and  circuitous  march  in  the  darkness  the  battalion  reached 
the  bivouac  at  Thaba  N'Chu  at  11  p.  m.  In  arranging  for 
and  effecting  the  descent  of  the  mountain  and  in  Connect- 
ing the  several  companies  and  finding  the  way  back 
in  the  dark,  I  was  very  ably  and  successfully  assisted 
by  Lieutenants  Hodgins  and  Ogilvy,  and  so  reported 
to  the  G.  O.  C. 

Captain  Burstall  mentioned. 

«  He  specially  mentioned  in  his  report  to  the  G.  O.  C. 
brigade,  Captain  Burstall,  of  B  Company,  for  his  plucky 
conduct.  On  May  3rd  the  battalion  met  the  enemy  at 
Welkon  Nek,  about  10  a.  m.  The  action  was  over  by  2  p. 
m.,  being  mostly  an  artillery  duel,  our  mounted  troops 
chasing  flying  Boers.  Captain  Carpenter,  with  Lieutenants 


8o  LE    LIVRE    D'OB 

Winter  and  Boyd,  and  94  men  of  2nd  draft,  joined  the 
battalion  of  Winburg  on  May  6th,  after  very  hard  march- 
ing  to  catch  up.  The  same  day  they  marched  to  Taai- 
boschkuil,  where  they  remained  till  the  çth. 

«  On  May  loth  the  battalion  was  sent  off  to  hold  the 
extrême  right  flank  of  the  position  at  Zand  River.  Getting 
to  Ihe  top  of  the  rise  about  half  a  mile  from  the  river  we 
were  met  by  heavy  fire  from  the  river  bushes  and  dongas, 
sent  Captain  Burstall  forward  with  half  of  B  Company  to 
scout  and  feel  the  way.  About  250  yards  from  the  river 
Captain  Burstall  was  forced  to  stop  by  the  very  heavy  fire, 
the  remaining  half  of  the  company  was  at  once  sent  to 
reinforce  his  line,  and  D  Company,  under  Lieutenant 
Lawless,  was  sent  to  prolong  his  line  to  the  right  ;  the 
other  two  companies  being  held  in  support.  AU  the 
remainder  of  brigade  was  at  this  time  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  on  our  left  assisting  the  2ist  brigade  in  the  main 
altack.  The  fire  at  us  from  the  river  bed  grew  rapidly  in 
strength  and  it  was  only  by  pluck  and  détermination  of 
our  men  that  we  were  able  to  hold  on  to  our  position  and 
keep  down  the  enemy's  fire  as  much  as  possible.  The 
moment  any  one,  an  ofiîcer,  a  stretcher  bearer,  or  an 
aramunition  carrier,  showed  himself  above  the  ground  the 
enemy's  fire  developed  in  greater  strength.  About  now  C 
and  G  companies  came  up  from  gun  escort  duty  and  were 
held  in  reserve.  About  1.30  p.  m.  I  went  over  to  Major- 
General  Smith-Dorrien,  who  I  heard,  was  near  by,  and 
explained  our  situation  and  asked  for  a  section  of  a  battery 
to  be  sent  to  shell  the  river  bed  bushes  and  dongas.  In 
about  an  hour  thèse  were  sent  from  a  position  they  had 
occupied  to  one  at  the  right  rear  where  they  had  been 
since  2  p.  m.,  assisting  some  mountedinfantry.  The  battery 
fire,  with  that  of  our  men,  soon  cleared  the  river  in  our 
front,   and  about  4  p.  m.  we  were   enabled  to  remove  our 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  gl 

wounded  and  bury  the  one  man  killed,  Private  Floyd. 
The  six  companies  were  marched  into  the  drift  about 
dusk,  two  of  them,  C  and  F,  having  nieantirae  and  till 
then  been  sent  on  a  river  picket.  We  bivouaced  on  a 
drift  that  night,  A  and  H  Companies  having  gone  on  with 
5-inch  guns  to  Venlersburg. 

«  In  connection  with  this  Colonel  Buchan  specially 
mentioned  Captain  Burstall  and  Lieutenant  Lawless  in 
his  report  to  G.  O.  C.  brigade  for  their  gallant  and 
determined  conduct.  '  G.  O.  C.  subsequently  informed  me,' 
continued  Colonel  Buchan,  «  we  had  over  800  Boers 
opposed  to  us  ail  day.  We  had  only  100  men  in  our  firing 
Ime.'  The  remainder  of  report,  which  is  voluminous,  con*^ 
sists  chiefly  of  détails  and  of  fighting  at  Heilbrun  and  the 
entry  of  the  troops  into  the  town  under  General  Ivan 
Hamilton.  On  the  Queen's  birthday,  the  battalion  turned 
out  in  the  evening  and  drank  the  health  of  Her  Majesty 
in  a  ration  of  rum,  giving  three  cheers  for  the  Queen  also 
for  Major-General  Smith-Dorrien,  Ivan  Hamilton  and 
Lord  Roberts,  finishing  by  singing  '  God  Save  the 
Queen.'» 


LIEUT.-COLONEL  F.  L.  LESSARD,  R.  C.  D. 

tCommanding  Ist  Battalion  C,  M.  R.) 


Ij^^IEUTENANT-Colonel  F.  L.  Lessard  received  his 
appointment  of  commandant  of  the  Royal  Can- 
adian  Mounted  Rifles  on  ist  February  and  was 
ordered  to  proceed  to  Cape-Town  immediately  after  the 
capture  of  Kimberley.  The  Colonel  hasbeen  with  General 
French  until  the  relief,  and  while  awaiting  the  arrivai  of 
his  troops  at  Cape-Town  he  was  appointed  embarkation 
officer  for  the  arriving  troopships.  This  appointment 
coming  as  it  has  from  the  Impérial  représentatives  at 
Cape-Town  is  a  mark  of  confidence  in  the  qualifications 
of  our  worthy  and  efficient  officer.  Colonel  Lessard  is  in 
excellent  health  and  although  having  been  through  the 
thick  of  the  fight,  has  up  till  now  entirely  escaped  injury. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Lessard  having  wrenched  his  leg 
on  the  i6th  July  and  being  compelled  to  join  the  sick  list 
at  Middleburg,  Major  Williams  took  the  command  with 
great  crédit  for  his  own  military  réputation. 

Also,  on  July  3  ist,  150  of  ail  ranks  of  the  battalion 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Evans  proceeded  with  recon- 
noitering  force  numbering  350  towards  the  Bothaberg 
Mountains  and  encountered  a  small  force  of  the  enemy 
near  Naauwpoort  and  drove  them  back  into  the  hills.  The 


LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  F.   L.   LESSARD. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  83 

force   then   captured   a   strong  kopje   and   C    Squadron 
secured  two  loaded  waggons  and  600  head  of  sheep. 

BOTHA  EVADES  CANADIANS 
MouNTED   Rifles   had  practically  surrounded  him. 

«  Toronto,  July  lyth,  1900. 

«  A  spécial  cable  despatch  from  Mr.  John  A.  Ewan,  to 
the  Globe,  dated  Pretoria,  June  i3th,  via  London,  July 
i6th,  says  :  — 

«  After  marching  through  Pretoria  the  Canadian  Mounted 
Rifles  were  selected  to  assist  in  the  movement  for  round- 
ing  up  General  Botha's  force.  We  came  up  with  the  enemy 
Eoon  after  crossing  Pinar  River,  on  June  itth,  and  imme- 
diately  engaged  under  instructions  to  hold  him  there.  The 
position  occupied  by  the  Boers  was  one  of  singular  nalural 
strength  and  the  purpose  was  to  eut  off  ail  their  avenues 
of  escape  and  compel  them  to  surrender.  The  field  in 
which  the  Canadian  Rifles  lay  was  very  stony  and  the 
men  built  themselves  shelters  during  the  night  so  that  on 
the  following  morning  they  were  able  to  smoke  their  pipes 
and  cook  their  meals  in  comparative  comfort,  while  the 
enemy  enveloped  the  position  with  shell  and  rifle  fire. 
The  programme  of  our  lads  was  to  hold  their  fire  for  the 
most  part  but  occasionally  give  their  antagonists  a  libéral 
dose  oflead  intimating  that  they  were  still  on  hand  and 
proposed  to  stay  and  hold  the  position.  During  Monday 
and  Tuesday,  June  iith  and  i2th,  the  failure  of  General 
French's  ammunition  waggons  to  come  up  caused  serious 
inconvenience.  When  his  artillery  ceased  opérations  on 
Monday  night  only  28  rounds  of  ammunition  remained. 
It  was  thought  that  the  waggons  would  come  up  during 


84  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

the  night,  but  they  did  not.  It  was  not  deemed  safe  to 
use  up  the  little  remaining  ammunition  so  not  a  shot  was 
fired  by  our  artillery  until  4.30  in  the  afternoon.  The 
absence  of  artillery  fire  naturally  made  the  enemy  bold 
and  it  was  momentarily  expected  that  they  would  attack 
our  position.  When .  the  first  boom  of  our  guns  was  heard 
at  4.30  there  was  a  gênerai  feeling  of  relief.  During  the 
night,  however,  the  enemy  had  slipped  away  by  the  one 
uncovered  avenue  of  escape.  The  only  casualties  among 
our  men  were  Trooper  Frost,  of  Calgary,  mortally  wound- 
ed,  and  Harry  Baines,  badly  bruised  by  a  flying  stone. 
Captain  McDonnell,  D  Squadron,was  unfortunate  enough 
to  shoot  himself  with  his  own  revolver  by  accidentally 
striking  the  hammer  against  a  stone.  The  bullet  entering 
his  left  side,  passed  through  the  liver.  It  was  at  first 
thought  that  the  wound  would  prove  fatal,  but  later 
accounts  give  good  hopes  of  recovery.  The  Canadian 
Mounted  Rifles  acted  magnificently  during  the  two  days' 
fighting.  » 

HEROES  IN  THE  MOUNTED  RIFLES 
Thrilling  story  of  how  Corporal  Miles,  Corporal 

MORDEN  AND  TrOOPER  KeRR  ON  OUTPOST  DUTY 

HELD  A  BAND    OF    BOERS  AT    BaY  AT  AN 

IMPORTANT  POINT. 

«  Pretoria,  August  7th,  1900. 

n  .  .  .  .  Our  little  camp,  »  said  Lieutenant  Davidson, 
«  was  situated  about  three  miles  north  of  Honingspruit 
Station  and  between  two  important  bridges,  which  had  to 
be  guarded.  The  force  consisted  of  a  régiment  of  Impérial 
Yeomanry,  tv/o  companies  of  the  Shropshire  Régiment, 
and  troops  one   and   four  of  D  Squadron  of  Canadian 


LE   LIVRE   d'or  85 

Mounted  Rifles.  Our  camp  was  on  the  west  side  of  the 
raiiway,  while  three  miles  away  to  the  east  across  the 
railway  were  two  large  kopjes,  on  the  top  of  which  we 
had  two  outposts.  We  had  also  an  outpost  north  of  the 
camp  about  two  miles,  and  another  south  of  the  camp 
about  the  same  distance  away.  At  the  time  the  attack  was 
made  the  Canadians  were  doing  the  outpost  duty.  The 
order  of  the  camp  commandant  was  that  ail  thèse  outposts 
should  be  manned  during  the  daytime  only.  On  the 
morning  of  the  22nd  of  June,  I  was  returning  from  camp 
after  having  placed  the  north  and  south  outposts.  It  was 
about  6  o'clock  and  just  breaking  dawn.  Each  of  thèse 
outposts  consisted  of  four  men.  Lieutenant  Ingles  left 
camp  at  the  same  time  as  I  did  to  place  the  two  eastern 
outposts  on  the  top  of  the  two  high  kopjes  three  miles  east 
of  the  camp. 

«  I  had  got  within  half  a  mile  of  the  camp,  after  having 
placed  the  last  of  my  two,  the  southern  outposts,  when  a 
fusilade  of  musketry  came  from  the  top  of  the  kopjes 
where  Lieutenant  Ingles  had  gone,  about  an  hour  before. 
I  hurried  back  to  the  camp  and  found  everything  in 
confusion.  The  Boers  had  opened  on  us  from  the  crest  of 
both  the  kopjes  in  the  east  with  two  guns,  and  were 
landing  shells  in  among  the  men  who  were  at  breakfast  at 
the  time.  It  did  not  take  me  long  to  realize  what  had 
happened.  During  the  night  the  Boers  had  occupied  the 
crests  of  the  two  kopjes  where  we  were  in  the  habit  of 
placing  our  outposts  during  the  day  time,  and  had  opened 
fire  on  Lieutenant  Ingles  and  his  eight  men  as  soon  as  they 
reached  the  crest  of  the  hills.  Later  I  found  out  that 
Lieutenant  Ingles  and  two  men  had  been  wounded  and 
four  men  captured.  From  that  time  on  we  had  a  hard 
time  of  it.  The  Boers  advanced  upon  the  camp  pouringin 
a  hot  fire  and  landing  their  shells  with  great  précision. 


86  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

The  infantry  were  extended  in  firing  line  and  for  a  tirae 
managed  to  check  the  enemy's  advance.  About  noon  the 
enemy  made  an  effort  to  outflank  us.  A  pàrty  of  about  60 
of  them  went  round  our  right  flank  intending  to  attack 
the  camp  from  the  high  ground  in  the  rear.  Had  they 
been  able  to  do  this  we  would  hâve  been  in  an  exceedingly 
awkward  predicament,  and  the  chances  are  ail  of  us 
would  hâve  been  captured.  In  their  advance  around  our 
flank,  however,  they  encountered  the  southern  outposts. 

The  heroic  outpost. 

«  When  the  Boers  opened  fire  on  them  the  four  Can- 
adians  composing  the  outpost  realized  the  importance  of 
preventing  the  enemy  from  gaining  the  high  ground  to 
the  rear  of  the  camp.  One  of  their  number  was  immediately 
sent  back  to  camp  with  the  horses,  and  the  other  three 
quietly  set  to  work  to  reply  to  the  enemy's  fire.  It  was 
long  odds,  three  men  against  sixty,  but  thèse  Canadians 
from  Pincher  Creek  were  stout-hearted  fellows  who  did 
not  know  the  meaning  of  the  word  fear,  and  rattling  good 
shots  into  the  bargain.  For  eight  hours  they  fought,  the 
number  of  their  opponents  increasing  as  the  hours  went 
by  until  there  were  close  to  a  100  burghers  pouring  in  a 
fusilade  of  rifle  shots  at  the  three  men  who  held  the 
Crossing  over  the  railwayline.  Shortly  after  noon  Corporal 
Morden  was  seriously  wounded  with  a  bullet  through  the 
chest.  He  never  gave  up,  however,  but  kept  on  firing 
until  later  on  another  mauser  bullet  crashed  through  his 
brain. 

«  About  2  o'clock  another  one  of  the  little  party,  Trooper 
Kerr,  was  wounded.  At  that  time  the  force  consisted  of 
two  wounded  men  and  Corporal  Miles,  who  was  in  charge 
of  the  outpost.  About  half-past  two  Kerr  was  shot  through 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  g^ 

the   heart,  and  a  little  later   Corporal  Miles  received  a 
bullet  wound  in  the  shoulder.  He  did  not  give  in  though 
for  ail  that,  but  continued  firing  and  used  up  the  cartridges 
of  his  dead  companion  after  his  own  had  been  exhausted. 
«  About  3  o'clock  in  the   afternoon  a  train  arrived  at 
Honinspruit  Station  from  the  north  and  the  Boers  with- 
drew   and   attacked    the    train.    The   garrison,    however, 
managed  to  keep  them  at  bay  until  a  train  with  troops 
arrived  from  Kroonstad,  when  the  enemy,as  usual,retired. 
Then  it  was  that  I  had  time  to  go  back  and  see  what  had 
become  of  the  little  outpost  on  the  railway  line  south  of 
the  camp,  which  I  knew  had  been  heavily  engaged  ail 
day.  I  found  Corporal  Miles  lying  behind  a  Httle  mound 
of  earth   suffering  from  a  severe  wound  in  the  shoulder, 
and  a  short  distance  from  him  the  dead  bodies  of  Corporal 
Morden  and  Trooper  Kerr,  both  of  whom  had  been  first 
wounded  and  afterwards  killed  by  second  shots.   Though 
serions,  Miles'  wound  was  not  by  any  means  a  fatal  one, 
and  he  was  at  once   taken  to  the  hospital  at  Kroonstad, 
from  where  he  was   sent  to  Cape-Town  later  on.    It  is 
impossible  to  over  estimate  the  importance  of  the  gallant 
conduct  of  thèse  three  men.   But  for  their  splendid  work 
our  position  would  hâve  been  completely  surrounded,  and 
the  chances    are   the  whole  garrison   would  either  hâve 
been  killed  or  captured. 

«  RiCHMOND  Smith, 
«  Spécial  correspondent  of  the  Star  in  South  Africa.  » 

FRAISE  FOR  CANADIANS 

ThEY     HAVE     BEEN    REPEATEDLY    CONSPICUOUS    FOR 
GALLANT   CONDUCT. 

«  A  letter  received  in  the  city  from  Springfontein  says 
that  Sergeant  McLeod,  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Dragoons, 


88  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

who  went  out  with  the  second  contingent,  while  out 
scouting,  single-handed  caplured  two  Boers  and  sixteen 
head  of  cattle.  This  worthy  achievement  was  brought  to 
the  notice  of  Lord  Roberts  and  he  personally  complimented 
the  brave  sergeant.  » 


MAJOR-GENERAL  HUTTON 

«  Major-General  Hutton,  who  so  ably  commanded  the 
Mounted  Infantry  in  this  war,  has  been  relieved  and  sent 
to  England.  He  has  been  sent  to  organize  and  arrange 
for  the  réception  of  the  colonials  there.  As  he  has  served 
in  Australia  and  Canada  with  great  distinction,  no  better 
sélection  could  be  made.  On  giving  up  the  command  of 
the  Mountedinfantry,  he  sent  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lessard 
a  flattering  letter  on  the  usefulness  of  the  Canadian 
Mounted  Infantry  and  the  great  work  they  had  done 
in  this  war.  » 


COLONEL  LESSARD'S  REPORT 

«  Colonel  Lessard,  commanding  the  Canadian  Mounted 
Rifles,  transmits  to  the  Department  a  letter  which  he 
received  from  General  Hutton  on  October  i4th,  previous 
to  the  General's  departure  from  England.  In  this  commu- 
nication General  Hutton  says  he  cannot  leave  South  Africa 
without  offering  a  few  words  of  congratulations  upon  the 
success  which  has  attended  the  régiment  while  under  his 
command  in  the  late  campaign.  Canada,  he  thinks,  has 
good  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
régiment  has  upheld  the  réputation  of  the  Canadian  troops. 
They  had  shown  what  the  type  of  colonial  mounted  rifles 
could  accomplish  in  conjunction  with  the  impérial  mounted 
infantry.  He  realizes  that  colonies  can  hereafter  be  counted 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  89 

upon  to  put  into  the  field  a  force  of  mounted  men  of  the 
utmost  value.  The  gênerai  says  that  it  was  a  source  of 
constant  pleasure  to  bim  to  note  how  excellently  the 
régiment  had  profited  by  its  opportunities,  and  he  con- 
gratulâtes and  thanks  the  men  for  the  good  work  they 
hâve  performed.  u 

«  Ottawa,  July  çth,  igoo. 

«  His  Excellency  has  received  the  foUowing  message 
from  Lord  Roberts  :  — 

«  Pretoria,  July  6th,  1900. 

«  I  hâve  much  pleasure  in  bringing  to  Your  Excellency's 
notice  the  good  work  done  by  the  First  and  Second 
Battalions  Canadian  JMounted  Rifles,  who  hâve  been  repeat- 
edly  conspicuous  for  their  gallant  conduct  and  soldierlike 
instincts. 

«  During  the  attack  by  the  Boers  on  Katsbosch  on 
June  22nd,  a  small  party  of  Pincher's  Creek  men  of  the 
2nd  Battalion  displayed  the  greatest  gallantry  and  deVotion 
to  duty,  holding  in  check  a  force  of  Boers  by  whom  they 
were  largely  out-numbered. 

«Corporal  Morden  and  Private  Kerr  continued  fighting 
till  mortally  wounded.  Lance-Corporal  Miles  and  Private 
Miles,  wounded,  continued  to  fire,  and  held  their 
ground. 

«  On  June  i8th,  a  party  of  the  ist  Battalion,  under 
Lieutenant  Young,  when  operating  with  a  force  under 
General  Hutton  to  the  north-west  of  Pretoria,  succeeded 
in  capturing  two  of  the  eneray's  guns,  and  brought  in 
a  herd  of  catile  and  several  prisoners  without  losing  a 
man. 

«  Roberts.  » 


90  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

LIEUT.-COL.    HERCHMER,  C.  N.  W.  M.  P. 

(Commanding  Offîcer  2ud  Battaliou) 


Commandant  of  the  North-West  Mounted 
Police,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Herchmer,  whose  mil- 
ï^^  itary  qualities  were  so  efficient  in  the  rébellion  of 
Noith-West,  in  1885,  was  happy  to  take  the  opportunity 
of  accepting  the  command  of  the  2nd  Battalion,  Mounted 
Rifles.  His  cleverness  was  much  appreciated  in  the  work 
assigned  to  him,  but  unhappily  he  was  a  victim  of  the 
murderous  disease  that  killed  more  young  men  than  him, 
and  was  returning  home  by  order  of  the  Surgeons,  before 
he  so  desired. 

The  gallant  Captain  T.  W.  Chalmers,  formerly  Lieuten- 
ant M.  G.  A.,  late  Inspector  N.  W.  M.  P.,  Graduate  R. 
M.  C,  who  paid  with  his  life  for  his  heroic  bravery,  was 
under  his  command,  and  we  are  glad  to  associate  the  two 
names  for  the  honor  of  the  Royal  Military  Collège  and 
the  North-West  Mounted  Police  men  whose  self-sacrifice, 
science  and  bravery  are  proverbial. 

HOW  CHALMERS  FELL 

Gallant   Canadian    died   le.ading  his    men  out   of 

TIGHT    place. 

«Ottawa,  December  i7th. 

«  Lieutenant-Colonel  T.  D.  R.  Evans,  commanding  the 
Canadian  Mounted  Rifles,  sends  the  foUowing  report, 
dated  at  Belfast  to  the  adjutant-general  at  Ottawa,  of  the 
death  of  Lieutenant  Chalmers  in  action  November  2nd  : 

«  '  On  the  ist  instant,  at  7  p.  m.,  a  column  under  Major- 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  L.  W.  HERCHMER. 


LE   LIVRE   DOR 


91 


General  Smith- Do rrien  marched  from  Belfast  south  towards 
Koomati  Valley  to  co-operate  with  a  similar  column  mov- 
ing  parallel  and  to  the  west.  Rain  was  falling  heavily, 
and  Ihe  column  halted  at  12.30  a.  m.  until  about  3.30  a.  m. 
The  advance  guard  on  2nd.  instant  consisted  ofsixty  of 
vay  men  under  command  of  Major  Saunders.  The  advanced 
party,  2nd.  troop  C  Squadron,  was  commanded  by  Chal- 
mers,  and  was  accompanied  by  a  guide  who  appears  to 
hâve  given  them  the  wrong  directions  ;  when  the  advanced 
party  came  into  touch  with  the  enemy  the  main  column 
had  branched  off  to  the  right,  and  was  nearly  two  miles 
away.  About  fifteen  of  the  enemy  were  first  seen  emerging 
from  a  house  in  the  valley,  and  thirty  more  came  from  a 
house  about  one  mile  west.  Thèse  occupied  a  ridge  to  the 
west  of  our  position.  The  advanced  party  moved  up  the 
slope  to  some  trenches  which  had  been  constructed  by 
the  enemy.  Other  parties  of  the  enemy  now  appeared 
from  the  east,  and  were  engaged  by  the  flankers  of  the 
support.  Expecting  early  assistance  from  the  main  column, 
the  advanced  guard,  although  in  a  most  dangerous  posi- 
tion, held  its  place  under  severe  rifle  fire.  At  about  5  a.  m. 
an  order  came  from  the  G.  O.  C.  to  retire. 

«  The  retirement  of  the  advanced  party  to  the  support 
was  conducted  by  Lieutenant  Chalmers  in  a  most  skilful 
manner  under  a  very  severe  rire.  During  the  further 
retirement  which  was  carried  out  steadily  by  successive 
groups,  Corporal  Schell's  horse  was  killed  and  fell  upon 
him,  injuring  his  ankle.  Sergeant  Tryon  gave  him  his 
horse,  and  Major  Saunders,  noticing  Sergeant  Tryon, 
dismounted,  rode  back  to  him  and  took  him  on  his  horse, 
and  while  rejoining  the  retiring  line,  the  saddle  turned 
and  threw  Major  Saunders  and  Sergeant  Tryon  to  the 
ground,  the  horse  bolting.  Major  Saunders  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  left  side,  while  taking  cover,  and,  partially 


92 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR 


stunned  by  the  fall  from  his  horse.  Lieutenant  Chalmers 
then  went  to  Major  Saunders  and  endeavored  to  bring 
him  back  with  him  but  was  unable  to  do  so.  He  then 
rejoined  the  firing  and  sent  Private  G.  G.  Smith  back  with 
a  spare  horse  for  Major  Saunders,  but  the  latter  was 
unable  to  mount.  Lieutenant  Chalmers  would  not  retire 
any  further  until  he  could  bring  Major  Saunders  with  him, 
and  while  taking  steps  to  secure  men  from  the  support  to 
enable  them  to  carry  out  this  intention  he  was  shot 
through  the  body  and  died  a  few  minutes  later.  When 
Lieutenant  Chalmers  was  shot  he  had  just  left  good  cover 
to  warn  an  orderly  who  was  coming  towards  him  to 
dismount  as  it  was  too  dangerous  to  come  over  the  ridge 
mounted.' 

«  Lieutenant-Colonel  Evans  pays  high  tribute  to  Lieu- 
tenant Chalmers's  excellent  management  of  the  troops  in 
his  last  engagement,  as  well  as  to  his  splendid  services 
throughout  the  campaign.  » 


MUCH  PRAISE  FOR  MAJOR  DOBELL 


Has  made  a  name   for   Canadians  in  South  Africa. 

Major  Griffith,  of  the  Remount  Service,  and  Lieutenant 
Guillet,  of  the  Veterinary  arm  of  the  Impérial  forces  when 
interviewed  at  Toronto  said  :  — • 

«  We  are  proud  of  the  Canadians  and  of  Canada. 
They  hâve  helped  to  show  the  world  what  is  meant 
by  the  term  British  Empire.  We  hâve  a  son  of  Hon.  R. 
Dobell  in  the  Impérial  forces  that  has  made  a  name  for 
himself.  Not  only  is  he  socially  and  personally  a  favorite, 
but  as  commandant  of  the  i5th  Impérial  Régiment  he  has 
made  a  record  as  a  commanding  officer.  » 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  C.    W  .  DRURV 


BRIGADE  FIELD  ARTILLERY 


DKUEY,  L.  W.,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Royal  Canadian  Artillery,  A.  D.  C. 
to  His  Excellency  the  GoTemor-General,  Commanding  Officer. 


o  J||^(.VERY  military  man  knows  that  energetic  and  syra- 
G^p^  pathetic  soldier,  the  qualifies  of  whose  heart  equal 
0)  «^i*^  his  military  aptitudes.  With  Major  Hudon,  we 
are  very  glad  to  say,  the  brilliant  renown  gained  by  the 
Canadian  Artillery   is  equally  his. 

«Ottawa,  March  29th,  1900. 

«  Lieutenant-Colonel  Drury,  commanding  the  Royal 
Canadian  Artillery,  in  South  Africa,  has  forwarded,  under 
date  of  February  27th,  a  diary  of  his  movements  there 
from  February  lyth.  Probably  the  most  interesting  feature 
is  a  letter  of  thanks  from  the  acting  Mayor  of  Cape-Town, 
as  follows  :  — 

«  Town  House,  Cape-Tovvn,  February  23rd,  1900. 

"  I  am  directed  by  His  Worship  the  Mayor  to  convey 
to  you  and  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Royal  Canadian 
Artillery  a  most  hearty  greeting. 

«  The  citizens  are  deeply  sensible  of  the  sacrifice  which 
has  been  made  by  the  Royal  Canadian  Artillery  in  journey- 
ing  to  our  shores  and  undertaking  the  work  of  a  campaign 
in  order  to  assist  us.  » 


94  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

«  Mrs.  Drury  this  week  received  a  letter  from  her 
husband,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Drury,  dated  April  i6th, 
from  Naawute,  20  miles  from  Van  Wyks  VIei.  Colonel 
Drury  said  that  his  command  had  arrived  at  De  Aar  on 
April  i4th,  after  a  tedious  march  of  350  miles.  It  had 
rained  very  much  and  there  were  no  tents  for  shelter.  He 
regretted  that  he  would  not  see  C  Battery  probably  for  a 
long  time,  as  it  has  been  ordered  to  Beira.  The  rest  of  the 
command,  including  himself,  were  then  proceeding  to 
Bloemfontein  to  join  General  Hutton.  » 


MAJOR  J.  A.  G.  HUDON,  R.  C.  A. 


«  Ottawa,  January  i8th,  1900. 

«  The  Globe  présents  to  its  Canadian  readers  this  week 
another  group  of  fearless  Canadian  officers  who  will  hâve 
charge  of  the  second  contingent  of  Dominion  troops  in 
South  Africa. 

«  Major  J.  A.  G.  Hudon,  R.  C.  A.,  who  will  command 
C  Battery,  of  Kingston,  in  the  second  contingent,  is  one 
of  the  best  quaHfied  artillery  officers  in  Canada  and  has 
done  more  in  récent  years  to  put  the  local  battery  on 
efficient  footing  than  perhaps  any  previous  officer.  He 
was  personally  complimented  by  Major-General  Herbert 
on  the  mémorable  occasion  some  years  ago  when  he 
exercised  A  Battery  on  the  ice  in  the  Kingston  harbor 
and  so  ably  manœuvered  his  men.  His  military  certificates 
are  of  the  highest  class.  Major  Hudon  was  born  in  Québec 
in  1858  and  was  gazetted  a  lieutenant  in  the  Québec 
Garrison  Artillery,  which  he  assisted  to  organize  in  1878. 


MAJOR  J.  A.   G.   HUDON. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  95 

In  August,  1887,  he  was  appointed  to  A  Battery,  R.  C.  A., 
and  served  with  that  corps  until  1897,  when  he  took 
charge  of  B  Battery  at  Québec.  He  took  part  in  the 
North-West  rébellion  of  1885  ^.nd  after  returning  to  King- 
ston with  his  battary  he  was  appointed  in  1887  ^^  ^he  field 
division  and  was  made  brevet  captain,  and  captain  in  1894. 
In  the  same  year  he  went  to  England  for  a  mihtary  course 
lasting  eight  months  at  Aldershot,  where  he  passed  a  bril- 
liant  examination  in  1895  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  brevet  major.  While  connected  with  A  Battery  it  was 
conceded  that  no  officer  worked  harder  for  his  corps,  or 
was  more  successful.  » 

CHOSEN  BY  ROBERTS 

How  C  Battery,  R.  C.  A.,  came  to  be  at  the  relief 
OF  Mafeking. 

«  Kingston,  May  26th,  1900. 

«  Major  Hudon,  C  Battery,  R.  C.  A.,  writing  home  says 
that  his  command  was  specially  chosen  by  Lord  Roberts 
to  go  to  the  relief  of  Mafeking.  He  said  he  wanted  a 
Canadian  artilleiy  force  in  the  relief  column  and  C  Battery, 
Major  Hudon  writes,  were  in  fine  fettle  as  they  were 
sailing  up  the  Indian  Océan.  He  said  the  men  would 
make  good  use  of  the  quick-firing  guns  they  handled.  » 

CANADIANS  AT   MAFEKING 

«  The  Canadians  with  the  column  who  assisted  at  the 
relief  of  Mafeking  are  represented  by  C  Battery  of  the 
Royal  Canadian  Field  Artillery,  commanded  by  Major 
Hudon,  with  whom  are  Captain  Panet  and  Lieutenants 
King  and  Leslie,  says  a  despatch  to  a  London  paper. 


96  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  Together  with  the  Queenslanders,  the  Canadians  cov- 
ered  an  immense  slretch  of  country,  in  order  to  be  in  at 
the  relief.  Marandellas,  in  Mashonaland,  was  left  on  May 
5th.  The  300  miles  by  coach  from  that  place  to  Bulawayo 
were  completed  by  the  Sth.  A  24  hours'  stay  in  Bulawayo 
was  followed  by  a  three  days'  railway  journey  to  Ootsi, 
and  thence  during  the  three  following  days  the  men  were 
marched  across  country,  through  bush  and  sand,  a  distance 
of  70  miles,  via  Colonel  Plumer's  camp  to  the  Molopo. 
They  met  the  Southern  relief  column  on  the  banks  of  that 
river.  Then  they  had  their  second  day's  rest  of  24  hours' 
duration.  The  next  22  hours,  including  four  hours' fighting, 
were  spent  in  marching  25  miles  into  Mafeking.  The 
casualties  among  the  Canadians  were  Bombardier  Patton 
and  Gunner  McCallum,  severely  wounded,  but  both  were 
in  action  again  on  the  following  day,  and  assisted  in 
chasing  the  Boers  away  to  the  east  from  Mafeking.  » 

«  Mafeking  despatches  continue  to  pour  into  London 
relating  to  the  events  immediately  preceding  the  relief 
and  the  entry  of  the  troops. 

«  The  correspondents  agrée  that  the  Canadian  arti)lery, 
Major  Hudon's  seven  guns,  did  splendid  work.  Some  of 
them  assert  that  the  Canadians  did  '  absolutely  ess:.atial 
work  in  the  fighting.' 

«  About  7  in  the  evening  of  the  day  before  the  relief, 
after  Colonels  Mahon  and  Plumer  had  defeated  the  Boers 
nine  miles  from  Mafeking,  Major  Karri  Davies  and  nine 
scouts  entered  the  town.    The  Boers  were  then  retreating. 

«  At  4  on  the  following  morning,  1,000  men,  including 
the  Canadians,  arrived.  With  them  were  20  waggon  loads 
of  food,  which  were  received  with  wild  démonstrations. 
The  armored  train  and  a  detachment  then  pushed  fcrward 
to  Gametree  Fort,  the  scène  of  the  unsuccessful  sortie  in 
December. 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR  97 

«  The  Boers  had  evacuated  it  on  the  east.  They  were 
pursued,  and  the  correspondent,  telegraphing  thèse  facts.  » 

«  The  Canadians  had  a  share  in  the  relief  of  Mafeking  ! 

«  Lord  Roberts  lays  spécial  emphasis  upon  the  value  of 
the  services  of  the  Canadian  artillery,  who  reached  the 
scène  of  the  fighting  before  Mafeking's  relief  was  made 
sure.  It  is  not  stated  which  of  our  batteries  it  was  that 
came  to  the  front  at  such  a  critical  time,  but  it  would  not 
be  surprising  if  it  should  prove  to  hâve  been  C  Battery.  A 
little  while  ago,  we  were  informed  that  C  Battery  had 
gone  north  to  join  Carrington's  column  in  Rhodesia. 
From  the  fact  that  Colenels  Mahon  and  Plumer  were  able 
to  join  forces  before  Mafeking's  relief  it  is  quite  possible 
that  C  Battery  could  hâve  pushed  its  way  down  from 
Buluwayo  in  time  to  be  of  such  great  service  as  to  prac- 
tically  turn  the  tide — for  that  is  what  Lord  Roberts'  kindly 
référence  to  them  undoubtedly  means.  » 

NEWS  FROM    MAFEKING 

«  London,  May  28th,  1900. 

«  The  latest  news  from  Mafeking  is  dated  Wednesday. 
Everything  was  then  going  along  well.  Supplies  were 
arriving  from  the  north,  but  the  bread  ration  stiil  consisted 
of  six  ounces.  When  people  go  out  to  dinner  they  take 
their  own  bread  with  them.  The  horses  and  Canadian 
artillery  seem  to  hâve  been  the  most  welcome  of  the 
relieving  force.  The  garrison  had  been  occupied  for  eight 
months  in  keeping  a  line  of  defences  eight  miles  long 
against  modem  artillery,  while  their  guns  consisted  of  four 
muzzle-loading  seven  pounders,  which  were  out  of  repair 
constantly,  four  Maxims,  one  Hotchkiss,  one  Nordenfeldt, 
one  ship  gun  firing  cannon  balls  and  one  home-made 
Howitzer.  None  of  thèse  guns  had  a  greater  range  than 
8,000  yards. 


98  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  It  is  impossible  to  express  the  delight  of  the  town  on 
seeing  the  horse  and  Canadian  artillery  gallop  into  action 
after  their  marvellous  march  of  300  miles  in  twelve  days, 
and  then  in  watching  the  effect  of  the  accurately  aimed 
shells  bursting  immediately  over  the  laager.  The  Boer 
encampment,  which  was  already  packed,  was  cleared  in 
twenty  minutes.  » 

TWO  MORE  BRILLIANT  OFFICERS 

Lieutenant  H.  S.  Stewart,  who  has  accepted  a  com- 
mission IN  THE  Impérial  Horse  Artillery. 

«  Lieutenant  Stewart  is  a  son  of  Major  Stewart,  R.  O.,  of 
this  city,  and  a  graduate  of  the  Royal  Military  Collège, 
Kingston.  He  has  been  soldiering  since  he  was  twelve 
years  of  âge,  and  has  for  several  years  past  been  associated 
with  the  work  of  the  Laprairie  camps.  He  leaves  for 
England  to  assume  his  commission  in  the  Impérial  Horse 
Artillery.  Lieutenant  Stewart  is  very  popular  among  a 
large  circle  of  acquaintances,  and  his  future  career  will  be 
watched  with  a  great  deal  of  interest.  » 

Lieutenant  McLean,  op  St.  John,  N.  B.,  comes  back 
from  South  Africa  full  of  honours. 

«Lieutenant  C.  W.  Weldon  McLean,  who  vvent  to  South 
Africa  as  junior  officer  of  G  Company  (N.  B.  and  P.  E.  I.) 
First  Canadian  Contingent,  is  now  home  on  leave,  a 
lieutenant  in  the  Royal  Field  Artillery,  having  received 
his  appointment  in  the  regular  army  as  the  direct  resuit  of 
services  in  the  field  that  attracted  the  attention  of  Colonel 
Otter,  General  Lord  Methuen,  and  even  the  Commander- 
in-Chief.  This  is  a  splendid  record  for  a  lad  in  his  nine- 
teenth  year  and  the  youngest  officer  in  the  Canadian 
Contingents. 


>  1^ 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  99 

«  Lieutenant  McLean  is  the  son  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
H.  H.  McLean,  of  the  62nd.  St.  John  Fusiliers,  is  a  grad- 
uate  of  Kingston  Military  Collège  and  before  leaving  for 
South  Africa  held  a  second  lieutenant's  commission  in  the 
8th  Princess  Louise  (Kings  Co.,  N.  B.)  Hussars.  '  Weldon  ' 
as  he  was  generally  styled  bythe  men  of  G  Company,  was 
one  of  the  most  popular  officers  in  the  Canadian  force, 
and  every  returned  soldier  loudly  praises  not  only  his 
gallantry  in  the  field  but  more  especially  his  treatment  of 
the  men  under  his  command.  *  He  taught  us  many  things 
necessary  for  soldiers  to  know,  he  looked  after  our  comfort 
in  the  field  and  on  the  march,  and  he  never  sent  us  where 
he  was  himself  afraid  to  go.'  This  is  an  extract  from  a 
private  letter,  written  by  a  St.  John  soldier,  to  his  mother, 
quite  early  in  the  campaign. 

«  '  Chebucto,'  the  correspondent  of  the  Halifax  Herald 
with  the  First  Contingent,  in  his  account  of  the  Paardeberg 
fight  said  :  'The  boy  McLean  of  G  Company  never  ceased 
to  smile  even  when  under  the  hottest  fire,  and  if  ever 
there  was  a  lad  who  won  his  spurs  it  was  this  stripling  in 
his  teens,  who,  when  given  the  opportunity,  showed  what 
stufif  he  was  made  of.'  « 

PRAISES   THE  CANADIANS 

Artillery   renders    valuable    services   to   Mahon's 

COLUMN. 

«  London,  May  22nd,  1900. 

«  Lord  Roberts  reports  to  the  War  Office  in  a  despatch 
dated  Kroonstad,  May  2ist,  as  follows  :  — 

(I  Mahon  reports  that  the  flying  column  entered  Mafe- 
king  at  4  a.  m.,  May  i8th.  He  was  stubbornly  opposed 
by  1,500  men,  May  lyth,  nine  miles  from  Mafeking,  but 
the  Boers  were  driven  from  their  strong  positions  after 
five  hours'  fighting,  thanks,  he  says,  to  the  magnificent 
qualities  of  his  troops. 


lOO  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

«  A  detachment  of  Canadian  artillery,  by  a  séries  of 
forced  marches,  reached  him  the  morning  of  the  fighting 
and  rendered  very  valuable  assistance. 

«  Mahon's  casualties  were  about  thirty.  The  Boer  losses 

were  heavy.  » 

«  Ottawa,  May  22nd,  1900. 

«  His  Excellency  the  Governor-General  to-day  received 
the  following  cable  from  Sir  Alfred  Milner  :  — 

«  Cape-Town,  May  2  2nd,  1900. 

«  The  officer  commanding  flying  column,  which  entered 
Mafeking  May  i8th,  reports,  '  Ten  hours'  stubborn  résist- 
ance from  1,500  Boers  May  i7th.  Detachment  of  Canadian 
artillery,  by  a  séries  of  forced  marches,  reached  me  on  the 
morning  of  the  fighting  and  rendered  very  valuable 
assistance.'  » 

«  His  Excellency  also  received  the  following  cable  from 
Mr.  Joseph  Chamberlain,  Secretary  of  State  for  the 
Colonies  :  — 

«  London,  May  2  2nd,  1900. 

«  Congratulate  Canada  on  the  great  service  rendered  by 
Canadian  artillery  in  relieving  Mafeking.  » 

BADEN-POWELL   GRATEFUL  TO  CANADA'S 
SOLDIERS 

«  Ottawa,  May  2Sth,  1900. 

H  Sir  Wilfrid  Eaurier  has  received  the  following  cable, 
which  was  delayed  in  transmission,  from  Major-General 
Baden-Powell  :  — 

«  Mafeking,  May  xyth,  1900. 

«  Mafeking  relieved  to-day,  and  most  grateful  for  inval- 
uable  assistance  by  Canadian  artillery, which  made  record 
march  from  Beira  to  help  us. 

«  Colonel  Baden-Powell.  » 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  lOl 

LAUY    SARAH    WILSON    FRAISES    CANADIANS 

«  A  cable  from  London  says  :  — 

«  London,  May  agth,  1900. 

«  Lady  Sarah  Wilson  in  to-day's  London  Daily  Mail 
says  :  — 

«  It  is  impossible  to  express  the  delight  of  the  town  at 
seeing  the  fine  Royal  Horse  and  Canadiai.  artillery  gallop 
gaily  into  action  after  their  marvellous  march  of  300  miles 
in  twelve  days.  Their  accuracy  in  shelling  the  Boer  laager 
was  marvellous  ;  they  cleared  the  Boer  encampment  ia 
twenty  minutes.  » 

FORT  CANADA 

Bomb-Proof    Shelter   built   by    Canadians  at 
rustenberg. 

«  Kingston,  Ont.,  September  i7th,  1900. 

«  Gunner  Adam  Armstrong,  writing  August  i3th,  says 
that  for  two  months  previous  to  writing  C  Battery  was  at 
Rustenberg  with  General  Baden-Powell.  '  We  built  a 
splendid  fort,'  he  writes,  '  one  that  will  stand  to  the 
memory  of  C  Battery  for  âges,  if  it  is  not  destroyed.  We 
called  it  Fort  Canada.  Engraved  on  the  largest  stone  we: 
could  find  were  the  words  «Fort  Canada,  1900.  »  It  was  a. 
complète  bomb-proof  shelter  with  pits  for  the  men,  observ- 
ation tower  for  C  Battery  officers,  bastions  for  the  guns 
and  shelter  pits  for  ail  our  horses.  It  beats  anything  of  its 
kind  I  hâve  yet  seen  in  South  Africa.' 

<(  C  Battery  is  with  Gênerais  Hamilton  and  Mahon's- 
column.  » 

8 


102  LE    LIVRE    D'OR 

TERRIBLE  HAVOC  WROUGHT  AMONG  HORSES 

«  A  letter  lias  been  received  from  Captain  Richard 
Costigan  by  Mr.  Fred.  R.  AUey.  The  Captain  writes  from 
De  Aar,  April  20th.  He  says  :  '  We  are  resting  our  horses 
after  our  chase  of  the  rebels  across  country  for  500  miles. 
Our  route  is  marked  by  the  dead  bodies  of  horses  and 
mules.  We  hope  to  go  to  Bloemfontein  for  the  final  rush 
on  Pretoria,  or  if  not  there  to  Kimberley  and  the  relief  of 
Mafeking.  The  Montréal  members  of  our  company  are  ail 
well,  and  we  can  thank  Dr.  Harry  Bell  for  his  strict 
examination  as  we  hâve  not  had  a  case  of  serious  illness 
since  we  left.'  » 

REBEL  CHASERS  FROM  AMERICA 

«  Sergeant  Quinney;  of  D  Battery,  writes  to  friends  in 

Ottawa  :  — 

«  We  hâve  another  initial  to  our  name.  Now  we  are 
called  R.  C.  F.  A.  That  means  Royal  Canadian  Field 
Artillery.  Some  of  the  boys  are  trying  to  find  other  names 
for  it,  but  the  best  thing  I  can  think  of  is  Rebel  Chasers 
from  America.  » 

THE  CANADIANS'  SHARE 

Lord  Roberts  —  Is  the  R.  C.  A.  in  position? 

Subordinate  —  It  is,  General. 

Lord  Roberts  —  Are  the  R.  C.  R.,  the  C.  M.  I.  and 
the  Strathcona's  Horse  ready  > 

Subordinate  —  They  are,  General. 

Lord  Roberts  —  Is  everything  in  readiness,  and  has 
there  been  any  change  in  the  position  of  the  enemy  ? 

Subordinate  —  Everything  is  in  readiness,  and  the 
enemy  is  still  massed  heavily  in  our  front. 

Lord  Roberts  —  Then  order  the  Canadians  forward. 


REVEREND  W.  G.  LANE, 

CHAPLAIN. 


REVEREND  W.  G.  LANE 

(Chaplain  of  the  2nd  Contiiigeiit} 


jrHAPLAIN  LANE  was  born  in  Yarmouth,  England,  in  il 
At  his  own  request  he  received  notice  to  proceed  to  Halifax 

i^f/ifl  in  order  to  join  the  Second  Contingent,  leaving  for  the  front 
on  January  I5th.  He  has  spent  three  years  in  India,  five  years  in 
New  Zealand,  and  been  twict  round  the  world,  and  fourteen  times 
across  the  Atlantic  in  the  interests  of  church  work  and  Good  Tem- 
plary.  For  two  years  he  was  R.  W.  G.  T.  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Good  Templars,  and  has  served  for  six  and  a  half  years  as  chaplain 
of  H.  M. 's  forces  in  Bermuda,  Halifax  and  South  Africa. 

Entering  the  ministry  in  England,  he  was  sent  to  Ross  in  Hereford- 
skire,  where  he  received  a  call  to  the  conférence  of  Eastern  British 
America  through  Dr.  Stewart,  then  theological  professor  of  the 
Sackville  Institute,  and  was  ordained  at  Amherst,  N.  S.,  in  1878. 
He  married  Miss  Ross,  of  N.  E,   Margaree,  Cape  Breton. 

Throughout  the  campaign  Mr.  Lane  ranked  as  captain  with  allow- 
ances,  with  the  full  récognition  of  the  Impérial  authorities.  A  black 
Maltese  cross  on  the  collaralone  distinguished  his  khaki  uniform  from 
that  of  the  regular  English  officers. 

He  was  highly  appreciated  in  the  field  by  every  one  for  his  devoted 
attention  to  ail,  especially  the  wounded  and  dead. 

Weareglad  to  also  mention  Rev.  J.  Almond,  Québec,  T.  F.  FuUer- 
ton,  P.  E.  Island,  W.  J.  Cox,  Church  of  England.  J.  C.  Smith,  R. 
C,  whose  zeal  corresponded  with  their  Christian  work.  Also  Mr.  H. 
E.  Barrie  and  Mr.  Thomas  F.  Best,  représentative  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
and  it  is  with  great  pleasure  we  hear  that  ail  clergymen  are  associated 
with  "The  Daughters  of  the  Empire,"  for  the  protection,  the  preserv- 


104  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

ation  and  the  décoration  of  the  graves  of  our  noble  brave  sleeping 
their  last  sleep  in  South  Africa. 

He  wrote  to  the  Halifax  Wesleyan  from  Bloemfontein  under  date 
of  April  25th,  saying  :  — 

*'  Hère  we  are  in  Bloemfontein  amid  ail  sorts  of  rumors,  which  fly 
in  clouds  like  the  vast  army  of  locusts  I  hâve  just  seen  across  the 
veldt  ;  and  which  fairly  shut  out  the  kopjes,  where  shells  were 
bursting  and  Boers  flying  before  the  onslaught  of  the  British.  This  of 
course  means  fighting,  for  on  Sunday  last  we  were  disappointed  in 
our  parade  service,  and  instead  were  under  fire  for  the  first  time  in 
this  campaign.  We  started  out  from  Bloemfontein  towards  the  water- 
works,  and  on  arriving  at  Springfield,  six  miles  out,  were  told  that 
the  water- Works  were  clear  of  Boers;  so,  like  the  children  of  Israël, 
we  were  turned  back  on  our  march  till  we  came  nearly  to  Bloemfon- 
tein again,  and  again  turned  eastward  to  Leeuw's  Kop.  After  travel- 
velling  about  22  miles,  scouting  ail  the  way,  we  suddenly  heard  the 
roar  of  artillery,  and  saw  puffs  of  smoke  and  bursting  shells  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Smith's  Farm,  and  found  the  Boers  in  an  advanced 
position  within  17  miles  of  Bloemfontein.  About  the  same  time  we 
heard  bang-bang  on  the  east  of  Leeuw's  Kop,  where  the  Canadian 
Mounted  Rifles  had  drawn  fire  from  a  commando  hidden  in  a  ravine 
close  to  the  farm  house  on  the  slope.  Lieutenant  Straubenzie,  with 
twelve  men,  scouted  to  within  four  hundred  yards,  before  the  hall  of 
lead  forced  them  to  dismount  and  seek  cover.  With  admirable  cool- 
ness  he  directed  his  men  what  to  do,  but  stuck  to  the  saddle  a  little 
too  long,  as  he  drew  a  concentrated  fire  on  himself,  and  narrowly 
escaped,  his  horse  being  shot  under  him.  A  bullet  passed  through 
Private  Danby's  hat,  and  for  a  time  it  looked  as  if  many  a  gap  would 
be  made  in  the  little  band  of  twelve.  As  it  was,  Major  Williams 
devotedly  covered  them,  took  the  Boers'  fire,  and  in  a  masterly 
manner  got  them  out  of  their  difficulty.  The  fighting  lasted  about  two 
hours  at  that  kopje,  the  Boer  gun  ceasing  to  fire  at  5  p.  m.,  the  Boers 
themselves  retreating  north  and  east,  and  our  men  escaping  without  a 
scratch  and  four  horses  hit. 

"  In  the  meantime  the  Boers  galloped  down  the  kopje  at  the  back 
of  Smith's  Farm  and  took  possession  of  the  farm  —  threatening  our 
line  of  communication.  At  this  time  Mr.  Finn,  the  correspondent 
of  the  Montréal  Herald,  and  myself  were  with  General  Pole-Carew 
and  staft  on  a  small  kopje,  from  which  the  battle  was  directed. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  I05. 

"  From  this  vantage  ground,  with  glasses  raised,  we  saw  the 
Warwicks  rush  the  farm.  The  Boers  did  not  wait  even  to  fire  a  parting 
shot,  but  jumped  on  their  horses  and  galloped  over  the  kopje  —  ail 
but  three  —  for  just  as  the  last  five  bunched  together  at  the  back  of 
the  farm,  on  the  run,  a  shell  fired  at  about  2,000  yards  burst  just 
behind  them  and  three  horses  and  three  Boers  did  not  gallop  any  more. 
Still  further  north  towards  the  water-works,  which,  however,  were 
eight  miles  distant,  we  could  hear  the  roar  of  the  fifteen-pounders,  the 
bursting  of  lyddite  shells,  and  the  nasty  pom-pom-pom-pom  of  the 
Boer  Maxim.  We  expected  to  hear  of  heavy  casualties,  instead  of 
which  the  day  closed  with  twelve  wounded,  one  officer  thought  to  be 
mortally  wounded,  while  the  Boer  loss  was,  considering  their  num- 
bers,  estimated  at  a  larger  percentage. 

"  Towards  sundown  the  hills  were  cleared  and  the  Boers  gone  ;  the 
norses  were  too  tired  to  pursue  or  surround  the  Boers,  whose  horses 
were  rested  and  fed.  The  Canadians  behaved  well  —  perfectly  cool, 
and  satisfied  with  their  first  conflict  at  Leeuw's  Kop. 

"  Now,  let  the  armchair  critics  criticize  our  gênerais.  You  hâve  no 
idea  of  the  difficulty  of  the  campaign.  I  ranged  the  country  with 
powerful  glasses,  and  although  I  knew  that  thousands  of  fighting  men 
were  on  the  veldt,  and  the  direction  they  were  in,  yet  they  seemed  to 
disappear  into  the  veldt  as  effectually  as  a  rainstorm  into  Bermuda 
limestone.  Just  as  I  write  news  has  come  in  that  our  losses  are  about 
800  killed  and  wounded,  and  that  the  Boer  dead  are  320,  and  about 
1,000  wounded,  in  the  conflicts  which  Sunday  opened. 

'*  I  am  writing,  as  you  will  see,  at  the  Wesleyan  Parsonage  at 
Bloemfontein,  in  company  with  Rev.  Charles  Franklin,  a  worthy 
burgher,  but  loyal  —  a  member  of  the  South  African  General  Con- 
fenrence,  a  busy  man,  visiting  the  sick,  distributing  goods  among  the 
sick  and  wounded.  He  accompanied  me  this  aftemoon  to  the  hospital 
camp,  where  we  met  several  of  the  first  contingent  on  the  sick  list. 
Young  Mr.  Hart  was  there,  on  a  sick  bed,  but  recovering  splendidly. 
AU  the  Halifax  lads  are  doing  well,  but  one  or  two  from  the  western 
provinces  made  one  think  sadly  of  the  possibilities  ahead.  Nearly  ail 
the  Sound  men  were  fighting  as  we  chatted  together,  the  boom  of  the 
heavy  guns  coming  to  our  ears  as  we  stood  in  the  tent  door,  being  just 
discernible  ;  and  thèse  poor  fellows  were  disappointed  at  not  being 
with  their  comrades  sharing  the  dangers  of  battle. 

"  We   hâve   just   held   a   meeting   in   the   schoolroom  of  Trinity 


ÏOÔ  LE    LIVRE    D'OR 

Church,  which  I  led,  at  the  request  of  the  pastor.  About  thirteen 
soldiers  were  présent.  I  wish  you  could  hâve  heard  them  sing  and 
pray  and  testify  the  Spirit  was  with  us.  So  things  go  on,  bringing  us 
comfort  and  hardship,  long  journeys  on  horseback  (I  hâve  already 
used  up  one  horse  and  now  hâve  another,  which  means  heavy  outlay, 
but  we  must  keep  up  with  our  work  at  any  cost),  sleeping  on  the 
veldt  with  blanket  only,  chilled  to  the  bone  just  as  others  are,  and 
then  scorched  by  day,  till  we  look  like  bronzed  and  scarred  vétérans. 
Sometimes  wet  through,  sometimes  with  biscuit  to  eat,  and  at  other 
times  a  good  meal,  our  fortunes  varying,  but  through  it  ail  hope  and 
trust  that  the  future  will  unfold  the  justice  of  our  cause  and  bring  ail 
this  struggling  under  the  protecting  and  prospering  folds  of  the  Union 
Jack.  With  kind  regards,  till  I  can  write  again." 


THE  NURSES 


i^F  I  do  not  say  much  about  the  devoted  nurses  for  assisting  our 
"^1/^  soldiers,  it  is  because  their  modesty  equals  their  zeal.  But  I 
am  very  happy  to  hère  translate  what  I  wrote  about  nurses 
and  hospitals  on  my  return  from  the  expédition  of  the  Nile,  in  1885. 
The  hospital  I  had  visited  was  very  comfortable.  The  médical  staff 
and  assistants  were  very  courteous.  I  saw  there  many  nurses  assisting 
the  wounded  and  the  sick.  "Our  own  Angels  !  "  said  one  surgeon, 
and  I  was  fiUed  with  admiration  for  those  devoted  women  who,  if 
they  wore  not  the  garb  of  the  Grey  Nuns,  had  at  least  the  same  heart 
for  God's  poor. 


THE  RED  CROSS  SOCIETY 


'HE  Canadian  Branch  was  organized  in  1896  by  Lieutenant- 
J^iâ     Colonel  E.  Sterling  Ryerson,  C.  M.  A.  M.  S.  The  Canadian  ' 
^  "^      Society  was  called  the  first  to  assist  the  Empire  in  South 
Africa  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Rverson,  and  his  valuable  services 


s 


1^' 


HfSNISJN      Est     KONIMAU 


"  OUR  OWX  ANGELS." 
Miss  SARAH  FORBES,  Miss  MARCELLA  P.   RICHARDSON. 


SURGEUX-MAJOR  A.   X.  WORTlilXGTON. 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR  IO7 

were  highly  appreciated  as  may  be  seen  by  the  testimonials  of 
General  Methuen  and  Lord  Roberts.  ♦'  The  work  accomplished  by 
the  Red  Cross  Society,"  said  Methuen,  •'  was  donc  splendidly, 
modestly  and  patriotically." 

"  Ottawa,  April  i6th,  1900. 

"  His  Excellency  the  Governor-General  received  also  the  foUow- 
ing  cable  message  from  Field  Marshal  Lord  Roberts  :  — 

"  Bloemfontein,  April  l6th,  1900. 

"Please  thank  the  people  of  Canada  on  behalf  of  myself,  the 
troops  and  Colonel  Ryerson,  for  their  generous  and  timely  gifts  just 
received. 

"Roberts." 


SURGEON-MAJOR   WORTHINGTON 

(Writes  of  march  to  Kenhardt) 


•'  Sherbrooke,  May  24th,  1900. 

URGEON-Major  Worthîngton,  who  went  with  D  and  E 
Batteries  from  Canada,  writing  to  his  brother,  Colonel 
E.  B.  Worthington,  says  :  — 

"  Van  Wycks  Vlei,  March  2SU1,  1900. 

"  Africa's  sunny  fountains  hâve  been  rolling  down  their  golden 
*  sands  '  to  such  an  unprecedented  extent  lately  that  the  gory  path  of 
the  Carnarvon  Field  Force  is  for  the  time  being  arrested.  We  had 
donc  150  miles  of  our  march  to  Kenhardt  and  Uppington  when  a 
storm  overtook  us  at  Van  Wycks  Vlei,  and  more  rain  fell  in  four  days 
than  in  the  two  preceding  years.  In  fact  the  memory  of  the  oldest 
inhabitant  cannot  recall  such  a  flood.  Hitherto  water  was  scarce  and 
existed  only  in  artificial  pools,  ten  or  twelve  miles  a  part  ;  so  muddy 
that  even  the  horses  when  thirsty  refused  to  drink  ;  so  thick  and  saline 


I08  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

as  to  be  a  decidedly  corrective  of  the  Beecham  habit,  and  when  boiled 
with  the  addition  of  our  staple  vegetable  product  (onions)  makes  an 
excellent  purée,  acquiring  fiom  the  fuel  used  a  delightful  aroma 
peculiar  to  the  locality  fiom  which  it  is  extracted.  This  fuel  is  com- 
posed  of  the  effete  material  of  the  animal  economy  found  in  the  sheep 
kraals,  and  goes  by  the  symphoneous  appellation  of  amadoda,  sells 
for  two  pence  a  foot,  is  delightfully  fragrant  when  burned  in  open 
grates,  and  resembles  so  much  the  native  breadloaf  that  one  has  to 
use  considérable  judgment  in  approaching  the  larder  after  dark, 
though  with  the  olfactory  bulbs  in  normal  condition  there  is  no  real 
danger. 

UnEROKEN   VIEW   OF  VELDT. 

"  Seated  as  I  am,  with  my  back  against  a  ruined  Kaffir  hut,  built 
with  bricks  of  this  material,  I  cannot  see  a  tree  in  any  direction  in 
this  sweet  and  blessed  country,  nothing  but  veldt  covered  with  water, 
and  hère  and  there  a  stony  kopje  presenting  itself. 

"  Sandstorms  are  of  daily  occurrence,  and,  as  we  are  without  tents, 
cause  a  good  deal  of  annoyance,  filling  our  eyes,  ears  and  nose  with 
dirt,  blowing  things  about  in  ail  directions,  and  playing  havoc 
generally.  Possibly  they  are  blessings  in  disguise,  as  they  give  more 
body  to  the  liquid  refreshments,  and  aid  materially  in  the  digestion  of 
bully  beef  and  hard  tack,  acting  on  the  principle  of  gravel  in  the 
chicken's  crop.  Speaking  of  gravel,  we  do  not  dare  to  lave  our  limbs 
in  the  limpid  pools  about,  owing  to  the  danger  of  contracting  an 
affection  of  that  name. 

"  Our  expédition  is  under  command  of  Colonel  Parsons,  an  Impé- 
rial officer,  who  rides  ahead  in  a  Cape  cart,  with  the  advance  column; 
the  main  column  being  under  Colonel  Druvy.  His  force  is  almost 
colonial,  being  composed  of  the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles,  West 
Australia  Mounted  Rifles,  New  Zealand  Mounted  Rifles,  8th  Derby- 
shire  Impérial  Yeomanry,  and  our  two  batteries.  We  were  originally 
about  i,ioo,  but  leaving  detachments  at  Victoria  West  and  Carnarvon, 
has,  with  the  sick,  reduced  our  available  force  considerably,  though, 
as  the  rebels  are  turning  their  swords  into  ploughshares,  at  our 
approach,  I  fancy  we  are  sufficient  for  this  thankless  and  monotonous 
work. 

Long  march  to  Kenhardt. 

"  When  we  arrive  at  Kenhardt  we  shall  hâve  marched  250  miles 
from  the  railway,  and,  after  resting,  will  retrace  our  steps  to  Victoria 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR 


109 


road,  where,  I  trust,  we  will  arrive  about  the  second  week  in  May, 
and  in  time  and  condition  to  be  sent  into  the  Transvaal.  I  fancy  by 
that  time,  with  560  miles  in  the  saddle,  I  will  be  calloused  enough 
for  a  Government  job. 

*'  Kitchener  was  coming  down  from  De  Aar  with  another  force  by 
way  of  Prieska,  to  meet  us  at  Kenliardt,  but  has  given  up  his  com- 
mand  to  Colonel  Luttle,  and  gone  back  to  the  Free  State,  not  finding 
much  glory  in  simply  establishing  British  prestige  in  small  towns. 

'  •  The  days  are  very  hot  and  the  nights  cold.  Towards  moming  a 
heavy  dew  falls  and  wets  the  blankets  and  causes  a  great  deal  of 
tonsilitis,  as  the  blankets  ha%e  to  bc  packed  so  early  they  do  not  get 
dried. 

"  A  mail  has  arrived  to-day,  composed  principally  of  newspapers, 
rather  disappointing,  when  letters  were  expected,  but  still  very 
acceptable.  Your  comic  papers  were  very  amusing.  I  selected  Frozen 
Fun,  and  retired  to  a  shady  spot,  under  the  cart,  where,  with  a 
température  of  102  degrees  in  the  shade,  the  jokes  seemed  anything 
but  realistic. 

•'  March  agth. 

"  We  are  still  unable  to  cross  the  stream  upon  whose  banks  we  are 
stationed,  and  every  scout  coming  in  reports  another  wider  river  to 
cross.  In  some  places  the  veldt  for  miles  is  under  water.  The  rebels 
hâve  surrendered  to  Colonel  Parsons,  and  we  will  return  to  the 
rail  way  150  miles  away.  This  moming  when  I  heard  we  were  not 
going  on  at  once,  I  rode  back  to  the  Post  Office,  twelve  miles,  visited 
the  hospital,  and  brought  out  the  mail.  Game  was  very  plentiful 
along  the  road,  and,  with  a  gun,  could  hâve  shot  any  number  of  birds. 
I  tried  several  shots  with  my  revolver,  but  without  success. 

MUTlON   AND   OTHER   THINGS. 

"  March  30th. 

"  Last  night  a  number  of  sheep  were  killed  and  we  had  fresh  méat 
for  breakfast.  We  were  fast  enjoying  some  beautiful  devilled  kidney 
and  fried  liver,  when  the  officer  commanding  E  Battery  came  over  to 
our  mess  and  enquired  where  his  kidneys  were.  Thinking  he  wished 
for  the  surface  markings  of  his  own  organs,  I  began  to  demonstrate 
their  position,  when  he  announced  that  he  simply  came  to  make  a 
formai  complaint  to  the  C.  O.,  to  the  eftect  that  the  six  carcasses  his 


IlO  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

battery  received,  contained  no  kidneys,  or  liver.  As  we  received  only 
one  hindquarter,  and  it  contained  six  kidneys  and  three  livers,  we 
suggested  that  theie  was  possibly  something  faulty  about  the  anatomy 
of  the  South  African  sheep.  However,  this  did  not  appease  the 
major's  wrath,  and,  as  he  walked  away,  the  adjutant  hummed, 
'  Where  are  my  wandering  kidneys,  to-night.' 

"The  night  before  last  we  had  a  '  Sing-Song  '  in  the  Australian 
camp.  They  had  a  fatigue  party  eut  ail  day  with  a  cart,  gathering 
karoo  bushes  for  a  bon-fire.  The  affair  went  off  splendidly,  '  Alouette,' 
and  some  of  the  Canadian  choruses  being  much  appreciated  by  the 
Yeomanry  and  Australians.  The  affair  was  repeated  last  night  in  the 
battery  Unes. 

"A  very  amusing  incident  happened  last  week  on  the  mardi.  An 
Australian  reporter  with  the  column  has  two  grey  hounds,  and,  in 
chasing  hares,  ran  a  female  ostrich  into  their  lines,  and  there  she 
remained  in  the  middle  of  the  troop,  for  at  least  five  miles,  trotting 
along  quite  unconcernedly  among  the  horses.  At  the  fîrst  hait  she 
was  given  to  a  farmer  and  locked  up.  Stripped  of  ail  her  feathers  she 
presented  a  most  doleful  aspect. 

Begins  backward  trek. 

"  March  31  st. 

"  Well,  we  hâve  begun  our  backward  trek,  or  rather  hâve  moved 
back  six  miles,  from  our  old  camp,  Hartebeste  River,  to  a  small  lake 
formed  by  an  artificial  dam.  It  is  a  pretty  spot,  fuU  of  wild  duck  and 
geese.  Grouse  and  quail  are  constantly  strutting  about  the  edge  of  the 
camp  picking  up  grain  from  the  carts.  Unfortunately  we  hâve  no  shot 
guns,  and  rifle  shooting  is  rather  dangerous.  Some  of  the  'nigger' 
drivers  got  bowled  over  yesterday  with  '  Cape  Smoke,'  the  native 
brandy,  a  vile,  rank  spirit,  that  during  the  stage  of  exhilaration  renders 
a  man  excited  and  talkative,  and  later  on  brings  about  a  condition  of 
alcoholic  stupor  from  which  it  is  almost  impossible  to  rouse  him. 
Well,  a  couple  of  niggers  in  the  excited  stage  drove  a  transport  team 
of  horses  about  in  a  reckless  manner  and  were  generally  insubordinate. 
They  were  se\erely  and  quietly  punished.  While  Kaffirs  watched 
their  mules  by  night  the  niggers  after  a  fine  of  £1  apiece,  and  a 
médical  examination  to  see  if  they  were  fit  for  corporal  punishment, 
were  laid  over  a  sack  of  forage  and  given  six  lashes  apiece.  They 
didn't  seeni  to  mind  it  very  much  and  will  probably  take  an  eaily 
opportunity  of  slifling  their  sorrows  in  a  lillle  moie  smoke. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  IH 

Waiting  for  a  SURREXDER. 

••  We  are  waiting  hère  until  Parsons  receives  the  formai  surrender 
of  the  rebels,  and  will  then  go  straight  back  to  Victoria  Road. 
possibly  meeting  our  third  battery  C  there. 

"  Howard  is  not  with  us.  His  guns  were  to  hâve  accompanied  the 
mounted  rifles,  but  they  did  not,  for  certain  reasons.  '  Old  Gat.,'  I 
think  I  told  you,  acted  as  quarter-master,  coming  over,  and  gave 
great  satisfaction.  He  is  a  hard  worker,  and  belongs  to  a  race  that, 
like  the  beaver,  the  buffalo,  and  the  red  man,  is  gradually  becoming 
extinct.  From  early  morn  till  dewy  eve,  he  pursued  the  uneven  ténor 
of  his  way.  The  roseate  hues  of  early  davvn  found  him  in  angry 
altercation  with  the  cook  over  the  unequal  distribution  of  two-pound 
loaves  and  bully  beef.  As  the  moon  began  to  pale,  his  stentorian 
tones  were  heard  in  pursuit  of  the  will-'o-the-wisp  steward.  From  the 
forecastle  to  the  wheelhouse,  from  the  bridge  to  the  keel,  he  was 
known  and  respected.  He  brought  on  board  'just  one  cubic  yard  of 
assorted  liquors,'  and  every  time  a  horse  went  over,  a  board  was  held 
in  '  Gat's  '  room,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  as  président  of  the  Horse 
Board  he  presided  at  the  meetings  of  that  august  assembly  with  a  wise 
précision  and  a  légal  acumen  seldom  seen,  even  in  members  of  the 
civil  bar.  His  court  was  no  ordinary  stateroom,  no  common  or  garden 
cabin,  but  a  stateroom  with  a  collège  éducation.  The  liquid  refresh- 
ment  was  of  patriotic  flavor,  and  Anglo-Saxon  préférence,  and  every 
member  of  the  board  proved  beyond  cavil  that  he  had  no  zealous 
gnidge  against  our  Sovereign  Lady.  Though  '  Gat  '  wisely  left  the 
réservation  of  the  Red  Man  and  came  east,  as  the  présent  génération 
began  to  mature,  he  still  had  many  blood  curling  taies  to  relate  of 
Indian  massacres  and  dreary  marches  across  the  alkali  plains  of 
'  Arizone.' 

Tent  AT  Green  Point. 

i<  -^e  tented  together  at  Green  Point.  He  is  a  capital  companion 
and  he  gets  ail  that  is  coming  to  him,  and  more,  too.  I  hâve  heard 
this  country  deycribed  as  a  land  of  birds  without  song,  flowers  without 
perfume,  and  I  fancy  the  description  is  correct. 

'•  I  left  twenty-four  men  behind  at  Carnarvon  in  a  temporary 
hospital,  and  there  are  about  fifty  sick  hère.  It  is  very  hard  on  the 
poor  fellows,  as  there  are  no  com forts  and  no  spécial  diets,  which  is 
very  essenlial   in  dissenlery.    llowever,    I   sent  back  and  got  some 


112  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

condensed  milk  and  corn  starch.  I  telegraphed  to  Carnarvon  for 
medicine,  and  the  doctor  there  sent  them  by  a  nigger  on  foot,  who 
came  the  fifty  miles  in  the  rain  in  less  than  a  day,  and  charged  2s.  6d. 

"Easter  Sunday,  April  I5th. 

"  \Ve  got  in  hère  from  Carnarvon  on  Friday,  according  to  orders, 
marcbing  the  150  miles  in  six  days,  just  in  time  to  avoid  two  days' 
heavy  rain,  which  would  hâve  delayed  us  at  the  river  if  we  had  not 
crossed  when  we  did.  I  do  not  know  where  we  go  from  hère,  but 
fancy  Kimberley,  en  route  for  Mafeking.  One  of  our  batteries  re-em- 
barked  to  go  round  by  Beira,  another  section  is  at  Kenhardt,  so  we 
are  rather  eut  up.  I  hâve  the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  and  Yeomanry 
(8th  Derbys),  as  well  as  the  batteries  under  my  care.  I  am  afraid 
some  of  my  letters  hâve  been  lost  on  the  Mexican." 


COLONEL  PERCY  GIROUARD 

(.Son  of  the  Hon,  Justice  K.  E.  Girouard) 


— ^ORN  the  26th  January,  1867,  Cadet  at  Royal  Military  Collège 


of  Kingston,  from  1882-86,  is  now,  temporarily,  gênerai 
Çyiwf      superintendent  of  the  South  African  railroads. 

Once  that  work  donc,  he  goes  back  to  Egypt  where  he  is  président 
of  the  board  of  railroads  which  is  ccmposed  of  three  other  members  : 
one  for  England,  one  for  Egypt  and  one  for  France.  I  will  say  no 
more  ;  leaving  to  the  readers  to  appreciate  the  great  strides,  made  in 
so  short  a  time,  by  this  brilliant  Canadian,  who  is  the  brightest  star  of 
the  pléiades  educated  with  him  at  the  Royal  Military  Collège  of 
Kingston,  and  whose  names  I  hère  insert. 

The  way  the  Military  Collège  men  hâve  dropped  out  of  the  régiment 
is  striking,  and  they  are  employed  as  follows  ;  — 

Major  Denison,  A.  D.  C.  to  Lord  Roberts  ;  Major  Macdougall, 
Stafif  Oflîcer,  Cape-Town  ;  Captain  Hocigins,  Raihvay  Work  ;  Lieu- 
tenant Armstrong,  Raihvay  Work  ;  Lieutenant  Caldwell,  Staff,  In- 
telligence Office,  Cape-Town  ;  Lieutenant  McLean,  transferred  to 
Royal  Artillery  ;  Captain  Panet,  tiansfeired  to  Royal  Canadian 
Arlillery.  Tliis  leaves  Captain  Burstall  and  Lieutenant  Lafierty  as  the 
only  Military  Collège  officers  in  the   régiment.  Major  Cartwright  is 


To  COLONEL  PERCY  GIROUARD,  D.  S.  O. 

l^ate  R.  ML.  G.  (i) 

{U'ritien  /or  "Le  Livre  d'Or.") 

By  J.    K.    Foran,    Lit.    D.,    LL.   B. 


Son  of  tliis  fair  Canadian  land, 
Building,  amidst  the  désert  sand, 
A  pyramid  of  famé,  as  grand 

As  that  which  Cheops  built, 
Thy  great  achievements  are  the  same, 
As  those  that  won  immortal  famé, 
Ani  raised  our  country's  glorious  name. 

On  fields  where  blood  was  spilt. 

The  desert's  trackless  vvaste  you've  spann'd  ; 
Like  Moses,  at  your  skilled  command, 
The  waters  leaped  and  blessed  the  land 

That  torrid  suns  unceasing  parch. — 
And  from  the  fountains  of  the  Nile, 
To  where  the  Veldts  in  verdure  smile, 
You've  laid  foundations,  pile  on  pile, 
Of  civilization's  arch. 

The  Northern  and  the  Southern  Seas, 

Old  Afric's  both  extremities. 

Hâve  seen  you  fling,  with  skill-born  ease, 

A  chain  to  bind  them  fa^t  ! 
And  when  the  dark,  unknown  heart, 
Of  that  dread  Continent,  shall  start, 
To  hear  the  engine  screech,  your  part 

And  famé,  in  that  great  work,  will  last  ! 


(ï)  Brillant  Canadien-français  dont  s'enorgueillit  le  collège  militaire  de  Kingston, 
qui  honore  son  pays  par  sa  science  et  dont  le  Canada  est  fier. 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  II3 

D.  A.  A.  G.  to  General  Hutton's  Division  of  Mounted  Infantry, 
Major  Dobell  conimands  a  battalion  of  mounted  infantrymen  and 
Captain  Greenwood,  of  the  Mounted  Infantry,  is  on  the  railway. 

I  am  glad  to  close  this  bright  list  with  the  names  of  the  heroic 
Chalmers,  P.  H.  du  Perron  Casgrain,  A.  E.  Doucet,  wounded  at 
Batoche,  in  1885,  A.  G.  Joly  de  Lotbinière,  H.  G.  Joly,  Panet, 
Farley,  Van  Straubenzie,  Ogilvie,  Strange  and  couple  hundred  more 
distinguished  young  men  educated  at  Kingston  and  who  are  the  glory 
«nd  pride  of  Canada. 

"  Mr.  H,  S.  Pearse,  the  war  correspondent  of  the  London  Daily 
News,  writing  from  Bloemfontein,  paid  this  compliment  to  Colonel 
Girouard,  R.  E.  :  — 

"  Lord  Roberts  is  fortunate  in  ha\'ing  as  chief  supply  ofEcer  Colonel 
Ward,  to  whom  Sir  George  White  paid  the  highest  possible  tribute 
after  the  relief  of  Ladysmith,  and  for  director  of  railways  Colonel 
Girouard,  an  officer,  as  your  readers  know  well,  of  many  resources. 
The  celerity  with  which  he  pushed  construction  trains  forward  on 
each  section  of  the  line  as  troops  advanced  was  simply  marvellous, 
and  the  whole  length  up  to  Smaldeel  is  already  in  working  order." 

Just  two  more  words  about  Girouard,  to  explain  his  frankness  and 
high  character,  After  the  destruction  of  the  bridge  on  the  Rhenoster 
River  by  Dewet  and  the  capture  of  our  mails  and  winter  clothing  which 
Dewet  burned,  Girouard  gave  his  opinion  to  Kitchener.  If  anyone  is 
awed  by  Kitchener  it  is  not  Girouard.  Yes  !  says  Major  Boulanger, 
Girouard  is  a  true  Canayen,  celui-là  ! 

On  another  occasion,  Mr.  Carière,  correspondent  of  the  Matin  at 
Cape-Town,  asked  him  :  "  Are  you  aFrenchman  ?  " — "  Yes,  answered 
Girouard,  more  than  you  are,  I  am  a  Canadian  !  " 


LIEUTENANT   HAROLD  L.  BORDEN 


'AJOR  Harold   L.  Borden,  formerly  commanding  officer  of 
the   King's  County  Hussars,    Kentville,  N.  S.,  who  was 
killed  in   South  Africa.   The  deceased  officer  left  Canada 
as  lieutenant  of  the   fourth  troop  of  B  Squadron,  Canadian  Mounted 


114  LE    LIVRE    D'OR 

Rifles,  and  previous  to  leaving  was  stationed  in  Québec  for  a  few 
days,  having  secured  his  discharger  from  B  Field  Battery,  R.  C.  A. 
The  young  man  was  a  particularly  fine  spécimen  of  robust  young 
Canadian  manhood  and  had  already  won  distinction  by  his  bravery  in 
swimming  with  some  others  the  Sand  River  on  the  march  from 
Bloemfontein  to  Johannesburg.  He  was  only  twenty-three  years  of 
âge,  stood  six  feet  three  inches  in  his  stockings  and  weighed  198 
pounds.  He  was  brought  up  in  King's  County,  Nova  Scotia,  and  had 
studied  at  Mount  Altison  University  in  Sackville  and  later  at  McGill, 
in  Montréal,  where  he  was  in  his  third  year  of  medicine. 

In  his  despatch  conveying  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  deaths  of 
young  Borden  and  Burch,  I-ord  Roberts  said  :  —  "The  two  young 
Canadian  offîcers  were  killed  while  gallantly  leading  their  men  in 
counter  attack  on  enemy's  flank  at  critical  juncture  of  assault  upon 
our  position.  Lieutenant  Borden  had  been  twice  before  brought  to  my 
notice  in  despatches  for  gallant  and  intrepid  conduct." 

"  Ottawa,  July  2oth,  1900. 

"  Hon.  Joseph  Chamberlain  cables  to  Lord  Minto  to  express  to 
Dr.  Borden  his  deep  sympathy  with  him  at  the  loss  of  his  gallant  son." 

The  following  cable  was  received  addressed  to  the  Minister  of 
Militia  :  — 

"Cape-Town,  July  igth,  1900. 

*'  Hon.  Mr.  Borden,  Minister  of  Militia, 

'  '  Deeply  regret  to  inform  you  of  the  death  of  your  son  in  action  of 
Reitvler,  l6th.  Mrs.  Borden  and  yourself  hâve  my  sincerest  sympathy 
at  the  sad  loss  of  this  gallant  officer,  whom  I  hâve  twice  had  the 
honor  to  specially  mention  in  despatches  to  the  Commander  in-Chief 
for  gallant  and  intrepid  conduct." 

"  HuTTON." 

THE  PREMIER'S   TRIBUTE 

"  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier,  in  moving  the  adjournment  of  the  House, 
referred  to  this  sad  event.    He  said  :  — 

"This  news  I  am  sure  has  touched  the  heart  of  every  member  of 
this  House.  He  was  the  only  son  of  a  prominent,  old  and  popular 
member  of  this  House.    Whatever  strifes  there  may  be  I  am  sure  that 


LIEUTENANT   HAROLD  L.  BORDEN. 

Lieutenant  Borden  had  been  twice  before  brought  to  my  notice  in  despatches 
fur   gallant   and    intrepid   conduct.  —  LoRO  Roberts." 


LE   LIVRE   DOR  II5 

before  such  misfortune  ail  such  hâve  disappeared  and  on  both  sides  of 
the  House  friend  and  foe  will  unité  in  offering  to  the  bereaved  father 
and  bereaved  mother  that  sympathy  which  will  be  their  only  consola- 
tion for  such  a  loss  on  this  side  the  grave." 

"  Mr.  Davin,  on  behalf  of  the  Opposition,  said  :  — 

*'  I  could  wish,  Sir,  the  leader  of  the  Opposition  were  in  his  place 
in  order  that  he  might  re-echo  the  sentiments  so  fittingly  expressed  by 
the  Prime  Minister.  A  great  statesman,  belonging  to  Athens  said  of  a 
great  man  who  died,  '  The  whole  earth  seemed  to  be  his  mausoleum.' 
I  think  it  might  be  said  of  the  humblest  hero  who  fights  now  under 
modem  conditions  on  the  battle  field  that  the  whole  earth  seems  to 
be  his  mausoleum,  because  the  civilized  world  seems  to  be  in  évidence, 
watching  what  is  going  forward,  and  I  am  sure  not  a  man  in  Canada 
but  will  hâve  heard  of  the  death  of  this  young  man,  just  twenty-three 
years,  with  the  hopes  of  budding  youth,  with  regret." 

"The  Daily  Tele^raph  unquestionably  voices  the  unanimous  senti- 
ment of  the  Ancient  Capital,  when  it  extends  to  the  Minister  of  Mi'itia 
the  most  heartfelt  commisei^ation.  It  deeply  déplores  the  loss  of  the 
brave  boy,  who  has  fallen  with  his  face  to  the  foe  and  who  has  so 
patriotically  given  up  his  young  life  for  the  honor  of  his  country's  flag." 

PRO  PATRIA. 

"  And  how  can  man  die  better  than  fighting 

"  fearful  odds  ; 
"  For  the  ashes  of  his  fathers,  and  the  temples 

■'  of  his  gods." 

"  Gallant  Borden  !  fit  type  of  the  band  of  brave  and  generous  lads, 
who,  with  chivalrous  hearts  and  unpolluted  motives,  went  forth  to  die 
in  their  country's  cause  !  True  apostles  are  ye  ail  of  freedom,  and  the 
equal  rights  of  man  —  real  missionaries  of  the  gospel  of  democracy. 
Ko  sham,  garrulous  sophists  are  ye,  prating  stale  and  windy  platitudes 
of  a  'liberty'  that  enslaves  ;  a  'fraternity'  that  matures  the  mind  of 
Cain  ;  and  an  '  equality  '  that  widens  more  and  more  the  social  gulf 
that  estranges  man  from  a  knowledge  of  his  fellows.  Noble  boys,  no 
enduring  harm  can  come  to  a  country  with  such  a  race  of  sons  as  you. 
Such  men  are  not  only  their  country's  shield  against  the  aggressive 


Il6  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

arm  of  the  alien  ;  but  its  hope  that  everything  is  not  quite  encircled 
by  the  cold  grasp  of  materialism  ;  and  that  human  beings  exist  who 
find  something  else  to  live  for  than  the  lust  of  gold.  It  is  refreshing  to 
hear  the  clatter  of  muskets  as  well  as  muckrakes.  The  example  of 
our  citizen  soldiers  inspires  a  hope  that  the  reign  of  Mammon  is  not 
universal,  and  will  not  be  eternal  ;  that  to  heap  up  pelf  is  not  the 
chief  end  of  man  ;  nor  that  its  enjoyment,  after  the  faculty  for  enjoy- 
ment  is  gone,  will  continue  to  be  an  everlasting  sport  and  satire  of 
the  gods. 

"  To  the  eye  of  the  undiscerning,  the  whole  world  is  prostrate 
before  the  golden  calf.  In  act  if  not  in  speech,  as  plain  as  plain  can 
be,  the  burden  of  the  universal  dedication  is  :  'Gold,  thou  art  my 
god  ;  I  will  hâve  no  other  gods  before  thee.'  In  this  melee  of  Mam- 
mon worshipj  how  refreshing  to  discover  that  there  is  still  a  residue 
who  hâve  not  bent  the  knee  to  the  great  metalic  divinity  whom  the 
whole  world  doth  worship.  The  example  of  our  boys  encourages  the 
hope  that  society,  like  a  spendthrift  profligate,  may  yet  return  to 
Eome  of  its  pristine  virtues.  Grant  that  it  may  so  return,  even  if  driven 
thither  at  the  cost  of  chastisements  and  rétribution,  and  sore  visitings 
of  Nemesis,  which  will  make  the  ear  tingle  and  the  heart  quake  of 
him  who  heareth  of  them.  Onward  Christian  soldiers  !  Spill  your 
blood  for  your  ideas,  The  precious  drops  thereof  will,  like  the  blood 
of  the  martyrs,  become  the  seed  of  a  régénération  that  will  redeem 
the  effete  morality  of  your  time.  Every  drop  will  be  '  a  stepping  stone 
to  higher  things.'  Fear  not  ;  you  will  hâve  your  reward  ;  your  names 
will  be  written  in  the  book  of  the  nation  ;  and  your  deeds  will  live  in 
the  hearts  of  the  best  of  your  kind,  Requiescat,  gallant  Borden  ;  and 
rest  also  thy  not  less  gallant  comrades.  Thou  and  they  hâve  been 
faithful  unto  death.  Enter  into  the  joy  of  the  immortals.  The  laurel 
wreath  will  be  kept  green  in  our  hearts,  though  its  leaves  wither  on 
the  graves  of  the  veldt. 

•'  DOROTHY  COUTTS." 

Gazette,  July  2ist,  1900. 

And  now,  let  us  kneel  before  the  grave  of  Borden,  Burch,  Cotton, 
Arnold,  Chalmers,  Lord  Roberts'  son,  Count  of  Ava  Dufferin,  LaRue, 
Bradley,  Thomas,  Beattie,  and  ail  those  young  heroes  whose  glorious 
blood  moistened  the  roots  of  the  victorious  laurels  in  South  Africa  for 
the  union,  under  the  same  crown,  of  England  and  Canada. 


LIEUTENANT    JOHN    EDGAR    BURCH. 

Killcd  with  Borden,  while  gallautly  leading  their  men  in  counter  attack  on  enemy's 
flaiik  at  critical  juncture  of  assault  iipon  our  position.  —  Lord  Roberts." 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  uy 

JOHN  EDGAR  BURCH 


;OHN  Edgar  Burch  youngest  son  of  Major  F.  O.  Burch  of  the 
2nd  Dragoons,  was  born  at  St.  Anns,  Lincoln  Ce,  Ont., 
February  8th,  1874.  He  attended  Public  School  hère  ;  High 
School  at  Smithville,  and  also  received  some  training  in  business 
principles  in  Hamilton  Business  Collège. 

When  about  eighteen  years  of  âge  he  enlisted  with  B  Squadron  of 
the  2nd  Dragoons  which  drills  annually  at  Niagara  on-the-Lake.  He 
from  the  first  gave  évidence  of  a  military  spirit.  He  attended  Cavalry 
School  one  session  as  a  Sergeant  and  three  succeeding  terms  as  a 
Lieutenant.  Hère  he  became  very  popular  with  the  officers  of  Stanley 
Barracks,  Toronto,  and  distinguished  himself  as  a  horseman,  swords- 
man,  and  commanding  officer. 

In  the  Dragoons  he  was  considered  one  of  the  best  officers  of  the 
régiment  and  from  first  Lieutenant  of  B  Squadron  was  promoted  to 
the  Adjutancy  of  the  régiment. 

When  the  Second  Contingent  was  called  for  South  Africa  he 
volunteered  his  services  ;  and  was  offered  the  position  of  Lieutenant  in 
the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  which  he  promptly  accepted. 

From  the  time  that  the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  landed  in  Africa 
they  were  in  constant  activity  and  Lieutenant  Burch  more  than  once 
showed  himself  a  cool-headed,  quick-witted  and  brave  officer.  His 
letters  and  the  reports  of  those  who  fought  and  lived  with  him  give 
sufficient  évidence  that  he  was  a  born  soldier. 

Onjuly  i6th,  1900,  Lieutenants  Borden  and  Burch  were  sent  to 
attack  the  Boers  near  Witpoort.  Both  officers  led  their  men  to  within 
a  few  yards  of  the  ememy  but  both  met  their  deaths  within  a  few 
minutes  of  each  other.  Lieutenant  Burch's  last  word  was  "advance" 
when  an  expanding  bullet  pierced  his  breast.  He  was  twenty-six 
years  of  âge. 

Lieutenant  Burch  has  two  brothers  left  in  Canada,  the  one  Captain 
Burch  of  2nd  Dragoons  and  the  other  Rev.  A.  L.  Burch,  B.  A,,  of 
Knox  Collège,  Toronto. 

AN  INTERESTING  LETTER 

"  The  followingletter  from  lieutenant  J.  E.  Eurch  of  the  ist  Bat- 
talion    of  Canadian    Mounted    Rifles   may  prove  of  interest  to   our 


ii8  u;  LIVRE  d'or 

readers.  This  letter  was  received  by  his  father  and  is  dated   South 
Africa,  May  8th,  1900. 

"  The  letter  was  read  at  the  ofhcers'  mess  of  the  2nd  Diagoons  and 
received  with  much  interest. 

"  Dear  father  and  mother  :  — 

"  We  are  now  about  45  miles  from  Bloemfontein,  and  are  fighting 
every  inch  of  our  advance.  The  Boers  are  strongly  entrenched  just  in 
our  front  and  a  hait  has  been  made  for  to-day  to  give  our  men  and 
horses  a  rest. 

"  On  the  3rd  instant  we  ran  up  against  the  enemy  entrenched  on 
two  kopjes  on  either  side  of  a  road  which  the  transport  must  travel. 
I  was  sent  forward  with  a  troop  belonging  to  A  Squadron,  Canadian 
Mounted  Rifles,  to  draw  their  lire  and  détermine  their  position. 

"  The  Boers  did  not  fîre  a  shot  until  we  were  within  50  yards  of 
them,  and  they  were  well  concealed,  then  they  let  blaze  at  us.  Just 
at  Ihat  moment  another  troop  on  my  left  was  compelled  to  retire 
leaving  me  under  a  cross  fire.  It  did  not  take  long  to  décide  that  it 
was  best  to  get  out  of  thèse  close  quarters.  That  was  the  first  time 
any  of  us  had  been  under  fire,  but  the  men  conducted  themselves 
wonderfully  well.  Our  object  had  been  attained  and  our  cannon  soon 
shelled  the  Boers  from  their  position.  It  seemed  remarkable  that  none 
of  our  troop  was  shot,  although  for  about  five  minutes  the  bullets 
whizzed  and  whistled  around  us  like  hail  stones.  The  next  day  we 
again  met  them  in  stronger  force,  but  were  compelled  to  stand  fast 
for  the  day  and  wait  for  guns. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  next  day  A  Squadron,  to  which  I  am 
attached,  made  a  reconoissance  and  returned  just  in  time  to  mix  in 
the  scrap  of  that  day.  That  was  the  first  time  I  smelled  Boer  shells 
and  I  prefer  bullets  every  time,  although  bullets  hâve  been  picked  up 
which  the  Boers  hâve  dropped  ;  some  '  dum-dums,'  and  some  poisoned. 

"On  Tuesday  we  marched  and  stopped  at  Winburg  Road  Station. 
Since  last  night  the  boys  hâve  been  living  well,  as  we  are  in  advance 
of  the  regular  line  of  transport,  and  the  men  are  allowed  to  commander 
whatever  they  want  to  eat. 

"The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  représentative  and  our  chaplain  do  ail  the 
swiping  for  the  oflîcers'  mess.  My  servant  does  not  ride  in  the  ranks 
and  during  the  day  uses  his  time  foraging.  Last  night  he  came  in  with 
ail  kinds  of  vegetables,  and  a  bag  of  oranges  and  lemons. 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  II9 

"The  country  is  a  marked  impiovement  on  Cape  Colony.  The 
land  is  fertile  and  hère,  perhaps,  is  some  of  the  best  grazing  lands  in 
the  world.  Cattle,  sheep  and  horses  are  hère  by  the  hundred  thousand. 

"  There  are  about  26,000  Boers  just  in  front  of  us  and  we  expect  a 
scrap  to-morrow. 

"  There  will  be  some  hard  fighting  before  we  arrive  at  Kroonstad, 
about  40  miles  from  hère. 

"  Everyone  has  got  as  black  as  a  negro  and  I  seem  the  blackest. 
The  lice  too  hâve  found  us  out  and  hâve  made  interesting  times  for 
some  of  us. 

"  For  two  weeks  we  hâve  had  no  tents  and  sleep  on  the  open  veldt. 
What  is  more  we  are  not  likely  to  hâve  tents  again  soon. 

"  I  hâve  written  this  letter  on  my  water  bottle.  The  paper  is  too 
dirty  for  use  but  it  is  ail  we  hâve. 

"  I  hâve  just  been  called  for  duty  and  hâve  no  more  time  to  write 
further.    Good-bye. 

J.   E.    BURCH. 


PRIVATE  MULLOY 


— ^RIVATE  MULLOY,    of  the   Mounted  Infantry,  who  came 


from  Winchester,  Ontario,  had  lost  his  sight  and  had  to  be 
=t=^  guided  through  the  streets  by  a  comrade  on  each  side  of 
him.  A  mauser  bullet  passed  through  his  head  from  temple  to  temple 
at  Bronkhorst  Spruit.  Now  lie  stood  on  the  West  Gallery  overlooking 
the  area  crowded  with  mercantile  men,  and,  when  the  cheering  had 
subsided,  he  said  :  — 

"  '  I  am  glad  that  I  hâve  the  privilège  of  speaking  to  a  portion  of 
the  people  of  our  British  Empire.  I  am  not  a  regular  soldier.  A  year 
ago  I  was  a  student  studying  in  the  University,  and  ought  now  to  be 
in  the  University  out  there.  But  when  Canada  was  called  upon  to 
send  out  men,  she  d".d  not  send  her  'corner  boys,'  but  the  best  she 
had  to  give.  (Cheers.)  I  do  not  know  how  it  came  about,  but  I 
happened  to  be  in  that  crowd  (cheers),  and  I  came  because,  like  the 


120  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

cat,  I  could  not  stop  away.  (Clieers.)  I  could  not  attend  to  my 
business,  I  hâve  no  regrets  for  the  past,  I  think  if  a  man  décides  that 
a  course  is  light  and  has  foUowed  that  course  out  he  has  no  right  to 
regret  afterwards,  whatever  the  conséquences  may  be.  (Cheers.)  Of 
course,  it  looks  rather  unfortunate  to  see  one's  hopes,  aims,  and 
aspirations  ail  eut  down  at  a  swoop,  sudden  and  irréparable,  but  there 
are  conditions  which  alter  circumstances  to  a  certain  extent,  and  I 
believe  that  the  truly  brave  man  and  soldier  will  accept  with  manly 
fortitude  the  vicissitudes  of  fortune  (cheers),  and  will  not  be  over- 
whelmed  by  any  circumstance,  but  will  still,  with  a  calm  heart  and 
serene  mind,  go  bravely  forward.  (Loud  cheers.)  I  thank  you  very 
much  in  the  name  of  the  Canadian  soldiers  for  the  réception  you 
hâve  given  us.  That  is  ail  I  hâve  to  say.  I  will  not  take  up  your  time 
any  longer.  I  will  now  call  for  three  cheers  for  the  beloved  Queen, 
whom  we  love  quite  as  well  as  you  do.  (Loud  and  prolonged  cheers.)' 
"  As  the  men  passed  through  the  room,  the  cheering  was  maintained, 
and  the  merchants  and  others  eagerly  grasped  their  hands.  The  men 
had  a  like  expérience  in  the  streets  on  the  way  to  the  ship." 


A  WOUNDED  WARRIOR 


^^ORPORAL  ARMSTRONG,  minus  a  leg,   hobbled  on  his 
crutches  alongside  his  comrades,  and  the  Queen  immediately 
gave  an  order  to  hâve  the  wounded  soldier  presented  later. 
The  battalion  formed  in  quarter-column  and  advanced  towards 
the  Royal  carriage  in  review  order. 

"  They  swung  up,  a  solid  phalanx  of  strapping  khaki-clad  figures, 
with  sun-tanned  faces,  crowned  with  a  forest  of  glittering  steel,  and 
halted  with  the  front  company  close  to  the  carriage. 

"  A  grand  spectacle  they  presented,  and  seldom,  if  ever,  has  a 
more  warlike  body  stood  at  attention  before  Royalty. 

"  Colonel  Otter  was  presented,  and  commanded  to  dine,  and  the 
other  officers  were  brought  to  Her  Majesty's  notice.  Her  Majesty  then 
addressed  Colonel  Otter  as  foUows  :  — 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  hère  to-day  and  to  express  my  warm 
thanks  for  the  admirable  services  rendered  in  the  War  by  the  Can- 
adian Troops. 


TWO   HEROES. 


CORPORAL   B.  R.  ARMSTRONG, 

THE   MINUS-LEG    MAN. 

The  Queen  asked  after  his  health  :  —  "I  am  qiiite 
well,  Madam." 

"  Where  did  you  lose  your  leg?" 

"  At  Olifanfontein,  Madam,"  replied  thc  Corporal, 
smiling  with  happiness  ai  the  situation. 


I 

■hd- 


TROOPER  L.  W.  MULLOY, 

THE  BLINDED  MAN. 

"  I  bave  no  regret  for  tlie  past.  I  think  it  a  ni.in 
décides  that  a  course  is  right  and  has  followed  lli;it 
course  eut  he  has  no  right  to  regret  afterward-, 
whatever  the  conséquence  may  be." 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  t2I 

"  I  wish  you  ail  a  safe  and  happy  return  to  your  homes. 

"  '  Madam,'  replied  Colonel  Otter,  '  we  are  only  too  proud  to  figlit 
for  the  flag  under  which  we  hâve  been  born,  exist  and  hope  to  live.' 

"Corporal  Armstrong  next  limped  up  to  the  carriage,  and  the 
Queen  asked  after  his  health. 

•'  '  I  am  quite  well,  madam,'  he  said. 

"  'Where  did  you  lose  your  leg?'  inquired  the  Queen. 

"  '  At  Olifanfontein,  madam,' replied  the  corporal,  smiling  with 
happiness  at  the  situation. 

"  '  And  where  do  you  corne  from  ?  '  continued  her  Majesty,  tenderly. 

"  'From  St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  '  he  replied,  then  added, 
'  My  father  is  Lieutenant-Colonel  Armstrong  in  that  town.' 

"  'You  must  be  tired,'  said  the  Queen,  sympathetically,  and  added 
a  command  that  he  might  hâve  a  chair. 

"  Then,  at  the  call  of  their  gallant  colonel  of  four  Empire  wars, 
the  Canadians  took  off  their  helmets  and  ripped  out  three  earsplitting 
salvoes  of  cheering,  marched  past  the  Queen  again  on  their  way  out, 
dined  in  the  riding  school,  saw  the  appartments,  were  photographed 
for  the  Royal  album,  and  retumed  to  Kensington  Barracks  from 
Windsor  at  three,  radiant  and  happy  with  the  spécial  récognition 
which  bas  distinctly  been  theirs." 


DEATH  OF   Pte  ALBERT  BEATTIE 


"he  following  letter  from  Mr.  W.  Beattie,  of  Toronto,  father 
gîtl     of  Private   Beattie,   who  died  in  Bloemfontein,  bas  been 
(^  ■^      received  by  Mr.  James  Forbes,  of  Levis  :  — 

"  33  Bellwoods,  Toronto,  April  30th,  1900. 
"Dear  Mr.  Forbes, 

"  Two  weeks  ago  last  night  the  dreadful  news  of  my  son  Albert's 
death  was  brought  to  us.  It  has  been  a  long  and  sad  fortnight. 

"  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  being  the  last  to  see  my  noble  son, 
kissing  him  a  long  farewell  on  board  the  Sardittiaii.  1  bave  been 
abundantly  repaid  for  the  time  in  going  to  Québec  by  the  melancholy 
satisfaction  of  being  on  board  to  almost  the  last  minute.  He  gave  his 


122  LE    LIVRE   D'OR 

life  for  his  country,  and  he  had  my  full  permission  togo  and  risk  his 
precious  life  for  Queen,  Empire  and  liberty. 

"  Yours  truly, 

"  Wm.  Beattie." 

Ifn  pcmoviam 


SERGEANT  ALBERT  BEATTIE 

OUR    GALLANT    SOLDIER    SON,    \VHO    DIED    OF    FEVER   AT    BLOEMFON- 
TEIN,   S.   A.,  APRIL  I4th,    I9OO,  AGED  27  \EARS. 


Beneath  Bloemfontein's  sacred  sod  he  sleeps  — 
Far  from  his  native  land  our  hero's  grave  — 
While  many  a  friendly  eye  o'erflowing  weeps 
For  him  who  was  so  noble,  loyal  and  brave. 

And  he  was  gentle  too  and  kind  to  ail  — 
His  génial  présence  shedding  joyous  glow  — 
Where'er  he  came,  in  cottage  or  in  hall, 
The  cup  of  pleasure  seemed  to  overflow. 

At  home  a  treasure  to  his  parents  dear, 
To  loving  sisters  three  and  brothers  twain, 
Who  him  adored  within  the  sacred  sphère, 
Where  they,  alas,  shall  meet  him  ne'er  again. 

No  truer  soldier  left  Canadian  soil, 

Or  more  heroic  heart  for  Britain  beat 

Than  thine,  who  resting  from  thy  war-like  toil 

Hast  made  thy  sacrifice  vvith  death  complète. 

Yet  mourn  we  not  as  tho'  %ve  hopeless  weep 
For  dear  one  severed  ne'er  to  reunite. 
But  trusting  wait  till  comes  our  final  sieep, 
To  meet  thee  rapturous  in  glory  bright. 

Farewell  our  son  and  brother,  comrade,  friend, 
We  comfort  us  with  thy  last,  solemn  words  — 
The  Christian's  hope  was  thine  at  life's  last  end  — 
"  Whether  I  live,  or  die,  I  am  the  Lord's." 

William  Beattie, 

Toronto. 


BLGLER    DOUGLAS    F.    WILLIAMS, 

OF  Quben's  Own  Rifles,  Toronto. 

Who   soundcd    the   attack    at   Paardcberg. 


SERGEANT  A.   BEATTIE. 

Farewell  our  son  and  brother,  comrade,  friend, 
We  comfort  in  with  thy  last  solemn  words  — 

The  Christian's  hope  was  thine  at  life's  last  end  - 
Whciher  I  live,  or  die,  I  am  the  Lord's." 


SERGEANT  G.  T.  THOMAS, 

Kl  lied  in  South  Africa. 

'  Well,  said  Mrs.  Thomas,  I  bave  six  sons  and  surely 

can  spare  one  for  ibe  Queen." 


EXTRACTS   FROM  LETTERS 


"  De  Aar,  December  3rd,  1899. 

JjE  are  encamped  just  outside  De  Aar,  and  are  to  move  on 
j'fZi  towards  Kimberley  to-morrow  morning,  so  we  will  be  in 
"^fOÎ)  for  the  big  battle  to  relieve  that  place  Monday  or  Tuesday. 
"The  Boers  are  said  to  be  terribly  afraid  of  the  bayonet.  I  hâve 
spoken  with  soldiers  from  the  Modder  River  fight.  They  tell  me  that 
the  actual  fîghting  lasted  sixteen  hours,  and  that  the  British  loss  was 
heavy  and  included  many  officers,  but  that  they  drove  the  Boers 
across  the  river,  so  we  hope  to  be  in  at  the  finish  and  the  relief  of 
Kimberley.  We  are  ail  in  splendid  health  and  spirits,  and  are  anxious 
to  get  at  the  Boers.  Two  Boer  spies  were  shot  hère  this  morning, 
one  for  spying  round  the  camp,  and  the  other  got  a  bullet  through  his 
head  while  on  the  top  of  a  telegraph  pôle  cutting  the  wires. 

"  Belmont,  December  i8th,  1899. 

"  It  is  wonderful  to  see  the  entrenchments  that  the  Boers  throw  up 
on  the  tops  of  the  kopjes,  and  it  seems  really  marvellous  that  the 
British  can  ever  hâve  driven  them  back,  but  they  did. 

"  I  hâve  just  got  back  from  Graspan,  Sj4  miles  towards  Kimberley, 
where  we  were  guarding  the  lines  while  the  Engineers  put  up  the 
telegraph  wires.  They  were  ail  torn  down  by  the  Boers,  and  the  iron 
pôles  bent  and  broken.  We  guarded  the  Engineers  about  seven  miles 
past  Graspan,  to  Eslin,  and  there  handed  them  over  to  other  troops 
from  Eslin, 

"The  'grub'  we  got  out  there  was  mighty  fine,  as  there  where 
several  Boer  farms  en  route,  and  we  had  sheep,  vegetables,  milk, 
eggs  and  butter,  and  the  women  cooked  bread  and  scones  for  us. 


124  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

"  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  the  other  night  on  outpost  duty  I  heard 
some  sort  of  a  biped  approaching  my  post,  and  challenged  three 
times  without  getting  an  answer.  Then,  thinking  it  mustbe  anenemy, 
I  fired,  and  shot  a  poor  unoffending  ostrich  through  the  head. 

"  Belmont,  January  24tli,  I900. 

'•  We  hâve  great  fun  watching  the  Boers  trying  to  break  the  British 
heliographic  messages  by  search  light  at  night  from  Kimberley. 

"  "We  see  the  signal  from  Kimberley  and  the  answer  from  Modder 
River,  and  the  Boers'  light  flashing  up  and  down  and  ail  around  as  if 
it  had  lost  itself,  but  not  interfering  with  the  messages  at  ail  I  believe, 
the  Boer  position  not  being  in  direct  line  between  the  two  points. 

"  We  hâve  just  received  our  chocolaté  from  the  Queen.  I  will  send 
my  box  home  as  soon  as  I  can  do  so  safely.  .  .  . 

"  Woodstock  Hospital,  June  2oth,  1900. 

"  Captain  Pelletier  (Major  of  the  65th  Battalion)  had  a  sunstroke 
at  Paardeberg.  He  has  been  sent  to  England  with  one  leg  (the  right) 
paralised  from  toe  to  thigh,  but  the  doctors  told  liim  that  a  month  or 
two  would  fix  him  np  as  good  as  new.  He  had  some  narrow  escapes. 
One  bullet  through  his  helmet,  one  through  his  collar,  which  eut  the 
skin  on  his  neck,  and  one  through  the  heel  of  his  boot.  I  think  the 
first  two  are  about  as  close  as  is  pleasant.  When  I  went  to  see  him  at 
the  Clairmont  Sanatorium  I  had  a  long  talk  with  him  and  tried  to 
cheer  him  up.  I  liked  him  very  much,  and  I  think  ail  of  the  company 
did.  AU  I  hâve  seen  seem  very  sorry  for  him. 

"Pte.  Harry  Bell  Montizambert." 

*'  Captain  Rogers,  of  Ottawa,  writes  from  Paardeberg  Drift,  Orange 
Free  State,  South  Afiica,  under  date  of  the  içth  February,  1900, 
giving  some  particulars  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Zachary  R.  E.  Lewis, 
North-West  Mounted  Police  (of  D  Company,  Royal  Canadian  Régi- 
ment), in  the  attack  under  Lord  Roberts  on  Cronje's  laager  the  day 
before.  .  .  .    He  says  :  — 

"  Poor  Zack  met  his  death  in  a  gloriously  plucky  manner,  as  he 
was  one  of  two  (out  of  the  whole  régiment)  who  fell  right  in  the 
enemy's  trenches  ;  in  fact,  from  what  I  can  gatlier,  he  was  the  first  to 
reach  them   of  our  firing  line   (composed  of  Seaforth  Highlanders, 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  I25 

Black  Watch,  Comwalls  and  Royal  Canadians),  and  he  had  charged 
so  far  ahead  of  his  comrades  that  no  one  saw  him  fall.  In  searching 
the  battlefield  for  dead  and  wounded  (which  we  did  ail  night,  with 
the  enemy  constantly  sniping  at  us),  we  could  find  no  trace  of  him, 
and,  as  a  number  were  missing,  we  fondly  hoped  he  would  return  as 
others  did  the  following  morning.  But,  on  searching  the  enemy's 
trenches  by  daylight,  we  found  dear  old  Zack  there.  His  end  must 
hâve  been  painless,  as  he  was  shot  through  the  head.  I  had  his 
remains  buried  to-day.  .  .  .  He  lies  with  his  comrades  near  the  bank 
of  the  Modder  River,  at  the  edge  of  a  beautiful  grove  —  one  of  the 
few  we  hâve  seen  in  this  country.  AU  his  comrades  share  with  me  the 
deepest  regrets.  His  constant  good  nature,  as  well  as  his  North-West 
Mounted  Police  expérience,  made  him  one  of  my  most  valued  and 
trusted  men." 

The  Ottawa  Citizen  says  :  — 

"  Many  of  the  older  members  of  Parliament  v/ill  recognize  in  the 
young  soldier,  whose  gallant  death  is  thus  described,  the  fair-haired 
page  of  the  House  of  Gommons  of  former  years,  a  gênerai  favorite 
among  the  members  some  ten  or  twelve  years  ago.  Zachary  Lewis 
was  bom  and  bred  in  Ottawa,  the  son  of  the  late  Dr.  R.  P.  Lewis,  a 
brother  of  the  Archbishop  of  Ontario.  He  studied  law  for  some  years, 
but  in  1896  joined  the  North-West  Mounted  Police  at  Regina,  N.  W. 
T.,  where  he  was  stationed  until  recently.  Having  formeriy  served  for 
three  years  in  the  Govemor-General's  Foot  Guards,  and  being  in 
Ottawa  on  leave  when  the  Royal  Canadian  Régiment  was  recruited, 
Trooper  Lewis  obtained  permission  to  enlist  in  D  Company,  and  so  it 
was  his  lot  to  be  the  first  of  the  North-West  Mounted  Police  to  thus 
fall  in  action  on  Impérial  foreign  service,  a  crédit  to  his  country,  his 
city  and  his  corps." 

"  Sherbrooke,  June  5th,  1900. 

"  Captain  C.  K:  Fraser,  officer  commanding  E  Company  first 
contingent,  has  written  the  following  letter  to  Mr.  John  Wasdell, 
father  of  Private  Wasdell,  who  was  killed  at  Paardeberg  :  — 

"  Bloemfontein,  April  I4th,  1900. 
"  My  dear  Mr.  Wasdell, 

"  I  know  you  hâve  been  looking  anxiously  for  some  particulars 
from  me  of  your  son's  death  upon  the  field  of  battle. 


126  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

•'  I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  I  sympathize  with  you  in  your  sad 
bereavement.  Your  son  had  won  the  esteem  of  both  officers  and  men 
of  his  Company,  and  we  ail  feel  his  loss  deeply.  As  captain  of  his 
Company  I  always  found  him  a  faithful  and  most  willing  soldier,  and 
he  died  doing  his  duty  for  his  Queen  and  country.  He  was  wounded 
in  the  attack  on  Cronje's  laager  on  Tuesday  morning,  February  ayth. 
I  was  with  him  when  he  was  carried  into  our  trenches  and  sat  with 
him  for  two  hours,  during  which  time  he  was  attended  by  Surgeon- 
Major  Wilson,  and  everything  possible  was  done  for  him.  He  was 
then  taken  to  the  New  South  Wales  field  hospital,  which  is  recognized 
as  the  best  in  the  army.  There  he  received  every  care  and  attention. 
He  died  the  following  morning  (February  28th)  and  his  end  was 
peacefuJ.  He  was  conscious  up  to  a  short  time  of  his  death.  He  was 
buried  on  Wednesday,  the  28th,  by  a  Church  of  England  clergyman 
in  a  very  pretty  spot  on  the  river  bank.  The  grave  has  been  very 
nicely  fixed  up  and  fenced  in  by  some  of  his  comrades,  and  a  cross 
placed  at  the  head. 

"  His  greatest  friend  in  the  army  was  Private  Coates,  of  Montréal, 
who  was  with  him  when  he  died. 

'  '  I  hâve  several  little  things  that  were  found  in  his  haversack,  some 
letters  and  his  service  cap,  and  also  hâve  his  watch  and  purse  con- 
taining  $4  in  gold,  which  I  will  take  care  of.  I  hâve  also  got  £,2  for 
him  from  a  Montréal  fund.  This  money  I  will  keep  with  his  other 
things  till  we  return  to  Canada,  as  it  would  almost  be  impossible  to 
send  them  from  hère.  If  there  is  anytliing  that  I  can  do  or  any  further 
information  that  you  would  like,  I  would  consider  it  a  favour  if  you 
would  Write  me  and  let  me  know. 

"  With  heartfelt  sympathy  for  yourself  and  family  in  your  sad  loss. 

"  Believe  me,  yours  faithfully, 

"C.  K.  Fraser, 
"  Captain  Com.  E  Co.,  R.  C.  R." 

•'In  a  letter  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ponton,  of  Belleville,  Ont., 
Rev.  F.  C.  Powell  writes  this  interesting  passage  concerning  a 
Montrealer  :  — 

"  On  Friday  I  went  to  Wynberg  Hospital  and  had  some  speech 
with  Captain  Peltier,  of  Montréal,  who  was  with  poor  and  brave 
Arnold  when  he  was  shot  t'uough  the  head  —  awfully  disfigured, 


H.  COTÏON, 

ROYAL  CANADIAN    REGIMENT. 
Kilh'd  in  South  Africd, 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR 


127 


they  tell  me,  but  he  was  not  killed.  As  the  ambulance  bearers  were 
carrying  him  ofF  the  field  he  was  shot  again  thiough  the  shoulder. 
Peltier  and  others  say  the  Boers  fired  continuously  on  the  ambulance. 
They  could  hardly  plead  excuse  of  not  being  able  to  distinguish  the 
Red  Cross.  They  are  keen  enough  to  pick  out  and  shoot  the  officers. 
One  might  suppose  they  might  be  equally  keen  in  detecting  and 
leaving  alone  the  men  of  mercy,  who  leisurely  walk  about  with  no 
weapon,  never  dodging  or  hiding  behind  stones,  but  just  quietly 
picking  up  wounded  soldiers.  Peltier,  when  night  cornes  on,  lives 
through  the  battle  again  in  his  sleep,  and  thrills  the  whole  hospital 
ward  with  shouts,  '  Now  Canada,  on  Canadians  !  '  " 

HARRY  COTTON 

ANOÏHER    HEKO. 

"  Harry  Cotton,  is  a  son  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cotton,  of  the 
Militia  Department  Office,  commanding  the  Ottawa  district.  He  went 
away  to  South  Africa  as  a  member  of  D  Company,  first  Canadian 
contingent.  The  late  Mr.  Cotton  was  about  23  years  of  âge,  and  since 
1895  h^s  been  in  the  service  of  the  Bank  of  Montréal.  He  was  an 
efficient  and  popular  employée.  He  was  quite  an  athlète,  being  a 
member  of  the  Ottawa  Football  Club,  and  of  the  Ottawa  Rowing 
Club.  In  the  regatta  at  Brockville,  last  year,  he  was  one  of  Ottawa's 
four-oarded  crew.  In  Kingston,  where  Mr.  Cotton  had  previously 
been  living,  he  was  also  identified  with  athletics.  While  stationed  in 
Montréal  he  belonged  to  the  Victoria  Rifles,  and  with  this  corps 
gained  his  military  expérience.  On  going  to  the  front  with  the  first 
contingent  he  was  granted  a  year's  leave  of  absence  with  full  pay  by 
the  Bank  of  Montréal.  He  fell  gallantly  at  Thaba  N"Chu,  on  the 
ist  of  May." 

"The  following  letter  has  been  received  by  Mrs.  John  McCann 
from  her  son,  Private  McCann  :  — 

"  South  Africa,  February  27th,  1900. 
'*  My  darling  mother, 

"I  Write  you  thèse  few  Unes  under  great  difficulties.  I  am  ail  right 
at  présent.  On  Sunday  niorning  we  passed  through  our  baptism  of 
fire,  having  reached  hère  after  a  forced  march  of  18  miles.  On  our 
arrivai,  when  we  received  orders  to  advance  on  to  the  firing  line,  we 


128  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

were  given  a  small  drink  of  rum  and  a  biscuit.  I  lay  in  the  firing  line 
from  6  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  half-past  seven  at  night  without 
anything  to  eat  or  drink.  We  had  to  wade  across  the  Modder  River 
up  to  our  necks  in  the  water.  The  sun  dried  us  in  an  hour.  In  the 
afternoon  it  commenced  to  rain.  It  was  rather  uncomfortable  with 
rain  and  bullets  dropping  around  us  at  the  same  time.  Poor  Aleck 
McQueen  was  about  fifty  feet  from  me  when  he  fell. 

"  When  darkness  came,  and  it  was  safe  to  walk  around,  Soney 
Casey  (Private  R.  P.  Dalberg),  myself  and  some  of  the  boys,  went 
and  picked  Aleck  up.  He  was  not  quite  dead  then,  but  the  doctor 
said  he  could  not  live  long,  so  we  had  to  leave  him  till  morning, 
when  we  buried  him. 

"  We  hâve  been  fighting  off  and  on  since  then,  but  not  so  near  the 
enemy.  I  wculd  write  more,  but  hâve  no  paper.  This  morning  paper 
was  served  out.  The  man  was  lucky  who  got  any. 

"I  am  writing  this  letter  about  a  mile  from  Sunday's  battlefield, 
on  top  of  a  kopje.  We  are  novv  l6  miles  east  of  Kimberley,  through 
where  our  mails  will  pass,  and  expect  another  big  battle  pretty  soon. 
Good-bye,  dear  mother  and  father,  for  the  présent. 

"  Your  loving  son, 

"  Soney." 

THEY  ALL   LIRE  O'LEARY 

"  A  letter  received  from  Private  James  Herrick,  a  Londoner  witli 
the  first  contingent,  written  under  date  Bloemfontein,  March  l6tb, 
says  he  is  in  good  health,  and  continues  :  — 

"  They  say  the  Canadians  are  devils  to  fight.  I  tell  them  that  is 
what  we  came  for,  to  go  to  the  front  and  hold  up  the  Maple  Leaf 
fore  ver,  and  I  think  we  did  our  part.  We  hâve  a  chaplain  with  us 
named  O'Leary.  He  is  a  Roman  Catholic  priest,  and  he  is  a  grand 
old  man,  and  every  man  on  the  field  likes  him.  He  was  right  in  the 
field  ail  day  of  the  fight.  He  was  better  than  a  doctor  to  some  of  the 
men.  He  is  an  old  man.  You  would  pity  him  if  you  could  see  him  at 
night,  when  we  go  into  camp,  covered  with  dust  from  head  to  foot. 
We  are  now  at  Bloemfontein.  I  hope  this  is  the  last  of  the  war.  We 
hâve  had  our  share  of  the  fighting.  We  lost  three  men  from  London, 
Smith  is  the  only  one  T  knew  :  White,  of  Windsor,    and  Donegan. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR 


129 


They  were  killed  in  the  charge.     We  got  4,180  prisoners  in  Cronje's 
outfit.  I  guess  he  found  it  out,  for  we  were  getting  too  close  to  him." 

"  Well,  at  last  we  bave  been  in  it,  and  through  it,  and,  though  our 
baptism  of  fire  was  a  costly  one,  willingly  would  we  go  through  it 
at'ain.  Canada  may  well  be  proud  of  her  noble  boys.  It  is  true  that 
many  a  once  happy  home  is  now  in  mourning  since  the  fatal  l8th  day 
of  February,  but  the  deep  sorrow  that  has  entered  into  the  hearts  of 
the  loved  ones  faraway  will  undoubtedly  be  tempered  by  the  consoling 
assurance  that  ail  hâve  done  their  duty  ;  ail,  everyone.  So  say  the 
brave  Cordons,  the  famous  Black  Watch,  the  Argyles,  the  Seaforths, 
the  sturdy  Cornwalls  ;  so  say  they  ail. 

"And,  oh!  that  wild,  mad  charge  against  an  invisible  enemy. 
Never  shall  I  forget  it,  nor  shall  I  attempt  to  describe  it,  at  least,  for 
the  présent.  Hell  let  loose  would  give  but  a  faint  idea  of  it.  On,  on 
we  rushed  through  a  bail  of  bullets,  the  air  alive  again  with  deadly 
missiles.  On  we  rushed  madly,  wildly,  tearing  through  brambles, 
stumbling  over  prostrate  comrades,  eager  in  the  delirium  of  bloodshed 
and  destruction  which  had  seized  on  us  ail  to  reach  the  enemy's 
trenches.  And  above  the  din  of  the  battle,  oh  !  that  wild,  soul-stirring 
cheer,  or  rather  that  savage  yell.  Like  tigers,  our  brave  boys  bounded 
over  the  open,  but  it  was  not  to  be.  Darkness  closed  on  us  'ère  the 
position  was  carried  and  the  day  won.  Darkness  settled  down  on  that 
well-fought  field,  mercifully  casting  a  veil  over  its  horrors. 

SeARCH   for  THE  DEAD. 

'•Thenbegan  the  search  for  the  dead  and  wounded.  In  the  total 
darkness,  for  the  least  light  drew  the  enemy's  fire,  we  groped  over 
the  ground  everywhere,  our  hands  steeped  in  blood.  From  ail  direc- 
tions faint  moans,  coupled  with  pitiful  pleadings  for  vvater,  reached 
our  ears.  Accidentally,  one  would  stumble  over  a  friend.  Then  what 
a  pathetic  scène  would  take  place  —  a  message  for  home  —  '  Tell 
mother,  etc.,  etc.,'  or,  perhaps,  'don't  leave  me  ;  it  won't  be  long.' 

"The  moon  rose  over  the  weird  scène,  and  shed  its  peaceful  rays 
on  many  an  uptumed  face,  many  of  them  calm  and  placid  in  death. 
That  night  myself  and  a  few  devoted  fellows  remained  until  late  on 
the  fatal  field,  exploring  every  nook  and  corner,  for  the  wounded, 
oftener  meeting  with  the  mangled  dead,  until  at  last  our  strength  gave 
out,  and,  reaching  our  lines  we  threw  ourselves  on  the  hard  ground, 


130  LE   LIVRE    D  OR 

seeking  rest  and  forgetfulness  in  sleep.  So  did  most  of  the  survivors. 
Hardly  a  word  was  exchanged,  for  ail  were  exhausted,  what  with  a 
forced  march  of  twenty  miles  the  preceding  night,  and  the  trying 
ordeal  of  that  long  day, 

"Monday  morning  we  gathered  our  dead  together,  and  buried 
them,  side  by  side,  eighteen  in  ail,  in  one  broad  grave,  whilst  I 
performed  the  sad  but  consoling  duty  of  committing  them  to  the  care 
of  God's  angels,  when  we  would  be  far  aw  ay  from  this  fateful  land. 
May  they  rest  in  peace  ;  noble,  brave  boys  ! 

"  I  must  draw  this  letter  to  a  close.  I  feel  sick  at  heart  when  I 
recall  to  mind  the  scènes  of  blood  I  hâve  witnessed,  and  the  stirring 
events  I  hâve  gone  through. 

"  P.   M.  O'Leary." 

*'  Ottawa,  April  2oth,  1900. 

"Chaplain  O'Leary,  of  the  first  contingent,  writes  his  brother, 
James  L.  O'Leary,  of  the  Post  Office  Department,  from  Bloem- 
fontein  :  — 

"One  particular  incident  may  interest  you.  In  Sunday's  battle 
(Paardeberg),  when  the  enemy's  fire  was  most  furious,  we  had  taken 
shelter  in  open  as  best  we  could,  until  a  lull  in  firing  would  allow  us 
to  rush  forward.  Behind  an  ant  hill,  I  lay  prone,  sharing  the  tiny 
shelter  with  one  of  the  Black  Watch.  Finding  that  there  was  not 
room  for  two,  I  decided  on  making  a  dash  for  a  little  mound  some 
fifty  yards  forward.  As  I  raised  myself  on  my  hands  and  knees, 
preparatory  to  a  dash,  I  remembar  him  calling  ont,  '  My  God,  sir, 
take  care.  God  speed  you.'  Just  then  a  volley  was  directed  at  us,  too 
late  for  me,  but  alas  for  him.  Next  morning  at  early  dawn  I  found 
him  behind  our  friendly  ant  hill  just  as  I  had  left  him,  but  pierced 
through  heart  and  body  with  bullets  that  perhaps  had  been  intended 
for  me.  Do  you  know  that  a  feeling  of  guilt  came  over  me  as  I  gazed 
on  my  poor  companion  an  hour,  but  still,  had  I  remained  a  minute 
longer  this  letter  would  never  hâve  been  written. 

"Another  trying  moment  was  when  in  the  early  hours  we  were 
laying  almost  within  touch  of  a  laager.  Oh,  how  that  hell-fire  mowed 
down  everything  around  us,  but  we  held  dur  ground  and  when  day 
broke,  the  Boers  hoisted  the  white  flag  and  surrendered,  the  best 
tribute  ever  given  to  Canadian  worth  and  Canadian  bravery.  While 
every  one  of  the  other  régiments  is  loud  in  our  praise,  we  can  well 
afford  to  be  proud  of  our  brave  boys.  They  are  indeed  worthy  of  it." 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  I31 

"For  the  gratification  of  ail  those  who  kindly  and  generously 
donated  gifts  in  the  way  of  religious  articles  for  the  wounded  and  sick 
'  Tommies  '  in  South  Africa,  we  are  pleased  to  publish  the  following 
letter  from  Rev.  Father  O'Leary,  chaplain  2nd.  Battalion,  Royal 
Canadians  :  — 

"  Wyneberg,  July  2nd,  1900. 
*'  My  dear  Miss  Van  Felson, 

*' Your  welcome  letter  and  ever  so  welcome  parcel  onlyreached  me 
a  few  days  ago,  no  one  is  to  blâme  for  delay.  The  mail  service  is 
quite  demoralized  of  late.  Needless  to  say  how  overjoyed  the  dear 
boys  in  hospital  hère  were  to  recel ve  the  precious  gifts  you  procured 
for  them,  and  they  hâve  ail  commissioned  me  to  thank  you  in  their 
name.  The  Almighty  will  certainly  reward  your  zealous  endeavor. 

"I  hope  to  be  going  up  country  again,  some  of  thèse  days  after 
recovering  from  an  attack  of  deadly  enteric  ;  and  I  shall  distribute 
the  balance  of  devotional  articles  along  the  line  in  the  many  hospitals. 

"I  most  decidedly  object  to  your  exaggerated  appréciations  of  my 
humble  efforts  to  better  the  lot  of  our  poor  fellows.  Any  other  in  my 
position  would  hâve  donc  as  much  and  probably  more.  My  only 
regret  is  that  my  illness  has  so  long  forcibly  kept  me  separated  from 
them.  I  love  them  so  much,  and  they  were  so  thankful  for  whatever 
little  attention  one  might  bestow  upon  them. 

•'We  are  ail  heartily  glad  that  the  war  is  drawing  to  an  end,  for 
that  means  our  return  to  our  dear  land  in  the  near  future. 

"  You  ask,  '  do  our  dear  boys  know  that  they  are  ever  in  our 
thoughts  ?  '  Oh  !  yes,  and  should  they  be  tempted  to  forget  it  I  take 
many  an  opportunity  of  reminding  them  of  those  at  home.  We  hâve 
ail  been  more  or  less  separated,  but  I  shall  probably  meet  them  ail 
in  Pretoria. 

"Once  more  thanking  you  for  your  great  kindness. 

"I  remain,  yours  faithfully, 

"P.  M.  O'Leary." 

"  The  articles  were  shipped  by  Elder-Dempster  SS.  Company, 
through  the  generous  kindness  of  Messrs.  R.  M.  Stocking  â^  Co., 
représentative  of  the  Elder-Dempster  SS.  Co.,  and  graciously  for- 
warded  onward  after  reaching  Cape-Town  by  His  Excellency  Sir 
Alfred  Milner,  Governor." 


132  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

REV.  FATHER  O'LEARY 

KiND    LETTER    FROM    THE    COUNTFSS   OF   DUDLEY. 

"Ottawa,  September  lyth,  1900. 

'•  A  very  kind  letter  has  been  addressed  by  the  Countess  of  Dudley 
to  Father  O'Leary,  chaplain  to  the  first  Canadian  Contingent,  in 
which  she  says  :  — 

"  I  hear  that  you  hâve  been  invalided  home  from  South  Africa  and 
I  venture  to  write  and  ask  whether  you  would  allow  me  to  hâve  the 
gieat  pleasure  of  being  of  any  use  to  you  and  of  offering  for  your 
acceptance  the  loan  of  one  of  the  houses  mentioned  on  the  list  enclosed, 
or  of  apaitments  at  any  of  the  hôtels  in  England  or  abroad,  whilst 
recruiting  your  health,  I  am  enabled  to  make  this  offer  through  the 
kindness  of  many  persons  who  wish  to  help  those  who  hâve  fought 
and  suffered  in  the  war,  and  who  hâve  lent  their  houses  so  that  v^'e 
may  hâve  the  great  pleasure  and  privilège  of  offering  them  privately 
for  the  acceptance  of  those  officers  to  whom,  with  their  wives  or  other 
relations,  a  few  weeks'  rest  and  change  at  small  expansé  might  be 
acceptable  after  ail  they  hâve  undergone." 

•'  The  following.letter  has  been  received  by  Col.-Sergeant  MacNab, 
of  the  5th  Royal  Scots,  from  Private  R.  Gunn,  first  contingent  :  — 

"  Friday,  February  23rd,  1900. 

"  I  am  just  writing  a  few  Unes  to  let  you  know  how  we  are  getting 
along.  I  suppose  you  will  hâve  heard  of  the  big  fight  we  liad  before 
this  letter  reaches  you.  We  arrived  at  Modder  Spruit  after  a  25  miles 
march,  leaving  Cliff  Spruit  the  night  before.  We  were  just  one  hour 
in  camp  before  we  were  in  the  thick  of  the  fight.  We  had  time  to 
hâve  a  wash  in  the  river  and  drink  a  little  coffee,  and  we  lived  the 
rest  of  the  day  on  one  hard  tack  biscuit  and  a  little  water,  we  had  in 
our  bottles.  We  got  in  the  fight  at  seven  o'clock.  The  Boers  were 
entrenched  in  strong  position  along  the  river.  We  could  not  see  them 
on  account  of  the  thick  bushes  which  grow  along  the  water's  edge. 
We  waded  the  river  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  Boer  position, 
the  water  reaching  up  to  our  shoulders,  and  the  weather  being  wet, 
we  chilled  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  After  we  reached  the  opposite  side 
we    opened  out  in  skirmishing  order.     A  and  C  Companies  were  the 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  .133 

firing  line,  the  Gordon  Highlanders  also  forming  a  part.  B,  D  and  H 
Companies  the  supports,  and  E,  F  and  G  the  reserve.  We  got  the 
order  to  advance  across  a  plain,  protected  only  by  ant  hills.  As  we 
advanced  we  were  met  by  a  shower  of  bullets  and  shells  from  a  small 
gun  the  Boers  hâve.  We  call  it  a  '  Pom-Pom.'  It  made  things  pretty 
lively  for  us.  Our  artillery  commenced  firing,  which  made  it  hotter 
for  them,  and  we  advanced  slowly  along,  making  use  of  the  cover  we 
could  get.  E  Company  then  got  the  word  to  advance  again,  under 
Captain  Fraser.  No.  i  section  got  separated  from  the  rest  of  the 
Company,  and  we  were  under  Sergeant  Allan.  We  passed  the  support 
and  firing  line  and  got  within  twenty  yards  of  the  Boers  and  laid  down 
there  the  rest  of  the  day,  as  we  could  not  see  the  enemy.  About  five 
o'clock  we  got  the  order  to  charge.  E  Company  got  there  first,  but 
could  not  get  near  them,  as  our  men  were  moved  down.  No.  i  section 
sufiered  most.  It  was  a  very  sad  night  for  us.  We  retired  after  dark 
and  camped  about  ten  hundred  yards  from  the  Boer  position.  We 
slept  that  night  without  anything  to  eat,  only  a  little  cofiee  we  made 
ourselves.  W'e  hâve  the  Boers  surrounded  and  they  can't  get  away. 
There  are  about  ten  thousand  of  them.  As  we  hâve  to  give  our  mail 
in  right  away  I  can't  Write  any  more  this  time." 

"Private  Charles  Harrison,  of  2nd  Régiment  Canadian  Artillery, 
was  in  F  Company  and  was  wounded  in  the  wrist  at  Paardeberg,  just 
before  Cronje  surrendered. 

"  I  was  near  poor  Lester  when  he  was  killed  "  said  Private  Harri- 
son, "  and  helped  to  bury  him  and  Corporal  Goodfellow  who  was 
killed  at  his  side.  We  had  crept  up  near  the  Boer  laager,  supported 
by  the  Gordons,  and  got  right  near  the  enemy's  laager  when  we  were 
discovered.  Three  distinct  sheets  of  fire  broke  forth  and  we  threw 
ourselves  face  downward,  but  one  bullet  reached  my  wrist. 

"  I  was  sent  to  the  New  South  Wales  Hospital,  where  I  received 
excellent  treatment.  Later  I  went  to  Kimberley,  and  was  well 
attended.  Lord  Methuen  visited  the  hospital  and  I  had  a  handshake 
from  him.  He  sent  us  pipes  and  tobacco  and  other  luxuries." 

"  Private  Angus  Sutherland,  of  the  Duke  of  York's  Canadian 
Hussars,  was  wounded  at  the  capture  of  Cronje.  He  belonged  to  F 
Company,  and  while  charging  for  the  trenches  during  the  night  was 
st/uck  by  a  bullet  which  first  struck  his  helmet  and  afterward  ploughed 
along  his  spine.   He  is  as  well  as  ever  again,  however. 


134  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

•' We  were  in  the  most  dangerous  position,"  said  Private  Suther- 
land,  "and  had  crept  up  within  from  thirty  to  fifty  yards  of  the  Boers' 
laager,  when  ail  of  a  sudden  some  one  struck  a  méat  can,  and  ail  at 
once  three  sheets  of  fire  broke  forth  a  few  yards  in  front  of  us  and  we 
dropped  right  down  on  our  faces. 

"  After  I  was  wounded  I  was  taken  first  to  the  field  hospital,  tlien 
transported  in  an  ox  cart  to  Modder  River,  where  we  entrained  for 
Wynberg.  I  spent  nine  weeks  in  hospital  there  and  then  went  to 
Green  Point,  and  after  passing  a  couple  of  médical  examinations  was 
sent  to  England.  I  can  say  nothing  but  good  of  tHe  médical  attend- 
ance  at  the  hospitals  and  the  nurses  were  most  kind.  The  orderlies 
were,  however,  hardly  what  should  hâve  been  expected,  and  made  off 
with  a  great  deal  of  the  property  of  the  wounded  men  and  the  curios 
they  had  coUected. 

"  My  stay  in  England  was  exceedingly  pleasant.  Since  June  6th  I 
was  at  Stockwell  and  was  o\erwhelmed  with  kindness  by  everybody 
with  whom  I  came  in  contact." 

"  Private  Percy  Thomas,  of  Montréal  Hussars,  whois  looking  haie 
and  hearty,  was  wounded  at  the  first  Paardeberg  engagement  on  the 
mémorable  Sunday,  February  l8th,  1900,  when  the  first  Canadian 
blood  was  shed  for  the  defence  of  the  grand  old  flag  in  Africa.  He 
was  wounded  early  in  the  engagement,  the  mauzer  buUet  entering  his 
right  breast  and  going  diagcnsUy  right  through  his  lungs.  He  said  to 
the  Star:  'I  felt  no  pain  and  did  not  know  just  what  happened  to 
me.  A  slight  stinging  as  the  buUet  ploughed  its  way  through  my  flesh 
was  the  only  sensation  I  experienced  at  the  moment,  but  I  immediate- 
ly  grew  weak  and  fell  to  the  ground.  I  remained  conscious  for  half 
an  hour  and  then  knew  no  more  until  about  ten  o'clock  that  night 
when  an  officer  of  the  Cornwalls  shook  me,  and  as  I  became  partially 
conscious  he  told  me  to  wait  a  few  minutes  until  he  called  men  with  a 
stretcher.  As  they  removed  me  to  the  field  hospital  the  pain  was 
excruciating,  but  I  soon  gotto  tlie  hospital  and  had  my  wound  dressed. 
My  treatment  at  the  différent  hospitais  was  most  satisfactory.  The 
doctors  were  most  attentive  to  their  duties  and  did  remarkably  well, 
considering  the  number  of  men  they  had  to  handle  during  that  time." 

"The  Gordon  Highlanders  were  great  friends  of  ours,  but  they  used 
to  swear  when  we  led,  because  the  Canadians  marched  altogether  too 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  I35 

fast  to  suit  them.  The  other  regulars  did  not  like  us  sg  well,  but  still 
we  got  on  fairly  well  with  ail  of  them. 

"  Among  our  officers,  those  whom  the  men  dote  on  and  would 
follow  anywhere  are  Majors  Oscar  Pelletier  and  Buchan,  Dr.  Fiset 
and  Father  O'Leary.  Say,  I  am  a  Protestant,  but  I  must  say  that 
Father  O'Leary  is  one  of  the  grandest  men  I  ever  knew.  On  February 
27th,  he  marched  with  the  rank  and  file  24  miles,  instead  of  going  back 
to  the  transport.  His  face  and  lips  were  swollen  and  he  seemed  about 
played  out  but  when  we  suggested  that  he  should  ride  in  the  transport 
waggons  he  just  said  that  what  was  good  enough  for  the  men  was 
good  enough  for  him.  He  remained  with  us  through  the  thickest  of 
the  bullets  and  was  kind  to  ail  alike,  aftording  them  religious  conso- 
lation irrespective  of  creed.  There  is  not  a  man  in  the  régiment  who 
would  not  do  anything  in  his  power  for  Father  O'Leary. 

"  We  had  a  hard  time  at  Paardeberg.  The  march  there  was  simply 
terrible.  Colonel  Otter  is  a  brave  and  a  good  fighter,  but  he  need  not 
be  so  hard  on  his  men  in  the  field.  In  camp  he  is  ail  right,  but  when 
we  got  started  he  almost  killed  his  men  on  the  march  and  we  had 
hardly  anything  to  eat  ail  that  time. 

"  Poor  Lester  was  killed  by  an  explosive  bullet.  It  went  into  his 
mouth  and  blew  the  top  of  his  head.  Corporal  Goodfellow  was  shot 
through  the  heart  and  before  piercing  his  heart  the  deadly  steel  had 
gone  through  a  Bible  in  his  pocket,  on  the  fly  leaf  of  which  was  the 
inscription  'To  Papa,  from  Muriel.'  Poor  Barry  was  some  distance 
away.    I  helped  to  bury  them  ail." 

THE  LATE  PRIVATE  FLOYD 

"  London,  Ont.,  July  l8th,  1900. 

"  On  Sunday  aftemoon  at  Richmond  Street  Methodist  Church,  in 
connection  -with  the  Sunday  School  exercises,  a  photo  of  the  late 
Private  George  Floyd,  appropriately  mounted,  was  hung  upon  the 
wall  of  the  school,  the  following  inscription  being  engrossed  beneath  : 
—  •  In  memory  of  Private  George  Floyd,  in  boyhood  a  member  of 
this  Sabbath  School,  killed  in  action  at  the  batlle  of  Zand  River, 
May  loth,  1900.  He  died  nobly  fighting  for  the  Empire.  Duke  et 
décorum  est  pro  patria  mori.'  At  the  evening  service  a  mémorial 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  John  Morrison,  the  subject  being 
national  and  individual  responsibility.  The  choir  rendered  appropriate 


136  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

music,  and  a  detachment  from  Wolseley  Barracks  representing  the 
Royal  Canadian  Rifles  was  in  attendance.  The  pulpit  and  altar  weie 
tastily  decorated  with  a  large  Canadian  red  ensign  kindly  sent  for  the 
occasion  by  Major  J.  W.  Little.  The  congrégation  was  large." 

"Corporal  John  Wandlass,  one  of  the  Frederiction  boys  who  left 
Canada  in  March  as  one  of  the  hundred  recruits  sent  out  on  the 
transport  Monterey  to  Africa,  to  replace  casualties  in  Canadian 
régiment,  writes  as  foUows  of  the  Montréal  boys  on  board  :  — 

"We  hâve  a  very  fine  class  of  men  on  board.  In  our  company  a 
great  many  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privâtes  are  from  the 
best  familles  in  Canada.  There  is  one  fellow  from  Montréal  hère  by 
the  name  of  Barry  ;  you  may  hâve  seen  his  picture  in  the  Montréal 
Star,  îlis  brother  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Paardeberg  and  he 
offered  to  take  his  place  and  pay  his  own  expenses.  He  was  offered 
the  first  vacancy  in  the  Strathcona  Horse,  but  he  is  attached  to  our 
mess  and  will  likely  remain  with  us." 

"Toronto,  May  ist,  1900. 

"'The  Globe\^z.%  the  following  from  Van  Wyk's  Vlei,  Cape  Colony, 
April  4th,  \àa  London,  April  30th  :  — 

"The  first  death  in  the  Second  Canadian  Contingent  occurred 
to-day.  Private  Bradley  (Ottawa)  had  ridden  his  horse  to  the  river  in 
order  that  the  animal  might  drink.  The  horse  suddenly  threw  him, 
and  he  sank  into  a  deep  hole.  Bradley  could  not  swim.  Private 
Walters,  of  Ottawa,  and  a  dozen  others,  jumped  into  the  water  to 
rescue  him,  and  one  of  the  number,  Private  Firns,  a  West  Australian, 
brought  him  to  the  surface.  Lieutenant  Morrison  threw  a  rope  to  the 
pair,  who  were  then  pulled  ashore. 

"  Bradley  was  unconscious,  but  after  prolongea  effort,  Dr.  Stewart 
and  Hospital  Sergeant  Whitton  succeeded  in  restoring  animation. 
The  mud  had,  however,  so  injnred  his  lungs  that  pneumonia  set  in 
and  he  died  the  same  night.  The  body  was  buried  hère  with  military 
honors. 

"  Fearful  rains,  almost  impassable  roads,  and  a  threatened  shortage 
of  provisions  and  forage  are  characterising  the  march.  Thèse  hardships 
are  beginning  to  tell.  We  left  nineteen  men  in  the  hospital  at  Camar- 
von,  and  another  hospital  has  been  established  hère. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  137 

"  Private  Hopkins,  of  D  Battery,  accidentally  discharged  his  re- 
volver, the  bullet  taking  effect  in  his  knee.  The  wound  is  not  serious." 

"Quartermaster-Sergeant  Robert  Hunt,  of  the  Canadian  Mounted 
Rifles,  whose  death  is  reported  from  South  Africa,  is  none  other 
than  Sergeant-Instructor  B.  Hunt,  of  A  Squadron,  ist  Battalion 
Canadian  Mounted  Rifles,  as  squadron  quartermaster-sergeant,  was 
stationed  at  Stanley's  Barracks,  Toronto.  '  Bamey,  '  as  he  was 
familiarly  known,  was  an  old  Québec  boy,  aged  about  30  years, 
and  from  17  years  of  âge  was  attached  to  the  cavalry  school  in 
this  city  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  TumbuU,  later 
known  as  the  Royal  Canadian  Dragoons,  joining  as  a  trumpeter 
and  rising  to  the  second  highest  rank  among  non-commissioned 
officers.  He  was  well  and  favorably  known  not  alone  in  nailitary  but 
civilian  life  hère,  and  Canada  could  boast  of  no  braver  soldier  tban 
the  deceased,  who  was  always  ready  at  the  call  of  duty  and  was  one 
of  the  first  to  volunteer  for  service  in  South  Africa.  The  news  of  his 
death  will  consequently  be  received  with  much  regret  by  his  numerous 
friends.  His  only  living  sister  is  Mrs.  H.  M.  Bartlett,  wife  of  the  chief 
inspector  of  the  Québec  District  Railway,  while  he  leaves  a  wife  with 
four  chiidren,  the  youngest  born  since  he  left  for  South  Africa,  to 
mourn  his  loss.  They  are  still  residing  at  Toronto.  Mrs.  Hunt  was 
formerly  a  Miss  Couillard,  of  L'Islet,  and  has  been  marrièd  for  some 
ten  years.  It  has  been  known  in  this  city  for  some  time  that  deceased 
was  sufîering  from  enteric  fever  at  Kroonstad,  to  which  he  evidently 
fînally  succumbed,  although  full  particulars  are  not  yet  to  hand." 

"  Corporal  W.  F.  Fowle,  of  A  Company,  Royal  Canadian  Régi- 
ment, in  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  Winnipeg,  dated  Paardeberg  Drift, 
February  24th,  says  :  — 

"Our  poor  Captain  Arnold  was  shot  down  in  the  middle  of  the 
fight  and  three  men  were  wounded  in  carrying  him  off  the  field.  He 
was  hit  in  the  head  and  arm,  and  was  unconscious  soon  after  until  he 
died  this  moming.  Poor  fellow,  he  fully  believed  he  would  ne  ver  go 
back  and  acted  rather  nervously  at  times,  although  in  the  fight  he 
showed  great  pluck.  In  fact,  you  could  almost  say  he  was  foolhardy, 
as  he  certainly  exposed  himself  unnecessarily.  He  marched  by  me  the 
previous  night  and  chatted  about  Winnipeg  and  the  çoth  among 
other  things." 


138  LE    LIVRE    D'OR 

BRIDE  TO  BE  IS  DEAD 

*'  Hamilton,  April  2oth,  1900. 

"  For  Private  J.  H.  Sutton,  of  this  city,  who  was  wounded  in  South 
Africa,  and  who  is  among  those  Canadians  who  recently  arrived  in 
London,  there  will  be  a  sad  home-coming.  The  following  message 
was  received  from  him  in  this  city  on  Thursday  :  — 

"To  Miss  A.  Daniels,  Cannon  street  west,  Hamilton,  Canada. 

"London,  April  igth,  1900. 

"  London  Daily  Mail  forwards  following  received  by  its  relief 
corps.  Arrived  in  London  safe.  Tell  my  father. 

"J.  H.  Sutton." 

"The  messenger  boy  stopped  at  162  Cannon  street  west  and 
delivered  the  message.  Miss  Daniels  did  not  get  it.  She  was  buried 
yesterday  afternoon  in  Hamilton  Cemetery.  The  war,  Creator  of 
thousands  of  heart-breakings,  had  created  just  another. 

Waited  and  Hoped. 

"When  months  ago  Hamilton's  young  men  of  the  First  Contingent 
said  good-bye,  there  was  one  at  the  station  whose  handkerchief 
fluttered  till  the  train  had  rounded  the  curve,  and  a  parting  answer 
from  the  rear  of  the  car  told  that  Private  J.  H.  Sutton,  of  C  Company, 
First  Canadian  Contingent,  and  Miss  A.  RL  Daniels,  would  wait  and 
hope.  They  wrote  often.  They  both  thought  of  a  happy  future.  She 
sent  her  photograph,  and  he  took  it  and  put  in  under  his  dirty  khaki 
uniform  and  looked  at  it  often. 

"The  enemy  shot  him  in  the  arm.  She  heard  of  it,  but  she  still 
hoped  on.  He  went  to  the  hospital  with  fever  and  sunstroke,  and  she 
still  kept  hoping.  She  heard  that  he  was  recovering,  that  he  would  be 
sent  home.  About  two  weeks  ago  she  look  sick.  The  doctor  said  that 
it  was  measles.  She  rallied  soon,  and  then  pneumonia  came.  They 
told  her  that  she  could  not  live,  and  she  wrote  a  letter  to  South 
Africa.  As  long  as  she  could  hold  the  pen  she  wrote.  It  fell  from  her 
hand,  and  a  sister  completed  the  letter.  The  funeral  took  place 
yesterday  afternoon,  and  Rev.  G.  K.  B.  Adams,  of  the  Gore  Street 
Church,  where  she  was  a  member,  officiated. 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  139 

HiS   LAST   LETTER. 

"  Shortly  after  her  spirit  had  gone  a  letter  came,  bearing  the  post 
mark  South  Africa.  It  reads  thus  :  — 

"Mavch   lyth,  1900. 
"  Dear  Bert, 

"Just  a  few  lines  to  let  you  know  that  I  got  your  letter,  dated 
January  I4th.  I  was  so  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  hope  that  you  are 
in  good  health.  As  for  me,  I  am  in  the  hospital  with  a  sunstroke, 
fever,  and  a  wound  in  my  arm.  But  I  will  soon  be  ail  right.  You 
asked  me  if  I  had  received  ail  your  letters.  Yes,  I  hâve  received  them 
up  to  the  date  January  I4th,  and  also  your  photo.  Now  I  hear  that 
you  are  fretting  about  me.  But  you  must  not,  for  my  sake,  for  I  will 
soon  be  ail  right  again.  I  am  not  going  to  the  front  again,  and  I  hope 
that  the  war  will  soon  be  over.  I  will  hâve  to  wTite  a  short  note,  as  it 
is  hard  for  me  to  write  much,  as  I  am  not  allowed  to  get  out  of  bed, 
and  hâve  to  write  this  the  best  w^ay  I  can.    Bye-bye  for  the  présent. 

"  I  remain,  yours  ever  true, 

"Private  J,  h.  Sutton, 

"  C  Company,  R.  C.  R. 

*'  God  be  with  you  till  me  meet  again.  —  Jack," 

PRIVATE  LARUE'S  LAST  LETTER 

"The  last  mail  from  Africa  brought  a  letter  to  Dr.  Léonidas  LaRue 
from  his  son  Lucien.  It  was  dated  from  Wynburg  Hospital,  June  7th, 
and,  as  he  died  of  his  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Paaideberg, 
June  24th,  is  probably  the  last  letter  written  by  him.  It  is  as  foUows  : — 

"  My  very  dear  father, 

"Hère  I  am  since  yesterday  morning  at  Wynburg  Hospital,  about 
12  miles  south-east  of  Cape-Town.  The  doctors  seeing  that  I  could 
not  gain  strength  at  Norval's  Pont  decided  to  remove  me  hère  until  I 
could  take  the  first  hospital  ship  sailing  for  Southampton  ;  they  say 
that  the  rapid  healing  of  my  wound  is  the  cause  of  this  rheumatism 
that  has  been  troubling  me  for  nearly  two  months,  and  that  as  soon 
as  I  am  at  sea  I  shall  feel  a  perceptible  improvement.  Ail  my  com- 
rades  who  were  wounded  like  me  at  Paardeberg  and  returned  to  the 


140  LE    LIVRE   D  OR 

régiment  after  being  cured,  hâve  been  obliged  to  come  back  to  the 
hospital  after  the  first  march,  suffering  from  poisoning  of  the  blood, 
or  inflammation  of  their  wounds. 

"  The  war  draws  to  its  close;  enthusiasm  is  at  its  height.  Lord 
Roberts  has  made  his  triumphal  entryinto  Johannesburg  and  Pretoria, 
with  my  régiment,  350  strong,  the  second  Canadian  régiment,  and  the 
Guards.  Kruger,  with  his  staff  and  troops,  has  withdrawn  into  the 
mountains  north  of  Pretoria.  I  expect  to  leave  Cape-Town  in  a  week 
en  route  for  Southampton  —  Netley  Hospital.  In  case  I  get  well 
during  the  passage  I  may,  when  I  get  to  Netley,  obtain  a  three  weeks' 
leave  of  absence,  vi^hich  would  allovv  me  to  push  a  point  to  Paris  and 
visit  the  exposition. 

"  I  hâve  been  without  news  from  home  for  two  months,  the  régi- 
ment, I  am  sure,  not  knowing  where  to  find  me. 

"My  régiment  will  probably  embark  for  Englandina  fortnight, 
and  the  city  of  London  is  preparing  a  grand  réception  for  us. 

"Do  not  fret  yourself  about  my  illness  ;  I  do  not  think  I  shall 
suffer  from  it  long. 

"The  régiment  will  take  me  up  in  England  and  I  think  the  first 
fortnight  in  August  will  see  me  in  Québec  in  the  midst  of  ail  the 
family. 

"Well,  my  dear  father,  regards  and  kind  wishes  to  ail  the  family  ; 
a  thousand  kisses  for  my  brothers  and  sisters,  the  largest  part  for  you. 

"  A  bientôt, 

"  Your  affectionate  son, 

"  Lucien. 

"This  letter,  so  fuU  of  cheerfulness  and  bright  visions  of  the  future, 
is  very  affecting  in  view  of  the  death  of  the  brave  young  soldier  a  little 
more  than  a  fortnight  after,  and  will  intensify  the  universal  feeling  of 
sympathy  with  the  bereaved  father  and  family." 

MILITARY  JOTTINGS 

"  A  letter  has  been  received  by  his  friendsfrom  Private  Jos.  Hudon, 
from  Québec,  who  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Paardeberg,  and  under 
orders  to  proceed  to  Netley.  Owing  to  the  disaster  to  the  Mexican, 
the  ship  on  which  he  was  to  sail  was  ordered  to  take  out  the  mails  and 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  I4I 

passen^ers,  and  was  consequently  unable  to  find  room  for  the  whole 
batch  of  invalids,  some  of  whom  were  sent  to  Green  Point  Camp  near 
Cape-Town,  and  others  to  No.  3  General  Hospital,  Rondebosch,  from 
which  the  letter  is  dated.  Hère,  the  colonel  of  the  R.  A.  médical 
corps,  commanding  the  hospital,  hearing  that  he  was  good  at  clerking, 
sent  for  him  and  gave  him  a  job  on  the  staff  office,  which  brought 
him  22  cents  a  day  extra,  and  required  light  work.  Private  Hudon 
writes  that  he  is  sorry  that  he  will  not  see  his  friends  as  soon  as  they 
expected,  but  comforts  himself  with  the  thought  that  he  may  obtain 
leave  to  go  to  the  front  later  on,  which  is  what  he  is  looking  for, 
because  although  he  has  won  two  bars  on  his  medal  he  would  like  to 
win  the  bar  for  any  gênerai  engagement  fought  around  or  on  the  way 
to  Pretoria,  and  although  ail  the  doctors  he  has  yet  seen  hâve  marked 
him  as  unfit  for  further  active  ser'/ice  he  still  has  hopes  to  obtain  his 
request  later  on.  On  Easter  Sunday  he  had  a  visit  from  young  Drum 
and  Montizambert,  who  had  just  arrived  from  Canada  in  the  draft  to 
replace  the  casualties,  and  they  had  a  great  time  of  it  the  next  day, 
which  was  a  holiday  in  the  office.  He  says,  '  Speaking  of  our  charge 
at  Paardeberg,  the  Boer  papers  call  us  'the  little  Canucks,'  *  flying 
devils,'  and  there  is  a  bounty  of  ten  shillings  ofifered  by  Président 
Steyn,  of  the  O.  F.  S.  for  each  Canadian  caught  dead  or  alive.  So  I 
think  we  are  somebody  after  ail.'  He  concludes  by  saying  that  he  is 
cheerful  and  well,  and  hopes  to  be  back  in  September." 

WAS    REPORTED   KILLED 

"After  a  graphie  description  of  the  battle  of  Modder  River  on 
February  i8th,  Private  Johnson,  son  of  Dr.  Johnson,  member  for 
"West  Lambton,  relates  the  incidents  intervening  between  it  and  the 
next  battle,  the  final  stand  of  Cronje  at  Paardeberg. 

"  *  On  leaving  the  battlefield  as  I  was  going  in  I  heard  somegroaning 
and  searched  for  the  place  from  whence  the  sound  came,  found  a 
Seaforth,  badly  wounded.  Fortunately  I  had  put  the  mm  with  which 
we  were  served  before  the  battle  in  my  water  bottle  and  had  about 
half  of  it  left.  I  raised  him  up  and  gave  him  a  drink  of  it  and  the  way 
in  which  it  revived  him  was  wonderful.  Helping  him  along  a  short 
distance  we  met  a  stretcher  on  which  he  was  put  and  carried  in,  but  I 
shall  not  forget  his  inexpressible  gratitude  to  me.' 

"Private  Johnson  continues  ;  —  '  On  the  26th,  about  noon  we  went 


142  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

into  the  trenches  for  what  was  to  be  for  forty-eight  hours.  We  were 
net  in  very  long  before  we  were  told  that  the  régiment  was  to  rush 
the  Boer  trenches  during  the  next  night,  so  we  were  ail  on  the  '  qui 
vive.'  On  the  morning  of  the  27th  we  were  wakened  at  2  a.  m.  and 
B  Company  was  to  be  prepared  to  support  C,  D  and  G  in  the  rush 
(B  Company  had  suffered  severely  in  the  first  fight  on  the  i8th),  the 
Cordons  and  Cornwalls  to  support  the  whole  régiment.  Our  men  left 
the  trenches  and  stealing  forward  got  to  within  about  fifty  yards  of 
the  Boers  when  a  tremendous  fire  was  poured  into  them.  The  men,  in 
the  meantime,  had  made  trenches  and  were  able  to  hold  their  ground 
though  the  gain  was  won  at  a  fearful  cost,  about  14  killed  and  24 
wounded.  To  make  matters  worse  the  crossfire  of  the  Shropshires 
hampered  us  and  in  addition  to  this  the  Cordons  who  had  manned  the 
trenches  were  waiting  with  bayonets  fixed  as  supports.  When  the 
order  to  retire  was  given  two  of  our  men  clambering  into  the  trenches 
fell  on  the  Cordons'  bayonets,  both  receiving  severe  flesh  wounds,  but 
fortunately  neither  of  them  fatal.  Great  was  our  surprise  in  the 
morning,  the  anniversary  of  Majuba  Hill,  to  see  the  entire  Boer  force 
surrender,  Cronje,  their  leader,  with  them.  We  were  among  the 
escorts." 

SAW    CRONJE   TAKEN 

SOME    INTERESTING   DETAILS    FROM    VICTORIA   BOYS    WHO   WERE   IS 
THE    BATTLE. 

'  '  The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  received  by  W.  W. 
Northcott,  Victoria,  B.  C,  city  assessor,  from  his  son,  Sergeant 
Joseph  Northcott,  at  Paardeberg  Drift,  under  date  of  March  2nd  :  — 

♦  '  We  are  now  camped  till  next  Thursday  about  the  battlefield.  We 
hâve  had  a  glorious  victory  over  the  enemy,  although  it  cost  us  pretty 
heavy,  about  140  killed  and  wounded.  The  Boers,  however,  hâve  lost 
t'Jvice  that  number.  They  look  like  a  fine  lot  of  men,  although  they 
are  very  dirty,  but  I  don't  think  we  hâve  much  to  brag  about  in  that 
respect  jujt  at  présent,  for  we  hâve  not  had  much  time  lately  to  be 
anything  else. 

"  It  was  the  Canadians  who  made  the  Boers  give  in,  for  our  fire 
was  something  terrible.  We  started  the  fight  about  2  in  the  morning 
and  the  enemy  gave  it  up  at  6  a.  m.     Lord  Roberts  made  a  speech  to 


LE   LIVRE    DOR  I43 

the  régiment,  but  our  company  was  across  the  river,  so  we  did  not 
hear  it.  I  had  25  men  with  me  in  the  upper  trenches,  comprising 
some  of  our  best  shots,  and  when  Lord  Roberts  came  our  way  with 
his  staff  he  asked  who  we  were.  I  told  him,  and  then  he  asked  me  my 
name.  He  then  stated  we  had  donc  noble  work,  and  were  as  good  a 
lot  of  men  as  were  in  the  British  army. 

"I  saw  General  Cronje  taken  prisoner,  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  two  daughters.  They  were  started  for  Cape-Town  with  an  escort 
of  100  mounted  men.  I  had  a  conversation  with  one  of  the  Boers, 
and  he  said  they  were  tired  of  it,  and  wanted  to  quit  ;  but  that 
General  Cronje  would  not  let  them.  We  captured  a  great  amount  of 
ammunition  and  arms,  including  '  pumpums.'  This  is  a  terrible  gun, 
and  shoots  a  bullet  of  about  a  pound,  but  our  naval  gunners  knocked 
it  out  almost  in  the  first  round. 

"  We  hâve  been  under  fire  every  day  from  the  iSth  of  February  up 
to  the  27th,  but  I  am  pleased  to  say  A  Company  has  not  lost  any 
men  since  the  i8th.  I  am  sending  y  ou  a  sketch  of  the  battlefield,  and 
where  the  troops  were  situated  ;  also  the  Boers'  laager,  as  it  was  on 
the  i8th  instant  and  on  the  2'jth  instant. 

"Where  we  are  going  next  we  don't  know.  Some  say  Kimberley 
and  some  to  Bloemfontein.  I  hâve  not  had  a  paper  from  Victoria 
since  December  la  st.    I  am  keeping  in  good  health  and  spirits." 

"  Private  Finch- Smiles,  of  Victoria,  has  written  to  a  friend  from 
Orange  River  Hospital,  in  which  he  scores  those  Britishers  who 
admire  the  Boers,  saying  that  the  latter  potted  the  stretcher-bearers, 
used  explosive  bullets  and  fired  into  the  hospital. 

"  This  is  just  to  let  you  know,"  he  writes,  "that  I  am  still  on  top 
of  the  earth,  though  not  quite  as  lively  as  perhaps  I  might  be,  and 
not  able  to  do  more  than  pen  a  few  Unes,  as  I  get  extremely  tired. 
We  had  a  very  exciting  day  last  Sunday  week,  and  I  got  my  dose 
early  in  the  day,  and  so  had  leisure  to  reflect  upon  many  things 
pertaining  to  the  brevity  of  human  existence  on  this  sad  earth  —  also 
many  other  thoughts  of  a  philosophical  character. 

"  My  wound  is  healing  up  nicely,  and  I  hope  to  be  able  to  rejoin 
the  régiment  in  three  or  four  weeks'  time.  We  hâve  been  set  nearly 
crazy  over  the  good  news  that  begins  to  roU  in  now,  and  if  things 
continue  as  now  I  fear  the  campaign  will  be  over  before  I  am  in 
condition  to  rejoin.  Well,  we  shall  see." 


144  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

BAUGH  BOYS  WRITE  HOME 

•'Corporal  George  Baugh,  of  the  R.  C.  A.,  received  two  leicerb 
from  his  boys  in  South  Africa  on  Friday,  from  Corporal  R.  Baugh,  of 
the  Maxim  gun  section,  and  Private  E.  Baugh,  known  among  his 
comrades  as  '  Boss.'  The  latter  was  hit  but  twice,  not  three  times,  as 
already  published.  The  first  bullet  stnick  him  in  the  back  and  came 
out  at  the  leg,  leaving  two  holes,  which  his  brother  took  to  be  two 
distinct  wounds,  and  with  the  one  in  the  foot  thought  he  had  been 
wounded  three  times. 

"  "Writing  from  De  Aar  under  date  of  February  27th,  of  the  Paar- 
deberg  battle,  Private  Baugh  says  :  — 

"  You  should  hâve  seen  the  field  after  the  battle.  It  was  the  worst 
sight  I  ever  saw.  The  dead  were  piled  on  top  of  one  another  and  the 
wounded  were  crying  for  help.  The  Boers  were  firing  just  the  same. 
They  did  not  stop  night  or  day.  We  fought  ail  the  day  from  6  in  the 
morning  till  6.30  at  night,  and  then  we  made  a  charge  on  them,  and 
you  should  see  the  men  falling.  I  got  hit  in  the  side  first,  but  I  did 
not  stop.  I  went  on  till  we  got  within  a  hundred  yards  of  them. 
Then  we  had  to  lie  down.  We  could  go  no  doser  and  stopped  there 
for  a  while.  Then  they  must  hâve  seen  us  coming,  for  they  hit  me  in 
the  foot,  but  they  did  not  shift  me.  I  stopped  there  till  it  was  ail  over, 
and  then  we  were  brought  into  camp,  and  had  to  sleep  on  the  rocks 
with  nothing  to  eat  till  the  next  day,  I  hope  I  will  get  another  chance 
at  the  Boers  soon  for  I  would  like  to  hit  some  of  them  to  pay  them 
back  for  the  twice  they  hit  me.  I  only  hit  six  or  seven  of  them  that 
day,  but  that  is  not  enough.  War  is  not  as  easy  a  thing  as  they  say. 
We  had  two  hard  tack  biscuits  for  two  days  with  one  bottle  of  water 
and  had  to  fight  for  more  water  and  to  lose  fourteen  men  before  we 
got  it  ;  but  we  got  it  ail  the  same.  We  lost  about  20  killed  and  75 
wounded.  Poor  Corporal  Power  is  wounded  in  the  breast,  but  I  think 
he  will  be  ail  rightagain." 

BELLEVILLE  MAN  WINS  WATCH 

For  being  the  first  to  put  a  flag  over  the  gaoi.  at  Pretoria. 

"  Belleville,  August  27th,  1900. 

"  When  the  first  contingent  went  to  South  Africa  Mrs.  Fred.  Ling- 
ham,   of  this  city,    gave    a  silken    Union  Jack  into  the  keeping  of 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  145 

Lieutenant  Glencoe  Hulme,  of  the  Fifteenth  A.  L.  I.,  promising  to 
présent  the  best  gold  watch  in  Canada  to  the  man  of  the  Belleville 
squad  who  raised  that  flag  over  Pretoria  gaol.  Lieutenant  Hulme 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  D  Company,  and  has  since  been  promoted  to 
sergeant. 

"Colonel  Ponton  on  Sunday  received  a  cablegram  from  Pretoria 
which  announced  that  Sergeant  Hulme  had  himself  put  up  the  flag  on 
the  gaol.  Sergeant  Hulme's  father  is  City  Surveyor  and  assessor  of 
this  city,  and  is  receiving  many  congratulations  to-day  over  his  son's 
success." 

KIND  TO  THE  CANADIANS 

*'  Private  E.  T.  Austen,  of  Belleville  (now  in  the  Canadian  Mounted 
Rifles),  tells  this  incident  in  a  letter  from  Cape-Town  :  — 

"  A  young  lady  came  down  to  our  camp  the  other  day  and  they 
were  ail  out  on  drill  and  I  was  left  on  guard.  She  wanted  to  see  the 
Canadians.  I  told  her  to  corne  the  next  day  about  4  o'clock,  and  she 
came  with  her  mother,  and  they  asked  a  Mr.  Jackson,  of  Toronto, 
and  myself,  up  to  their  house,  and  we  went  up  and  hâve  been  up 
twice.  They  are  coming  down  to-morrow  to  get  a  pass  for  us  to  go  up 
to  tea.  They  are  such  nice  people  and  they  live  in  a  lovely  house. 
They  brought  us  down  a  basket  of  grapes  and  some  candies  and 
books.  I  hâve  seen  some  of  the  Canadians  who  were  up  at  the  front, 
that  are  wounded,  and  they  don't  seem  to  mind  being  at  the  front 
very  much." 

HOW  WALTER  WHITE  DIED 

"Windsor  boys  write  home  telling  of  their  friend's  sad  death. 

"  Messrs.  Northwood  and  Boers,  Windsor,  are  in  receipt  of  letters 
from  their  sons  in  South  Africa,  both  dated  from  Bloemfontein. 
Northwood  mentions  briefly  the  attack  on  the  trenches  at  Paardeberg 
and  the  surrender  of  Cronje  next  day,  then  the  movement  of  the 
Windsor  boys  to  Bloemfontein.  He  touches  most  feelingly  on  the 
death  of  his  intimate  friend,  Walter  White,  who,  he  says  was  killed 
while  on  an  errand  of  mercy.  He  had  moved  from  cover  to  give  a 
drink  to  a  wounded  Highlander  when  he  fell.  'Words,'  said  the 
writer  '  cannot  describe  my  feelings  when  I  saw  his  face  covered  with 


146  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

the  blood  he  had  so  nobly  shed  for  his  country,  I  know  it  will  be 
some  consolation  for  his  mother  to  know  that  her  boy  died  such  a 
noble  death.' 

"  From  the  surrender  of  Cronje  to  the  writing  of  the  letter  the 
contingent  had  been  marching  and  fighting  every  day,  vvhile  living  on 
half  rations.  At  Bloemfontein,  however,  a  few  luxuries  and  necessaries 
were  obtained. 

"  Boers'  letter  contains  a  very  interesting  item  of  news  not  before 
conveyed  in  the  letters  from  the  boys.  He  says  that  three  or  four  days 
after  the  surrender  of  Cronje,  the  Canadians  and  Highland  Brigade 
were  dispatched  to  dislodge  some  Boers  who  had  occupied  a  kopje 
ten  miles  off.  The  Boers  did  not  await  the  onset,  but  retired  hastily, 
after  some  cannonade,  leaving  two  of  their  best  Krupps.  In  ail  that 
day  the  troops  detailed  for  this  work  manoeuvred  over  a  distance  of 
20  miles. 

"The  march  to  Bloemfontein,  67  miles,  took  four  days,  and  ail 
were  much  fatigued." 


STORIES  OF  CANADIANS    NEW  AT  THE  FRONT 

Shot  —  didn'ï  feel  it. 

"One  of  the  Canadian  wounded,  Private  Angus  McAuley,  writing 
from  Winberg  Hospital,  March  4th,  says  of  the  last  fight  :  — 

"  Ail  we  had  that  morning  was  a  drink  of  rum,  went  into  the  field 
at  8  a.  m.,  and  surrounded  Cronje  and  his  force,  Then  the  bu  lets 
began  to  whiz.  "We  crept  for  about  a  mile  to  get  into  the  firing  line, 
then  sent  volleys  into  the  laager.  You  should  hâve  heard  the  women 
screaming.  Of  course  the  Boers  takea  lot  of  women  along  with  them. 
They  had  no  doctors  with  them,  so  they  threw  the  wounded  into  the 
river.  They  hoisted  the  white  flag  a  good  many  times  and  started  to 
dig  trenches  at  the  same  time,  so  Lord  Roberts  ordered  the  guns  not 
to  cease  fire  for  the  flag.  It  was  then  4.45  and  the  Cornwalls  were 
advancing.  As  they  came  up  the  word  went  along  our  lines  to  fix 
bayonets  and  charge,  We  ail  went  and  I  had  only  run  about  50  yards 
when  down  I  came,  with  dozens  falling  around  me.  I  didn't  feel  the 
bullet  going  through.  My  leg  just  felt  like  a  log.  I  stepped  on  it  and 
down  I  fell,  I  lay  there  till  dark  when  I  was  carried  in,  It  took  till  4 
the  next  morning  to  get  to  the  hospital.  About  8  a,  m,  my  leg  was 
dressed." 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR 


M7 


"  Private  R.  R.  Thompson,  of  the  First  Canadians,  writing  to  an 
Ottawa  friend  from  the  convalescent  camp  at  Norval's  Pont,  on 
June  I5th,  says  :  — 

'  '  Ottawa  has  contributed  nobly  to  Canada's  share  of  honor  in  the 
war.  Of  the  58  boys  that  left  Ottawa  on  the  23rd  October  last,  25 
hâve  been  killed  or  wounded.  Certainly  she  has  suffered  very  heavily. 
Our  régiment  has  suffered  severely,  both  from  casualties  and  disease, 
ofthe  1,200  who  were  left,  only  about  200  now  remain  at  the  front 
with  the  régiment. 

"  We  hâve  lost  about  170  killed  and  wounded  and  the  rest  are 
lying  in  hospitals  or  convalescent  camps,  suffering  from  enteric  fever, 
malaria,  rheumatism  or  sunstroke." 


BOYS  ARE  WELL  TREATED 

"Mr.  Real  Huot  writes  as  follows  to  his  brother  in  Montréal,  from 
Cape-Town,  under  date  of  February  27th  :  — 

•'  Dear  Alphonse, 

"  I  Write  you  a  few  words  to  tell  you  that  I  am  well  and  in  good 
health.  People  hère  are  very  good  to  us,  and  I  never  ate  so  much 
fruit  as  I  did  this  winter.  My  officers  are  good  to  me,  so  are  the  rest 
of  the  boys.  Yesterday  they  made  us  put  a  paper  in  our  valises  with 
the  names  of  our  nearest  relatives,  to  whom  we  would  like  to  hâve 
news  sent  if  we  died  on  the  field.  I  put  your  name  and  I  gave  your 
address.  If  I  am  fortunate  enough  to  go  back  to  Canada  again  I  will 
hâve  lots  to  tell  you. 

"  We  leave  hère  to-morrow  for  Kimberley,  about  700  miles  from 
hère.  As  you  see,  we  are  ail  disposed  to  die  for  our  Queen.  This 
country  is  very  nice,  but  it's  very  warm.  I  would  like  to  give  you  a 
more  complète  letttr,  but  you  understand  that  I  hâve  no  place  and  no 
time.  Letters  take  a  month  to  reach  hère,  so  before  you  get  this  letter 
and  answer  back  it  will  be  two  months  at  least.  I  see  about  3,000  to 
4,000  soldiers  daily  from  ail  nationalities,  and  it  is  a  nice  sight.  But 
a  war  like  this  isn't  a  play,  I  tell  you.  I  suppose  that  when  I  receive 
your  answer  our  fighting  will  be  over. 

"  Yours, 

"  REAL  Huot," 


148  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

THEN  THE  CHARGE  CAME 

"Mr.  W.  C.  Caldwell,  M.  P.  P.,  of  Lanark,  Ont.,  has  a  letter 
from  his  son,  Lieutenant  Caldwell,  who  is  in  Wynberg  Hospital, 
which  tells  of  the  charge.   He  says  :  — 

"  Then  the  charge  came,  and  the  fire  was  awful.  I  can't  see  how 
so  few  were  hit.  It  is  simply  a  wonder  to  me  that  the  régiment  wasn't 
wiped  eut  to  a  man.  I  wasn't  in  the  charging  line,  and  I  am  very 
thankfiil  I  wasn't.  The  men  dropped  right  and  left,  and  the  régiment 
on  our  right  lost  men  in  bunches.  Darkness  came  on,  and  how 
thankful  we  were  for  it  —  tired,  hungry  and  thirsty,  only  the  excite- 
ment  keeping  many  of  us  up.  Then  came  the  wounded  —  it  was 
awful.  The  dead  were  left  on  the  field  and  buried  next  day,  Monday. 
The  camp  that  night  was  a  thing  to  be  remembered.  Only  a  few  of 
the  blankets  had  come  over,  and  one  blanket  to  four  men  was  the 
allowance.  I  got  hold  of  a  bag,  and  Armstrong  (an  old  R.  M.  C. 
Cadet)  and  I  got  our  legs  into  it,  with  the  blanket  around  us,  and 
crept  under  a  tar^aulin,  thankful  that  we  were  safe  and  sound." 

HOWELL'S  BRAVE  DEED 

He  has  been  recommended  for  the  Victoria  Cross. 

"  Brantford,  Ont.,  November  30th. 

"The  Exfositorhz.s  received  a  letter  from  Captain  J.  S.  Kingston, 
of  the  Impérial  Light  Horse,  who  is  a  Brantford  boy,  reporting  that 
Reginald  Howell,  another  Brantford  lad,  who  enlisted  in  the  South 
African  Light  Horse,  distinguished  himself  at  the  Tugela  River  by 
swimming  across  to  capture  a  ferry  and  also  saving  the  life  of  a 
comrade  who  had  become  exhausted.  Howell  has  received  the  Humane 
Society's  medal  and  has  been  recommended  for  the  Victoria  Cross. 
The  young  Canadian  was  personally  thanked  by  General  Buller  and 
Lord  Roberts." 

"  Galt,  April  2oth,  1900. 

"Alex.  McLean  of  Galt,  who  was  at  Paardeberg,  writes  home  as 
foUows  :  — 

"From  Paardeberg  to  Bloemfontein  Lord  Roberts  and  staff  were 
with  us.  Major  Denison  of  London,  Ont.,  is  one  of  the  field  marshal's 
staff  officers. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  I49 

"  We  hâve  had  some  veryhard  times  fightingby  day  and  marching 
by  night,  often  on  half  empty  stomachs  for  hours,  so  that  what  with 
fatigue  and  the  climate  it  is  no  wonder  that  some  of  our  boys  hâve 
succumbed  to  fever,  etc.  It  only  goes  to  show  the  wisdom  of  the 
authorities  in  rejecting  unlikely  or  weakly  fellows.  The  boys  from 
Brant,  Oxford  and  Waterloo  Counties  are  ail  right.  We  can  hold  our 
own  with  the  cream  of  the  best.  Many  of  us  hâve  blistered  feet  and 
hâve  not  doffed  our  clothes,  except  for  a  swim,  for  the  past  five  or  six 
weeks,  and  more  often  sleep  under  the  canopy  of  heaven  than  under 
any  other  cover,  ail  of  which  is  trying  to  one's  constitution. 

"  There  are  nearly  50,000  troops  hère.  We  are  camped  on  the  east 
of  the  town,  which  is  being  strongly  fortified.  We  hâve  beenpromised 
that  the  colonials  will  march  with  the  rest  of  the  troops  towards 
Pretoria,  300  miles  distant.  We  ail  hope  so.  AU  our  men  are  in  fettle 
and  are  longing  for  the  word  from  Bobs  'forward.'  " 

SEAMY  SIDE  OF  WAR 
"  Private  W.  J.  Raymond,  of  St.  John,  X.  B.,  writes  :  — 

"  People  can  shout  ail  they  wish  about  the  '  glory  of  war,'  tut  to 
me  there  is  only  one  side  to  it,  and  that  is  the  'seamyside.'  At 
Paardeberg  that  morning,  after  the  Boers  gave  in,  we  slipped  from 
behind  the  line  of  entrenchments  we  had  so  quickly  built,  and 
approached  the  Boer  laager  and  fortifications  to  accept  their  surrender 
and  take  their  arms.  On  the  way  there  I  first  discovered  Fred. 
Withers,  who  lay  dead  upon  the  ground.  I  had  up  to  that  moment 
thought  him  alive,  and  you  can  picture  the  shock  it  was  to  find  him 
—  dead.  It  was  terrible.  It  was  difficult  at  first  glance  to  know  just 
who  it  was,  but  after  we  had  looked  at  him  doser  it  was  easy  to 
know  the  truth.  He  was  lying  on  his  back  and  had  undoubtedly  died 
instantly.  We  placed  his  helmet  over  his  face  and  left  him.  A  distance 
to  the  right  a  couple  more  bodies  lay.  We  approached  and  knew  that 
poor  little  Joe  Johnston  and  Sergeant  Scott  would  never  voyage  back 
to  Canada  again.  I  will  not  try  to  tell  you  anything  about  it,  but 
covering  them  over  as  best  we  could,  we  walked  away.  On  ahead 
and  nearer  the  Boer  trenches  three  more  silent  khaki-clad  forms  lay 
scattered  on  the  grass,  while  inside  the  trench  a  Boer  also  lay  dead. 
Later  in  the  morning  a  burying  party  was  formed,  and  ail  of  our 
régiment  who  had  died  were  placed  in  one  large  grave — seven  in  ail."' 


150  LE    LIVRE    DOR 

FIRST  TO  FORD  MODDER 

"  Ernest  Bovvnes,  in  a  letter  to  the  Fatriot,  CharlottetowTi, 
says:  — 

"  The  Boers  were  entrenched  ail  along  the  Modder  River.  A  rope 
was  stretched  across,  and  by  catching  hold  of  it  we  kept  ourselves 
from  being  carried  away  by  the  swift  current  and  got  across  some  way. 
At  some  places  the  water  was  up  to  our  shoulders,  and  several  fellows 
lost  their  footing  and  got  in  over  the  head.  I  tried  to  be  the  first 
Islander  over,  but  Hedley  McKinnon  got  ahead  of  me  and  I  came  in 
a  good  second.  As  soon  as  ail  our  company  were  over  we  went  on  to 
support  the  other  companies,  who  were  already  at  it.  We  advanced 
in  extended  order  —  that  is  seven  paces  between  each  man  —  until 
we  came  to  the  brow  of  a  hill  over  which  we  had  to  go  and  advance 
down  the  slope  about  1,000  yards  before  we  came  to  the  Boer 
position.  It  was  going  down  that  slope  where  we  lost  most  men.  At 
the  brow  we  lay  down  to  get  our  breath.  It  was  while  lying  there 
that  I  saw  the  first  man  hit.  He  was  a  private  in  H  Company,  and 
was  hit  in  the  right  arm  by  a  stray  bullet,  plenty  of  which  were 
whistling  over  our  heads  in  fine  style." 

'•  Lieutenant  Joseph  Matthews,  of  Lindsay,  tells  of  the  battle  in 
thèse  words  :  — 

"  I  think  from  the  way  they  acted  under  fire  for  the  first  time,  that 
Canada  has  no  need  to  be  ashamed  of  the  régiment.  When  told  to  try 
an  impossible  charge  of  about  six  or  seven  hundred  yards,  against  a 
hidden  enemy,  they  showed  no  hésitation  whatever,  but  charged  like 
men.  The  Highlanders  say  that  the  fire  they  faced  at  Dargai  and 
Magersfontein  wasn't  a  patch  to  this.  Since  then  we  hâve  been  under 
fire  more  or  less  ail  the  time,  but  I  don't  think  we  will  be  called  upon 
to  repeat  Sunday's  perfonnauce,  as  the  artillery  are  doing  the  work. 
We  are  up  nearly  every  night,  and  only  get  about  one  meal  a  day,  so 
we  are  having  liardships  in  earnest. 

"  Will  liave  to  close  now  to  get  this  away.  Our  régiment  is  going 
to  occupy  a  position  on  the  left  to  check  Boer  reinforcements.  I  hope 
you  can  make  this  out,  but  I  am  afiaid  you  can't.  Remember  me  to 
ail  my  friends,  and  tell  tliem  that  I  am  doing  splendid  so  far." 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  151 

SIGHT  OF  A  LIFETIME 
••  'Chebucto,'    in   the    Halifax    Herald,    says  :  — 

"  Before  leaving  Dreifontein,  Lord  Roberts  passed  through  us  on 
horseback,  accompanied  by  his  staff.  It  was  the  sight  of  a  lifetime, 
the  small  figure  of  the  Field  Marshal,  beloved  by  ail,  and  closely 
following  him  three  abreast,  the  bravest  and  cleverest  men  that  could 
compose  a  General's  retinue.  Staff  officers,  subadars  and  other  native 
officers,  and  the  broad  rimmed  straw  hat  of  a  bronzed  face  of&cer 
belonging  to  the  naval  brigade. 

"This  march  of  II  miles  was  one  of  the  worst  we  hâve  experienced, 
and  heaps  of  men  fell  out.  specially  amongst  the  Comwalls  and 
Shropshires.  This  stop  (Sunday,  March  lith),  was  known  as  Aasvo- 
gal  Kop  (Vulture  Peak),  and  was  a  very  pretty  green  spot  for  a  camp, 
situated  between  three  kopjes.  We  lay  to  over  night,  and  the  next 
moming  continued  our  journey,  reaching  Venter  Vallei,  because  at 
this  spot  I  got  in  with  the  black  kaffîr  camp  followers,  and  paid  five 
shillings  and  six  pence  for  three  biscuits  (hard  tack)  a  small  pièce  of 
méat  and  a  canteen  full  of  hot  coffee." 

RECRUITING  PROGRESSES 

«*  Private  H.  S.  White,  in  the  St.  John,  N.  B.,  Sun,  says  :  — 

"Meantime  recruiting  and  looting  go  ahead  merrily;  the  Dutch 
résidents  willingly  accept  the  honor  of  ser\-ice  in  the  ranks  of  the  Free 
State  army  —  perhaps  they  do  not  realize  at  ail  that  they  are  risking 
themselves  into  rebels  pure  and  simple.  Steenekamp  is  there  ;  the 
place  has  been  annexed  to  the  Free  State,  and  they  look  upon 
themselves  as  burghers  fairly  and  squarely.  In  this  way  the  villages 
and  intervening  country  from  Van  Wyk's  Vlei  on  the  south  to  Uping- 
ton  on  the  north,  and  from  Britstown  on  the  east  to  Calvinia  on  the 
west,  has  been  placed  under  the  three-colored  Republican  flag. 
Almost  every  Dutch  résident  has  taken  up  arms,  everything  ofany 
value  has  been  '  commandered,'  and  the  conséquence  is  that  we  hâve 
now  the  prospect  of  a  pretty  little  'scrap'  with  a  fairly  well  equipped 
force  of  something  between  two  and  three  thousand  men,  who  call 
themselves  burgher  soldiers,  and  whom  we  call  •  rebels.'  " 


152  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

IN  THE  COLORED    QUARTER 

"  Private  Mellish  writes  his  mother  in  Charlottetown  :  — 

"  Bloemfontein  Camp,  March  I5th,  1900. 

"Hère  we  are  at  last.  We  marched  hère  from  Ferrara,  oui 
legiment  being  the  rear  guard.  I  hâve  made  a  visit  to  the  town, 
entering  by  the  colored  quarter.  I  was  the  object  of  much  notice  by 
the  dusky  inhabitants  as  I  passed  along  on  the  outskirts.  I  purchased 
ten  peaches  and  five  pears  for  nine  pence,  and  I  can  assure  you  I 
relished  them.  As  I  turned  a  corner  a  negro  came  running  down  the 
Street,  pursued  by  a  soldier.  The  sentries  and  a  great  crowd  came  up 
and  I  passed  on.  After  getting  well  in  the  town,  on  enquiry  I  found  a 
hôtel  and  had  a  famous  dinner.  The  table  was  set  out  with  table 
napkins  and  other  accessories.  I  enclose  the  bill  of  fare.  While  at  the 
hôtel  an  ex-officer  of  the  Boers  and  a  corporal  and  two  men  of  the 
Manchesters  came  in  wrangling  about  a  Mauser  carbine.  One  of  the 
men  took  the  rifle  from  the  Boer  and  then  the  soldiers  told  the 
corporal  to  follow  them  in  and  take  the  officer  a  prisoner  for  having 
arms  in  his  possession.  This  at  once  quieted  the  Boer  and  he  left  the 
rifle  with  the  corporal." 


THE  SECOND  MIDDLESEX  AT  SPION  KOP 

"Private  H.  Newell,  2nd  Middlesex,  writirg  to  his  brother  at 
Richmond,  says  :  — 

"  24th  January,  1900,  will  never  be  forgotten  by  the  Middlesex 
Régiment.  It  is  called  the  day  of  horrors  by  the  régiment,  and  Spion 
Kop  is  called  the  Slaughter  Hill,  and  such  it  was.  English  troops 
were  slain  as  in  a  butcher's  shop.  It  was  near  18  hours'  fighting  as 
far  as  I  was  concerned.  Our  régiment  (Middlesex)  fought  like  lions 
the  whole  day  long,  with  heavy  casualties.  On  my  right  two  men  had 
their  legs  blown  off  ;  on  my  left  men  had  arms  and  some  had  their 
heads  blown  off.  To-day  is  the  first  day  that  I  hâve  had  my  boots  off 
for  about  16  days,  and  as  for  sleep,  we  hâve  had  none,  except  with 
our  eyes  open." 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  153 

COLOXIALS  AT  WORK 

Business  acumen  of  the  Canadian  privâtes  when  not  fighting. 

"London,  April  2ist,  1900. 

"  A  despatch  from  Bloemfontein,  commenting  on  the  improvement 
in  industrial  prospects,  which  the  System  is  likely  to  bring  about  says: — 

"  An  instance  of  the  business  acumen  of  the  colonial  is  the  case  of 
a  Canadian  private,  who  has  a  large  interest  in  a  soap  business. 
During  the  présent  hait  he  has  been  pushing  his  wares  with  the  same 
energy  as  he  and  his  comrades  rushed  the  trenches  at  Paardeberg." 

BRAVE  STRETCHER-BEARERS 

'*  Corporal  Cawdron,  of  Hamilton,  after  describing  the  fight,  relates 
the  foUowing  incident  of  the  battle  :  — 

'*  The  Cape  Colony  Volunteer  stretcher-bearers  deserve  great  praise 
for  the  way  they  worked  with  our  wounded.  Too  much  praise  cannot 
be  given  them.  One,  a  corporal,  and  Dick  Thompson,  of  D  Company, 
went  100  yards  under  fire  for  a  poor  fellow  who  was  tossing  about, 
but  he  died  as  they  lifted  him  up. 

"  At  10  o'clock  we  marched  on  to  the  Boer  laager  and  took 
possession  of  it,  while  prisoners  were  escorted  along  the  other  side  of 
the  river  and  looked  like  Coxey's  army,  some  with  shawls,  overcoats, 
umbrellas,  etc." 

'•  Of  the  congratulatory  messages  sent  Corporal  Cawdron  says  :  — 

"  Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier's  cable  was  read  out  in  orders  to-day,  and 
Colonel  Sherwood's  communication  to  members  of  the  Forty-Third, 
and  quite  a  few  nice  things  were  said  by  the  Forty-Third  as  to  the 
Colonel's  thoughtfulness." 

«'Writing  from  the  General  Hospital  at  Wynberg,  George  McCal- 
lum  writes  to  his  father  in  Springfield,  N.  S.  Speaking  of  his  wound, 
he  says  :  — 

"I  was  under  fire  for  10  hours  before  I  got  hit.  The  wound  is  not 
much.  I  was  hit  on  the  head  by  a  hard  Mauser.     It  twisted  the  bullet 


154  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

a  bit.  I  hâve  the  bullet  that  was  taken  out  of  my  head.  If  I  had  got 
a  rap  on  the  head  at  home  in  a  pit  like  this  I  would  net  hâve  lost  a 
day's  work  with  it,  but  the  doctors  know  it  ail.  They  sent  me  from 
Paardeberg  to  the  hospital  at  Modder  River  Station.  The  Consulting 
doctor  was  afraid  of  my  head,  so  he  sent  me  to  the  Island  Hospital, 
■which  is  a  hôtel  made  into  a  hospital,  situated  on  an  island  between 
Modder  and  Reit  Rivers.  They  kept  me  there  for  ten  days  till  I  was 
fit  to  travel  ;  then  they  sent  me  hère  to  Wynberg,  which  is  only  seven 
miles  from  Cape-Town  ;  but  I  will  be  back  with  the  régiment  in 
about  a  fortnight,  as  the  doctor  hère  said  I  would  be  able  to  join  my 
régiment  in  about  three  weeks  when  I  first  came  hère,  so  that  by  the 
time  you  get  this  I  will  be  back  at  the  front  again.  James  Scott  was 
shot  through  the  fleshy  part  of  the  leg,  which  will  lay  him  up  for 
about  two  months." 


THE  CANADIANS'  MAIL  SERVICE 

"  '  Larry  '  Johnston,  the  Winnipeger  with  the  Canadian  régiment 
in  South  Africa,  as  spécial  mail  service  officer,  writes  :  — 

"  Our  own  work  is  heavy  owing  to  the  régiments  receiving  their 
back  pay  and  the  mails  for  the  Canadians  are  as  large  as  the  other 
three  régiments  combined.  Out  of  41  bags  for  the  brigade,  21  were 
for  our  régiment.  A  field  post  office  is  attached  to  each  brigade, 
consisting  generally  of  four  régiments,  supply  corps  and  médical 
corps.  There  is  also  a  field  post  office  for  the  divisional  staff,  each 
division  being  made  up  from  two  or  more  brigades.  A  sergeant  and 
three  men  of  the  army  P.  O.  C.  are  attatched  to  each  F.  P.  O.  I  am 
attached  to  the  igth  Brigade,  F.  P.  O.,  as  sergeant  of  the  Can.  P.  O. 
C,  and  although  I  am  supposed  to  work  in  conjunction  with  the 
other  corps,  my  time  is  taken  up  entirely  by  our  own  régiment.  To 
give  you  an  idea  of  the  amount  çf  business  we  transacted  up  to  last 
Sunday.  We  had  taken  in  ;^i,30o,  and  this  week  has  beaten  the 
record  over  ;i^700.  We  sell  an  enormous  amount  of  stamps,  postal 
notes  (for  England  only),  registered  envelopes,  letter  cards  and  note 
paper  and  envelopes.  Lord  Roberts  inspected  the  brigade  yesterday, 
and  paid  a  visit  to  our  tent,  situated  between  the  lines  of  Canadians 
and  Gordons.  We  are  exempt  from  ail  duties  except  com.  off.  parade, 
including  church  parade." 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  155 

CANADIANS'  GRAVE 

"  Halifax,  Apiil  23rd,  1900. 

"  A  correspondent  describes  a  visit  to  the  Paardeberg  battlefield, 
■where  the  Canadians  made  themselves  famous,  a  week  after  Cronje's 
surrender.  He  says  :  — 

"  It  is  terrible  to  contemplate  the  storm  of  shell  that  must  hâve 
fallen  around  thèse  trenches  when  once  the  British,  fighting  the  wily 
marksmen  every  mile  of  the  way,  had  completed  their  manoeuvre  and 
got  ahead  of  the  Boers.  The  greenish-yellow  of  the  lyddite  shells 
covers  whole  patches  of  ground,  whilst  shrapnel  must  hâve  been 
bursting,  without  exaggeration,  one  shell  to  every  dozen  yards.  How 
the  Dutch  escaped  annihilation  can  only  be  put  down  to  their  skilfuUy- 
constructed  trenches  in  the  first  part  of  the  fighting,  and  to  oui 
general's  action,  when  he  had  got  his  guns  into  position,  in  allowing 
them  to  surrender. 

'•  One  grave  is  conspicuous  in  a  glade  amongst  the  thom  trees.  It 
is  that  of  six  of  the  brave  Canadians  who  fell  when  one  of  the  Boer 
trenches  was  rushed.  The  grave  is  covered  with  large  stones,  and  a 
cross  formed  of  planks  stands  at  the  head,  with  the  inscription  :  '  In 
memory  of  Corporals  Withey  and  Withers,  Privâtes  G.  Orman,  J.  M. 
Johnson,  J.  B.  Scott,  W.  A.  Riggs,  Royal  Canadian  Régiment,  killed 
in  action,  February  27th,  1900.'  " 

IN  A  PATRIOT'S  GRAVE 

"Private  L.  LaRue,  of  Québec,  who  was  wounded  at  Paardeberg 
and  whose  death  from  enteric  fever  has  now  been  reported,  gave  his 
life  for  his  country,  and  for  his  Queen,  just  as  completely  as  though 
he  had  been  slain  in  battle.  His  name  is  worthy  to  be  enrolled  among 
the  heroes  of  the  nation,  for  he  responded  to  the  call  to  arms,  did  a 
soldier's  duty  and  met  a  soldier's  fate.  We  who  enjoy  the  privilèges 
and  the  immunities  that  are  purchased  at  the  price  of  such  young, 
ardent  and  patriotic  lives,  will  prize  as  a  precious  héritage  the  memory 
of  the  men  who  hâve  fought  and  died  for  the  flag  we  love  so  well. 
Québec  has  now  given  three  names  to  the  army  ofdead  heroes  — 
Witty,  LaRue  and  McQueen  —  and  though  dead,  thèse  men  still  live 
as  an  inspiration  to  noble  and  patriotic  deeds." 


156  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

CANADIANS  HOISTED  FLAG  OVER  PRETORIA 

"Our  brigade  was  first  to  get  into  Pretoria,  and  the  Canadians, 
being  at  the  head,  put  up  the  flag  on  the  Government  buildings.  The 
igth  Brigade  got  the  préférence,  as  they  had  done  most  of  the  fighting 
and  the  hardest  work  of  ail.  Permission  being  asked  of  Lord  Roberts 
by  General  Smith-Dorrien  on  Tuesday,  June  5th,  we  entered  Pretoria, 
and  next  day  we  went  to  the  other  side  of  the  town." 

"Fred.  T.  Anderson." 

WAR  MADE  GOOD   BUSINESS  FOR  CANADA 

The  war  in  South  Africa  has  brought  terrible  loss  of  life  and  suflfer- 
ing  in  its  traiii  and  Canada  has  wept  tears  of  blood,  but  eut  of  the 
evil  good  has  come.  The  business  of  Canada  has  received  a  tremen- 
dous  stimulus  and  her  ability  to  supply  the  Impérial  authorities  with 
food  stuffs  and  other  war  material  has  opened  up  a  very  wide  market 
for  her.  The  British  authorities  now  know  that  their  wants  can  be 
supplied  within  the  Empire  and  that  they  need  no  longer  be  at  the 
mercy  of  other  nationalities.  It  is  interesting  to  learn  that  the  War 
Office  has  placed  heavy  orders  in  Canada  for  war  supplies,  to  be  sent 
to  China.  Waggons,  herses,  hay,  cattle,  food,  etc.,  great  coats  and 
other  clothing  of  varions  classes  "  as  used  in  Canada  "  are  required 
and  very  soon  to  build  men-of-war.  This,  besides  being  highly 
interesting  from  a  commercial  standpoint,  is  significant  as  being  a 
straw  showing  the  direction  of  the  wind  of  British  policy. 

This  can't  replace  the  blood  of  our  braves,  but  by  the  sacrifice  of 
that  blood  it  is  the  guarantee  of  a  prosperity  that  is  due  to  our  brave 
Canadian  soldiers. 

A  CREDIT   TO    McGILL  COLLEGE 

"  Mr.  Alfred  E.  Burrows,  under-graduate  in  medicine  at  McGill, 
who  joined  Kitchener's  Horse  about  the  middle  of  August  last. 
Writing  under  date  of  November  says  :  — 

"  I  am  writing  from  what  was  once  the  Orange  Free  State  Hôtel, 
I  was  sent  back  hère  after  the  engagement,  in  charge  of  tlie  wounded. 
I  was  to  rejoin  my  column  as  soon  as  the  ambulances  arrived,  but  the 
ambulances  havc  evidently  been  unable  to  come,  as  I  hâve  had  no 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  157 

Word  since.  In  the  meantime  some  Boers  came  and  walked  off  with 
my  horse,  saddle  and  saddle-bags,  containing  ail  I  possessed.  We 
had  six  wounded  hère,  including  a  Royal  Artillery  captain  who  had 
his  arm  shattered.  Another  man  had  his  mouth  and  part  of  his  nose 
torn  away.  I  had  only  one  orderly  to  help  me. 

"The  Boers  I  hâve  been  speaking  to  claim  that  the  worst  of  the 
war  is  not  over  yet." 

'•  Later  Mr.  Burrows  writes  from  Kroonstad  under  date  of  Nov- 
ember  llth  :  — 

"  I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  read  this  indistinctly  written  letter, 
which  was  written  by  the  flickering  light  of  a  candie.  Since  writing 
last  I  hâve  rejoined  my  column.  It  was  read  out  in  orders  the  day 
before  I  arrived  hère  that  Quartermaster-Sergeant  A.  E.  Burrows,  on 
account  of  his  médical  expérience,  had  been  left  at  Bothaville  in 
charge  of  the  wounded,  and  would  remain  on  the  médical  stafl  on  his 
return.'  I  brought  ail  my  patients  safely  into  Kroonstad  —  not  one 
death,  although  ail  were  seriously  wounded."' 


KENNEDY'S    MANY   WOUNDS 

"Big  Jim  Kennedy,  of  Toronto,  was  formerly  a  sergeant  in  the 
Queen's  Own  Rifles.  He  now  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  on  his 
person  eleven  marks  of  Boer  ballets,  although  only  six  struck  and 
stick  lovingly  in  some  part  of  his  anatomy.  There  is  lots  of  room  for 
that  bullet,  too,  for  Big  Jim.  as  his  eomrades  fondly  call  him,  weighs 
about  235,  whereas  he  tipped  the  scales  at  less  than  180  when  he  left 
Québec  last  October.  His  right  arm  was  broken  in  two  places,  and 
one  setting  has  not  been  completely  successful  as  yet.  However, 
Private  Kennedy  does  not  worry.  He  has  travelled  in  the  north  of 
Ireland  for  two  months  in  company  with  his  mother.  On  his  right 
arm  are  seven  wounds,  the  tip  of  his  shoulder  is  knocked  off,  while 
one  bullet  went  into  his  back  and  came  out  in  the  thigh,  while  the 
other  is  located  in  the  leg.  '  It  was  a  sniper,'  said  Big  Jim,  and  he 
was  up  a  tree,  but  he'll  never  go  there  any  more.  He  plugged  me  full 
of  holes,  but  something  struck  him  after  a  while  and  now  he  isn't 
sniping.  It  is  hard  on  a  fellow,  though,  not  to  give  him  a  chance  to 
return  the  compliment  ;  but   I   am  glad  to  get  home  just  the  same.  I 


158  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

was  well  treated  in  the  hospitals  and  the  orderlies  could  not  steal 
anything,  for  I  had  no  clothes  left  but  the  band  of  my  pants  and  the 
pocket  which  contained  my  purse,  my  watch  and  my  mother's  photo. 
Ail  the  rest  of  my  clothes  had  been  shot  off  by  that  fellow  up  the  tree 
and  I  rode  from  Paardeberg  to  Modder  River  with  no  clothes  on  me. 
There  some  one  gave  me  a  suit  of  pyjamas,  and  thus  attired  I  reached 
Wynberg." 

A  HALIFAX   HERO 

"Corporal  Charles  Hancock,  of  Halifax,  is  a  great  favourite  with 
the  contingent,  and  not  without  reason.  At  times  he  was  the  only 
assistant  that  Dr.  Fiset  could  find  on  the  bloodly  mission  of  remo\àng 
the  dead  from  the  battlefield.  Each  and  every  one  of  the  members 
engaged  at  Paardeberg  hâve  a  good  word  to  say  of  Charlie  Hancock, 
who  helped  many  of  them  in  their  hour  of  dire  need.  He  himself  fell 
a  victim  to  the  dread  enteric,  and  was  forced  to  give  up  the  fight.  It 
is  pretty  hard  on  a  fellow  to  hâve  to  tum  back  and  not  foUow  the 
régiment  to  the  end. 

•'  Sergeant  Peppiatt  was  wounded  on  the  day  of  the  second  battle 
of  Paardeberg,  which  foUowed  by  a  day  the  battle  of  February  2'jth." 


EARNED  THE  VICTORIA 

"  Fred  Ramsay,  of  Si.  John,  N.  B.,  has  received  a  most  interesting 
letter  from  Private  Fred  McCain,  of  the  first  contingent.  It  is  from 
Bloemfontein  under  date  of  March  28th.  He  tells  of  the  action  on 
February  l8th,  in  which  Private  McCreary  was  killed.  He  writes  :  — 

"  We  had  two  killed  and  two  wounded  of  our  company.  One  of 
them  (the  killed)  was  from  Prince  Edward  Island  and  the  other  from 
Kings  County.  The  latter's  name  was  Taylor.  He  was  a  nice  quiet 
boy  and  a  very  good  living  fellow,  end  McCreary  was  in  our  section. 
He  was  a  good  fellow,  too,  and  if  any  one  earned  the  V.  C,  it  was 
he.  He  was  a  stretcher  bearer  and  when  any  fellows  were  wounded 
and  called  ont  for  stretcher  bearer,  poor  Pat  was  up  and  away  to  him, 
no  matter  how  thick  the  bullets  were  coming.  He  worked  ail  day  in 
the  thick  of  the  fight,  and,  when  we  were  ordered  to  retire,  we  thought 
he  had  gone  to  the  hospital   with  some  poor  wounded  fellow  ;  but 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  I59 

■when  we  went  out  next  morning  to  see  and  bury  our  dead,  poor  Pat 
was  there  on  the  field  shot  in  four  places,  and  the  Boer  doctor  had 
bound  up  his  wounds.  He  was  alive  but  unconscious.  He  died  in  the 
hospital  next  day." 

WELL  DONE  ! 

Message  from  the  people  of  Canada  to  their  Contingents  in  South 
Africa,  after  Paardeberg  and  the  relief  of  Mafeking. 

Well  done,  brave  sons  !  Your  every  move  we've  traced  : 

With  eager  eyes — through  tears — we've  scanned  the  news  ; 
You  are  of  us,  and  so  we  cculd  not  choose 

But  stand  with  you  or  fall  at  Fate's  behest. 

We  knew  your  valeur.  In  your  veins  you  bear 

The  chivalry  of  France  —  the  Briton's  pride  — 

With  names  like  "  Daulac  "or  "  Champlain  "  to  guide, 

Or  *'  Brant  "  or  "  Brock  "  to  teach  you  how  to  dare. 

But  never  did  we  dream  that  you  might  do 

Such  deeds  as  late  hâve  set  us  wild  with  joy  ; 
Such  fearless  feats  —  fit  boast  for  fabled  Troy  — 

As  give  the  palm  of  Paardeberg  to  you. 

We  wait,  impatient  till  the  war  is  o'er, 

To  do  you  honour  on  your  proud  home  shore. 

George  Graham  Currie. 
Winnipeg,  Man.  May  24th,  1900. 


OUR  ROYAL   CANADIANS 
(B\  J.  H.  Cowden) 


Hurrah  for  our  soldier  lads  so  true  !  — 
They  corne  of  the  good  old  stock, 

Sinews  of  steel,  and  sun-tan  hue. 
Courage  as  firm  as  a  rock. 


l6o  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

For  they've  gone  over  océan  blue  — 

They've  marched  over  veldt  and  plain, 

Sturdy  of  will  and  hearts  as  true  — 

Their  fathers'  fights  they'd  fight  again. 

This  guiding  thought  of  their  line  so  keen, 
It's  firing  front  to  vict'ry  bore  — 

♦'  To  dare  and  die  for  the  Empire's  Queen, 
And  Canada's  famé  from  shore  to  shore." 

No  weakling  cravens  in  trench  or  pit, 

Met  the  zest  of  Canadian  zeal, 
Than  Cronje's  burghers  are  none  more  fit, 

Worthy  of  sternest  foemen's  steel. 

With  the  flag  of  Empire  in  the  van  — 

With  Impérial  will  they  faced  the  foe  — 

To  do  whate'er  may  be  dared  by  man, 

For  Britain  to  go  where  man  may  go. 

In  forefront  flashed  Canadian  steel  — 

Forward  the  Empire's  youngest  son  ! 

No  hait  midway  during  battle's  peal  ; 

No  rest  for  the  brave  till  duty's  done. 

They  waver  not  at  the  fire  so  drear, 

That  galls  and  kills  with  war's  grim  spite, 

Canada's  soldiers  spurn  each  fear  — 

Their  war  cry  "  Britain's  Queen — The  Right!" 


The  end  —  none  else  might  the  bravest  seek 
The  stubborn  beaten  foemen  yield, 

Their  cry  for  mercy,  faint  and  weak, 

Was  ne'er  to  Britons  in  vain  appealed. 


*  There  were  26  killed  and  95  woundcd  in  the  battles  that  preceded  Cronje's 
surrender  at  Paardeberg. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  Ibl 

And  counting  our  dead  —  our  dying  braves, 

Victorious  sorrovv,  mourning  weeps, 
While  she  wreathes  the  laurel  o'er  their  graves, 

And  the  south  wind  moaning  —  vigil  keeps. 

Little  they  reck  of  the  guerdon  won, 

Resting  in  peace,  neath  Afric's  sod  — 
Their  course  of  duty  early  run  — 

Their  seuls  keep  try^t  with  Mercy's  God. 

A  prayer  for  our  soldier  lads  so  young, 

Who  fought  like  the  good  old  stock, 
With  sinews  of  steel  and  nerves  well  strung. 

And  courage  as  firm  as  a  rock. 


KIPLING'S  LATEST  JPOEM 

SUNG  AT  BLOEMFONTEIN  IN  THE  CONXERT  ORGAMZED  FOR  WlDOWS' 
AND   ORPHANS'   FuND. 

"  Bloemfontein,  Thursday,  April  2oth,  1900. 

"  A  concert  was  given  last  night  in  aid  of  theWidows'  and  Orphans' 
Fund  organized  by  the  war  correspondents.  The  leaders  of  the  army 
were  présent,  and  the  feature  was  Kipling's  new  poem  sung  to  the 
music  of  '  Auld  Lang  Syne.'    It  is  as  follows  :  — 

We  welcome  to  our  hearts  to-night 

Our  kinsmen  from  afar, 
Brothers  in  an  Empire's  fight 

And  comrades  of  our  war. 
For  Auld  Lang  Syne,  niy  lads. 

And  the  fights  of  Auld  Lang  Syne  ! 
We  drink  our  cup  of  fellowship 

To  the  fights  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 

The  shamrock,  thistle,  leek  and  rose, 

With  heath  and  wattle  twine, 
And  maple  from  Canadian  snows. 

For  the  sake  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 


102  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

For  Auld  Lang  Syne  take  hands 

From  London  to  the  Une  ! 
Good  luck  to  those  who  toiled  with  us 

Since  the  days  of  Auld  Lang  Syne  I 

Again  to  ail  we  hold  most  dear 

In  life  we  left  behind, 
The  wives  we  wooed,  the  bairns  we  kissed, 

And  the  loves  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 
For  surely  you  hâve  your  sweetheart, 

And  surely  I  hâve  mine  j 
We  toast  her  name  in  silence  hère 

And  the  girls  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 

And  last  to  him,  the  little  man, 

Who  led  our  fighting  line 
From  Kabul  on  to  Kandahar 

In  the  days  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 
For  Auld  Lang  Syne  and  Bobs, 

Our  chief  of  Auld  Lang  Syne  ! 
We're  bere  to  do  his  work  again 

As  we  did  in  Auld  Lang  Syne  !  " 

We  would  never  end  were  we  to  reproduce  ail  the  letters  that  hâve 
come  to  us  from  ail  over  the  Dominion,  for,  we  may  say  with  assur- 
ance that  each  soldier  has  written  at  least  one  letter  —  which  would 
give  an  average  of  three  thousand  letters  in  ail. 

But  as  ail  thèse  letters  are  written  with  the  same  heart,  the  same 
sentiments,  and  the  same  love  for  Canada,  we  will  pause,  to  give 
expression  to  our  admiration,  at  the  story  of  the  postal  service,  the 
systematic  organization  of  which  has  allowed  us  to  follow,  step  by 
step,  the  magnificent  advance  of  our  brave  lads,  as  depicted  in  their 
own  letters. 


HONORABLE  W.  MULOCK, 

POSTMASTER-GENERAI,, 
Organizer  of  the  Postal  Contingent . 


THE  POSTAL  SERVICE 


HOW  OUE  PEOPLE  ARE  APPRECIATED  IN  SOUTH  AFEICA 


'HE  following  correspondence  has  just  taken  place  between  the 
officer  in  charge  of  the  Amiy  Postal  Service  at  Cape-Town, 
(^  "ê)      and  Hon.   Mr.  Mulock,   Postmaster-General  of  Canada,  in 
regard  to  the  effective  service  rendered  by  the  Postal  Contingent  in 

Africa  :  — 

"  Army  Postal  Service, 

*'  Cape-Town,  April  25th,  1900. 

*'  To  the  Honorable  the  Postmaster-General,  Ottawa. 

"  Sir: 

'  '  Two  months  hâve  elapsed  since  the  arrivai  in  this  Colony  of  the 
Canadian  Postal  Service,  and  I  désire  to  note  tlie  precious  assistance 
that  youi  Government  has  been  able  to  so  timely  afford  me. 

"The  correspondence  naturally  increased  in  proportion  to  the 
number  of  soldiers  serjt  hère.  The  postal  service  corps  did  not  at 
first  suffice  for  the  duty,  and  it  became  necessary  to  increase  its 
numbers  in  order  to  obtain  a  better  service. 

"The  Canadian  members  thereof,  under  the  direction  of  Captain 
Ecclestone,  rendered  very  effective  service.  Apart  from  their  delivering 
me  from  ail  work  in  connection  with  the  correspondence  of  the  Can- 
adian troops,  they  were  on  several  occasions  of  valuable  assistance. 

"  Sergeant  Johnston  and  Privâtes  Murray  and  Bedell  are  now  with 
the  van-guards  of  the  army  with  ihe  campaign  service.  Captain 
Ecclestone  and  Private  Lallier  are  busy  with  the  distribution  of  letters 


164  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

at  the  postal  headquarters  of  the  Army,  hère.  They  both  fulfil  their 
duties  in  a  niost  satisfactory  manner,  and  to  the  crédit  of  the  Canadian 
Post-Office  Department. 

"While  expressing  my  high  appréciation  of  the  services  rendered 
by  the  Canadian  Postal  Corps,  I  hâve  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  G.  W.  Tremble, 
•'Major  commanding  the  Army  Postal  Service." 

"Ottawa,  May  23rd,  1900. 
"Sir: 

"  Permit  me  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  25th,  in 
which  you  give  expression  to  your  satisfaction  with  the  services 
rendered  by  the  Canadian  Postal  Corps  in  South  Africa.  While  I  am 
not  surprised,  I  am  very  happy  to  learn  that  the  officers  of  the  Post- 
Office  Department  chosen  to  assist  you  hâve  acquitted  themselves  of 
their  duty  in  a  manner  such  as  to  dravv  forth  the  praise  which  you  so 
obligingly  distribute  to  them  in  your  letter. 

"  Yours  very  sincerely, 

"  W.    MULOCK, 

'  '  Postmaster-  General. 
"  Major  G.  W.  Tremble, 

"Postal  Headquarters  of  the  Army, 

"Cape-Town,  South  Africa." 

"  Ottawa,  July  30th,  1900. 

"Hon.  William  Mulock  has  received  the  following  letter  from 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Otter  :  — 

"  Bloemfontein,  May  I3th,  1900. 
•«  Dear  Sir  : 

"  A  slight  wound  in  face  and  neck,  received  in  action  on  the  25th 
ult.,  has  necessitated  my  returning  hère  to  hospital  for  a  few  days  and 
gives  me  an  opportunity  of  writing  you  a  short  note,  which  otherwise 
I  would  not  hâve  had. 

"I  am  quite  sure  you  will  be  glad  to  learn  of  the  working  of  the 
Canadian  Postal  Service,  established  by  you  from  one  who  has  had 


LE   LIVRE   d'or  165 

the  best  of  chances  for  noting  its  usefulness,  or  otherwise.  I  am  very 
glad  to  be  able  to  say  everything  that  is  good  of  it.  The  service  since 
it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Captain  Ecclestone,  has  been  most  efficient 
and  satisfactory.  Two  of  its  members  hâve  been  doing  duty  at  this 
station  for  some  time,  and  the  resuit  has  been  most  prompt  and 
regular  deliveries  at  ail  times  that  the  exigencies  of  war  would  permit, 
while  Captain  Ecclestone  himself  has  been  most  attentive  in  meeting 
our  demands  and  giving  information.  Nothing  could  be  more  satis- 
factory, and  I  can  safely  say  that  if  any  delays  hâve  taken  place  in 
the  deliveries  of  either  letters,  papers  orparcels,  the  fault  has  not  been 
with  the  officiais  of  the  Canada  Post-Office  Service.  I  consider  it  my 
duty  to  make  this  statement  voluntarily,  in  view  of  the  good  work 
done  and  of  the  great  satisfaction,  under  what  is  no  doubt  difficult 
and  trying  circumstances. 

'•  Presuming  that,  as  a  Canadian,  you  will  be  glad  to  learn  of  our 
condition  and  circumstances,  I  venture  to  increase  the  length  of  my 
note  by  referring  to  them.  The  régiment,  though  in  good  spirits,  is 
woefully  depleted  in  numbers  by  death,  wounds  and  sickness,  and 
where  we  had,  on  landing  in  South  Africa,  1,040  stahvart  men  of  ail 
ranks,  we  cannot  muster  to-day  600  effectives.  No  régiment  in  the 
army  has  had  barder  or,  I  think  I  am  safe  in  saying,  more  fighting. 
How  such  has  been  performed  it  is  not  for  me  to  say,  but  must  leave 
the  verdict  in  the  hands  of  the  authorities  and  the  public  to  détermine. 
I  can  only  trust  that  up  to  this  the  record  of  the  régiment  has  heen 
satisfactory  to  those  who  sent  us  hère.  I  know  we  hâve  striven  hard 
to  ment  their  confidence  and  I  hope  that  we  hâve  succeeded. 

"  Yours  very  sincerely, 

"W.  D.  Otter." 


THE  PATRIOTIC  FUND 


NDER  the  patronage  of  Her  Majesty,  the  Queen,  the 
presidency  of  Lord  Minto,  Govemor-General,  and  with  the 
co-operation  of  several  high  and  distinguished  citizens  of 
Canada,  subscription  lists  were  opened  for  the  benefit  of  the  widows, 
the  orphans  and  the  wounded  during  the  war.  So  patriotic  was  the 
idea  that  the  whole  of  Canada  made  générons  response  to  the  appeal. 

In  fact,  on  the  3lst  of  July,  1900,  Mr.  G.  M.  Courtney,  C.  M,  G., 
the  secretary  of  the  Fund,  wrote  us  that  the  sums  subscribed  amounted 
to  the  very  large  figure  of  $317,636.75. 

Thèse  figures  require  no  comment.  We  will  not  give  the  names  of 
the  generous  contributors,  nor  of  the  banks  that  hâve  subscribed  ;  yet 
we  désire  to  make  one  exception,  in  the  case  of  the  lists  opened  at  the 
Canadian  Pacific  offices,  which  resulted  in  a  sum  of  $12,033.00. 

We  are  the  more  pleased  to  make  spécial  mention  of  the  Canadian 
Pacific  Railway  as  we  désire  to  relate  a  spécial  incident,  which  is 
sufficiently  explained  by  the  foUowing  letters  :  — 

A  little  girl  of  eight  years  of  âge,  from  Streetville  Junction,  Ontario, 
Miss  Annie  Hyland,  wrote  some  days  past,  to  tlie  Président  of  the 
Committee,  Mr.  Robert  Miller  :  — 

"  I  hâve  fifty  cents  saved  up  for  Santa  Claus  to  bring  me  a  doU, 
but  my  Ma  is  sending  Pa's  subscription  to  the  fund  for  widows  and 
orphans.  I  won't  mind  my  doU  now,  but  I  will  send  my  fifty  cents  to 
buy  a  doU  for  some  soldier's  little  girl  fighting  in  South  Africa. 

"Annie  Hvland." 

Thîs  letter,  which  came  to  hand  some  time  ago,  was  answered  yester- 
day,  the  committee  going  into  their  own  pockets  and  purchasing  the  best 


SIR  CHARLES  TUPPER, 

Organizer  ot  "The  Insurance  Association  for  the  Benefit  of  the 
Wounded  and  the  Dead." 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  167 

doll  in  the  city  and  sending  it  to  little  Annie,  accompanied  by  the 
foUowing  letter  :  — 

"Windsor  Station,  Montréal,  May  30tli,  1900. 

"Dear  Little  Annie  : 

"Your- letter  and  subscription  to  the  Canadian  Pacific  Railway 

Employées  Patriotic  Fund  was  duly  received.  There  bas  been  a  delay 

in  replying,  as  we  waited  for  a  meeting  of  the  whole  committee,  so 

they  could  see  what  a  little  patriotic  girl  had  done  to  help  our  absent 

soldiers.    The   members  of  the  committee  felt  sure  that  they  would 

hâve  received  a  great  scolding  from  Santa  Claus  had  they  not  shown 

in   some   way   how   pleased   they   were  to  receive   your  letter  and 

subscription,  so  they,  with  a  few  others,  made  a  private  subscription 

and  got  this  doll  to  replace  the   one  you  were  so  willing  to  sacrifice 

for  the  sake  of  some  little  girl  who  must  be  so  anxious  for  her  dear 

Papa  now  in  such  great  danger  in  far  away  South  Africa.    Please 

accept  it  with  our  best  wishes. 

"  Robert  Miller, 

"For  the  Committee." 

The  doll  given  by  the  committee  cost  fifteen  dollars. 
In  ail  this  great  crédit  is  due  to  the  employées  of  the  Canadian 
Pacific  Railway  and  specially  to  the  good  hearted  little  Annie. 


THE  TUPPER  INSURANCE 


It  is  universally  knoMrn,  that,  under  this  title.  Sir  Charles  Tupper 
established  an  Insurance  Association  for  the  benefit  of  the  wounded 
and  the  dead,  during  the  South  African  campaign,  or  for  the  benefit  of 
their  heirs. 

Wilh  a  capital  of  one  million  dollars,  this  association  insured  each 
soldier  to  the  extent  of  $1,000.  As  this  was  surely  a  noble  and 
patriotic  idea,  and  as  the  association  has  strictly  adhered  to  its 
obligations,  we  feel  bound  to  give  due  crédit  to  Sir  Charles  Tupper 
for  his  philanthropie  conception. 


Congratulations  for  the  Contingents 


"The  Colonial  Secretary  to 

"His  Excellency,  the  Governor-General. 

"  London,  February  27th,  1900. 

ER  Majesty,  the  Queen,  desires  me  to  convey  to  the 
Canadian  people  the  expression  of  her  admiration  for  the 
■^t^^  bravery  with  which  the  Canadian  troops  hâve  acted  in  the 
last  engagement,  and  to  express  her  sorrow  for  the  loss  of  so  many 
brave  men." 

Extracts  from  Militia  Records. 

March  ist,  1900. 

"  His  Excellency  desires  personally  to  avail  himself  of  the  oppor- 
tunity  of  expressing  his  admiration  for  the  brilliant  courage  and  the 
devotedness  of  the  Canadian  troops  at  présent  in  South  Africa." 

The  Governor-General  received  the  following  despatch  from  Lord 

Roberts  :  — 

"Paardeberg,  February  22nd,  1900. 

'*The  Canadian  régiment  has  acted  admirably  since  its  arrivai  in 

South  Afiica.  I  deeply  regret  the  manylosses  suffered  by  the  régiment 

during  the  battle  of  the  i8th  instant  and  I  beg  of  you  to  tell  the 

public  how  much  we  ail,  hère,  admire  the  bravery  that  our  Canadian 

comrades  evidenced  on  that  occasion. 

"  Roberts." 

Lord  Minto  received,  by  the  last  mail  from  South  Africa,  a  letter 
from  Sir  Alfred  Milner,  Governor  of  Cape  Colony,  bearing  date  the 


LE   LIVRE    d'or  169 

27th   February,    the    very    day    upon    which   General    Cronje   was 
captured. 

The  foUowing  is  the  letter  :  — 

"  Government  House, 

"Cape-Town,  Febraary  27th,  igcx). 
«'Dear  Lord  Minto  : 

"Even  though  I  hâve  —  as  you  can  readily  imagine  —  scarcely 
the  time  to  write,  I  feel  that  on  this  mémorable  day  I  should  send  you 
a  word  to  congratulate  you,  you  and  Canada,  on  the  important  part 
taken  by  your  valiant  contingent  in  the  destruction  of  General  Cronje's 
army.  It  is  the  first  great  success  that  we  hâve  had  in  this  terrible 
struggle.  The  relief  of  Kimberley  was  an  encouragement;  by  the 
capture  of  Cronje  and  his  four  thousand  soldiers,  we  hâve  really 
achieved  marked  progress.  I  fear  that  our  brave  Canadians  hâve 
suffered  considérable  losses.  But  on  an  occasion  such  as  the  présent 
one,  there  is  at  least  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  their  lives  were 
not  sacrificed  in  vain. 

•'The  vàctory,  in  itself,  praise-worthy  as  it  may  be,  is  not  the  most 
important  ;  rather  is  it  to  behold  the  tightening  of  the  bonds  that  unité 
the  whole  Empire.  That  union  will  spring  from  the  blood  poured  out 
together  by  Canadians,  Australians,  and  South- Africans  competing  in 
courage,  with  Britons  of  the  old  country,  in  an  effort  to  bring  about  a 
happy  issue  to  this  struggle. 

"  I  am  sure  that  the  British  people  of  South  Africa  will  never  forget 
the  noble  aid  that  Canada  gave  them  in  those  days  of  battle. 

"  Accept  mywarm  congratulations  for  yourself  and  for  Canada  and 

believe  me, 

"Yours  very  sincerely, 

"A.    MiLNER." 

"I  cannot  speak  in  language  too  flattering  of  the  bravery  displayed 
by  the  Canadians  on  this  day  ;  the  admiration,  so  strongly  manifested 
by  the  English  soldiers,  for  them,  should  send  a  thrill  of  pride 
throughout  the  whole  Confédération.  The  authorities  hâve  paid  the 
Canadians  a  magniticent  tribute  and  the  English  soldiers  never  tire  of 
praising  them. 

"  Lord  Roberts  came  personally  to  congratulate  the  Canadians 
upon  their  bravery  and  to  inform  them  that  he  had  called  the  attention 
of  the  government  to  their  exploits." —  Officiai  dcspatcli  from  Paarde- 
berg,  of  the  3rJ  March,  1900. 


lyo  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

The  Governor-General  received  the  following  two  despatches  :  — 

"  George-Town,  British  Honduras, 

March  I5th,  1900. 

"My  cordial  congratulations  to  the  Canadian  troops  on  duty  in 
South  Africa. 

"Governor-General  of  Honduras." 

Lord  Tennyson  to  the  Governor-General  :  — 

"  The  Governor,  the  ministry  and  the  people  of  Southern  Australia 
désire  to  offer  their  congratulations  to  the  Canadian  people  upon  the 
fine  conduct  of  their  contingents  in  South  Africa,  and  their  deep 
sympathy  for  the  losses  that  they  hâve  suffered. 

"  Lord  Tennyson." 

"  It  is  an  open  secret  that,  at  the  beginning,  the  majority  of  the 
officers  of  the  British  army,  had  but  slight  confidence  in  the  Colonial 
soldiers,  but  now  it  is  generally  recognized  that  without  the  Canadians 
and  their  Colonial  companions,  British  arms  vv'ould  hâve  had  a  great 
deal  more  to  do. 

••Itis  universally  admitted,  that  the  principal  labors  of  the  vi^ar 
were  performed,  in  that  part  of  the  campaign,  by  the  Canadian  and 
New-Zealand  soldiers,  and  vre,  in  Canada,  hâve  no  reason  to  be 
ashamed  of  our  Canadian  soldiers. 

"G.  Sterling  Ryerson, 
"  Surgeon,  Lieutenant-Colonel,   Canadian  and  British  Commissioner 
"  of  the  Red  Cross,  in  South  Africa." 

".  .  .  .  What  a  splendid  part  was  that  of  Canada  !  I  had  a  little 
Canadian  with  me,  Mcinnes  of  the  Royal  Engineers,  a  brave  of  the 
brave.  He  had  the  defence  works  of  Kimberley  executed.  He  vi^as  a 
staff  officer,  and  wherever  he  went  he  inspired  confidence.  I  can  never 
forget  what  I  owe  him.  The  Canadians  performed  acts  of  heroism 
everywhere,  and  we  may  soon  expect  to  hear  of  fresh  and  brilliant 
feats-of-arms  by  them,  before  the  war  is  over. 

•'  Colonel  Kekev^ick, 
"  Commander   at   Kimberley.  " 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  I7I 

A  fine  expression  of  praise  from  an  American  newspaper,  the 
Détroit  Free  Press  :  — 

"  We  do  not  see  that  any  other  corps  in  the  British  armyhas  carried 
off  more  laurels  in  the  African  war  than  did  the  boys  from  Canada. 
They  were  as  conspicuous  wherever  the  firing  was  liveliest  as  was  the 
white  plume  of  Henry  of  Navarre." 

"Cape-Town,  May  I7th. 

♦'To  His  Excellency,  the  Governor-General. 

"The  detachment  of  Canadian  artillery,  by  a  séries  of  forced 
marches  and  during  the  battle  rendered  great  service. 

«'Sir  Alfred  Milner." 

"  London,  May  22nd. 

"  Compliments  to  Canada  for  the  great  services  rendered  by  the 

Canadian  artillery  in  relieving  Mafeking. 

"  Chamberlain." 

"Ail  the  French  papers,  in  their  accounts  of  the  latest  military 
events  in  South  Africa,  dwelt  upon  the  heroism  of  which  the  Canadian 
contingent  gave  proof. 

"I  will  even  add  that  we  learned,  not  without  a  feeling  of  pride,  of 
the  tribute  paid  to  the  valiant  troops  of  the  Dominion  by  Marshal 
Roberts. 

*'  The  bonds  that  unité  a  great  number  of  Canadians  to  France,  are 
so  strong,  that  ail  that  brings  out  in  relief  their  personal  qualities, 
créâtes  in  the  old  land  a  mutual  satisfaction. 

"  Maurice  de  la  Fargue." 

In  regard  to  the  engagement  at  Komati,  on  the  6th  November, 
wherein  the  Drageons,  the  mounted  infantry  and  the  artillery  gave 
évidence  of  admirable  bravery,  General  Smith-Dorrien  says  :  "The 
courage  and  devotedness  of  thèse  troops  during  the  two  days  of  battle 
can  never  be  too  highly  appreciated." 

"  Pretoria,  September  26th,  1900. 

"  Lord  Roberts  accompanied  by  Lady  Roberts  as  well  as  by  their 
daughters,  reviewed  the  Canadian  troops,  on  the  eve  of  their  departure. 


172 


LE   LIVRE    d'or 


"  I  cannot"  he  said  to  them,  "  allow  you  to  go  without  expressing 
to  you  my  thanks  for  your  loyal  services  as  also  for  your  excellent 
assistance,  above  ail  at  Paardeberg.  I  am  sure  that  the  Canadian 
people  will  leam  \dth  pleasure  of  your  gallant  and  splendid  conduct 

"I  deeply  regret  the  losses  you  hâve  sustained,  I  would  hâve  been 
happy  to  hâve  seen  you  ail  retum  to  your  homes,  but  many  losses  of 
lives  must  be  expected,  especially  in  such  a  hard  campaign. 

"  I  regret  that  some  amongst  you  are  obliged  to  retum  as  soon, 
but  I  hère  recognize  the  necessities  of  private  business. 

"  I  am  certain  that  Her  Majesty,  the  Queen,  as  well  as  the  British 
people,  will  never  forget  your  services.  If  my  good  star  will  permit,  I 
will  visit  Canada,  and  I  hâve  the  hope  of  meeting  you  ail  once  again." 


THE  RETURN 


"  Imagine  a  combinatton  of  the  audacious 
spiritof  the  French,  the  inventive  geniusof  the 
American,  and  the  tenacity  of  the  British,  and 
you  hâve  an  idea  of  the  qualifies  required  in  such 
an  undertaking."  —  Le  Soleil. 


^  the  first  réception  tendered  our  brave  soldiers  is  similar  to 
those  that  will  follow,  we  will  be  content  with  the  repro- 
duction of  the  two  following  articles,  which  contain  a  fair 
expression  of  the  sentiments  that  exist  in  Canada. 


:T^ 


WELCOME  ! 

"  Our  invalided  volunteers  are  returning  in  groups  to  the  country. 
They  are  the  object  of  the  liveliest  enthusiasm  on  the  part  of  the 
crowds  that  flock  to  meet  them.  Yesterday  the  scène  was  truly  grand 
and  contrasted  with  the  coldness  of  the  send  off  tendered  our  men 
when  they  started  for  Africa. 

**  Instinctively  and  with  reason,  our  population  encourage  very 
slightly  the  enlisting  of  our  people,  nor  did  it  augur  any  good  results 
from  this  distant  war. 

"There  was,  however,  some  consolation  in  the  cleverly  circulated 
idea  that  the  enterprise  would  merely  consist  of  a  sea  voyage,  always 
more  or  less  interspersed  with  pleasant  incidents,  of  easy  marches  in  a 
new  country,  and,  at  most,  a  few  skirmishes  with  half-savages  the 
dispersing  and  wiping  out  of  whom  would  bc  only  child's  play  for 
Canadian  valor  to  accomplish.  Then  the  glitter  of  military  glory  was 
there  — a  thing  so  rare  that  our  fine  youth,  especially  those  of  English 
origin,  liastened  to  seize  by  the  forelock  an  occasion,  so  unique  in  the 


174  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

course  of  their  lives,  of  returning  with  promotion,  decorated  and  the 
envy  of  ail  their  friands,  who  would  be  heard  saying  :  •  He  too,  was 
one  of  the  contingent.' 

'•  We,  therefore,  tender  a  most  cordial  welcome  to  those  brave 
soldiers  whom  illness  and  the  enemies  lead  could  not  entirely  knock 
eut.  They  did  honor,  in  the  infancy  of  our  Dominion,  to  the  Canadian 
flag,  on  the  fields  of  this  Anglo-Boer  conflict,  —  one  of  the  most 
painful  as  well  as  most  glorious  in  history.  They  hâve  proven  that 
Canada  possesses  the  éléments  of  a  vigorous  and  powerful  army  which 
•we  could  establish  and  utilize  to  our  own  greater  advantage. 

"  Let  the  nation  profit  by  the  lessons  taught  by  the  war  from  which 
our  valiant  citizens  now  return,  and  no  person,  not  even  amongst  those 
most  opposed  to  the  idea  of  Canadian  intervention,  vnll  regret  very 
much  the  décisions  that  sent  us  into  Africa  and  which  bring  us  back 
broken  and  mutilated  in  the  persons  of  our  contingents." — La  Presse. 

Last  evening  Québec  gave  another  striking  example  of  patriotism 
and  above  ail  of  loyalty. 

The  Mayor,  accompanied  by  two  secretaries  of  the  réception  com- 
mittee  —  Messrs.  H.  J.  J.  B.  Chouinard  and  E.  T.  D.  Chambers  — 
read  them  the  foUowing  address  :  — 

«'To   THE   OFFICERS,    NON-COMMISSIONED   OFFICERS,    AND   SOLDIERS 

OF  THE  Canadian  contingent  returning  from  South 
Africa  on  the  steamer   "  Lake  Ontario.  " 

*•  Gentlemen  : 

"The  citizens  of  Québec  are  happy  to  be  the  first  to  greet  you  on 
your  return  to  Canada,  after  an  absence  of  nearly  a  year,  during  which 
you  were  ever  présent  to  our  minds  on  account  of  the  loyal  and  noble 
mission  that  you  had  freely  undertaken,  and  also  on  account  of  the 
constant  dangers  to  which  you  hâve  been  exposed. 

"  But  the  émotion  that  we  feel  to-day  is  preater  than  usual  as  we 
notice  in  your  ranks,  the  well-known  faces  of  Québec  boys  who  grew 
up  and  lived  amongst  us  and  whose  familles  are  preparing  to  welcome 
with  a  warmth  and  an  enthusiasm  that  can  be  readily  understood  after 
such  a  prolonged  and  cruel  suspense. 

•'AU  of  you,  in  risking,  as  you  hâve  donc,  your  health  and  your 
lives,  in  going  abroad  to  défend  the  honor  of  Britain's  flag,  hâve  given 


LE   LIVRE   D'OR  175 

the  entire  world  an  example  of  courage  and  military  virtue  that  does 
honor  to  our  country. 

"  Your  parents,  your  friends,  your  fellow-citizens,  bail  with  pride 
yonr  retum  to  our  country  where,  we  hâve  no  doubt,  you  will  fulfil 
with  honor,  and  with  benefit  to  yourselves,  the  duties  of  the  useful 
avocations  in  which  you  will  find  a  wide  field  for  the  exercise  of  your 
énergies  that  hâve  been  strengthened  on  the  fields  of  battle,  and  a  real 
rest  after  your  sufferings  and  privations  along  war's  rugged  pathways. 

"  The  country  is  happy  to  see  you  once  more,  and  the  joy  she  feels 
is  the  greater  since  you  return  fuU  of  honors  after  having  imparted 
everywhere  a  glory  to  the  name  of  Canadian. 

"  May  you  be  happy,  and  may  you  long  enjoy  the  sweets  of  peace 
and  of  home. 

*'Such  is  the  wish  that  arises  from  every  Canadian  heart  at  this 
moment,  and  to  which  we  give  expression  in  the  name  of  the  entire 
Dominion." 


A  PARTING  WORD 


ou  know  the  rest  of  the  stoiy.  From  Atlantic  to  Pacific  the 
home-coming  of  our  bra\e  lads  was  a  triumphal  procession. 
Halifax,  Montréal,  Québec,  Ottawa,  Toronto,  Kingston, 
Belleville,  Hamilton,  St.  Johns,  Charlottetown,  Winnipeg,  Vancouver, 
in  a  word  ail  the  cities,  from  the  largest  to  the  smallest,  received  the 
retuming  soldiers  with  open  arms  and  proud  hearts.  La  Presse,  La 
Patrie,  Le  Soleil,  L'Événement,  The  Star,  The  Herald,  The  Chronicle, 
The  Globe,  The  Daily  Witness,  The  Daily  Telegraph,  to  ail  of  whom 
we  are  indebted  for  important  information  —  not  to  mention  other 
sources  —  greeted  them  in  nobly  expressed  and  generous  terms. 
Everywhere  they  were  righî  royally  received,  and  by  that  réception, 
above  ail,  can  we  judge  of  the  fratemal  sentiment  which  unités  ail  the 
Provinces  of  Canada. 

Let  us  proclaim  it  frankly  :  that  this  war,  which  proved  fatal  to 
some,  has  been  a  source  of  union  and  greater  attachment  for  us  ail. 
Truly  is  it  by  the  bivouac  fire  and  on  the  field  of  battle  that  men  and 
races  leam  to  know,  to  esteem  and  to  love  each  other.  Let  us, 
therefore,  never  forget  that  our  union  has  been  cemented  and  sealed 
with  the  blood  of  our  heroic  youth  amidst  the  confusion  of  carnage, 
the  groans  of  the  dying,  the  bursting  of  shells,  the  rustling  of  standards, 
the  agonies  of  parents,  the  tears  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the 
glorious  dead,  and  that  our  watchword  fore  ver  more  should  be  :  — 

•'  In  honor  and  memory  of  our  brave  !  " 

Gaston  P.  Labat. 


ADDITIONAL    NOTE 


Our  work  was  completed  whenthe  following  interesting  information 
vas  received  ;  this  explains  the  placing  of  this  note. 

See  page  12  of  appendix  under  heading  "  Betie  Merenti" 

FORTY-EIGHT     CANADIANS   GET    SPECIAL     MENTION 

ARE  NAMED  BY  LORD  ROBERTS  FOR  BRAVERY  IN  THE  FIELD 

London,  April  16 

Another  despatch  from  Lord  Roberts  on  the  subject  of  the  South 
African  compaign,  dated  April  2,  1900,  has  been  published  in  the 
Gazette. 

LIST   OF   CANADIANS 

The  following  Canadians  are  mentioned  for  meritorious  service  : — 
Cols.  C.  W.  Drury  and  W.  D.  Otter  ;  Lieut.-Cols.  L.  Buchan,  T.  D. 
B.  Evans,  F.  L.  Lessard  and  S.  B.  Steele. 

Majors  B.  Belcher,  A.  M.  Jarvis,  G.  and  Ogilvie. 

Surgeon-Major  A.  M.  Worthington. 

Captains  G.  W.  Cameron,  F.  L.  Cartwright  and  E.  F.  LacKie,  of 
Strathcona's  Horse  ;  Capt.  A.  C.  McDonald,  of  the  Second  Canadian 
Mounted  Rifles  ;  Capt.  A.  H.  McDonald,  of  the  Royal  Canadian 
Régiment,  and  Capt.  H.  A.  Panet,  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Artillery. 

Lieuts.  A.  E.  Cbristie  and  J.  E.  Leckie,  of  Strathcona's  Horse  ; 
Lieut,  Da\ndson,  A.  L.  Howard,  F.  Young  and  William  Inglis,  of 
the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  ;  Lieut.  Lew  Irving,  of  the  Royal  Cana- 
dian Artillery  ;  Lieut.  J.  H.  J.  Ogilvie,  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Régi- 
ment and  Lieut.  R.  Turner,  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Dragoons  ;  Sur- 
geon-Lieut.  C.  B.  Keenan,  of  Strathcona's  Horse. 

Regimental  Sergeant-Majors  Church,  of  the  Canadian  Mounted 
Rifles  and  J.  Hynes,  of  Strathcona's  Squadron  ;  Sergeant-Major  J.  Ri- 
chards, of  Strathcona's  Battery  ;  Sergeant-Major  W.  H.  Gimblett,  of 
the  Royal  Canadian  Artillery  ;  Sergeants  W.  H.  Nelles  and  J.  M.  B, 
Skirving,  of  Strathcona's  Horse  and  Sergeant  R.  H.  Ryan,  of  the 
Canadian  Mounted  Rifles. 


ADDITIONAL    NOTE 

Corporals  T.  Gallagher,  T.  R,  Miles  and  F.  \V.  Whitlow,  of  the 
Canadian  Mounted  Rifles. 

Trooper  Crawley,  of  the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  ;  Trooper  \Vhite, 
of  the  Canadian  Mounted  Infantry  ;  and  Privâtes  J.  Kennedy,  M. 
Crooke,  J.  Landen  and  S.  R.  Thompson,  of  the  Royal  Canadian 
Régiment  ;  Hammond,  T.  Kerr,  Miles  and  S.  E,  Morrison,  of  the 
Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  ;  and  L.  W.  E.  Mulloy,  of  the  Royal  Cana- 
dian Artillery, 

SOUTH   AFRICAN  WAR 

SILVER  MEDALS  TO  BE  GRANTED  TO  ALL  WHO  SERVED  IN  IT  — 

CLASPS  ARE  PROVIDED — THERE  ARE  TAV^EMY-SIX  IN 

ALL  FOR  THOSE  WHO  SERVED  IN  PROMINENT 

ACTIONS  IN  THE  WAR. 

The  following  Impérial  Army  Order  94,  april  1901 — regarding  the 
South  Africa  medal  has  been  issued  :  — 

1.  His  Majesty  the  King  Las  been  graciously  pleased  to  confirm 
the  order  given  by  her  late  Majesty  Queen  Victoria  that  a  medal  be 
struck  to  commemorate  the  military  opérations  in  South  Africa. 

2.  The  medal,  in  silver,  will,  provided  the  claims  are  approved  by 
the  commander-in-chief,  be  granted  to  ail  offîcers,  warrant  oflîcers, 
non-commissioned  officersand  men  ofthe  British,  Indian,  and  colonial 
forces,  and  to  ail  nurses  and  nursing  sisters  who  actually  served  in 
South  Africa  between  october  11,  1899,  and  a  date  to  be  hereafter 
fixed  ;  to  ail  troops  stationed  in  Cape  Colony  and  Natal  at  the  out- 
break  of  hostilities  ;  and  to  troops  stationed  in  St.  Helena  between 
april  14,  1900,  and  a  date  to  be  hereafter  fixed. 


BRAVERY   REWARDED 

"  London,  April  24th. 

"  The  Gazette  announces  the  Victoria  Cross  has  been  conferred  on 
Lieutenants  H.  Z.  C.  Cockburn  and  R.  E.  W.  Turner,  and  Sergeant 
E.  Holland,  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Dragoons,  for  conspicuous  bravery 
at  Komatipoort  River,  November  yth,  1900,  in  protecting  artillery 
from  capture.  " 


AUDITIONAL    NOTE 

LIEUT.     COCKBURX      IS     WARMLY     CONGRATULATED 

'«  Toronto,  April  24th. 

"  The  family  of  Lieutenant  Churchill  Cockburn  received  last  night 
with  jubilation  the  message  announcing  that  he  and  Lieutenant 
Turner,  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Drageons,  had  been  granted  the 
Victoria  Cross  for  saving  the  guns  of  the  Canadian  contingent  in 
November  at  Koniatipoort. 

"  Lieutenant  Cockburn  is  now  one  of  five  men  in  the  British 
Empire  entitled  to  wear  the  Victoria  Cross  and  the  Royal  Humane 
Society  medal.  The  latter  was  conferred  on  him  in  1898  for  gallantly 
sa-snng  the  life  of  two  companions  in  Lake  Rosseau,  Muskoka.  " 

QUEBEC    IS    PROUD   OF    LIEUTENANT   TURNER 

"  Québec,  April  24th. 
"The  news  that  Lieutenant  R.   E.  W,   Turner,  of  this  city,  has 
received  the  Victoria  Cross  has  been  received  with  the  liveliest  rejoicing 
by  his  family  and  his  légion  of  friends  in  Québec." 

SERGEANT   HOLLAND   THREE   TIMES    RECOMMENDED 

"  Ottawa,  April  24th. 
"  Sergeant  Eddie  Holland,  who  is  one  of  the  three  Canadians  to 
receive  the  Victoria  Cross,  is  well  known  in  Ottawa  as  a  fellow  of 
sterling  qualities,     He  was  recommended  for  distinguished  bravery 
three  différent  times.  " 

CANADIANS    IN    HONOR   LIST 

AN   ADDITIONAL   LIST    IS   CABLED   TO   MINISTER   OF   MILITIA 
"  Ottawa,  Ont.,  April  24th. 

"  In  addition  to  the  C.B. 's  conferred  upon  Colonels  Otter  and 
Drury  and  Lieutenant  Colonels  Steele  and  Evans,  the  Minister  of 
Militia  was  today  advised  by  cable  of  the  following  additional  honors 
awarded  to  Canadian  officers  who  served  in  South  Africa  : — 

"Lieutenant-Colonels  Buchan  and  Lessard,  Major  Denison  ; 
Majors  Belcher  and  Jones,  Strathconas,  get  C.M.G.'s. 

Captain  A.  C.  Macdonald,  Mounted  Rifles  ;  Captain  H.  Panet, 
Lieutenant  Irving,  R.  C.  Artillery  ;  Lieutenant  Ogilvie,  Royal 
Canadian  Régiment  ;  Lieutenant  Tumer,  Royal  Canadian  Dragoons  ; 
Captains  Cameron,  Mackay  and  Cartwright,   Strathconas  ;  Surgeon 


ADDITIONAL    NOTE 

Keenan,    Lieutenants    Christie   and    Leckie,     Strathconas,    get   dis- 
tinguished  service  order. 

"  Kinsley,  R.  C.  Dragoons,  get  medal  for  distinguished  conduct  on 
the  field." 

SIR  EDWARD    GIROUARD 

"  Ail  Canadians  will  feel  honoured  by  the  distinction  conferred 
upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Girouard,  now  Sir  Edward  Girouard,  K.  C. 
M.  G.,  D.  S.  O.  Never  was  knighthood  more  honourably  won. 
The  young  Canadian  soldier  hasmadea  brilliant  record  both  in  North 
and  South  Africa  for  useful  service  to  the  Empire." 

THE  VICTORIA  CROSS  MEN 

•♦  Honors  hâve  been  distributed  with  a  generous  hand  to  the 
Canadian  soldiers  who  took  part  in  the  South  African  war,  AU  hâve 
been  the  cause  of  satisfaction  in  the  country  that  sent  out  the  men 
who  received  them,  because  there  was  a  gênerai  belief,  based  on  the 
accomplishments  of  the  différent  corps,  that  they  were  worthily  won. 
None  will  give  greater  pleasure,  however,  than  the  award  of  the 
Victoria  Cross  to  Lieutenants  R.  E.  \V,  Turner  and  H.  Z.  C.  Cock- 
bum  and  Sergeant  Holland,  of  the  Royal  Canadian  Dragoons.  The 
cross  is  given  'forvalor,'  that  must  be  so  conspicious  as  to  attrack 
attention  and  so  effective  of  a  useful  purpose  as  to  merit  spécial 
approval.  It  is  a  reward  that  ail  in  the  service  may  aspire  to,  be  they 
cfficer  or  private,  white,  black,  or  yellow.  Therefore  is  it  the  more 
held  in  esteem  by  those  who  are  so  fortunate  to  win  the  approval  that 
it  marks.  The  reward  in  the  case  of  Lieutenants  Turner  and  Cock- 
burn  and  Sergeant  Holland  was  for  the  manner  in  which  they  acted 
in  the  action  of  Novemher  yth,  when  the  Canadians  Dragoons  and 
Mounted  Rifles,  with  two  of  ''D"  Battery's  guns  were  covering  the 
retirement  of  Smith-Dorrien's  column  from  an  advanced  position  near 
Belfast.  Lieutenant  Turner,  though  wounded,  directed  the  movement 
of  his  men  so  as  to  better  give  Lieutenant  Morrison  a  chance  to  get  off 
with  his  guns.  Lieutenant  Cockburn  was  prominent  in  the  same  kind 
of  duty.  Sergeant  Holland,  when  he  could  not  bring  off  the  machine 
gun  in  his  charge,  dismantled  it  and  brought  away  the  barrel,  leaving 
the  enemy  only  the  wheels.  In  a  spirited  fight,  where  ail  were  doing 
well,  thethree  merited  spécial  commendation,  and  ail  their  countrymen 
will  share  in  their  satisfaction  because  it  has  been  given." — The  Gazette. 


OlK    TROX  INCE-S    RLl'RKSEMEI)    liV    CAVALKV,     StRATIICUNAS,     INKAiN'IRV    AND    ARTILI.ERY. 


THE  BOW  OF  PROMISE 


1.1155  the  Rainbow,  that  sign  of  Promise,  tiending 
%j^  in  harmony  its  scven  httes,  seems  to  span 
the  heavens  and  join  them  to  earth,  so  hâve 
we  thotjg:ht  well  to  hère  présent  the  emblem  of  each 
of  ottf  seven  Provinces,  ail  of  which  hâve  been 
cemented  in  a  perfect,  a  fraternal,  an  indissoluble 
and  an  indivisible  union,  by  the  blood  which  our 
heroes  shed  under  the  torrid  sun  of  South  Africa.  This 
figure,  and  this  strengtheningf  of  bonds,  suggfest,  at 
this  moment,  the  beautifui  Unes  addressed,  years  ago. 


178  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

to  Canada,  by  one  of  this  country's  pocts:   hc  styled 
out  Dominion,  — 

*'  The  Northern  Arch,  whose  vast  proportions 
Span  the  skies  firom  sea  to  sea  ; 
From   Atlantic,  to  Pacific, 

Home  of  unborn  millions  free." 

Gaston  P.  Labat. 


ARC-EN-CIEL 


'OMME  le  signe  de  la  Nouvelle  Alliance,  par 
le  mélangfe  harmonieux  des  couleurs  qui  le 
composent,  semble  relier  la  terre  avec  le  Ciel, 
ainsi  nous  avons  cru  devoir  mettre  ici  Temblême  de 
chaque  Province,  cimentant  par  le  sang  coagfulë  de 
nos  braves  sous  le  soleil  torride  de  l'Afrique,  Tunion 
fraternelle,   indissoluble  et   indivisible   des    Provinces 

réunies. 

Gaston- P.  Labat. 


SKETCH  SHOWING  THE  ADVANCE  OF  CANADIANS  AT  PAARDEBERG. 


feE  IsIVI^E  D'OR 


Contingents  Canadiens  dans  l'Afrique  dn  Sad 


AVEC  UN  APPENDICE  SUR  LE 


LOYALISME  CANADIEN 


CONTENANT  LETTRES,  DOCUMENTS,  PHOTOGRAPHIES 


AINSI    QUE    LES 


Portraits  de  la  Reine  Victoria;  du  Roi  Edouard  VII  ; 
et  de  la  Reine  d'Angleterre. 


Par  GASTOJf-P.   LABAT 

Auteur   des    "  Voyageurs   Canadiens  à  l' Expédition  du 
Soudan  en  1883." 


EN    VENTE    CHEZ    TOUS    LES    LIBRAIRES 
Dépôt  principal  :  479,  rue  Saint-Louis,  Mile-End 

1901 


DÉDICACE 


A  SON  EXCELLENCE  LORD  MINTO, 

Gouverneur-Général  du  Canada 

Excellence^ 

TRUAND  je  me  suis  permis  de  demander  à  Votre 
Excellence  de  me  faire  l'honneur  d'accepter  la  dédi- 
cace de  cet  ouvrage,  je  connaissais  depuis  long- 
temps l'intérêt  que  Votre  Excellence  témoigne  au  peuple 
Canadien. 

En  effet,  vous  avez  dit  vous-même,  en  revenant  dans  ce 
pays  et  en  parlant  d'une  de  vos  charmantes  filles  née 
ici  :  "  C'est  une  Canadienne  que  je  suis  heureux  de  vous 
ramener." 

Voilà  pourquoi,  Excellence,  j'ai  cru  devoir  mettre 
"  Lt  livre  d'or  des  Contingents  Canadiens  en  Afrique^^ 
sous  votre  égide,  convaincu  que  les  Canadiens  seront 
heureux  et  fiers  de  conserver  l'une  des  plus  belles  pages 
de  leur  histoire  sous  le  très  haut  et  distingué  patronage 
de  Votre  Excellence. 

Daignez  agréer,  Excellence,  l'expression  de  mes  senti- 
ments les  plus  respectueux. 

GASTON  P.  LABAT, 

Montréal. 


13 


LETTRE-PREFACE 


Mon  cher  confrère, 


(S-V^t 


,p//  lôVANT  d'être  littérateur,  vous  avez  été  soldat,  et 
cujy\(c)     avant  d'être  soldat,  vous  étiez  français. 
Cf>-"i«^         C'est-à-dire  que,  par  la  race,  le  caractère  et 
l'entraînement  professionel,  vous  avez   naturellement  la 
passion  de  tout  ce  qui  est  noble  et  chevaleresque. 

Mieuxencore,  cette  passion,  vous  la  raisonnez.  Quoique 
français  de  sang  et  de  cœur,  aussi  attaché  que  jamais  au 
souvenir  de  la  grande  aïeule,  du  jour  où  vous  avez  mis  le 
pied  sur  notre  sol  avec  l'intention  d'en  faire  votre  future 
patrie,  vous  êtes  devenu  canadien,  et  canadien  loyal 
envers  le  drapeau  du  jour,  sincèrement  dévoué  aux  insti- 
tutions qui  nous  régissent. 

Vous  l'avez  prouvé  sous  l'uniforme,  dans  les  lointaines 
expéditions  comme  aux  casemates  de  nos  citadelles  ;  vous 
l'avez  prouvé  depuis,  au  pupitre  du  fonctionnaire,  et 
souvent  la  plume  du  journaliste  à  la  main. 

Personne  donc  n'avait  plus  d'autoiité  que  vous  pour 
signer  le  petit  livre  que  vous  livrez  en  ce  moment  au 
public,  et  pour  lequel  vous  me  demandez  deux  mots  de 
préface. 


VI  LETTRE-PREFACE 

Ce  petit  livre  est  précieux  ;  il  ajoute  à  notre  richesse 
nationale,  car  il  apporte  une  page  héroïque  de  plus  aux 
glorieuses  annales  de  notre  passé. 

Je  n'entrerai  pas  sur  le  terrain  politique  en  discutant  le 
plus  ou  moins  d'opportunité  qu'il  y  avait  pour  le  Canada 
d'envoyer  des  troupes  dans  l'Afrique  du  sud  pour  com- 
battre les  Boers.  Qu'il  me  soit  permis  de  ne  voir  là,  pour 
le  moment,  que  l'élan  spontané  d'une  jeune  nation  fière 
d'apporter  sa  quote-part  de  sacrifices  à  la  cause  d'un 
empire  dont  les  circonstances,  loyalement  acceptées,  l'ont 
faite  solidaire. 

II  ne  peut  être  question  non  plus  de  la  justice  ou  de 
l'injustice  de  cette  guerre  étrange.  De  même  que,  par  une 
fiction  nécessaire  de  la  loi,  le  plus  haut  tribunal  et  le 
souverain  d'un  pays  sont  considérés  comme  infaillibles, 
d'après  le  imême  principe,  le  drapeau  qui  flotte  à  l'avant- 
garde  d'un  peuple  ne  saurait  jamais  avoir  tort. 

Je  ne  veux  qu'admirer  le  beau  côté  du  spectacle,  et 
applaudir  aux  heureux  résultats  qu'il  ne  peut  manquer  de 
produire. 

N'est-ce  pas  émouvant,  en  effet,  que  cette  vaillante  et 
robuste  jeunesse  se  levant  l'arme  au  bras  pour  répondre 
à  un  cri  d'appel  venu  de  l'autre  bout  du  monde,  et  passant 
les  mers  d'un  hémisphère  à  l'autre  pour  marcher  à  la 
rescousse  du  drapeau  national  en  péril  ! 

N'est-ce  pas  de  nature  à  nous  remplir  le  cœur  d'un 
légitime  orgueil  que  de  voir  ces  jeunes  braves  afiîrmer 
l'héroïsme  traditionnel  de  notre  race,  au  point  de  conqué- 
rir l'unanime  admiration  du  plus  vaste  empire  qui  ait 
jamais  existé  sous  le  soleil  ! 

Et  quant  aux  résultats,  n'est-ce  pas  quelque  chose  que 
d'avoir  gagné  la  confiance  et  le  respect  de  nos  compa- 
triotes anglais,  trop  portés,  dans  certains  milieux,  à 
suspecter  notre  loyauté  envers  la  couronne  britannique  ? 


LETTRE-PRÉFACE  vil 

Cette  confiance  et  ce  respect  sont  la  première  condition 
de  l'harmonie  entre  les  différents  éléments  de  notre  popu- 
lation, harmonie  indispensable  au  bonheur  des  nôtres 
comme  au  développement  de  notre  prospérité  nationale. 

A  ce  point  de  vue  plus  qu'à  tout  autre,  le  rôle  joué  par 
nos  volontaires  d'Afrique  est  éminemment  patriotique  et 
civilisateur. 

Ils  ont  bien  mérité  de  la  patrie  ;  ils  ont  droit  à  la 
reconnaissance  publique  ;  et  ce  n'est  que  justice  de  per- 
pétuer leur  mémoire  en  consignant  leurs  noms  et  leurs 
faits  d'armes  dans  nos  archives  et  nos  bibliothèques. 

Combien  de  fois  le  dévoûment  de  nos  soldats  de  1812 
n'a-t-il  pas  servi  d'argument  victorieux  contre  les  préjugés 
soulevés  à  notre  endroit  dans  les  cercles  ultra-loyaHstes  1 

Ces  patriotes  du  passé  furent  blâmés  par  plusieurs  de 
leurs  contemporains,  ce  qui  n'empêcha  pas  leur  œuvre 
d'être  féconde  et  bienfaitrice. 

Leur  souvenir  allait  s'éteignant  :  il  se  trouve  ravivé 
par  nos  vaillants  d'aujourd'hui,  qui  viennent,  en  renouve- 
lant l'histoire,  d'abattre  la  dernière  tête  de  l'hydre. 

Désormais  nous  ne  sommes  plus  qu'un  peuple,  homogène 
dans  ses  aspirations  comme  dans  ses  intérêts,  et  qui,  bien 
que  formé  de  différentes  races  fidèles  à  leurs  traditions  et 
à  leur  origine  respectives,  devra  prospérer  et  grandir  dans 
l'accord  d'une  indissoluble  fraternité. 

Supposez  maintenant  un  refus  de  notre  part  d'obéir  au 
vœu  national  dans  cette  circonstance,  la  crise  devenait 
aiguë,  et  les  Canadiens-français  étaient  rejetés  un  demi- 
siècle  en  arrière. 

Donc,  mes  félicitations,  mon  cher  confrère,  avec  mes 
deux  mains  dans  les  vôtres. 

Louis  Fréchette. 
Montréal,  12  octobre  1900, 


PRÉFACE 


ÎE  livre  n'est  pas   de   nous.    Il   est  écrit  par  nos 
soldats  des  Contingents  Canadiens  dont  l'admi- 
rable bravoure  a  étonné  le  monde  entier  et  dont 
le  sang  a  rougi  le  sol  meurtrier  de  l'Afrique  du  Sud. 

Tel  est  le  but  que  nous  nous  sommes  proposé  en  pu- 
bliant cet  ouvrage. 

Maintenant,  pourquoi  ce  livre  est-il  moitié  anglais  et 
moitié  français? 

C'est  que,  partis  ensemble  sans  distinction  de  race  ni 
de  religion,  la  main  dans  la  main,  coude  contre  coude  ; 
ayant  répandu  leur  sang  sur  le  même  champ  de  bataille  ; 
reposant  dans  le  même  sol,  enveloppés  dans  les  plis  du 
même  drapeau,  de  même  ils  doivent  revivre  dans  le  même 
livre  et  reposer  dans  toutes  les  bibliothèques,  ce  sanc- 
tuaire immortel  que  chaque  peuple  consacre  à  ses  gloires 
nationales. 

Nous  disons  que  ce  livre  est  écrit  par  nos  braves.  En 
effet,  à  part  quelques  articles  de  circonstances  dont  nous 
remercions  les  auteurs,  il  est  uniquement  composé  de 
leurs  lettres  ;  quelques-unes  inédites  que  nous  tenons  de  la 
gracieuse  bienveillance  des  familles,  d'autres  déjà  publiées 
par  les  journaux,  et  nous  espérons  que  personne  ne  nous 


X  PREFACE 

reprochera  de  les  avoir  précieusement  recueillies  pour  les 
mettre  en  volume,  de  manière  à  laisser  à  l'histoire 
Canadienne  un  souvenir  compact  et  tangible  de  la  noble, 
héroïque  et  glorieuse  vaillance  de  nos  braves. 

Avec  eux  et  de  par  eux,  le  Canada  est  connu  du  monde 
entier,  plus  et  mieux  que  tout  ce  qu'on  a  pu  dire,  écrire  et 
faire  depuis  cent  ans,  tant  il  est  vrai  que  c'est  le  sang 
répandu  qui  fait  la  force  des  religions  et  des  peuples. 

Or,  aujourd'hui,  le  Canada  est  un  peuple,  une  nation 
avec  laquelle  les  autres  nations  devront  désormais  compter. 

Voilà  pourquoi  après  le  sacrifice  du  sang  de  nos  braves, 
devant  tant  d'héroïsme,  et  la  sainte  folie  de  ces  achar- 
nés à  la  victoire,  nous  devons  nous  agenouiller  sur  la 
tombe  des  disparus,  et  recevoir  à  bras  ouverts,  comme 
pour  le  retour  de  l'enfant  prodigue,  ceux  qui  nous 
reviennent  couverts  de  gloire  ! 

GASTON  P.  LABAT, 

Montréal. 


UN  MOT  D'EXPLICATION 


§ 'OUVRAGE  que  nous  publions  pourrait  contenir 
dix  volumes  si  nous  relations  tous  les  hauts  faits 
d'armes  accomplis  par  nos  braves  et  si  nous 
insérions  toutes  leurs  lettres. 

Comme  ce  n'est  ni  notre  but  ni  notre  prétention,  nous 
nous  sommes  contenté,  dans  ce  modeste  volume,  de  re- 
cueillir des  lettres,  des  documents  provenant  de  toutes  les 
Provinces  du  Canada,  pour  rendre  un  patriotique  hom- 
mage à  la  vaillance  de  nos  héros.  .  .  .  Que  ceux  donc  qui 
n'y  trouveront  pas  de  leurs  lettres,  mais  qui  y  trouveront 
leurs  noms,  car  ils  y  sont  tous,  ne  nous  en  veuillent  pas  : 
cet  ouvrage,  à  l'instar  d'un  monument  qu'on  érige  à  la 
mémoire  d'un  général,  rejaillissant  sur  tous  ceux  qui  ont 
été  ses  compagnons  dans  la  lutte  et  la  victoire. 

Enfin,  nous  avons  cru  devoir  y  mettre  aussi  la  photo- 
graphie de  personnages  qui  se  sont  intéressés  à  la  forma- 
tion des  contingents,  plus,  dans  un  Appefidice,  celles  de 
non  moins  braves  Canadiens  ayant  fait  connaître  la  valeur 
militaire  du  Canada  aux  Indes,  en  Chine,  aux  Philippines, 
et  dans  tout  le  monde  entier  :  car  on  trouve  le  Canadien 
partout. 


XII  UN   MOT   D  EXPLICATION 

Pour  moi,  en  1885,  j'en  ai  trouvé  dans  le  Soudan, 
chantant  :   Un  Canadien  errajit. 

Et  s'il  faut  en  croire  l'histoire,  voici  ce  qu'on  raconte. . . . 
A  l'époque  du  déluge,  un  homme  voulant  échapper  à  la 
fureur  des  flots  était  sur  une  montagne.  L'arche  venant  à 
passer,  notre  homme  héla  Noé  pour  avoir  une  place.  .  .  . 
Il  n'y  en  a  pas,  lui  fut-il  répondu. 

—  Va  donc  chez  le  diable,  répondit  l'homme  ....  ce 
n'est  ben  après  tout  qu'une  petite  orage. 

C'était  un  Canadien.  ...  A  part  ce  dernier  fait  qui 
semble  venir  de  Marseille,  nous  ne  nous  occuperons  donc 
que  des  premiers,  car  ils  appartiennent  à  l'histoire. 

G.-P.  L. 


COLONEI.  L.  V.  riNAULT. 

Dans  l'envoi  des  contingents,  le  talent  d'organisation  du  colonel  Pinanlt 
et  sa  capacité  en  affaires  ont  été  démontrés  à  lui 
degré  remarquable." — Le  Clûbe. 


LE  LOYALISME   CANADIEN 


|OUR    prouver    qu'il   existe   dans   le    Canada   tout 
entier,   tout   autant   que   dans    le    cœur   de   nos 
braves,   nous    avons    cru   devoir   faire  précéder 
leurs  lettres  des  autorités  suivantes. 

D'abord,  voici  comment  s'exprime  Mgr  Bégin  à  Mgr 
Bruchési,  dans  une  admirable  lettre  datée  du  15  jan- 
vier 1900  : 

«  La  loyauté  des  évêques  et  des  prêtres  canadiens- 
français  !  elle  est  écrite  en  lettres  d'or,  en  traits  de  feu, 
dans  les  fastes  de  l'histoire,  et  tous  les  souverains,  tous 
leurs  représentants  qui  se  sont  succédé  ici  depuis  la 
cession  du  Canada  à  l'Angleterre  —  même  ceux  d'entre 
ces  derniers  contre  lesquels  il  a  fallu  lutter  légalement 
pour  la  défense  des  droits  les  plus  légitimes  —  tous  leur 
ont  rendu  le  plus   solennel  et  le  plus  cordial  témoignage. 

«  Rappellerai-je  ici  un  Mgr  Briand  qui,  occupant  le 
siège  de  Québec  au  tournant  de  l'histoire  de  la  Nouvelle- 
France,  vivant  tour  à  tour  sous  le  drapeau  fleurdelysé  et 
sous  l'étendard  britannique,  loyal  d'abord  au  premier 
jusqu'à  ce  que  sur  les  plaines  d'Abraham  tout  fût  perdu 
fors  l'honneur,  et  puis  transférant  généreusement  au 
second  l'hommage  de  sa  loyauté  entière,  usa  de  toute  son 


2  LE   LIVRE    D  OR 

influence  sacrée,  aux  jours  terribles  de  1775,  pour  garder 
le  Canada  français  fidèle  à  ses  nouveaux  maîtres  ?  Et 
pourtant  Dieu  sait  combien  grande  devait  être  la  tentation 
pour  les  enfants  de  la  France  en  Amérique  d'unir  leur  sort 
à  ces  enfants  d'Albion,  moins  scrupuleux,  moins  loyaux 
qu'eux  —  et  ne  pourrait-on  pas  ajouter  :  moins  vilipen- 
dés et  plus  facilement  pardonnes — pour  une  révolte  réelle 
et  efficace  que  nous  ne  le  sommes  aujourd'hui  pour  une 
déloyauté  chimérique  ?  Si  les  émissaires  catholiques  des 
Etats-Unis,  si  l'appel  chaleureux  des  officiers  français  qui 
servaient  la  cause  de  l'indépendance  américaine  ne  purent 
triompher  des  dernières  résistances  du  peuple  canadien, 
c'est  que  la  grande  voix  du  chef  de  l'Eglise  de  Québec, 
invoquant  les  principes  sacrés  du  respect  dû  à  l'autorité 
régnante  et  stigmatisant  du  nom  de  rebelles  ceux  qui  se 
laissaient  entraîner,  opposa  à  la  révolution  une  barrière 
infranchissable.  Et  l'Angleterre,  déjà  spoliée  de  la  plus 
riche  portion  de  son  héritage  en  Amérique,  dut  à  un 
évêque  français  la  conservation  de  ce  pays  du  Canada, 
l'un  des  plus  précieux  joyaux  de  la  couronne  impériale. 

«  Que  ne  pourrais-je  dire  — si  je  ne  voulais  être  bref  — 
d'un  Mgr  Denaut  dont  le  dévouement  à  l'Angleterre  se  tra- 
duisit par  des  actes  d'une  héroïque  générosité,  et  d'un  Mgr 
Plessis  rappelant  à  ses  diocésains,  en  1807,  «qu'il  est  im- 
possible d'être  bon  chrétien  sans  être  sujet  loyal  et  fidèle  », 
et,  «  qu'ils  seraient  indignes  du  nom  de  catholiques  et  de 
Canadiens  s'ils  montraient  de  la  déloyauté  ou  même  de 
l'indifférence  quand  il  s'agit  de  remplir  leurs  devoirs  de 
sujets  dévoués  aux  intérêts  de  leur  souverain  ou  à  la 
défense  du  pays.  »  C'est  cet  illustre  prélat  qui,  en  1812, 
s'employa  tout  entier  et  réussit  à  maintenir  les  Canadiens 
fidèles  à  l'allégeance  britannique.  La  même  attitude  se 
retrouve  chez  Mgr  Panet,  l'oncle  maternel  du  regretté 
cardinal  Taschereau. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  3 

«  Puis  aux  jours  si  regrettables  de  1837-38,  c'est  Mgr 
Signay,  à  Québec,  et  l'un  de  vos  prédécesseurs,  Mgr  Larti- 
gue,  à  Montréal,  qui  s'interposent  au  nom  de  la  religion 
pour  apaiser  des  luttes  fratricides  :  acte  de  loyauté  qui 
leur  a  souvent  attiré  d'amers  reproches  de  la  part  de 
quelques-uns  de  leurs  compatriotes  ;  devoir  sacré  qu'ils 
ont  dû  accomplir,  nonobstant  la  voix  du  sang  et  de  la 
tendresse  paternelle.  Nous  retrouvons  plus  tard  Mgr 
Baillargeon  qui  trace  à  ses  ouailles  la  même  ligne  de 
conduite  à  l'égard  des  Féniens  envahisseurs  et  Mgr  Taché 
qui,  en  un  moment  critique,  pacifie  ses  Métis  et  les 
conserve  à  l'Angleterre. 

«  Et  si  j'osais  me  citer  moi-même,  je  pourrais  répéter 
ce  que  j'ai  dit  en  pleine  France,  en  pleine  cathédrale  de 
Reims  —  aux  grandes  solennités  du  XlVe  centenaire  du 
baptême  de  Clovis  et  de  ses  Francs  —  que,  tout  en 
conservant  de  l'affection  pour  notre  ancienne  mère-patrie, 
nous  étions  heureux  de  vivre  à  l'ombre  du  drapeau  britan- 
nique et  que  nous  habitions  une  des  contrées  les  plus 
libres  de  la  terre.  » 

Et  plus  loin  il  ajoute  : 

«  Si  jamais  —  ce  qu'à  Dieu  ne  plaise  !  —  la  question  de 
l'annexion  aux  Etats-Unis  s'agitait  sérieusement,  il  serait 
curieux  de  voir  l'attitude  respective  de  nos  deux  nationa- 
lités —  Anglo-canadiens  et  Canadiens-français  —  en  face 
de  cette  éventualité.  J'aime  à  croire  que  nous  n'aurions 
pas  à  rougir  des  nôtres  en  pareille  occurrence,  parce  qu'ils 
sauraient  encore  une  fois  remplir  leur  devoir  de  loyaux 
sujets  de  Sa  Majesté  Britannique.  » 

Tel  est  le  noble  langage  de  Mgr  Bégin. 

Après  le  clergé,  laissons  parler  nos  hommes  publics. 


4  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

El  d'abord  sir  Wilfrid  : 
«  A  Sa  Majesté  la  Reine, 

«  Très  Gracieuse  Souveraine, 

«  Nous,  sujets  loyaux  et  soumis  de  Votre  Majesté, 
Sénat  et  Chambre  des  Communes  du  Canada,  assemblés 
en  Parlement,  désirons  offrir  à  Votre  Majesté,  nos  cordia- 
les félicitations  à  l'occasion  de  la  fin  prochaine  de  la 
guerre  de  l'Afrique  du  Sud,  fin  que  font  prévoir  les  succès 
récents  des  armés  anglaises  couronnés  par  la  chute  de 
Pretoria. 

«  Le  sentiment  de  fierté  et  de  satisfaction  avec  lequel 
nous  saluons  toute  addition  nouvelle  à  la  liste  déjà  longue 
et  glorieuse  des  hauts  faits  de  la  valeur  et  des  ressour- 
ces anglaises  est  encore  augmenté  actuellement  de  la 
conscience  que  nous  avons  que  le  Canada,  grâce  à  l'active 
coopération  de  ses  enfants  sur  le  champ  de  bataille  a 
droit  d'une  façon  nouvelle  et  spéciale  de  participer  à  la 
joie  du:  triomphe  actuel. 

«  Nous  nous  réjouissons  que  le  conflit  qui  heureusement 
s'achève  maintenant,  aura  pour  effet  de  faire  disparaîrre 
les  embarras  dont  ont  souffert  pendant  si  longtemps  beau- 
coup de  concitoyens,  et  nous  ne  doutons  pas  que  l'exten- 
sion de  la  domination  bienfaisante  de  Votre  Majesté  sur 
toute  l'Afrique  du  Sud  n'amène  sur  ces  territoires  les 
bénédictions  qui  résultent  d'une  sage  et  bienveillante 
administration  de  lois  justes  et  équitables. 

«  Nous  adressons  des  prières  pour  que  le  règne  de  Votre 
Majesté  se  prolonge  de  longues  années  encore  pour  le 
bonheur  de  votre  peuple.  »  (Session  du  Parhme?it  de  içoo.) 

Passons  à  sir  Charles  Tupper  : 

«  C'est  avec  beaucoup  de  plaisir  que  je  seconde  l'adresse 
que  l'honorable  Premier  Ministre  vient  de  proposer  en 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  5 

termes  si  éloquents,  et  que  je  m'associe  aux  sentiments 
qu'il  a  si  noblement  exprimés. 

«  Sir  Charles  parle  ensuite  de  la  noble  conduite  des 
Canadiens-français  depuis  que  le  sort  des  armes  a  fait 
passer  leur  pays  sous  la  domination  anglaise,  et  c'est  du 
fond  du  cœur,  dit-il,  qu'il  déclare  que  la  couronne  britan- 
nique n'a  pas  de  plus  loyaux  sujets  que  les  deux  millions 
de  Canadiens-français  qui  vivent  sur  cette  terre  du 
Canada.  »  (Session  du  Parlement  de  içoo.J 

Laissons  parler  maintenant  l'honorable  Evanturel,  pré- 
sident de  l'assemblée  législative  d'Ontario  : 

«  Je  sens  que  je  ne  puis  rien  ajouter  aux  sentiments  de 
parfaite  loyauté  et  de  contentement  que  vient  d'exprimer 
cette  province  entière,  par  la  voix  de  son  premier  ministre 
et  du  chef  du  parti  conservateur.  L'Orateur  de  cette 
Chambre  n'est  pas,  d'un  sens,  en  position  d'ajouter 
quelque  chose  à  ce  qui  a  déjà  été  dit  par  des  hommes 
d'une  bien  plus  grande  importance  et  d'une  plus  haute 
autorité  ;  mais,  la  Chambre  me  permettra,  je  l'espère, 
d'oublier  que  j'occupe  ici  une  position  officielle,  et  de 
déclarer  qu'il  n'y  a  pas  de  race  au  Canada  qui  ait  appris, 
avec  une  joie  plus  exubérante,  les  précieuses  nouvelles  qui 
nous  sont  arrivées  de  l'Afrique  Australe,  que  la  race  cana- 
dienne-française, celle  à  laquelle  j'appartiens.  (Applaudisse- 
ments.) Je  parle  à  un  auditoire  instruit,  peut-être  l'audi- 
toire le  plus  instruit  de  cette  grande  province  d'Ontario, 
aussi,  je  me  permettrai  de  citer  une  page  d'histoire, 
certain  par  avance  que  l'on  ne  me  contredira  pas  sur  ce 
point. 

<(  A  une  certaine  époque,  sur  ce  sol  même  que  nous 
habitons  aujourd'hui  —  et  quelle  magnifique  page  de  notre 
histoire  cela  me  rappelle  :  —  alors  que  pas  un  seul  Anglais 
n'était  encore  venu^  alors   que  pas  un  de  nos  amis  irlan- 


6  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

dais,  qui  ont  pris  une  si  large  part  à  la  formation  de  nos 
destinées,  n'avaient  traversé  les  mers,  à  cette  époque  donc, 
les  Canadiens-français  se  tenaient  seuls  et  durent  résister, 
de  la  part  des  Américains,  à  la  plus  sérieuse  tentation  qui 
les  ait  jamais  assiégés. 

«  La  tentation  fut  une  de  celles  que  l'on  ne  rencontre  pas 
dans  l'histoire  du  monde  entier.  Les  Américains  étaient 
allés  chercher  en  France  le  général  Lafayette,  celui-là 
même  qui  vint  déployer,  sur  la  frontière  qui  nous  délimite 
au  sud,  le  drapeau  de  ma  race,  le  drapeau  à  l'ombre 
duquel  nous  sommes  nés  ;  puis,  il  fit  à  mes  compatriotes 
cet  appel  :  «  Pourquoi  ne  revenez-vous  pas  à  votre  ancien 
drapeau  ?  Après  tout,  ce  drapeau  qu'ils  appellent  le  Union 
Jack  ou  le  Royal  Standard  d'Angleterre,  vous  ne  l'avez 
jamais  vu  sur  vos  rives.  Revenez  donc  à  nous.  Moi, 
Lafayette,  parlant  au  nom  de  vos  voisins,  de  ce  peuple 
qui  est  à  mes  côtés,  je  représente  la  liberté,  l'égalité  et  la 
fraternité.  » 

«  Puis,  une  autre  voix  se  fit  entendre  ;  elle  parla  aux 
troupes  canadiennes-françaises.  C'était  la  voix  d'un  bon 
évêque  de  Québec.  Le  distingué  prélat  se  plaça  devant 
les  rangs  des  soldats  et  leur  parla  en  ces  termes  :  «  Ce 
drapeau  peut  vous  tenter  ;  les  lois  de  la  nature  peuvent 
aussi  vous  tenter  ;  vous  pourriez  vous  réfugier  sous  les 
plis  de  ce  drapeau  ;  mais,  n'oubliez  pas  une  chose,  c'est 
qu'hier  encore  vous  avez  juré  fidélité  au  drapeau  qui  doit 
être  le  drapeau  de  ce  pays.  Si  vous  alliez  renier  cette 
allégeance  à  ce  drapeau,  dès  aujourd'hui  la  Providence 
vous  refuserait  les  bénédictions  que  vous  êtes  en  droit 
d'attendre  d'Elle.  » 

«  Cet  appel  fut  entendu  et  les  Canadiens-français 
épaulèrent  leurs  mousquets  et  chassèrent  devant  eux  les 
soldats  de  Benedict  Arnold  et  Montgomery.  (Applau- 
dissements.) 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  7 

«  Je  ne  désire  pas  retarder  cette  Chambre  dans  ses 
travaux  ;  mais,  permettez-moi  de  dire  qu'il  n'y  a  pas  de 
plus  loyaux  sujets  de  Sa  Majesté  dans  tout  ce  pays  que 
les  Canadiens-français. 

«  Des  enfants  de  ma  race  sont  aujourd'hui  à  combattre 
sous  le  drapeau  anglais  dans  l'Afrique  Australe  ! 

«  J'en  suis  fier,  bien  que  je  déplore  qu'il  y  en  ait  parmi 
eux  qui  aient  été  blessés  ;  même,  parmi  ces  derniers,  je 
vois  le  nom  d'un  brave  qui  est  né  dans  la  même  rue,  dans 
la  même  ville  que  moi. 

«  Oui,  là,  couché  dans  les  tranchées  de  Paardeberg  ou 
dans  une  voiture  d'ambulance  anglaise,  vous  trouverez  le 
fils  du  président  de  la  plus  haute  cour  parlementaire  — 
sir  Alphonse  Pelletier  —  qui  est  un  des  premiers  officiers 
du  régiment  canadien.  (Applaudissements.) 

«  Permettez-moi  de  dire,  en  terminant,  qu'il  n'y  a  pas 
de  race,  représentée  dans  l'enceinte  de  cette  législature,  à 
qui  la  victoire  qu'on  annonce  aujourd'hui  en  appelle  plus 
fortement  ou  cause  plus  de  satisfaction  que  cette  race  à 
laquelle  appartient  celui  qui  préside  aux  débats  législatifs 
de  cette  province.» 

C'est  à  coup  sûr  le  plus  noble  et  grand  acte  de  loyauté 
qui  ait  jamais  été  exprimé  par  un  Canadien-français 
devant  un  parlement  anglais. 

Voici  maintenant  Benjamin  Suite  : 

«  Nos  guerres  ont  montré  que  nous  voulions  défendre 
le  Canada  et  le  conserver  au  drapeau  anglais.  Par  trois 
fois,  en  1765,  1775,  1812,  alors  que  nous  formions  pour 
ainsi  dire  la  seule  population  blanche  du  pays  et  que 
l'Angleterre,  engagée  ailleurs,  ne  pouvait  pas  nous  secou- 
rir, les  milices  canadiennes  ont  fait  des  miracles  de 
dévouement  et  sauvé  la  situation.  Ces  faits  devraient 
suffire  pour   répondre   aux  attaques,  aux   soupçons,  aux 

14 


8  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

dénigrements  dont  on  nous  abreuve.  Par  bonheur  la  vérité 
reste  victorieuse  après  les  injures  comme  nos  armes 
d'autrefois  après  la  bataille.»  (Conférence  au  château 
Ramezay.) 

A  son  tour,  voici  ce  que  dit  Ulric  Barthe,  dans  une  de 
ses  conférences,  à  Québec  : 

«  Et  dans  cette  nouvelle  nation,  les  Canadiens-français 
ont  un  des  premiers  rôles  à  jouer,  qui  consiste,  non  pas  à 
perpétuer  en  Amérique,  sur  cette  terre  d'Amérique,  les 
haines  qui  remontent  à  l'époque  de  Jeanne  d'Arc,  et  qui 
n'ont  pas  leur  sens  ici,  mais  au  contraire  à  servir  de  trait- 
d'union  entre  les  deux  plus  grandes  races  du  monde,  et  à 
démontrer  ce  qu'ensemble  elles  peuvent  faire  pour  la 
civilisation.  » 

Enfin  cette  loyauté  se  confirme  et  s'affirme  par  les 
extraits  suivants  : 

«  M.  de  Léry  Macdonald,  maire  de  Rigaud,  a  prononcé 
quelques  paroles  chaleureuses  au  sujet  du  succès  de  nos 
soldats  en  Afrique  et  a  émis  l'opinion,  qu'en  cette  circons- 
tance, il  ne  serait  pas  hors  de  propos  d'affirmer  notre 
loyauté. 

«  En  conséquence,  il  a  proposé,  secondé  par  M.  Wm. 
Brown,  maire  de  Pointe  Fortune,  la  résolution  suivante 
qui  a  été  adoptée  à  l'unanimité  : 

«  Que  les  maires  du  comté  de  Vaudreuil,  assemblés, 
désirent  exprimer  à  Sa  Majesté  la  reine  Victoria  leur  vive 
satisfaction  à  l'occasion  du  succès  de  ses  armes  en  Afrique, 
et  saisissent  cette  occasion  de  réitérer  l'expression  de  leur 
loyauté  à  la  couronne  bricannique  ;  et  comme  témoignage 
de  leur  sympathie  offrent  une  contribution  personnelle  de 
vingt-cinq  dollars  au  Fonds  patriotique  du  Dominion.» 

Résolution  adoptée  par  les  maires  du  comté  de  Vau- 
dreuil. 


LE   LIVRE    d'or  9 

Les  Acadiens  réunis  en  convention  à  Arichat  ont 
décidé  de  tenir  leur  prochaine  réunion  à  Caraquette,  N.B., 
et  ont  adopté  la  résolution  suivante  qui  a  été  câblée  à 
Londres  : 

«  Nous,  les  Acadiens-français,  assemblés  en  convention 
générale  à  Arichat,  Cap-Breton,  protestons  de  notre 
inaltérable  loyauté  à  la  couronne  britannique  et  comme 
un  gage  de  notre  amour  pour  Sa  Majesté  nous  lui  offrons 
nos  condoléances  au  sujet  de  la  mort  récente  de  Son 
Altesse  Royale,  le  prince  de  Saxe-Cobourg.  » 

Résolution  adoptée  par  les  Acadiens. 

Pour  conclure  sur  le  loyalisme  ca7iadien,  nous  citerons 
enfin  les  sentiments  élevés  et  patriotiques  de  MM.  J.-M. 
TeUier,  M.P.P.,  du  juge  Baby,  de  M.  Dugas,  C.R.,  du 
R.  P.  C.  Beaudry,  C.S.V.,  de  Joliette,  lors  de  la  distribution 
des  médailles  aux  vétérans  de  1870  : 

«  Que  la  démonstration  d'aujourd'hui  soit  pour  nous 
tous,  messieurs,  d'un  salutaire  enseignement,  qu'elle  soit 
surtout  un  enseignement  pour  la  jeunesse;  que  cette 
démonstration  en  particulier  rappelle  à  tous  que  chacun 
doit  aimer  son  pays,  le  servir  fidèlement,  et  au  besoin, 
être  prêt  à  lui  faire  le  sacrifice  de  sa  vie.  » 

Tellier. 

«  Après  cette  harangue  du  président,  toute  vibrante  de 
patriotisme,  que  l'assistance  avait  à  maintes  reprises  inter- 
rompue par  ses  applaudissements  nombreux  et  chaleureux, 
l'honorable  juge  Baby  fut  appelé  à  adresser  la  parole. 

«  Le  savant  magistrat  dit  qu'il  était  heureux  de  prendre 
la  parole  devant  cette  foule.  Il  est  enfant  de  Joliette.  Il 
sent  qu'il  se  fait  vieux  ;  ceci  l'amène  à  dire  que  lui  et 
beaucoup  de  ses  contemporains  disparaîtront  bientôt,  et 
qu'alors    le   poids    des   affaires   et   des  intérêts  du    pays 


10  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

tomberont  sur  les  robustes  épaules  de  cette  jeunesse 
brillante  qu'il  a  sous  les  yeux. 

«  De  la  campagne  fénienne,  il  se  rappelle  un  fait  qui 
peint  bien  le  patriotisme  des  Canadiens.  Il  se  souvient 
que  parmi  la  compagnie  de  Sainte-Mélanie,  il  y  avait 
comme  soldat  un  brave  cultivateur  accompagné  de  ses 
deux  fils,  M.  Perreault.  Il  est  heureux  de  voir  que  les 
deux  fils  sont  au  nombre  des  médaillés.  Le  père  est  allé 
recevoir  sa  récompense  là-haut.  Qui  pourrait  dire  que  les 
Canadiens-français  ne  sont  pas  loyaux  ;  ils  sont  plus 
loyaux  que  ceux  qui  prétendent  qu'ils  ne  le  sont  pas. 
Seulement,  les  Canadiens-français  ne  font  pas  parade  de 
loyauté,  mais  quand  ils  sont  appelés  à  défendre  leur  pays, 
il  n'y  a  pas  un  peuple  au  monde  capable  de  leur  résister. 
L'Angleterre  est  dans  le  moment  engagée  dans  une  guerre 
atroce  ;  après  une  récente  victoire,  le  commandant  général 
adressait  à  l'Angleterre  elle-même  un  message  disant  que 
c'est  grâce  à  l'artillerie  canadienne  qu'il  a  remporté  cette 
victoire  ;  et  ce  corps  est  commandé  par  le  major  Hudon, 
de  Québec,  un  Canadien-français  comme  nous. 

«  Il  veut  adresser  une  prière  aux  jeunes  gens.  C'est 
d'être  toujours  loyaux  à  l'Angleterre,  au  drapeau  britanni- 
que qui  nous  abrite.  Sans  le  soutien  de  l'Angleterre,  que 
serions-nous  ?  un  rien,  un  petit  peuple  d'aventuriers  qui 
deviendrait  la  proie  des  grandes  nations.  .  .  .  Aimons  la 
France,  notre  mère-patre,  mais  vénérons  et  respectons 
l'Angleterre,  notre  patrie  d'adoption.  ...» 

«  M.  F.-O.  Dugas,  avocat,  C.R.,  de  Joliette,est  l'orateur 
suivant.  Sa  parole  chaude,  ardente,  patriotique,  trouve  de 
l'écho  dans  tous  les  cœurs.  Il  est  vivement  applaudi  par 
l'auditoire.  Il  dit  que  le  district  de  Joliette  a  contribué 
dans  sa  large  part  à  la  défense  du  pays,  à  cette  époque  de 
danger.  Il  distribue  à  chaque  compagnie  de  volontaires 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  II 

sa  part  de  compliments,  mais  il  félicite  tout  particulière- 
ment les  Irlandais  de  Rawdon  qui  ont  formé  à  eux  seuls 
deux  compagnies.  L'orateur  fait  l'historique  des  deux 
invasions  féniennes  de  1866  et  1870.  Il  parle  de  la  loyauté 
des  Canadiens-français.  Il  dit  que  ces  troubles  de  1870 
ont  fourni  l'occasion  aux  Canadiens-français  de  démontrer 
à  l'univers  entier  qu'ils  étaient  loyaux  sujets  ;  que  leur 
conduite  patriotique  a  prouvé  qu'ils  n'avaient  pas  démérité 
de  leurs  ancêtres.  L'orateur  est  natif  de  la  paroisse  de 
Saint-Jacques-de-l'Achigan.  Il  veut  particulièrement  féli- 
citer ses  ex-coparoissiens  qui  ont  fourni  eux  aussi  une 
compagnie.  Il  rappelle  que  le  capitaine  de  cette  compa- 
gnie d'alors,  M.  Euclide  Dugas,  lorsque  le  clairon  d'alarme 
a  sonné,  était  à  Chicago.  Ce  vaillant  soldat  s'empresse  de 
retourner  dans  sa  paroisse,  à  Saint-Jacques  et  de  se  mettre 
à  la  tête  de  sa  compagnie  pour  voler  à  la  défense  du  pays 
menacé.  » 

«  Le  révérend  M.  Prosper  Beaudry,  curé  de  la  ville  de 
Joliette,  est  invité  par  le  président  à  adresser  la  parole. 

«  La  religion  et  la  patrie,  dit-il,  ont  de  profondes  racines 
dans  nos  cœurs,  et  à  maintes  reprises,  les  Canadiens  ont 
donné  la  preuve  de  leur  dévouement  à  la  religion  et  à  la 
patrie.  Chaque  fois  que  le  pays  a  été  menacé,  il  a  trouvé 
des  bras  pour  le  défendre.  Nous  sommes  Français  par  les 
sentiments,  par  notre  origine,  par  nos  affections,  mais 
nous  sommes  de  fidèles  sujets  anglais,  et  il  n'est  pas 
nécessaire  de  parler  l'anglais  pour  faire  de  nous  des 
hommes  loyaux,  et  je  ne  crois  pas  que  l'Angleterre  dans 
son  immense  empire  trouve  des  hommes  plus  loyaux, 
plus  dévoués  que  les  Canadiens-français,  quoiqu'ils  parlent 
français.  .  .  .  Comme  l'a  dit  un  orateur,  pour  le  Canadien- 
français,  son  cœur  est  à  la  France,  et  son  bras  à  l'Angle- 
terre.   Si  jamais    notre   pays   était   menacé,  l'Angleterre 


12  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

trouvera  encore  des  bras  nombreux  pour  le  défendre,  et 
des  prêtres  pour  bénir  ses  étendards.  » 

«  Le  supérieur  du  collège  de  Joliette,  le  révérend  C. 
Beaudry,  C.S.V.,  adresse  à  son  tour  la  parole.  Les  pre- 
miers du  régiment  de  Joliette  qui  partirent  pour  repousser 
les  hordes  féniennes,  sont  trois  élèves  du  collège  de 
Joliette,  MM.  le  Dr  Sheppard,  feu  Arthur  McConville  et 
J.-U.  Foucher.  Dans  nos  maisons  d'éducation,  dit-il,  nous 
cultivons  la  religion,  mais  aussi  l'amour  de  la  patrie.  » 

Nous  pourrions  ajouter  à  toutes  ces  autorités,  les  noms 
des  maires  Payment,  d'Ottawa,  Préfontaine,  de  Montréal, 
Parent,  de  Québec,  dont  les  discours,  lors  du  départ  et  du 
retour  des  contingents,  sont  empreints  du  plus  pur  loyalis- 
me, ainsi  que  les  noms  de  beaucoup  d'autres,  mais  nous 
nous  voyons  obligé  de  nous  arrêter  ici,  car,  si  nous 
voulions  continuer  sur  le  loyalisjne  cafiadien,  notre  volume 
n'y  suffirait  pas. 

Enfin,  et  pour  terminer,  nous  rappellerons  que  lors  du 
jubilé  de  la  reine,  l'Eglise  a  été  heureuse  de  recevoir 
chez  elle  tous  ceux  qui  sont  venus  chanter  avec  nous  : 
Domine,  salvamfac  reginam  ! 


SON  IION-NEUR  LE  MAIRE  PARENT. 


FORMATION  DES  CONTINGENTS 


j'EST  sur  le  désir  bien  connu  d'un  grand  nombre  de 
Canadiens  que  le  gouvernement  a  offert  le  service 
de  nos  troupes  à  l'Angleterre.  Après  tout,  ce 
n'était  pas  une  levée  forcée,  obligatoire,  mais  bien  un 
enthousiasme  voulu  volontairement,  par  la  majorité.  Cela 
est  tellement  vrai  que,  si  on  les  avait  acceptés,  on  aurait 
trouvé  dix  mille  volontaires  et  plus,  lesquels  seraient 
heureux  de  marcher  encore  aujourd'hui  sur  la  trace 
glorieuse  de  leurs  illustres  devanciers. 

Du  reste,  ce  n'est  pas  le  premier  essai  des  Canadiens  sur 
cette  terre  d'Afrique  ;  car,  quand  on  a  fait  appel  aux 
Canadiens,  en  1885,  pour  aller  relever,  à  Kartoum, 
l'héroïque  Gordon,  des  volontaires  sont  aussi  partis,  aux 
applaudissements  enthousiastes  de  tout  le  Canada,  et 
voici  ce  que  lord  Wolseley  disait  d'eux  à  cette  époque  : 

«  Le  Caire,  13  avril  1885. 

«  Au  Gouverneur  Général  du  Canada, 

i(  Le  marquis  de  Lansdowne. 
«  Milord, 

'(  Les  voyageurs  canadiens  attachés  à  la  campagne 
d'Egypte  sont  tous  retournés  au  Canada.  Je  tiens  à  cœur 


14  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

d'exprimer  à  votre  Excellence  la  haute  appréciation  que 
j'ai  faite  de  leurs  services,  et  de  l'aide  qu'ils  ont  rendue  à 
l'expédition. 

«  A  de  rares  exceptions,  ils  ont  prouvé  leur  parfaite 
compétence  comme  bateliers.  Ils  ont  travaillé  admirable- 
ment bien  et  ont  enduré  les  fatigues  de  cette  rude  campa- 
gne sans  proférer  un  seul  murmure  de  mécontentement. 

«  En  plusieurs  occasions  ils  ont  déployé  non  seulement 
beaucoup  d'adresse,  mais  aussi  beaucoup  de  courage  dans 
la  navigation  du  Nil,  à  la  fois  difficile  et  dangereuse. 

«  J'éprouve  un  vif  regret  de  ce  que,  dans  l'exécution  de 
leur  tâche,  quelques-uns  d'entre  eux  aient  été  victimes  des 
difficultés  qu'ils  avaient  à  vaincre. 

«  Les  officiers,  le  colonel  Denison  en  particulier,  ont 
fait  preuve  de  beaucoup  d'énergie  et  de  bonne  volonté  ; 
leurs  services  ont  été  de  grande  valeur. 

«  Qu'il  me  soit  permis  de  demander  à  votre  Excellence 
de  communiquer  cette  lettre  aux  officiers  et  à  tous  les 
autres  membres  du  détachement  des  Voyageurs  canadiens, 
de  même  qu'aux  autorités  canadiennes. 

«  Certains  journaux  ont  publié  des  rapports  mal  fondés 
allant  à  dire  que  les  services  des  bateliers  canadiens 
avaient  produit  des  résultats  fâcheux. 

«  Je  désire  enregistrer  non  seulement  mon  opinion,  mais 
aussi  celle  de  tous  les  officiers  mêlés  à  la  direction  des 
troupes,  et  qui  tous  s'accordent  à  dire  que  les  services 
des  Voyageurs  ont  été  de  la  plus  grande  valeur,  que  de 
plus,  leur  conduite  a  été  excellente. 

«  Ils  se  sont  fait  une  haute  réputation  parmi  les  troupes 
engagées  sur  le  Nil. 

«  Ces  dernières  ont  éprouvé  une  vive  satisfaction  de 
voir  des  Canadiens  prendre  part  à  l'expédition  et  partager 
avec  elles  les  privations  et  les  dangers  de  la  campagne. 

«  La  présence  de   Canadiens  au  moment  où  des  soldats 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  15 

anglais,  écossais  et  irlandais  étaient  réunis,  met  en  lumière 
les  liens  qui  unissent  toutes  les  parties  de  notre  grand 
empire. 

«  En  terminant,  je  tiens  à  exprimer  à  votre  Excellence 
personnellement,  mes  sincères  remerciements  pour  la 
peine  qu'EUe  s'est  donnée  dans  le  recrutement  de  ces 
Voyageurs  et  dans  les  arrangements  auxquels  il  a  donné 
lieu. 

(I  J'ai  l'honneur  d'être,  elc, 

«  WOLSELEY, 

((  Général.  « 
J'ajoute  en  outre  la  dépêche  suivante  : 

«  Downing  Street,  19  août  1885. 
«  Milord, 

«  Je  suis  très  heureux  de  vous  transmettre,  afin  qu'elles 
soient  communiquées  au  gouvernement  de  votre  Seigneu- 
rie, des  copies  des  votes  de  remerciements  passés  à  l'una- 
nimité le  12  du  courant  par  la  Chambre  des  Lords  et  par 
la  Chambre  des  Communes  aux  troupes  expéditionnaires 
du  Soudan  (1884-85)  ;  ces  votes  reconnaissent  la  bravoure, 
la  discipline  et  la  bonne  conduite  des  Voyageurs  canadiens 
et  de  leurs  officiers,  et  les  services  qu'ils  ont  rendus  à 
l'expédition. 

'(  J'espère  que  les  mesures  ordinaires  seront  prises  afin  de 
rendre  publique  l'action  du  parlement  en  cette  circonstance. 

«  J'ai  l'honneur  d'être,  etc., 

«  Fred.  Stanley  (i).  » 

Pourquoi  donc  cette  différence  d'opinion  par  quelques- 
uns,  entre  ceux  partis  en  1885,  et  ceux  de  1899  ?.  .  .  . 


(i)  Lei  voyageurs  canadietts  à  l'expédition  du  Soudan,  ou  quatre-vingt-dix 
jours  avec  les  crocodiies,  par  Gaston-P.  Labat. 


l6  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

18S6 ! . . . .      18&9 ! 


Ces  deux  dates  resteront  mémorables  dans  l'histoire  du 
Canada  ! .  .  .  . 

Donc,  l'Angleterre  a  accepté  l'offre  volontaire  des 
Canadiens,  et,  après  échange  de  dépêches  entre  les  deux 
gouvernements,  trois  contingents  sont  partis,  (i) 

Voici  la  teneur  des  dépêches  échangées  entre  le  gou- 
vernement d'Ottawa,  lord  Minto  et  M.  Chamberlain. 

«  Selon  la  promesse  faite  par  sir  Wilfrid  Laurier,  à 
l'ouverture  de  la  session,  la  correspondance  concernant 
l'envoi  des  troupes  canadiennes  au  Sud-africain  a  été 
déposée  aujourd'hui  sur  la  table  de  la  Chambre.  Il  est 
clair  maintenant  d'après  les  informations  que  sir  Wilfrid 
a  demandées  à  lord  Strathcona  au  sujet  de  ce  que  payent 
les  autres  colonies  pour  l'envoi  des  contingents,  que  le 
gouvernement  n'avait  pas  l'intention  de  payer  seul  toutes 
les  dépenses  occasionnées  pour  le  transport  des  troupes. 

«  La  correspondance  se  lit  comme  suit  : 

«  Une  dépêche  en  date  du  3  octobre  1899  et  venant  de 
l'honorable  M.  Chamberlain,  a  été  soumise  à  la  considéra- 
tion du  comité  du  Conseil  privé  ;  elle  se  lit  ainsi  : 

«  Le  secrétaire  d'Etat  pour  la  guerre  et  le  général  en 
chef  désirent  que  vous  exprimiez  votre  haute  appréciation 
du  patriotisme  du  peuple  du  Canada,  offrant  d'envoyer 
des  contingents  dans  le  Sud-africain  et  que  vous  donniez 
les  informations  suivantes  qui  aideront  à  l'organisation 
des  troupes,  de  manière  à  former  des  unités  qui  pourront 
répondre  aux  besoins  militaires  :  1°  cent  vingt-cinq  hom- 
mes devraient  composer  chaque  unité  ;  2°  ils  peuvent 
être  soit  de  l'infanterie,  soit  de  l'infanterie  montée  ou  de 
la  cavalerie  ;  3°  Tous  devraient  être  armés  de  fusils  203 

(1)  Nous  donnons  à  la  fin  du  volume  le  départ  de  chaque  contingent,  ainsi  que 
les  noms  de  ceux  qui  en  faisaient  partie. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  17 

décimais  qui  peuvent  être  fournis  par  le  gouvernement 
impérial,  si  c'est  nécessaire  ;  49  chacun  devra  fournir  son 
propre  équipement  et  les  soldats  à  cheval,  leur  monture  ; 
5°  pas  plus  d'un  capitaine  et  de  trois  subalternes  pour 
chaque  unité.  Un  officier  d'un  grade  pas  plus  élevé  que 
celui  de  major  pourra  commander  toute  la  division.  Quant 
aux  nombres  que  l'on  pourra  employer,  le  secrétaire  d'Etat 
pour  la  guerre  se  basera  sur  la  nature  même  des  offres, 
mais  il  désire  que  chaque  colonie  soit  représentée  d'une 
manière  juste  et  équitable  ;  mais  il  ajoute  toutefois  qu'il  ne 
pourra  pas  dépasser  les  besoins  nécessaires  si  l'état-major 
doit  employer  toutes  les  troupes  qui  font  partie  des  forces 
impériales.  Il  accepterait  avec  plaisir  les  unités,  aux 
conditions  suivantes  :  les  troupes  seront  débarquées  au 
port  d'arrivée,  en  Afrique,  avec  équipement  complet  aux 
frais  du  gouvernement  colonial  ou  des  volontaires.  A 
compter  du  jour  du  débarquement,  le  gouvernement  impé- 
rial pourvoira  au  paiement  d'après  le  tarif  de  l'empire, 
fournira  l'équipement  et  les  munitions,  paiera  toutes  les 
dépenses  pour  ramener  les  troupes  au  Canada,  paiera 
des  pensions  aux  blessés  et  se  chargera  des  compensa- 
tions, aux  taux  alloués  par  le  gouvernement  impérial. 

«  Les  contingents  ne  devront  pas  embarquer  après  le 
31  octobre  et  devront  être  dirigés  sur  Cape  Town  où  ils 
recevront  les  ordres  nécessaires.  Veuillez  donner  des 
informations,  d'après  les  instructions  ci-haut  mentionnées, 
à  tous  ceux  qui  ont  offert  de  faire  une  levée  de  volontaires.  » 

Signé,        Chamberlain. 

«  Le  très  honorable  sir  Wilfrid  Laurier,  à  qui  cette 
dépêche  a  été  envoyée,  fait  remarquer  que  le  secrétaire 
des  colonies,  en  réponse  aux  offres  reçues  des  différentes 
parties  du  Canada  exprimant  le  désir  des  militaires  prêts 
à  combattre  pour  Sa  Majesté,  a  dit  que  des  unités  de  cent 


l8  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

vingt-cinq  hommes  et  quelques  officiers  seraient  acceptées 
à  leur  arrivée  dans  l'Afrique  Sud,  pourvu  que  leurs  dépen- 
ses soient  payées  par  eux-mêmes  ou  le  gouvernement 
colonial. 

«  Le  premier  ministre,  vu  le  désir  bien  connu  d'un  grand 
nombre  de  Canadiens  désireux  de  s'enrôler  dans  ces 
conditions,  est  d'opinion  que  les  dépenses  modérées  de 
l'équipement  et  de  transport  de  ces  volontaires  devraient 
être  payées  volontiers  par  le  gouvernement  du  Canada, 
sans  convoquer  les  Chambres,  étant  donné,  surtout,  que 
ces  dépenses,  dans  de  telles  circonstances,  ne  peuvent 
constituer  une  dérogation  au  principe  bien  connu  du 
gouvernement  constitutionnel  et  de  l'usage  des  colonies, 
ni  établir  un  précédent. 

«  La  Nouvelle-Zélande  a  déjà  envoyé  deux  compagnies 
aux  mêmes  conditions  et  dans  des  circonstances  analogues, 
le  Queensland  va  envoyer  deux  cent  cinquante  hommes, 
l'Australie  et  la  Tasmanie  en  envoient  cent  vingt-cinq 
chacune. 

«  En  conséquence,  le  premier  ministre  recommande  que 
le  gouvernement  prenne  dans  les  entrepôts  du  départe- 
ment de  la  milice  ce  qu'il  faudra  pour  équiper  un  certain 
nombre  de  volontaires  n'excédant  pas  mille  hommes  et 
pourvoie  à  les  faire  transporter  de  ce  pays  au  Sud-africain 
et  que  le  ministre  de  la  milice  prenne  tous  les  arrange- 
ments voulus  à  cet  effet. 

«  Le  comité  prie  votre  Excellence  de  transmettre  une 
copie  certifiée  de  cette  minute  au  très  honorable  secrétaire 
d'Etat  pour  les  colonies. 

«  Le  tout  respectueusement  soumis  à  l'approbation  de 
votre  Excellence.» 

JoHN-J.  McGee, 
Secrétaire  du  Conseil  Privé. 


LE   LIVRE    d'or  rg 

Télégramme  de    M.    Chamberlain   a    Lord    Minto. 

i6  octobre  1899. 

Le  gouvernement  de  Sa  Majesté  a  reçu  avec  beaucoup 
de  plaisir  votre  télégramme  du  13  octobre  me  transmettant 
l'o fifre  généreuse  du  Canada  d'envoyer  1,000  hommes,  ce 
qui  est  accepté  avec  reconnaissance. 

Chamberlain. 


Le  Comte  de  Minto  a  M.  Chamberlain. 

Ottawa,  2  novembre  1899. 

La  nouvelle  des  revers  du  Sud-africain  a  causé  une 
profonde  émotion  au  Canada  ;  mais  partout  on  a  le  ferme 
espoir  qu'il  n'y  a  pas  raison  de  s'alarmer.  Mes  ministres 
sont  cependant  prêts  à  agir  d'après  les  données  de  votre 
dernière  dépêche,  et  à  envoyer  immédiatement  un  autre 
contingent,  si  le  gouvernement  de  Sa  Majesté  le  juge 
à  propos. 

(Signé)  Minto. 


M.  Chamberlain  a  Lord  Minto. 

Londres,  2  novembre  1899. 

J'ai  communiqué  au  secrétaire  d'Etat  pour  la  guerre, 
l'ofiTre  généreuse  et  patriotique  de  votre  gouvernement 
d'envoyer  un  autre  contingent.  Sa  réponse  vous  sera 
télégraphiée  aussitôt  que  possible  ;  en  attendant,  je  désire 
vous  exprimer  ma  reconnaissance. 

(Signé)  Chamberlain. 


M.  Chambelain  a  Lord  Minto. 

Londres,  7  novembre  1899. 

L'offre  généreuse  de  vos  ministres  d'envoyer  sans  délai 
un  second  contingent  pour  servir  dans  le  Sud-africain  a 


20  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

été  prise  en  sérieuse  considération  par  le  secrétaire  d'Etat 
pour  la  guerre  et  ses  aviseurs  militaires  ;  mais  ils  regrettent 
de  ne  pouvoir  l'accepter  dans  les  circonstances. 

Le  gouvernement  de  Sa  Majesté  prend  cependant  note 
de  cette  offre,  et  n'hésitera  pas  à  s'en  prévaloir,  si  les 
événements  rendent  la  chose  nécessaire. 

Le  gouvernement  de  Sa  Majesté  attache  une  grande 
importance  à  cette  nouvelle  preuve  de  sympathie  et  de 
bonne  volonté  de  la  part  du  Canada,  et  désire  lui  en 
exprimer  sa  reconnaissante  appréciation. 

(Signé)  Chamberlain. 


M.  Chamberlain  a  Lord  Minto. 

Londres,  i6  décembre  1899. 

Référant  à  ma  dépêche  du  7  novembre  suivant  une 
autre  dépêche  reçue  des  Nouvelles-Galles  du  Sud  disant  : 
'(  Est-ce  que  le  gouvernement  de  Sa  Majesté  désire  que 
les  colonies  anglaises  envoient  d'autres  troupes  dans 
l'Afrique-Sud  ?  »  La  dépêche  suivante  a  été  envoyée  en 
réponse  :  «  Prêt  à  accepter  d'autres  offres  des  colonies. 
Si  de  telles  offres  sont  faites,  elles  seront  préférées  à  celles 
de  troupes  à  cheval.  Les  soldats  devront  être  entraînés, 
être  de  bons  tireurs  et  se  procurer  leur  propre  cheval. 
Communiquez  ceci  à  vos  ministres  pour  les  guider  au 
sujet  de  leur  offre  d'un  second  contingent  que  le  gouver- 
nement de  Sa  Majesté  accepte  avec  plaisir. 

(Signé)  Chamberlain. 

Si  après  tout  cela  quelqu'un  est  à  blâmer,  ne  blâmons 
que  nos  exaltés  d'enthousiasme,  de  patriotisme  et  de 
loyalisme,  lesquels  unissaient  de  gaieté  de  cœur  «  La 
Marseillaise  »  au  «  God  Save  the  Queen.  « 


LE  DÉPART  DES  CONTINGENTS 


^,  Quoique  beaucoup  de  personnes  aient  déjà  assisté 
/^  à  un  départ  de  troupes,  nous  ne  croyons  pas 
qu'elles  aient  jamais  éprouvé  le  sentiment  qui 
envahissait  tous  les  cœurs  à  ce  moment. 

En  effet,  c'était  le  premier  pas  de  nos  soldats  vers  le 
champ  de  la  gloire. ...  ou  de  la  mort,  et  chacun  était 
aussi  anxieux  qu'une  mère  qui  voit  son  enfant  commencer 
à  marcher.  Va-t-il  tomber  avant  d'arriver  au  but  ?.  .  . . 
Oui,  ils  sont  arrivés  au  but,  nos  braves,  et  si  quelques-uns 
sont  tombés,  du  moins  ils  sont  tombés  glorieusement. 

Honneur  à  eux  I  .  . .  .  Et  pouvait-il  en  être  autrement  ? 
Non,  car  tant  de  vœux,  de  souhaits,  de  cœurs  les  accom- 
pagnaient et  les  protégeaient,  que  le  Dieu  des  armées  et 
de  la  victoire  les  a  pris  sous  sa  garde.  Et  ces  vœux,  et  ces 
souhaits,  et  ces  cœurs  qui  étaient  leur  Mascotte,  leur 
porte-bonheur,  s'exhalaient,  se  manifestaient  depuis  le 
Pacifique  jusqu'à  l'Atlantique.  Voyez  plutôt.  .  .  .  Vancou- 
ver, Winnipeg,  Toronto,  Kingston,  Hamilton,  Ottawa, 
Montréal,  Québec,  Halifax,  enfin  tout  le  Canada  déployant 
ses  drapeaux  sur  la  tête  de  tous  nos  soldats,  pour  les 
bénir,  tout  comme  le  Christ  bénissait  avant  de  partir  ceux 
qu'il  envoyait  au  combat.  .  .  . 


22  LE    LIVRE   D  OR 

Nous  ne  nous  attarderons  pas  à  dire  et  à  dépeindre  tout 
ce  qui  s'est  dit  et  fait  à  cette  occasion,  mais  nous  nous 
contenterons  de  citer  les  discours  des  principaux  person- 
nages qui,  au  nom  de  la  population  entière,  ont  salué  le 
départ  de  nos  braves. 

N'ayant  pas  la  prétention  de  vouloir  donner  au  grand 
complet  tout  ce  qui  s'est  fait  et  dit  au  sujet  du  Départ  des 
contingents^  nous  nous  contenterons  d'en  donner  les  prin- 
cipales lignes,  car  que  ce  soit  le  premier  ou  le  dernier 
contingent  qui  parte,  la  manifestation  a  été  égale  en  tous 
point,  le  sentiment  patriotique,  en  la  circonstance,  étant 
invariable. 

Nous  nous  étendrons  cependant  plus  longuement  sur 
le  départ  des  Strathcona,  car  la  générosité  de  son  fonda- 
teur mérite  une  mention  toute  spéciale. 

C'est  donc  au  milieu  des  drapeaux  qui  flottent  sur  tous 
les  édifices,  des  rues  décorées  de  verdure,  aux  sons  joyeux 
des  musiques  militaires,  aux  acclamations  de  tout  le  peuple 
que  nous  accompagnerons  nos  braves. 

Après  Vancouver,  Winnipeg,  Toronto,  Hamilton  qui 
ont  fait  royalement  les  choses,  arrivons  à  Ottawa,  et 
laissons  la  parole  à  sir  Wilfrid  Laurier  qui,  en  la  circon- 
stance, a  été  l'interprète  de  tout  le  Canada  : 

«  Que  la  Providence  vous  protège,  dit-il,  qu'elle  vous 
protège  sur  le  champ  de  bataille  où  peut-être  vous  verserez 
votre  sang  pour  le  drapeau  qui  protège  ici  vos  libertés. 
Soyez  fidèles  à  ce  drapeau.  Marchez  sur  les  traces  de  vos 
concitoyens  qui,  déjà,  ont  fait  honneur  au  Canada  sur  le 
sol  africain.  Rappelez- vous  que  vous  serez  là-bas  les 
dépositaires  de  notre  honneur  national,  rappelez-vous 
avant  tout  que  vous  êtes  Canadiens.  » 

La  péroraison  de  sir  Wilfrid  Laurier  a  été  couverte  par 
les  applaudissements  et  les  acclamations  de  la  foule. 


LE   LIVRE   D  OR  23 

Sir  Charles  Tupper  parla  après  sir  Wilfrid  durant  trois 
quarts  d'heure. 

A  Montréal,  le  maire  Préfontaine  s'exprime  ainsi  : 

«  La  population  de  Montréal  et  celle  de  tout  le  Canada 
apprécient  à  sa  juste  valeur  la  liberté  qu'assure  le  drapeau 
anglais,  parce  qu'elles  en  recueillent  tous  les  bienfaits. 
Elles  souhaitent  que  Dieu  bénisse  votre  entreprise  et 
vous  accorde  un  prompt  et  triomphant  retour  dans  les 
lointaines  plaines  de  l'Ouest.  Nous  honorons  le  grand 
principe  pour  la  défense  duquel  vous  allez  lutter  ;  nous 
aimons  et  respectons  le  glorieux  drapeau,  notre  drapeau, 
sous  les  plis  duquel  vous  allez  combattre  ;  nous  sommes 
fiers  de  voir  le  Canada  fournir  autant  de  vaillants  et  de 
courageux  soldats  pour  combattre  les  combats  de  l'empire. 

«  Puisse  votre  traversée  de  l'océan  être  heureuse,  et  que 
chacun  de  vous  réalise  son  désir  de  prouver,  sous  le  feu 
de  l'ennemi,  quel  cœur  bat  en  sa  poitrine  1  Puissent  votre 
patriotisme,  votre  loyauté,  votre  bravoure  être  à  jamais 
un  exemple  pour  les  générations  que  l'avenir  verra  grandir 
sous  les  plis  du  glorieux  drapeau  de  l'empire  !  » 

A  Québec,  c'est  le  maire  Parent  qui  fait  vibrer  la  note 
patriotique  de  la  vieille  cité  française  : 

Il  Le  maire  et  les  citoyens  de  Québec,  vous  présentent  les 
félicitations  de  la  ville  à  la  veille  de  votre  départ  pour  le 
siège  des  opérations  dans  l'Afrique  australe.  Nous  dési- 
rons encore  une  fois  formuler  aussi  fortement  que  possible 
l'espoir  que  nous  entretenons  que  vous  saurez  maintenir 
en  Afrique  la  réputation  proverbiale  de  la  vieille  cité  de 
Québec  pour  sa  loyauté  à  l'empire  et  à  Sa  Très  Gracieuse 
Majesté  la  Reine. 

«  Nous  vous  communiquons  le  plus  cordialement  possible 
l'espoir  que  nous  avons  que  vous  débarquerez  en  Afrique 
australe  en  temps  pour  célébrer  le  triomphe  des  armes 

15 


24  LE   LIVRE   D  OR 

anglaises  et  que  vous  aiderez  à  restaurer  le  prestige  et  la 
suprématie  de  l'empire  dans  ces  contrées  lointaines. 

«  Nous  sommes  sûrs  que  vous  êtes  dignes  de  représenter 
la  valeur  et  l'esprit  d'entreprise  de  notre  pays  et  nous 
caressons  l'espoir  que  vous,  comme  ceux  de  nos  compa- 
triotes qui  vous  ont  précédés,  puissiez  avant  longtemps 
rapporter  de  frais  lauriers  dans  vos  familles  canadiennes.  » 

Enfin  !  Halifax  même  sort  de  sa  froideur  britannique 
pour  acclamer  nos  braves. 

«  .  .  .  •  Jamais  les  habitants  de  cette  vieille  cité  militaire 
n'ont  acclamé  comme  ils  l'ont  fait  aujourd'hui,  au  départ 
des  Mounted  Rifles^  pour  le  Sud-africain.  C'est  un  événe- 
ment qui  ne  sera  jamais  oublié. 

«  On  n'aurait  pu  être  plus  démonstratif,  si  tous  les 
soldats  qui  partaient  par  le  Milwaukee  avaient  été  des 
citoyens  d'Halifax.  Le  peuple  acclamait,  chantait,  criait 
et  poussait  des  hourras  depuis  l'heure  à  laquelle  le 
transport  quitta  le  quai,  jusqu'à  ce  qu'il  eût  dépassé  la 
ville  et  pris  la  haute  mer.  L'enthousiasme  était  à  son 
comble. 

«  Ceci  s'expHquait  en  partie,  par  le  fait  que  les  volon- 
taires ont  fait  beaucoup  d'amis  durant  leur  séjour  ici.  Ils 
étaient  les  bienvenus  dans  les  meilleures  familles,  on  fit 
tout  pour  leur  prouver  combien  on  appréciait  leur  zèle 
patriotique.  Durant  la  marche,  plusieurs  dames  dirent 
adieu  aux  soldats  dans  les  rangs.  Comme  les  volontaires 
arrivèrent  à  la  barrière  de  l'arsenal  de  marine,  l'honorable 
Dr  Borden  pria  le  colonel  Steel  de  commander  halte, 
et  montant  sur  un  gros  banc  de  neige,  le  ministre  de  la 
milice  lut  un  câblogramme  de  M.  Chamberlain  au  gouver- 
neur général,  dans  lequel  il  était  dit  :  «  La  reine  apprécie 
le  grand  zèle  du  Canada,  et  souhaite  aux  troupes  un  bon 
voyage  et  un  heureux  retour,  n 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  25 

«  Ceci  fut  l'occasion  de  nouveaux  hourras.  Les  divers 
corps  de  musique  militaires  jouèrent  des  airs  patriotiques 
pendant  que  les  troupes  s'embarquaient.  Il  y  avait  plus  de 
trois  mille  personnes  à  l'arsenal  de  marine.  » 

Voici  quelques  extraits  détachés  des  manifestations  qui 
ont  eu  lieu  dans  plusieurs  villes  : 

«  Calgary.  —  Les  carabiniers  montés  de  Calgary  sont 
partis  à  cinq  heures,  hier  soir.  On  leur  a  donné  un 
chaleureux  send  off.  » 

«  Saint- Jean,  N.-B.  —  Les  artilleurs  de  Woodstock,  en 
route  pour  Halifax,  ont  eu  une  belle  réception  à  la  gare 
de  Saint- Jean.  Toute  la  ville  s'était  rassemblée  à  la  gare. 

«  La  banque  du  Nouveau-Brunswick  a  voté  cinq  cents 
dollars  pour  le  fonds  de  secours  du  Transvaal.  » 

Galt,  Ont.  —  Le  fonds  de  souscription  pour  les  cinq 
jeunes  volontaires  de  Galt,  s'est  monté  à  trois  cent  vingt- 
cinq  dollars  en  moins  de  trois  jours.  » 

«  A  Ottawa,  le  train  est  arrivé,  portant  trois  cents 
soldats.  A  midi  quarante,  le  régiment,  habillé  de  peaux 
d'ours,  d'astracan,  de  buffle  ;  chaussé  de  bottes  de  peaux, 
de  mocassins  ;  coiffé  de  toute  façon  ;  portant  mouchoir 
rouge  au  cou,  et  autres  espèces  de  cravates,  et  présentant 
un  aspect  des  plus  chamarrés,  est  arrivé  sur  la  terrasse,  à 
pieds,  précédé  du  colonel  Herchmer,  sur  un  beau  cheval 
bai,  et  du  capitaine  Winter,  d'Ottawa,  adjudant  pour 
aujourd'hui,  et  suivi  de  deux  fanfares. 

«  Il  y  avait  vingt-cinq  mille  personnes  au  moins.  Les 
soldats  ont  formé  trois  ailes,  au  pied  de  l'escalier,  en  face 
de  la  tour  centrale.  Le  gouverneur  est  arrivé  à  une  heure 
et  quart,  avec  lady  Minio  et  deux  aides  de  camp,  précédé 
des  dragons,  commandés  par  le  liculenant  Powell. 


20  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

«  Les  acclamations  faisaient  résonner  les  échos  les  plus 
lointains.  Lord  Minto,  précédé  et  suivi  de  douze  officiers, 
a  fait  l'inspection  des  soldats,  des  cadets  et  des  vétérans 
de  1876,  s'arrêtant  ici  et  là  pour  parler  aux  types  les  plus 
en  évidence  de  cette  troupe.  Ensuite,  le  colonel  Cotton, 
sortant  du  milieu  de  tous  les  officiers  des  régiments 
d'Ottawa,  en  grande  tenue,  a  appelé  en  avant  les  quatre 
officiers-commandants,  et  le  colonel  Foster,  du  Génie  ;  les 
ayant  rangés  devant  lady  Minto,  celle-ci,  après  un  beau 
petit  discours,  leur  a  présenté  à  chacun  une  lance  avec 
oriflamme  vert  foncée,  avec  bande  blanche  portant  les 
mots  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  en  rouge,  et  les  armes  du 
Canada  en  coin.  Lady  Minto  a  fait  allusion  au  service  de 
son  mari  dans  l'Ouest,  et  a  dit  qu'elle  remettait  ces  lances 
en  bonnes  mains.  Elle  a  terminé  en  souhaitant  un  heu- 
reux voyage.  Le  gouverneur  et  sir  Wilfrid  ont  fait  des 
discours. 

«  Le  conseil  municipal  était  présent  ainsi  que  plusieurs 
ministres.  » 

Avant  de  continuer,  nous  croyons  devoir  ouvrir  une 
page  en  l'honneur  du  colonel  Gordon,  le  sympathique 
commandant  du  district  de  Montréal  : 

«  Samedi  soir,  environ  deux  cents  officiers  en  tenue  de 
gala  se  pressaient  dans  la  salle  des  banquets  de  l'hôtel 
Viger,  pour  rendre  hommage  au  colonel  Gordon,  comman- 
dant du  district  militaire  de  Montréal,  à  l'occasion  de  son 
départ  pour  l' Afrique-Sud. 

«  L'empressement  avec  lequel  tous  les  officiers  du  district 
militaire  No  5  de  Montréal  ont  répondu  à  l'appel  des 
organisateurs,  et  le  tact  et  le  dévouement  de  ces  derniers 
ont  fait  de  cette  démonstration  un  succès  militaire  sans 
précédent. 

«  Le  colonel  Cole  présidait  ayant  à  sa  droite  le  lieutenant- 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  27 

colonel  Gordon.  La  partie  musicale  avait  été  confiée  à 
l'un  des  meilleurs  orchestres  de  Montréal. 

«  Après  la  santé  de  la  reine,  bue  avec  un  enthousiasme 
indescriptible,  le  lieutenant-colonel  Cole,  en  termes  appro- 
priés, a  proposé  celle  du  colonel  Gordon.  Dans  quelques 
paroles  très  bien  dites,  il  a  rappelé  la  carrière  pleine  de 
succès  du  sympathique  commandant. 

«  Ses  paroles  sur  la  loyauté  du  Canada  ont  soulevé  les 
applaudissements  de  tous. 

«  Le  colonel  Gordon  a  été  salué  avec  beaucoup  d'enthou- 
siasme, lorsqu'il  s'est  levé  pour  répondre. 

«  Il  a  remercié  les  officiers  de  cette  marque  d'estime  et 
de  sympathie.  Trop  ému  pour  pouvoir  parler  longtemps, 
il  a  prié  les  convives  de  croire  à  la  sincérité  de  son  amitié 
et  de  sa  reconnaissance. 

«  La  santé  de  Mme  Gordon  a  été  proposée  par  le  lieu- 
tenant-colonel Labelle  avec  une  galanterie  bien  française. 

«  Le  populaire  commandant  du  65me  a  parlé  des  mérites 
et  du  dévouement  de  Mme  Gordon  dans  sa  participation 
au  fonds  patriotique.  Après  avoir  fait  allusion  au  courage 
de  Mme  Gordon,  et  au  chagrin  qu'elle  ressentait  de  son 
départ,  il  a  parlé  du  grand  vide  que  causerait  l'absence 
du  colonel.  » 

Comme  nous  l'avons  dit  plus  haut,  nous  devons  une 
mention  toute  spéciale  aux  Strathcona,  tant  pour  louer 
leur  attitude  martiale^  que  pour  rendre  hommage  à  lord 
Mount  Royal  et  Strathcona,  ce  distingué  patriote  qui  est 
le  père  et  le  colonel  du  régiment. 

Si  je  souligne  les  mots  :  letir  attitude  martiale,  je  ne 
veux  certainement  pas  diminuer  la  valeur  des  autres 
troupes,  mais  ayant  presque  tous  vécu  longtemps  dans  la 
prairie,  ils  montraient  par  leur  allure  qu'en  partant  pour 
le  Transvaal,  ils  allaient  en  pays  de  connaissance. 


28  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

En  effet,  gens  de  la  prairie  ou  du  Veldt,  ils  sont  presque 
cousins  par  la  rude  existence  qu'ils  y  mènent. 

«  La  cavalerie  Strathcona  a  été  passée  en  revue  hier 
après-midi  par  Son  Excellence  le  gouverneur  général.  Il  y 
avait  un  grand  nombre  de  spectateurs  et  plusieurs  mem- 
bres du  parlement  présents,  entre  autres,  l'honorable  Dr 
Borden,  ministre  de  la  milice;  sir  Charles  Tupper,  MM. 
Monk,  Davin,  Clarke,  Cargill,  le  marquis  et  la  marquise 
de  Hertford. 

«  Après  l'inspection,  une  adresse  de  la  part  des  citoyens 
de  Sudbury  fut  présentée  au  colonel  Steele  et  à  ses  hom- 
mes, ainsi  qu'un  riche  drapeau  en  soie  bordé  de  franges 
argentées,  avec  hampe  en  chêne  poli  décoré  de  nickel  et 
de  cordons  d'or.  Au  centre  de  l'étendard  sont  inscrits  les 
mots  :  Strathcona^ s  Ilorse. 

«  Ce  drapeau  a  été  fait  par  les  dames  de  Sudbury  et 
avait  été  expédié  à  M.  Klock,  député  de  Nipissing  au 
parlement  fédéral.  C'est  ce  dernier  qui  présenta  l'adresse 
au  colonel  Steele,  dont  la  réponse  a  été  fort  applaudie. 

«  L'honorable  Dr  Borden,  sir  Charles  Tupper  et  M. 
Davin,  M.P.,  adressèrent  ensuite  la  parole  et  félicitèrent 
les  soldats  de  leur  bravoure  et  de  leur  belle  apparence. 

L'assemblée  s'est  dissoute  aux  cris  de:  vivent  la  reine  et  la 
cavalerie  Strathcona. 

Ce  matin  le  contingent  a  paradé  en  face  des  édifices 
parlementaires.  Mme  Borden  a  distribué  des  guidons  à 
chacun  des  membres.  Lord  et  lady  Minto  étaient  présents. 
Dimanche  il  y  aura  parade  d'église.  Les  ofiîciers  des 
gardes  à  pied  du  gouverneur  et  le  43me  bataillon  feront 
l'escorte  d'honneur. 

«  Dix  mille  personnes  au  moins  ont  assisté,  ce  matin, 
sur  le  terrain  des  édifices  parlementaires,  à  la  parade  du 
régiment  de  lord  Strathcona. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  29 

«  Le  bataillon,  après  avoir  parcouru  les  principales  rues 
de  la  ville,  est  venu  se  grouper  en  face  de  l'édifice  central 
pour  recevoir  des  mains  de  Mme  Borden,  quatre  drapeaux 
de  la  part  des  épouses  des  employés  civils. 

«  La  cérémonie  s'est  faite  en  présence  du  gouverneur  et 
de  lady  Minto,  de  sir  Wilfrid  Laurier  et  des  honorables 
MM.  Mulock,  Tarte,  Borden,  Blair,  Mills  et  Scott.  Il  y 
avait  aussi  sir  Louis  Davis,  sir  Henri  Joly,  sir  Charles 
Tupper,  sir  Alphonse  Pelletier  et  la  plupart  des  députés 
et  sénateurs. 

«  Après  la  présentation  des  drapeaux,  le  gouverneur 
général  adressa  la  parole  aux  volontaires.  Sir  Wilfrid 
Laurier  parla  ensuite  et  reçut  une  ovation.  Il  fit  l'éloge 
du  colonel  Steele,  commandant  du  bataillon.  Ce  militaire, 
comme  commandant  de  la  police  à  cheval  du  Nord-Ouest, 
a  rendu  au  pays  des  services  signalés,  et  il  était  difficile 
de  choisir  un  meilleur  soldat  pour  mettre  à  la  tête  des 
braves  que  lord  Strathcona  envoie  à  ses  frais  défendre 
le  drapeau  de  l'empire  sur  le  sol  de  l'Afrique. 

«  Sir  Wilfrid,  parlant  ensuite  à  lord  Strathcona,  dit  que 
le  haut  commissaire  semble  considérer  ne  posséder  qu'à 
ticre  étfidéi-ccmmis  la  fortune  qu'il  a  amassée. 

«  Déjà  il  a  donné  une  large  partie  de  cette  fortune  pour 
la  grande  cause  de  l'éducation.  Il  ouvre  aujourd'hui  géné- 
reusement sa  bourse  pour  la  défense  de  l'empire  et  l'hon- 
neur du  nom  canadien. 

«  Sir  Wilfrid  a  terminé  en  souhaitant  bon  voyage  aux 
volontaires.  » 

«  La  fête  que  la  ville  de  Montréal  a  célébrée,  hier,  en 
l'honneur  des  quatre  cents  braves  Canadiens  qui  s'en  vont 
en  Afrique  du  Sud  pour  défendre  le  drapeau  britannique, 
restera  longtemps  gravée  dans  la  mémoire  de  la  population 
de  la  métropole  du  Canada. 


30  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

«  Jeunes  et  vieux,  hommes,  femmes  et  enfants,  se  rap- 
pelleront la  journée  du  12  mars  1900.  Ce  sera  pour 
l'histoire  de  noire  pays  un  jour  de  gloire  où  l'étendard 
britannique  a  été  salué  et  acclamé  à  outrance.  Jamais, 
dans  l'histoire  de  notre  ville,  il  ne  s'est  vu  un  enthousiasme 
aussi  universel  que  celui  dont  les  citoyens  de  Montréal 
ont  fait  preuve  pour  acclamer  ces  quatre  cents  fils  de 
Mars  qui  sont  partis,  hier  soir,  pour  représenter  le  Canada 
et  combattre  avec  leurs  confrères  du  Canada  qui  les  ont 
devancés.  Le  maire  Préfontaine  avait  proclamé  l'après- 
midi  d'hier  comme  fête  civique. 

«  Toute  la  population  de  Montréal,  sans  aucune  distinc- 
tion de  nationalité  ou  de  religion,  s'est  rendue  à  l'invitation 
du  premier  magistrat  de  la  ville. 

«  On  estime  à  cinquante  mille  personnes  la  foule  qui 
était  groupée  sur  le  parcours  de  la  procession  d'hier. 
■  ((  Il  a  été  payé  jusqu'à  cinquante  dollars  pour  avoir  le 
droit  d'occuper  un  endroit  convenable  pour  voir  passer  le 
Strathcona's  Horse. 

«  Le  maire,  le  conseil  municipal,  et  une  foule  de  citoyens 
distingués  étaient  à  la  gare  pour  souhaiter  la  bienvenue 
au  régiment. 

«  Dès  que  la  foule  aperçut  les  volontaires,  il  y  eut  une 
véritable  explosion  d'enthousiasme.  La  scène  qui  s'est 
passée  alors  est  indescriptible  ;  les  cris  et  les  vivats  mêlés 
aux  sons  harmonieux  des  airs  patriotiques  que  jouaient 
les  fanfares,  étaient  au-dessus  de  toute  description.  Lors- 
que la  tête  de  la  procession  fut  rendue  au  coin  des  rues 
Saint-Denis  et  Sainte-Catherine,  elle  aperçut  la  magnifique 
structure  de  l'université  Laval  couverte  d'oriflammes  de 
toutes  les  nations  et  de  drapeaux  anglais.  Les  autorités 
de  Laval  ont  fait  noblement  les  choses,  et  tous  ont  acclamé 
à  outrance  le  régiment  du  St  rat  h  couacs  Horse. 

Les  étudiants  de  l'université  Laval  étaient  groupés  sur 


LE   LIVRE    DOR  31 

le  portique  de  leur  Aima  Mater.  Chacun  d'eux  portait  un 

drapeau  anglais  et  à  maintes  reprises,  ils  acclamaient  les 
troupes  défilant  devant  eux. 

«Sur  la  façade  de  l'édifice,  on  remarquait  les  inscrip- 
tions suivantes  :  Pour  Dieu  et  V empire  et  Dieu  sauve  la 
reine  ! 

«  On  ne  saurait  décrire  ici  l'ovation  faite  par  les  étudiants 
du  McGill,  qui  étaient  dans  la  procession,  aux  étudiants 
de  Laval,  en  passant  devant  l'université.  Les  McGill  ont 
acclamé  leurs  confrères  par  des  vivats  enthousiastes  en 
criant  Whats  the  matter  with  Laval  ?  S/ies  ail  right,  you 
bet  !  et  nos  étudiants  de  Laval  ont  salué  leurs  confrères 
du  McGill  par  des  hourras  frénétiques. 

«  Six  cents  personnes  assistaient  au  banquet  au  Windsor, 
présidé  par  le  maire  Préfontaine.  A  sa  droite  étaient  assis 
le  colonel  Steele,  commandant  du  régiment  Strathcona  ; 
Mgr  Racicot;  l'honorable  juge  Tait;  l'honorable  juge 
Davidson  ;  le  principal  Peterson,  de  l'université  McGill  ; 
l'honorable  A.-W,  Ogilvie,  sénateur;  l'honorable  J.-J. 
Guérin  ;  l'échevin  Faucher.  A  gauche,  l'honorable  M. 
Forget,  lieutenant-gouverneur  des  Territoires  du  Nord- 
Ouest;  sir  Alexandre  Lacoste,  juge  en  chef  de  la  Cour  du 
Banc  de  la  Reine  ;  le  colonel  Roy,  commandant  du  5me 
district  militaire  ;  l'honorable  Alphonse  Desjardins  ;  l'ex- 
maire  Wilson-Smith  ;  le  colonel  Ibbotson  ;  le  commandant 
des  Royal  Scotts. 

«  Après  le  toast  à  la  reine,  on  a  lu  des  lettres  d'excuses 
de  Mgr  Bruchési,  del'évêque  Bond,  du  lieutenant-gouverneur 
Jette  et  autres.  » 

Puis,  le  maire  Préfontaine,  le  principal  Peterson,  du 
McGill,  Mgr  Racicot,  l'honorable  juge  Lacoste,  l'honora- 
ble juge  Davidson,  l'ex-maire  Wilson-Smith,  l'honorable 
Forget  et  le  colonel  Steele  ont  prononcé  des  discours. 


32  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

Nous  nous  contenterons  de  donner  quelques  extraits 
du  discours  du  maire,  lequel  contient  en  substance  les 
nobles  sentiments  exprimés  par  tous  les  autres  distingués 
orateurs  : 

«  Permettez-moi,  en  ce  moment,  comme  Canadien-fran- 
çais, de  déclarer  qu'aucune  portion  de  notre  commu- 
nauté cosmopolite  n'éprouve  un  plus  grand  plaisir  de 
votre  visite,  ne  vous  souhaite  plus  sincèrement  que  le 
succès  et  un  complet  triomphe  couronne  votre  campagne 
dans  le  sud  de  l'Afrique,  que  les  Canadiens-français  de 
Montréal.  Nous  vous  souhaitons  bonne  chance  et  victoire, 
parce  que  la  reine  et  le  drapeau  pour  lequel  vous  allez 
combattre  sont  aussi  notre  reine  et  notre  drapeau.  Les 
Canadiens-français  ont  eux-mêmes  combattu  pour  l' Union 
Jack  à  Saint-Jean,  à  Plattsburg,  à  Bennington,  à  Saratoga, 
à  Chateauguay,  à  la  Butte-aux-Français,  en  Egypte,  au 
Soudan,  dans  l'Afrique  du  Sud  et  ailleurs,  et  ils  sont  prêts 
à  le  faire  encore  aussi  souvent  qu'on  aura  besoin  de  leurs 
services. 

«  Bien  plus,  colonel  Steele,  officiers  et  soldats,  les 
citoyens  de  Montréal  sont  fiers  de  vous  à  cause  de  l'œuvre 
que  vous  avez  si  noblement  entreprise,  et  parce  qu'ils 
croient  voir  en  vous  les  hommes  qu'il  faut  pour  l'accom- 
plir. 

«  Nous  comptons  sur  vous,  de  même  que  sur  vos  cama- 
rades de  l'infanterie  à  cheval,  de  l'artillerie  de  campagne 
et  de  l'infanterie  qui  vous  ont  précédés  pour  soutenir 
l'honneur  et  le  renom  du  Canada,  et  d'après  vos  états  de 
service,  nous  savons  que  nous  ne  serons  pas  désappointés. 

Il  Ce  pays,  grâce  à  l'héroïsme  de  ses  enfants,  qui  servent 
dans  le  premier  contingent,  a  déjà  cueilli  une  riche  et 
impéiissable  moisson  de  gloire  dans  le  champ  de  la  mal- 
heureuse guerre  actuelle  de  l'Afrique  du  Sud  ;  nous  sentons 


LE   LIVRE   DOR  33 

que  nous  pouvons  en  toute  sûreté  compter  sur  le  régiment 
de  Strathcona  pour  maintenir  la  réputation  de  bravoure 
et  d'autres  vertus  militaires  si  noblement  méritée  par  les 
braves  Canadiens  qui  font  partie  du  bataillon  commandé 
par  le  lieutenant-colonel  Otter. 

«  Nous  vous  suivrons  avec  intérêt  et  orgueil  comme 
nous  l'avons  fait  pour  les  différents  corps  recrutés  en 
cette  ville. 

«  Soyez  certains  que  le  peuple  canadien  vous  suivra 
d'un  œil  sympathique  à  travers  les  immensités  du  conti- 
nent noir,  qu'il  sera  fier  de  vos  sacrifices  et  de  votre 
bravoure,  qu'il  se  souviendra  des  souffrances  que  vous 
aurez  endurées  en  faisant  votre  devoir.  Nous  vous  accom- 
pagnerons par  la  pensée  dans  vos  longues  marches  ;  nous 
monterons  la  garde  avec  vous,  dans  les  sables  du  désert 
africain,  sous  la  merveilleuse  et  sereine  clarté  des  constel- 
lations méridionales.  Nous  vous  suivrons  dans  les  ravins 
et  sur  les  kopjes,  sur  les  champs  de  bataille  sanglants,  où 
le  sentiment  du  danger  redonne  une  énergie  nouvelle  aux 
vaillants  qui  ont  appris  sous  les  plis  de  l' Union  Jack  à 
lutter  en  héros  ;  où  la  grandeur  des  circonstances  donne 
une  énergie  de  fer  et  des  nerfs  d'acier  aux  glorieux  soldats 
qui,  de  l'Angleterre  et  de  l'Irlande,  de  l'Ecosse  et  du  Pays 
de  Galles,  de  l'Afrique  du  Sud  et  de  l'Australie,  de  la 
Nouvelle-Zélande,  des  Indes  et  du  Canada,  sont  allés 
combattre  pour  notre  noble  et  bien-aimée  souveraine. 

«  Notre  pensée  vous  suivra  quand,  dédaigneux  du  dan- 
ger, vous  marcherez  à  la  victoire,  à  travers  les  plaines 
rocheuses  et  les  montagnes,  et  chaque  pas  de  votre 
marche  glorieuse  sera  rythmé  par  notre  prière  qui  mon- 
tera, ardente,  vers  le  Dieu  des  armées  et  de  la  justice,  et 
qui  lui  demandera  d'épargner  votre  vie  et  de  donner  à 
votre  courage  et  à  votre  dévouement  le  succès  qu'ils 
méritent.  « 


34  LE   LIVRE    D  OR 

N'oublions  pas  non  plus  le  colonel  Steele,  appelé  à 
prendre  la  parole  : 

«  Au  moment  où  il  se  lève,  il  se  trouve  en  face  de  ses 
deux  petites  filles,  debout  sur  la  table,  qui  lui  présentent 
chacune  un  superbe  bouquet.  Il  les  embrasse  tendrement, 
puis  il  renonce  momentanément  à  ce  plaisir  pour  se  don- 
ner tout  entier  au  devoir  de  faire  l'éloge  de  ses  soldats. 

«  Et  d'abord,  déclare-t-il,  il  était  fort  loin  de  s'attendre 
à  une  semblable  démonstration  quand  il  est  parti  d'Ottawa  ; 
il  ne  sait  comment  en  remercier  la  population  de  notre 
ville.  Quoi  qu'il  en  soit,  il  se  sent  fier,  plus  qu'il  ne  pour- 
rait le  dire,  lui,  obscur  Canadien  (cris  :  non  !  non  !) 
d'être  appelé  à  l'honneur  de  commander  le  régiment  des 
Strathconà's  Horse. 

«  Il  est  impossible  d'énumérer  les  qualités  des  soldats 
qui  font  partie  de  cette  vaillante  troupe. 

«  Il  y  a  là  des  hommes  qui  sont  venus  du  Yukon,  de  la 
rivière  à  la  Paix,  qui  ont  fait  six  cents  milles  de  chemin 
pour  venir  s'enrôler. 

«  Le  recrutement  s'est  fait  avec  une  rapidité  extraordi- 
naire. Le  colonel  termine  en  disant  qu'il  doit  se  rappeler 
qu'il  n'est  qu'un  soldat,  et  que  le  devoir  du  soldat  est 
d'agir  plutôt  que  de  parler.  » 

«  Le  maire  donne  lecture  d'un  câblogramme  de  lord 
Strathcona,  exprimant  le  regret  qu'il  éprouve  de  n'être 
pas  au  milieu  de  ses  hommes  en  cette  circonstance,  et 
remerciant  la  population  de  Montréal  de  la  réception 
qu'elle  leur  a  faite. 

«  On  joue  une  dernière  fois  le  God  Save  the  Quee?i,  puis 
chacun  se  lève  pour  partir. 

«  Cette  journée  a  été  vraiment  superbe  à  tous  les  points 
de  vue.  Montréal  a  rarement  été  témoin  d'une  démonstra- 
tion aussi  bien  réussie. 


LE   LIVRE   D  OR  35 

«  Le  Strathcona's  Horse  est  reparti  vers  huit  heures,  en 
route  pour  Halifax,  pour  l'Afrique  du  Sud,  et  qui  sait  ? 
pour  l'éternité  peut-être. 

«  Espérons  toutefois  qu'ils  nous  reviendront  quelque 
jour,  heureux  de  leur  lointaine  campagne  et  rapportant,  en 
sus  d'une  grosse  moisson  de  lauriers,  un  rayon  de  soleil 
d'Afrique  pour  souvenir.  » 

Les  voici  à  Halifax  : 

«  Halifax.  —  Le  régiment  Strathcona  s'est  embarqué 
vers  cinq  heures,  hier  après-midi,  à  bord  du  Monterey^ 
dont  le  départ  pour  les  côtes  d'Afrique  a  eu  lieu,  ce 
matin,  à  cinq  heures.  L'embarquement  s'est  exécuté  au 
milieu  du  plus  grand  enthousiasme.  Immédiatement  avant 
le  départ  des  casernes,  on  a  donné  aux  soldats  lecture  des 
câblogrammes  expédiés  par  lord  Strathcona.  MM.  Elder- 
Dempster  avaient  fait  splendidement  décorer  le  Monterey. 
Des  discours  furent  prononcés  par  le  général  lord  Wm. 
Seymour,  le  lieutenant-gouverneur  Daly  et  le  colonel 
Steele.  Puis  le  Dr  Borden  lut  le  câblogramme  suivant  : 

«  Londres,  à  Borden,  ministre  de  la  milice,  Halifax. 

«  Donnez,  s'il  vous  plaît,  lecture  à  mon  régiment  de  la 
note  suivante,  que  j'ai  reçue  du  secrétaire  privé  de  Sa 
Majesté,  et  à  laquelle  vous  donnerez  la  publicité  qu'il 
convient. 

«  Sa  Majesté  est  heureuse  d'exprimer  sa  confiance  au 
régiment,  avant  son  départ,  et  croit  sincèrement  que  les 
soldats  seront  à  la  hauteur  de  leurs  camarades  canadiens, 
qui  se  battent  si  vaillamment,  à  l'heure  présente,  pour  la 
cause  de  l'empire.  La  reine  leur  souhaite  tous  les  succès 
et  un  prompt  retour  dans  leurs  foyers. 

H  Dans  ma  réponse  au  secrétaire  de  Sa  Majesté,  j'ai  dit 
qu'officiers   et  soldats  considéraient  comme  un  privilège 


36  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

l'honneur  de  servir  et  leur  souveraine  et  l'empire  ;  qu'ils 
seraient  toujours  prêts  à  faire  leur  devoir  comme  Cana- 
diens et  comme  loyaux  sujets  britanniques,  afin  de  justifier 
la  confiance  à  eux  si  gracieusement  accordée  par  Sa 
Majesté. 

«  Signé,        Strathcona.  » 

«  Borden,  ministre  de  la  milice,  Halifax. 

«  Veuillez  exprimer  au  colonel  Steele,  à  ses  ofiiciers  et 
aux  soldats,  le  grand  désappointement  que  j'éprouve  de 
ne  pouvoir  assister  à  leur  départ.  Je  n'en  suis  pas  moins 
personnellement  heureux  de  leur  souhaiter  un  bon  voyage 
et  un  prompt  retour,  absolument  certain  qu'ils  s'acquitte- 
ront bravement  et  crânement  de  leur  service,  faisant  ainsi 
honneur  à  la  Puissance  et  à  notre  bien-aimée  souveraine. 

«  Strathcona.  » 

«  Sur  tout  le  parcours  du  défilé,  les  rues,  les  magasins  et 
les  maisons  étaient  envahis  par  la  ioule.  La  législature 
était  en  congé,  et  les  membres  des  deux  Chambres,  ainsi 
que  le  conseil  municipal,  précédaient  la  procession,  en 
voiture.  Les  Strathcona  étaient  immédiatement  précédés 
du  66e  Fusiliers  de  la  princesse  Louise,  fanfare  en  tête. 
Venaient  ensuite  :  le  lieutenant-colonel  Irving  et  la  fanfare 
du  régiment  Leinster  j  cent  soldats  du  63e  Carabiniers, 
avec  fanfare,  fermaient  la  marche,  suivis  de  milliers  de 
citoyens  et  de  quelques  membres  du  régiment  Leinster. 

«  Le  contingent  de  cent  hommes,  destiné  à  aller  rem- 
placer, là-bas,  les  Canadiens  tombés  au  champ  d'honneur, 
a  tout  particulièrement  attiré  l'attention  des  spectateurs, 
et  a  été  salué  avec  enthousiasme,  pour  sa  mâle  et  fière 
allure. 

«  A  cinq  heures,  l'embarquement,  qui  s'était  opéré  aux 
quais  du   gouvernement,  était   terminé,  et    le    Monterey 


LE   LIVRE   d'or  37 

s'éloignait  lentement,  le  cap  sur  la  mer.  Les  fanfares 
faisaient  retentir,  en  notes  vibrantes,  l'hymne  national,  et 
l'enthousiasme  de  la  foule  ne  cessa  qu'au  moment  où 
l'ancre  fut  levée  et  le  navire  hors  de  vue.  » 

A  CAPE-TOWN  ! 

«Toronto.  —  Une  dépêche  de  Londres,  à  VEvening 
Telegram^  dit  : 

«  Un  câblogramme  de  Cape-Town,  dit  que  le  transport 
Sardinian  portant  le  contingent  canadien  est  arrivé  hier. 
A  Cape-Town,  les  troupes  canadiennes  défileront  dans  les 
principales  rues  de  la  ville  et  le  gouverneur  lancera  une 
proclamation  faisant,  de  ce  jour,  une  fête  légale.  » 

«  Cape-Town.  —  Sir  Alfred  Milner  a  lancé  une  procla- 
mation au  peuple  de  la  colonie  du  Cap,  dans  laquelle  il 
appelle  son  attention  sur  les  preuves  multiples  que  la  reine 
ne  favorise  pas  une  nation  aux  dépens  de  l'autre. 

«  Cette  proclamation  a  été  lue  dans  les  écoles,  les  églises 
et  dans  toutes  les  places  publiques.  » 

«  Ottawa.  —  La  dépêche  suivante  a  été  reçue  de  la  part 
de  sir  Alfred  Milner,  gouverneur  de  l'Afrique  du  Sud 
anglaise  : 

«  Le  Cap.  —  Viens  de  souhaiter  bon  voyage  au  contin- 
gent canadien  ;  tous  bien  et  contents  d'aller  de  l'avant. 
Le  peuple  ici  a  montré  d'une  manière  irréfutable  l'appré- 
ciation de  sympathie  pour  le  secours  venu  du  Canada. 

«  Milner.  » 

Enfin  !  ils  sont  tous  arrivés,  sains  et  saufs,  du  premier 
jusqu'au  dernier,  sur  le  terrain  de  leurs  exploits  glorieux, 
et  nous  cédons  la  place  à  leurs  lettres  écrites  de  leur  sang, 
à  la  pointe  de  leur  épée. 


NOTICE 

Nous  prévenons  le  lecteur  que  nous  avons  élagué  de 
ces  lettres  ce  qui  ne  pouvait  l'intéresser.  Ces  extraits 
sont  insérés  non  par  date,  mais  par  classement,  et  sans 
préférence  pour  aucun  de  nos  braves  dont  la  gloire  est 
égale  du  premier  au  dernier. 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL   OSCAR  PELLETIER. 


LE  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  PELLETIER 


E  lieutenant-colonel  Oscar-C.  Pelletier,  qui  agit 
comme  major  dans  le  régiment  canadien  en  Afri- 
que, ler  contingent,  et  qui  a  été  blessé  à  Paarde- 
berg,  est  né  à  Québec,  le  3  mai  1862,  Il  est  le  fils  de  sir 
Alphonse-P.  Pelletier,  K.C.M.G.,  C.P.,  C.R.,  président 
du  sénat  ;  et  de  feu  Mme  Suzanne  Casgrain,  fille  de  feu 
l'honorable  E,  Casgrain,  membre  du  Conseil  législatif  de 
Québec. 

Il  fit  ses  études  au  séminaire  de  Québec,  et  étudiait  le 
droit  à  l'université  Laval  depuis  un  an,  lorsqu'il  embrassa 
la  carrière  militaire. 

Le  colonel  Pelletier  débuta  comme  trompette  dans  le 
régiment  des  hussards  Queen's  Own  de  Québec  ;  devint 
trompette-major  ;  puis  fut  versé  au  9e  Voltigeurs  de  Qué- 
bec avec  une  commission  de  sous-lieutenant.  Il  fut  promu 
bientôt  au  grade  de  lieutenant  et  adjudant  du  bataillon. 

Il  fut  un  des  premiers  cadets  de  l'école  d'infanterie  de 
Saint- Jean-d'Iberville,  où  il  obtint  un  certificat  de  première 
classe. 

Il  fit  ensuite  un  cours  au  collège  militaire  de  Kingston, 
et  c'est  pendant  ce  cours  qu'éclata  l'insurrection  de 
Nord-Ouest. 


40  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

11  fit  la  campagne  de  85  avec  la  Batterie  B,  et  le  2  mai 
1885,  il  était  sérieusement  blessé  à  Cut  Knife. 

Il  fut  nommé,  en  1887,  lieutenant  d'artillerie  dans  la 
JBatterie  B,  et  ses  supérieurs  ayant  remarqué  ses  capacités, 
son  tact  et  sa  bravoure,  le  recommandèrent  pour  la  pro- 
motion de  comm.andant  de  la  division  d'artillerie  de  cam- 
pagne de  la  Batterie  B. 

Il  alla  alors  à  Aldershot  suivre  un  cours  et  sortit  avec 
distinction  de  cette  école  avec  un  certificat  de  première 
classe,  le  rendant  apte  au  grade  d'ofifîcier  d'Etat-major 
de  l'armée  anglaise. 

Durant  son  séjour  en  Angleterre,  il  suivit  les  grandes 
manœuvres  de  l'armée  anglaise  pendant  quatre  mois. 

Il  fut  nommé  en  1898,  officier  commandant  du  district 
militaire  No  7  de  la  province  de  Québec. 

Le  colonel  Pelletier  a  épousé  en  1890  Mlle  Alice 
Archer,  fille  de  M.  Jos.  Archer,  jr.,  marchand  de  bois,  de 
Québec,  et  il  est  le  père  de  six  enfants  vivants. 

Le  colonel  Pelletier  est  un  des  rares  officiers  de  la 
milice  canadienne  qui  soit  qualifié  dans  les  trois  branches 
de  l'art  militaire.  Il  possède  en  effet  des  certificats  de 
première  classe  dans  la  cavalerie,  l'artillerie  et  l'infanterie. 

....  Le  lieutenant-colonel  Pelletier,  de  Québec,  parti 
pour  le  Transvaal  avec  le  premier  contingent,  écrit  de  De 
Aar  Junction  à  la  date  du  3  décembre  1899  : 

«  Nous  nous  attendons  à  chaque  instant  à  livrer  un 
engagement  important  près  de  Kimberley,  et  notre  régi- 
ment a  reçu  ordre  de  se  tenir  prêt.  Le  général  Joubert  est 
à  une  distance  d'environ  vingt-cinq  milles  sur  notre  gau- 
che, et  nous  sommes  préparés  à  lui  faire  la  réception 
chaude  si  fantaisie  lui  prend  de  venir  nous  rendre  visite. 
Et  il  viendra,  probablement,  car  De  Aar  est  une  place 
importante,  tant  par  les  nombreux  magasins  qu'elle  con- 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  4I 

tient  que  par  la  situation  qu'elle  occupe  sur  la  ligne  de 
communication.  Il  est  donc  certain  que  nous  aurons  été 
au  feu  plusieurs  fois  lorsque  vous  recevrez  cette  lettre. 
Mais  j'ai  lieu  d'espérer  que  Dieu  me  conservera  à  la  vie 
et  me  rendra  sain  et  sauf  à  ma  famille  lorsque  la  guerre 
sera  terminée.  Nous  nous  attendons  à  une  rencontre 
après  demain. 

«  Le  canon  gronde  continuellement  à  quelques  milles  de 
nous.  Le  thermomètre  est  à  107  degrés  de  chaleur,  de 
sorte  que  vous  pouvez  juger  de  ce  que  nous  souffrons. 

«  La  bataille  de  Modder  River,  la  semaine  dernière,  a 
été  terrible,  s'il  est  permis  d'en  juger  par  le  nombre  extra- 
ordinaire de  blessés  qui  ont  passé  par  ici  en  route  pour 
Cape-Town.  Je  vous  assure  que  ce  genre  de  procession 
n'est  pas  très  gai. 

«  Tous  les  Canadiens  sont  en  excellente  condition 
d'esprit  et  de  corps,  très  enthousiasmés,  et  impatients  de 
se  mesurer  avec  les  soldats  de  Joubert.  Nous  préparons  à 
ce  dernier  une  réception  qui  sera  plutôt  militaire  que 
civile. 

«  Le  piquet  d'un  régiment  voisin  du  nôtre  a  capturé 
près  du  camp  un  individu  que  l'on  croit  être  un  espion. 
S'il  ne  peut  donner  une  explication  suffisante  de  sa  pré- 
sence en  cet  endroit,  il  sera  immédiatement  fusillé.  La 
justice  est  prompte  dans  ses  exécutions,  ici.  Elle  ne  perd 
pas  son  temps  à  tergiverser. 

«  Nous  sommes  sur  pied  jour  et  nuit  et  le  peu  de  loisir 
que  nous  avons  est  consacré  à  dormir  aussi  promptement 
que  possible.  Il  est  étonnant  de  constater  avec  quelle 
bonne  humeur  et  quelle  gaieté  nos  Canadiens  supportent 
les  fatigues  de  la  campagne  dont  aucune  description  ne 
peut  donner  une  idée.  » 

....  Il  nous  fait  plaisir  d'apprendre  de  source  absolu- 


42  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

ment  impartiale  que  notre  ami,  le  major  Oscar  Pelletier, 
s'est  distingué  par  sa  bravoure  sur  le  champ  de  bataille. 
Voici  un  extrait  d'une  lettre  du  soldat  McDermott,  que 
nous  empruntons  au  Daily  Telegraph,  de  Saint-Jean, 
Nouveau-Brunswick,  en  date  du  1 1  avril  courant  : 

« .  .  .  .  Les  Canadiens  et  les  soldats  du  régiment  Gordon 
sont  devenus  très  liés,  les  uns  avec  les  autres,  ayant  com- 
battu épaule  à  épaule,  bivouaqué  et  marché  ensemble 
pendant  deux  semaines.  Les  Gordons  sont  des  soldats 
superbes.  Ils  sont  sobres  et  très  convenables,  vous  n'en- 
tendez jamais  sortir  de  leurs  lèvres  aucune  parole  déplacée, 
et  ils  sont  de  fidèles  camarades  en  toutes  circonstances. 

«  Le  régiment  regrette  beaucoup  que  le  major  Pelletiei, 
qui  commandait  la  moitié  de  l'aile  droite  du  bataillon,  ait 
été  blessé  au  bras,  pendant  qu'il  commandait,  dans  la 
matinée  du  27  février.  Le  major  Pelletier  est  brave  comme 
un  lion  et  est  adoré  des  soldats,  à  cause  de  son  admirable 
politesse  pour  tous.  Sa  blessure,  heureusement,  n'est  pas 
dangereuse,  et  nous  espérons  le  revoir  dans  quelques 
jours. 

«  Le  Père  O'Leary  n'est  jamais  fatigué  et  s'attache  à 
nous  comme  une  sangsue.  Il  est  le  seul  chapelain  qui 
nous  ait  suivi  partout.  » 

Afin  de  ne  pas  blesser  la  modestie  du  lieutenant-colonel  Pelletier, 
lequel  n'aime  pas  à  ce  qu'on  parle  de  lui,  nous  nous  contenterons  de 
finir  par  un  article  du  Chronicle,  de  Québec. 

«  On  sait  que  le  colonel  Pelletier  est  l'idole  des  mem- 
bres du  contingent.  Son  courage  en  présence  du  danger 
n'a  été  égalé  que  par  la  connaissance  de  la  tactique  mili- 
taire qu'il  avait  déjà,  ce  qui  lui  a  permis,  en  bien  des 
circonstances,  de  sauver  la  vie  de  ses  hommes  qu'un 
ofiîcier  moins  expérimenté,  moins  soucieux,  aurait  sacrifiée 


CHIRURGIEN   ET  BLESSE 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR  43 

inutilement.  Toujours  bienveillant,  il  maintenait  cependant 
la  discipline  pour  se  faire  respecter  de  ses  hommes  et 
se  faire  obéir  sans  murmure  quel  que  fût  le  commande- 
ment donné,  s'assurant  ainsi  leur  estime  et  leur  amour  au 
point  qu'ils  le  suivraient  n'importe  où.  Et  c'est  ce  qu'ils 
ont  fait,  et  sa  direction  nous  a  valu  une  grande  part  de  la 
gloire  qu'ils  ont  conquise  et  qui  jette  tant  d'éclat  sur  le 
Dominion. 

«  Canadien-français,  il  a  prouvé  sa  loyauté  de  la  manière 
la  plus  pratique,  en  laissant  l'aisance  et  le  confort  de 
son  home  pour  les  montagnes  abruptes  du  Sud-africain, 
abandonnant  la  position  de  commandant  en  chef  de  ce 
district.  .  .  . 

«  Nous  sommes  fiers  de  lui  et  nous  devrions  le  lui 
prouver  d'une  manière  tangible  en  lui  présentant  un 
témoignage  digne  de  l'homme  et  de  l'occasion. 

«  Les  noms  du  R.  P.  O'Leary,  du  Dr  Fiset  et  du  capi- 
taine E.  Turner  seraient  certainement  dignes  de  figurer 
avec  celui  du  colonel  Pelletier  en  cette  occurrence,  car  ils 
ont  tellement  mérité,  que  quiconque  devrait  être  fier  de 
pouvoir  leur  témoigner  son  admiration. 

«  ....  Le  Dr  Fiset  s'est  conduit  en  héros.  Toujours  au 
plus  épais  de  la  mêlée,  il  a  prodigué  les  ressources  de  son 
art  aux  blessés.  Sans  ses  soins  habiles,  la  liste  des  morts 
dans  les  rangs  du  contingent  canadien  serait,  sans  aucun 
doute,  plus  considérable.  Il  aurait  gagné  la  croix  Victoria 
plusieurs  fois,  si  toute  la  vérité  était  connue. 

«  ....  Le  capitaine  Turner  s'est  aussi  distingué  et  il  est 
l'un  des  héros  de  cette  guerre.  Il  a  accompli  plusieurs 
actions  d'éclat.  Dans  une  circonstance  entre  autres,  il  n'a 
pas  craint  de  se  jeter  à  la  nage  pour  traverser  une  rivière 
sous  le  feu  meurtrier  de  l'ennemi,  bien  qu'il  y  eût  peu 
d'espoir  qu'il  pût  atteindre  la  rive  opposée,  n 


44 


LE   LIVRE   d'or 


Enfin,  l'abbé  O'Leary  a  prouvé  qu'il  était  aussi  vaillant 
soldat  de  son  pays  que  du  Christ  ! 

Nous  félicitons  l'organe  anglais  de  ces  belles  paroles. 

Le  Soleil  les  fait  siennes  avec  le  plus  grand  plaisir  et 
fera  tout  en  son  pouvoir  pour  mettre  à  exécution  une 
aussi  excellente  suggestion. 


L'ABBE  P.  M.  O'LEARY, 

AUMÔNIER. 


LE  RÉVÉREND  PÈRE  O'LEARY 


Du   Citizen  d'Ottawa: 

^,N  dit  da  bien  de  tous  les  chapelains  qui  sont 
'ï^J^  allés  en  Afrique  avec  le  contingent  canadien. 
Il  est  intéressant  de  noter  que  les  protestants 
aussi  bien  que  les  catholiques  font  de  grands  éloges 
du  Père  O'Leary,  le  chapelain  catholique  romain.  Il 
était  ici,  il  était  là,  partout,  et  des  plus  bienveillants 
pour  tous,  sans  égard  à  la  croyance  religieuse.  A 
Paardeberg,  le  Père  û'I^eary  a  inhumé  tous  les  morts. 
Un  pauvre  malheureux,  un  protestant,  blessé  et  mourant, 
était  assisté  par  le  Père  O'Leary.  » 

Le  Citizen  ajoute  :  «  Nous  nous  joignons  de  tout  cœur 
à  cette  expression  d'admiration  de  la  conduite  du  Père 
O'Leary  à  Paardeberg  et  ailleurs  durant  la  guerre.  En 
toute  occasion,  on  l'a  trouvé  à  son  poste,  et  il  a,  par  son 
caractère    et    son    exemple,   noblement   fait    preuve    des 


46  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

qualités  les  plus  héroïques  du  ministre  chrétien.  Le  Citizen 
croit  que  l'Angleterre  et  tout  l'empire  ont  bénéficié  de  la 
présence  parmi  les  troupes  canadiennes,  durant  leur  rude 
campagne  contre  l'ennemi,  de  la  présence  de  ce  zélé 
apôtre  du  Christ,  faisant  abnégation  de  soi-même,  et  il 
espère,  puisque  le  moment  approche  où  ce  qui  reste  de 
nos  boys  en  Afrique  nous  reviendra  avec  le  bien-aimé 
chapelain  catholique,  qu'on  prendra  immédiatement  des 
mesures  pour  prouver  à  ce  bon  père  combien  ses  compa- 
triotes ont  hautement  apprécié  ce  qu'il  a  pu  faire,  avec  la 
grâce  de  Dieu,  pour  ceux  des  nôtres  qui  nous  étaient  si 
chers  et  que  nous  ne  reverrons  malheureusement  plus.  Le 
peuple  du  Canada  devrait  donner  un  témoignage  national 
à  ce  vaillant  disciple  de  l'Eglise  militante.  Nous  espérons 
aussi  que  lorsque  le  temps  propice  en  sera  venu,  ceux  qui 
ont  le  privilège  d'aviser  Sa  Majesté  la  reine  en  pareil  cas 
n'oublieront  pas  les  héroïques  services  qu'il  a  rendus.  » 

Lettre  du  R.  P.  O'Leary,  à  son  frère. 

(1  Expédition  canadienne  dans  le  Sud-africain,  à  bord 
du  Sardinian,  près  des  Tropiques.  » 

8  novembre  1899. 
«  Mon  cher  James, 

«  Comme  j'aurai  probablement  la  chance  de  mettre  cette 
lettre  à  la  poste  des  îles  du  Cap  Vert,  que  nous  atteindrons 
sans  doute  samedi,  je  profite  des  quelques  moments  de 
répit  qui  me  sont  accordés  peur  te  donner  de  nouveaux 
détails  sur  notre  voyage.  Quand  je  t'ai  écrit,  la  dernière 
fois,  nous  quittions  la  Pointe-au-Père,  et  depuis  ce  temps, 
le  voyage  a  été  très  accidenté. 

«  D'abord,  tout  le  monde  semblait  de  bonne  humeur, 
et,  quoique  nous   eussions  l'occasion  de  nous  heurter  sou- 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR 


47 


vent  sur  le  pont,  —  ce  cher  vieux  Sardinian  roule  si  bien 
—  il  n'y  a  pas  eu  la  moindre  friction  désagréable.  C'est  à 
table  cependant,  que  l'on  s'amuse  le  plus,  et,  si  ce  n'était 
la  rude  besogne  qui  nous  est  réservée  à  chacun  de  nous, 
nous  écririons  que  nous  prenons  part  à  un  beau  et  grand 
pique-nique. 

A   TABLE 

»  A  la  tête  de  notre  table  préside  le  colonel  commandant 
et  les  autres  officiers  sont  placés  dans  l'ordre  suivant  : 

«  Lieutenants-colonels  Otter,  Buchan,  Pelletier  et  S. 
Hughes,  major  Drummond,  lieutenant-colonel  Drury,  ma- 
jor Lessard,  aumôniers  FuUerton  et  O'Leary,  major  Mc- 
Dougall,  colonel  Denison,  Mlles  Pope,  Russell,  Affleck  et 
Forbes,  ambulancières  (Nurses),  aumônier  Almond. 

«  D'après  la  composition  de  notre  petite  famille,  tu  peux 
juger  de  la  bonne  impression  qui  prévaut. 

«  Les  pièces  sont  petites  et  étroites  et  plusieurs  prennent 
déjà  leurs  quartiers  de  nuit  sur  le  pont,  car  nous  pénétrons 
dans  les  tropiques,  et  la  chaleur  est  parfois  très  lourde, 
comme  en  juillet  et  août  chez  nous. 

«  Mon  compagnon  de  cabine,  l'aumônier  Fullerton,  me 
témoigne  une  grande  amitié,  et  nous  sommes  déjà  deux 
inséparables. 

LE  PREMIER   CONTRETEMPS 

«  Notre  premier  contretemps  s'est  produit  au  sud  de 
Terre-Neuve,  mercredi  matin.  La  mer  furieuse  a  attaqué 
avec  violence  notre  navire  qu'elle  a  roulé  en  tous  sens, 
brisant  deux  embarcations  et  bouleversant  tout  à  bord. 
Le  pont  offrait  le  coup  d'œil  le  plus  lamentable.  Il  était  à 
peu  près  impossible  et  même  dangereux  d'y  passer.  En 
outre,  la  pluie  tombait  à  torrents.  Le  mal  de  mer  était  à 


48  LE    LIVRE   DOR 

l'ordre  du  jour,  et  ce  fut  l'infime  minorité  qui  résista  au 
mal.  Cependant,  au  plus  fort  de  la  tempête,  je  dus  officier 
aux  premières  funérailles  que  nous  avons  faites  en  mer. 
Un  pauvre  soldat,  Deslauriers,  de  la  compagnie  du  capi- 
taine Rogers,  fut  trouvé  mort  le  matin.  Le  malheureux 
avait  succombé  à  une  syncope  du  cœur.  Les  funérailles 
eurent  lieu  dans  l'après-midi  et  ce  fut  un  spectacle  impres- 
sionnant que  je  n'oublierai  jamais,  malgré  les  mouvements 
du  navire,  malgré  le  vent  et  la  mer  qui  roulait  sur  nous 
ses  vagues  furieuses  et  qui  balayait  le  pont.  J'ai  fait  les 
prières  d'usage  sur  le  cadavre  que  l'on  avait  enveloppé 
dans  un  drapeau  anglais.  Lorsque  j'eus  prononcé  les 
dernières  paroles  :  Requiescat  m  pace,  une  sonnerie  de 
clairons  se  fit  entendre,  et  le  cadavre  fut  jeté  à  la  mer  qui 
a  ainsi  englouti  notre  première  victime. 

SERVICE  DU  DIMANCHE 

«  Dimanche.  —  La  température  étant  un  peu  plus  clé- 
mente, nous  avons  eu  le  service  divin  sur  le  pont.  Le 
service  catholique  eut  lieu  à  9.30  heures,  et  cent  vingt 
hommes  y  ont  pris  part.  La  cérémonie  a  été  très  simple  ; 
elle  a  consisté  dans  la  récitation  des  prières  du  matin  et 
dans  la  lecture  de  l'évangile  du  jour,  suivies  d'un  sermon 
en  français  et  en  anglais. 

«  Malheureusement,  une  allusion  que  j'avais  cru  pro- 
pice de  faire  à  ces  chers  soldats  sur  leurs  parents  si  loin, 
dont  les  prières  ont  été,  sans  nul  doute,  offertes  dans 
plusieurs  églises,  pour  notre  sauvegarde,  fut  cause  que  la 
cérémonie  se  termina  presque  immédiatement.  Pendant 
la  récitation  du  rosaire  qui  suivit,  plusieurs  voix  voilées 
tentaient,  mais  en  vain,  de  répondre.  La  cérémonie  se 
termina  par  la  bénédiction  que  tous  reçurent,  tête  nue. 

'(  Depuis  lundi  la  température  est  délicieuse  et  nous 
passons  presque  tout  notre  temps  sur  le  pont. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  49 

«  Les  militaires  font  l'exercice  presque  continuellement 
et  leurs  progrès  sont  satisfaisants. 

«  Le  soir,  à  sept  heures,  tous  les  hommes  sont  appelés 
sur  le  pont  pour  la  récitation  des  prières.  Cette  scène  est 
toujours  impressionnante. 

«  Ensuite,  les  hommes  demeurent  sur  le  pont  et  passent 
leurs  loisirs  à  chanter,  à  fumer  et  à  se  raconter  des  histoi- 
res, jusqu'à  l'appel  du  clairon. 

«  La  vie  sur  un  vaisseau  chargé  de  troupes,  est  toute 
une  révélation  pour  moi  et  contraste  fortement  avec 
l'existence  que  l'on  mène  dans  le  paisible  séminaire  de 
Québec. 

(I  D'après  des  instructions  ouvertes  après  le  départ  du 
vaisseau,  nous  avons  appris  que  nous  devions  nous  rendre 
à  Cape-Town,  sans  arrêt.  Cette  nouvelle  nous  a  contrariés, 
car  nous  connaissions  l'anxiété  de  nos  bons  amis  qui 
allaient  être  de  six  à  sept  semaines  sans  apprendre  de  nos 
nouvelles. 

SCËNE    SAISISSANTE 

«  Novembre  ii,  —  Nous  espérons  apercevoir  les  îles 
du  Cap  Vert  au  coucher  du  soleil  et  comme  nous  pourrons 
peut-être  avoir  la  chance  d'y  déposer  nos  lettres,  je  saisis 
cette  occasion  d'ajouter  quelques  mots  à  cette  lettre  déjà 
longue  et  écrite  dans  des  circonstances  si  diverses. 

«  Pendant  ces  derniers  jours,  notre  vaisseau  a  été  secoué 
par  le  vent,  mais  cependant  la  température  est  restée  belle. 

((  Hier  soir,  nous  avons  eu  un  autre  concert  en  plein  air, 
très  joli.  C'était  le  tour  de  la  compagnie  d'Ottawa  et  tout 
a  été  très  bien  conduit  par  l'organisateur  Rogers.  Quelle 
scène  saisissante  c'était  de  voir  toutes  ces  têtes  découver- 
tes et  d'entendre  ces  voix  chanter  le  God  Save  thc  Queen, 
pendant  que  les  cœurs  se  portaient  au  loin,  vers  les  amis 
absents.  La  lune  brillait  doucement  sur  cette  scène  paisi- 
ble. Puisse-t-il  en  être  toujours  ainsi  ! 


50  LE    LIVRE    D'OR 

..«  Demain,  sera  le  deuxième  dimanche  que  nous  passe- 
rons sur  la  mer  et  je  dois  préparer  un  sermon  approprié. 
Je  devrai  vous  dire  au  revoir,  pour  encore  plusieurs 
semaines. 

«  Votre  frère  affectueux, 

«P.-M,  O'Leary. 

«  P.  S.  —  La  chaleur  est  terrible  parfois.  La  tempéra- 
ture de  l'eau  de  la  mer  est  de  82  degrés.  Si  ce  n'était  du 
vent,  nos  cabines  nous  rappelleraient  les  cachots  de 
Calcutta. 

A  SAINT-VINCENT 

«  Dimanche,  12  novembre.  —  La  température  devient 
plus  tropicale  à  mesure  que  nous  approchons  de  l'équateur. 
Ce  matin,  à  8.30  heures,  le  thermomètre  marquait  86 
degrés  et  toute  la  journée,  le 'mercure  s'est  maintenu  à 
90  degrés. 

«  Les  cérémonies  religieuses  se  sont  faites  dans  l'ordre 
suivant:  9.30,  catholiques  romains  ;  10.30,  presbytériens; 
11.30,  anglicans. 

«  Il  est  11.30  heures,  et  nous  nous  préparons  au  repas 
après  un  concert  donné  par  les  officiers. 

«P.-M.  O.» 

A  UN   DE   SES   AMIS. 

Cap  de  Bonne  Espérance,  le  29  novembre  1899. 

«  ....  Je  n'entreprendrai  pas  de  vous  décrire  nos  émo- 
tions à  nous  tous  lors  de  notre  départ  du  bon  vieux 
Québec. 

«  Cette  scène  unique  dans  l'histoire  de  la  vieille  cité 
restera  gravée  à  jamais  dans  la  mémoire  de  ceux  qui  en 
ont  été  témoins. 


LE    LIVRE   D  OR  51 

«  Nous  en  parlons  encore  bien  souvent,  réunis  sur  le 
pont,  par  ces  belles  soirées  des  tropiques,  et  nous  nous 
sentons  toujours  le  cœur  gros  d'émotion,  comme  au  jour 
où  nous  avons  laissé  nos  bons  amis  là-bas.  .  .  .  là-bas.  .  .  . 

«  Tout  alla  bien  jusqu'au  surlendemain  de  notre  départ. 
C'est  alors,  au  sortir  du  golfe,  que  nous  avons  été  pour  la 
première  fois,  j'allais  dire  au  feu  —  ce  devrait  être  à  Veau. 

«  Neptune  en  courroux  fit  une  protestation  si  énergique, 
pendant  trois  jours,  contre  cet  envahissement  de  son 
royaume,  que  de  guerre  lasse  il  a  bien  fallu  nous  avouer 
vaincus. 

«  C'était  notre  première  défaite.  Nombreux,  bien  nom- 
breux étaient  les  hors  de  combat. 

«  Sur  ces  entrefaites  arriva  un  triste  incident,  le  seul 
nuage  qui  était  venu  jusque-là  assombrir  la  franche  gaieté 
qui  respirait  partout.  Nous  avions  à  enregistrer  notre 
première  mort.  Celle  d'un  nommé  Deslauriers,  d'Ottawa. 
C'était  le  3  novembre,  et  la  sépulture  se  fit  le  même  jour. 

«  La  tempête  était  à  son  plus  fort  j  la  mer  en  furie  se 
précipitait  sur  nous,  avide  déjà  d'engloutir  la  proie; 
au-dessus  de  nos  têtes  le  tonnerre  se  faisait  entendre  en 
roulements  formidables  et  cest  au  milieu  de  cette  convul- 
sion de  la  nature  que  se  fit  la  triste  cérémonie.  Le  corps 
du  malheureux,  cousu  dans  un  sac  de  toile,  recouvert  du 
drapeau,  fut  porté  et  appuyé  sur  le  bord  du  bâtiment. 
Tout  le  régiment  était  rangé  sur  le  pont,  le  commandant 
et  les  officiers  en  tête.  Après  les  prières  d'usage,  au  mots  : 
Reqiiiescat  in  pace,  le  corps  disparut  emporté  par  la  mer, 
tandis  que  les  clairons  sonnaient  un  dernier  adieu.  Nous 
étions  déjà  un  de  moins.  Si  c'était  le  dernier  !!.... 

Il  Notre  vie  de  communauté,  sans  offrir  les  douceurs  de 
paisible  collège,  n'est  pas  sans  avoir  ses  attraits,  et  l'on 
s'y  fait  assez  facilement.  A  l'exception  du  réveil  qui  se 
fait,  non  au  son  d'une  innocente  clochette,  mais  au  bruit 


52,  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

de  la  trompette  ou  du  tambour  ;  il  n'y  a  pas  à  s'y  mépren- 
dre, le  sommeil  est  banni  pour  la  journée  !  Puis  commence 
le  tintamarre  :  cris  de  commandement,  à  vingt-cinq  places 
à  la  fois  :  marches  et  contremarches  sans  fin,  cliquetis 
d'armes,  puis  les  trompettes  qui  se  font  entendre  à  chaque 
minute,  et  surtout  l'exercice  au  tir  des  mitrailleuses  qui 
nous  arrachent  les  entrailles. 

«  Le  soir  venu  —  et  quelles  belles  soirées  nous  passons 
au  clair  de  la  lune  —  tout  comme  dans  les  beaux  jours 
d'automne  du  Canada,  nous  nous  réunissons  sur  le  pont 
pour  écouter  soit  la  musique  de  notre  excellente  fanfare, 
soit  les  improvisations,  etc. .  . .  Nos  Canadiens  ont  souvent 
la  place  d'honneur  :  Le  Brigadier  ainsi  que  \ Alouette 
semblent  avoir  captivé  tous  les  cœurs,  et  on  les  demande 
toujours  à  outrance. 

«  Enfin  nous  arrivons  au  Cap  de  Bonne  Espérance,  » 


De  Aar  Camp,  500  milles  au  nord  de  Cape-Town, 

4  décembre  1899. 

•  «  Eh  bien  !  nous  voilà  tout  de  bon  en  route  pour  la 
gloire.  Nous  sommes  sous  les  ordres  de  lord  Methuen  et 
nous  devons  faire  partie  du  corps  expéditionnaire  en 
destination  de  Kimberley  où  les  Anglais  sont  assiégés  à 
l'heure  qu'il  est.  Les  Boers  sont  à  masser  leurs  troupes  à 
Spyfontein  où  se  livrera  la  bataille  décisive  de  la  campagne. 
Sera-ce  un  Waterloo  ?.  .  .  . 

((....  On  a  promis  à  nos  boys  de  les  placer  au  premier 
rang  et  naturellement  leur  chapelain  ne  sera  pas  au 
dernier. 

«  Nos  soldats  sont  fiers  de  cet  honneur  qu'on  leur 
décerne.  Ce  sera  leur  baptême  de  sang.  Puissent-ils  s'en 
montrer  dignes  ! 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  53 

«  Le  climat  est  horrible.  Nous  sommes  campés  avec 
plusieurs  autres  régiments  dans  une  plaine  sablonneuse, 
un  vrai  désert,  entouré  de  rochers  arides  qui  nous  renvoient 
les  rayons  brûlants  du  soleil.  C'est  un  vrai  four.  Puis, 
pour  comble  de  bonheur,  des  coups  de  vent  nous  arrivent 
à  chaque  instant,  soulevant  une  poudrerie  de  sable  qui 
nous  aveugle  et  nous  étouffe. 

«  Jusqu'à  présent,  le  métier  de  la  guerre  n'est  pas  ce 
qu'il  y  a  de  plus  attrayant. 

«  Les  habitants  sont  pour  la  plupart  des  Hollandais  qui 
ne  nous  aiment  pas  beaucoup  et  des  Caffres,  dans  leur  état 
primitif  —  même  quaîit  au  costume  ! 

«  Nous  nous  arrangeons  tous  bien  dans  notre  tente,  les 
quatre  officiers  canadiens  et  votre  humble  serviteur. 

«  De  temps  à  autres  nous  sommes  plus  que  le  nombre 
réglementaire  :  les  centipèdes,  les  fourmis  et  les  lézards 
nous  ayant  pris  en  grande  amitié  !  La  nourriture  est  bonne 
mais  peu  variée  ;  le  biscuit  de  matelot  et  du  café  ad 
libitum  en  font  les  frais.  Enfin,  c'est  loin  d'être  un  pique- 
nique. 

«  Nous  attendons  d'un  moment  à  l'autre  notre  feuille  de 
route  pour  Modder  River. 

«  On  a  eu  hier  la  dernière  bataille  sanglante.  Elle  a  dû 
l'être,  si  l'on  en  juge  par  les  convois  de  blessés  qui  nous 
arrivent  du  front.  De  Modder  River  nous  nous  rendrons 
directement  au  feu,  d"où  je  vous  écrirai,  si  Dieu  me  prête 
vie.  ...  « 

Modder  River,  12  janvier  1900. 

a  ....  Je  suis  revenu  à  Modder  River,  ou  si  vous  le 
voulez  à  Magersfontein,  la  scène  de  deux  des  plus  impor- 
tantes batailles  de  la  campagne  :  une  victoire  et  une 
défaite,  l'une  et  l'autre  une  boucherie. 


54 


LE   LIVRE   d'or 


u  J'ai  pu  juger  par  moi-même  de  ce  qu'est  un  champ  de 
bataille  fraîchement  imprégné  de  sang  humain.  La  rivière 
Modder  est  un  tributaire  du  Vaal.  D'où  le  Transvaal, 
pays  situé  au  delà.  Elle  peut  avoir  mille  pieds  de  large,  et 
elle  est  bordée  de  berges  hautes  et  escarpées  ;  un  pont 
magnifique  qui  reliait  les  rives  avait  été  détruit  par  l'enne- 
mi, avant  l'arrivée  de  l'armée  anglaise,  et  les  bords  opposés 
avaient  été  tpàs  en  état  de  défense,  au  moyen  de  tranchées 
savamment  pratiquées  par  des  artilleurs  allemands  et 
fourmillant  d'habiles  tirailleurs,  dix  mille  au  moins. 

«  C'était  en  face  d'un  feu  d'enfer  que  nos  troupes  ont 
dû  descendre  la  rive  sud,  traverser  la  rivière  à  la  nage, 
enlever  la  position  ennemie  à  la  baïonnette.  A  mesure 
qu'un  régiment  disparaissait,  quasi  anéanti  par  cette  grêle 
de  boulets,  de  bombes,  de  projectiles  de  toutes  sortes,  un 
autre  prenait  bravement  sa  place  pour  se  faire  foudroyer  à 
son  tour  jusqu'à  ce  que  la  position  fût  emportée. 

«  Mais  si  le  passage  de  la  rivière  Modder  fut  gagné  au 
prix  de  flots  de  sang,  que  dirai-je  de  la  bataille  de  Magers- 
fontein,  livrée  seulement  à  quatre  milles  plus  loin,  et  où 
l'armée  anglaise  a  subi  une  défaite  sans  exemple  dans  ses 
annales  militaires,  depuis  la  guerre  de  Crimée. 

«  Je  n'insisterai  pas  sur  les  détails  que  tout  le  monde 
connaît  maintenant  par  la  voie  des  journaux. 

«  La  belle  brigade  écossaise,  composée  de  quatre  régi- 
ments en  a  le  plus  souffert. 

«  Dès  la  première  décharge,  leur  général  fut  tué.  Son 
corps  criblé  de  balles  fut  trouvé  dans  la  deuxième  tranchée 
ennemie,  entouré  d'une  poignée  de  braves  qui  avaient 
vendu  chèrement  leur  vie. 

«  C'était  pour  tout  dire  un  désastre,  mais  un  désastre 
glorieux.  En  pouvait-il  être  autrement  ? 

«  Depuis  deux  mois  les  Boers  avaient  fortifié  cette  ran- 
gée de  collines  escarpées,  longue  de  cinq  milles. 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  55 

«  Ils  y  avaient  dressé  des  canons  de  siège  à  tir  rapide  et 
de  longue  portée  de  huit  mille  verges.  La  plaine  était 
couverte  de  fil  de  fer  barbelé,  qui,  dans  la  demi  obscurité, 
jetait  la  confusion  dans  les  rangs  serrés  de  nos  soldats. 
Aussi  une  victoire  pour  l'armée  anglaise  aurait  été  un  vrai 
miracle.  Eh  bien  !  c'est  là  maintenant  que  je  suis,  allant 
et  venant  au  besoin,  entre  Magersfontein,  Modder  River, 
Enslin,  Graspan  et  Belmont. 

«  Dans  mes  voyages,  je  m'amuse  à  recueillir  des  souve- 
nirs éparpillés  çà  et  là,  sur  les  lieux  du  combat.  Aussi 
quel  musée  intéressant  je  pourrais  former  si  je  n'étais  à 
deux  mille  cinq  cents  lieues  de  chez  nous.  C'est  dans  une 
de  ces  excursions,  où  la  curiosité  m'avait  entraîné  au  delà 
des  avant-postes  que  j'ai  reçu  pour  la  première  fois  les 
compliments  de  MM.  les  Boers.  C'était  sous  la  forme  de 
trois  coups  de  canons,  dirigés  assez  habilement.  En 
entendant  les  cris  perçants  des  projectiles  passant  au-dessus 
de  ma  tête,  je  me  suis  rappelé  l'affaire  des  Horaces  et  des 
Coriaces.  J'ai  agi  en  conséquence. 

«  Que  l'on  dise  donc  maintenant  que  l'histoire  ancienne 
ne  sert  plus  à  rien,  .  .  .  Nos  Canadiens  ne  sont  pas  oisifs  ; 
ils  ont  été  chaleureusement  félicités  par  le  général  en  chef, 
pour  leur  affaire  de  Douglass.  A  environ  quarante-deux 
milles  d'ici,  de  concert  avec  les  Australiens,  ils  ont  pu 
s'emparer  d'un  camp  retranché,  faire  quarante-huit  prison- 
niers et  enlever  une  grande  quantité  de  provisions  et  de 
vivres. 

«  La  santé  de  tous  est  relativement  bonne,  la  mienne 
est  excellente.  On  dit  même  que  je  rajeunis  à  vue  d'œil. 
Mes  cheveux  blancs  m'ont  obtenu  d'être  traité  un  peu 
mieux  que  les  autres.  On  m'a  mis  en  possession  d'une 
espèce  de  masure  trouée  en  tous  sens  par  les  balles,  et 
d'où  la  nuit,  couché  sur  le  dos,  je  puis  faire  des  observa- 
tions astronomiques  très  intéressantes,  tant  le  toit  s'y 
prête  facilement. 

17 


56  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  Enfin,  ma  petite  paroisse  augmente  et  diminue  par 
l'arrivée  ou  le  départ  des  régiments  anglais,  et  ce  qui  me 
fortifie  et  m'encourage  beaucoup,  c'est  de  voir  réunis, 
autour  de  notre  humble  autel,  des  Canadiens,  des  Austra- 
liens, des  Essex,  des  Cornwalls,  des  Ecossais,  des  Mun* 
slers,  tous  catholiques.  ...» 

Bloemfontein,  le  15  mars  1900. 
Mon  cher  frère, 

«  Nous  venons  de  compléter  notre  affreuse  marche  de 
cent  milles  ;  une  qui  fera  époque  dans  les  annales  militai- 
res. Notre  moyenne,  pendant  les  derniers  cinq  jours,  a  été 
de  vingt  milles  par  jour,  la  plupart  du  temps  à  travers  un 
pays  dévasté  et  désert,  où  même  l'eau  était  à  prime. 
De  te  dire  que  les  animaux  et  les  hommes  tombaient  le 
long  du  chemin  ne  comporte  qu'une  faible  idée  des  misères 
que  nous  avons  dû  endurer.  Tu  dois  naturellement  te 
demander  comment  j'ai  pu  résister.  Eh  bien  !  je  n'ai 
succombé  que  deux  fois,  et  cela,  seulement  pendant  quel- 
ques heures.  J'ai  accompli  le  trajet  comme  le  plus  jeune 
des  nôtres,  et  sans  plus  grande  fatigue. 

«  Je  n'ai  pas  été  malade  physiquement  parlant,  pendant 
une  seule  journée,  mais  je  portais  une  plaie  au  cœur 
souvent,  hélas  !  trop  souvent.  Jamais,  jamais  je  n'oublierai 
les  vicissitudes  que  nous  avons  éprouvées  depuis  le  jour 
où  nous  sommes  montés  à  l'assaut  de  l'ennemi  à  Paarde- 
berg,  jusqu'à  ce  que  nous  l'ayons  chassé  de  son  camp,  un 
lundi  soir  que  je  n'oublierai  jamais.  C'était  plutôt  un 
mardi  matin.  Ces  scènes  terribles  sont  encore  présentes  à 
mon  esprit.  Si  j'avais  le  talent  d'un  Détaille,  je  les  confie- 
rais au  canevas. 

«(  Imagine-toi  le  passage  de  la  rivière  Modder  avec  la 
crue  de  ses  eaux,  ou  la  charge  insensée  du  dimanche  soir. 


LE   LIVRE   DOR  57 

le  18  février,  au  moment  du  crépuscule.  Quelle  peinture 
terrible  ne  pourrions-nous  pas  en  faire  ?  Et  puis,  la 
dernière  espérance,  lorsque  nos  braves  camarades,  dans 
les  ténèbres  de  la  nuit,  se  tenaient  par  la  main,  au  bout 
du  bras,  pour  ne  pas  se  perdre  pendant  qu'ils  montaient  à 
l'assaut  des  tranchées  de  l'ennemi. 

'(  Mais  parlons  des  scènes  terribles  après  la  bataille  ! 
L'expression  des  figures  tournées  vers  le  ciel,  quelques- 
unes  ensanglantées,  n'est  pas  à  décrire.  A  un  endroit,  un 
pauvre  malheureux  ressemble  à  un  enfant  dormant  d'un 
sommeil  paisible.  Plus  loin,  les  traits  contractés  d'un  autre 
donnent  facilement  la  pensée  de  l'agonie,  que  l'on  ne  peut 
décrire,  qu'il  a  dû  endurer  avant  que  le  Tout-Puissant  l'ait 
soulagé  de  ses  souffrances,  lorsque  d'un  moment  à  l'autre, 
le  cri  de  rage  semblait  prêt  à  sortir  du  gosier  du  soldat 
étendu,  la  bouche  et  les  yeux  ouverts  et  les  mains  jointes 
lorsqu'il  est  tombé  avec  une  balle  dans  le  cœur. 

«  Mais  ce  n'est  rien  à  côté  de  la  sépulture  triste  et  faite 
à  la  hâte  de  nos  braves  garçons.  Ils  avaient  marché  à 
côté  l'un  de  l'autre  et  combattu  ensemble.  Leurs  rangs 
n'ont  pas  été  brisés  par  la  mort.  Côte  à  côte  on  les  a 
déposés  tendrement  dans  un  sol  étranger  où  ils  dorment 
le  sommeil  éternel. 

«  J'ai  vu  tout  cela,  et  j'y  ai  pris  part,  pourquoi  ?  Je  ne 
le  sais  pas,  mais  j'ai  été  trouvé  plus  souvent  au  milieu  de 
la  mitraille  qu'il  n'était  nécessaire.  J'obéissais  à  une 
espèce  de  fascination  que  je  ne  pouvais  maîtriser,  et  plus 
d'un  pauvre  diable  m'a  remercié,  avec  son  dernier  souffle, 
de  m'être  oublié  moi-même  pour  le  secourir. 

«  Les  balles  pleuvaient  dru,  ne  semblant  respecter  per- 
sonne, car  j'en  ai  vu  tomber  plusieurs  à  mes  côtés.  Un 
fait  particulier  qui  peut  t'intéresser  est  le  suivant.  Pendant 
la  bataille  de  dimanche,  le  feu  de  l'ennemi  était  terrible. 
Nous  étions  obligés   de  nous  mettre  à  l'abri,  le  mieux  que 


^8  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

nous  pouvions,  dans  un  pays  découvert,  avant  que  nous 
pussions  monter  à  l'assaut,  pendant  que  la  fusillade  serait 
moins  vive.  Je  me  trouvais  caché  en  arrière  d'une  four- 
milière avec  l'un  des  soldats  de  Black  Watch.  Voyant 
que  cet  abri  n'était  pas  suffisant  pour  en  protéger  deux,  je 
me  suis  décidé  à  courir  de  l'avant  pour  me  mettre  à  l'abri 
d'un  petit  monticule.  Comme  je  me  levais  sur  mes  mains 
et  genoux,  me  préparant  à  rejoindre  mon  nouvel  abri  en 
toute  rapidité,  l'on  a  tiré  une  seconde  décharge,  je  me 
souviens  que  mon  compagnon  m'a  dit  :  «  Mon  Dieu,  mon- 
sieur, prenez  garde.  Que  le  Bon  Dieu  vous  garde.  »  A  ce 
moment,  une  décharge  était  dirigée  vers  nous.  J'ai  échap- 
pé au  danger,  mais  le  lendemain  matin,  j'ai  trouvé  mon 
compagnon  dans  la  même  position,  toujours  en  travers  de 
notre  fourmilière  hospitalière,  mais  percé  au  travers  du 
cœur  par  les  balles  que  l'on  me  destinait  probablement. 
Sais-tu  que  je  me  suis  trouvé  coupable,  lorsque  je  jetai  la 
vue  sur  mon  pauvre  camarade  d'une  heure,  mais  d'un 
autre  côté,  si  j'étais  resté  au  même  endroit,  cette  lettre  ne 
te  serait  jamais  parvenue. 

«  Un  autre  moment  d'inquiétude  a  été  celui  où  nous 
étions  à  quelques  verges  du  laager,  de  bonne  heure  le 
matin.  Oh  !  comme  ce  feu  d'enfer  fauchait  le  monde  ! 
Mais  nous  n'avons  pas  cédé  le  terrain,  et  lorsque  le  jour 
a  paru,  les  Boers  ont  hissé  le  pavillon  blanc,  et  se  sont 
rendus.  C'est  un  des  meilleurs  compliments  que  l'on 
puisse  faire  à  la  bravoure  et  à  la  valeur  canadienne. 
Pendant  que  tous,  parmi  les  membres  des  autres  régiments, 
ne  tarissent  pas  d'éloges  à  notre  adresse,  nous  pouvons 
être  fiers  de  nos  braves  garçons.  Ils  le  méritent  bien.  » 

Mon  cher  frère, 

i(  Enfin,  nous  avons  goûté  au  feu,  et  pour  tout  de  bon, 
et  bien  que  la  journée  nous  ait  coûté  cher,  nous  serions 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  5^ 

Volontiers  prêts  à  recommencer.  Le  Canada  a  droit  d'être 
fier  de  ses  nobles  enfaats.  Cette  terrible  journée  du  i8 
février  a  certes  endeuil"é  plus  d'un  foyer  jadis  heureux, 
mais  les  êtres  chéris  qui  là-bas  pleurent  les  morts  devront 
être  dans  une  certaine  mesure  consolés  par  la  pensée  que 
tous  ont  fait  leur  devoir,  tous,  jusqu'au  dernier.  C'est 
l'hommage  que  leur  rendent  les  régiments  historiques,  les 
vétérans  des  batailles,  les  Gordons  et  les  Black  Watch,  les 
Argyles,  les  Seaforths  et  les  Cornwalls. 

«  Oh  !  cette  charge  furieuse  contre  un  ennemi  invisible, 
jamais  je  ne  l'oublierai,  et  je  n'essaierai  pas  de  la  décrire, 
pour  aujourd'hui  du  moins.  L'enfer  déchaîné  n'en  donne- 
rait qu'une  imparfaite  idée.  En  avant  I  en  avant  1  et  nous 
nous  précipitions  à  travers  une  grêle  de  balles,  dans  une 
atmosphère  de  mitraille.  En  avant  !  et  nous  chargions 
follement,  furieusement  à  travers  les  ronces  africaines, 
buttant  sur  les  camarades  tombés,  n'ayant  qu'un  but 
dans  ce  délire  de  sang  et  de  destruction  ;  atteindre  les 
retranchements  ennemis.  Et,  dominant  le  bruit  de  la 
bataille,  une  acclamation  farouche,  remuait  l'âme  jusque 
dans  ses  profondeurs,  ou  plutôt  un  hurlement  sauvage, 
traversait  l'air  embrasé,  pendant  que  nos  braves  enfants 
bondissaient  comme  des  tigres  à  travers  la  plaine. 

«  Le  soir  tomba  sur  notre  victoire,  et  la  nuit  vint  misé- 
ricordieusement  jeter  un  voile  sur  les  horreurs  de  ce 
glorieux  champ  de  bataille.  Et,  dans  la  plus  complète 
obscurité,  car  la  moindre  lumière  provoquait  le  feu  de 
l'ennemi,  nous  commençâmes  la  recherche  des  morts  et 
des  blessés,  nous  arrêtant  partout  où  nos  mains  trempaient 
dans  le  sang.  Du  sang,  du  sang,  encore  du  sang  !  Et  de 
tous  côtés  nous  venaient  de  faibles  gémissements,  avec 
des  appels  déchirants.  De  l'eau,  de  l'eau,  imploraient  les 
blessés.  Parfois,  un  ami  buttait  sur  le  corps  de  son  ami,  et 
quelle  scène  pathétique  c'était  !  «Tu  diras  à  maman.  ...» 


6o  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

OU  bien  :  «  Ne  me  quitte  pas  !  Ce  ne  sera  pas  long  !  » 
disaient  les  malheureux  blessés,  au  milieu  de  leurs 
souffrances. 

«  La  lune  se  leva  sur  cette  scène  de  désolation  et 
répandit  ses  calmes  rayons  sur  plus  d'une  figure  sereine 
et  paisible  dans  la  mort.  Je  restai  tard  sur  le  champ 
sinistre,  avec  quelques  dévoués  camarades,  cherchant  dans 
tous  les  coins  et  recoins  les  morts  et  les  blessés,  jusqu'à 
ce  que,  harassés,  la  force  nous  manquât.  Et,  nous  jetant 
sur  le  sol,  nous  demandâmes  au  sommeil  le  repos  et 
l'oubli.  Ainsi  firent  la  plupart  des  survivants.  A  peine 
échangeait-on  une  parole,  car  tous  étaient  rendus  à  bout 
par  la  marche  forcée  (de  vingt  milles),  de  la  nuit  précé- 
dente, et  la  fatigue  de  cette  interminable  journée. 

«  Lundi  matin,  nous  rassemblâmes  nos  morts  et  nous 
les  enterrâmes  côte  à  côte  dans  une  grande  fosse  —  ils 
étaient  dix-huit  —  pendant  que  je  demandais  aux  anges 
du  Seigneur  d'en  prendre  soin,  quand  nous  serions  loin 
de  ce  pays,  plein  pour  nous  de  si  dramatiques  souvenirs. 
Qu'ils  reposent  en  paix,  ces  nobles  et  courageux  enfants  I 

«  Mais  il  faut  finir.  Mon  cœur  saigne,  quand  ma  pensée 
évoque  les  sanglants  tableaux  que  j'ai  contemplés  et  les 
tragiques  événements  dont  j'ai  été  le  témoin. 

u  Peter  O'Leary,  Ptre.  « 


^*^ 


CAPITAINE  EUGENE  FISET, 

CHIRURGIEN-MAJOR. 


LE  CHIRURGIEN  MAJOR  FISET 


E   ministère   de  la  milice  vient   de   recevoir   une 

importante  dépêche  du  colonel  Otter  comman- 

tes^^     dant  du  premier  contingent,  datée  de  Paardeberg 

le  27  février,  au  sujet  de  la  bataille  livrée  à  cet  endroit 

le  18  février  dernier. 

«  Le  colonel  fait  les  plus  grands  éloges  du  capitaine 
Fiset,  chirurgien,  attaché  au  régiment.  Notre  jeune  com- 
patriote s'est  signalé  par  un  bel  acte  de  courage,  sous  le 
feu  de  l'ennemi.  Non  seulement  il  courut  panser  le  capi- 
taine Arnold  dangereusement  blessé,  mais  encore  il  poussa 
le  dévouement  jusqu'à  prendre  le  brancard  sur  lequel  était 
le  blessé,  à  le  transporter  loin  de  l'ennemi  malgré  la  pluie 
de  mitraille  qui  pleuvait  sur  lui.  Le  capitaine  Fiset  a 
encore  rendu  tous  les  services  possibles  aux  autres  blessés. 
Le  colonel  Otter  loue  en  outre  le  zèle  entreprenant  et 
intrépide  du  chapelain  O'Leary,  qui  n'a  cessé  et  le  jour  et 
la  nuit  de  porter  secours  et  prières  aux  blessés  sur  le 
champ  de  bataille.  » 

Le  chirurgien  major  Fiset  à  son  père. 

Belmont,  le  18  janvier  1900. 

«.  . .  .La  semaine  dernière,  j'ai  été  choisi  pour  accompa- 
gner une  colonne  volante  que  nous  avons  envoyée  à  quinze 


02  LE   LIVRE   D"oR 

milles  d'ici,  pour  déloger  un  corps  de  Boers  qui  nous 
enlevait  nos  troupeaux  et  nos  chevaux.  Je  ne  suis  revenu 
qu'hier. 

«  Nous  avons  eu  deux  hommes  de  tués  et  quatre  de 
blessés,  mais  nous  ramenons  quarante-deux  prisonniers  et 
seize  blessés.  C'est  la  deuxième  expédition  de  ce  genre 
que  j'accompagne,  et  maintenant  je  suis  tout  à  fait  habitué 
à  soigner  mes  malades  sur  le  champ,  sans  trop  de  tendan- 
ces à  saluer  bas  les  balles  qui  sifflent  si  gentiment  au-dessus 
de  nos  têtes.  Je  n'ai  pas  encore  une  seule  égratignure  et 
commence  à  croire  qu'il  n'y  a  aucun  danger. 

«  Nous  partons  encore  demain  du  côté  de  l'Etat  Libre 
d'Orange,  nous  ne  reviendrons  pas  probablement  avant 
six  jours,  c'est  pourquoi  je  me  hâte  de  t'écrire.  Je  com- 
mence à  être  passablement  ennuyé  de  ce  soleil  torride,  de 
ce  sable  mouvant  et  la  vie  que  nous  menons  ici  serait 
bien  abrutissante  si  je  n'avais  l'heureuse  chance  d'accom- 
pagner nos  colonnes  volantes.  De  plus,  la  vie  coûte  cher, 
ici,  en  diable,  et  la  solde  est  petite.  J'oubliais  de  te  dire 
que  je  suis  seul  maintenant  en  charge  de  mon  régiment, 
le  chirurgien  major  Wilson  a  été  nommé  «  P.  M.  O.  »,  dans 
un  hôpital.  Le  colonel  Otter  me  témoigne  une  grande 
confiance,  ce  qui  me  rend  la  vie  plus  agréable,  mais  j'ai 
bien  de  l'ouvrage.  Nous  avons  les  fièvres  typhoïdes 
depuis  quinze  jours,  et  j'ai  dû  envoyer  dix-huit  de  mes 
malades  à  Orange  River  ;  heureusement  c'est  une  forme 
légère.  Pour  ma  part,  je  ne  me  suis  jamais  porté  si  bien, 
j'ai  un  peu  maigri  à  cause  de  la  chaleur,  aussi  j'en  bénis 
le  Seigneur,  car  je  ne  trouverais  pas  cela  drôle  du  tout 
d'être  malade  si  loin  des  miens. 

«  Le  Principal  Médical  Officer  des  Australiens,  au  camp 
ici  avec  nous  et  dont  j'ai  fait  l'ouvrage  huit  jours  durant, 
a  écrit  à  son  ami  personnel,  le  général  Hutton,  notre 
major  général  en  Canada,  et  je  crois  que  ce  rapport  n'est 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  63 

pas  de  nature  à  me  nuire.  Je  travaille  dur  et  ferme  pour 
faire  mon  devoir. 

«  Je  ne  puis  en  écrire  plus  long  aujourd'hui,  on  vient 
me  chercher,  le  commandant  me  demande  ;  de  plus  il  faut 
que  j'aille  à  douze  milles  d'ici  à  cheval,  visiter  un  de  nos 
avant-postes  qui  est  là  en  permanence.  J'ai  maintenant 
deux  magnifiques  ponies  à  ma  disposition  et  suis  devenu 
un  bon  cavalier.  Je  pense  souvent  à  vous  tous,  surtout 
pendant  nos  belles  soirées,  quand  je  puis  goûter  un  peu 
de  repos.  Les  parades  du  matin  sont  très  intéressantes  de 
ce  temps-ci,  au  point  de  vue  de  la  clinique,  et  il  y  a 
beaucoup  de  variété. 


«  A  bientôt. 


0  Eugène.  » 


Hommage  à  un  camarade. 

Springs,  8  juillet  1900. 
Dr  Léonidas  Larue,  Québec. 

Mon  cher  confrère, 

«  Vous  ne  sauriez  croire  combien  j'ai  été  surpris  tout 
autant  que  peiné  de  lire  dans  nos  ordres  régimentaires  du 
jour,  le  bulletin  annonçant  la  mort  de  mon  ami  Lucien, 
votre  malheureux  fils.  Quand  nous  sommes  partis  de 
Bloemfontein,  il  y  a  trois  mois,  il  était  de  retour  de  l'hôpi- 
tal depuis  quelques  jours.  Malgré  son  apparente  bonne 
santé,  je  lui  conseillai  fortement  de  ne  pas  accompagner 
le  bataillon,  et  je  portai  son  nom  sur  la  liste  des  convales- 
cents ;  il  semblait  alors  reprendre  des  forces  tous  les 
jours,  et  je  ne  m'attendais  jamais  à  le  voir  devenir  une 
des  nombreuses  victimes  de  ces  terribles  fièvres  entériques, 
qui  ont  causé  tant  de  ravages  dans  nos  rangs. 


64  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

«  Je  considère  comme  un  devoir  pour  moi  de  vous 
offrir  mes  plus  sincères  sympathies  dans  le  malheur  qui 
vous  frappe.  J'ai  toujours  essayé  de  me  montrer  son  ami, 
durant  son  séjour  en  Afrique,  et  lui  ai  toujours  rendu 
avec  joie  tous  les  petits  services  que  je  pouvais  lui  rendre. 
J'ai  été  témoin  de  son  excellente  conduite  dans  le  régi- 
ment ;  je  sais  par  moi-même  et  par  ses  officiers  comman- 
dants qu'il  s'est  conduit  en  brave  à  la  bataille  de  Paarde- 
berg,  et  que  sa  blessure  est  la  preuve  la  plus  éclatante  de 
sa  noble  conduite. 

«  Mes  compagnons  d'armes  d'origine  française,  le  lieute- 
nant-colonel Pelletier,  MM.  Leduc  et  Peltier,  et  tous  ses 
camarades  se  joignent  à  moi  pour  vous  offrir  nos  sympa- 
thies les  plus  vives,  et  compatir  à  votre  malheur.  Et  si 
cela  peut  vous  consoler  quelque  peu,  soyez  assuré  qu'il 
est  mort  en  bon  chrétien  et  estimé  de  tous  ses  camarades. 
Pour  ma  part,  j'ai  perdu  en  lui  un  bon  ami,  et  c'est  de 
tout  cœur  que  je  prends  part  à  votre  douleur. 

«  Votre  bien  dévoué, 

«  Eugène  Fiset, 
<(  Chirurg.  major  R.  C.  R.  >. 


r^l\^ 


SŒUR  SAINT-ANTOINE-DE-PADOUE, 

NÉE  Desroches, 

De   la   Pointe-aux-Trembles. 

UNE   VICTIME    DE    LA  GUERRE. 


,1  nous  mettons  ici  Sœur  Saint- Antome-de-Padoue, 
c'est  que  nous   sommes  heureux  de  prouver  que  le 
dévouement  de  la  femme  canadienne  ne  le  cède 
en  rien  à  celui  des  Canadiens. 


SŒUR    SAINT-ANTOINE-DE-PADOUE 


UNE  VICTIME  DE  LA  6UEBBE 


Une  religieuse  de  Québec  décédée  en  Afrique 


«  Le  3  mars  de  la  présente  année,  un  dimanche,  à 
l'hôpital  d'Escourt  (Natal),  s'est  éteinte  dans  le  Seigneur 
Sœur  Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue,  née  Desroches,  de  la 
Pointe-aux-Trembles,  supérieure  du  dit  hôpital. 

«  Elle  fit  sa  profession  religieuse  le  7  août  1889,  à 
l'Hôpital-Général  de  Québec,  et  dans  le  courant  de  1893, 
elle  quittait  ce  monastère  pour  l'Afrique  du  Sud.  Elle 
demeura  pendant  six  ans  au  Sanatorium  Berea  de  Durban, 
puis  se  rendit  au  couvent  d'Escourt,  où  elle  venait  d'être 
nommée  supérieure. 

«  Elle  ne  devait  pas  y  séjourner  longtemps.  La  guerre 
apporta  aux  religieuses  un  surcroît  d'occupations  et  de 
tatigues,  occasionné  par  le  grand  nombre  de  blessés  con- 


66  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

fiés  à  leurs  soins.  Sœur  Saint-Antoine,  dit  un  journal 
d'Escourt,  était  des  plus  empressées  et  des  plus  attentives 
auprès  des  malades  et  des  blessés  ;  oublieuse  d'elle-même, 
elle  ne  songeait  qu'aux  pauvres  souffrants,  et  prolongeait 
souvent  tard  dans  la  nuit  ses  travaux  et  ses  veilles. 

«  Cet  excès  de  fatigue  épuisa  ses  forces,  et  le  3  mars, 
entourée  de  ses  compagnes,  assistée  par  Mgr  Jolivet  qui 
lui  donna  les  derniers  secours  de  la  religion  catholique, 
elle  payait  de  sa  vie  son  beau  dévouement  à  la  grande 
cause  de  la  charité. 

«  Elle  était  âgée  de  trente  et  un  ans  et  cinq  mois.  Elle 
emporte  l'estime  de  tous  ceux  qui  ont  eu  le  bonheur 
d'apprécier  la  bonté  et  l'affabilité  de  son  caractère. 

«  Les  funérailles  ont  eu  lieu  le  lendemain.  Tous  voulu- 
rent y  assister  et  prouver  ainsi  leur  affection  et  leur 
gratitude  envers  la  regrettée  défunte.  Les  Dublin  Fusiliers 
étaient  présents  avec  leur  fanfare  —  en  tout  trois  cents 
personnes. 

«  La  chapelle  se  trouvant  trop  petite,  le  service  funèbre 
fut  chanté  souslavérandah  du  Sanatorium  par  Mgr  Jolivet, 
vicaire  apostolique  de  Natal. 

«  Le  ceicueil  fut  transporté  de  la  chambre  mortuaire  à 
l'église  par  les  membres  du  corps  médical  de  l'armée  et 
du  Sanatorium;  et  de  là  au  cimetière  par  le  personnel  de 
l'hôpital  civique. 

«  La  cérémonie  fut  pleine  de  grandeur,  et  l'émotion 
profonde  des  assistants,  ajoute  le  journal  d'Escourt,  se 
trahit  par  des  larmes. 

«  C'est  la  première  victime  choisie  parmi  la  phalange 
héroïque  de  nos  religieuses  canadiennes,  parties  depuis 
sept  ans  pour  se  dévouer  aux  soins  des  malades  dans  les 
missions  lointaines  de  Natal.  L'esprit  de  foi  qui  leur  a  fait 
abandonner  leur  patrie,  leur  famille,  et  le  cloître  où  elles 
ont  prononcé  leurs   vœux  de  religion,  en  les  signalant  à 


LE   LIVRE    D  OR 


67 


l'admiration  du  monde,  a  jeté  sur  notre  nationalité  cana- 
dienne un  rayon  plein  de  gloire. 

«  Le  nom  de  Sœur  Saint- Antoine-de-Padoue  sera  inscrit 
dans  les  Annales  de  nos  martyrs  comme  dans  le  cœur 
reconnaissant  des  populations  africaines  qu'elle  a  su  édifier 
par  ses  exemples,  auxquelles  elle  a  prodigué,  avec  sa  vie, 
les  soins  incessants  de  sa  charité  et  de  sa  tendresse 
religieuse.  »  La  Semaine  Religieuse  de  Québec, 


LE  MAJOR  J.-E.  PELTIER 

(DU  65e  BATAILLON) 


E  capitaine  J.-E.  Peltier,  de  la  compagnie  F,  du 

deuxième  régiment  Royal  canadien,  est  une  figure 

i'^H'-'     bien  connue.  C'est  un  des  braves  qui  ont  maintenu, 

haut  et  ferme,  la  vaillante  renommée  du  65e  Bataillon, 

dont  s'honore  la  ville  de  Montréal. 

Voici  quelques  extraits  de  lettres  qu'il  a  écrites  à  sa 
famille  et  à  ses  amis  : 

Camp  de  Belmont,  11  décembre  1899. 

« .  .  .  .  J'en  voulais,  de  la  guerre.  Eh  bien  !  j'en  ai  à 
mon  goût.  Nous  sommes  arrivés  le  30  novembre  à  midi, 
et  depuis  ce  jour,  nous  voyageons  en  chemin  de  fer,  nous 
campons  ici  et  là.  Ceux  qui  aiment  la  poussière,  la 
chaleur,  etc.,  peuvent  être  heureux  ici.  Mais  jamais  de  ma 
vie  je  n'ai  vu  tel  pays  ;  ils  n'y  a  pas  d'arbres,  pas  d'herbe, 
pas  de  verdure,  mais  des  montagnes,  toujours  des  monta- 
gnes à  perte  de  vue,  et  des  plaines  qui  ressemblent  à  de 
vrais  déserts.  Ci  et  là,  on  voit  des  autruches  perdues  au 
milieu  des  rochers.  En  passant,  ça  a  l'air  royalement  bête 
ces  oiseaux-là,  avec  leur  col  allongé,  leurs  grandes  pattes  ! 

«  Nous   apprenons   qu'une   grande   bataille  se  livre  à 


LE   LIVRE   d'or  69 

l'heure  actuelle,  à  quelques  milles  d'ici,  à  Modder  River, 
et  nous  sommes  loin  d'être  sûrs  du  succès  de  nos  armes. 
Les  Boers  sont  fortifiés  d'une  façon  étonnante,  sur  les 
kopjes  qui  sont  de  vrais  Gibraltars.  On  m'annonce  que  la 
brigade  écossaise  s'est  fait  écraser  et  que  le  général  qui  la 
commandait  a  été  tué.  Le  bataillon  connu  sous  le  nom  de 
Black  Watch,  et  qui  s'appelle  le  42e  Ecossais,  est  presque 
complètement  anéanti.  Il  ne  reste  qu'une  douzaine  d'offi- 
ciers. D'autres  bataillons  ont  subi  le  même  sort.  Comme 
tu  le  vois,  nous  avons  affaire  à  une  forte  armée  fermement 
retranchée.  Je  ne  te  dis  qu'une  chose,  nous  serions  bien 
chanceux  de  retourner  vivants  au  pays. 

«  Ce  matin,  vers  trois  heures,  nous  avons  eu  une  alerte. 
Il  faisait  noir.  Cinq  minutes  après  l'alerte,  nous  étions 
sous  les  armes.  Il  faisait  froid  :  nous  avions  même  les 
doigts  engourdis.  Nos  hommes  prennent  cependant  très 
bien  les  choses  ;  ils  sont  bien  disposés  à  vendre  chèrement 
leur  vie.  Quant  à  moi,  je  suis  bien  décidé  à  faire  mon 
devoir,  arrive  que  pourra.  L'honneur  du  Canada,  j'aime  à 
le  croire,  ne  sera  pas  terni  par  ses  fils  en  ce  moment  sur  le 
sol  de  l'Afrique. 

«  Cette  après-midi  nous  avons  capturé  cinq  Boers  dans 
la  montagne.  Nous  espérons  retirer  d'eux  des  informations 
utiles. 

Il  Nous  sommes  soumis  à  un  régime  très  sévère.  Le 
réveil  sonne  à  trois  heures  a.  m.  C'est  dur  en  grand, 
comme  on  dit  chez  nous,  mais  cela  est  nécessaire,  car 
nous  nous  attendons  à  une  attaque  d'un  moment  à  l'autre. 
Si  nos  succès  ne  sont  pas  meilleurs  d'ici  à  une  couple  de 
semaines,  nous  serons  alors  entourés  d'ennemis,  et  il  est 
bien  probable  que  nous  aurons  nos  pertes  comme  les 
autres.  Nous  nous  attentions  à  ce  résultat,  sans  trembler. 
Nous  vaincrons  ou  nous  tomberons  en  braves. 

'I  Belmont  a  été  le  théâtre  d'un  rude  combat,  il  y  a  un 


70  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

mois  environ.  Sous  les  kopjes,  nous  trouvons  nombre  de 
chevaux  morts,  etc.  Nous  montons  la  garde  au  milieu  de 
ces  dépouilles  en  décomposition.  Ce  n'est  pas  très  sain, 
je  ne  te  dis  que  cela. 

«  Ce  matin,  encore,  j'ai  trouvé  le  cadavre  d'un  Boer  sur 
le  bord  d'un  rocher  ;  je  l'ai  fait  couvrir  de  pierres  et  de 
cailloux.  C'est  le  seul  moyen  que  nous  avons  ici  sur  les 
montagnes,  d'enterrer  les  morts.  Il  y  en  a  beaucoup 
d'inhumés  de  cette  façon  ;  on  trouve  des  bras,  des  jambes, 
des  têtes,  etc.  ;  ce  n'est  pas  joli  ;  les  peureux  et  les 
nerveux  en  ont  tout  leur  raide.  Il  y  a  des  soldats  de  nos 
amis  qui  ouvrent  les  yeux.  Ce  spectacle  les  étonne  et  les 
attriste  ;  ils  ne  pensaient  pas  assurément  voir  de  leurs 
yeux  des  champs  de  bataille  couverts  de  cadavres.  C'est 
!a  guerre  avec  toutes  ses  horreurs.  . .  . 

«  Je  profite  de  cette  lettre  pour  souhaiter  un  Merry 
Christmas  et  une  bonne  année  à  tout  le  Canada.  Nous 
«ilîons  trouver  cela  curieux  de  passer  le  jour  de  Noël  en 
pleine  chaleur. .  .  . 

«  Ton  ami, 

«  J.-E.  Peltier.  » 

Modder  River,  24  février  1900. 
Train  d'ambulance. 

«  Ne  vous  alarmez  pas  ;  je  ne  suis  pas  blessé  du  tout. 
Mais  j'ai  eu  la  malchance  d'attraper  un  coup  de  soleil. 
Cela  ne  m'a  pas  empêché  de  prendre  part  à  la  grande 
bataille  de  dimanche,  le  18  courant,  à  un  endroit  appelé 
Paardeberg  Drift,  sur  la  Modder. 

«  Je  vais  d'abord  vous  donner  tous  les  détails  de  notre 
campagne  depuis  notre  départ  de  Belmont.  Dimanche,  le 
II  :  Partis  de  cette  station  à  sept  heures  p.  m.,  nous 
sommes  arrivés  à  Gras  Pan  à  huit  heures  et  demie  et  nous 


LE   LIVRE    d'or  71 

avons  couché  à  la  belle  étoile.  Comme  tous  les  soirs 
depuis  notre  départ,  le  réveil  a  sonné  à  trois  heures  du 
matin,  et  à  quatre  heures  nous  étions  en  marche  pour 
Ramsdam,  situé  à  quinze  milles  plus  loin.  Cette  marche 
n'a  pas  été  pénible  par  l'espace  à  franchir,  mais  il  faisait 
une  chaleur  si  atroce  !  Pas  un  air,  pas  un  souffle  de  vent 
pour  nous  rafraîchir  !  C'était  terrible.  Nous  sommes  arri- 
vés à  destination  à  deux  heures  et  demie  de  l'après-midi  ; 
j'étais  exténué,  rendu.  C'est  là  que  j'ai  été  touché  par  le 
soleil  brûlan'.  Je  suis  tombé  comme  un  caillou  et  je  suis 
resté  assez  mal  jusqu'au  soir.  Cela  ne  m'a  pas  e!rpêché  de 
continuer  notre  marche,  à  quatre  heures  le  k-idemain 
matin.  Il  nous  fallait  faire  encore  quinze  mi'Ies  pour 
atteindre  Riet  Rivr-r.  A  trois  heures  de  l'é  près-midi  nous 
nous  sommes  reposés  jusqu'à  quatre  heuxis  du  matin 
suivant. 

«  A  cet  endroit,  il  m'a  fallu  laisser  un  de  mes  caporaux, 
le  jeune  d'Orsonnens,  fils  du  colonel  de  ce  nom.  Il  avait 
les  pieds  ensanglantés  et  ne  pouvait  plus  marcher.  Ce 
pauvre  garçon  aurait  mieux  fait  de  continuer  son  chemin, 
car  deux  heures  après  notre  départ,  il  a  été  fait  prisonnier 
avec  le  reste  du  personnel  d'hôpital  ;  une  partie  du  convoi 
fut  aussi  capturée.  Je  n'en  ai  pas  entendu  parler  depuis  ; 
je  ne  sais  pas  ce  qu'il  est  devenu. 

<(  Enfm,  nous  avons  continué  n^tre  marche  sur  Jacobs- 
dale,  que  nous  avons  pris  après  un  engagement  de  deux 
heures,  sans  avoir  perdu  plus  de  cinq  ou  six  hommes. 
Personne  des  nôtres  n'est  tombé.  Il  était  cinq  heures 
quand  nous  sommes  entrés  dans  cette  espèce  de  village» 
Nous  en  repartîmes  le  soir,  à  neuf  heures  et  demie,  pour 
une  autre  marche  forcée,  afin  de  couper  la  retraite  au  géné- 
ral Cronje,  qui  avait  laissé  au  plus  coupant  sa  fameuse, 
trop  fameuse  place  retranchée  de  Magersfontein,  y  aban- 
donnant  presque   tous   ses    bagages.   La  marche  a  duré 

i8 


72  LE    LIVRE    DOR 

toute  la  nuit.  Ma  compagnie  formait  l'avant-garde  ou 
autrement  ouvrait  la  marche  de  la  colonne.  Nous  sommes 
arrivés  à  Klipt  Drift  juste  huit  heures  trop  tard  pour  lui 
couper  la  retraite. 

«  En  arrivant,  je  fus  envoyé  aux  avant-postes  ;  j'y  suis 
resté  jusqu'à  quatre  heures.  A  cinq  heures  et  quart,  nous 
sommes  partis  pour  la  nuit  ;  c'était  le  samedi  soir.  Nous 
avons  marché  toute  la  nuit  et  nous  sommes  arrivés  à 
Paardeberg  Drift  à  cinq  heures  et  demie,  salués  par  les 
canons  boers  qui  tiraient  sur  nous  pendant  que  nous 
prenions  notre  position.  Nous  avions  parcouru  trente-trois 
milles  pendant  notre  nuit. 

Il  semblait  que  nous  avions  droit  à  une  couple  d'heures 
de  repos,  très  bien  mérité,  mais  à  l'instant  l'ordre  fut 
donné  de  distribuer  une  bonne  ration  de  rhum,  et  en 
avant,  au  feu  !  Cela  s'est  fait  dans  le  temps  de  le  dire. 
Nous  voici  encore  en  marche,  cette  fois  bien  sur  l'ennemi, 
car  nous  entendions  son  feu  très  nourri  et  dirigé  sur  nos 
troupes  déjà  engagées. 

«  Pour  nous  rendre  à  notre  position,  il  nous  a  fallu  traver- 
ser la  rivière  Modder  à  pied,  malgré  le  courant  qui  atteint 
une  vitesse  de  neuf  milles  à  l'heure.  Vous  comprenez  si 
nous  en  avons  arraché  ;  de  l'eau  jusqu'au  cou,  et  même 
par-dessus  la  tête  pour  plusieurs  ;  mais  cela  n'était  que  le 
commencement.  A  peine  étions-nous  sortis  de  l'eau  et 
avions-nous  escaladé  la  côte,  que  nous  voilà  sous  les  balles 
de  l'ennemi.  Ça  pleuvait  dru,  je  vous  le  dis  ;  il  fallait  voir 
cela.  A  cent  verges  plus  loin,  vers  sept  heures,  le  premier 
Canadien  a  été  frappé  à  l'épaule  ;  la  bataille  a  continué 
jusqu'à  neuf  heures  du  soir.  Je  n'ai  pas  pu  diriger  ma 
compagnie  durant  touie  la  journée,  le  soleil  étant  trop  fort 
pour  moi.  Cependant,  je  suis  resté  sur  le  champ  de  bataille 
tout  le  temps.  J'ai  eu  une  fière  chance,  car  vers  cinq  heu- 
fes,  les  balles  tombaieni  comme  de  la  grêle.  J'ai  reçu  une 


LE   LIVRE    d'or  73 

balle  à  travers  mon  helmet,  à  un  pouce  de  la  tête  et  une 
autre  a  emporté  une  partie  du  renfort  de  ma  chaussure  du 
pied  droit.  .  .  . 

«  Franchement,  c'est  peu  gai  un  champ  de  bataille  ! — un 
vrai  champ  de  bataille  —  pas  comme  ceux  qu'on  nous 
montre  sur  les  images  !  On  voyait  les  Canadiens  tomber, 
les  balles  sifflaient  de  chaque  côté  de  la  tête,  soulevaient 
le  sable.  Le  sifflement  des  balles  devient  désagréable  à  la 
longue.  Puis  rester  toute  une  journée  couché  sur  le  ven- 
tre, sans  bouger,  cela  devient  fatigant,  vous  pouvez  le 
croire  ;  au  moindre  mouvement  que  nous  faisions,  nous 
recevions  de  tous  les  côtés  une  vraie  grêle  de  balles.  J'en 
connais  quelque  chose,  car  je  me  suis  promené  d'un  bout 
à  l'autre  de  la  compagnie,  pour  le  seul  plaisir  de  voir.  A 
ce  moment-là  on  nous  saluait  libéralement  d'une  couple 
de  salves.  .  .  . 

«  J'ai  eu  onze  blessés  dans  ma  compagnie  ;  heureuse- 
ment que  personne  n'a  été  tué.  .  .  . 

«  C'est  affreux  à  entendre  le  bruit  des  canons  et  de  la 
fusillade,  les  différents  sons  de  ces  coups  de  feu  !  Et  puis 
l'effet  produit  sur  l'ennemi  ! 

<(  La  bataille  a  cessé  vers  neuf  heures  dimanche,  pour 
recommencer  le  lundi  matin  vers  cinq  heures.  On  nous  a 
laissés  nous  reposer  jusqu'à  cinq  heures  du  soir.  Alors 
il  a  fallu  aller  aider  aux  camarades  aux  prises  avec  les 
Boers. 

«  Nous  sommes  restés  toute  la  nuit  à  protéger  une 
batterie  qui  a  tiré  tout  ce  temps  sur  les  Boers.  J'étais  fier 
de  voir  avec  quelle  habileté  nos  soldats  lançaient  les  obus 
au  beau  milieu  de  l'ennemi.  Mais  en  même  temps,  je 
pensais  que  celte  canonnade  devait  causer  la  dévastation 
et  la  mort.  Nos  soldats  ont  lancé  deux  cents  bombes  dans 
le  laager  des  Boers,  qui  contient,  dit-on,  un  grand  nombre 
de  femmes.  Il  paraît  que  Mme  Cronje  est  avec  son  mari. 


74  LE   LIVRE   D  OR 

A  présent,  ils  ne  peuvent  que  se  rendre  ou  mourir,  car  ils 
sont  cernés.   C'est  bon  pour  eux,  n'est-ce  pas  ? 

«  Tout  de  même,  je  vous  dis  que  ce  n'est  pas  beau  la 
guerre  pour  tout  de  bon;  je  vous  en  dirai  davantage  dans 
ma  prochaine  lettre.  .  .  . 

«  Votre  fils  affectueux, 

«  J.-E.  Peltier.  i) 


LE  MAJOR  T.-L.  BOULANGER 

Ost  Q.  F.  B.  C.  A.) 

Pretoria,  Transvaal,  5  mai  1900. 
A  MM.  L.-J.  Demers  &  Frère, 

|EPUIS  la  prise  de  possession  de  Johannesburg, 
notre  marche  vers  Pretoria  a  été  forcée,  si  l'on 
prend  en  considération  le  manque  de  nourriture, 
pour  hommes  et  chevaux,  ainsi  que  le  manque  d'eau. 
Quand  nous  fûmes  arrivés  à  six  milles  de  Sprout,  nous 
apprîmes  que  nous  aurions  de  l'opposition,  mais  nous  ne 
savions  sur  quel  point.  Notre  division  d'artillerie  fut 
immédiatement  mise  en  batterie  pour  bombarder  les  crêtes 
qui  entourent  Pretoria  ;  nous  sommes  restés  en  action 
jusqu'à  quatre  heures  de  l'après-midi,  sous  une  pluie  de 
balles  Mauser.  Je  vous  avoue  que  cela  devenait  très 
incommodant  ;  le  pire  c'est  que  nous  ne  pouvions  décou- 
vrir d'où  venaient  ces  projectiles,  quand  un  soldat  d'infan- 
terie vint  nous  dire  qu'il  avait  vu  remuer  quelque  chose 
sur  notre  flanc  droit  ;  nous  retournâmes  immédiatement 
deux  pièces  sur  cet  endroit,  et  après  avoir  lancé  dix  ou 
douze  obus,  le  feu  a  cessé  ;  un  bataillon  d'infanterie  fut 
envoyé  pour   occuper   ces   hauteurs,  cela  a   terminé  les 


76  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

opérations  de  la  journée.  Nos  pertes  sont  insignifiantes, 
trois  ou  quatre  blessés.  Mi^n  cheval  a  reçu  une  balle  qui 
lui  a  traversé  une  jambe  et  est  allé  s'aplatir  sur  l'os  de 
l'autre.  Je  ne  sais  si  je  pourrai  m'en  servir.  Je  me  suis 
rendu,  ce  soir-là,  au  bivouac  à  pied.  Le  lendemain,  lord 
Roberts  avait  été  informé  que  la  ville  se  rendait,  de  sorte 
que  tout  notre  corps  d'armée  était  en  Review  Order  pour 
recevoir  le  général  Botha.  Mais,  il  appert  qu'on  avait  eu 
une  assemblée  très  orageuse,  la  veille  au  soir  et  on  en 
serait  venu  à  la  conclusion  de  retraiter.  Vers  les  dix 
heures  du  matin,  un  messager  est  venu  nous  informer  que 
le  général  Botha  était  parti  et  que  la  ville  était  libre.  Ordre 
fut  donnée  à  la  15e  division  de  prendre  possession  de  la 
ville.  Notre  brigade  d'artillerie  s'en  fut  bivouaquer  près 
des  casernes  de  l'artillerie  transvaalienne. 

«  A  propos  de  ces  casernes,  il  ne  s'en  trouve  pas  de 
plus  belles,  de  plus  spacieuses  au  monde  ;  elles  peuvent 
contenir  au  delà  de  mille  chevaux  et  plus  de  trois  mille 
hommes.  Tout  est  moderne,  arsenaux,  hôpital,  bains, 
abreuvoir,  le  tout  éclairé  à  l'électricité.  Tous  nos  officiers 
en  ont  été  étonnés.  Dans  un  des  magasins,  nous  avons 
découvert  près  de  trois  mille  fusils  de  tout  modèle,  que 
les  troupes  transvaaliennes  avaient  capturé  sur  leurs 
ennemis  à  différentes  époques.  Tous  les  officiers  sont  logés 
aux  places  occupées  par  les  officiers  transvaaHens  :  un 
rang  de  joHs  petits  cottages  tout  neufs  avec  jardins  encore 
tout  en  fleurs. 

«  Pretoria  est  une  jolie  ville  située  entre  un  cercle 
complet  de  montagnes  ;  on  y  accède  par  un  col  formé  par 
la  rivière  Aapies,  qui  se  jette  dans  la  rivière  Crocodile. 
Les  rues  sont  larges  et  droites.  Les  bâtisses  publiques 
sont  très  jolies.  Les  résidences  sont  somptueuses,  toutes 
entourées  d'arbres  et  de  fleurs.  Le  jardin  des  plantes  est 
de  toute  beauté,  malgré  que  nous  soyons  en  hiver.  Les 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  77 

hôpitaux  sont  spacieux  et  des  mieux  outillés.  L'école 
publique  est  un  immense  bâtiment  avec  toutes  les  amélio- 
rations modernes.  Les  religieuses  de  l'ordre  de  Lorette 
ont  la  plus  grande  école  de  la  ville,  elles  possèdent  un  des 
plus  beaux  terrains.  J'ai  fait  la  connaissance  du  révérend 
Père  Beaudry,  O.  M.  L,  qui  agit  comme  chapelain  des 
religieuses  et  curé  ;  c'est  un  charmant  homme.  Il  a 
fait  la  campagne  du  Zuberland,  il  était  à  Majuba  Hill  en 
1881,  et  à  la  bataille  de  Colenso  et  Spion  Kop,  il  est 
Français  et  connaît  très  bien  le  pays. 

«  Nous  ne  savons  pas  combien  de  temps  nous  resterons 
ici  ;  nous  sommes  immobilisés  à  cause  de  nos  chevaux 
qui  n'en  peuvent  plus.  » 

79  mai. 
A  M.  Edmond  Bélanger, 

marchand  de  la  rue  Notre-Dame. 

«  .  .  .  .  Nous  ne  savons  guère  quand  la  guerre  finira. 
Nous  ne  pouvons  avancer  bien  vite  en  besogne,  car  les 
Boers  ont  fait  sauter  tous  les  ponts  et  détruit  le  chemin 
de  fer.  Comme  il  nous  est  impossible  de  nous  procurer  de 
provisions  dans  le  pays,  il  nous  faut  rebâtir  à  tout  prix 
avant  d'avancer. 

«  Nous  sommes  dans  un  bien  drôle  de  pays  :  des  plaines 
sans  herbes  et  des  rivières  sans  eau. 

<i  On  reproche  aux  Boers  d'être  arriérés.  Il  n'y  a  rien 
de  surprenant  à  cela.  Ils  sont  isolés  dans  l'intérieur,  ayant 
pour  tout  moyen  de  communication  avec  le  littoral  un 
minuscule  chemin  de  fer  insuffisant  au  trafic  et  dont  les 
taux  sont  exorbitants,  inabordables. 

«J'ai  visité  plusieurs  fermes  boers  ;  elles  sont  admirable- 
ment bien  tenues  et  mesurent  de  deux  mille  à  quinze  mille 


78  LE   LIVRE   d'or 

acres  carrés.  Les  Boers  élèvent  des  troupeaux  considéra- 
bles. Ils  ont  les  plus  beaux  moutons  du  monde. 

«  Nous  arrivons  à  la  région  des  mines,  de  ces  célèbres 
mines  qui  ont  tant  fait  parler  d'elles.  J'ai  hâte  de  constater 
de  visu  si  ce  que  j'en  ai  lu  était  exagéré  ou  non. 

«  Je  jouis  toujours  d'une  excellente  santé,  mais  je  l'ai 
échappé  belle  à  la  bataille  de  Brantford.  Un  obus  boer  a 
passé  si  près  de  moi  que  j'ai  entendu  son  sinistre  siffle- 
ment. Il  nous  a  démonté  une  pièce,  tué  un  homme  et  blessé 
quatre  autres.  C'était  mon  troisième  engagement.  ...» 

Pretoria  Club,  Pretoria,  4  juillet  1900. 
A  M.  Carrier,  rédacteur  de  L'Evénement. 

«  .  .  .  .  Vous  avez  dû  apprendre  aussi  que  lord  Roberts 
n'est  pas  loquace.  Il  a  tellement  surveillé  les  nouvelles 
que  le  général  Tucker,  le  commandant  de  notre  brigade, 
ignorait  même  où  nous  allions  la  veille  d'une  marche.  Les 
quelques  correspondants  accrédités  n'ont  rien  eu  à  com- 
muniquer à  leurs  journaux  respectifs,  excepté  ce  qu'ils 
voyaient  pendant  la  marche. 

«  Vous  avez  dû  remarquer  que,  depuis  notre  départ  de 
Kroonstad,  c'a  été  une  marche  forcée  continuelle.  Quand 
nous  sommes  arrivés  en  vue  de  Pretoria,  nos  chevaux  se 
tenaient  à  peine. 

«  Notre  division  n'a  fait  que  passer  à  Johannesburg. 
Cette  ville  ne  m'a  pas  impressionné  beaucoup.  C'est  peut- 
être  parce  que  j'étais  fatigué.  En  retournant  au  Canada, 
je  me  propose  d'y  arrêter. 

«  Je  ne  vous  parlerai  pas  de  la  chaleur  du  jour  et  du 
froid  de  la  nuit,  ni  des  privations  qu'il  a  fallu  endurer.  Ce 
que  je  veux  vous  dire,  c'est  qu'il  était  temps  que  nous 
arrivions  à  Pretoria.  Vous  allez  me  demander  comment  il 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  79 

se  fait  que  nous  y  soyons  arrivés  si  vite  ?  Cela  est  dû  à  ce 
que  lord  Roberts  a  profité  des  chicanes  des  Boers,  pour 
pousser  l'ennemi  l'épée  dans  les  reins.  Ils  avaient  à 
retraiter  aussi  vite  que  nous  avancions.  Conséquemment 
ils  n'avaient  pas  le  temps  de  s'assembler,  de  discuter  et 
de  se  demander  mutuellement  s'il  était  opportun  de  défen- 
dre telle  ou  telle  position. 

«  Maintenant  un  mot  des  célèbres  défenses  de  Johan- 
nesburg et  de  Pretoria  : 

«  D'abord  Johannesburg  n'avait  aucun  travail  de  dé- 
fense. Quant  à  Pretoria,  ses  défenses  se  résumaient  à 
quatre  petits  forts  sur  le  sommet  des  montagnes  qui 
entourent  la  ville,  vous  comprenez  que  si  les  Boers  avaient 
fait  mine  de  défendre  leur  capitale,  il  nous  eût  été  facile 
de  bombarder  ces  forts,  puisqu'ils  étaient  faciles  à  isoler  ; 
ils  nous  apparaissaient  entre  le  ciel  et  le  sommet  des 
montagnes. 

«  Une  chose  que  les  Boers  avaient  oubliée  en  bâtissant 
ces  forts,  c'est  celle-ci  :  S'ils  avaient  défendu  Pretoria, 
nous  forçant  à  faire  le  siège  de  cette  ville,  nous  aurions 
d'abord  bombardé  les  forts,  et  tous  les  projectiles  qui 
auraient  manqué  leur  but,  c'est-à-dire  tous  les  obus  tirés 
trop  haut,  seraient  tombés  dans  la  ville  où  ils  auraient 
causé  des  dommages  considérables.  Lorsqu'ils  se  sont 
aperçu  de  cela,  ils  ont  préféré  se  retirer  dans  les  monta- 
gnes, au  nord  de  Pretoria.  Vous  voyez  qu'une  principale 
partie  de  leurs  défenses  se  trouve  inutile.  Cependant  elles 
ont  dû  coûter  des  sommes  fabuleuses. 

«  Les  Boers  ici  sont  complètement  indifférents  et  ils  ont 
profité  des  premiers  jours  de  notre  arrivée  pour  déposer 
les  armes. 

«  Il  y  a  une  chose  que  tous  les  étrangers  ignorent.  C'est 
que  le  père  Kruger,  que  tout  le  monde  respecte,  parce 
qu'il  est  vieux,  aurait  dû   se   retirer  depuis  dix  ans.  Pour 


80  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

se  maintenir  à  la  présidence,  il  dépensait  de  l'argent.  Il 
faisait  élire  qui  il  voulait. 

<c  Tous  les  employés  publics  étaient  des  Hollandais 
nouvellement  arrivés  au  pays  ;  de  sorte  qu'il  avait  ses 
créatures.  Joubert  qui  était  un  honnête  homme,  a  passé 
sa  vie  à  le  combattre. 

«  Aujourd'hui,  Anglais,  Hollandais  et  autres  disent  que 
si  Joubert  avait  été  à  la  tête  du  peuple  boer,  ils  n'auraient 
pas  à  déplorer  la  guerre,  ni  la  perte  de  leur  pays,  et  que 
les  mines  d'or  qui  environnent  Pretoria,  et  qui  sont  aussi 
riches  que  celles  de  Johannesburg,  seraient  encore  en 
pleine  opération  ;  ils  ajoutent  que  les  Boers  à  qui  ces 
raines  appartenaient  seraient  maintenant  riches. 

«  Le  père  Kruger  avait  peur,  en  développant  ces  mi- 
nes, qu'un  trop  grand  nombre  d'étrangers  vînt  s'établir 
dans  le  pays,  de  sorte  que  les  Boers  qui  ont  versé  des 
sommes  considérables  pour  obtenir  le  droit  de  miner,  ont 
perdu  leur  capitaux. 

«  Je  suis  un  de  ceux  qui  admirent  les  Joubert,  les  Botha, 
les  de  Villiers,  les  Dewet  et  tant  d'autres.  Mais  pendant 
que  ceux-ci  étaient  à  défendre  leur  patrie  sur  les  champs 
de  bataille,  les  quelques  préférés  ont  enlevé  le  trésor  et  la 
conséquence,  c'est  que  les  soldats  boers  n'ont  pas  reçu  de 
paye.  Leurs  femmes  et  leurs  enfants  crèvent  de  faim.  Ils 
vivent  à  la  ration,  comme  nous. 

«  Les  deux  petits  peuples  boers  ont  bien  fait  leur  devoir 
en  combattant  pour  garder  leur  indépendance  ;  mais  la 
tête  était  pourrie.  Ils  sont  nombreux  les  Boers  qui  estiment 
que  leur  gouvernement  n'était  pas  un  gouvernement  natio- 
nal puisqu'il  était  composé  d'étrangers.  Tous  ces  employés 
publics  hollandais  ont  déjà  demandé  la  permission  de 
s'en  aller,  et  tous  les  jours  ils  partent  en  aussi  grand 
nombre  que  les  convois  peuvent  en  contenir,  et  cela  à  la 
grande  satisfaction  d'un  grand  nombre  de  Boers  qui  main- 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  8l 

tenant  voient  la  porte  ouverte  pour  eux;  car  ils  d*î  sont 
pas  tous  ignorants,  tant  s'en  faut. 

«  Au  moment  où  je  termine  ma  lettre,  j'apprends  que 
Botha  vient  encore  de  rompre  le  cercle  qu'on  lui  avait 
préparé  depuis  dix  jours.  C'est  la  troisième  fois  qu'il  nous 
joue  ce  tour. 

«  Vous  avez  aussi  appris,  sans  doute,  que  Dewet  avait 
détruit  le  pont  sur  la  rivière  Rhenoster,  capturé  nos  malles 
et  tous  nos  vêtements  d'hiver,  et  qu'il  en  avait  fait  un  feu 
de  joie.  A  ce  sujet  notre  ami  et  canadien  Girouard  a  dit 
sa  façon  de  penser  au  général  Kitchener.  Il  est  le  seul 
officier  qui  parle  au  général  Kitchener  ;  tout  le  monde  en 
a  peur  ;  je  vous  dis  que  c'est  un  canayen,  celui-là  ! 

«  Nos  carabiniers  montés,  avec  le  général  Hutton,  sont 
partis  ce  matin,  pour  une  destination  inconnue.  .  . . 

«  T.-L.  Boulanger,  major.  >; 

Nous  croyons  devoir  clore  les  lettres  du  major  en  men- 
tionnant ici  le  nom  de  son  fils,  Georges  Boulanger,  jeune 
homme  âgé  de  dix-neuf  ans,  aux  avant-postes  sous  le 
général  Tucker. 

A  la  délivrance  de  Mafeking,  il  était  trompette  sous  les 
ordres  du  major  J.-A.  Hudon. 

C'est  le  cas  de  dire  :  tel  père,  tel  fils  I 


LE  CAPITAINE  C.  K.  FRASER 

(DU  63e  BATAILLON) 

Commandant  de  la  compagnie  E  du  premier  contin- 
gent   CANADIEN,    À   SON    FRÈRE,    LE    MAJOR 

H.  L.  Fraser,  de  Sherbrooke. 


Paardeberg  Drift,  20  février  1900. 


;E  suppose  que  vous  avez  entendu  parler  avant 
aujourd'hui  de  notre  bataille  de  dimanche,  le  18. 
«  Nos  blessés  seront  dirigés  sur  Kimberley,  cette 
après-midi,  et  je  n'ai  que  le  temps  de  griffonner  ce  billet, 
que  j'enverrai  mettre  à  la  malle,  à  Kimberley.  Nous  avons 
eu  une  chaude  journée  dimanche,  mais,  Dieu  merci,  je 
suis  épargné.  Nos  pertes  ont  été  très  fortes,  vingt  morts 
et  soixante-trois  blessés.  De  ma  compagnie,  seulement 
trois  ont  été  trouvés  morts  et  huit  blessés.  Je  vous  écrirai 
de  nouveau  aussitôt  que  possible.» 

Paardeberg  Drift,  23  lévrier  1900. 

«  De  telles  choses  sont  survenues  depuis  dix  jours  que 
je  ne  sais  pas  par  où  commencer.  Nous  quittâmes  Bel- 
mont,  lundi,  le  1 2,  et  bivouaquâmes  à  Gras  Pan,  ce  soir-là, 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  83 

quittant  le  lendemain,  à  quatre  heures  du  matin.  Nous 
avons  marché  douze  milles  et  campé  le  reste  du  jour,  à 
Ram  Dam,  sur  la  rivière  Riet.  Ce  fut  une  très  pénible 
marche,  sous  un  soleil  brûlant  ;  bon  nombre  d'entre  nous 
tombèrent,  frappés  d'insolation,  mais  j'ai  résisté  très  bien 
à  la  chaleur.  Nous  sommes  restés  là,  ce  soir-là,  pour 
repartir  le  lendemain  matin,  à  quatre  heures,  avec  toute 
la  19e  brigade,  sous  le  commandement  du  brigadier-géné- 
ral Smith-Dorien,  la  brigade  navale,  une  batterie  de 
mortiers  et  de  cavalerie.  Nous,  les  Canadiens,  marchions 
sur  la  gauche  des  deux  gros  canons  de  marine.  Notre 
halte  suivante  fut  à  Waterval,  distant  de  douze  milles,  que 
nous  quittions  le  lendemain  matin,  à  trois  heures,  pour 
marcher  sur  Wegdrai.  Ce  fut  une  marche  plaisante,  le 
temps  étant  frais.  A  Wegdrai,  nous  avons  opéré  notre 
jonction  avec  la  9e  division,  sous  le  commandement  du 
général  Colville,  et  atteignions  Jacobsdal  le  même  soir,  à 
neuf  heures,  pour  faire  une  marche  de  quartorze  milles,  à 
Klip  Drift,  où  nous  restâmes  tout  le  jour  pour  repartir 
encore  le  soir  pour  faire  une  autre  course  de  vingt  milles. 
Ce  fut  la  plus  longue  et  la  plus  harassante  marche  que 
nous  ayons  faite,  et  nous  étions  presque  tous  sur  les  dents. 
Nous  nous  étions  à  peine  reposés  un  instant  que  nous 
fûmes  appelés  sous  les  armes.  Nous  avions  à  traverser  la 
rivière,  ayant  de  l'eau  jusqu'aux  épaules  et  nous  former 
pour  l'attaque  sur  la  rive  nord  de  la  Modder  River.  Les 
compagnies  A,  B  et  C,  formèrent  la  Hgne  de  bataille,  et 
les  compagnies  D  et  E,  la  réserve,  en  seconde  ligne.  Le 
branle-bas  a  commencé  vers  neuf  heures  et  nous  sommes 
restés  couchés  dans  le  soleil,  toute  la  matinée.  Nous  avons 
reçu  l'ordre  dans  la  ligne  de  bataille.  Les  balles  sifflaient 
tout  autour  de  nous  et  un  de  mes  hommes  fut  frappé  à 
l'épaule.  Je  ne  peux  vous  donner  une  description  exacte 
du  feu  terrible  auquel  nous  étions  exposés.  Afin  d'attein- 


84  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

dre  la  première  ligne,  nous  devions  passer  par-dessus  le 
sommet  d'un  coteau,  et  lorsque  nous  l'eûmes  atteint,  nous 
avons  couru  cent  verges  et  nous  nous  sommes  couchés. 
Je  trouvai  le  pauvre  capitaine  Arnold  frappé  à  la  tête.  Un 
des  deux  ambulanciers,  en  le  transportant,  fut  aussi  frappé, 
car  Arnold  avait  été  blessé  quelque  temps  avant  notre 
arrivée,  sur  le  flanc  de  la  colline.  Je  le  fis  transporter  par 
deux  de  mes  hommes.  Ma  position  suivante  fut  à  huit 
cents  verges  des  Boers,  derrière  un  bouquet  d'arbres,  et  la 
fusillade,  ici,  était  simplement  terrifiante.  Deux  de  mes 
hommes  furent  frappés.  Je  rencontrai  Hodgins  et  quelques 
officiers,  et  ce  fut  alors  que  nous  chargeâmes.  Les  Boers 
étaient  retranchés  le  long  de  la  rivière,  derrière  de  petits 
buissons  et  il  était  impossible  de  les  voir.  Ce  fut  une 
erreur  d'essayer  de  prendre  leur  position  d'assaut,  car  elle 
était  inexpugnable.  Les  Gordons  étaient  sur  notre  droite, 
les  Cornwalls  sur  notre  gauche.  Un  pauvre  garçon  reçut 
une  balle  dans  le  pied  et  je  fus  obligé  de  couper  sa  guêtre, 
de  le  déchausser  et  de  bander  la  plaie  du  mieux  que  je 
pus.  Il  souffrait  horriblement  et  comme  tous  les  brancards 
étaient  occupés  pour  transporter  les  blessés,  ce  ne  fut 
qu'après  deux  heures  de  recherches  que  je  pus  en  trouver 
un  pour  le  transporter. 

«  Nous  avons  tiré,  après  notre  charge,  jusqu'à  ce  qu'il 
fît  nuit  et  nous  nous  retirâmes.  Les  pertes  des  Boers 
doivent  avoir  été  très  fortes,  car  notre  artillerie  a  tiré 
dans  leurs  retranchements,  tout  le  jour  durant.  Ils  se 
retirèrent  pour  se  retrancher  une  couple  de  milles  plus 
haut,  dans  la  rivière. 

«  Vous  dirai-je  notre  fatigue  quand  l'ordre  fut  donné  de 
se  retirer  pour  bivouaquer  ?  Les  blessés  furent  transportés 
durant  la  nuit,  et  le  lendemain  matin,  nous  sommes  allés 
enterrer  nos  camarades.  Ce  fut  une  scène  affreusement 
poignante. 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  85 

«  Nos  blessés  sont  tous  très  bien  et  ont  été  dirigés  hier 
vers  Modder  River,  dans  des  wagons.  Ce  pauvre  Arnold 
est  mort  hier,  à  l'hôpital.  Nous  avons  maintenant  une  armée 
de  quarante  mille  hommes,  et  Roberts,  Kitchener  et  French 
sont  ici.  Cronje  tient  toujours,  et  on  apprend  que  des 
renforts  sont  en  route  pour  le  secourir.  Je  crois  que  le 
plan  de  Roberts  est  d'attirer  autant  d'ennemis  que 
possible  de  Ladysmith  et  d'ailleurs.  Je  ne  crois  pas  que  la 
guerre  dure  longtemps,  quand  nous  aurons  fini  avec 
Cronje.  Notre  brigadier  nous  a  félicités  le  lendemain  de  la 
bataille,  disant  qu'il  était  fier  de  nous  et  que  notre  charge 
a  été  parfaite.  » 

Thaba  N'Chu,  2  mai. 

« .  .  .  .  Quand  nous  avons  quitté  Bloemfontein,  il  y  a 
dix  jours,  nous  pensions  être  absents  trois  ou  quatre  jours 
seulement  ;  mais  nous  sommes  restés  jusqu'ici  à  la  pour- 
suite de  l'ennemi,  qui  fait  en  sorte  de  toujours  nous 
échapper.  Nous  avons  eu  plusieurs  escarmouches  ces  jours 
derniers.  Mercredi,  le  25  avril,  nous  en  sommes  venus 
aux  mains  avec  un  petit  corps  de  Boers  retranchés  sur 
une  chaîne  de  kopjes  ou  collines.  Notre  régiment  a  attaqué 
de  front.  Les  compagnies  G  et  H  étaient  au  premier  rang, 
E  et  F  au  deuxième,  C  et  D  au  troisième  et  A  et  B  au 
quatrième. 

«  Les  autres  régimeits  ont  dirigé  leur  attaque  contre  la 
gauche  de  l'ennemi.  Le  feu  de  l'ennemi  a  été  bien  nourri 
pendant  quelques  minutes,  mais  n'a  pas  duré,  et  nous 
n'avons  perdu  que  peu  de  monde  :  un  soldat  de  la  compa- 
gnie H  tué,  le  colonel  Otter  et  deux  soldats  blessés.  Ma 
compagnie  est  sortie  indemne  de  l'engagement. 

((  Le  28  avril  a  été  pour  nous  une  journée  d'épreuve. 
Nous  avons  levé  le  camp  à  quatre  heures  du   matin  et, 


86  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

après  une  marche  de  douze  milles,  sommes  arrivés  à  Eden 
Kop,  où  l'ennemi  nous  a  tiré  dessus  toute  la  journée,  sans 
trop  d'effet,  cependant.  Vers  cinq  heures  de  l'après-midi, 
nous  avons  reçu  l'ordre  d'escalader  le  Kop,  sur  un  flanc 
duquel  se  trouvaient  les  Boers.  La  colline  est  haute  d'au 
moins  quinze  cents  pieds  et  ce  n'était  pas  chose  facile  que 
d'arriver  au  sommet.  Une  fois  rendus  là  nous  avons 
presque  immédiatement  reçu  l'ordre  de  revenir  sur  nos 
pas,  ce  que  nous  avons  fait.  Il  commençait  déjà  à  faire 
nuit,  et  nous  sommes  retournés  à  Thaba  N'Chu  à  la  faveur 
des  ténèbres.  Ayant  perdu  notre  route,  nous  avons  fait 
un  détour  inutile  de  quatre  ou  cinq  milles,  par  une  route 
affreuse  ;  la  fatigue  nous  avait  gagné  tous  les  membres 
quand  nous  sommes  arrivés  à  Thaba  N'Chu,  à  onze  heures 
du  soir.  Le  lendemain,  un  dimanche,  nous  nous  sommes 
reposés  toute  la  journée,  oubliant  les  fatigues  et  les 
tribulations  de  la  veille.  Nous  avons  de  nouveau  levé  le 
camp  lundi  matin  et  sommes  maintenant  rendus  à  huit 
milles  de  Thaba  N'Chu,  dans  la  direction  de  Wynberg. 

«  Lundi  après-midi  et  mardi  matin  nous  avons  livré  un 
combat  assez  sérieux,  qui  s'est  terminé  par  la  fuite  de 
l'ennemi.  Les  Boers  occupaient  une  colline  escarpée,  à 
notre  gauche,  et  une  autre  position  en  face  de  nos  lignes. 
Ils  avaient  cinq  canons.  Notre  compagnie  E  a  servi 
d'escorte  à  une  batterie  d'artillerie  jusqu'à  trois  heures  de 
l'après-midi,  alors  que  nous  avons  reçu  l'ordre  de  nous 
porter,  avec  le  reste  du  régiment,  à  l'appui  des  Gordons, 
qui  avaient  chargé  l'ennemi  sur  la  gauche. 

«  Nous  avons  dû  parcourir  un  mille  de  terrain  plat  avant 
d'arriver  au  Kop,  et  l'ennemi,  tout  le  temps  qu'a  duré  la 
marche,  a  fait  pleuvoir  sur  nous  des  balles  et  des  boulets. 
Chose  étrange,  nous  n'avons  perdu  que  quelques  hommes. 
Un  pauvre  gars  de  la  compagnie  D,  fils  du  colonel  Cotton, 
d'Ottawa,  a  été  tué.  Nous  avons  passé  la  nuit  sur  la  colline 


» 


MAJOR   T.   L.    BOULANGER. 
MAJOR  J.  E.  PELTIER.  CAPTAIN  C.  K.  FRASER. 


LE    LIVRE   D  OR 


87 


OÙ  nous  avons  failli  geler.  Les  Boers  occupaient  le  versant 
droit,  et  nous  le  gauche.  Nous  nous  attendions  à  un  bom- 
bardement pour  le  matin  suivant,  mais  heureusement  la 
plupart  des  Boers  décampèrent  durant  la  nuit,  et,  au 
matin,  il  nous  fut  facile  de  déloger  ceux  qui  restaient. 
Nous  fîmes  plusieurs  prisonniers.  L'ennemi  a  dû  subir  des 
pertes  considérables,  car  nous  avons  trouvé  sur  nos  pas 
plusieurs  cadavres,  y  compris  celui  du  commandant  boer. 

«  C.  K.  Fraser, 

«  Capitaine.  » 


ï9 


FEU   M.  LUCIEN  LaRUE 


LUCIEN  LaRUE,  dont  nous  annoncions  la 
mort,  hier,  n'était  âgé  que  de  vingt-cinq  ans. 
C'est  bien  jeune  pour  mourir,  quand  la  vie 
aurait  pu  avoir  pour  lui  tant  de  charmes  et  quand  tout 
dans  l'avenir  semblait  lui  sourire. 

«  M.  LaRue  aimait  beaucoup  la  vie  militaire.  Il  était 
lieutenant  dans  le  87e  bataillon,  il  avait  aussi  été  sergent 
dans  le  9e  Voltigeurs,  et  il  avait  fait  son  cours  militaire  a 
Saint-Jean.  Depuis  six  ans,  il  était  employé  à  la  Banque 
Nationale.  C'était  un  excellent  sujet  qui  jouissait  de  la 
confiance  de  ses  chefs. 

«  La  dernière  lettre  du  défunt,  adressée  à  sa  sœur,  était 
datée  du  13  mai,  de  l'hôpital  Adinburg,  Norvals  Pont.  Il 
écrivait  :  «  Me  voici  de  nouveau  à  l'hôpital,  après  en  être 
sorti  le  premier  avril.  Je  soufTre  du  rhumatisme  cette  fois  ; 
je  ne  suis  pas  le  seul.  Une  quarantaine  de  mon  régiment 
souffrent  du  même  mal.  J'en  veux  à  mon  ami  le  Dr  Fiset, 
qui  m'a  laissé  en  arrière  de  mon  régiment  à  Bloemfontein, 
au  moment  où  il  partait  pour  la  conquête  de  Pretoria.  .  .  . 
Les  fièvres  font  bien  des  victimes  dans  notre  régiment. 
Pour  notre  compte,  nous  avons  à  déplorer  la  mort  de 


LE    LIVRE    DUR  89 

vingt-cinq  camarades  durant  notre  séjour  à  Bloemfontein, 
et  un  grand  nombre  sont  dans  les  hôpitaux.  Notre  excel- 
lent chapelain,  le  Père  O'Leary,  a  eu  les  fièvres  lui  aussi  ; 
il  a  beaucoup  maigri.  On  doit,  dans  quelques  jours,  le 
transporter  à  Capetown,  pour  sa  convalescence.  Le  régi- 
ment le  regrette  beaucoup  depuis  son  départ,  tant  il  était 
aimé  des  catholiques  comme  des  protestants.  Aux  der- 
nières nouvelles  que  j'ai  reçues,  mon  ami  Fiset  était 
souffrant,  mais  il  ne  voulait  pas  quitter  son  régiment,  qui 
a  besoin  de  lui.  Les  médecins  de  l'hôpital  me  promettent 
une  guérison  complète  dans  quelques  jours.  »  Il  terminait 
cette  lettre  en  disant  :  «  A  bientôt.  « 

«  Hélas  !  cette  chère  illusion  qu'il  caressait  de  revoir 
son  pays,  d'embrasser  sa  famille,  elle  lui  a  été  refusée. 

«  Dans  une  lettre  précédente,  il  parlait  de  ses  projets 
d'avenir.  On  lui  avait  offert  une  commission  dans  l'armée 
anglaise,  et  il  se  demandait  s'il  l'accepterait  ou  non. 
Mais  avant  tout  il  voulait  revoir  la  patrie. 

«  Il  avait  si  bien  conquis  la  confiance  de  ses  chefs  qu'ils 
lui  offrirent  la  position  de  sergent  dans  son  régiment  :  il 
la  refusa  pour  une  raison  qui  fait  le  plus  grand  honneur  à 
ses  sentiments  délicats  comme  à  son  bon  cœur.  Il  crai- 
gnait, écrivait-il  encore,  d'être  obligé  quelquefois  d'avoir  à 
sévir  contre  des  camarades,  et  cela  lui  répugnait.  «  Je  suis 
parti  soldat  avec  eux  et  je  reviendrai  soldat  avec  eux,  » 
disait-il.  Voilà  un  langage  qui  lui  fait  le  plus  grand 
honneur. 

«  Singulière  coïncidence  :  Lucien  LaRue  est  décédé  le 
jour  même  de  notre  fête  nationale,  le  24  juin.  Pendant 
que  nous  nous  réjouissions,  en  proclamant  notre  atta- 
chement à  la  France  et  notre  fidélité  à  l'Angleterre,  lu', 
—  ce  vaillant,  ce  brave,  —  mourait  pour  la  défense  de 
l'empire  britannique.  Honneur  à  lui,  honneur  à  sa  famille, 
honneur  à  notre  ville  et  à  notre  race  !  !  »  Le  Soleil. 


90  LE    LIVRE   D  OR 

JOURNAL  DE  LUCIEN  LaRUE 

A  bord  du  Sardinian,  31  octobre. 

«  Voie!  mon  premier  moment  de  repos,  depuis  notre 
départ  de  Québec.  J'aurais  voulu  jeter  quelques  notes  sur 
le  papier  dés  hier  soir,  mais  la  chose  n'était  pas  possible, 
vu  que  mon  lit  se  trouve  situé  au  plafond  du  second  étage 
du  bateau  et  qu'il  n'y  a  pas  de  lumière.  Du  reste,  nos 
bagages  ne  sont  pas  encore  débrouillés  et  je  n'ai  pas 
encore  réussi  à  mettre  la  main  sur  mon  sac  blanc  qui 
contient  mon  papier,  mon  encre,  tout  ce  qu'il  me  faut 
pour  écrire.  En  bon  soldat,  je  m'accommode  de  tout  :  à 
défaut  de  papier,  je  jette  à  la  hâte,  mes  impressions  sur  le 
revers  d'une  carte  d'Afrique,  de  ce  pays  où  nous  devrons 
trouver  peut-être  la  mort,  mais  sûrement  la  gloire  pour 
ceux  qui  survivront. 

«  Au  moment  où  nous  avons  quitté  Québec,  j'étais 
profondément  ému.  Je  n'étais  pas  le  seul  non  plus.  Bien 
des  circonstances  contribuaient  à  nous  émouvoir  :  d'abord 
nous  quittions  la  patrie,  nos  parents,  peut-être  pour  tou- 
jours ;  et,  puis  la  belle  démonstration  que  la  ville  de 
Québec  nous  avait  faite,  la  chaude  sympathie  que  sa 
population  nous  avait  témoignée,  nous  avaient  profondé- 
ment bouleversés. 

«  Fort  heureusement,  nous  fûmes  bientôt  arrachés  à  ces 
idées  sombres  par  le  commandement.  11  fallut  voir  aux 
bagages,  se  préparer  au  souper,  et,  ce  n'est  qu'à  neuf 
heures  du  soir  que  j'ai  pu  monter  sur  le  pont  du  navire, 
humer  le  bon  air.  Je  me  rappelais  qu'au  mois  de  juillet 
dernier  je  descendais  le  même  fleuve  avec  plusieurs  amis  j 
aujourd'hui,  quel  changement  !  Me  voilà  à  bord  du  Sardi- 
nian, au  milieu  de  onze  cents  hommes,  partant  pour  la 
guerre.  La  vie  est  ainsi  remplie  de  contrastes. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  QT 

A  neuf  heures  et  demie,  j'avais  i^eine  à  me  tenir  debout 
tant  j'étais  fatigué.  Je  me  jetai  sur  mon  lit  et  je  pris 
un  sommeil  réparateur,  si  bien  que,  deux  heures  après, 
lorsque  le  clairon  annonça  l'heure  du  coucher,  je  me  levai 
précipitamment,  croyant  que  c'était  le  réveil.  Je  montai  à 
la  hâte  sur  le  pont  où  l'on  me  ramena  de  mon  illusion. 

«  ler  novembre  1899. 

«  La  mer  commence  à  se  fâcher  ;  nous  avons  un  com- 
mencement de  tempête.  Un  bon  tiers  des  hommes  souffrent 
du  mal  de  mer.  Les  officiers  ont  fait  distribuer  des  citrons 
et  des  oranges  aux  malades.  Dieu  merci,  je  suis  bien  et 
j'espère  tenir  bon  jusqu'au  bout.  Cela  va  me  valoir  la 
faveur  d'être  attaché  au  service  de  l'hôpital. 

«  En  bon  voyageur  que  je  suis,  en  arrivant  à  bord,  je 
me  suis  mis  au  mieux  avec  le  cuisinier,  qui  de  temps  à 
autre  me  passe  des  petites  douceurs.  La  nourriture  est 
bonne. 

«  Après  le  souper,  j'ai  rencontré  sur  le  pont,  une 
vingtaine  d'Ecossais  de  Toronto,  réunis  en  cercle.  Ils 
m'ont  invité  à  me  joindre  à  eux.  Ce  sont  de  charmants 
compagnons  et  bien  déterminés  à  faire  leur  devoir  en 
Afrique. 

2  novembre  1899. 

«  Il  fait  une  véritable  tempête.  La  plupart  des  officiers 
et  les  trois-quarts  des  soldats  sont  malades.  Quant  à  moi 
je  me  porte  comme  un  charme.  Je  viens  justement  de 
porter  secours  à  mon  camarade  Hudon  qui  était  disparu 
de  notre  cercle  depuis  hier  midi.  Je  l'ai  trouvé  blotti  dans 
un  coin  du  navire,  exténué,  pouvant  à  peine  parler.  Il 
n'avait  pas  mangé  depuis  hier  matin,  et  personne  n'avait 
remarqué  son  absence.  Avec  l'aide  du  lieutenant  Leduc, 
je  l'ai  transporté  à  l'hôpital. 


92  LE    LIVRE    D'OR 

M  3  novembre  1S99. 

<i  C'a  été  une  triste  journée  pour  nous.  Le  deuil  est  à 
bord,  la  mort  a  déjà  saisi  l'un  de  nos  camarades,  Deslau- 
riers, de  la  compagnie  d'Ottawa.  Il  a  succombé,  hier  soir, 
à  une  maladie  de  cœur,  malgré  tous  les  soins  des  docteurs 
Wilson  et  Fiset. 

«  Je  viens  d'assister  à  ses  funérailles.  Quel  pénible 
spectacle  !  A  quatre  heures,  sa  compagnie  se  mit  sous  les 
armes  pour  lui  rendre  les  derniers  honneurs.  Le  corps 
avait  été  placé  dans  un  hamac  dans  lequel  on  avait  mis 
un  poids  destiné  à  le  faire  enfoncer.  La  dépovvllle  mortelle 
de  notre  camarade  avait  été  enveloppée  dans  les  plis  de 
ce  drapeau  anglais  pour  lequel  il  était  prêt  à  donner  sa 
vie.  Sous  l'éclatante  lumière  du  soleil  couchant,  M.  l'abbé 
O'Leary  lut  les  prières  ordinaires,  puis,  le  corps  glissa 
dans  la  mer,  et  la  vague  mugissante  ron^pait  seule  le 
silence  solennel  qui  existait  sur  le  pont.  Le  Sardmian 
reprit  aussitôt  sa  course. 

«  La  brise  est  très  forte  et  soulève  la  mer  d'une  façon 
terrible.  Les  vagues  s'élèvent  jusqu'à  une  hauteur  de 
quarante  pieds  et  viennent  quelquefois  nous  abîmer.  Ça 
vaut  un  beau  bain  d'orage. 

«  5  novembre  1899. 

«  C'est  dimanche  aujourd'hui.  Nous  venons  d'entendre 
la  messe  ;  c'était  un  spectacle  imposant.  Nous  sommes 
deux  cent  cinquante  catholiques  romains  à  bord.  Après 
avoir  récité  le  chapelet,  M.  O'Leary  nous  a  fait  un  joli 
sermon,  commentant  l'évangile  approprié  à  notre  cas. 

«  Nous  voici  maintenant  à  une  grande  distance  de 
Québec  ;  il  fait  un  vrai  temps  d'été.  C'est  charmant  d'être 
bien  et  de  pouvoir  rester  sur  le  pont. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  93 

'<  7  novembre  1899. 

«  La  journée  d'hier  a  été  très  occupée,  je  n'ai  pas  eu  un 
instant  pour  écrire.  Il  est  bon  d'observer  que  l'on  nous 
fait  faire,  à  tour  de  rôle,  des  exercices  militaires,  pendant 
trois  heures  par  jour.  Les  médecins  nous  ont  tous  vacci- 
nes et  le  perruquier  nous  a  enlevé  la  chevelure  ;  les  Boers 
n'auront  pas  de  chance  à  nous  prendre  aux  cheveux. 

«  Une  agréable  surprise  nous  attendait  après  ces  opéra- 
tions. Le  commandant  fit  appeler  notre  compagnie  et 
remit  à  chacun  de  nous  la  somme  de  vingt-cinq  dollars 
provenant  de  la  généreuse  souscription  faite  par  les 
citoyens  de  Québec.  Québec  nous  poursuit  de  ses  bien- 
faits jusqu'au  milieu  de  la  mer. 

«  L'harmonie  et  la  bonne  entente  qui  régnent  à  bord 
sont  admirables.  On  dirait  que  nous  sommes  tous  des 
frères  et  que  nous  avons  toujours  vécu  ensemble.  Nos 
officiers  nous  traitent  très  bien  :  à  part  les  rations  qui  sont 
abondantes  l'on  nous  fait  distribuer  des  fruits,  des  cigares, 
du  tabac  et  des  cigarettes.  Dimanche  dernier  l'on  nous  a 
donné  pour  dessert  un  swçexhQ  J>lum-pndding. 

«  Ce  matin,  à  six  heures,  ma  compagnie,  composée  de 
cent  vingt-cinq  hommes,  a  été  appelée  sur  le  pont.  C'était 
le  moment  du  bain.  Le  capitaine  a  fait  diriger  sur  nous 
les  tuyaux  des  pompes,  et  je  vous  prie  de  croire  que  l'eau 
coulait  à  flot.  J'aurais  voulu  avoir  un  kodack  pour  photo- 
graphier ce  spectacle  aussi  amusant  que  pittoresque. 

«  Nous  espérons  toucher  dimanche  aux  îles  Canaries 
pour  faire  du  charbon  et  prendre  de  l'eau  fraîche.  Cela 
nous  permettra  de  jeter  nos  lettres  à  la  malle.  » 

«  Buena  Vista,  3  Anchor  Bay,  Cape-Town,  Dec.  ist,  1899. 
(I  Dear  Sir, 

«  Your  son  wished  me  to  post  the  enclosed  note.  The 
note  speaks  for  itself. 


94  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

«  Your  son  was  enjoying  the  best  of  health,  and  seemed 
^uite  contented. 

((  His  corps  was  greatly  admired  hère,  and  thousands 
of  people  went  to  the  station  to  bid  them  au  revoir. 

«  We  out  hère  appreciate  to  the  fullest  extent  the  aid 
vft  are  receiving  from  our  fellow  colonisls,  but  sincerely 
hope  that  they  may  soon  be  safely  restored  to  theirfriends. 

«  Yours  sincerely, 

«  ROBERTS   ShAW.  )) 

(Traduction.) 
«  Cher  monsieur, 

«  Votre  fils  désire  que  je  vous  adresse  la  lettre  ci-incluse. 
Cette  lettre  parle  par  elle-même. 

«  Votre  fils  était  en  parfaite  santé,  et  paraissait  bien 
content. 

«  Sa  compagnie  a  été  grandement  admirée  ici,  et  des 
milliers  de  personnes  se  rendirent  à  la  gare  pour  lui 
souhaiter  au  revoir. 

«  Nous  apprécions  tous  ici  dans  sa  plus  grande  étendue 
l'appui  que  nous  recevons  de  nos  concitoyens  coloniaux, 
mais  nous  avons  la  sincère  espérance  qu'ils  pourront 
bientôt  retourner  sains  et  saufs  au  milieu  de  leurs  amis. 

«  Votre  bien  sincère, 

«  RoBERTS  Shaw.  » 

Voici  maintenant  ce  que  Lucien  LaRue  écrit  à  son  père  : 

«  Cape-Town,  ler  décembre  1899. 

«  Mon  cher  père, 

«  Nous  partons  dans  dix  minutes  pour  la  campagne  ;  on 
nous  dirige  sur  Kimberley.  Nous  avons  eu  une  réception 


LE    LIVRE    D'OR  95 

enthousiaste  à  Cape-Town,  le  gouverneur  de  la  ville  était 
en  tête  de  la  population.  L'état-major  du  général  BuUer 
préside  à  notre  départ  aujourd'hui. 

«  iij^  heures  a.  m.,  2  décembre. 
«  En  chemin  de  fer. 

«  Nous  voilà  partis  en  route  pour  Kimberley.  Nous 
avons  laissé  Cape-Town,  à  trois  heures  p.  m.,  hier.  Entre 
Cape-Town  et  Prince  Albert  station,  nous  avons  rencontré 
trois  trains  portant  les  pauvres  soldats  blessés  venant  de 
Kimberley.  Le  pays  que  nous  parcourons  est  vraiment 
enchanteur  et  nous  en  admirons  à  loisir  pour  le  moment 
toutes  les  beautés.  Il  fait  très  chaud.  .  .  . 

«  .  .  .  .  Nous  aurons  à  faire  face  à  l'ennemi  demain. 
Quel  sera  notre  sort  ?  .  .  .  Dieu  le  sait  ;  cela  suffit  au 
soldat  chrétien  décidé  à  accomplir  son  devoir,  et  nous 
sommes  tous  bien  déterminés  à  faire  honneur  au  drapeau. 

«  Prince  Albert  Road  Station,  2  décembre  1899. 
«  II  heures  du  matin. 

«  Enfin  !  nous  y  sommes.  Nous  avons  l'honneur  d'être 
sur  le  terrain  ennemi  depuis  quelques  minutes.  Un  quart 
d'heure  d'arrêt  à  cette  station  du  chemin  pour  prendre  le 
lunch,  et  nous  continuons  notre  marche  en  avant. 

«  C'est  demain  que  nous  rencontrons  les  Boers  ;  à  la 
grâce  de  Dieu  !  .  .  .  .  Nous  sommes  tous  bien  portants  et 
prêts  à  sacrifier  nos  vies  pour  l'honneur  du  Canada. 

«  Belmont,  dimanche,  le  11  février. 

« .  .  .  .  Nous  partons  pour  Jacobsdale  avec  les  trois 
meilleurs  régiments  que  l'Angleterre  possède  :  les  Seaforth, 
Gordon  et  Blackwatch  Highlanders. 


gt  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

«  Nous  serons  mis  aussitôt  sur  la  ligne  de  feu.  .  .  La 
lutte  sera  chaude,  car  l'Angleterre  veut  en  finir  le  plus 
vite  possible,  et  je  me  demande  combien  reviendront  sains 
et  saufs  du  combat. 

«  Pour  moi,  je  suis  prêt  pour  le  drapeau  et  pour  Dieu, 
et  si  je  n'en  reviens  pas,  je  prierai  Dieu  de  te  rendre 
heureux  sur  tes  vieux  jours  que  j'aurais  voulu  entourer  de 
mes  soins.  ...» 

A    SA    SŒUR. 

«  Belmont  Station,  13  février. 

«  .  .  .  .  J'étais  de  service  aujourd'hui  quand  on  m'a 
appelé  par  mon  nom.   C'était  la  poste  qui  était  distribuée. 

«  Te  dire  le  plaisir  que  ta  lettre  m'a  fait,  tu  ne  saurais  le 
croire  :  je  pleurais,  je  riais,  je  sautais,  et  mes  confrères 
croyaient  que  je  recevais  une  lettre  de  ma  blonde  ! .  ...» 

LA  BATAILLE  olj  IL  FUT  BLESSÉ  EACONTÉE  PAR  LUI-MÊME 

LE    NOBLE    JEUNE    HOMME    REVIT   TOUT   ENTIER    DANS   CES    LIGNES 

«Hôpital  Naauwport,  3  mars  1900. 

«  Mon  cher  père, 

«  Comme  tu  le  vois,  je  t'écris  de  l'hôpital  où  je  devrai 
passer  quelque  temps  grâce  à  une  politesse  de  nos  amis  les 
Boers.  J'espère  n'être  pas  retenu  trop  longtemps,  car, 
malgré  que  je  sois  très  bien  traité  ici,  c'est  une  vie 
ennuyeuse  et  monotone  après  l'existence  que  j'ai  menée 
depuis  mon  arrivée  dans  ce  lointain  pays  d'Afrique.  On  a 
beau  dire,  la  vie  militaire  malgré  ses  fatigues  et  ses  périls 
a  aussi  ses  charmes.  Il  y  a  bien,  sans  doute,  l'ennui,  le 
regret  d'être  éloigné  de  tout  ce  qui  nous  est  cher  ;  mais 
d'un  autre  côté  le  désir  de  faire  honneur  à  son  pays,  à  sa 


LUCIEN  LARUE, 

BLESSÉ     A     PAARDEBERG. 
Mori  en  AJrique  du  Sud  U  24  juin  iqoo. 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  97 

race,  la  pensée  de  conquérir  un  peu  de  gloire  sur  le 
champ  de  bataille  nous  met  au  cœur  un  courage  que  l'on 
ne  saurait  peut-être  pas  soupçonner  tout  d'abord. 

«  Ce  que  je  désirais  depuis  si  longtemps,  voir  une  vraie 
bataille,  entendre  le  sifflement  des  balles,  le  grondement 
des  canons,  s'est  enfin  réalisé.  En  effet,  j'ai  vu  la  mort  de 
près  et  j'ai  connu  tout  ce  qu'il  y  a  d'horrible,  de  pitoyable 
sur  un  champ  de  bataille,  les  plaintes  et  les  gémissements 
des  blessés,  les  convulsions  des  mourants,  leurs  suprêmes 
adieux  à  ceux  qu'ils  ne  verront  plus,  leurs  prières  à  celui 
qui  est  le  Dieu  des  batailles.  Ce  spectacle  est  inoubliable 
une  fois  qu'il  nous  a  été  donné  d'en  être  le  témoin  comme 
je  l'ai  été  à  la  bataille  de  Paardeberg,  le  i8  du  courant. 

«  Laisse-moi  maintenant  te  donner  les  détails  de  cette 
rencontre  dans  laquelle  les  soldats  canadiens  se  sont  tant 
distingués  et  qui  s'est  terminée  par  la  capture  du  général 
Cronje  et  de  sa  vaillante  armée. .  .  . 

«  ....  Le  moment  est  solennel,  l'heure  est  décisive. 
Nous  formons  d'abord  la  troisième  ligne  de  feu  :  les  Cor- 
dons, les  Black  Watchs,  les  Cornwalls,  les  Highland  Light 
Infantry  forment  les  premières  lignes  de  feu  en  front  et 
en  flanc.  L'artillerie  se  tient  à  notre  gauche  avec  deux 
gros  canons  de  la  marine  royale.  Aussitôt  les  Boers  con- 
centrent leurs  forces  sur  nous.  Dix  minutes  après  que 
nous  avons  ainsi  pris  position,  les  Boers  ouvrent  le  feu 
sur  nous,  les  balles  sifflent  à  nos  oreilles  et  nous  ôtent 
toute  envie  de  dormir.  Il  est  facile  de  voir  que  la  partie 
va  être  chaude  des  deux  côtés.  Cependant  ce  bruit  des 
balles  nous  électrise,  nous  enrage  presque,  ei  nous  rétor- 
quons de  notre  mieux.  Le  premier  qui  tombe  blessé  à  la 
tête,  est  le  capitaine  Arnold  de  la  compagnie  A  du  régi- 
ment canadien.  On  le  place  sur  un  brancard  (itretcher 
bearer)  et  on  le  transporte  hors  des  lignes.  Hélas  !  son 
exemple   fut    suivi    par   d'autres;   à   toute   minute   nous 


98  LE    LIVRE    D'OP 

voyons  tomber  de  nos  braves  Canadiens,  les  uns  blessés 
légèrennent,  les  autres  grièvement. 

0  Une  demi-heure  s'était  à  peine  écoulée  depuis  le 
commencement  de  la  bataille  et  voilà  la  pluie  qui  se  met 
de  la  partie  ;  elle  fouette  tous  ceux  que  les  balles  ont 
épargnés.  Deux  hommes  de  ma  compagnie  qui  ont  été 
blessés  sont  transportés  en  lieu  sûr.  Sur  les  dix  heures  du 
matin  le  feu  augmente  ;  les  Boers  sont  retranchés  dans  un 
coin  de  la  rivière,  abrités  par  des  tranchées  naturelles  ; 
d'autres  sont  montés  dans  les  arbres  et  tirent  sur  nous 
sans  être  aperçus.  Seuls  nos  canons  peuvent  les  atteindre. 
Les  balles  pleuvent  littéralement  au-dessus  de  nos  têtes  ; 
à  chaque  minute  il  tombe  des  morts  et  des  blessés,  leur 
nombre  augmente  toujours.  A  onze  heures  notre  ligne 
avance  de  quatre  cents  verges,  nous  ne  sommes  plus  qu'à 
douze  cents  verges  de  l'ennemi.  A  ce  moment  les  Boers 
se  mettent  à  concentrer  leur  feu  sur  notre  ligne.  Nous 
restons  fermes,  pas  un  recule  ;  le  devoir  est  là,  il  faut 
vaincre  ou  mourir.  Pendant  ce  temps-là,  notre  artillerie 
fait  des  dégâts  considérables  dans  les  tranchées  des  Boers  : 
nos  canons  maxim  lui  prêtent  main  forte  avec  succès. 

«  A  une  heure,  nous  avançons  de  quatre  cents  verges. 
Les  morts  et  les  blessés  se  comptent  alors  par  centaines. 
C'est  horrible  à  voir.  La  fusillade  ralentit  du  côté  des 
Boers  et  nous  nous  demandons  s'ils  ne  sont  pas  à  retraiter, 
ou  s'ils  n'attendent  pas  plutôt  le  moment  propice  pour 
recommencer  le  feu.  A  quatre  heures  les  Boers  recom- 
mencent l'attaque  d'une  façon  terrible.  Nous  sommes 
couchés  par  terre  et  c'est  quelque  chose  de  lamentable 
que  les  cris  et  les  gémissements  des  blessés  qui  parvien- 
nent à  nos  oreilles.  Nous  ne  pouvons  pas  leur  porter 
secours,  la  bataille  se  continue,  terrible,  meurtrière. 

«  Il  est  cinq  heures  et  notre  vaillant  et  brave  comman- 
dant, le  major  Oscar  Pelletier,  donne  ordre  à  la  compa- 


LE    LIVRE   D  OR 


99 


gnie  F  de  marcher  à  pas  redoublés  dans  la  première  ligne 
du  feu.  Celle-ci  obéit  à  l'instant  à  son  chef  qui  donne 
l'exemple  de  la  bravoure  et  du  devoir.  C'est  à  ce  moment 
que  nous  voyons  la  mort  approcher,  mais  nous  courons 
au-devant  en  vrais  soldats.  A  peine  avais-je  fait  vingt  pas 
quune  balle  m'atteignit  à  l'épaule  droite  et  que  je  vis  un 
flot  de  sang  sortir  de  ma  blessure. 

«  Le  major  Oscar  Pelletier,  toujours  si  bon  pour  ses 
hommes,  me  félicite  de  mon  courage  et  me  crie  au  milieu 
de  la  mêlée  qu'il  allait  envoyer  un  brancard  pour  me  faire 
transporter  hors  des  lignes  du  feu,  mais  le  nombre  des 
morts  et  des  blessés  se  multiplie,  la  besogne  des  ambulan- 
ciers devient  de  plus  en  plus  considérable.  11  fallait  bien 
se  résigner,  savoir  attendre.  Aussi,  ce  n'est  qu'à  huit 
heures  du  soir,  après  la  bataille  terminée  que  je  fus,  avec 
les  autres,  transporté  en  lieu  sûr  .  Ce  n'est  qu'à  trois 
heures  le  lendemain  que  ma  blessure  fut  pansée. 

«  Les  médecins  se  prodiguaient,  mais  le  nombre  des 
blessés  était  si  grand  qu'ils  ne  pouvaient  suffire,  malgré 
leur  dévouement  et  leur  bon  vouloir. 

«  Notre  régiment  seul  a  compté  dans  cette  journée 
vingt-cinq  morts  et  quatre-vingt-dix  blessés.  Parmi  les 
blessés  aujourd'hui,  il  n'y  a  que  le  fils  du  colonel  Hudon 
et  moi  de  Canadiens-français. 

«  N'importe  si  nous  avons  eu  de  la  misère,  si  nous  avons 
versé  du  sang,  nous  nous  en  consolons  en  songeant  que 
nous  avons  remporté  la  victoire  et  mis  Cronje  prisonnier 
avec  une  partie  de  son  armée.  Puisse  cet  événement  hâter 
la  fin  de  cette  guerre  meurtrière.  Dans  cette  journée  du 
iS  les  Anglais  ont  eu  trois  cent  cinquante  morts  et  quatre- 
vingts  blessés. 

Il  J'aimerais  beaucoup  te  donner  beaucoup  plus  de 
détails,  mais  je  me  sens  trop  affaibli.  Dans  quelques  jours 
je  pourrai  t'écrire  plus  au  long.  Ne  prends  pas  d'inquiétu- 


lOO  LE   LIVRE    D  OR 

de,  ma  blessure  va  bien,  elle  commence  à  se  cicatriser  et 
j'espère  pouvoir  sous  peu  reprendre  mon  service  et  rendre 
le  change  aux  Boers.  C'est  si  beau  la  revanche,  quand  on 
est  militaire.  .  .  . 

Bloemfontein,  8  avril. 

« ....  Je  t'avouerai  que  ceux  de  mon  régiment  qui  ont 
eu  à  combattre  sans  interruption  depuis  le  i8  février  et 
qui  n'ont  pas  été  blessés  dans  ces  batailles  ont  plus  de 
mérite  que  mes  camarades  et  moi,  blessés  à  la  première 
bataille  de  Paardeberg  ;  car  ceux-là  ont  eu  à  souffrir  de  la 
faim,  de  la  soif,  des  fatigues  et  de  la  maladie.  Quand  je  te 
dirai  que  quelques-uns  d'entre  eux  se  trouvaient  fiers 
quand  ils  pouvaient  trouver  un  mouton  mort  de  maladie, 
ou  bien  de  la  fleur  mêlée  de  boue  et  d'eau  qu'ils  faisaient 
cuire  dans  de  la  graisse  de  bottes.  .  .  C'est  la  plus  dure 
campagne  qui  se  soit  jamais  vue  jusqu'à  ce  jour,  disent  les 
officiers  anglais.  Mon  régiment  reviendra  au  Canada  avec 
les  lauriers  de  la  victoire,  car  nous  avons  fait  de  l'ouvrage 
qui  a  réussi.  Notre  brigade  ainsi  que  notre  division  a 
été  victorieuse  jusqu'aujourd'hui.  A  ma  compagnie  (F) 
revient  l'honneur  d'avoir  capturé  Cronje  et  quatre  mille 
prisonniers  ;  à  mon  régiment,  d'avoir  repoussé  l'ennemi 
jusqu'à  trente  milles  de  Bloemfontein,  et  j'ose  espérer  que 
nous  serons  victorieux  jusqu'à  Pretoria,  où  là  nous  pour- 
rons chanter  tranquillement  la  chanson  composée  par  mon 
cher  ami  Donohue  :  The  Jolly  Musketeers^  chanson  qui 
égaie  nos  marches  et  nous  donne  de  l'électricité  dans  les 
jambes.  ...» 

A   SON    ONCLE. 

«  Bloemfontein,  i6  avril. 

« .  .  .  .  Depuis  ta  lettre  du  6  février,  bien  des  choses  se 
sont  passées,  et  je  me  demande  comment  il  se  fait  que  je 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  lOI 

n'aie  été  que  blessé  quand  bien  d'autres  sont  morts  à  mes 
côtés. . .  Blessé  par  une  balle  Mauser,  je  n'ai  ressenti  aucune 
douleur  si  ce  n'est  le  choc  violent  que  j'ai  éprouvé  et  la 
perte  de  sang  qui  m'a  fait  tomber  sans  connaissance  sur  le 
champ  de  bataille,  lors  de  notre  premier  engagement  à  Paar- 
deberg.  Lorsque  le  major  Oscar  Pelletier,  à  cinq  heures, 
nous  donna  l'ordre  de  renforcer  la  ligne  de  feu,  je  partis 
d'un  bond,  tout  joyeux  ainsi  que  mes  confrères,  pour  faire 
notre  bonne  part,  comme  les  compagnies  en  avant  de  nous. 

«  Il  n'y  avait  pas  vingt  verges  de  parcourues  que  j'étais 
frappé  :  trois  tours  sur  les  talons  et  je  suis  tombé  la  tête 
à  la  renverse  sur  une  ruche  de  fourmis.  Je  perdis  connais- 
sance, et  ce  n'est  qu'à  huit  heures  du  soir  que  je  fus 
transporté  dans  un  hôpital  temporaire,  où  l'on  comptait 
le  lendemain  huit  cent  quarante  blessés  et  deux  cent 
cinquante  morts  dans  une  seule  journée. 

«  Hier,  pour  la  première  fois,  les  conséquences  de  la 
guerre  m'ont  fait  frémir. 

«  Belmont,  où  nous  sommes  campés,  a  été  le  théâtre 
d'une  sanglante  bataille  le  25  novembre  dernier,  dans 
laquelle  les  Boers  ont  eu  le  dessous,  ayant  perdu  beaucoup 
des  leurs,  et  dans  l'affolement  n'ayant  pu  enterrer  leurs 
morts.  Nous  étions  anxieux,  mes  amis  et  moi,  de  voir  le 
champ  de  bataille. 

«  Nous  sommes  partis  trois,  et  il  n'y  avait  pas  dix 
minutes  que  nous  marchions,  que  l'on  trouvait,  à  moitié 
enterrés,  dix-sept  Boers,  la  tête  sortie  de  terre  rongée  par 
les  insectes.  .  .  . 

«  C'était  horrible  à  voir  !  » 

A   SA   SŒUR. 

Bloemfontein,  26  avril. 

«  .  .  . .  Je  viens  causer  quelques  instants  avec  toi,  car  je 
suis  seul  ici,  mon  régiment  étant  parti  depuis  quatre  jours 
nn'H  combat  les  Boers. 


102  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

«  Lorsque  le  régiment  s'est  formé  pour  la  parade  avant 
le  départ,  je  m'étais  mis  dans  les  rangs  pensant  qu'on  ne 
m'apercevrait  pas.  A  l'inspection,  on  me  fit  sortir  des 
rangs  ne  me  trouvant  pas  assez  fort  pour  entreprendre  la 
marche.  Aussi  j'enrage  ! 

«  Quoique  les  nouvelles  soient  bien  difficiles  à  avoir,  je 
puis  te  dire  que  lord  Roberts  ne  peut  plus  se  passer  des 
Canadiens,  tant  il  apprécie  leur  courage,  leur  bravoure  et 
leur  endurance.  ...» 

A   SON    PÈRE. 

«  .  .  .  .  J'ai  oublié  de  te  dire  que  quelques  minutes  avant 
de  traverser  la  Modder  River  à  pied,  le  i8  février,  pour 
prendre  notre  position  sur  le  champ  de  bataille,  le  général 
Smith-Dorien,  brigadier  général  de  notre  division,  est 
venu  trouver  le  colonel  Otter  et  lui  a  dit  :  «  7  aw  proud 
that  your  régiment,  the  Royal  Canadian,  under  my  com- 
mand  to-day  belong  to  the  same  Empire  that  I  belojign,  et 
continuant  :  —  «  I^o,  iio,  I  want  to  say  :  That  I  am  proud 
to  belotig  to  the  same  Empire  that  the  Royal  Canadian 
belong.  ...» 

«  Lors  de  notre  inspection  à  Belmont  par  le  même 
brigadier,  il  avait  aussi  dit  au  lieutenant-colonel  Otter 
«  qu'il  était  honoré  d'avoir  sous  son  commandement  le 
régiment  canadien.  »  Enfin,  des  félicitations  nous  arrivent 
de  toutes  part:  par  lord  Roberts,  Kitchener,  Hector 
Macdonald,  etc.,  et  par  les  journaux  du  Cap.  .  . .  Malgré 
les  lauriers  que  nous  emporterons  au  Canada,  cent  cin- 
quante ou  deux  cents  manqueront  à  l'appel  à  notre  retour, 
et  il  nous  restera  à  sympathiser  avec  les  pauvres  familles 
qui  auront  à  déplorer  la  perte  d'un  fils  ou  d'un  parent.  » 

Généreux  et  vaillant  Lucien  !  Il  est  du  nombre,  et 
mettons  sur  sa  tombe  ainsi  que  sur  celles  de  ses  compa- 


LE   LIVRE    d'or  I03 

gnons  d'armes   tombés  au  champ   d'honneur,  ces   vers 
du  poète  : 

«  Et  les  peuples  encor  n'ont  rien  vu  de  plus  beau, 
Qu'un  brin  de  laurier  vert  sur  un  jeune  tombeau  !» 

UNE    ÉPITRE    ÉMOUVANTE 

SA    DERNIÈRE   LETTRE. 

«  Wynburg  Hospital,  7  juin  1900. 
«  Mon  bien  cher  papa, 

«  Me  voilà  rendu  à  Wynburg  Hospital  depuis  hier 
matin,  soit  douze  milles  au  sud-est  de  Cape-Town.  Les 
médecins  voyant  que  je  ne  pourrais  me  rétablir  à  Norval's 
Pont,  ont  décidé  de  me  transporter  ici,  en  attendant  que 
je  prenne  le  premier  bateau  hôpital  en  partance  pour 
Southampton  ;  les  médecins  prétendent  que  la  guérison 
rapide  de  ma  blessure  est  la  cause  de  ce  rhumatisme  qui 
me  fait  souffrir  depuis  bientôt  deux  mois,  et  qu'aussitôt 
sur  la  mer  je  ressentirai  un  bien  sensible.  Tous  mes 
confrères  blessés  comme  moi  à  Paardeberg  et  revenus  au 
régiment  après  leur  guérison  ont  dû,  après  une  première 
marche,  retourner  à  l'hôpital,  souffrant  d'empoisonnement 
du  sang  ou  d'inflammation  de  leurs  blessures. 

«  La  guerre  tire  à  sa  fin,  l'enthousiasme  est  à  son 
comble.  Lord  Roberts  a  fait  son  entrée  triomphale  dans 
Johannesburg  et  Pretoria  avec  mon  régiment,  fort  de  trois 
cent  cinquante  hommes,  le  second  régiment  canadien  et 
les  gardes.  Kruger,  son  état-major  et  ses  troupes  se  sont 
retirés  dans  les  montagnes  au  nord  de  Pretoria.  Je  m'at 
tends  de  laisser  Cape-Town  dans  six  jours  en  route  pour 
Southampton,  Netley's  Hospital.  ... 

20 


I04  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

«  ....  Je  suis  sans  nouvelles  de  la  famille  depuis  deux 
mois,  le  régiment  ne  sachant,  j'en  suis  bien  certain,  où  me 
trouver. 

«  Pour  la  première  fois,  depuis  mon  départ  de  Québec, 
hier  soir,  je  couchais  dans  une  maison.  J'ai  pu  me  reposer 
à  mon  goût,  étant  couché  dans  un  bon  lit.  .  .  . 

«  ....  Ne  t'inquiète  pas  de  ma  maladie,  je  ne  crois  pas 
que  j'en  souffrirai  longtemps.  ...» 

Non,  il  n'a  pas  souffert  longtemps,  le  brave  enfant,  car 
il  est  mort  dix-sept  jours  après,  le  jour  de  la  Saint-Jean- 
Baptiste,  alors  que  nous  célébrions  notre  fête  nationale,  et 
nul  doute  qu'au  moment  où  son  âme  s'envolait  vers  Dieu, 
son  cœur  se  portait  vers  le  Canada  1 

Mais  tirons  un  voile  glorieux  sur  ce  triste  souvenir,  et 
laissons  parler  les  journaux,  car  ce  qu'ils  disent  de  ce 
pauvre  Lucien  s'applique  aussi  à  Borden,Cotton,  McQueen 
et  tous  ceux  qui  sont  morts  là-bas  ! .  .  .  . 

SUR  UNE  TOMBE  DE  PATRIOTE 

Voici  l'hommage  que  dépose  sur  la  tombe  de  feu  Lucien 
LaRue  le  Chronicle  de  cette  ville  : 

«  Le  soldat  Lucien  LaRue,  de  cette  ville,  qui  a  été  blessé 
à  Paardeberg,  et  que  Ton  nous  annonce  maintenant  avoir 
succombé  à  la  fièvre  entérique,  a  donné  sa  vie  pour  son 
pays  et  pour  sa  reine,  aussi  absolument  que  s'il  eût  été 
tué  sur  le  champ  de  bataille.  Son  nom  est  digne  d'être 
inséré  parmi  les  héros  de  la  nation,  car  il  a  répondu  à 
l'appel  aux  armes,  il  a  bien  rempli  son  devoir  de  soldat  et 
il  est  mort  en  soldat.  Nous  qui  jouissons  des  privilèges  et 
des  immunités  achetées  aux  prix  de  semblables  jeunes, 
ardentes  et  patriotiques  vies,  nous  estimons  comme  un 
précieux  héritage  la  mémoire  de  ceux  qui  ont  combattu  et 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  105 

qui  sont  morts  pour  le  drapeau  que  nous  aimons  tant. 
Québec  a  déjà  fourni  trois  noms  à  l'armée  des  héros 
morts  —  Witty,  LaRue  et  McQueen  —  et  bien  qu'ils 
soient  morts,  ces  hommes  vivent  encore  comme  une 
inspiration  pour  l'accomplissement  d'actions  nobles  et 
patriotiques.  » 

MORT  AU  CHAMP  D'HONNEUR  ! 

Le  Soleil  publie  à  l'occasion  de  la  mort  du  fils  de  notre 
ami,  le  Dr  Léonidas  LaRue,  de  Québec,  un  article  remar- 
quable  dont  nous   nous   plaisons   à   citer    les    passages 

suivants  : 

«  Que  la  mort  de  ce  jeune  homme  soit  donc  une  leçon 
pour  les  fanatiques  qui  nous  dénoncent  comme  des  sujets 
déloyaux,  parce  que  nous  continuons  à  aimer  la  France, 
tout  en  restant  fidèles  à  l'Angleterre.  Voici  un  enfant  de 
Québec,  de  cette  vieille  ville  française,  un  Canadien- 
français  lui-même,  appartenant  à  l'une  de  nos  meilleures 
familles,  qui  abandonne  une  jolie  position  à  la  banque 
Nationale,  pour  aller  défendre  le  drapeau  britannique. 
Après  toute  espèce  de  privations  et  de  misères,  il  est 
blessé  ;  il  va  plus  tard  mourir  à  l'hôpital,  loin  de  tous  ceux 
qu'il  aime.  Et  c'est  en  face  de  pareils  dévouements,  de 
pareille  générosité  que  l'on  oserait  accuser  notre  race  de 
déloyauté  ?  Allons  donc  1  Est-ce  que  le  sang  versé  par  les 
nôtres  n'est  pas  plus  éloquent  que  les  flots  d'encre  répan- 
dus par  ceux  qui  nous  insultent? 

<(  Pauvre  Lucien  LaRue  !  Il  est  mort  au  moment  où 
nos  soldats  sont  sur  le  point  de  revenir.  Il  ne  connaîtra 
pas  les  joies  du  retour.  Cette  voie  triomphale,  cet  innom- 
brable peuple,  ces  acclamations  semblables  au  bruit  de  la 
mer,  les  fleurs  sur  les  armes  victorieuses,  ces  soldats  si 


io6 


LE   LIVRE   d'or 


graves  au  milieu  de  leur  gloire,  si  brillants  dans  leurs 
habits  fatigués,  si  modestes  sous  leurs  blessures,  il  ne 
verra  pas  cela.  Ces  acclamations  enthousiastes  de  notre 
patriotique  population  qui  retentiront,  au  retour  de  nos 
soldats,  comme  une  ode  immense  pleine  de  fierté  et 
d'amour  de  la  patrie,  il  n'aura  pas  la  douce  satisfaction  de 
les  entendre.  Comme  il  a  dû  penser  à  tout  cela  quand  il  a 
vu  la  mort  inéluctable  ;  comme  il  a  dû  penser  aussi  aux 
siens,  à  son  pays  !  Il  est  mort  la  pensée  vers  son  pays, 
comme  le  héros  dont  parle  Virgile  ;  «  Et  dulces  moriens 
reminiscitur  Argos.  » 

Qu'il  repose  en  paix  dans  ce  lointain  pays  !  Son  souve- 
nir restera  cher  à  ses  amis  et  glorieux  pour  sa  patrie. 


LETTRE    DU    SOLDAT   LUCIEN   VALLEE 

(FUS  DU  GOUVERNEUR  DE  LA  PRISON) 

Éloges  du  colonel  Pelletier.  —  Notes  de  la  bataille 
DE  Paardeberg.  —  Les  Boers  ont  peur  des 
Canadiens  et  croient  que  nos  sol- 
dats  SONT   DES   sauvages. 


«  Camp  de  la  19e  Brigade,  près  Bloemfontein, 
«  Afrique-Sud,  21  mars  1900. 
«  Ma  bien  chère  maman, 

"«  TiOnFIN  !  je  trouve  quelques  instants  pour  vous 
G^}!^  écrire.  Depuis  plus  d'un  mois  je  me  suis  trouvé 
(s  «^N  dans  l'impossibilité  de  vous  donner  de  mes  nou- 
velles. Le  13  février  nous  partions  de  Graspan,  il  va  sans 
dire  à  pied,  pour  couper  la  retraite  de  l'armée  de  Cronje 
et  secourir  Kimberley. 

«  Mon  bataillon  forme  partie  de  la  19e  Brigade  de  la  9e 
division,  dont  il  est  le  4e  régiment.  Les  autres  régiments 
dans  notre  brigade  sont  :  Les  Gordon  Highlanders,  Duke 
of  Cornwall  Light  Infantry  et  les  King's  Shropshire  Light 
Infantry.  Nous  avons  marché  pendant  quatre  jours,  de 
quinze  à  vingt  milles  par  jour,  et  après  quelques  coups  de 
canon  nous  avons  pris  Jacobsdale.  Nous  sommes  partis 


I08  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

dès  le  lendemain  en  route  pour  Kimberley,  mais  après 
quelques  jours  de  marche  nous  dûmes  changer  de  direc- 
tion, une  estafette  nous  ayant  avertis  que  Kitchener  était  à 
la  poursuite  de  Cronje.  Cette  journée-là  nous  nous  étions 
reposés  à  peine  depuis  quelques  heures  lorsque  nous 
fûmes  forcés  de  repartir  à  cinq  heures  p.  m.,  et  faire  une 
marche  forcée  de  vingt-trois  milles  durant  la  nuit.  Le 
lendemain,  i8  février,  l'ennemi  étant  en  vue,  nous  nous 
arrêtâmes  à  Paardeberg  Drift  vers  les  cinq  heures  a.  m. 
Sans  même  prendre  de  repos  ni  déjeuner  nous  traversâmes 
la  rivière  Modder,  nous  avions  de  l'eau  jusqu'au  cou,  je 
vous  assure  que  plusieurs  des  petits  faillirent  se  noyer. 

«  L'artillerie  royale  nous  avait  précédés  dans  l'attaque 
afin  de  nous  permettre  de  contourner  les  flancs  des  Boers. 
Une  de  nos  compagnies,  aidée  des  Cordons,  s'empara 
immédiatement  de  trois  petits  kopjes  que  l'ennemi  occu- 
pait et  par  ce  fait  le  cerna  complètement,  sa  retraite  lui 
étant  coupée  d'autre  part  par  la  rivière.  En  moins  d'un 
quart  d'heure  nous  avions  traversé  la  rivière  avec  les 
Cornwalls  et  deux  compagnies  de  Shropshires  et  nous 
nous  avancions  en  ligne  de  tirailleurs  vers  les  Boers. 
L'artillerie  vint  occuper  les  trois  petits  kopjes  et  nous, 
nous  attaquions  l'ennemi  de  tous  les  côtés  à  la  fois. 
Pendant  toute  la  journée  nous  avons  essayé  de  les  déloger 
de  leur  position,  mais  en  vain,  ils  étaient  trop  fortement 
retranchés,  les  rives  de  la  rivière,  minées  par  l'eau,  les 
mettaient  à  couvert  de  notre  feu.  A  chaque  moment  je 
voyais  tomber  de  mes  camarades  et  j'avais  bien  peur  que 
la  balle  suivante  ne  me  fût  fatale.  Nous  étions  couchés  à 
plat  ventre  par  terre  sans  pouvoir  remuer,  de  crainte 
d'être  un  point  de  mire.  Nous  étions  déjà  mouillés  jus- 
qu'aux os  lorsque  pour  comble  un  orage  s'abattit  sur  nous 
vers  les  onze  heures.  Le  capitaine  Pelletier  qui  était  déjà 
malade  depuis  quelque  temps,  fut  pris  d'une  indisposition 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  IO9 

et  perdit  connaissance,  nous  fûmes  obligés  de  le  transpor- 
ter à  l'hôpital  ;  cependant,  notre  brave  capitaine  revint 
nous  rejoindre  dans  l'après-midi.  Tous  les  quarts  d'heure 
nous  avancions  d'une  trentaine  de  pas  et  les  Boers  recu- 
laient toujours.  Dans  l'après-midi  nous  fîmes  deux  charges 
à  la  baïonnette  qui  eurent  un  effet  terrifiant  sur  l'ennemi. 
J'ai  encore  à  l'idée  les  lamentations  d'un  pauvre  Cornwall 
qui  venait  d'être  blessé  à  mes  côtés,  on  se  préparait  à  le 
porter  en  arrière  lorsqu'il  reçut  une  nouvelle  balle  entre 
les  deux  épaules  !  Il  mourut  trois  minutes  plus  tard. 

«  Le  feu  cessa  à  la  tombée  du  jour,  vers  les  huit  heures, 
nous  retraitâmes  alors  du  côté  de  l'hôpital  pour  y  passer 
la  nuit.  Faute  de  provision,  nous  dûmes  manger  nos 
rations  d'urgence.  Ces  rations  sont  contenues  dans  une 
petite  boîte  de  ferblanc,  divisée  en  deux,  d'un  côté  quatre 
onces  de  cocoa  et  de  l'autre  quatre  onces  de  viande 
concentrée  ;  cette  portion  est  supposée  suffisante  pour 
maintenir  la  force  d'un  homme  pendant  vingt-quatre  heu- 
res ?  Nous  n'avions  qu'une  couverture  pour  trois  ou  quatre 
hommes. 

«  Le  lendemain,  nous  eûmes  un  bon  repas;  ensuite  on 
fit  l'appel.  .  .  Hélas  !  je  vous  assure,  ma  bien  chère 
maman,  que  le  lendemain  d'une  bataille  est  bien  plus 
triste  que  le  jour  même  du  combat.  Au  nombre  des  joyeux 
camarades  qui  nous  suivaient  la  veille,  chantant  les  gais 
refrains  du  pays,  plus  de  cent  manquaient  à  l'appel  de 
leur  nom  ! .  .  .  Ils  étaient  tombés  en  héros  au  champ 
d'honneur,  burinant  une  nouvelle  page  de  gloire  dans  les 
fastes  militaires  de  notre  cher  Canada. 

<(  Après  l'appel,  une  partie  des  hommes  fut  employée 
toute  la  matinée  à  enterrer  les  morts  et  ramasser  les  blessés 
qui  étaient  restés  sur  le  champ  de  bataille.  Quel  triste 
spectacle  s'offrit  à  nos  yeux  en  parcourant  le  théâtre  de  la 
veille  !  Gamelles  d'un  côté,  gourdes  de  l'autre  ;  uniformes 


IIO  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

épars,  des  morceaux  de  charpie  et  de  bandages  répan- 
dus partout.  Et  nos  pauvres  blessés,  quelle  souffrance 
n'ont-ils  pas  endurée  durant  cette  horrible  nuit?  Pour 
nos  morts  offrons  une  prière  au  Dieu  des  combats  et 
remercions-le  ensemble  de  la  protection  qu'il  m'a  accordée. 
Plusieurs  de  nos  hommes  qui  avaient  été  blessés  la  veille, 
ont  succombé  durant  la  nuit,  qui  a  été  bien  froide. 

«  Les  Boers  se  servent  indubitablement  de  balles  explo- 
sives, car  plusieurs  de  nos  morts  avaient  des  blessures 
énormes.  Un  nommé  Lester,  de  Montréal,  qui  demeure 
près  de  chez  nous,  a  reçu,  dans  la  bouche,  une  balle  dont 
l'explosion  lui  a  fracassé  le  crâne.  En  tout,  nous  avons  eu 
vingt-cinq  morts  et  plus  de  quatre-vingts  blessés.  Le 
capitaine  Arnold,  qui  avait  été  blessé  grièvement,  est  mort 
plus  tard  de  ses  blessures. 

«  Ce  devoir  accompli  auprès  de  nos  morts  et  blessés, 
nous  avons  pu  nous  reposer  le  reste  de  la  journée.  Je  vous 
assure  que  nous  méritions  bien  ce  petit  farniente,  après 
avoir  été  trente-six  heures  sans  nous  reposer  et  rien  manger. 

«  Le  20,  nous  avons  eu  une  autre  escarmouche,  avec  les 
mêmes  Boers.  Ils  avaient  un  canon  Nordenfeldt  {pne 
pounder),  qu'ils  pointèrent  sur  nous,  et  dans  le  cours  de 
la  journée,  trois  hommes  furent  blessés.  Nous  passâmes 
le  reste  de  la  semaine  en  avant-postes  et  devoirs  divers. 
Nous  avions  nos  repas  très  irrégulièrement,  sans  compter 
que  nous  étions  à  la  demi-ration  depuis  notre  départ  de 
Graspan,  et  l'eau  était  très  rare.  Nous  avions  deux  biscuits 
{/tard  tach)  par  jour. 

((  Le  temps  des  pluies  est  commencé,  et  tous  les  jours,  il 
pleut  ;  comme  nous  bivouaquons  partout  où  nous  allons, 
et  que  notre  couverture  est  notre  seul  abri,  nous  sommes 
presque  toujours  trempés  jusqu'aux  os. 

«  Le  25,  nous  reçûmes  l'ordre  d'aller  occuper  les  tran- 
chées   près   des   positions   boers.    Nous   devions   passer 


LE   LIVRE    DOR  III 

quarante-huit  heures  en  devoir  ;  mais,  le  soir,  un  contre- 
ordre  survint  de  faire  une  attaque  de  nuit.  Profitant  de 
l'obscurité,  les  Cordons  vinrent  nous  rejoindre  dans  les 
tranchées,  nous  avions  ordre  de  ne  point  leur  parler  ni  de 
faire  de  bruit,  afin  de  ne  pas  donner  l'alarme.  Nous  nous 
sommes  préparés  toute  la  soirée  et  à  deux  heures  du 
matin,  le  27,  nous  sortions  des  tranchées,  la  baïonnette  au 
canon.  Les  Cordons  restèrent  dans  les  tranchées.  Nous 
nous  avançâmes  en  deux  lignes  de  tirailleurs  ;  le  rang  de 
serre-file  portant  des  pelles  et  des  piques,  devait  nous 
creuser  des  tranchées  pendant  que  nous  attaquerions. 
Nous  avions  marché  à  peu  près  sept  cents  verges,  lorsque 
nous  fûmes  reçus  par  une  vive  fusillade  provenant  des 
tranchées  boers,  qui  n'étaient  qu'à  vingt  pas  de  nous 
environ. 

«  En  moins  de  temps  qu'il  n'en  faut  pour  le  dire,  tout  le 
monde  était  étendu  par  terre.  Nous  avions  ordre  formel 
de  ne  point  tirer  afin  de  ne  pas  donner  notre  distance, 
mais,  malheureusement  cet  ordre  fut  enfreint  par  quelques- 
uns  de  nos  hommes.  Le  soldat  P.  .  .  qui  se  trouvait  à  mes 
côtés,  tira  deux  coups  et  au  deuxième  il  reçut  une  balle 
dans  le  coude  ;  s'il  n'eût  pas  tiré,  certainement  qu'il 
n'aurait  pas  été  blessé.  Les  Cordons  qui  étaient  dans  nos 
tranchées  se  mirent  aussi  de  la  partie  en  envoyant  plu- 
sieurs volées  qui  eurent  leur  effet,  ce  qui  nous  permit  de 
retraiter  vers  les  retranchements  préparés  pour  nous  par 
notre  rang  de  serre-file.  Là  nous  continuâmes  le  feu 
jusqu'au  matin.  Vers  les  six  heures  nous  aperçûmes  un 
Boer  qui  faisait  des  signes  avec  un  mouchoir  blanc  ;  le 
feu  cessa  et  il  s'avança  vers  nos  lignes,  il  nous  dit  qu'ils 
(les  Boers)  voulaient  se  rendre.  Leur  reddition  fut  accep- 
tée par  lord  Roberts,  sans  conditions.  Nous  fîmes  plus  de 
quatre  mille  prisonniers  y  compris  le  fameux  général 
Cronje,  c'est  jusqu'à  présent  la  plus  importante  capture 


112  LE   LIVRE    DOR 

de  la  guerre,  et  un  grand  nombre  de  transports,  provisions, 
munitions,  deux  canons  Maxim  et  quatre  Krupp. 

«  Dans  cette  bataille,  nous  avons  perdu  treize  hommes 
tués  et  plus  de  quarante  blessés.  Je  vous  assure  que  c'est 
seulement  à  cette  bataille  que  je  me  suis  senti  énervé,  car 
un  de  mes  camarades  a  été  tué  raide  à  ma  gauche  et  un 
autre  à  ma  droite  a  reçu  cinq  balles,  il  est  mort  dans 
l'avant-midi.  Dans  ce  dernier  engagement,  ma  compagnie 
à  elle  seule  a  eu  six  morls  et  dix  blessés. 

«  Les  Boers  ont  une  peur  terrible  des  Canadiens,  ils 
nous  prennent  tous  pour  des  sauvages  ;  nous  sommes  à 
prime,  dix  schellings  sont  offerts  pour  un  Canadien,  mort 
ou  vif.  Je  crois  que  c'est  celte  peur  qu'ils  avaient  de  nous 
qui  les  a  forcés  à  se  rendre. 

«  Quand,  après  la  bataille,  nous  nous  sommes  avancés 
dans  le  laager  des  Boers  nous  y  avons  trouvé  quantité  de 
provisions  que  nous  avons  fait  disparaître  en  fort  peu  de 
temps,  car  nous  étions  minés  par  la  faim,  ayant  été  à  la 
demi-ration  depuis  notre  départ  de  Graspan. 

«  Nous  avons  passé  quelques  jours  dans  le  laager  ; 
pendant  ce  temps,  nous  faisions  l'inventaire  de  notre 
capture  et  donnions  la  sépulture  à  nos  morts. 

((  Le  7  mars,  nous  avons  fait  un  grand  déploiement  de 
troupes  pour  déloger  les  Boers  de  deux  positions  qu'ils 
occupaient  de  chaque  côté  de  la  rivière  Modder,  Osfontein 
et  Poplar  Grove.  Notre  mouvement  a  parfaitement  réussi 
et  après  quelques  coups  de  canon,  l'ennemi  abandonna  sa 
position  ainsi  qu'un  canon  Creusot  (modèle  90  Ibs.)  Nous 
avons  fait  cinq  cents  prisonniers  et  capturé  un  certain 
nombre  de  transports.  Dans  cette  journée  nous  avons 
marché  plus  de  vingt-trois  milles  et  avons  forcé  la  retraite 
d'une  cavalerie  nombreuse  qui  tenait  notre  avant-garde  en 
échec.  Après  nous  être  reposés  i^cndant  une  journée,  nous 
avons  marché  sans  opposition  jusqu'à  Bloemfontein,  où 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  113 

nous  sommes  maintenant.  Bloemfontein  n'a  presque  pas 
fait  de  résistance. 

(1  Depuis  que  nous  sommes  partis  de  Graspan,  nous 
avons  fait  au  delà  de  cent  quatre-vingt-dix  milles. 

«  Notre  bataillon  a  reçu  les  compliments  les  plus  flatteurs 
de  toutes  parts  ;  des  télégrammes  de  félécitations  nous 
arrivent  encore  tous  les  jours.  Le  généralissime  lui-même. 
Lord  Roberts,  nous  a  dit  :  «  Que  nous  pouvions  marcher 
la  tête  haute  et  fière,  que  nous  étions  les  égaux  de  n'im- 
porte quel  régiment  anglais.  » 

«  Dans  toutes  ces  différentes  batailles,  c'est  le  lieutenant- 
colonel  Pelletier,  de  Québec,  et  le  lieutenant  Ogilvie,  qui  se 
sont  montrés  les  plus  braves. 

«  Quant  à  moi,  je  ne  puis  pas  dire  que  j'ai  eu  peur,  car 
j'allais  au  feu,  à  vrai  dire,  sans  songer  à  la  gravité  de 
la  situation  ;  je  prenais  cela  plutôt  pour  un  exercice  que 
pour  la  réalité.  J'ai  été  étonné  de  moi-même.  Vous  pouvez 
parler  sans  crainte  de  moi  ;  j'ai  toujours  suivi  mon  régi- 
ment partout,  j'ai  assisté  à  toutes  les  batailles  et  n'ai 
jamais  tiré  en  arrière.  .  .  . 

«  ler  avril. 

«  Bloemfontein  est  une  très  jolie  ville  sise  dans  une 
vallée  et  entourée  de  montagnes  ;  elle  n'est  fortifiée  que 
par  deux  forts  situés  sur  ces  montagnes;  les  rues  sont 
larges  et  très  bien  pavées. 

«  Hier,  notre  régiment  est  encore  parti  pour  la  ligne  de 
combat.  11  paraît  que  les  Boers  sont  à  vingt-cinq  milles 
d'ici  et  qu'ils  sont  au  nombre  de  vingt  mille. 

«  Les  Anglais  ont  eu  un  échec,  ce  matin.  Lord  Roberts 
a  reçu  un  ultimatum  lui  donnant  vingt-quatre  heures  pour 
évacuer  Bloemfontein,  mais  il  n'a  pas  beaucoup  l'air  de 
s'occuper  de  cela. 

«  J'ai  suivi  le  régiment  quatorze  milles,  mais  j'ai   dû 


114  ^^    LIVRE    DOR 

revenir  sur  mes  pas  ;  mes  chaussures  étaient  défoncées  et 
je  souffrais  de  rhumatisme  dans  les  jambes.  Je  suis  revenu 
à  Bloemfontein,  chanceux  de  rencontrer  une  voiture  en 
chemin.  Arrivé  à  la  ville,  il  était  huit  heures  du  soir,  et  je 
n'avais  pas  mangé  depuis  le  matin  ;  j'allai  frapper  à  une 
porte  pour  me  renseigner  où  je  pourrais  me  procurer  à 
manger,  mais  la  dame  qui  vint  me  répondre  me  fit  entrer 
et  me  servit  un  succulent  souper.  Je  devais  être  chez  des 
personnes  très  riches  ;  la  maison  était  somptueusement 
meublée;  dans  la  salle  à  dîner,  un  pan  de  mur  était 
couvert  de  belles  fresques.  Je  suis  retourné  au  camp  vers 
dix  heures  et  demie,  et  j'ai  dû  me  coucher  sans  couverture, 
pas  même  de  capote,  la  mienne  étant  restée  sur  les 
fourgons  du  train. 

«  Vous  devez  remarquer  que  ma  lettre  est  pas  mal 
décousue  ;  j'ai  eu  à  la  reprendre  tant  de  fois. 

«  J'ai  envoyé  par  la  poste  une  boîte  de  chocolat  de  la 
reine  ;  je  me  la  suis  procurée  pour  cinq  schellings,  pour 
remplacer  la  mienne,  qui  m'avait  été  volée,  dans  le  temps. 
Dans  la  boîte,  vous  trouverez  un  certain  nombre  d'enve- 
loppes que  j'ai  ramassées  dans  le  laager  des  Boers,  après 
la  bataille  du  27  février. 

«  J'ai  reçu  les  journaux  et  vos  lettres  datées  du  25  février, 
ainsi  que  les  cigarettes,  qui  m'ont  fait  un  énorme  plaisir. 
Les  cigarettes  n'étaient  pas  trop  sèches,  mais  elles  étaient 
passablement  aplaties  ;  n'importe,  quand  on  est  à  la  guerre 
et  que  l'on  ne  peut  s'en  procurer  qu'à  deux  schellings  le 
paquet,  ça  fait  du  bien.  Nous  payons  des  prix  fabuleux  pour 
nous  procurer  les  moindres  douceurs  ;  ainsi,  nous  payons 
le  beurre,  trois  schellings  ;  le  sucre,  deux  schellings,  et 
encore,  ce  n'est  que  de  la  cassonade  ;  un  petit  pain,  comme 
chez  nous,  vaut  deux  schellings.  Comme  vous  le  voyez,  avec 
notre  prêt,  il  nous  est  bien  difficile  de  satisfaire  des  appé- 
tits de  Gargantua.  Mais,  après  tout,  je  m'en  console  en 


LUCIEN  VALLEE. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  II5 

songeant  qu'il  y  a  sous  la  calotte  des  deux  bien  des  êtres 
plus  malheureux  que  nous  sous  ce  rapport.  Quant  à  moi, 
je  suis  content,  heureux  et  joyeux.  A  la  guerre  comme  à 
la  guerre  !  .  .  .  . 

'(  Le     capitaine     Peltier    est  encore  bien  malade  et  n'a 
pas  rejoint  le  régiment.  .  .  . 

«  Le  colonel  Pelletier,  qui  a  été  blessé  à  la  bataille  du 
27,  est  revenu  au  régiment.  Je  vous  assure  que  c'est  un 
brave. 

«  Excuser  le  papier  sale  ;  on  n'a  pas  toujours  les  mains 
propres. 

«  Je  vous  embrasse  de  tout  cœur,  ma  bien  chère  maman, 
et  vous  prie  de  croire  à  la  sincère  affection  de 

«  Votre  fils  tout  dévoué, 

«  LuciEN-C.  Vallée, 

«Caporal  à  la  Cie  F,  R.  C.  R.  I. » 


Lettre  typique  d'un  soldat  canadien-français 
à  son  frère 


ÉA.L  HUOT,  un  des  volontaires  canadiens-fran- 
çais en  Afrique,  écrit  la  lettre  suivante  à  son 
frère.  Cette  lettre  ne  manque  pas  d'intérêt  : 

«  Cape-Town,  27  février. 
«  Mon  cher  Alphonse, 

«  Je  t'écris  de  ma  tente,  pour  te  donner  un  peu  de  mes 
nouvelles.  Elles  sont  très  bonnes.  Je  suis  en  bonne  santé. 
Je  n'ai  pas  été  malade,  et  je  suis  résigné  à  mon  sort.  Si  je 
meurs  sur  le  champ  de  bataille,  j'aurai  vu  beaucoup  avant 
de  mourir.  Les  gens  ici  nous  voient  d'un  bon  œil,  et  font 
tout  ce  qu'ils  peuvent  pour  nous.  Ils  sont  très  polis.  Je 
n'ai  jamais  tant  mangé  de  fruits  que  je  l'ai  fait  cet  hiver. 
Mes  officiers  sont  bons  pour  moi,  jusqu'à  présent,  et  les 
hommes  aussi. 

«  Hier  on  nous  a  fait  mettre  dans  notre  poche,  au  cas 
où  nous  mourrions  sur  le  champ  de  bataille,  un  papier 
portant  le  nom  du  parent  ou  de  celui  auquel  nous  voulions 
léguer  nos  biens.  C'est  ton  nom  qui  se  trouve  sur  mon 
feuillet,  et  je  l'ai  adressé  à  l'hôtel  Riendeau,  Montréal. 
Laisse  ton  adresse  à  ce  dernier  endroit,  si  tu  quittes 
Montréal,  au  cas  où  je  mourrais,  et  écris -moi.  Il  serait 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  II7 

trop  long  de  te  donner  en  détail  ce  que  je  vois  tous  les 
jours,  en  fait  de  belles  choses  ici.  Si  j'ai  le  bonheur  de 
revenir  au  Canada,  j'en  aurai  long  à  te  conter.  C'est  pour 
ainsi  dire,  un  vrai  cirque  nouveau  tous  les  jours.  Si  je 
retourne,  j'aurai  quelques  souvenirs  à  te  donner.  J'attends 
une  lettre  de  toi. 

«  Nous  partons  d'ici  demain  pour  Kimberley,  distance 
de  sept  cents  milles.  Comme  tu  le  vois,  nous  voilà  bien 
partis.  Tous  les  hommes  sont  aussi  bien  disposés  que  moi 
à  mourir  pour  la  reine. 

«  Mon  cher  Alphonse,  c'est  un  beau  pays,  mais  il  fait 
très  chaud.  Il  n'est  pas  possible  que  les  nègres  soient 
blancs,  et  j'ai  grand  peur  que  nous  ne  devenions  comme 
eux. 

«  Donne-moi  des  nouvelles  de  tous.  J'aurais  voulu  t'écri- 
re  plus  au  long,  mais  tu  comprends,  mon  cher  Alphonse, 
je  n'ai  pas  une  minute  à  moi,  et  pas  de  place.  Nous 
sommes  les  uns  sur  les  autres.  Les  lettres  doivent  mettre 
un  mois  pour  se  rendre,  de  sorte  que  pour  avoir  une 
réponse  à  la  présente,  cela  va  prendre  deux  mois.  Donc, 
ne  tarde  pas  à  me  répondre. 

«  Je  suis  content.  Je  rencontre  des  soldats  par  trois 
mille  et  quatre  mille  tous  les  jours,  de  toutes  nationalités. 
C'est  un  joh  coup  d'œil,  mais  je  te  dis  qu'une  guerre 
comme  celle-là,  ce  n'est  pas  drôle.  Que  ça  fait  du  tapage 
tout  ce  bagage  !  Je  suppose  que  lorsque  je  recevrai  ta 
réponse,  nous  aurons  fini  de  nous  battre. 

«  On  vient  d'apprendre  la  nouvelle  que  Cronje  vient 
d'être  pris  avec  tout  son  monde  et  ses  canons.  Nous 
avons  salué  cette  nouvelle  pendant  deux  heures. 

«  Je  suis  ton  dévoué, 

«  Real  Huot, 
«  Canonnier  batterie  E,  R.  C.  A.  » 


Il8  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

LES  SOLDATS  HUOT  ET  GOSSELIN  AU  «SOLEIL» 

^f  Carnarvon,  6  avril  1900. 

«  A  M.  Ernest  Pacaud, 

«  rédacteur  du  So/cil. 

«  Cher  monsieur, 

«  Il  y  a  déjà  longtemps  que  je  voulais  vous  écrire,  mais 
le  temps  m'a  manqué.  Aujourd'hui,  vu  la  grande  chaleur 
et  les  mauvais  chemins,  nous  nous  sommes  arrêtés  de 
bonne  heure. 

«  Nous  avons  perdu,  ce  matin,  cinq  chevaux.  Ils  sont 
tombés  raides  morts  dans  le  chemin. 

('  Partis  de  Victoria  West,  le  13  mars,  nous  sommes 
arrivés  à  Carnarvon,  le  17,  après  une  longue  marche  à 
travers  les  montagnes. 

'(  Nous  avons  eu  ici  une  très  belle  réception.  Les  dames 
nous  avaient  préparé  un  superbe  repas.  Il  y  avait  du  café, 
du  pain,  du  beurre  et  des  gâteaux.  Après  avoir  pris  un 
bon  souper,  nous  avons  pris  un  repos  bien  mérité. 

«  Nous  sommes  repartis  le  21,  continuant  notre  marche 
à  travers  des  montagnes  étrangères  pour  nous.  Enfin, 
nous  sommes  arrivés  à  Van-Wyks-Vki,  le  23,  après  avoir 
parcouru  la  distance  de  cent  quarante  milles,  depuis 
Carnarvon  à  Van-V/yks-Vki. 

«  Toutes  les  maisons  sont  désertes,  les  rebelles  ont 
chassé  la  population.  Même  quand  nous  sommes  arrivés, 
les  gens  d'ici  étaient  avertis  de  quitter  la  ville  dans  vingt- 
quatre  heures  ou  de  les  suivre.  Une  grande  joie  régnait 
dans  cette  ville  quand  nous  sommes  arrivés. 

«  Je  crois  que  ces  rebelles  sont  comme  nos  corbeaux  au 
Canada  :  il  n'y  a  pas  moyen  de  les  rejoindre. 

«  Le  plus  drôle  pour  nous,  c'est  de  voir  des  maisons 
plâtrées  avec  des  briques  d'un  pied  carré  sur  à  peu  près 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  IIQ 

huit  pouces  d'épais,  mais  faites  avec  de  l'engrais  de 
mouton.  De  plus,  nous  nous  chauffons  avec  ces  briques 
qui  valent  le  charbon.  Nous  n'avons  pas  besoin  de  vous 
dire  que  le  bois  est  rare.  Nous  ne  voyons  pas  un  seul 
arbre.  Ce  serait  trop  long  de  tout  énumérer  ici,  mais  nous 
en  gardons  des  notes. 

«  A  Van-Wyks-Vki,  nous  avons  eu  un  orage  durant  la 
nuit.  Nous  pensions  que  c'était  le  déluge.  Nous  n'avions 
pas  de  tente  et  il  faisait  très  froid.  Le  lendemain  matin 
nous  avions  tous  l'air  très  piteux,  mouillés  jusqu'aux  os  et 
à  moitié  gelés.  Aussi  nos  pauvres  chevaux  en  ont  eu  leur 
part.  Ils  ont  barbotté  dans  la  boue  toute  la  journée.  Nous 
nous  sommes  couchés  sur  des  portes  de  hangar  et  sur  tout 
ce  que  nous  pouvions  trouver. 

«  Nous  croyions  prendre  un  bon  repos,  mais  la  pluie 
nous  réveilla  sur  les  onze  heures.  Nous  avions  une  toile 
en  caoutchouc  sur  nous  et  en  moins  de  dix  minutes,  nous 
avions  une  petite  rivière  de  chaque  côté  de  nous.  Les 
officiers  nous  donnèrent  alors  la  permission  d'habiter  les 
maisons  vides,  ordre  qui  a  été  exécuté  avec  empresse- 
ment par  tous  les  soldats. 

«  Comme  les  chemins  étaient  impraticables,  nous  som- 
mes restés  là  jusqu'au  2  avril. 

«  Le  ler  avril,  un  homme  du  nom  de  Bradley  est  mort 
malgré  tous  les  bons  soins  de  nos  médecins  et  de  nos  offi- 
ciers. Il  venait  d'Ottawa  et  appartenait  à  la  batterie  D,  nous 
l'avons  enterré  le  lendemain  au  pied  de  la  montagne.  Les 
batteries  D  et  E,  les  West  Australians,  Canadian  Mounted 
Rifles,  New-Zealand,  la  Impérial  Yeomanry  et  les  Derby, 
précédés  de  douze  trompettes  ont  battu  la  marche.  Ils 
ont  tiré  six  rondes  de  cartouches  blanches  et  ensuite  les 
trompettes  ont  sonné  ^^  The  last  posi  In  Nous  avons  mis 
chacun  une  pierre  sur  son  tombeau.  Nous  avions  aussi 
fait  des  couronnes  avec  des  fleurs  des  champs  que  l'on  a 


21 


120  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

déposées  sur  sa  tombe.  Un  des  soldats  de  la  batterie  D 
lui  a  fait  une  superbe  épitaphe  en  pierre.  Nous  nous 
rappellerons  longtemps  cette  scène. 

«  Le  matin,  dix  minutes  après  notre  départ,  les  soldats 
allaient  aussi  enterrer  un  de  leurs  morts  pendant  la  nuit. 

«  Le  3,  nous  avons  reçu  l'ordre  de  partir  immédiatement 
pour  retourner  ici  à  Carnarvon.  Nous  avons  fait  le  trajet 
en  trois  jours,  après  une  marche  bien  pénible.  Nos  voitu- 
res de  transport  ont  souvent  eu  besoin  de  nos  hommes,  à 
peu  près  tout  le  temps,  pour  les  tirer,  quoiqu'il  y  eût  de 
huit  à  dix  mulets  par  voiture.  Vous  pouvez  juger  vous- 
même  de  l'état  des  chemins. 

«  Nous  avons  échangé  ici  les  malades.  Nous  avons 
repris  ceux  qui  étaient  mieux  et  laissé  d'autres  à  leur 
place,  parmi  lesquels  un  de  nos  amis,  M.  Miller,  ancien 
soldat  de  la  batterie  B,  de  Québec,  connu  parmi  les  amis 
sous  le  nom  de  Sunny  Miller.  Il  s'est  fait  tordre  le  pied 
entre  la  roue  et  la  garde  d'un  canon.  Il  croit  pouvoir  nous 
rejoindre  dans  trois  semaines,  mais  nous  avons  bien  peur 
qu'il  ne  le  puisse  pas,  car  la  jambe  est  enflée. 

«  La  plupart  de  nos  hommes  ont  été  malades,  mais  ils 
sont  assez  bien  maintenant.  La  cause  en  était  l'eau.  Nous 
aimerions  bien  à  avoir  une  tasse  d'eau  qui  coule  dans  les 
rues  de  Québec  pour  nous  donner  bonne  bouche,  car  l'eau 
ici  est  dégoûtante  et  très  rare.  Nous  partons  demain  pour 
une  autre  direction.  On  nous  dit  qu'il  faudra  marcher  cent 
cinquante  milles  dans  les  montagnes. 

«  Nous  sommes  toujours  prêts,  car  nous  avons  hâte  de 
faire  feu. 

«  Nous  sommes  en  parfaite  santé. 

c.  Edgar  Gosselin, 
«  Real  Huot.  » 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  121 

NOBLE  ENFANT  ! 

IL  ENVOIE  UN  LOUIS   AU    »  SOLEIL  »    POUR    FAIRE    CHANTER 

UNE  MESSE  DE  REQUIEM  POUR  LE  REPOS  DE  l'aME 

DE    SON    PÈRE   ET  DE  SA  MÈRE  DÉFUNTS. 

«  Real  Huot,  soldat  du  premier  contingent  canadien 
au  Sud-africain,  nous  adresse  la  touchante  lettre  suivante  : 

«  De  Aar,  6  mai  1900. 
«  Mon  cher  M.  Pacaud, 

«  Je  viens  vous  prier  de  me  rendre  un  service.  J'espère 
que  vous  ne  me  refuserez  pas. 

«  Je  vous  envoie  en  même  temps  que  la  présente  un 
mandat-poste  au  montant  de  cinq  piastres  pour  faire  chan- 
ter une  messe  de  requiem  pour  le  repos  de  l'âme  de  ma 
mère  et  de  mon  père  défunts. 

«  Veuillez  être  assez  bon  de  téléphoner  au  révérend 
M.  Gosselin,  curé  de  Charlesbourg,  pour  lui  demander  de 
chanter  une  grand'messe  pour  le  repos  de  l'âme  de  feu 
Gaspard  Huot  et  de  son  épouse,  Angèle  Laberge,  recom- 
mandée par  leur  fils,  Real  Huot,  en  guerre  au  Sud-africain. 

«  Pour  la  messe  et  le  téléphone,  cela  devra  vous  coûter 
environ  trois  piastres.  Vous  garderez  la  balance  pour  votre 
trouble.  N'oubliez  donc  pas  d'ajouter  à  l'annonce  que  les 
parents  et  amis  sont  priés  d'y  assister. 

«  Rien  de  bien  étrange  ici  si  ce  n'est  que  les  régiments 
d'infanterie  qu'il  y  avait  ici  sont  partis  pour  les  avant- 
postes. 

«  Quant  à  nous  de  l'artillerie,  nous  nous  attendons  à 
partir  d'une  minute  à  l'autre.  On  envoie  les  jeunes  en 
avant  tâter  le  terrain  en  attendant  que  nous,  les  vieux, 
nous  allions  leur  envoyer  des  heans  avec  nos  jolies  pièces. 

«  Notre  ami,  René  Miller,  que   nous   avions   laissé   à 


122  LE    LIVRE    D  OR 

l'hôpital  de  Deelfontein,  nous  est  revenu  assez  bien  quoi- 
que encore  un  peu  douillet,  mais  il  brûle  cependant  du 
désir  d'être  bientôt  aux  avant-postes  et  de  faire  le  coup  de 
feu. 

«  Au  moment  où  je  vous  écris,  nous  venons  d'enterrer 
un  Canadien  d'Ottawa,  appartenant  à  la  batterie  D,  du 
nom  de  Picket.  Il  est  mort  de  la  fièvre  entérique. 

«  Mon  camarade  Gosselin  est  en  parfaite  santé  ainsi  que 
les  autres  Canadiens-français. 

«  Nous  avons  un  hôpital  à  vingt-huit  milles  d'ici  appelé 
Impérial  Yeomanry  Hospital,  où  il  y  a  au-dessus  de  six 
cents  malades.  La  plupart  sont  atteints  de  cette  fièvre 
dangereuse  qu'on  appelle  fièvre  entérique.  Il  y  a  beaucoup 
de  mortalité. 

«  Nous  sommes  ici  depuis  trois  semaines.  Je  crois  qu'ils 
ne  nous  ont  gardés  si  longtemps  que  parce  que  nous  avions 
besoin  de  repos.  Nous  commençons  à  engraisser  et  ne 
demandons  pas  mieux  qu'à  aller  encore  de  l'avant. 

«  Je  vous  enverrai  bientôt  une  autre  lettre  et  je  tâcherai 
de  vous  donner  des  détails  plus  intéressants  sur  les  mou- 
vements du  contingent. 

«  Des  saluts  à  tous  et  veuillez  me  croire, 

«  Votre  dévoué, 

«  Real  Huot, 
«  Canonnier  de  la  batterie  E.  » 

Cette  lettre  admirable  prouve  un  cœur  d'agneau  sous 
une  enveloppe  de  Hon,  comme,  du  reste,  tout  cœur 
canadien. 


Après  l'insertion  des  principales  lettres  de  nos  braves, 
et  afin  de  ne  pas  tomber  dans  des  redites,  —  car  beaucoup 
de  ces  lettres  se  ressemblent  —  nous  croyons  devoir  nous 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  I23 

contenter  de  n'insérer  que  quelques  extraits  les  plus  sail- 
lants de  ces  lettres,  et  cela  sous  la  signature  de  leurs 
auteurs.  Nous  espérons  donc  que  ceux-ci  ne  nous  en 
voudront  pas,  car,  comme  nous  l'avons  dit  au  commence- 
ment de  cet  ouvrage,  il  nous  faudrait  au  moins  dix  volumes 
pour  donner  entière  et  pleine  satisfaction  à  chacun.  Du 
reste,  tous  leurs  noms  sont  burinés  dans  l'ouvrage,  et 
quels  qu'ils  soient,  ils  appartiennent  tous  à  l'histoire. 

LE  SERGENT  GRATTON 

(DU  65e  BATAILLON) 


La  Presse  a  reçu  la  communication  suivante  de  Bloem- 
fontein.  Cette  communication  est  signée  par  les  soldats 
suivants  :  E.  Lamoureux,  Jos.  Rémy,  E.  Charbonneau, 
A.  Tessier,  A.  Tansey,  Thomas  Donohue,  Jos.  Plamondon, 
F.  Lescarbeau,  E.  Jobin,  L.  Vallée,  W.  Duhamel,  L.  Dol- 
bec,  L.  LaRue,  G.  D'Orsonnens,  J.  Touchette  et  J.  Tapin. 

«  Monsieur  le  rédacteur, 

«  Nous,  soussignés,  membres  de  la  compagnie  F,  des 
Canadiens  Royaux,  avons  l'honneur  de  vous  adresser 
cette  communication,  espérant  que  vous  lui  accorderez 
une  cordiale  attention.  Hier  soir,  après  être  entrés  dans 
nos  tentes  pour  consulter  les  journaux  de  Montréal,  nous 
avons  appris  la  triste  nouvelle  de  la  mort  du  père  de  l'un 
de  nos  compagnons  d'armes.  Le  coup  a  été  rudement 
ressenti  par  nous  tous  et  spécialement  par  le  sergent 
Gratton,  le  fils  du  défunt.  Pour  la  première  fois  depuis 
son  enrôlement  comme  volontaire  d'Afrique,  nous  avons 
vu  sur  sa  figure  les  traces  d'une  grande  peine  et  d'un 
profond  désespoir.  A  travers  tous  les  périls  et  toutes  les 


124  ^^    LIVRE   d'or 

batailles,  ses  bonnes  dispositions  ont  toujours  été  un  sujet 
d'encouragement  pour  ses  camarades  de  section,  et  nous, 
comme  membres  de  cette  section,  sous  son  commande- 
ment, nous  pouvons  dire  sans  crainte  de  contradiction 
qu'il  n'y  a  pas  dans  les  rangs  des  Canadiens  Royaux  de 
soldat  plus  brave  et  plus  valeureux. 

«  Sachant  que  vous  vous  êtes  vivement  intéressé  au 
bien-être  de  chacun  de  nous,  surtout  de  ceux  que  nous 
avons  laissés  dans  le  besoin  au  pays,  nous  nous  unissons 
pour  vous  demander  de  secourir  et  d'aider  la  famille  de 
neuf  enfants  laissée  aux  soins  d'une  mère  âgée,  avec  son 
vaillant  fils,  le  seul  qui  ait  atteint  l'âge  d'homme  et  qui  se 
dévoue,  sur  le  sol  africain  pour  la  défense  du  drapeau  de 
son  pays,  à  8,000  milles  des  siens  qu'il  ne  peut  secourir. 
Nous  osons  espérer  que,  la  famille  vous  ayant  montré 
ses  besoins,  vous  lui  prêterez  une  bienveillante  attention, 
et  nous,  les  compagnons  du  sergent  Gratton,  vous  offrons 
nos  plus  sincères  remerciements.  » 

Cette  communication  qui  prouve  leur  esprit  de  corps 
fait  honneur  à  nos  braves. 

Le  sergent  Gratton  était  appelé  T/ie  Iron  Sergeant 
(le  sergent  de  fer)  par  ses  camarades,  et  voici  ce  qu'on 
rapporte  de  lui  : 

«  Au  premier  coup  de  feu  des  Canadiens,  on  lui  fit 
remarquer  qu'il  pâlissait.  Aussitôt,  il  détrempe  une  poignée 
de  terre  avec  l'eau  de  sa  gourde,  se  barbouille  le  visage 
pour  cacher  sa  pâleur  et,  maîtrisant  ses  nerfs,  mène 
héroïquement  ses  soldats  à  la  charge.  » 


« .  .  . .  L'ordre  fut  donné  de  se  former  en  ordre  de 
bataille;  pour  cela  il  fallait  traverser  la  rivière  Modder, 
qui  se  prolonge  jusque-là.  Les  ponts  et  les  bateaux  étant 
détruits  ou  enlevés,    il  fallut   entreprendre  de  traverser 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  I25 

à  la  nage,  ce  qui  présentait  quelques  difficultés,  avec  la 
carabine  en  bandoulière  et  tout  notre  bagage  sur  notre 
dos. 

«  Je  termine,  nies  forces  m'abandonnent. 

«  La  bataille  ?  Oh  !  c'était  terrible  !  terrible  !  Des  cris 
help  me.  .  .  help  me,  Fm  wounded.  Les  balles  pleuvaient  ; 
un  bruit  confus  de  canons,  coups  de  carabine,  charge  à  la 
baïonnette. 

«  Le  sol  jonché  de  morts  et  de  blessés,  des  cris  confus, 
désespérés.  Epouvantable  !  Terrible  ! 

«  Ne  craignez  rien,  je  vais  guérir  dans  peu.  .  .  . 

«  Mais  voici  l'hiver.  .  .  L'hiver,  oh  !  quelle  nostalgie 
s'empare  de  moi  à  ce  mot  magique,  j'avais  toujours  pensé 
que  l'hiver  ne  pourrait  pas  exister  sans  la  neige  immaculée 
qui  couvre  durant  quelques  mois  de  l'année  notre  beau  sol 
canadien.  Si  mon  cœur  n'était  pas  si  triste  à  la  pensée  de 
mon  exil,  je  pourrais  chanter  avec  transport,  de  concert 
avec  notre  poète  canadien  : 

«  O  Canada,  mon  pays,  mes  amours  !  » 

mais  en  ce  moment,  je  serais  plutôt  porté  à  chanter  l'air 
triste  de  la  complainte  du  Canadien  errant,  qui  confiait 
aux  flots  muers  ses  peines  et  ses  ennuis,  tandis  que  moi  je 
puis,  par  le  moyen  de  la  malle,  transmettre  mes  peines  à 
des  amis  qui  ne  m'oublient  pas. 

«  Cependant,  mes  lettres  semblent  aller  plus  librement 
vers  le  pays  que  les  vôtres  ne  viennent  vers  moi,  car  depuis 
un  mois,  pas  une  nouvelle  canadienne  !  Je  ne  puis  me 
mettre  dans  la  tête  que  vous  m'avez  oublié  si  longtemps, 
les  lettres  sont  arrêtées  quelque  part,  peut-être  s'amusent- 
elles  en  chemin,  c'est  pardonnable  ;  elles  viennent  de  si 
loin,  elles  méritent  un  repos  à  leur  arrivée  en  Afrique.  .  .  . 

«  Jos.  Uesjardins, 

«  Caporal.  » 


120  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  Bloemfontein,  25  mars  1900. 

«  .  .  .  .  Durant  le  trajet,  le  colonel  Oscar  Pelletier,  aussi 
gai  que  brave,  nous  exhortait  à  chanter  de  nos  chansons 
canadiennes  qui  retrempaient  notre  courage  et  nous  fai- 
saient oublier  nos  fatigues.  Nous  traversâmes  à  la  nage 
cette  rivière  Modder,  où  je  faillis  me  noyer,  ainsi  que 
plusieurs  de  mes  camarades.  .  .  . 

«  Nous  approchâmes  des  tranchées  boers  et  nous  reçû- 
mes le  commandement  :  «  Chargez  à  la  baïonnette  !  »  C'était 
un  spectacle  horrible.  Au  pétillement  de  la  fusillade,  au 
grondement  des  canons,  s'ajoutaient  les  cris  des  blessés, 
la  voix  tonnante  des  commandants.  L'air  était  embrasé  et 
déchiré  par  les  éclairs  qui,  partant  des  tranchées  boers, 
semaient  la  mort  dans  nos  rangs.  Les  soldats  tombaient 
comme  des  épis  mûrs,  et  j'eus  le  chagrin  de  voir  plusieurs 
de  mes  amis  victimes  de  cette  sanglante  journée.  Cette 
lutte  cessa  vers  huit  heures  du  soir.  Plusieurs  blessés 
furent  laissés  sur  le  champ  de  bataille,  car  l'obscurité 
était  trop  grande  pour  pouvoir  les  trouver.  Nous  nous 
retirâmes  un  peu  plus  loin  de  cet  endroit,  témoin  de 
cette  lutte  acharnée  ;  ce  soir-là,  nous  couchâmes  à  la  belle 
étoile.  Le  lendemain,  je  visitai  le  champ  de  bataille  ; 
c'était  un  triste  spectacle  que  de  voir  tous  ces  soldats, 
victimes  de  leur  amour  pour  la  patrie,  baignant  dans 
leur  sang. .  .  . 

«  EUSÈBE  JOBIN.  » 

«  .  .  .  .  Nous  avons  quitté  Belmont  pour  Maple  Leaf  où 
nous  sommes  campés.  Car  maintenant,  nous  faisons  partie 
de  la  6e  division  sous  le  commandement  de  lord  Methuen 
et  nous  sommes  embrigadés  avec  les  Black  Watch  et  les 
Gordons.  Nous  avons  la  certitude  maintenant  d'aller  à 
l'attaque  de   Magersfontein  ;  mais  en  attendant,  nous  fai- 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  I27 

sons  toujours  des  tranchées  et  autres  travaux.  Cela  nous 
embête  beaucoup,  car  nous  aimerions  bien  nous  battre  le 
plus  tôt  possible  afin  d'en  finir  au  plus  vite  et  de  retour- 
ner au  Canada. 

«  A.  Chatel.  ,) 

«  ....  A  part  la  chaleur  qui  est  intense  parfois  et  du 
sable  qui  nous  aveugle,  nous  ne  sommes  pas  trop  mal  ici. 
La  nourriture  est  abondante  et  nos  officiers,  entre  autres 
nos  officiers  canadiens-français  sont  bien  bons  pour  nous, 
car  ils  cherchent  à  nous  éviter  toutes  les  petites  misères 
qui  sont  l'apanage  du  soldat  devant  l'ennemi.  .  .  . 

(I  Jean  D'Amour,  m 

«  ....  Le  lieutenant-colonel  Lessard  avait  été  chargé 
de  distribuer  les  articles  et  provisions  généreusement 
ramassés  pour  le  confort  de  la  troupe  durant  le  voyage.  Il 
fut  un  véritable  dispensateur  des  biens  terrestres,  même 
en  pleine  mer,  sachant  se  multipUer  pour  remplir  sa  tâche. 
Il  s'en  est  acquitté  dignement  à  la  satisfaction  générale. 

«  Le  lieutenant-colonel  Pelletier  est  d'une  sollicitude 
toute  particulière  pour  son  demi-bataillon,  l'aile  gauche  du 
régiment,  et  il  ne  manquera  pas  dans  cette  circonstance 
de  faire  sa  marque  comme  excellent  soldat  et  brillant 
officier.  .  .  . 

«  Lieutenant.  » 

« .  .  .  .  Arrivés  à  près  de  vingt  verges  de  leurs  tranchées 
nous  fûmes  reçus  par  une  vive  fusillade.  En  moins  de 
temps  qu'il  n'en  faut  pour  le  dire,  tout  le  monde  était 
couché  à  terre  et  les  Cordons  qui  étaient  restés  dans  les 
tranchées  ouvrirent  le  feu  sur  l'ennemi.  Pendant  ce  temps, 
les  Boers  se  cachaient  et  nous  retournions  vers  nos 
tranchées. 


128  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

«  Le  caporal  Wythie,  de  la  citadelle  de  Québec,  qui  se 
trouvait  à  mes  côtés,  a  été  tué  raide  avant  de  battre  en  re- 
traite. Je  l'avais  poussé  et  il  ne  me  répondait  pas.  Quand 
le  jour  fut  venu,  j'appris  qu'il  était  mort.  Le  feu  fut  main- 
tenu contre  les  Boers  jusqu'au  matin,  et  c'est  alors  qu'ils 
montrèrent  leur  pavillon  blanc.  Mais  nous  avions  battu 
l'armée  de  Cronje,  la  plus  importante  capture  de  la  guerre. 

«  Quel  triste  spectacle  que  ce  lendemain  d'une  bataille  l 
Des  camarades  qui  nous  suivaient  la  veille,  gais  et  dipos, 
vingt-six  manquaient  à  l'appel  au  nombre  desquels  se  trou- 
vait un  officier  et  plus  de  quatre-vingts  étaient  blessés.  . . . 

«  Joseph  Plamondon.  » 

«  .  . .  .  J'ai  failli  me  noyer,  ayant  mis  le  pied  dans  un 
trou  profond.  J'ai  disparu  sous  l'eau  et  perdu  presque 
connaissance.  Mais  cela  n'est  rien  en  comparaison  du 
temps  que  nous  avons  passé  sous  le  feu  des  Boers.  Je 
t'assure  qu'il  ne  fallait  pas  trop  montrer  la  tête,  car  les 
balles  tombaient  dru. 

«  A  certain  moment,  on  aurait  dit  qu'il  pleuvait  du 
plomb  et  que  l'air  était  rempli  de  taons,  tant  ça  sifflait. 
Mais  aussi,  de  notre  côté,  nous  ne  restions  pas  inactifs. 
Notre  position  était  meilleure  que  celle  de  l'ennemi.  Les 
Boers  étaient  bombardés  de  trois  côtés  à  la  fois  par  notre 
artillerie.  Dans  l'après-midi,  nous  avons  eu  une  terrible 
tempête  de  pluie.  Le  tonnerre  s'est  aussi  mis  de  la  partie. 
Nous  sommes  restés  sur  le  champ  de  bataille  jusqu'à  la 
tombée  de  la  nuit.  On  nous  a  alors  servi  un  biscuit  et  une 
tasse  de  thé  ;  c'est  tout  ce  que  nous  avons  pris  durant 
toute  la  journée.  Nous  avons  couché  à  la  belle  étoile,  et  il 
faisait  froid.  Nous  couchons  comme  cela  depuis  que 
nous  sommes  partis  de  Belmont.  .  .  . 

'I  Louis  Léveillé.  h 


LE    LIVRE    DOR  129 

«  .  .  .  .  Les  apparences,  au  moment  présent,  ne  sont  pas 
favorables  pour  nous,  quant  à  la  possibilité  d'un  engage- 
ment avec  les  Boers,  mais  tout  étant  tranquille  depuis  si 
longtemps,  ici,  et  ne  nous  trouvant  qu'à  quelques  milles  de 
l'ennemi,  caché  dans  sa  plus  formidable  position,  nous 
espérons  que  lord  Roberts  ne  nous  oubliera  pas,  et  que  les 
Canadiens  Royaux  seront  appelés  à  prendre  leur  place 
sur  le  front  de  bataille.  .  .  . 

»  Thos.  Donohue.  » 

C'est  ce  Donohue  qui  a  composé  la  chanson  «  TJie  Jolly 
Mtisketeers^  mentionnée  par  Lucien  LaRue. 

«  .  .  .  .  Nous  sommes  toujours  anxieux  d'aller  au  feu,  uu 
peu  au  moins,  pour  avoir  une  idée  de  la  guerre.  Cela  nous 
donnerait  un  peu  de  distraction,  car  il  y  a  déjà  six  semaines 
que  nous  sommes  ici.  Jusqu'à  présent,  nous  avons  travaillé 
cinq  ou  six  heures  par  jour,  et  le  reste  du  temps  se  passe 
à  nous  reposer  sous  nos  tentes.  .  .  . 

((  Je  t'ai  envoyé  des  plumes  d'autruche  que  j'ai  obtenues 
chez  un  fermier  des  alentours.  J'espère  que  tu  les  a  reçues. 
Les  autruches  ici  sont  en  quantité  et  aussi  communes  que 
les  canards  au  Canada.  .  .  . 

«  Léonard  Dolbec.  » 

«  Depuis  notre  départ  de  la  ville,  nous  avons  toujours 
été  en  marche  et  je  vous  assure  que  nous  n'avons  pas 
toujours  eu  tout  ce  que  nous  aurions  voulu.  Pendant 
quarante-trois  jours,  nous  avons  manqué  de  pain,  parce 
que  nous  étions  trop  éloignés  des  lignes  de  communication. 

«  Cependant,  nous  n'avons  rien  à  reprocher  au  gouver- 
nement anglais,  il  a  fait  son  possible  pour  nous  venir 
en  aide. 


130  LE    LIVRE   DOR 

«  .  .  .  .  Nous  avons  repoussé  les  Boers  dans  près  de  vingt 
engagements  sur  les  lignes,  bien  qu'ils  eussent  de  meilleu- 
res positions  et  une  pleine  connaissance  du  terrain.  Je  les 
crois  mauvais  tireurs,  la  plus  grande  partie  de  leurs  boulets 
n'éclatent  pas,  ce  qui  indiquerait  ignorance  de  leur  part. 

«  Ils  se  font  battre  sur  toute  la  ligne  et  sont  en  train  de 
perdre  une  république  qui  vaut  beaucoup  d'argent,  car  le 
sol  est  très  propre  à  la  culture  et  les  montagnes  sont 
remplies  de  mines  d'or  et  d'argent. 

((  Un  homme  qui  voudrait  travailler  ici  pourrait  se  faire 
un  bel  avenir  en  peu  de  temps.  .  .  . 

«  Albert  Bouchard.  » 

«  .  .  .  .  Nous  avons  eu  beaucoup  de  longues  marches, 
de  misères  et  de  fatigues  et  à  essuyer  des  combats  pour 
nous  rendre  ici.  Ainsi,  nous  nous  sommes  battus  à  maintes 
reprises  avec  les  Boers.  .  . . 

«  Oh  !  mes  chers  amis,  c'était  effrayant  de  voir  les 
champs  de  bataille  par  lesquels  nous  sommes  passés.  Je 
vous  en  donnerai  des  détails  à  mon  retour.  Les  balles 
tombaient  comme  grêle,  et  plusieurs  de  nos  camarades  ont 
été  blessés  d'une  manière  épouvantable.  Nous  avons  per- 
du beaucoup  de  monde,  par  le  feu  et  par  la  maladie.  Le 
climat  ne  nous  va  pas  du  tout.  Le  jour  il  fait  excessive- 
ment chaud  et  les  nuits  sont  fraîches  ;  la  rosée  tombe 
comme  une  grosse  gelée  blanche  au  Canada.  Sans  parler 
des  orages  qui  sont  très  fréquents.  Je  n'ai  jamais  vu 
tomber  de  la  pluie  comme  elle  tombe  ici.  C'est  ni  plus  ni 
moins  qu'un  déluge.  En  un  instant  le  terrain  se  trouve 
inondé,  mais  comme  c'est  un  pays  sablonneux  l'eau  se 
retire  très  vite.  .  ,  . 

'(  Charles  H.  Tweedell, 

«  Caporal.  1. 


TROMPETTE   GEO.   \V.   liRAULEY. 
A.  J.  TURXER.  H.   MONTIZAMBERT. 


LE   LIVRE    DOR  131 

GEORGES  WASHINGTON  BRADLEY 

Quelques  mots  sur  le  jeune  et  vaillant  enfant  dont 
la  photographie  est  dans  ce  livre. 

«  Cape-Town,  30  août. 

:<  Tous  les  Québecquois  sympathisent  avec  vous  pour  la 
perte  de  votre  fils.  Il  était  l'orgueil  de  notre  batterie. 

«  Ogilvie.  » 

Voici,  du  reste,  ce  qu'écrit  Real  Huot  : 

«  Vryburg,  29  août  1900. 
«  A  M.  Ernest  Pacaud,  écr. 
«  Cher  monsieur, 

«  C'est  avec  une  bien  grande  douleur  que  je  vous  écris 
ces  quelques  mots  pour  vous  apprendre  la  mort  de  notre 
trompette,  le  jeune  Georges  B.adîey,  de  Québec,  et  fils 
de  l'avocat  Bradley.  Il  est  mort  des  fièvres,  à  Kimberley, 
lundi  le  28  août.  Le  soldat  Bradley,  tout  jeune  encore, 
joli  garçon,  aimable,  était  la  coqueluche  de  la  batterie. 
Officiers  comme  soldats  rencontraient  Bradley  toujours 
avec  joie,  car  il  s'était  tant  fait  aimé  par  son  jeune  âge  et 
ses  manières  polies.  Sa  mort  cause  un  deuil  général  parmi 
tout  le  camp.  Chacun  se  rencontre  et  se  dit  :  c'est  bien 
malheureux  pour  Bradley.  Les  plus  sincères  condoléances 
sont  offertes  à  la  famille.  .  .  . 

«  J'oubliais  de  vous  dire  que  toute  la  batterie  a  souscrit 
un  montant  assez  élevé  pour  ériger  un  monument  à  la 
mémoire  du  jeune  Bradley,  dans  le  cimetière  catholique 
de  Kimberley.  Ce  sera  très  certainement  le  plus  beau  du 
cimeiière.  .  .  .  i- 


132  LE   LIVRE   D  OR 

«  Maple  Leaf  Camp,  Gras  Pan, 

«  Orange  Free  State,  5  février  1900. 

n  .  .  .  .  Nous  avons  quitté  Belmont  le  ler  février  et  nous 
nous  sommes  rendus  ici.  Nous  ne  sommes  plus  qu'à  dix- 
sept  milles  en  arrière  de  l'armée  de  French  et  nous  espé- 
rons tous  que  nous  serons  à  l'avant,  lors  de  la  prochaine 
rencontre.  Je  vous  enverrai  tous  les  détails,  si  j'en  reviens 
vivant.  .  .  . 

«  Quant  à  combattre  les  Boers,  je  dois  vous  annoncer 
que  j'ai  déjà  eu  l'occasion  de  les  rencontrer,  et  je  ne 
demande  que  de  les  rencontrer  de  nouveau  .... 

«  Joseph  Hudon.» 

Ce  brave  garçon  qui  date  sa  lettre  de  v- Maple  Leaf 
Canip^  ))  —  nom  donné  par  les  Canadiens  —  et  qui  restera 
en  Afrique  autant  que  leur  bravoure,  est  ce  même  Hudon 
qui  fut  blessé  avec  Lucien  LaRue,  à  la  bataille  de  Modder 
River,  le  18  février. 

«  .  .  .  .  Notre  dernière  étape  fut  Belmont,  d'où  je  t'écris 
ces  lignes.  Nous  sommes  ici  depuis  une  semaine.  Nous 
sommes  tous  impatients  d'aller  de  l'avant.  Nous  ne  savons 
pourquoi  on  nous  fait  faire  de  si  courtes  étapes,  car  sans 
forfanterie,  nous  désirons  tous  voir  l'ennemi.  .  .  . 

«  F.-X.  Lescarbeau.  » 

«  Belmont,  7  décembre  1899. 

( Nous  sommes  maintenant  à  Belmont,  c'est-à-dire 

en  face  de  l'ennemi.  Jour  et  nuit  nous  restons  sous  les 
armes,  la  carabine  au  poing  et  les  munitions  à  portée  de 
la  main  en  cas  d'alerte.  La  tâche  est  ardue,  mais  nous  y 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  133 

résistons  facilement,  car  nous  sommes  bien  traités  et 
surtout  bien  nourris.  Nous  n'avons  pas  à  nous  plaindre 
des  officiers. 

«  Nous  sommes  tous  impatients  d'en  venir  aux  mains  et 
de  montrer  aux  Boers  ce  que  nous  savons  faire. 

«  Je  suis  sur  le  premier  rang  avec  deux  de  mes  compa- 
triotes, Gratton  et  Bagot.    Nous  battons  la  marche.  .  . . 

«  Demande  donc  aux  journaux  de  ne  pas  publier  de  ces 
absurdes  plaintes  venant  de  certains  soldats  que  je  ne 
veux  pas  nommer,  qui  refusent  d'avancer  et  se  disent 
malades.  Dis-leur  de  déclarer  au  public  que  les  braves  du 
65e  ne  sont  pas  tous  comme  cela.  Nous  avons  contribué 
à  la  capture  du  drapeau  de  l'Etat  Libre  d'Orange,  ainsi 
qu'à  celle  de  Cronje  et  de  ses  formidables  soldats.  .  .  . 

«  Joe  Tapin.  » 

«. .  .  .  Nous  avons  pris  part  à  trois  batailles  consécutives, 
après  avoir  fourni  une  très  longue  marche  forcée.  Le  i8 
février,  nous  avons  fait,  durant  la  nuit,  une  marche  de 
vingt-quatre  milles,  et  à  six  heures  du  matin,  nous  étions 
au  feu.  La  bataille  a  duré  jusqu'à  huit  heures  du  soir, 
sans  interruption  ;  nous  n'avons  eu  le  temps  ni  de  man- 
ger, ni  de  boire,  durant  cet  épouvantable  engagement. 
Le  contingent  canadien  a  eu  vingt-quatre  tués  et  quatre- 
vingt-trois  blessés,  à  cette  bataille  du  i8;  le  20,  nous 
avons  pris  part  à  un  nouveau  combat,  qui  a  duré  de  dix 
heures  à  six  heures  ;  cinq  Canadiens  ont  été  blessés  ; 
enfin,  le  27,  nouvelle  bataille  qui  a  duré  toute  la  nuit,  et 
au  cours  de  laquelle  quatorze  Canadiens  ont  été  tués  et 
quarante-huit  blessés.  C'est  à  cette  bataille  que  le  général 
Cronje  s'est  rendu  avec  trois  mille  cinq  cents  hommes. 

<(  Les  vivres  nous  font  presque  complètement  défaut. 
L'on  ne  nous  donne  qu'un  biscuit  par  jour,  de  la  viande 
rarement. 


134  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

«  .  .  .  .  Vous  ne  pouvez  vous  faire  une  idée  de  l'horreur 
d'une  bataille,  comme  l'une  de  celles  auxquelles  nous  avons 
assisté.  La  vue  d'un  camarade  qui  tombe  à  nos  côtés 
frappé  mortellement  d'une  balle,  crée  des  impressions  de 
tristesse  et  d'épouvante  qu'il  est  impossible  de  décrire.  . .  « 

«  TOUCHETTE.  » 

«  ....  Il  y  a  déjà  une  journée  que  nous  sommes  partis 
d'Halifax,  par  un  gros  vent  et  un  froid  de  chien.  Mais 
aujourd'hui  le  temps  est  changé  et  nous  avons  de  la  pluie. 
Un  gros  vent  soulève  la  mer  et  il  fait  une  tempête  à 
laquelle  nous  ne  sommes  pas  accoutumés.  En  général, 
nous  sommes  très  malades  et  nous  avons  bien  du  trouble 
avec  nos  chevaux.  Ces  pauvres  bêtes  font  tout  leur  possi- 
ble pour  se  tenir  debout  mais  plusieurs  succombent  aux 
secousses  qu'elles  éprouvent,  et  il  nous  faut,  tout  malades 
que  nous  sommes,  essayer  de  les  relever.  Beaucoup  de 
nos  chevaux  se  blessent  et  quelques-uns  se  cassent  les 
jambes.  Ces  derniers  sont  aussitôt  tués  d'un  coup  de 
pistolet  et  jetés  ensuite  à  la  mer.  Quelle  pénible  nécessité 
d'avoir  à  en  agir  ainsi  avec  des  bêtes  qui  nous  sont  si 
chères  !  .  .  .  . 

«  Arthur  Laroque.  » 

Nous  n'en  finirions  pas  si  nous  voulions  transcrire  toutes 
les  lettres  qui  nous  sont  parvenues  de  tout  le  Canada,  car 
on  peut  dire  sans  crainte  que  chaque  soldat  a  au  moins 
écrit  une  lettre,  ce  qui  ferait  une  moyenne  de  trois  mille 
lettres.  Nous  nous  contenterons  de  mentionner  seulement 
quelques-uns  de  ceux  que  le  public  des  journaux  connaît 
déjà  et  qu'ils  ont  su  intéresser  par  leurs  charmantes  lettres  : 
celles  d'Auguste  D'Amour,  des  Strathcona,  bien  connu  du 
monde  militaire,  qui  gagna  au  concours  de  Shoburnyness, 


LA  DERNIERE  LETTRE. 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  i -,  e 

en  1886,  la  coupe  offerte  par  sir  Richard  Wallace  ;  celles 
de  D'Orsonnens,  ancien  commandant  des  Cadets  du  Mont 
Saint-Louis  ;  d'Emile-Auguste  Globenski,  nom  bien  connu 
à  Montréal  ;  de  Geo.  Boulanger,  dont  le  père,  le  major 
Boulanger,  est  parti  d'Afrique,  ayant  été  choisi  par  lord 
Roberts  comme  délégué  militaire  en  Chine  ;  enfin  celles 
d'Alf.  Turner,  blessé,  fils  de  l'honorable  Richard  Turner; 
celles  de  Cooper,  Leconteur,  McQueen,  Joseph  Lallier,  du 
contingent  postal  qui  a  rendu  tant  de  services  ;  de  G.  Jette, 
Ed.  Carbonneau,  Louis  Bonacier,  Jos.  Remy,  et  de  tant 
d'autres,  mais  comme  toutes  ces  lettres  sont  écrites  avec 
le  même  cœur,  le  même  sentiment  et  le  même  amour  du 
Canada,  nous  nous  arrêterons  pour  exprimer  notre  admi- 
ration à  l'administration  du  service  postal,  dont  l'organisa- 
tion intelligente  nous  a  permis  de  suivre  pas  à  pas  la. 
marche  glorieuse  de  nos  braves  écrite  par  eux-mêmes. 


SERVICE  POSTAL 


COMMENT  SONT  APPRÉCIÉS  LES  NOTEES  EN  AFRIQUE 


A  correspondance  suivante  vient  d'être  échangée  entre  l'officier 
^      préposé  au  service  des  Postes  de  l'armée  à  Cape-Town  et 
l'honorable   M.  Mulock,  ministre  des  Postes  du  Canada,  au 
sujet  de  l'efficacité  du  service  du  contingent  postal  en  Afrique  : 

"  Service  des  Postes  de  l'Armée, 

"  Cape-Town,  25  avril  1900. 

"  A  l'honorable  maître  général  des  Postes,  Ottavi-a. 
"  Monsieur, 

"  Deux  mois  se  sont  écoulés  depuis  l'arrivée,  dans  cette  colonie, 
du  Service  Canadien  des  Postes  et  je  désire  noter  l'aide  précieuse  qu'a 
su  me  donner  bien  à  propos  votre  gouvernement. 

"  La  correspondance  a  naturellement  augmenté  en  raison  du  nom- 
bre des  soldats  envoyés  ici.  Le  corps  du  service  des  postes  ne  put, 
tout  d'abord,  suffire  à  la  tâche  et  il  devint  nécessaire  d'en  augmenter 
le  personnel  pour  obtenir  un  meilleur  service. 

•'  Le  personnel  canadien,  sous  la  direction  du  capitaine  Ecclestone, 
a  rendu  des  services  très  efficaces.  Outre  qu'il  me  délivra  de  tout 
travail  ayant  trait  à  la  correspondance  des  troupes  canadiennes,  il  me 
fut  "en  maintes  occasions  d'une  aide  précieuse. 

"  Le  sergent  Johnston  et  les  soldats  Murray  et  Bedell  sont  mainte- 
nant aux  avant-gardes  de  l'armée  avec  le  service  de  campagne.  Le 
■capitaine  Ecclestone  et  le  soldat  Lallier  s'occupent  de  la  distribution 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  I37 

aux  quartiers  généraux  des  postes  de  l'armée,  ici.  Tous  deux  remplis- 
sent leurs  fonctions  d'une  manière  très  satisfaisante  et  à  la  gloire  du 
Département  des  Postes  du  Canada. 

"  En  appréciant  hautement  les  services  rendus  par  le  corps  postal 
canadien,  j'ai  l'honneur  d'être,  monsieur, 

"  Votre  obéissant  serviteur, 

"  G.  W.  Tremble, 
••  Major  commandant  le  Service  des  Postes  de  l'Armée." 

"  Ottawa,  23  mai  190-0. 
•'  Monsieur, 

"  Permettez-moi  d'accuser  réception  de  votre  lettre  du  25  dans 
laquelle  vous  exprimez  votre  satisfaction  des  services  rendus  par  le 
corps  postal  canadien  en  Afrique-Sud.  Bien  que  je  ne  sois  pas  surpris, 
je  suis  très  heureux  d'apprendre  que  les  officiers  du  Département  des 
Postes  choisis  pour  vous  donner  de  l'aide  se  soient  acquittés  de  leur 
tâche  de  façon  à  s'attirer  les  éloges  que  vous  distribuez  si  obligeam- 
ment dans  votre  lettre. 

"  Votre  tout  dévoué, 

"  W.   MULOCK, 

"Maître  général  des  Postes. 
"Au  major  G.  W.  Tremble, 

"  Quartiers  généraux  des  Postes  de  l'Armée, 

"  Cape-Town,  Sud-africain." 


SOUSCRIPTION    PATRIOTIQUE 


aJÎLs 
^TjSj'EST  sous  le  patronage  de  S.  M.  la  Reine,  la  présidence  de 

>S  r^<^     lord  Minto,  gouverneur  général,  et  le  concours  d'illustres  et 

<»V/ê)  distingués  personnages  du  Canada  que  des  listes  de  souscrip- 
tion ont  été  ouvertes  au  bénéfice  des  veuves,  des  orphelins  et  des 
victimes  de  la  guerre.  L'idée  était  si  patriotique  que  tout  le  Canada  y 
a  généreusement  répondu. 

En  effet,  à  la  date  du  31  juillet  1900,  M.  G.  M.  Courtney,  C.  M.  G., 
secrétaire  de  l'œuvre,  nous  écrivait  que  le  montant  souscrit  atteignait 
la  très  grande  somme  de  $317,636.75. 

Ce  chiffre  est  assez  éloquent  pour  nous  dispenser  de  tout  commen- 
taire. Nous  ne  donnerons  pas  le  nom  des  généreux  donateurs  ni  des 
banques  qui  ont  souscrit,  mais  on  nous  permettra  toutefois  de  faire 
une  exception  à  l'égard  de  la  souscription  ouverte  au  Pacifique  Cana- 
dien, dont  le  montant  s'est  élevé  à  $12,033.00. 

Il  nous  fait  d'autant  plus  plaisir  de  mentionner  le  C.  P.  R.  spécia- 
lement, que  nous  tenons  à  relater  le  fait  suivant  : 

Une  petite  fille  de  huit  ans,  de  Streetville  Junction,  Ontario, 
Miss  Annie  Hyland,  écrivit  ces  jours  derniers,  au  président  du  comité, 
M.  Robert  Miller  : 

"  J'avais  épargné  cinquante  sous  pour  me  faire  acheter  une  poupée 
par  Santa  Claus,  mais  comme  papa  vous  envoie  une  souscription  au 
fonds  pour  les  veuves  et  les  orphelins,  je  me  passerai  de  poupée  pour 
le  présent. 

"Je  vous  envoie  donc  mes  cinquante  sous  pour  acheter  une  poupée 
à  la  petite  fille  d'un  des  soldats  qui  se  battent  dans  l'Afrique-Sud." 


LE    LIVRE   d'or  139 

M.  Miller  répondit  hier  la  lettre  suivante  à  la  petite  fille  : 

'«  Gare  Windsor,  Montréal,  30  mai  1900. 
"  Ma  chère  petite  Annie, 

•'  Nous  venons  de  recevoir  ta  lettre  et  ta  cotisation  à  la  souscription 
patriotique  des  employés  du  C.  P.  R. 

'  '  Nous  avons  tardé  un  peu  à  te  répondre  ;  c'est  que  nous  voulions 
d'abord  faire  coimaître  au  comité,  réuni  en  séance  régulière,  ce  qu'une 
patriotique  petite  fille  avait  fait  pour  nos  soldats  absents.  Les  mem- 
bres du  comité  ont  cru  que  Santa  Claus  serait  très  mécontent  d'eux  si, 
de  leur  côté,  ils  ne  donnaient  quelque  signe  tangible  du  plaisir  que 
leur  a  causé  ta  lettre  et  ta  souscription  ;  ils  ont  donc,  avec  quelques- 
uns  de  leurs  amis,  fait  une  souscription  pour  t'acheter  une  poupée  qui 
remplacera  celle  que  tu  as  cédée  si  généreusement  à  la  petite  fille 
d'un  soldat. . .  Tu  voudras  bien  accepter  ce  présent  avec  nos  meilleurs 
souhaits." 

La  poupée  achetée  par  le  comité  a  coûté  quinze  dollars. 
Donc,  doublement  honneur  aux  employés  du  C.  P.  R.  et  surtout 
au  bon  cœur  de  Mlle  Annie  Hyland. 


L'ASSURANCE  TUPPER 


Sous  ce  nom,  chacun  le  sait,  sir  Charles  Tupper  a  fondé  une  société 
d'assurance  au  profit  des  blessés  et  des  tués  sur  le  champ  de  bataille 
africain,  ou  au  profit  des  héritiers. 

Cette  assurance,  au  capital  d'un  million  de  piastres,  assurait  $1,000 
â  chaque  soldat.  Comme  c'est  là  une  noble  et  patriotique  idée,  et  que 
cette  société  à  tenu  grandement  ses  engagements,  nous  tenons  a 
rendre  ici  hommage  à  l'idée  philantropique  de  sir  Charles  Tupper. 


FÉLICITATIONS  AUX  CONTINGENTS 


**Le  Secrétaire  des  Colonies  à  Son  Excellence  le 

"  Gouverneur  Général,  Londres  27  fé\rier  1900. 

,A  Majesté  la  Reine  désire  que  vous  exprimiez  au  peuple 
Canadien  son  admiration  pour  la  bravoure  avec  laquelle 
les  troupes  canadiennes  se  sont  conduites  dans  le  dernier 

engagement,   et  lui  exprimer  sa  douleur  pour  la  perte  de   tant  de 

braves." 

Extrait  des  ordres  de  la  milice. 

'•  1er  mars  1900. 

•'  Son  Excellence  désire  personnellement  saisir  l'opportunité  d'expri- 
mer son  admiration  pour  le  brillant  courage  et  le  dévouement  des 
troupes  canadiennes  maintenant  dans  le  Sud-africain." 

Le  gouverneur  général  a  reçu  la  dépêche  suivante  de  lord  Roberts  : 

"  Paardeberg,  22  février  1900. 

"  Le  régiment  canadien  s'est  comporté  admirablement  depuis  son 

arrivée  dans  le  Sud  de  l'Afrique.   Je  regrette  beaucoup  les   pertes 

nombreuses  que  le  régiment  a  souffertes  pendant  la  bataille  du  18 

courant  et  je  vous  prie  de  dire  au  peuple  combien  nous  admirons  tous, 

ici,  la  bravoure  dont  nos  camarades  canadiens  ont  fait  preuve  en  cette 

occasion. 

"  Roberts." 


LE    LIVRE    D  OR  I4I 

Lord  Minto  a  reçu  par  le  dernier  courrier  du  Sud  de  l'Afrique,  de 
sir  Alfred  Milner,  gouverneur  de  la  Colonie  du  Cap,  une  lettre  portant 
la  date  du  27  février,  le  jour  même  de  la  capture  du  général  Cronje. 

Voici  cette  lettre  : 

"  Hôtel  du  Gouvernement, 

"  Cape-Town,  27  février  1900. 
"Cher  lord  Minto, 

"Bien  que  je  n'aie  —  comme  vous  pouvez  l'imaginer  —  guère  le 
temps  d'écrire,  je  sens  qu'en  ce  jour  mémorable  je  dois  vous  envoyer 
un  mot  pour  vous  féliciter,  vous  et  le  Canada,  pour  la  part  considéra- 
ble prise  par  votre  vaillant  contingent  dans  la  destruction  de  l'année 
du  général  Cronje.  C'est  le  premier  grand  succès  que  nous  ayons 
remporté  dans  cette  terrible  lutte.  La  délivrance  de  Kimberley  avait 
été  un  encouragement  ;  avec  la  capture  de  Cronje  et  de  ses  quatre 
mille  soldats,  nous  avons  réellement  accompli  un  progrès  marqué.  Je 
crains  que  nos  vaillants  Canadiens  n'aient  subi  des  pertes  considéra- 
bles. Mais,  dans  une  circonstance  comme  celle-ci,  on  a  au  moins  la 
satisfaction  unique  de  se  dire  que  les  vies  n'ont  pas  été  sacrifiées 
en  vain. 

"  L'important,  ce  n'est  pas  tant  la  victoire  en  elle-même,  si  flatteuse 
qu'elle  soit,  mais  c'est  de  voir  se  resserrer  le  lien  qui  unit  les  différen- 
tes parties  de  l'empire.  Cette  union  résultera  du  sang  versé  en  commun 
par  les  Canadiens,  les  Australiens  et  les  Sud-africains  faisant  assaut 
de  courage  avec  les  Bretons  de  la  vieille  mère-patrie  pour  assurer  un 
heureux  dénouement  à  cette  lutte. 

"Je  suis  sûr  que  le  peuple  britannique  de  l'Afrique  du  Sud  n'ou- 
bliera jamais  la  noble  assistance  que  lui  a  rendue  le  Canada  dans  ces 
jours  de  combat. 

"Agréez   mes   chaudes   félicitations   pour   vous  et  le  Canada  et 

veuillez  me  croire, 

"Votre  très  dévoué, 

"A.  Milner." 

"Je  ne  puis  parler  en  termes  tropélogieux  de  la  bravoure  déployée 
par  les  Canadiens  en  ce  jour,  l'admiration  si  hautement  manifestée 
par  les  soldats  anglais  à  leur  endroit  devra  faire  courir  un  frisson 
d'orgueil  à  travers  toute  la  confédération.  Les  autorités  ont  rendu  aux 
Canadiens  un  magnifique  hommage  et  les  soldats  anglais  ne  tarissent 
pas  d'éloges  sur  leur  compte. 


142  LE   LIVRE   D  OR 

"  Lord  Roberts  est  venu  personnellement  féliciter  les  Canadiens  de 
leur  bravoure  et  leur  a  annoncé  qu'il  avait  appelé  l'attention  du 
gouvernement  sur  leurs  exploits."  —  Dépêche  officielle  de  Paardeberg, 
du  3  mars  1900. 

Le  gouverneur  général  a  reçu  les  deux  télégrammes  suivants  : 

"  George-Town,  British  Honduras,  15  mars  1900. 

"  Mes  félicitations  cordiales  aux  troupes  canadiennes  en  devoir  dans 
le  Sud-africain. 

"  Gouverneur  Général  du  Honduras." 

Lord  Tennysson  au  gouverneur  général. 

"Le  gouverneur,  ses  ministres  et  le  peuple  de  l'Australie  Australe, 
désirent  offrir  leurs  félicitations  au  peuple  canadien  pour  la  belle 
conduite  de  ses  contingents  dans  le  Sud-africain  et  leurs  vives  sympa- 
thies pour  les  pertes  qu'ils  ont  éprouvées. 

"  Lord  Tennysson." 

"  Ce  n'est  plus  un  secret,  qu'en  premier  lieu,  la  majorité  des  officiers 
de  l'armée  anglaise  avaient  peu  de  confiance  pour  les  soldats  colo- 
niaux, mais  maintenant,  il  est  généralement  reconnu  que  sans  les 
Canadiens  et  leurs  confrères  coloniaux,  les  armes  britanniques  auraient 
eu  beaucoup  à  faire. 

"Il  est  admis  universellement,  que  les  principaux  travaux  de  la 
guerre  ont  été  faits,  dans  cette  partie  de  campagne,  par  les  soldats 
canadiens  et  nouveaux  -  zélandais  ;  et  nous,  au  Canada,  nous 
n'avons  aucune  raison  d'avoir  honte  de  nos  soldats  canadiens. 

"G.  Sterling  Ryerson, 

"  Chirurgien  lieutenant-colonel,  commissaire  canadien  et  anglais 
"  de  la  Croix  Rouge,  dans  le  Sud-africain." 

"  .  .  .  .  Quelle  belle  conduite  que  celle  du  Canada  !  J'avais  un 
petit  Canadien  avec  moi,  Mcinnes,  des  Ingénieurs  Royaux,  un  brave 
entre  les  braves.  Il  fit  exécuter  les  travaux  de  défense  de  Kimberley. 
Il  fut  mon  officier  d'état-major,  et  partout  où  il  alla,  il  sut  inspirer 
de  la  confiance.  Je  ne  puis  oublier  ce  que  je  lui  dois.  Les  Canadiens 


LE    LIVRE    d'or  143 

ont  fait  des  actes  héroïques  partout  et  l'on  peut  s'attendre  à  apprendre 
bientôt  de  nouveaux  faits  d'armes  brillants  de  leur  part,  avant  que  la 
guerre  soit  finie. 

•'  Colonel  Kekewick, 

"Commandant  de  Kimberley." 

Un  bel  éloge  d'un  journal  américain,  le  Free  Press  de  Détroit  : 

**  Nous  ne  voyons  pas  qu'aucun  autre  corps  de  l'armée  anglaise  ait 
remporté  autant  de  lauriers  dans  la  guerre  d'Afrique,  que  les  boys  du 
Canada.  Ils  sont  aussi  en  évidence  où  le  feu  est  le  plus  vif,  que  l'était 
la  plume  blanche  du  couvre-chef  de  Henri  de  Navarre." 

••  Cape-Town,  17  mai. 
*'  A  Son  Excellence  le  gouverneur  général. 

'*  Le  détachement  d'artillerie  canadienne,  par  une  série  de  marches 
forcées  et  durant  la  bataille  a  rendu  de  grands  services. 

"Sir  Alfred  Milner." 

«'  Londres,  22  mai. 

'*  Compliments  au  Canada  pour  les  grands  services  rendus  par 
l'artiUerie  canadienne  en  relevant  Mafeking. 

"  Chamberlain." 

•'Tous  les  journaux  français  ont  fait  ressortir  dans  leurs  comptes 
rendus  des  derniers  événements  militaires  qui  viennent  d'avoir  lieu 
dans  l'Afrique  du  Sud,  l'héroïsme  dont  a  fait  preuve  le  contingent 
canadien. 

"J'ajouterai  même  que  nous  avons  appris  non  sans  un  sentiment  de 
fierté,  l'hommage  rendu  par  le  maréchal  Roberts  aux  vaillantes 
troupes  de  la  Puissance. 

"  Les  liens  qui  unissent  un  grand  nombre  de  Canadiens  à  la  France, 
sont  tellement  étroits,  que  tout  ce  qui  peut  mettre  en  relief  leurs 
qualités  personnelles,  provoque  dans  la  vieille  patrie  une  communica- 
tive  satisfaction. 

"  Maurice  de  la  Fargue." 


144  LE    LIVRE    DOR 

Au  sujet  de  l'engagement  de  Komati,  le  6  novembre,  où  les 
Dragons,  l'infanterie  à  cheval  et  l'artillerie  ont  fait  preuve  d'une 
vaillance  admirable,  le  général  Smith-Dorien  dit  :  "  On  ne  saurait 
trop  apprécier  le  courage  et  le  dévouement  de  ces  troupes  durant  cee 
deux  jours  de  combat." 

•'  Pretoria,  26  septembre  1900. 

"  Lord  Roberts,  accompagné  de  lady  Roberts  ainsi  que  de  ses 
filles,  a  passé  en  revue  les  troupes  canadiennes,  la  veille  de  leur 
départ. 

"  Je  ne  puis,  leur  a-t-il  dit,  vous  laisser  partir  sans  vous  exprimer 
mes  remerciements  pour  vos  loyaux  services  ainsi  que  votre  excellent 
concours,  surtout  à  Paardeberg.  Je  suis  sûr  que  le  peuple  Canadien 
apprendra  avec  plaisir  votre  galante  et  splendide  conduite. 

"  Je  regrette  profondément  les  pertes  que  vous  avez  éprouvées, 
j'aurais  été  heureux  que  vous  soyez  tous  retournés  dans  vos  foyers, 
mais  on  devait  s'attendre  à  plusieurs  pertes  de  vie  surtout  durant  une 
campagne  si  ardue. 

"Je  regrette  que  quelques-uns  d'entre  vous  soient  obligés  de 
retourner  sî  vite,  mais  je  reconnais  ici  la  nécessité  des  affaires  privées. 

"J'ai  la  certitude  que  S.  M.  la  Reine,  ainsi  que  le  peuple  anglais 
n'oubliera  jamais  vos  services.  Si  ma  bonne  étoile  me  le  permet. 
)e  visiterai  le  Canada  et  j'ai  l'espoir  de  tous  vous  rencontrer  encore." 


;^c)^ 


^AARDEBERG  !   grâce  aux  Canadiens,  ayant  été  le  Waterloo 
des   Boers,   nous    croyons    devoir    mettre    ici    le    rapport 
officiel  du  lieutenant-colonel  Otter,  commandant  du  second 
bataillon  du  régiment  Royal  Canadien. 


RAPPORT   DU   LT.-COLONEL  OTTER 


UN  ELOQUENT  TEMOIGNAGE  DE  LA  VALEUR,  DE  LA  BRAVOUEE 
ET  DU  PATRIOTISME  CANADIENS 


L'honorable  DrBorden,  ministre  de  la  milice,  a  lu  aujourd'hui  à  la 
Chambre  ce  rapport  du  lieutenant-colonel  Otter,  le  commandant  du 
second  bataillon  du  régiment  Royal  Canadien  : 

•'  Paardeberg  Drift,  26  février  1900. 

"Au  chef  d'état-major  de  la  milice  canadienne. 

"Monsieur, 

"J'ai  l'honneur  de  vous  faire  rapport  de  la  part  prise  à  l'engage- 
ment de  Paardeberg,  le  18  courant,  par  le  bataillon  que  je  commandais. 

L'arrivée  à  Paardeberg. 

"Le bataillon  est  arrivé  près  de  Paardeberg  Drift,  avec  la  19e  bri- 
gade, à  six  heures  le  18,  au  matin,  ayant  servi  d'arrière-garde  à  la 
brigade  pendant  sa  marche  de  nuit  de  Klips  Drift  à  Paardeberg, 
distance  de  vingt  et  un  milles. 


146  LE    LIVRE    d'or 

Les  préliminaires. 

"  Moins  d'une  demi-heure  après  son  arrivée,  le  bataillon  recevait 
ordre  d'être  prêt  à  parader  à  sept  heures  a.  m.,  et  à  sept  heures  et 
vingt,  nous  allions  appuyer  l'artillerie  à  un  mille  environ.  Les  hom- 
mes, dans  l'intervalle,  avaient  pris  un  biscuit  et  une  tasse  de  thé. 

"  A  peine  le  bataillon  avait-il  atteint  l'endroit  désigné,  qu'il  reçut 
ordre  de  se  porter  vers  le  gué  et  de  traverser  la  rivière.  L'ordre  fut 
exécuté  et  la  traversée  commencée  vers  huit  heures  et  demie.  Le 
courant  était  de  neuf  milles  à  l'heure  et  l'eau  atteignait  les  aisselles 
des  hommes. 

"On  traversait  à  deux  endroits  éloignés  d'une  cinquantaine  de 
verges.  A  l'un,  les  soldats  passaient  en  se  tenant  à  un  câble  tendu 
au-dessus  de  la  rivière.  A  l'autre,  ils  traversaient  par  groupes  de 
quatre,  les  bras  entrelacés. 

L'ENTRÉE  EN   LIGNE. 

"Les  compagnies  étaient  lancées  de  l'avant  au  fur  et  à  mesure 
qu'elles  avaient  traversé,  et,  à  neuf  heures  et  demie,  les  compagnies 
A  et  C  étaient  dans  la  ligne  de  combat,  à  environ  cinq  cents  verges 
de  l'ennemi,  qui  occupait  les  bois  le  long  de  notre  côté  de  la  rivière, 
mais  était  absolument  in\nsible.  Les  Boers  occupaient  aussi  une  série 
de  dongos  qui  prenaient  notre  gauche  en  enfilade,  mais  on  ne  s'en 
aperçut  que  dans  l'après-midi,  alors  qu'ils  se  montrèrent,  bien  que 
tout  le  jour  ils  eussent  tranquillement  piqué  un  homme  de  ci  de  là. 
Les  compagnies  D  et  E  appuyaient  les  deux  premières,  tandis  que  B, 
F,  G  et  H  constituaient  la  réserve.  Le  reste  de  la  brigade,  le  D.  of 
C.  L.  I.,  étaient  sur  notre  droite,  et  les  Cordons  et  les  Shropshires 
sur  notre  gauche,  dans  l'ordre  indiqué,  mais  de  l'autre  côté  de  la 
montagne  et  derrière  l'artillerie.  Le  bataillon,  toutefois,  était  virtuelle- 
ment seul  et  durant  tout  le  jour  n'a  reçu  d'ordres  ou  d'instructions  de 
personne,  excepté  vers  quatre  heures,  comme  indiqué  plus  loin. 

Le   COMMENCEMENT  DU   COMBAT. 

"La  3e  brigade  (Highland)  a  été  engagée  sur  le  côté  sud  de  la 
rivière  avec  la  19e  brigade,  à  côté  de  l'artillerie  et  de  l'infanterie 
montée.  Le  feu  a  commencé  vers  neuf  heures  et  demie,  sur  la  droite 
de  l'eimemi  et  s'est  continué  le  long  de  ses  lignes  en  allant  vers  le 
centre.  Le  bataillon  s'est  avancé  sur  un  terrain  parfaitement  découvert 
et  légèrement  ondulé,  sans  autre  protection  que  les  inégalités  du 
terrain  et  quelques  fourmilières. 


LE    LIVRE    d'or 


[47 


"La  ligne  de  combat  a  pris  position  à  une  distance  de  l'ennemi 
variant  de  quatre  cents  verges  sur  la  droite,  à  huit  cents  verges  sur  la 
gauche,  et  s'y  est  maintenue  jusque  tard  dans  l'après-midi.  Le  feu  de 
l'ennemi  a  été  quelque  temps  très  vif,  après  la  formation  de  la  ligne 
de  combat,  et  le  capitaine  Arnold,  qui  en  ce  moment  rendait  de  très 
grands  services,  a  été  mortellement  blessé  et  plusieurs  autres  atteints. 
En  même  temps,  trois  ou  quatre  hommes  de  la  réserve  (compagnie  H) 
étaient  blessés  à  plus  de  mille  verges. 

Nouvelle  entrée  en  ligne. 

"  Vers  midi,  la  compagnie  D  alla  renforcer  la  ligne  de  combat, 
suivie  peu  de  temps  après  de  la  compagnie  E  et  d'une  partie  de  la 
compagnie  B,  le  reste  de  cette  dernière  compagnie  et  les  compagnies 
F  et  G  appuyant  les  combattants  avec  la  compagnie  H  toujours  en 
réserve. 

"  On  n'avait  pu  traverser  qu'un  Maxim.  Le  capitaine  Bell  l'a 
rapidement  mis  en  position,  sur  une  élévation  à  notre  gauche,  à  une 
distance  d'environ  mille  verges,  et  il  a  rendu  de  très  grands  services 
pendant  la  journée,  étant  placé  de  façon  à  maîtriser  le  feu  de  l'ennemi 
qui  occupait  les  dongos  à  notre  gauche. 

"  Une  batterie  d'artillerie  de  campagne  occupait  une  colline  sur  la 
gauche  de  notre  arrière-garde  et  bombarda  de  temps  à  autre  pendant 
le  jour  les  lignes  ennemies. 

Le   tir. 

"  La  discipline  de  tir  des  diverses  compagnies  engagées  a  été 
excellente.  Elles  ont  conservé  tout  le  temps  un  parfait  sang-froid  et 
leur  justesse  de  tir.  Le  feu  a  duré  tout  le  jour,  tantôt  vif,  tantôt 
relâché.  L'ennemi  avait  certainement  les  distances  précises,  car  à 
certains  endroits  proéminents  son  feu  était  si  juste  que  la  position  y 
était  presque  intenable  pour  nous.  Plusieurs  fois  durant  le  jour  notre 
feu  a  été  interrompu  par  le  cor  venant  d'au  delà  de  notre  droite  de 
cesser  le  feu  à  gauche,  car  le  feu  de  notre  gauche  y  blessait  des 
hommes.  Les  balles  dont  on  se  plaignait  venaient,  j'en  suis  convaincu, 
des  dongos  occupés  par  l'ennemi  sur  notre  gauche  et  non  de  nos 
hommes. 

L'attaque. 

"Vers  quatre  heures  de  l'après-midi,  trois  compagnies  de  l'infante- 
rie légère  du  duc  de  Cornwall  arrivèrent  sous  les  ordres  du  lieutenant- 


148  LE    LIVRE   d'or 

colonel  Allwortli,  et  cet  officier  m'informa  qu'il  avait  été  envoyé  pour 
finir  cette  affaire-là  et  se  proposait  d'en  finir  à  la  baïonnette.  Il  me 
demanda  ensuite,  sur  la  position  de  l'ennemi  et  de  la  nôtre,  des 
renseignements  que  je  lui  donnai. 

"  Une  compagnie  des  Cornwalls  fut  aussitôt  envoyée  dans  la  ligne 
de  combat  et  bientôt  suivie  de  deux  autres,  les  Boers  recevant  ce 
renfort  par  un  feu  très  vif  qui  couvrait  toute  leur  ligne. 

"A  cinq  heures,  le  lieutenant-colonel  Alhvorth  annonça  qu'une 
attaque  générale  aurait  lieu,  et  vers  cinq  heures  et  quart,  la  troupe 
entière,  à  l'exception  d'une  partie  des  compagnies  G  et  H,  que  je  tins 
en  réserve,  se  lança  à  l'assaut.  Le  feu  de  l'ennemi  devint  intense  et 
arrêta  nos  hommes  au  bout  d'environ  deux  cents  verges.  Et  il  fut 
impossible  d'aller  plus  loin.  Le  lieutenant-colonel  Allworth  fut  tué. 
La  position  gagnée  fut  cependant  tenue,  et  un  feu  nourri  et  constant 
maintenu  jusqu'à  la  tombée  de  la  nuit,  vers  sept  heures,  alors  que  je 
donnai  ordre  de  ramasser  les  morts  et  les  blessés  et  de  se  retirer  au 
bivouac,  près  du  gué.  L'ennemi  abandonna  aussi  des  positions  dans 
le  même  temps  et  se  retira  au  camp  boer,  environ  deux  milles  en 
avant  de  la  rivière.  Il  laissa  dans  les  dongos  à  notre  gauche  quelques 
hommes  qui  continuèrent  à  tirer  de  ci,  de  là,  jusque  vers  dix  heures, 
sur  les  partis  chargés  de  relever  les  victimes. 

Cas  de  bravoure. 

"  Il  y  aurait  à  citer  de  nombreux  exemples  de  bravoure  personnelle, 
celui  par  exemple,  du  soldat  Kennedy  (no  8,  lio)  qui  a  conduit  l'une 
des  mules  chargées  du  transport  des  minutions  droit  à  la  ligne  de 
combat,  où  elle  a  été  instantanément  tuée.  Les  brancardiers  des 
compagnies  ont  fait  preuve  d'un  grand  courage  et  cinq  d'entre  eux  ont 
été  blessés.  Trois  l'ont  été  en  transportant  le  capitaine  Arnold. 
Les  Boers  visaient  spécialement  la  civière  sur  laquelle  il  était.  Je 
dois  noter  à  ce  propos  le  courage  déployé  par  le  chirurgien-capitaine 
Fiset  qui,  alors  que  la  civière  du  capitaine  Arnold  fut  arrêtée  à  peu 
de  distance  du  feu  par  la  blessure  de  l'un  des  brancardiers,  s'avança 
et  soigna  le  capitaine  Arnold  et,  subséquemment,  agit  comme  bran- 
cardier pour  le  transporter  en  arrière.  Le  capitaine  Fiset  a  aussi 
soigné  plusieurs  autres  blessés  ce  jour-là,  sous  le  feu  de  l'ennemi  • 
(Acclamations.) 

"  Le  lieutenan-colonel   Buchan  avait  charge  de  la  ligne  de  combat 
Qu'il  a  dirieée  et  contrôlée  avec  le  plus  magnifique  sang-froid  et  de  la 


LE   LIVRE   D'OR  149 

façon  le  plus  effective,  tandis  que  le  lieutenant  O'Gilvy,  faisant  auprès 
de  moi  fonction  d'adjudant,  a  rendu  d'excellents  services  en  portant 
mes  ordres  sur  le  champ  de  bataille.  Les  sous-officiers  et  soldats 
suivants  se  sont  distingués  durant  ce  jour  ;  no  6,  559,  sergent  Utton  ; 
no  7,  117,  soldat  Andrews;  no  7,  040,  soldat  Dickson;  no  7,  043, 
soldat  Duncafe  ;  no  7,  376,  soldat  Page  ;  no  7,  306,  soldat  Murphy. 

Les  morts. 

"  Le  relevé  des  blessés  et  des  morts  de  notre  propre  bataillon  et  du 
D.  C.  L.  L,  a  été  fait  par  des  partis  de  Royal  Canadians  et  a  duré 
toute  la  nuit. 

"  C'était  une  lourde  tâche  et  on  ne  peut  trop  louer  ceux  qui  l'ont 
accomplie.  A  7  heures,  le  19  au  matin,  tous  les  morts  du  bataillon 
étaient  enterrés  côte  à  côte,  avec  plusieurs  de  ceux  du  D.  C.  L.  L,  et 
les  blessés  envoyés  en  arrière. 

L'abbé  O'Leary. 

"  Je  dois  ici  noter  officiellement  les  grands  services  rendus  par  le 
chapelain  catholique  du  bataillon,  l'abbé  O'Leary,  qui  a  été  présent 
sur  le  terrain  tout  le  jour  et,  vers  la  fin,  dans  la  ligne  de  combat,  et 
qui,  la  nuit,  a  joué  un  grand  rôle  dans  la  recherche  des  blessés,  puis  a 
officié  aux  funérailles  des  morts. 

"  Plusieurs  des  officiers  ont  accompagné  ces  partis  jusqu'à  minuit, 
le  sergent  quartier-maître  Reading  (no  685),  le  sergent  Ramage 
(no  7,304),  le  sergent  Middleton  (no  7,302),  et  le  soldat  Whingate 
(no  7,258),  ont  passé  la  nuit  dehors,  en  accomplissement  de  ce  devoir. 

'  '  Un  autre  exemple  de  sang-froid  et  de  courage  a  été  celui  du 
soldat  Homibrook  (no  7,347),  qui,  au  lever  du  soleil  le  19,  étant  sans 
armes  dans  l'extrême  droite  des  lignes  occupées  la  veille  par  l'ennemi, 
rencontra  un  Boer  armé  qui  cherchait  un  cheval  perdu. 

"Avec  une  grande  présence  d'esprit,  Homibrook  fit  semblant 
d'être  armé  d'un  revolver  et  appela  à  son  secours  des  aides  imaginaires 
demandant  en  même  temps  à  son  adversaire  de  se  rendre,  ce  que  le 
Boer  fit  tout  de  suite.  A  son  arrivée  au  camp,  on  constata  qu'il  était 
l'un  des  adjudants  du  général  Cronje  et  un  officier  très  important. 

"J'ai  l'honneur  d'être,  monsieur, 

"  Vv'.  D.  Otter, 
••  Lieutenant-colonel,  commandant  le  régiment 
"  Royal  Canadien,  2e  bataillon." 


150  LE   LIVRE    d'or 

"  Paardeberg,  27  février  1900.     ; 
"  Monsieur, 

"J'ai  l'honneur  de  faire  rapport  des  opérations  dans  lesquelles  le 
bataillon  que  je  commande  était  engagé  le  20  du  courant,  et  au  cours 
desquelles,  quatre  de  nos  hommes  ont  été  blessés. 

♦'  Poursuivant  la  retraite  de  l'ennemi,  de  la  position  qu'il  avait 
évacuée  dans  la  soirée  du  18  courant,  le  bataillon  a  reçu  ordre  à  six 
heures  a.  m.,  le  20  du  courant,  de  se  transporter  aux  avant-postes  et 
d'avancer  à  mille  verges  des  tranchées  en  avant  du  laager  des  Boers. 
L'infanterie  légère  des  Shropshires  étant  sur  notre  droite  et  les 
Cordons  Highlanders  sur  notre  gauche. 

"  Le  terrain  occupé  par  le  bataillon  était  tout  à  fait  découvert  et  un 
peu  ondulé  mais  assez  protégé  par  les  fourmilières.  On  servit  du  thé 
et  du  biscuit  aux  hommes  vers  dix  heures  a.  m.  Le  wagon-cuisine  et 
le  fourgon  à  l'eau  avait  été  amenés  à  deux  cents  verges  en  arrière  de 
la  réserve. 

'•  Une  fusillade  intermittente  a  continué  jusque  vers  quatre  heures 
p.  m.,  quand  celle  de  l'ennemi  a  augmenté,  et  qu'ils  ont  tourné  leur 
célèbre  canon  Viscars-Maxim  (Pom-Pom),  pas  moins  de  cinq  fois, 
contre  nous,  mais  heureusement  sans  nous  faire  de  mal.  Cependant, 
l'effet  moral  du  canon  est  très  grand  et  infiniment  plus  désastreux  que 
celui  d'aucun  autre  engin  de  guerre  dont  nous  ayons  fait  l'expérience. 

"  Les  blessés  étaient  tous  parmi  les  hommes  de  la  réserve,  et  les 
blessures  infligées  par  des  fusils  à  longue  portée,  soit  environ  mille 
sept  cents  verges.  C'a  été  une  dure  journée,  la  chaleur  était  intense, 
de  plus,  il  était  presque  impossible  de  porter  de  l'eau  à  ceux  qui 
étaient  en  avant,  à  cause  du  feu  de  l'ennemi  et  c'est  lorsqu'on  essaya 
de  conduire  le  fourgon  à  l'eau  en  avant,  que  le  Pom-Pom  a  commencé 
à  tirer  sur  nous. 

"A  six  heures  p.  m.,  le  bataillon  s'est  replié  sur  son  bivouac 
complètement  épuisé.  J'ai  indiqué  la  position  occupée  sur  le  plan 
accompagnant  le  rapport  de  l'engagement  du  18  courant  et  la  liste 
des  blessés  est  incluse  dans  la  liste  générale. 

"J'ai  l'honneur  d'être,  monsieur, 

"  Votre  obéissant  serviteur, 

'«  W.  D.   Otter, 
"  Lieutenant-colonel,  commandant  le  régiment 
••  Royal  Canadien,  2e  bataillon." 


LE  RETOUR 


"  Imaginez  une  alliance  de  l'esprit  auda- 
cieux des  Français,  de  l'esprit  inventif  des 
Américains  et  de  la  ténacité  anglaise,  tel  était 
l'idéal  des  qualités  requises  pour  un  pareil 
ouvrage."  —  Le  Soieil. 


A  première  réception   à   nos  braves  ayant  été  ce  que  seront 
toutes  les  autres,   nous  nous  contenterons  de  transcrire  les 
ttj^     deux  articles  suivants,   lesquels  sont  bien  l'expression  des 
sentiments  canadiens. 

BIENVENUE  1 

•*  Nos  braves  invalidés  rentrent  par  groupes  successifs  au  pays. 
Ils  sont  l'objet  du  plus  vif  enthousiasme  de  la  part  des  foules  qui  se 
précipitent  à  leur  rencontre.  Hier  la  scène  était  vraiment  grandiose 
et  contrastait  avec  la  froideur  du  send  off  qu'on  a  fait  à  nos  gens  à 
leur  départ  pour  l'Afrique. 

*'  D'instinct  et  par  raisonnement,  notre  population  n'encouragea 
guère  l'enrôlement  des  nôtres  et  elle  n'augurait  rien  de  bon  de  cette 
guerre  lointaine. 

"On  se  consolait  assez  à  l'idée,  habilement  répandue,  que  l'aven- 
ture se  composerait  d'un  voyage  sur  mer,  toujours  plus  ou  moins 
semé  d'agréments,  de  marches  faciles  dans  un  pays  nouveau  et, 
à  peine  de  quelques  escarmouches  contre  des  demi-sauvages  que  la 
vaillance  canadienne  se  ferait  un  jeu  de  vite  disperser  ou  d'anéantir  à 
jamais.  Et  l'appas  de  la  gloire  militaire  était  là,  appas  si  rare  que 
notre  belle  jeunesse,  l'anglaise  surtout,  s'empressait  de  saisir  aux 
cheveux  une  occasion  qui  serait  unique  dans  le  cours  de  la  vie,  de 


n 


152  LE  LIVRE   d'or 

revenir  promu,  décoré  et  montré  du  doigt  avec  en\'ie  par  les  siens  qui 
diraient  :  Et  lui  aussi,  il  en  était. 

"  Nous  souhaitons  donc  la  plus  cordiale  bienvenue  à  ces  vaillants 
soldats  que  la  maladie  et  le  plomb  ennemi  n'ont  pu  abattre  tout  à  fait. 
Ils  ont  fait  honneur,  dès  l'enfance  du  Dominion,  au  drapeau  canadien, 
sur  le  champ  de  cette  guerre  anglo-boer,  qui  restera  comme  l'une  des 
plus  pénibles  et  des  plus  glorieuses  de  l'histoire.  Ils  ont  montré  que 
le  Canada  possède  les  éléments  d'ime  armée  vigoureuse  et  puissante, 
que  nous  pourrions  former  et  utiliser  pour  nous-mêmes  avec  les  plus 
grands  avantages. 

"  Que  la  nation  profite  des  leçons  que  comporte  la  guerre  d'où 
arrivent  nos  vaillants  hommes,  et  personne,  même  parmi  les  plus 
réfractaires  à  l'idée  de  l'intervention  canadienne,  ne  sera  trop  chagrin 
des  décisions  qui  nous  ont  conduits  en  Afrique  et  qui  nous  ramènent 
décimés,  mutilés  dans  le  corps  de  nos  contingents."  —  La  Presse. 

Québec  à  de  nouveau  donné  hier  soir  un  éclatant  exemple  de 
patriotisme  et  surtout  de  loyauté. 

Le  maire,  accompagné  des  deux  secrétaires  du  comité  de  réception, 
MM.  H.  J.  J.  B.  Chouinard  et  E.  T.  D.  Chambers,  leur  a  alors  donné 
lecture  de  l'adresse  suivante  : 

AUX   OFFICIERS,     SOUS-OFFICIERS   ET   SOLDATS   DU   CONTINGENT 

CANADIEN    REVENANT    D'AFRIQUE   SUR   LE   STEAMER 

"  LAKE   ONTARIO." 

"  Messieurs, 

"  Les  citoyens  de  Québec  sont  heureux  d'être  les  premiers  à  saluer 
votre  retour  sur  le  sol  canadien,  après  une  absence  de  près  d'une 
année  pendant  laquelle  vous  avez  été  sans  cesse  présents  à  notre 
esprit  à  cause  de  la  loyale  et  noble  mission  que  vous  aviez  volontai- 
rement entreprise,  et  aussi  à  cause  des  dangers  continuels  auxquels 
vous  avez  été  exposés. 

'•  Mais  l'émotion  que  nous  éprouvons  aujourd'hui  est  plus  grande 
qu'ordinaire  parce  que  nous  apercevons  dans  vos  rangs  des  figures 
bien  connues,  des  enfants  de  Québec  qui  ont  grandi  et  vécu  parmi 
nous  et  que  leurs  familles  se  préparent  à  accueillir  avec  une  chaleur 
et  un  enthousiasme  bien  facile  à  comprendre  après  une  si  longue  et 
s  cruelle  attente. 


LE   LIVRE    d'or 


153 


"  Tous,  en  risquant,  comme  vous  l'avez  fait,  votre  santé  et  votre 
vie,  pour  aller  défendre  au  loin  l'honneur  du  drapeau  britanique,  vous 
avez  donné  au  monde  entier  un  exemple  de  courage  et  de  vertus 
militaires  qui  fait  honneur  à  notre  pays. 

"  Vos  parents,  vos  amis,  vos  concitoyens,  saluent  avec  orgueil 
votre  retour  dans  la  patrie  où,  nous  n'en  doutons  pas,  vous  allez 
remplir  avec  honneur,  et  avec  profit  pour  vous-mêmes,  des  carrières 
utiles  dans  lesquelles  vous  trouverez  un  vaste  champ  pour  votre 
énergie  retrempée  sur  les  champs  de  bataille,  et  un  repos  bien  mérité 
après  vos  souffrances,  vos  privations  dans  les  rudes  sentiers  de  la 
guerre. 

•'  La  patrie  est  heureuse  de  vous  revoir,  et  la  joie  qu'elle  ressent 
est  d'autant  plus  grande  que  vous  lui  revenez  couverts  d'honneur, 
ayant  fait  briller  partout  le  nom  canadien. 

"  Soyez  heureux,  jouissez  longtemps  des  douceurs  de  la  paix  et  du 
retour  dans  vos  foyers. 

"  C'est  le  vœu  que  forment  en  ce  moment  tous  les  coeurs  canadiens 
et  que  nous  vous  exprimons  au  nom  de  tout  le  peuple  du  Dominion." 


UN   DERNIER  MOT 


~T;ni,OUS  savez  le  reste.  Depuis  l'Atlantique  jusqu'au  Pacifique 
le  retour  de  nos  braves  a  été  pour  eux  une  marche  triom- 
(^iîîîc)  phale.  En  effet,  Halifax,  Montréal,  Québec,  Ottawa, 
Toronto,  Kingston,  Belleville,  Hamilton,  Saint-Jean,  Charlottetown, 
Winnipeg,  Vancouver,  en  un  mot  toutes  les  villes,  depuis  la  plus 
grande  jusqu'à  la  plus  petite,  ont  accueilli  nos  braves  à  bras  et  cœurs 
ouverts.  La  Presse,  La  Patrie,  Le  Soleil,  V Evéttevtent,  Le  Star,  Le 
Herald,  Le  Chronicle,  Le  Globe,  Le  Witness,  Le  Daily  Telegraph,  aux 
quels  nous  devons  des  renseignements  précieux,  —  pour  n'en  citer 
que  quelques-uns  —  les  ont  tous  aussi  noblement  et  généreusement 
accueillis.  Partout  ils  ont  été  reçus  royalement,  et  c'est  surtout  par 
la  réception  qui  leur  a  été  faite  qu'on  a  pu  juger  du  sentiment  de 
fraternité  qui  unit  toutes  les  provinces  du  Canada. 

Disons-le  donc  bien  liaut,  cette  guerre,  toute  fatale  qu'elle  a  été 
pour  quelques-uns,  a  été  une  guerre  de  rapprochement  et  d'union  pour 
nous  tous.  En  effet,  c'est  dans  la  vie  des  camps  et  sur  le  champ  de 
bataille  que  les  hommes  et  les  races  apprennent  à  se  connaître,  à 
s'estimer,  à  s'aimer.  N'oublions  donc  plus  jamais  cette  union  cimentée, 
scellée  par  le  sang  de  nos  braves,  au  milieu  du  carnage  de  la  mêlée, 
des  cris  des  mourants,  du  bruit  de  la  mitraille,  du  tressaillement  du 
drapeau,  des  angoisses  des  pères  et  mères,  des  pleurs  des  veuves  et 
des  orphelins  des  glorieux  tombés,  et  que  notre  mot  de  ralliement,  à 
l'avenir  et  pour  toujours,  soit  celui-ci  : 

"  Honneur  et  souvenir  à  nos  braves  !  " 

Gaston-P.  Labat. 


FIKST  CONTINGENT 


Royal  Canadian  Kegitnent  of  Tnfantry 

2nd  (Spécial  Service)  Battalion 


Commanding  Officer. 

Otter,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  W.  D.,  Canadian  StaflF,  A.  D.  C.  to  His  Excellency 
the  Governor-General. 
Promoted  Colonel  on  the  field.    Fenîan  Raid,  iSbb.    North-lVesi,  iSSj. 
H^ounded  IsraH't  Poort,  April  zsth,  içco. 

Majors. 

2ND    IN   COMMAND, 

Buchan,  L.,  Lieutenant-Colonel  R.  C.   R.  I. 

North-  IVest,  jSSj. 
Pelletier,  O.  C.  C,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Canadian  Staff. 

North-  West,  1883.     Wounded  at  Cut  Knife,  May  snd,  iSSj.     Wounded 
at  CroujVc  Laager,  February  zjth,  jgoo. 


**A"  Co.,  British  Columbla 
and   Manitoba. 

Captain. 
Arnold,  H.  M.,  Major  goth  W.  R. 
North-  West,  iSSj.    Died  zbth  Feb- 
ruary,  içoo,  of  wounds  receîved 
in  action,  Paardeberg,  February 
iSth. 

Lieutenants. 

Blanchard,  M.  G.,  Capt.  sth  R.  C.  A. 
Hodgins,    A.    E.,    Capt.    N.    R.    Co. 

Graduate  R.  M.  C, 
Layborn,  S.  P.,  Lieut.  R.  C.  R.  L 


"B"  Co.,  London,  Ont. 

Captain. 
Stuart,  D.,  Major  aôth  M.  L.  I. 

Lieutenants. 
Ross,  J.  M.,  Capt.  22nd  The  O.  R. 
Wounded,     Blacktnountain,     May 
ist,  IÇOO. 
Mason,  J.  C,  Capt.  loth  R.  G. 

Wounded,   Paardeberg,  February 
iSih,  içoo. 
Temple,  R.  H.  M.,  2nd  Lieut.  48th  H. 


156 


LIST    OF    THE    FIRST   CONTINGENT 


"C"  Co.,  Toronto,  Ont. 

Captain. 

Barker,  R.  K.,  Capt.  Q.  O.  R. 

Lieutenants. 

Marshall,  W.  R.,  Lieut.  i3th  B. 
Wilkie,  C.  S.,  Lieut.  loth  R.  G. 
Lafferty,    F.    D.,    Lieut.    R.    C.    A. 
Graduate  R.  M.  C. 

"D"  Co.,  Ottawa  and 
Kingston. 

Captain. 

Rogers,  S.  M.,  Major  43rd  O.  &  C.  R. 
North-  West,  1885. 

Lieutenants. 
Lawless,  W.  T.,  Capt.  G.-G.  F.  G. 

Norih-West,  1S85. 
Stewart,  R.  G.,  Lieut.  43rd  O.  &  C.  R. 
Caldwell,    A.    C,    Lieut.    R.    of   O. 
Graduate  R.  M.  C. 

"E"  Co.,  Montréal. 

Captain. 

Fraser,  C.  K..  Capt.  sard  S.  B. 

Lieutenants. 

Swift,  A.  E.,  Lieut.  8th  R.  R. 
Laurie,  A.,  Lieut.  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Armstrong,  C.  J.,  Lieut.  sth  R.  S.  of  C. 
Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
Wouuded,    Cronje's  Laager,  Feb- 
ruary  sjik,  iqoo. 

"F"  Co.,  Québec. 

Captain. 

Peltier,  J.  E.,  Major  ôsth  M.  R.  R. 

Lieutenants. 

Panet,  H.  A.,  Capt.  R.  C.  A.  Graduate 

R.  M.  C. 
Leduc,  L.,  Lieut.  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Pelletier,  E.  A.,  Lieut.  ssth  M.  L.  I. 

"G"  eo  ,   New   Brunswick 
and  P.  E.  Island. 

Captain. 
Weeks,  W.  A.,  Major  C.  E. 


Lieutenants. 

Jones,  F.  C.  Capt.  srd  R.  C.  A. 
Kaye,  J.  H.,  Lieut.  R.  C.  R.  I. 
McLean,  C.  W.  W.,  and  Lt.  Sth  P.L.H. 
Appointed  A.   D.    C.   on    Staff   of 

Maj.-General  Sir  H.  E.  Coîville. 

{Granted  a  commission  in  Royal 

Ariillery.) 

"H"  Co  ,  Nova  Scotia. 

Captain. 
Stairs,  H.  B.,  Capt.   66th  P.  L.  F. 
Mentîoned  in  Despatches,  Militîa 
Orders,  isf  March,  içoo. 

Lieutenants. 

Burstall,  H.  E.,  Capt.  R.  C.  A. 
WiUis,  R.  B.,  Lieut.  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Oland,  J.  C,  2nd  Lieut.  6yà.  H.  R. 

O.  C.  Machine  Gun  Section. 

Bell,  A.  C,  Capt.  S.  G.,  A.  D.  C.  to 

the  Maj.-General  CommandingCau- 
adian  Militia. 

Regimental    Adjutant. 

MacDougall,  J.  C,  Major  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Battalion  Adjutants. 

Macdonell,  A.   H.,  Capt.  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Meniîoned  in  Despatches,  Miliiia 
Orders,  jst  March,  jqoo. 
Ogilvy,  J.  H.  C,  Capt.  R.  C  A. 

QUARTER-M  aster. 

Denison,  S.  J.  A.,   Capt.   and   Brev. 
Major  R.C.  R.  I. 

Appoint ed  A. D.  C.  on  Lord Roberts* 
Staff. 

Médical  Officers. 

Wilson,  C.  W.,  Surgson-Major  srd  F. 

B.,  C.  A. 
Fiset,  E.,  Surg.-MajorSjthT.  &  R.  B. 

Attached  for  Staff  Duty. 

Drummond,  L.  G.,  Major  S.  G.,  Mili- 
tary  Secretary  to  His  Excellency 
the  Governor-General. 
Bechuanaland  Expédition,  1884-8^; 
Ashanti,  iSqs  (Star):  Soudan, 
j8ç8. 


LIST   OF    THE    FIRST    CONTINGENT 


157 


Attached  for  Spécial  Duty. 

Drury,  C.  W.,  Lieut.-Col.  R.  C.  A., 
A.  D.  C.  to  His  Excellency  the 
Governor-General. 
North-  IVest,  1SS5.  (  Transferred  to 
Contmand Brigade  Division  Field 
Ariillery,  2tid  Contingent.) 

Lessard,  F.  L.,  Lieut.-CoI.   R.  C.   D. 
North- IVesi,  /<%.   {Transferred  to 
Contmand    isi    Èattalion,    Can- 
adiau  Mounied  Rifles,  2nd  Con- 
tingent.) 

Cartwright,   R.,  Major  R.  C.   R.  I., 

A.  A.  G.  at  Head-Quarters.  Grad- 

uate  R.  M.  C. 
North-  West.  iSSs- 
Forester,  W.,  Capt.  R.  C.  D. 

{Transferred  to   Comniand  "  A  " 

Sguadron,     Canadian     Mounted 

Rifles,  2nd  Contingent.) 
Dobell,  C.  M.,  Capt.  and  Brev.  Major 

R.  W.  F.     GraduateR.  M.  C. 


Médical  Staff  for  General 
Service. 

Osborne,  A.   B.,  Capt.  C.  A.    M.   S. 

Nurses. 

Pope,  Miss  Georgina,  P.  E.  Island. 
Forbes,  Miss  Sarah,  Halifax,  N.  S. 
Affleck,  Miss  Minnie,  Lennox,  Ont. 
Russell,  Miss  Elizabeth,  Hamilton,Ont. 

HiSTORicAL  Recorder. 

Dixon,  F.  J.,  Capt.  Reserve  ofOfficers. 
Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
North- West,  iSSS- 

Chaplains. 
O'Leary,  Rev.  P.  M.,  Québec,  P.  Q. 
Almond,  Rev.  J.,  Québec,  P.  Q. 
Fullerton,  Rev.  T.  F.,  Hon.  Chaplain 
4tli  R.  C.  A.,  P.  E.  Island. 

Représentative  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
Barrie,  Dr.  H.  G.,  M.  D.  T.  U. 


Non-Commissionecl  Officers  and  Men 


STAFF  N.  C.  OFFICERS 

Sergeant-Major  D.  Borland,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Quartermaster  Sergeant,  G.  Galloway,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Quartermaster  Sergeant,  E.  Reading,  O.  R.  Clerk. 
Orderly  Room  Clerk,  Sergeant  T.  I5.  Potter,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Sergeant-Bugler  Tresham. 

Transport  Sergeant,  Sergeant  T.  Leblond,  R.  C.  D. 
StaflF  Armourer,  Sergeant  A.  J.  Hoad,  8th  Royal  Rifles. 


A"  Company,  British  Columbia  and  Manitoba. 

Rank,  Name  and  Former  Corps. 


Col.-Sergt.  Holmes,  W.  H.,  R.  C.R.  I. 
Sergi.  Whimster,  P.,  Capt.  M.  D. 

"       Northcote,  J.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 

"       Scott,  W.,  5th  R.,  C.  A. 

"       Ingram,  L.,  qoth  W.  R. 

"       Vinnel,  A.  J.,  R.  C.  D. 
Corpl.  Fowle,  W.  F.,  qoth  W.  R. 

•'       McH  arg,  W.  H.,  2nd  Lient.  R. 
R.  Co. 

"       Irvine,  A.  B.,  2ndLt.  gothW.R. 

"       Moscrop,  J.,  5th  R.,  C.  A. 
Lee. -Corpl.  LeBar,  V.  E.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Barlow,  R.  H.,9othW.  R. 

Private. 

Allan,  H.  S.,  5th  R.,  C.  A. 
AUiston,  B.  D.,  goth  W.  R. 
Adams,  J.,  M.  D. 
Anderton,  J.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Andrews  H.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Armstrong,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Barrett,  R.  J.,  goth  W.  R. 
Beach,  A.  C,  s'h  R.,  C.  A. 
Berthoiir,  W.  H.,  sih  R.,  C.  A. 
Battson,  A.  S.,  s'h  R-.  C.  A. 
Bonner,  H.  M.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Boyce,  A.  W.,  i^th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Brook.ng,  W.,  s'h  R.,  C.  A. 
Carn::gie,  J.,  qoth  W.  R. 
Carter,  A.,  sth  P..,  C.  A. 
Campbell,  R.  B.,  N.  R.  Co. 


Campbell,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 
Chisholm,  A.,  goth  W.  R. 
Clough,  P.,  qoth  W.  R. 
Collins,  J.,  R.  C.  D. 
Cook,  J.,gothW.  R. 
Corbould,  G.  B.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Cowan,  H.  J.,  2nd  Lient.  M.  D. 
Cornwall,  F.  J.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Court,  S.  '1'.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Crooke,  M.,  N.  R.  Co. 
Davies,  J.  E.,  R.  C.  D. 
Dickinson,  F.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Dickson,  J.  K.,  N.  R.  Co. 
Dickson,  W.  T.  G.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Duncalfe,  C.  W.,  goth  W.  R. 
Dochcrty,  M.,  R.  C.  D. 
Edwards,  H.,  goth  W.  R. 
Kindiey,  T.  A.,  goth  W.  R. 
Foord,  F.  N.,  goth  W.  R. 
Finch-Smiles,  F.,  sth  R.,  G.  A. 
French,  J.  P.,  goth  W.  R. 
Gamble,  C.  W.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Grevés.  CE.,  goth  W.  R. 
Greavcs.  P.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Hamiiioiul,  J.  L.,  goth  W.  R. 
Haiison.  S.  S.,  sth  W.  R. 
Hick-,  11.  P.,  N.  R.  Co. 
Holyoke.  G.  C.  F.,  goth  W.  R. 
Hughes,  E.  N.,  goth  W.  R. 
Hiitchings,  Geo.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Jackson,  W.,6th  V.  R. 
Johnson,  H.,  goth  W,  R. 


LIST   OF   THE    FIRST    CONTINGENT 


159 


Prîvaie,  Rank,  Name  and  Former  Corps. 


Jones,  S.  L.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Jones,  J.  \V.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Kelly,  E.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Kennedy,  D.,  34th  O.  B. 
Lee,  A.  S.,  N.  R.  Co. 
Leeman,  R.  W.  J.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Leamy,  C.  S.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Liston,  B.,  goth  W.  R. 
Livlngstone,  J.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Lohman,  A.  O.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Martin,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Mackie,  A.  S.,  5th  R.,  C.  A. 
Matheson,  K.,  goth  W.  R. 
MaundriU,  A.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Mills,  C.  A.,  goth  W.R. 
Munro,  A.  E.,  goth  W.  R. 
Moier,  W.  J.,  sôth  P.  B. 
Moodie,  W.  H.,  K.  R.  Co. 
McCalmont,  R.  J.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Mcivor,  D.,  R.  C.  D. 
McKeand,  D.  L.,  goth  W.  R. 
McKenzie,  H.,  M.  D. 
Neibergall,  H.  E.,  6th  V.  R. 
Neil,  G.,  5th  R.,C.  A. 
Nixon,  F.  S.,  36th  P.  B. 
Nye,  A.  J.,  5thR.,C.  A. 
O'Brien,  S.  W.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Odell,  S.  H.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Parker,  H.  F.,  goth  W.  R. 
Patterson,  W.  O.,  N.  R.  Co. 
Patterson,  C,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Perry,  J.  C,  R.  C.  D. 


Rea,  J.  R.,  N.  R.  Co. 
Rumsay,  F.,  goth  W.  R. 
Rush,  F.,  R.  C.  D. 
Rorke,  F.  B.,  goth  W.  R. 
Robbins,  A.  E.,  goth  W.  R. 
Roberts,  S.  C.gothW.  R. 
Roberts,  C.  M.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Sherlock,  H.,  R.  C.  D. 
Sherris,  S.,  R.  C.  A. 
Sinclair,  J.  J.  S.,  sth  R.,  C  A 
Smethurst,  H.,  sth  C.  A. 
Smith,  James,  s*i  R-,  C.  A, 
Snider,  C.  H.,  qoth  W.  R. 
Soper,  A.  C.  W.,  goth  W.  R. 
Somers,  J.  H.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Stewart,  J.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
St.  James,  G.,  R.  C.  D. 
Stebbings,  W.  H.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Talbot,  A.,  34thO.  B. 
Thompson,  C.  C,  6th  V.  R. 
Thompson,  T.,  goth  W.  R. 
Todd,  J.,  sthR.,C.  A. 
Wallace,  W.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Wallace,  G.,  sth  R.,C.A. 
Welch,  W.,goth\V.  R. 
Western,  T.,  M.  D. 
Whitley,  W.  F.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Wilkins,  G.  H.,  K.  R.  Co. 
Wilkie,  O.  J.,  sth  R.,C.  A. 
Wood,  A.  M.,  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Wyatt,  H.  R.,  goth  W.  R. 
Ward,  R.,  R.  C.  D. 


B  "  Company,  London,  Ont. 

Rank,  Naine  and  Former  Corps. 


Col.-Sergt.  Davies,  R.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Sergt.  McBeth,  G.  W.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
"       Bowden,  R.  B.,  2ist  E.  F. 
"       Sippi,  G.  R.  B.,  yth  F. 
"       Gorman,  F.,Capt.  27thSt.C.B. 
Corpl.  Bethune,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
"       Adams,  S.,  R.  C.  A. 
"       Phillips,  G.  R.  S.,  2ist  E.  F. 
"        Smith,  J.,  22ndO.  R. 
"       Little,  R.  H.,  istH. 
Lce.-Corpl.  Power,  L.,  R.  C.  A. 

Stevenson,  W.   R.,  R.  C 
R.  I. 
"  Northwood,  J.,  2ist  E.  F. 

«•  Merrix,A.E.,  R.C.  R.I. 

Private. 

Adams,  W.  G.,  yth  F. 
Adair,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 
Auderson,  A.  H.,  2Sth  E.  B. 
Andrews,  E.  C,  2ist  E.  F. 
Atkinson,  D.  H.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
BrcJin,   I.,  aSth  D.  R. 
Bollard,"H.  E.,  28th  P.  B. 
Barr,  H.  B.,  zisl  E.  F. 


Barrett,  P.,  yth  F. 
Baiigh,  E.,  R.  C.A. 
Beers,  F.  C,  2ist  E.  F. 
Berges,  H.,  sSth  D.  F. 
Biggs,  J.  C,  2ist  E.  F. 
Kurns,  W.  J.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
Burrell,  H.  26th  M.  L.  I. 
Burwell,  A.  E..  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Campbell,  F.  W.,3othW.  R. 
Chapman,  W.  H.,  yth  F. 
Charuian,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Coles,  F.  J.,  7th  F. 
Cole,  A.  E.,  ist  H. 
Corley,  J.  B.,  30th  W.  R. 
Crock'ett,  Samuel,  yth  F. 
C.-aig,  E.  D.,  cist  E.  F. 
CoUins,  W.,  isuH. 
Dalgleish,  A.  D.,  29th  W.  B. 
Day,  J.,  25th  M.  L.  I. 
Donegan,  T.  A.,  flôth  M.  L.  I. 
Dolman,  E.  N.,  2ist  E.  F. 
Donahne,  H.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
Delmer,  P.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
DiifT,  J.  B.,2Ôih  :i.  L.  I. 
Edward,  A.,  iznd  O.  R. 
Evans,  F.,  26lh  M.  L.  I. 


i6o 


LIST    OF   THE    FIRST    CONTINGENT 


Prhaic,  Rank,  Nanie  and  Former  Corps. 


Farley,  J.  E.,  25th  E.  B.,  St. Thomas. 

Finch,  C.  E.,  yth  F. 

Floyd,  F.  G.  W.,  yth  F. 

Fox,  W.  H.,  R.  C.  A. 

Foote,  \Vm.,  29th  W.  B. 

Gorrie,  W.  B.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 

Graham,  Geo.,  28th  P.  B. 

GreeneC,  26th  M.  L.  I. 

Green,  W.  J.,  25th  E.  B. 

Hill,  J.  C.,26th  M.  L.  I. 

Herrick,  J.,  7lh  F. 

Hessell,  F.  W.,  7ih  F. 

Hyman,  W.  J.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Hennessy,  J.  T.,  ylh  F. 

Ingamells,  P .  C . ,  ist  H  . 

Irvine,  R.,  igth  St.  C.  B. 

Jell,  A.  P.,  2ist  E.  F. 

Jones,  M.  L.,  33rdH.  B. 

Johnston,  K.  G.,  27th  L.  B. 

Kingswell,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 

Léonard,  G.  W.,  22nd  O.  R. 

Little,  G.  B.,  34th  O.  B. 

Lane,  H.,  22nd  O.  R. 

Lundrigan,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 

McBeth,  G.  A.,  7th  F. 

McLaren,  CD.,  7t'i  F. 

McLean,  M.,  26t'i  M.  L.  I. 

McCalla,  J.,  loth  St.  C.  B. 

Mc>.ahon,  W.  H.,  26ch  M.  L.  I. 

McMillan,  D.  C,  27th  L.  B. 

McMurphy,  A.,  26ih  M.  L.  I. 

Marshall,  A.,  2.ndO.  R. 

McLean,  A.  R.,  sSth  D.  R. 

Marentette,  V.  F.,  2ist  E.  F. 

Moore,  D.  L.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

MuUins,  E.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Munro,  G.  H.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 

Nott,  Wm.,  R,  C.  A. 


Odlum,  V.,  22ndO.  R. 
Odlum,  G.,  22nd  O.  R. 
Paddon,  A.  E.,  2ist  E.  F. 
Piper,  T.  J.,  26thM.  L.  I. 
Pinel,  G.  F.,  Tih  F. 
Pert,  E.  W.,28thP.  B. 
Powell,  J.,  29thW.  B. 
Purcell,  J.  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Reed,  W.  G.,  7th  F. 
Reid,  D.  A.,  2istE.  F. 
Redge,  C,  7th  F. 
Robinsou,  J.  E.,  2ist  E.  F. 
Rae,  A.  H.,  26thM.  L.  I. 
Rorison,  C.  K.,  2ist  E.  F  . 
Scott,  C.  R.,  27th  L.  B. 
Smith,  R.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
Stanberry,  F.  G.,  25th  E.  B. 
Sutherland,  J.,  2Sth  E.  B. 
Taylor,  E.,  ist  H  . 
Taylor,  G.,  ist  H  . 
Thompson,  H.,  R.  C.  A. 
Trolley,  F.  H.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
Turner,  F.  W.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Tutt,  T.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Wardel,  A.  E.,  7th  F. 
Webb,  A.  B.,33rdH.  B. 
West,  W.,  7th  F. 
West.-jway,  H.,  25th  E.  B. 
Wells,  Jas.,3oth  W.  R. 
Wheatcraft,  A.  H.,  7th  F. 
White,  G.,  2ist  E.  F. 
White,  W.,2ist  E.  F. 
Wilson,  A.  R.,  33rdH.  B. 
Wigham,  R.  D.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Woodliffe,  G.  W..,  7th  F. 
Woodward,  .\.  W.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 
Woodvatt,  W.  H.,  7th  F. 
Wilson,  H.  R.,22nd0.  R. 


C  "  Company,  Toronto,  Ont. 

Rank,  Naine  and  Former  Corps. 


CoL-Sergt.  Campbell,;.  S.  .R.C.R.I. 
Sergt.  Beattie,  A.,Q.  O.  R. 

"       Middleton,  H.  J.,  loth  R.  G. 
Ramage,  J.  H.,  36th  P.  B. 
Corpl.Dixon,  H.  W.  A.,  Q.  O.  R. 

"       Freemantle,  A.H.O.,iothR.G. 

"       Ruthcrford,  F.  H.,  I3'i  B. 

"       Magee,  J.  K.  G.,  R.  H.  C.  C. 

"       Hoskins,  R.  W.,Q.  O.  R. 
Lce.-Corpl.  Ramsay,  I.  F.,  48th  H. 
Hodgins,  E.W.,G.G.B.G. 

Private. 
Allen,  L.,Q.  O.  R. 
Andersen,  F.  T.,  sgth  N.  R. 
Baldwin,  Jno.,  4Sth  H  . 
Banton,  T.  H  .,  48th  H  . 
Black,  N.  D.,  ssth  S.  F, 
Blair,  F.,  48th  H. 
Bird,  B.  M.,  Q.  O.  R. 


Bingham,  H.  S.,  3Sth  S.  F. 
Blight,  W.  S.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Brettingham,  W.  P.  R.,  I2th  Y.  R. 
Brunton,  H.  G.,  i2th  Y.  R. 
Burkhart,  F.,  29th  W.  B. 
Butler,  W.  B.,  loth  R.  G. 
Cal  vert,  F.  M.,  loth  R.  G. 
Callahan,  H.  A.,  ssth  S.  F. 
Christie,  D.  H.,  37th  H.  R. 
Cassel,  K.  J.,  i3th  B. 
Curtis,  W.  R.,  3ist  G.  B. 
Coggins,  A.,  E.,  R.  C.  D. 
Coggins,  H .,  3ist  G.  B. 
Cmhbert,  F.,  loth  R.  G. 
Dangerfield,  A.,  loth  R.  G. 
Davidson,  J.,  I2lh  Y.  R. 
D:.y,  E.  C,  G. -G.  B.  G. 
Diinham,  F.  H.,  48thH. 
Eakins,  G.,  Q.  O.  K. 
EUis,  G.  S.,Q.  O.  R. 


LrST    OF   THE   FIRST   CONTINGENT 


i6i 


Privât e,  Rank.  Name  and  Former  Corjit. 


Fawcett,  J.  N.,  izth  Y.  R. 
Findiay,  J.  H.,  ssth  S.  F. 
Graham,  T.  H.,  i2th  Y.  R. 
Grant,  W.  H.,48thH. 
Gray,  N.,S.  St.  M.  R.  Co. 
Haines,  AV.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Hector,  F.  T.  D.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Hendrie,  M.,  i3th  B. 
Henderson,  R.  H.,  ssth  S.  F. 
Hewett,  W.  H.,  6.  O.  K. 
HoUand,  W.  C.  S.,  77th  \V.  B. 
Holland,  J.,nil. 
Hopeson,  C.  W.,  48th  H. 
Hornibrook,  J.  L.,  48th  H, 
Inglestrom,  F.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Ironside,  G.  M.,  T.  P. 
Jones,  N.  J.,  3ist  G.  B. 
Jordan,  Jos . ,  Q .  O .  R . 
Kennedy,  Jas.,  loth  R .  G. 
Kidner,  R.,  loth  R.  G. 
Long,  J.  L.,  loth  R.  G. 
Lorsch,  F.  D.,  48th  H. 
Love,  W.  M.,37thH.  R. 
Machin,  H.  A.,  i2th  Y.  R. 
Manion,  W.  T.,  loth  R.  G. 
Martin,  G.  F.,  loth  R.  G. 
Morley,  N.  L.,  48th  H. 
Mitchell,  J.  A.,  48th  H. 
Morse,  T.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
McCall,  A.,T.  P. 
McCosh,  P.,  Lient,  ssth  S.  F. 
McCuish,  D.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
McGiverin,  L.,  Q.  O.  R. 
McHugh,  E.,  loth  R.  G. 
McKenzie,  L.  G.,  48th  H. 
McLaughlln,  R.  H.,  R.  C    R.  I 
McNish,  M.,  48thH. 
McPherson,  D.,  48th  H. 
Noble,  D.  A.,  aSth  D.  R. 
Fage,  P.  G.,  G. -G.  B.  G. 
Parry,  CE.,  R.  C.  D. 
Ferry,  S.,  loth  R.  G. 
Preston,  D.  G.,  44th  L.  and  W.  B, 


Bugler    Prlngle,    R.,   S.    Ste.    M.    R. 

Co. 
Raspberry,  J.,  77th  W.  B. 
Rae,  F.  A.,  34th  O.  B. 
Ridway,  E.  H.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Robson,  A..  i3th  B. 
Rogers,  W.  R.,  44th  L.  and  W.  B. 
Rooke,  W.  J.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Rorke,  J.  H.,  3ist  G.  B. 
Seager,  Jno.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Seymour,  C.,  loth  R.  G. 
Sherritt,  A.  W.,  38th  DR. 
Simpson,  G.  C.  M.,  lath  Y.  R. 
Smith,  J.,  48t;h  H. 
Smith,  G.  M,,  48ih  H. 
Solari,  J.,  loth  R.  G. 
Spence,  J.  D.  48th  H. 
Stewart,  M.  M.,  Q.  O.  R, 
Sutton,  J.  H.,  i3th  B. 
Thompson,  G.,  R.  C.  D. 
Thompson,  W.  F.,  R.  C.  R.  L 
Tice,  C.,  nil. 
Tomilson,  C,  Q.  O.  R. 
Travers,  W.,  loth  R.  G. 
Usher,  J.  F.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Vanderwater,  W.  J.,  Q.  G.  R. 
Van  Norman,  \.  F.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Vicary,  S.,  S.  Ste.  M.  R.  Co. 
Vickers,  J.  R.,  loth  R.  G. 
Wallace.  T.  G.,  sôth  P.  B. 
Warde,  S.  M.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Warren,  W.  C.,  I3th  B. 
Warwick,  W.  H.,  i3th  B. 
Watson,  R.  G.,  R.  C  R.  r, 
Weir,  F.  E.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Wellar,  E.  T.,  48th  H. 
Wilson,  J.  A.,  loth  R.  G. 
Wilson,  N.  W.,Q.  O.  R. 
Bugler  Williams,  D.  F.,  Q.  O.  R. 
Whitehead,  J.,  48th  H. 
Wright,  D.  M.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Young,  H.,  Q.  O.  K. 
Young,  A.,  Q.  O.  R. 


C"  Company,  Ottawa  and  Kingston,  Ont. 

Rank,  Name  and  Former  Corps. 


Col.-Sergt.  Thompson,  C.  H.,  R.  C. 

R.  I. 
Sergt.  Chitty,  L.  M.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
"       Ross,  A.  L.,  3oth  W.  R. 
"       Carruthers,  W  .  B.  M.,   i4th   P. 

W.  G.  R.,  R.  M.  C. 
"       Eagleson,   S.    H  .,  43rd   C.   and 
O.  R. 
Corpl.  Gilmour,  W.  J.,  R.  C,  R.  I. 
"       Hulme,  G.  G.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Thomas,  J.  M.,  G. -G.  F.  G. 
Ellard,  J.  F.  G.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Brady,  W.S.,43rd0.andC.  R. 
Lce.-Corpl.  Johnston,  W.,  R.  C.  R.  I 
"  Southey,  E.  C.,  46th  D.  B. 


Lce.-Corpl.  McNair,  J.,   i5th  A.  L.  1. 
"  Lyon.   G.  R.    D.,  43rd  O. 

and  C.  R. 

Private, 
Auger,  E.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Ault,  C.  E.,  P.  of  W.  O.  R. 
Bartlett,  E.  D.,  43rd  O.  ahd  C.  R. 
Benbow,  H.  A.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Bennett,  A.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Bolster,  H.  G.,  C.  C.,C.  A. 
Bolyea,  A.  W.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Bradshaw,  J.  L.  H.,  i6th  P.  E.  B. 
Bull,  E.  W.,  C.  C.,G.  A. 
Burns.  O.  T.,  43rd0.andC.  R, 


l62 


LIST   OF   THE   FIRST   CONTINGENT 


Privaie,  Rank,  Name  and  Former  Corpt. 


Burns,  R.,G.-G.  F.  G. 
Bugler  Cawdron,  A.  J.'  G.. G.  F.  G. 
Clunie,  P.,  nil. 
Cunnington.  R.,  I5th  A.  L.  I. 
Cairns,  J.  S.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C-  A. 
Chidlow,  J.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Clarke,  C.  P.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Clother,  A.,  G. -G.  F.  G. 
Cluff,  N.  W.  H.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Cockburn,  G.  G.,  C.  C.,  C.  A. 
Coleman,  J.  D.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Cotton,  H.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Cotterell,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Cram,  J.  A.  C,  42nd  L.  and  R.  B. 
Craig,  C.  E.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Croit,  F.,  i6th  P.  E.  B. 
Croft,  P.  C,  42nd  L.  and  R.  B. 
Cunningham,  R.  J.,  2oth  H.  R. 
Dalberg,  R.  P.,  R.  C  R.  I. 
DesLauriers,  E.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Deuchars,  E.,  43rd  O.  and  C  R. 
Donaldson,  C.  A..  4ist  B.  R. 
Dunlop,  E.,  I4th  P.  of  W.  O.  R. 
Dunlop,  J.  R.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Eley,  D.  M.,  I4th  P.  of  W.  G.  R. 
Escobel,  N.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Flemraing,  A.  J. ,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Foden,  W.  J.,  47th  F.  B. 
Foster,  P.  R.,  G. -G.  F.  G. 
Frj-e,  C.  E.,  isth  A.   L.  T. 
Gallagher,  J.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Gibson,  C.  A.,  isth  A.  L.  I, 
Gilmour,  A.  E.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Graham,  J.  D.  H.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Haig,  H.G.,  2ndF.  B.,C.  A. 
Hatton,  J.,  i4th  P.  of  W.  G.  R. 
Hagan,  J.  R.,  4ist  B.  R. 
Hennessy,  J.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
HoUand,  C,  i6th  P.  E.  B. 
Hugall,  P.,  R.  C.  A. 
Jackson,  CE.  E.,  37th  H.  R. 
Jones,  H.  H.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Laird,  A.,  late  K.  C.  A. 
Lamothe,  G.,  43rd  O.   and  C.  R. 
Latimer,  W.  R.,  G. -G.  F.  G. 
l^arge,  A.  L.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Lawrence,  W.  R.,  sgth  S.  and  G.  B. 
Lewis,  Z.  R.  E.,N.  W.  M.  P. 
Living,  F.  J.,  43rd  O.  and  C.   R. 
Lynn,  F.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
LeBean,  L.  P.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 


Macaulay,  A.,  43rd  O.  andC.  R. 
Martin,  W.  A.,  43rd  O.  and  C,  R 
Martin,  H.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Mason,  C.  P.,  43rd  O.  and  C  R. 
Matthews,  A.  J.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Malloch,  E.  St.  J.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R- 
Major,  J.,  sôth  G.  B. 
Mills,  W.  W.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Mitchell,  N.,  42nd  L.  and  R.  B. 
Morgans,  E.  F.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Morrison,  W.  A.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Morin,  J.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Morrison,  E.  F.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
McCullough,  C,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
MacRae,  R.  A.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
McConnell,  J.  F.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
McCormack,  A.  J.,  i4thP.  ofW.  O.  R. 
MacKay,  R.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
McDonald,  F.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
McFadden,  F.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
McLennan,  J.  A.,  S9th  S.  and  G.  B. 
McCrea,  J.  M.,  45th  V.  B. 
Padmore,  G.  T.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Parr,  W.  B.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Peters,  A.  E.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Phillips,  G.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Prior,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Porteous,  R.  W.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Ritchie,  W.  G.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Ross,  W.  J.  H.,  D.  P. 
Rowley,  J.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Schwitzer,  VV.  C,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Shillington,  W.  J.  H.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Small,  H.  C,  42nd  L.  and  R.  B. 
Smith,  J.  F.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Smith,  W.  A.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Spence,  C.  T.,  43rd  O.  and  C    R. 
Street,  L.  J.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Swan,  N.  W.  D.,  uth  P.  of  W.  O.  R. 
Taylor,  A.  H.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  ?.. 
Thomas,  C.  T.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Thompson,  R    R.,   43rd  O.  andC.  R. 
TiUey,  G.,  49th  H.  R. 
Turner,  R.  H.,  4ist  B.  R. 
Turpin,  T.  J.,  C.  C,  C.  A. 
Wall,  A.,  i6th  P.  E.  B. 
Walker,  L.  C,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Wendt,  W.  G.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Williamson,  A.  T.  L.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 
Wood,  F.  H.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Wright,  H.  G.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 


E"  Company,  Montréal,  Que. 

Rank,  Name  and  Former  Corpt. 


Col.-Sergt.  Young,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Sergt.  Allan,  J.,  R.  C  R.  I. 

Adams,  J.  A.,  8th  R.  R. 

"       Shreeve,  J.,  R.  G.  R.  I. 
Corp:  Baugh,  T.  E.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

"       Downey,  G.,  nil. 

**       Gardner.  J.,  jth  R.  S. 


Corpl.  Goodfellow,  R.,  sth  R.  S. 

"       Moody,  F.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Lee. -Corpl.    Frawley,  W.  M.   C,  3rd 

V.  R. 
Lee. -Corpl.  Molyneux,  C.  R.,  5th  R.  S. 
Pte.  Allan,  C.  E.,  sth  R.  S. 
Pte.  Ackerman,  F.,  gth  V .  de  Q. 


LIST   OF   THE    FIRST    CONTINGENT 


163 


Privaie,  Rank,  Nante  and  Former  Corps. 


Allmand,  W.  W.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Aspell,  T.  J.,  ist  P.  ofW.  F. 
Bach,  R.  C.,  ist  P.  otW.  F. 
Bailey,  T.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Barry,  C.  H.,  ard  V.  R. 
Bigelow,   J.  A.,   (late  N.   W.  M. 

znd  R.,  C.  A. 
Boit,  G.  H.,  srd  V.  R. 
Byford,  R.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Byers,  R.  T.,  srd  V .  R. 
Campbell,  C,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Canty,  R.,  8th  R.  R. 
Carter,  M.  J.'  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Clarke,  R.  C,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Coates.H.  W.,  sth  R.  S. 
Cox,  F.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Crottj-,  P.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Curry,  I .,  sth  R.  S. 
Corner,  F.  G.,  sth  R.  S. 
Dawson,  A.,  8th  R.  R. 
Delaney,  M.  J.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Doyle,  T.  H.  M.,  sth  R.  S. 
Durkee,  A.  A.,  ard  V.  R. 
Dynes,  E.  J.,  Q.  O.  C.  H. 
Erskine,  F.,  sth  R.   S. 
Fisher,  H.,  srd  V.  R. 
Fisher,  R.  L.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Fowler,  W.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Fraser,  H.,  4ist  B.  R. 
Gamble,  J.,  sth  R.  S. 
Gorman,  J.  F.,  3rd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Graham,  R.,  R.  C.  R.  I- 
Greenlay,  G.,  S4'h  R-  ^■ 
Gunn,  R.,   sth  R.  S. 
Harding,  E.,  no  corps. 
HiU,  J.  K.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Haie,  W.  J.,  sth  R.  S. 
Hampson,  G.,  5th  R.  S. 
Hannaford,  A.,  sth  R.  S. 
Hawkins,  J.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Hayes,  R.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Hayward,  H.,  53rd  S.  B. 
Home,  F.,  Q.  O.  C.  H. 
Hynes,  P.,  sth  R.  S. 
Irwin,  F.  B.,Sth  R.  R. 
James,  A.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Jones,  F.,  sth  R.  S. 
Jeffrey,  W.,  sth  R.  S. 
Jeffrey,;.  W.,  srd  V.  R. 
Kealey,  M.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Kelly,  E.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
Leconteur,  R.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Lee,  F.,Q.  O.  C.  H. 
Lewis,  C.  E.,  ist  P-  of  W.  F. 
Lester,  C,  s'h  R.  S. 
Malin,  J.,  sth  R.  S. 
Marjin,  H.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 


P) 


Martin,  A.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Meade,  D.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Middleton,  F.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Mitchell,  H.,  3rd  V.  R. 
Moore,  T.,D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Murphy,  D.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Murray,  W.  R.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Murdoch,  W.  A.  H.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
McDonald,  A.,  sth  R.  S. 
McCann,  J.,  Sth  R.  R. 
McGill,  D.  R.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
McGoldrick,  J.,  sth  R.  S. 
McIver,  W.,  sth  R.  S. 
McLean,  R.  G.,  sth  R.  S. 
McLeod,  N.  M.,  ard  V.  R. 
McQueen,  A.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Nash,  T.  B.,ardV.  R. 
Nickle,  C.  R.,  ard  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
O'Brien,  j.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
O'Meara,  D.  A.,  Lieut.  Sth  R.  R. 
Philips,  J.,  sth  R.  S. 
Platt,  J.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Pope,  A.,  sth  R.  S. 
Porter,  W.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
Prince,  R.  H.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
Price,  G.,  nil. 

Robarts,  G.  P.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Rupert,  E.,  Ssth  B. 
Ryan,  P.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
Richardson,  F.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
Shaw,  A.  C,  ard  V.  R. 
Shaw,  R.N.,  ardV.  R. 
Sheehan,  M  ,  y.  O.  C.  H. 
StannJng,  W.,  sth  R.  S. 
Swift,  M„  Sth  R.  R. 
Sword,  A.,  sth  R.  S. 
Sword,  D.  C.,  ist  P.  oiW.  F. 
Thomas,  A.  P.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Thomas,  G.  W.,  sth  R.  R. 
Travers,  H.  B.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
■  Tregett,  J.,Q.O.  C.  H. 
Tulloch,  A.  J.,  sth  B.  S, 
Turner,  A.  J.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Tweddell,  W.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Walters,  J.  H.,  sth  R.  S. 
Walker,  H.  H.,54.h  R.  B. 
Walters,  T.  A.,  sth  R.  S. 
Wasdell,  F.,  ard  V.  K. 
Wardle,  G.,  S3rd  S.  B. 
White,  A.,S4th  R.  B. 
Wilkin,  W.,sth  R.  S. 
Wilkins,  A.  W.,ard  V.  R. 
Williams,  H.,  sard  S.  B. 
Wright,  P.  E.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Wright,  J.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Yeland,  J.,  sth  R.  S. 
Youngson,  J.  S.,  s'h  R.  S. 


"  F  "  Company,  Québec. 

Rank,  Natnc  and  Former  Corps. 

Sergt.  Bessette,  W.,  R.  C.  A.  1  Corpl.  Peterson,  C.  F.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Peppeatt,  W.,  R.  C.  A.  "       Withey,  B.,  R.  C.  A. 

Polkinghorn,  J.,  ôznd  St.  J.  F.  |      "        McDonald,  R.  D.,  R.  C.  A. 


164 


LIST   OF   THE    FIRST   CONTINGENT 


Rank,  Name  and  Former  Corps. 


Corpl.  Warren,  C,  R.  C.  A. 

Vallée,  L.  C.,6sth  M.  R.  R. 
Lee. -Corpl.  Desjardins,  J.  F.,  6sthM. 

R    R 
Lce.'-Corpl.  Gratton,  E.,  ésthM.  R.  R. 
Col.-Sergt.  Lafleur,  L.  E.,  R.  C.  A. 

Prîvate. 
Arnton,  C.  S.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Anthony,  P.,  nil. 
Atkinson,  G.,  8th  R.  R. 
Barclay,  C.  N.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Bagot,  A.,  6sth  M.  R.  R. 
Bamford,  W.,  srd  V.  R. 
Baldwin,  C,  K.  C.  D. 
Beaupré,  C,  8sth  B. 
Brown,  H  .  T.,  nil. 
Brown,  H.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Brooker,  L.,  R.  C.  D. 
Bouck,  L.,  nil. 
Bower,  J.  W.,  93rd  C.  B. 
Carbonneau,  E.,  65th  M.  R.  R. 
Casey,  J.  E.,  gsrd  C.  B. 
Champagne,  M.,  ist  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Chatel,  A.,  65th  M.  R.  R. 
Cloutier,  W.,  8oth  N.B. 
Chisholm,  A.  W.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 
Cooper,  W.,62ndSt.  J.  F. 

Conley,  F.,  93rd  C.  B. 
Cowgill,  H.,  R.  C.  D. 
Curphy,  J.,  nil. 

D'Amour,  J.,  gth  V.  de  Q. 

Demais,  A.,  gth  V.  de  Q. 

Dolbec,  L.,9th  V.  deQ. 

Donahue,  F.,  Iate6th  U.  S.  I. 

Downing,  W.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 

Duhamel,  J.  W.,  86th  T.  R.  B. 

D'Orsonnens,  G.,  8oth  N.  B. 

Duberger,  A.,  ist  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Dixon,  W.,  R.  C,  A. 

Eite,  Wm.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Fancy,  J.  G.,  nil. 

Forest,  H.,  6ist  M.  and  L'I.  B. 

Gates,  L.  H.,95rdC.  B. 

Gifford,  B.,  i2thF.  B.,  C.  A. 

Gingras,  J.,  9th  V.  de  Q. 

Good,  R.,  R.C.  R.  I. 

Grecia,  J.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 

Harrison,  R.,  end  R.,  C.  A. 

Harrison,  Chas.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 

Harvey,  R.,R.  C.  R.  I. 

Hennessy,  B.,  R.C.  R.  I. 

Hill,  J.,9th  V.  deQ. 

Hudon,  J.  A.,6sthM.  R.  R. 

Hunter,  W.,62ndSt.  J.  F. 

Hubley,  C,  R.  C.  A. 

Irwin,  W.,g3rdC.  B. 

Ivers,  M.,  R.  C.  A. 

Jette,  G.,  6sth  M.  R.  R. 


IJewell,  T.,8th  R.  R. 
Jobin,  E.,  9th  V.  de  Q. 
LaRue,  L.,  Sjth  Q.  B. 
Lambkin,  H.  J.,  8th  R.  R. 
Lamoureux,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Laverdure,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Lefebvre,  P.  W.,  gth  V.  Q. 
Lescarbeau,  T.,  6sth  M.  R.  R. 
Lightbound,  G.  R.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Léveillé,  L.,  ôsth  M.  R.  R. 
Le-A-is,  O.,  68th  K.  C.  B. 
Le.-nay,  A.,  ôsth  M.  R.  R. 
Macness,  J.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Matheson,  O.,  I2th  F.  B.  C.  A. 
Medhurst,  J.,  R.  C.  D. 
Michaud,  L.  C,  6sth  M.  R.  R. 
Monteith,  J.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Montizambert,  H.,  3rd  V.  R. 
McEihiney,  J.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
McNeil,  J.  D.,  R.  C.  A. 
McCollom,  G.  H.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
McDonald,  R.  D.,  srd  V.  R. 
Mcintosh,  M.,  R.  C.  A. 
McTaggart,  J.  W.,  nil. 
McLaughlin,  H.  P.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
McMillan,  A.,  ist  P.  of  W.  F. 
McMillan,  W.,93rdC.  B. 
Orman,  G.,  93rd  C.  B. 
Paquette,  G.,  Syth  Q.  B. 
Plamondon,  J.,  gth  V.  de  Q. 
Proulx,  H.,65thM.  R.  R. 
PuUen,  E.  (C.  C.) 

Rae,  J.  P.,3rd  V.  R. 

Raymond,  J.  W.  (or  Culver),   62nd  S 
J-F. 

Rémy,  J.,  ôsth  M.  R.  R. 

Redmond,  C,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 

Robertson,  J.  H.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 

Roy,  A.,  89th  T.  and  R.  B. 

Roberts,  W.  A.,  R.  C.  A.  (tr.  to  C.) 

Scott,  J.  A.,  93rd  C.  B. 

Sievert,  J.  93rC  C.  B. 

Soucy,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 

Smith,  L.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 

Strong,  F.  B.,  nil. 

Sutton,  G.  J.,  93rdC.  B. 

Sutherland,  A.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 

Tapin,  J.,65th  M.  R.  R. 

Trattersall,  H.  C,  srd  V.  R. 

Tessier,  H.,65th  M.  R.  R. 

Thériault,  A.,  gth  V.  de  Q. 

Thompson,  W.  B.,  93rd  C.  B. 

Touchette,  J.,  ôsth  M.  R.  R. 

Utton,  F.  W.,  R.  C.  R. 

Walsh,  J.,62nd  S.  J.  F. 

Warren,  W.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Wiseman,  N.,  gth.  V.  de  Q. 

Woodard,  F.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Wylie,  R.  R.  2nd  R.  C.  A. 


LIST   OF    THE    FIRST   CONTINGENT 


I^'S 


Comiiany,  New  Brunswick  and  P.  E.  Island. 

Rank,  Name  and  Former  Corps. 

Keôdy,  E.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Keswick,  G.,  73rd  N.  B. 
Kirkpatrick,  F.  A.,  3rd  R.,  C.  A. 
Kitchen,  W.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Lane,  W.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Leavitt,  H.,  yist  V.  B. 
Leslie,  J.  P.,  4th  k.,  C.  A. 
Letson,  J.,  dmà.  S.  J.  F. 
Lord,  R.  E.,82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Lutz,  E.,  74th  B. 
Lutz,  J.,  74th  B. 
Matheson,  J..  4th  R.,  C.  A. 
McCain,  F.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
McCarthy,  M.  J..  4th  R.,  C.  A. 
McRae,  F.  B.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
McCreary,  P.,  74th  B. 


Col.-Sergt.  Charlton,  Chas.,  R.C.R.I 
Sergt.  Sheldon,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Russel,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
"        Hessian,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Corpl.  Morrison,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
"         Pringle,  J.,  7151  Y.  B. 

Withers,  F.  W.,  srdR.  C.  A. 

Wallace,  W.  V.,  K.  C.  R.  I. 

Coombs,  F.  W.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Lce.-Corpl.  Ward,  G.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Lce.-Corpl.  Miller,  H.,  R,  C.  R.  I. 

Private. 


Adams,  G.  F.,  Bth  H. 
Addison,  J.  M.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Aitken,  J.  M.,  7ist  Y.  B. 
Anslow,  C,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Baker,  W.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Bishop,  W.,  74th  B. 
Boudreau,  J.,  C.  E.,  Co. 
Bowness,  E.  W.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Burnside,  J.,  3rd  R..,  C.  A. 
Brace,  N.  T.,  C.  E.  Co. 
Brown,  H.  H.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Bryant,  W.,  ard  R.,  C.  A. 
Campbell,  G.,  R.  C,  R.  I. 
Carney,  J.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Chapman,  G.,  74th  B. 
Chapelle,  M.  C,  74th  B. 
Cox,  R.  W.,  82nd(^.  C.  B. 
Craig,  E-,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
Creighton,  C,  74th  B. 
Dillon,  A.  R.,82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Donahue,  W.  W.,  3rd  R.,  C.  A. 
Doyle,  A.,  3rd  R.,  C.  A. 
Dorion,  N.,  C.  E.  Co. 
Durant,  H .  E . ,  74th  B . 
Dutney,  J.,  73rd  N.  B. 
Dyas,  F.,35th  P.  B. 
Fabre,  D.  J.,  3rd  R.,  C.  A. 
Ferguson,  D.,  74th  B. 
Flewelling,  E.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Foley,  R.  J.,C.  E.  Co. 
Foster,  M.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Fradsham,  H.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Furzc,  F.  C,  C.  E.  Co. 
Gaudet,  L.  S.,  4th  R.,  C.  A. 
Globe,  A.  R.,  62iid  S.  J.  F. 
Hallamore,  W.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Hammond,  A.,  74th  B. 
Harris,  B.,  I2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Harris,  J.  A.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Harris,  LeR.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Hatfield,  A.  S.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
Haydon,  A.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Hine,  C.  H.,  C.  E.  Co. 
Hubley,  R.  C,  8thH. 
Irving,  W.  H.,  ôînd  S.  J.  F. 
Jenkins,  C.  L.,  3rd  R.,  C.  A. 
Johnson,  J.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Johnston,  J.  M.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Jones,  S.,  7ist  Y.  B. 


McDiarmid,  J.,  62nd  S.  T.  F. 

McFarlane,  B.  E.,  7ist  Y.  B. 

McKinnon,  H.  V.,  4th  R.,  C.  A. 

McLean,  H.  L.,  ith  R.,  C.  A. 

McLeod,  J.,  7ist  Y.  B. 

McMullin,  W.,  8th  H. 

Mellish,  A.  J.  B.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 

Morley,  H.  A.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 

Munroe,  J.  R.,  73rd  N.  B. 

O'Rielly,  J.,4thR.,C.  A. 

Pascoe,  J.  B.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 

Pelky,  A.,62ndS.  J.  F. 

Penny,  R.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 

Perkins,  T.  A.,  7ist  Y.  B. 

Pickles,  j.,  7ist  Y.  B. 

Quinn,  M.  J.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Raymond,  W.  J.,  srd  R.  C.  A. 

Rawlings,  J.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 

Redden,  H.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Riggs,  W.  A.,C.  E.  Co. 

Rodd,  T.  A.,82nd  Q.  C.  B. 

Roberts,  A.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 

Schofield,  A.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 

Scott,  J.  B.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Scott,  J.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
Singer,  L.  M.,  78th  C.  H.  and  P.  B. 
Simpson,  A.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
Simpson,  P.,R.  C.  R.  I. 
Small,  J.  E.,  4th  R.,  C.  A. 
Sprague,  F.  W.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
Sianton,  L.,  sth  R.  S. 
Stevenson,  P.  S.,  7ist  Y.  B. 
Stewart,  L.,  82nd  Q  ■  C.  B. 
Strange,  E.  H.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Swatridge,  W.  O.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
Taylor,  R.  D.,  C.  E.  Co. 
Tower,  B.  G.,  74th  B. 
Turner,  R.  M.,  62iid  S.  J.  F. 
Unkauff,  W.  C,  62nd  S.  T.  F. 
Walker,  F.  G,.  7ist  Y.  B 
Walker,  J.  S.,  82ud  Q.  C.  B. 
Wannamaker,  H.  L.,  74thB. 
Ward,  R.,  73rdN.  B. 
Waye,  J-  F.,  82nd  Q.  C.  B. 
Williams,  T.,  62ndS.  J.  F. 
Williams,  F.,  62nd  S.  J.  F. 
Wilson,  J.  H.,  7ist  Y.  B. 


i66 


LIST    OF    THE    FIRST   CONTINGENT 


H  "  Company,  Nova  Scotia. 

Rank,  Name  and Forvier  Corps. 


Col.-Sergt.  Eustace,  J.  D..63rdH.R. 
Sergt.  Grimshaw,  W.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 

Dooley,  F.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 

Ward,  G.,68th  K.  C  B. 
Corpl.  Baugh,  B.,  K.  C.  A. 
"        Ferguson,  W.  R.,  gsrd  C.  B. 

Lyndon,  H.,  R.  C.  A. 

Pooley,  C.  F.,   C.  A.  M.  S.  C. 

Rolfe,  J.,63rdB.,H.  R. 
Lce.-Corpl.  Stevenson,  J.,  ist  L.  R. 
"  Watson,  H.,  R.  C.  A. 

Prîvate 
Anderson,  J.  H.  N.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Adams,  W.  F.,  ôsrd  H.  R. 
Atwater,  J.,  94th  A.  H. 
Ackhurst,H.W.,H.B.Co.,C.A.M.S.C. 
Bennett,  G.  B.,  ôsrd  H  .  R. 
Blaikie,  H.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Borton,  C.  N.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Burgess,  M.,  gsrd  C.  B. 
Blair,  S.,  gsrd  C.  B. 
Bent,  E.  L,  6bth  K.  C.  B. 
Brown,  S.,  93rd  C.  B. 
Buchanan,  K  .,  93rd  C.  B. 
Bingay,  L.  W.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Conrad,  W.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Coons,  F.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Cleary,  W.,  ist  L.  R. 
Carroll,  J.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Cameron,  A.  A.,  ôsrd  H.  R. 
Chapman,  F.,  ôsrd  H.  R. 
Daly,  T.,  sth  R.  S. 
Drake,  J.,  ôsrdH.  R. 
Duncan,  J.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Defoe,  J.,  R.  C.A. 
Elliott,  W.,  66th  P.  L.  F, 
Embree,  G.,  93rdC.  B. 
Ewing,  J.,  63rd  H.  R. 
Ewing,  D.  H.,  63rd  H.  R. 
Farrell.G.  P.,  D.  L.  I. 
Farrer,  DeB.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Fillmore,  W.  A.,  gsrdC.  B. 
Fitzgerald,  A.  E.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Forsyth,  A.,  nil. 
Frasée,  H.  H.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Gallagher,  T.,  4th  V.  B.,  M.  R. 
Grant,  J.  W.,  66th  P.  F. 
Hancock,  C,  C  A.  M.  S.  C. 
Harrison,  T.  J.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Harnett,  J.  W.,  gsrd  C.  B. 
Harris,  J.,  66thP.  L.  F. 
Hart,  W.  J.,63rdH.  R. 
Halliday,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Huestis,  G.  j.,  ôsrd  H.  R. 
Kire,  J.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Hunt,  G.,  istP.  W.  R.  F, 
Hurley,  T.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Hoult,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
James,  G.,  nil. 
Jewers  F.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Johnstone,  G.,  ôsrô  H.  Q. 
Jones,  H.,68thK.C.  B. 
Kelly,  J.,ioithR.  G. 


Kennedy,  J.,   R.  C.  A. 
Keogh,  P.,66th  P.  L.  F. 
Keefler,  R.  T.,  nil. 
Kilcup,  E.,  68th  K.  C.  B. 
Kirkpatrick,  F.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Lewis,  M.,  R.  C.  A. 
Lenahan,  J.,  63rd  H.  R. 
Lindsay,  A.  C,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Lockwood,  A.,  68th  K.  C.  B. 
Lowry,  T.  P.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
McDonald,  C,  66th  P.  L   F. 
McDonald,  D.  C,  ist  R.  C.  A. 
jNIacLean,  W.  J.,  nil. 
McDonald,  G.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Miller,  C,  75th  L.  B. 
Miller,  R.,  ist  R.,C.  A. 
Munnis,  M.,  63rd  H.  B. 
Muir,  F.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Murray,  N.  G.,  nil. 
Murray,  A.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
McAldin,  R.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
McCallum,  B.,  nil. 
McCallum,  G.  D.,93rdC.  B. 
McDougalI,  H.  A.,  sth  R.  S. 
McLean,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 
McNab,  F.,  63rd  H.  R. 
Neily,  R.  L.,  68th  K.  C.  B. 
O'Brien,  E.,  ySth  C.  and  H.  B. 
Oxley,W.,  93rdC.  B. 
Oulton,  H.,  93rdC.  B. 
Osborn,  D.,  ml. 
Parkes,  F.  S.  3rd  F.  B.  C.  A. 
Patterson,  A.,  63rd  H.  R. 
Parker,  A.,  68th  K.  C.  B. 
Pollock,  W.  J.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Purcell,  E.  S.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Purcell,  L.  A.,  ôsrd  H.  R. 
Regan,  W.  J.,  68th  P.  L.  F. 
Rector,  R.,  gsrd  C.  B. 
Roche,  W.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Rose,  J.  E.,66th  P.  L.  F. 
Rose,  F.,63rdH.  R. 
Roue,  J.  F.  L.,  C.  A.  M.  S.  C. 
Ross,  R.,  ist  K.,  C.  A. 
Ross,  W.  J.,  ist  R.  C.  A. 
Robertson,  A.,  3rd  V.  R. 
Rudland,  R.,  ist  R.  C.  A. 
Reid,  W.,  nil. 
Ryan,  D.  J.,66thP.  L.  F. 
Simmons,  W.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Sloan,  R.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Swinyard,  W.  R.  C.  A. 
Stuart,  G.  W.,66thP.  L.  F. 
Taylor.F.  A.  E.,  63rd  H.  R. 
Tester,  S.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Trider,  A.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Trueman,  W.  E.,  78th  C.  and  H.  B. 
Walker,  W.  A.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
\Vash,T.  J.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Ward,  E.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Walke,  C.  W.  J.,66th  P.  L.  F. 
Woods,  D.  L.,  63rd  H.  R. 
Wright,  P.,  63rdH.  R. 
Zong,  A.  E.,66thP.  L.  F. 


SECOND  CONTINGENT 


tbe  Canadian  Illounud  Hitles 

Jst  Battalion 


Commanding  OflScer. 

Lessard,  F.  L.,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Royal  Canadian  Dragooos. 
Nortk-West,i8S3. 

Slajors. 

2ND    IK    COMMAND. 

Evans,  T.  B.  D.,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Royal  Canadian  Drageons. 
Noxth-  Wist,  1885. 


"A"  Squadron 

COMMANDING     SgUADRON. 

Forester,  W.,  Capt.  R.  C.  D. 

Captain. 
Pearse.  C.  St.  A.,  Capt.  R .  C.  D. 
Lieutenants. 

ist  Troop  :   Elmsley,  J.   A.,Lieut.  R. 

C.  D. 
2nd  Troop  :   Cockburn,  H.  Z.  C.  Capt. 

G.-G.  li.  G. 
3rd  Troop  :  VanLuven,  R.  M.,   Capt. 

4ihH. 
4th  Troop  :  King,  A.  H.,  Major  ist  H. 
(Supernumerary)  Sutton,    F.    H.     C, 

Capt.  R.  C.  D. 


B"    Squadron. 

CoMMANDlNG    SqUADRON. 

Williams,  V  .  A.  S..  Capt.  R.  C.  A. 
Captai.v. 

Greenwood,  H.  S.,   Lient. -Col.  3rd  D. 
Graduate  R.  M.  C. 

Lieutenants. 

ist  Troop   :  Van  Straubenzee,  C.    T., 

Lieut.  R.  C.  D. 
2nd  Troop  :    Young,  F.  V.,  2nd  Lieut. 

M.  D. 
Afghan    U'ar,    jSjç-So-S/.     North- 

li't'si,  /SSj. 
3rd  Troop  :   U'urner,   R.  E.  VV.,  Capt. 

Q.  O.C.  H. 
4ih '1  roop  :   liorden,   H.  L.,  Major  K. 

C.  H. 


24 


i68 


LIST   OF   THE    SECOND    CONTINGENT 


Adjutant. 
Nelles,  C.  M.,  Capt.  R.  C.  D. 
Noth-  We^i,  1885. 

QUARTER-M  ASTER. 

Wynne,  J.  H.,  Capt.  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Fenîan  Raid,  tSjo. 


Médical  Officer. 
Duflf,  H.  R.,  Sur. -Major,  4th  H. 

Transport    Officer. 
Harrison,  C.  F.,  Capt.  8thH. 
Noth-  IVest,  iSSj. 

Veterinary  Officer. 
Hall,  W.  B.,  Vet.  Major  R.  C  D. 


2nd  BATTALION 


Herchmer,  Lieutenant-Colonel  L.  W.,  Commissioner  N .  W.  M.  P. 


"  C  "  Squadron 

C0MMANDING   Squadron. 
Howe,  Major  J.,  Supt.  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Norih-  U  'est,  1885. 

Captain. 

Macdonell,  A.  C,  Insp.  N.  W.  M.  P. 

Lieutenants. 

ist  Troop  :  Moodie,  J.   D.,  Insp.    N. 

W.  M.  P. 
and   Troop:    Bégin,   J.    V.,   Insp.  N. 

W.  M.  P. 
3rd  Troop  :    Wroughton,  T.  A.,  Insii. 

N.  W.  M.  P. 
4th  Troop  :  Inglis,  W.  M.,  late  Capt. 

Berkshire  Regt. 

"  D"  Squadron 

COMMANDING    SqUADRON. 

Sanders,  Major  G.   E.,   Supt.  N.  W. 
M.  P.     GraduateR.  M.  C. 
North-  West,  1S85. 

Captain. 
Cuthbert,  A.  E.  R.,  Insp.  N  .  W.  M.  P. 

Lieutenants. 

«st  Troop  :  Davidson,   H.  J.  A.,  Insp. 
N.  W.  M.  P. 
South  A/rica,  iS^q-So.  North-  IVesi, 
lS8s. 


and  Troop:  Chalmers,  T.  W.,  formerly 
Lieut.   M.   G.    A.  ;    late   Inspecter 
N.  W.  M.  P.     Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
North-lVest,i8Ss. 
3rd  Troop  :    Taylor,  J.,   Lieut.    Man- 
itoba  Dragoons. 
North-  IVest,  iSSj. 
4th  Troop  :  Cosby,  F.  L.,  Insp.  N.  W. 
M.  P. 

Machine  Gun  Section. 

Bliss,    D.   C.    F.,   Major    Reserve   of 
Officers. 

North-  IVest,  iSSj. 
Howard,  A.  L.,  Lieut.  Unattached  List. 

Norih-  West,  18S5. 

Adjutant. 
Baker,  Capt.   M.,   Insp.  N.  W.  M.  P. 
North-  U'esi,  1885. 

Quartermaster. 

Allan,  Capt.  J.  B.,  Insp.  N.  W.  M.  P. 

Médical  Officer. 

Devine,    J.    A.,    Surgeon-Lieut.    goth 
Battalion. 

Transport  Officer. 
Eustace,  Lieut.  R.  VV.  B. 

Veterinary  Officbb. 
Riddell,  Vet. -Lieut.  R. 


LIST   OF   THE   SECOND   CONTINGENT 


169 


Nurses. 

HeTcum,    Miss     D.,    Senior    Nurse, 

Montréal. 
Home,  Miss  M.,  Q.,  Montréal. 
Macdonald,  Miss  M.,  Pictou,  N.  S. 
Richardbon,  Miss  M.  P.,  Regina,  N. 

W.  T. 

Chaplains. 

Sinnett,  Rev.  J.  C.  (Roman  Catholic). 

Lane,  Rev.  W.  G.  (Methodist). 

Cox,  Rev.  W.  J.  (Church  of  Éngland). 

Attached  for  Spécial  Duties. 

Gordon,  W.  D.,  Lieut.-Col.  Canadian 

Staff. 
Boulanger,   T.    L.,  Major  ist  Québec 

Field  Battery,  C.  A. 
Burch,  J.  E.,  Lient.  2nd  Dragoons. 
Biggar,  J.  L.,  Major  isth  Argyll  Light 

Infantry.  To  be  attached  on  arrivai 

to  Army  Service  Corps. 


McDonald,  J.  A.,  Lieut.  Sand  Queen's 
County  Battalion.  To  be  attached 
on  arrivai  to  First  Contingent. 

Canadian  Commissioner  British 
Red  Cross  Society. 

Ryerson,  G.  S.,  Surgeon  Lieut.-Col., 
Toronto,  Ont. 


Postal  Corps. 

Eccleston,  Lieut.  W.R.,  Chief  in  charge. 
Johnston,  R. 
Lallier,  J. 
Bedell,  F.  B. 
Murray,  K.  A. 

Représentative  of  thb 
Y.  M.  A.  C 

Best,  Thomas  F.,  Brantford,  Ont. 


SECOND   CONTINGENT 


p'  Battalion  Canadien  mounted  Rifles 


Regfimental    Staff 

Corps — If  not  belonging  io  any  CorJ>s,  Post  Office  Address. 

R.  S.  M.,  Page,  J.  C,  R.  C.  D. 
Q.  M.  S.,  Graham,  J.,  R.  C.  D. 
Fr.  Q.  M.  S.,  Simpkins,  G.  J.,  R.  C.  U, 
O.  R.  S.,Dalton,  P.,  R.C.  D. 
Sergt.  Tp.,  Inglis,  L.  J.  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Arm.  Sergt.,  CarroU,  D.  J.,  R.  C.  D. 
Tran.  Sergt.,  Skinner,  A.  R.,  R.  C.  D. 
Sadlr.  Sergt.,  Dunning,  J.  F.,  Ottawa. 


"A"   Squadron 

Corfs — T/noi  belonging  io  any  Cor^s,  Pat  Office  Address. 


S.  S.  M.,  Widgery,  T..  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
S.  Q.  M.  S.,  Hunt,  B.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Sergt.  Rhoades,  W.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
"      FuUer,  H.  F.,  A  S.,  R.C.  D. 
"       Hudson,  G.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
S.  Farr.,  Harraden,  C.  F.,  A  S.,R.C.D. 
Sergt.  Smith,  W.  T.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Till,  L.  A.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Steer,  E.  A.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Purdon,  E.  L.,  yth  H . 
"        Terrill,  W.H.,3raP.  W.  C.  D. 
Corpl.  O'Connell,  M.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
"        McDonald,  A.  A.,  ist  H. 
"       Latremouille,  S.,A  S.,R.C.  D. 
"        Bennett,  J.,  2nd  D. 
"       Cartwright,  J.  W.,  2nd  D. 

Price,  P.  R.,  3rd  P.  W.  C.  D. 
Willoughby,  A.   G.,  3rd  P.  W. 
C.  D. 
"       Callahan,  M.  J.,AS.,R.C.D. 


Corpl.  S.  S.,  Lovegrove,  A.  J.,  G.  G. 
B.  G. 

Prîvate. 

Agassiz,  R.  H.  G.,  and  D. 
Allen,  E.  B.,  Windsor,  Ont. 
Allum,  D.,  znd  D. 
Anderson,  C.  E.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Anderson,  C.  H.,  gth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Anderson,  W.  L.,  Ayr,  Ont. 
Anderson,  W.  J.,  i3thH.  B. 
Ardiel,  E.,  ist  H. 
Baldwin,  E.,  and  D. 
Bâtes,  E.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Baxter,  J.,G.  G.  B.  G. 
Beaton,  A.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Beers,  L.  M.,  and  Q.  0.  R. 
Bishop,  W.  G.,  163  Stanley  St.,  Mont 
,  W.  Q.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 


LIST   OV   THE    SECOND    CONTINGENT 


171 


Prîvaie— Corps— 1/ noi  belongîng  io  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Brown,  A.  W.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

P.lown,  F.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 

Brown,  J.  B.,  srd  D. 

Bouchard,  A.,  45  St.  Marguerite,  Que. 

Bowman,  N.,  sSth  D.  R. 

Builder,  V.  D.,  381)1  D.  R. 

Burnett,  S.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 

Burritt,  J.  W.,  86  Wellesley  St.,  Tor. 

Butler,  A.,  Lieut.  ist  P.  W.  R.  F. 

Butterfield,  W.  J.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Campbell,  G.,  22nd  Ox.  R. 

Ca.Tipbell,  J.  E.,  Orangeville,  Ont. 

Cameron,  H.  P.,  3rd  P.  W.  C.  D. 

Chambers,  E.,  loih  R.  G. 

Clark,  J.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Clendenning,  G.  M.,  2nd  D. 

Cline,  S.,  25th  E.  B. 

CoUins,  G.  H.  A.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 

Cook,C.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Cooper,  C,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Cordingly,  VV.  E.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 

Crowe,  D.  J.,  27th  St.  C.  B. 

DeLisle,  C.  D.,  48thH. 

DeRochejacquelain,  A.,  Cleveland,  (). 

Dougall,  W.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 

Daoust,  D.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 

Duguid,  J.  F.,48thH. 

Dunsmore,  R.  J  ,  A  S.,  R.  C  D. 

Eagleson,  E.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

ElUot,  W.  V.,  D.  Y.  R.  C. 

England,  G.,2nd  D. 

Evans,  W.  L.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 

Farrel,  J.,G.  G.  B.  G. 

Filson,  E.  A.,  Amherst  Islands,   Ont. 

Fitzgerald,  E.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Flemming,  G.  E.,  3rd  D. 

Forbes,  G.  A.,  ist  H. 

Fraser,  J.  E.,  26th  M.  L.  I. 

GiflFord,  T.  A.,  34th  Ont.  B. 

Glover,  W.  M.  ist  H. 

Gold,  W.  S.,  Beauly,  Scotland. 

Graham,  G.  C,  P.  L.  D.  G. 

Gurnett,  E.,  2nd  Q.  O.  R. 

Hall,  A.  J.,  57th  P.  B. 

Hampton,  W.  J.,  3rd  D. 

Harbottle,  F.,  195  Avenue  Road,  Tor. 

Karman,  J.  W.,  38  Mission  Ave.,  Tor. 

Hartman,  F.,  I2th  Y.  R. 

Harper,  J.  S.,  4ist  B.  R. 

Hagan,  J.,  loth  R.  G. 

Henry,  A.,  215  Beverley  St.,  Tor. 

Héron,  J.  B.,  oth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Hiam,  H.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 

HiUyard,  A.  E.,  yA  D. 

Hibbett,  J.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Hodgson,  W.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Hopkins,  J.  A.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Holland,  E.  J.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 

Horner,  H.  R.  C.  R.  I. 

Hull,  M.  A.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 

Hubbard,  J.,  3oth  W.  R. 

Hughes,  N.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

HuUett,  A.,  2nd  D. 

Inglis,  A.  G.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 


James,  M.,  7th  F. 

JefTerson,  J.,  2nd  D. 

Jenkins,  V.,  52  High  St.,  Edinburgh, 

Scotland. 
Johnson,  I.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
Johnston,  R.  G.,  3rd  D. 
Jordan,  J.,  2ndQ.  O.  R. 
Keohler,  C.  H.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Kinsley,  W.  A.,  syth  H.  R. 
Landels,  A.  F.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Looseiiore,  H.  H.,  Toronto. 
Lougheed,  D.,  ist  H. 
Low,  J.  W.,  A  S.,R.  C.  D. 
Lyon,  H.  H.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
McCanhy,  P.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
McCulla,  J.  \V.,N.  W.  M.  P. 
McCusker,  F.,  2nd  D. 
IMcGahey,  J.  W.,  A  S,  R.  C.  D. 
MoGee,  C.  E.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Mclllroy,  F.,  335  DovercourtRd.,  Tor. 
Mcintosh,  4ist  B.  R. 
Mciver,  M.,  A  S.,  R.  CD. 
McKibben,  D.  M.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
McRae,  G.  A.,  598  Collège  St.,  Tor. 
Marsh,  C.  S.,  ist  H. 
Marshall,  H.  W.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Maycock,  W.  R.,  ist  H. 
M.iyne,  Jos.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Metcalfe,  F.,  Kingston,  Ont. 
Miles,  F.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Middïeton,  J.,  16  Collier  St.,  Tor. 
Mitchell,  W.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Moluskey,  W .  E.,  2nd  D. 
Morrison,  W.  J.,  I2th  Y.  R. 
Morrison,  W.  T.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
Mulloy,  L.  W.  R.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Muir,  W.  B.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Manroe,  J.  H.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
O'Brien,  J.  J.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
Palmer,  G.  D.,  2nd  D. 
Pearce,  W.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Pelton,  R.  J.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Peck,  F.  C,  Jeannette's  Creek. 
Potts,  J.,  Bella  Bav,  Ireland. 
Price,  P.  R.,  3rd  D. 
Purdon,  E.  L.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Ratcliffe,  A.,  2nd  D. 
Reynolds,  R.  H.,  ist  H. 
Richardson,  A.  M.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Robinson,  R.  R.,  Consecon,  Ont. 
Robinson,  R.  S.,  103  Augusta,  Av., Tor. 
Roche,  H.  E.,  G.  G.  F.  G. 
Ross,  A.,  I4th  P.  W.  O.  R. 
Richardson,  G.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 
Richardson,  J.,  ist  H. 
See,  D.,9thF.  B.,  C.  A. 
Scott,  C.  D.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Semple,  \V.  C,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Shaw,  C.  E.,R.  C.  R.  L 
Shipp.T.  P.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Slatcr,  K.  J.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
Smart,  D.,  15  Claremont  St.,  Glasgow, 

Scotland. 
Sparks,  J.,  Hamilton,  Ont. 


172 


LIST   OF   THE    SECOND    CONTINGENT 


Privaie — Cirpi—If  noi  belongîng  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Spence,  D.  M.,  sjth  P.  B. 

Spicer,  R.  W.  E.,  Schiller  House.Tor. 

Spink,  W.  B.,  2nd  Q.  G.  R. 

Smith,  G.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 

Smith  H.,  Bratts  Avely,  Essex,  Eng. 

Stewart,  M.  E..  Niagara  Falls,  Ont. 

Stonor,  A.  F.,  Ascott,  Eng. 

Sully,  W.  P.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 

Taylor,  H.  J.,  2nd  D. 

Terrill,  W.  H.,  srdD. 

Thornton,  F.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Thompson,  E.,  Deloraine,  Man. 

Tilley,  W.,  istH. 

Tripp,  E.  H.,  ist  H. 

Townley,  W.  J.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 

Trusler,  A.,  syth  P.  B. 


Turner,  A.  W.,  3rd  D. 
Van  Every,  C.  P.,  2nd  D. 
Vine,  J.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Vizard,  A.  H.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Walker,  J.  H.,  G.  G.  B.  C 
Wandley,  E.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Warren,  D.  J.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
Wasson,  P.,  srd  P.  W.  C.  D. 
Wheatley,  W.  J.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 
Wigle,  M.  S.,  istH. 
Wiçle,  L.,  istH. 

WiUoughby,  A.  G.,  srd  P.  W.  C.  D. 
Winyard,  W.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Wyatt,  F.,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Wright,  W.,  istH. 
Young,  D.  D.,  G.  G.  B.  G. 


"  B  "  Squadron 

Corps — Ifnoi  belongîng  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


S.  S.  M.,  McMiUan,  Alex.,  B  S.,  R. 

CD. 
S.  Q.  M.  S.,  Sparks,  J.  R.,  B  S.,  R. 

C.  D. 
Sergt.  Dyer,  W.  A.,  B  S.,  R.  Ç.  D. 
McLeod,  W.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Allison,  H.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
"        Bisset,  W.,  Q.  O.  C.  H. 
"       Hayward,  G.  F.,  3rd  D. 
"        Ryan,  R.  H.,  R.  ot  O. 

Arnold,  R.  H.,  Lient.  8th  H. 
"        Bradner,  Jos.,  B.  I.  C. 
Sergt.  Farr.  Spencer,  Jas.,  Man.  D. 
Corpl.  Square,  Harold,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Whitlow,  F.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
"        Harriot,  J.,  Man.   D. 
"        Carter,  A.,  Man.  D. 

Hollid.iy,  W.   J.,  Q.  O.  C.  H. 
Pope,  H.  B.,  Q.  O.  C.  H. 
Parks,  J.  H.,  Lient.  8th  H. 
"        Markham,  R.  F.,2nd  Lt.  8thH. 
Corpl.   S.    S.,   Warrian,   J.    S.,  Win- 
nipeg,  Man. 

Privaie. 

Allen,  Cecil  Crowder,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Arnold,  Arch.  F.,  Yorkton,  N.  W.  T. 
Armstrong,  B.  R.,  Capt.  3rd  R.,  C.  A. 
Ault,  Alfred  E.,  AuItsviUe,  Ont. 
Baker,  Sydney  Chas.,   B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Barton,  Percy,  Westmount,  Mont. 
Beckwith,  B.  M.,  H.-ilifax,  N.  S. 
Bell,  W.  H.,8thH. 
Bellamy,  Geo.  A.,  M.in.  D. 
Bettle,  F.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 
Berg,  Fred.,  105  St.  Félix  St.,  Mont. 
Bing,  Andrew  Blyth,  Médical  Collège, 

Winnipeg,  Man. 
Boulton,  D'Arcy  E.,  Russel,  Man. 
Brand,  Wm    E.,  R.it  Portage,  Ont. 
Brown,  John  J.,  Man.  D. 


Carter,  Gerald  St.  Léger,  Man.  D. 
Church,  J.,  Gorevale  Pk.,  Toronto,  O. 
Clarkson,  Jos.  Stone,  B.  I.  C. 
Cope,  Edgar  Cuthbert,  Man.  D. 
Cummings,  Hugo  M.,Q.  O.  C.  H. 
Currie,  Claud  Vernon,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Dean,  J.  W.,  Halifax,  N.  S. 
Danby,  Ed.  Sherman,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Dawson,  Wm.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
de  Balinghard.J.  C,  Yorkton,  N.W. T. 
Dill,  C.  E.,  270  AdelaideSt.,  Tor.,0. 
Dix,  MacnamaraH.,  Winnipng,  Man. 
Dixon,  Jas.  Albert,  86th  T.  R.  B. 
Douglas,  Henry  S.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Doyle,  F.  L.,  74th  B.,  Sussex,  N.  B. 
Drought,  Thomas,  Morris,  Man. 
Drummond,   Leopold,  B  S.,  R.  CD. 
Elmhurst,  Fred.   Jas.,   B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Findley,  John,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Fraser,  James   Ross,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Fovvler,  James,  sth  D. 
George,  John  Martin,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Gray,  Arthur  W.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Hagen,  T.,  92  McGill  St.'  Toronto,  O. 
Harvey,  John  Jas.,  Man.  D. 
Hawkins,  J.  F.,  7ist  Y.  B. 
Hayden,  Daniel,  B  S.,  R.  C  D. 
Head,  Wilfrid  Robt.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Hawkins,  Wm.  Jas.,  Man.  D. 
Hilder,  Albert  Ed.,  Man.  D. 
Hobbs,  B.,B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Hood,  Alex.  Young,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Hoy,  Chas.   Norman,   D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Hubbard,  Fred.  W.,  Canning,  N.  S. 
Hyry,  Peter,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Irvine,  Jo.  Hume,  Man.  D. 
Jay,  Wm.  James,  sth  D. 
Kaven,  John,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Keiller,  James,  Man.  D. 
Kelly,  W.    D.,  199  Berkeley  St.,  Tor- 
onto, Ont. 
Key,  Walter,  Winnipeg,  Man. 


LIST    OF    THE    SECOND   CONTINGENT 


173 


Prîvate — Corps — 1/ not  belonging  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Kingsley,  Alex.  R.,  58  Fort  St.,  Mont. 

Lawson,  F.  W.,  8th  H. 

Leavitt,  A.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 

Linden,  Thos.  E.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Litile,  Andrew,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Lobbin,  John  M.,  Q.  O.  C.  H. 

Lockhart,  J.  H.,  74th  B.,  Sussex, N.B. 

Lord,  John  Wm.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Macafee,  Thos.  R.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

MacCaffrey,  John  J.,  Kentville,  N.  S. 

Mackay,  John  D.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Wackintosh,  A.  C.,  B.  I.  C. 

McMillan,  L.  C.,93rdC.  B. 

McCuUey,  J.  R.,  8ih  H  . 

Mcintosh,  A .  L.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 

Mcintyre,  R.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 

McClintock,  Guy,  B  S  ,  R.  C.  D. 

McGregor,  Sara.  J.,  B.  I.  C. 

McKelvie,  Albert,  Man.  D. 

Merchant,   E.,  100  Loampit  Vale,  Le- 
wisham,  Kent,  Eng. 

Mallory,  E.  P.,62ndSt.  J.  F. 

Marriott,  Thos.  H.,  Man.  D. 

Marshall,  Herbert  N.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 

Massie,  J.  O.,  Sweetsburg,  P.  Q. 

Metzler,  H.,  2nd  Lient.    74th  B.,  Sus- 
sex, N  .  B. 

Miller,  L.  R.,  Lawrencetown,  N.  S. 

Moody,  H.  D.,  218  McCaul  St.,  Tor. 

Morrison,  D.  A.,  8th  H. 

Iklorrison,  F.  S.,  8th  H. 

Moorehouse,  A.  H.,  2nd  Lient.  74th  B., 

Sussex,  N.B. 
Mortimore,    E.    A.,   Catford     Bridge, 

London,  Eng. 
Newton.  C.  R.  B.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 
Nilant,  J.,62ndSt.  J.  F. 
Othern,  Chas.  R.,  B.  I.  C. 
Qwen,  Clarence  C,  5th  D. 
Palmer,  Henry,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Pawsey,  A.  J.,  Gore,  HantsCc,  N.  S. 
Pickworth,  A.,  479  Huron  St.,  Tor. 


Ramsay,  David  Law,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Rae,  John  Graham,  6th  H. 

Rea,  Louis  Aytoun,  Winnipeg,  M.in. 

Reid,  W.  J.,  Holland  Landing,  Ont. 

Reid,  George,  Toronto. 

Kidley,  Thomas,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Roberts,  Arthur  H.,  Man.  D. 

Roberts,  PercyC.  F.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 

Robinson,  Geo.  M.,  Como,  Que. 

Rodger,  Wm.  D.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 

Rose,  Edward  Percy,  Médical  Collège, 

\Vinnipeg. 
Russell,  Richard,  sth  D. 
Ryan,  J.  T.,  Sth  H. 
Kyan,  Bertram,  Man.  D. 
Ryan,  W.  Cuthbert,  Man.  D. 
Ryerson,  A.  E.,  215  Bathurst  St.,  Tor. 
Sanford,  E.  A.,  Canning,  N.  S. 
Shea,  Isaac,  Pendleton,  Ont. 
Simpson,  John,  Morden,  Man. 
Sinclair,  James,  Yorkton,  N.  \V.  T. 
Snyder,  Wm.  H.,  Berwick,  N.  S. 
Stevenson,  H.  T.,  Sth  H. 
Stevens,  C,  A  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Sterrett,  J.  S.,  Halifax,  N.  S. 
Thompson,  John,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Thompson,  S.  H.,  39  Assiniboine  Ave., 

Winnipeg,  Man. 
Thompson,  T.  A.,  Oxford,  N.  S. 
Treadkill,  James,  Man.   D. 
Todt,  Théodore  F.,  sth  D. 
Turner,  Albert,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Tylor,  Montagne  H.,  B  S.,  R.   C.   D. 
Venning,  W.  E.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 
Wallace,  F.  W.,  Man.  D. 
Ward,  Wm.  H,  B.  I.  C. 
White,  J.  W.,  Toronto,  Ont. 
White,  Henry  B.,  Waterville,  N.  S. 
W'ilkinson,  Thomas,  Man.  D. 
Wood,  JohnT.,  Man.  D. 
Woods,  Robert  A.,  B  S.,  R.  C.  D. 
Wurtele,  G.  E.,Q.O.  C.  H. 


2nd  BATTALION 


Prîvate— Corps — If  not  belongittg  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Adams,  David  Egerton,  Edmonton. 
Aston,  Geoffrey  H.,  N.  W\  M.  P. 
Aspinall,  Alfred,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Avery,  Walter,  Maple  Creek. 
Ayre,  Charles,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Aylesworth,  John  E.,  N.  W.  M.  P 
Bagshawe,  >laurice  Jos.,  N.  W.  M. 
Baines,  Harry  Hewiit,  Calgary. 


P. 


Barker,  Joseph  Martin,  Calgary. 

Barry,  John,  Moosomin. 

Baldwin,  Henry  Yardwood,  Regina. 

Ballantine,  James  Alex.,  N  .  W.  M.  P. 

Bail,  John  Éverett,  Edmonton. 

Bassett,  Percy,  Calgary. 

Bell,  Walter  D.,  Maitland,  Calgary. 

Bell,  Campbell,  Maple  Creek. 


174 


LIST   OF   THE   SECOND    CONTINGENT 


Private — Corps— If  7iot  belonging  io  any  Corps,  Posi  Office  Address. 


Beyts,  Stanley  Buxton,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Beyts,  Walter  James,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Biddell,  Percy  James,  Calgary. 
Birney,  John  Andrew,  Calgary. 
Bird,  Arthur  Lewis,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Bird,  Thos.  Albert,  Prince  Albert. 
Biscoe,  Vincent  Henry,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Blake,  James  Aug.,  N.  W..  M.  P. 
Border,  John  Wesley,  Regina. 
Bourne,  Lutwidge  Edward,  Macleod. 
Bolster,  George,  Pincher  Creek. 
Boit,  Herbert  George,  Calgary. 
Bradley,  Wm.   Arthur,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Bredin,  Henry  Hall,  Calgarj-. 
Bredin,  Andrew  Noble,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Brewster,  John  Nipissing,  Macleod. 
Brindle,  Herbert  James,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Brinkworth,  George  W.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Brown,  George  A.,  Regina. 
Brown,  Hector  J.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Brown,  Thomas,  B.  C.  Volunteers. 
Brown,  Arthur  Herbert,  Calgary. 
Brown,  Villiers  Sidney,  Calgary. 
Brown,  John  Henry,  Moosomin. 
Bruce,   Edgar  Francis,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Bryans,  Thomas,  2oth  L.  R. 
Burke,  James  Alex.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Burke,  Patrick,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Butler,  Arthur  Charles,  Macleod. 
Burke,  Wm.  Henry,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Brennan,  Robert  James,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Callaghan,  Thomas,  Maple  Creek. 
Camies,  Ernest  Jos.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Campbell,  Aaron  Wm.,  Edmonton. 
Carson,  Thomas  Edgar,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Carter,  Wm.,  Regina. 
Carter,  John,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Charlton,  Henry  Lyons,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Champion,  Albert,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Charles,  Allan   Hughes,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Church,  Frank,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Clarke,  Douglas,  Prince  Albert. 
Clark,  Edward  Douglas,  Edmonton. 
Clendinnen,  Bertram  Wm.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Colbert,  James  Alfred,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Courtney,  Thomas  James,  Halifax. 
Crawley,  Alfred  Wm.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Cudlip,  Albert  James,  Pincher  Creek. 
Cunningham,  Wm.  Percy,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Cléments,   Harry  Ham.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Davies,  Henry  Bromley,  Calgary. 
Davis,  JeflFerson,  Calgary. 
Davy,  George  Allastair,  Edmonton. 
Davidson,  Frank,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Des  Barres,  Hermann,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
De  Rossiter,  Walter  W.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Dewey,  John,  Calgary. 
Dennis,  Oliver  George,  Edmonton. 
Dean,  Albert,  Regina. 
Dill,  Frank  Brown,  Moosomin. 
Dickson,  Robert  Thos.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Dodd,  Victor,  Regina. 
Donovan,  Daniel,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Doolan,  John  Thomas,  Edmonton. 


Donnelly,  Austin  John,  Pincher  Creek. 
Doré,  George  L.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Dowler,  Thomas,  Macleod. 
Drury,  Percival  S.,  Maple  Creek. 
Duxbury,  Thomas,  Pincher  Creek. 
Durrant,  Wm.  Francis,  Macleod. 
Durie,  James  Douglas,  Calgary. 
D'Easum,  Basil  Chichester,  Edmonten. 
Eaton,  Robert  Barry,  Calgary. 
Eddv,  James  Harden,  Macleod. 
Egan,  Peter,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Elkington,  Alfred  Jos.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
EUis,  Percy,  Regina. 
Krmatinger,  Charles  P.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Erwin,  Milton,  Macleod. 
Esson,  Charles,  Macleod. 
l'erguson,  George,  Edmonton. 
Ferries,  Charles  Henry,  Calgary. 
Fisk,  Charles  Edward,  Calgary. 
Fisher,  James,  Calgary. 
Fitzgerald,  Francis  Jos.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Fletcher,  James,  Calgary. 
Flynn,  Wm.  Bernard,  Maple  Creek. 
Foran,  Charles  Joseph,  Macleod. 
Forbes,  Lestock  Reid,  Calgary. 
Fortune,  Andrew  Park,   K.  W.  M.  P. 
Foster,  Wm.  Wallace,  Maple  Creek. 
Fotheringham,  David  H.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
French,   Fred.,   Spécial  N.  W.  M.  P. 
French,  John  Poyntz,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Frost,  Walter,  Calgary. 
(ialwey,  Richard  M.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Geoghegan,  John,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
(jiles,  Wm.  A.,  Edmonton. 
Gladwin,  James  Muir,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Glover,  Fred.  Stanley,  Pincher  Creek. 
Goodfellow,  George,  Maple  Creek. 
Gordon,  George  Fred.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
(ioodman,  Théodore,  Regina. 
Gould,  Goodwin  N.,  Pincher  Creek. 
(iow,  Alex.  Murray.  Moosomin. 
(;ray,  John  Wm.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
(iray,  Wm.,  Macleod. 
(ireenall,  Frank,  Calgary. 
(îreen,  Herbert  Frank,  Pincher  Creek. 
(.ireen,  Grishorn  W.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Green,  Arthur  E.  C,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Griesbach,  Wm.  Antrobus,  Edmonton. 
(iroat,  Forbies,  Edmonton. 
Gunn,  Henry  Aitken,  Pincher  Creek. 
Haddock,  Alex.  Gardner,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Hammond,  Wm.  Henry,  Regina. 
Hanna,  Wm.  Henry,  Edmonton. 
Harris,  Wm.  James,  St.  Charles  P.  O. 
Harle>,  Thomas,  Calgary. 
Hayne,  Murray  H.  Ed.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
llead,  Henry  Arthur,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Healey,  John  May,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Hendren,  George  Grant,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Henry,  Wm.  Alex.,  Macleod. 
Herchmer,  Sherwood,  Regina. 
Hertzog,  Wm.  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Hewetson,  John  S.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Higinbotham,  Wm.  B.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 


LIST   OF    THE    SECOND    CONTINGENT 


1/5 


Privât e — Corps — If  not  belongîng  io  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


HiUing,  Thos.  James,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Hilliam,  Edward,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Hobbins,  Samuel,  Calgary. 
Hodgkiss,  Sidney  Harry,  EdmonUm. 
Houlgate,  Henry  Laune,  Calgary. 
Howden,  Gordon  T.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Huckell,  Benjamin  Wm.,  Halifax. 
Hughes,  Thomas  Price,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Hughes,  Louis  Campbell,  Calgary. 
Hughey,  John,  Regina. 
Hutchinson,  Charles  Edward,  Calgary. 
Jackson,  Frank  Andrew,  Edmonton. 
Jamieson,  Fred.  Charles,  Edmonton. 
larvis,  Arthur  Byron,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
jeffery,  Nichol,  N.  W.  M,  P. 
Jenkins,  Horace,  Regina. 
Johnson,  Norman  S.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Johnston,  Douglas  F.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Johnstone,  Andrew,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Kelley,  PercyH.,  A  Troop,  Man.  D. 
Kerrigan,  Michael,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Kerr,  Graham,  Moosomin. 
Kerr,  Robert  John,  Pincher  Creek. 
Kibby,  Albert,  Macleod. 
King,  Raymond  Spencer,  Edmonton. 
King,  George,  Maple  Creek. 
King,  John  Edward,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Kirwan,  Henry  John,  Calgary. 
Knight,  Reginad  S.,  N.  W .  M.  P. 
Krag,  Cari,  Regina. 
Lane,  Harry  Goldney,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Laroque,  Joseph  Arthur,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Lawe,  Alex.  Wrightson,  Regina. 
Laws,  Burnett,  Macleod. 
Leach,  Richard,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Leach,  Frank   É.,  Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
Lee,  Hugh,  Calgary. 
Leggat,  Matthew,   St.  Charles,  P.  Q. 
Lett,  Henry,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Lett,  Richard,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Lindsay,  John,  Edmonton. 
Lloyd,  Benjamin  Harry,  Calgary. 
Long,  John  Franklin,  Calgary. 
Long,  Arthur  Tilney,  Regina. 
Long,  James  Patrick,  Regina. 
McArthur,  John,  Macleod. 
McCallum,  Archibald  Duncan,  Regina. 
McCall,  Wallace,  Maple  Creek. 
McCallum,  Louis,  Calgary. 
McCauley,  Alex.  Jas.  H.,  Edmonton. 
McClelland,  Wm.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
McCulloch,  F.  Sergt.  D.,N.W.M.  P. 
McDougall,  Duncan,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Macdougall,  Harold  Vald.,  Macleod. 
McGeachy,  Thomas,  Edmonton. 
McKay,  Charles  Tossell,  Calgary. 
McKen,  Wm.,  Regina. 
Mackenna,   Robert  Jos.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
McK-inley,  Alex.,  Edmonton. 
McLaughlin,  Stanley,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
McLaughlin,  Sidney,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
McLaughlin,  P.  Jas.  S..N.  W.  M.  P. 
McLeod,  Wm.  Baldwin,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
McLeod,  Robt.  Wm.,  N .  W.  M.  P. 


McMillan,  Charles  John,  Regina. 
MacNeil,  Alfred  C,  Prince  Albert. 
McNeill,  James,  Calgary. 
McNeil,  Malcolm  Reid,  Moosomin. 
McNicol,  John,  Regina. 
McNicol,  Peter  Hector,  Regina. 
Maloney,  Jos.  Daniel,  Edmonton. 
Marchand,  Charles  H.,  Edmonton. 
Marshall,  Edward,  Calgary. 
Martin,  Harry  James,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Manson,  James  Reid,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Mead,  Clément  C,  Pincher  Creek. 
Miller,  Hugh,  Regina. 
Miles,  Thomas  R.,  Pincher  Creek. 
IMiles,  Henry  V.  W.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Millie,  Samuel  Bouchier,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Moloney,  Albert  Charles,  Edmonton. 
Mongeon,  Joseph,  Pincher  Creek. 
Mooney,  John,  Prince  Albert. 
Morden,  James  Fred.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Morrison,  Alf.  S.,Col.-Sgt.  gothW.  R. 
Morrison,  Donald,  Regina. 
More,  Peter  James,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
MuUen,  William  James,  Edmonton. 
Napier,  William  Hugh,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Near,  Benjamin,  Regina. 
Nettleton,  Thorn,  Moosomin. 
Nevile,  Herbert  Sandford,  Moosomin. 
Northway,  Richard  John,  Calgary. 
Nunneley,  Edward,  Edmonton. 
O'Grady,  Samuel  C.  H.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
O'Kelly,  Andrew  Nolan,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
O'Kelly,  Gerald  M.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Oliver,  Walter  R.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Olsen,  Jas.  A.,  Prince  Albert,  N.  W.T. 
Ouimet,  Télesphore  O.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Paling,  Ernest  John,  Calgary. 
Parker,  Frank  Edward,  Regina. 
Patterson,  Francis  David,  Calgary. 
Paterson,  John  Alexander,  Macleod. 
Palteson,  Thomas  Edward,  Macleod. 
Peebles,  Herbert  Walter,  Edmonton. 
Perry,  Frank,  N.  W.  M    P. 
Peters,  Christopher  R.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Petersen,  Charles  Frank,  Regina. 
Pierson,  Alan,  Edmonton. 
Piper,  Somerton  F.,  Regina. 
Pifer,  William  Warren,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Pointon,  F.,  N.  W.  M.  P.,   Spl.  Con. 
Pope,  Harold  William,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Porter,  William  Tom,  Calgary. 
Pratt,  Frank  Edward,  Regina. 
Quinn,  David  George,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Ramsay,  Thomas   M.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Randall,  Reginald  Chadd  S.,  Regina. 
Râper,  Arthur  C  ,  Pincher  Creek. 
Reeve,  George  H.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Redpath,  John  R.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Reichert,  Edward,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Reid,  William  Archibald,  Edmonton. 
Kitchie,  James,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Robertson,  Alistair  Irvine,  Macleod. 
Robertson,  John,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Robinson,  Charles  Wilson,  Regina. 


176 


LIST   OF   THE    SECOxN'D    CONTINGENT 


Privaie — Corps — If  not  belonging  io  any  Corps,  Pcst  Office  Addreit. 


Rochfort,  Cowper  Fred.  W.,  Regina. 
Rogers,  Edmund  Harper,  Calgary. 
Ross,  Arthur,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Ross,  Grant  Allan,  Regina. 
Rubbra,   Frank   Horace,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Rubbra,  Théodore  Charles,  Macleod. 
Ruck,  Lawr.,  Carnarvon,  X.  Wales. 
Russell,  John,  Edmonton. 
Ruth,  Frederick  C,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Salmon,  George  Francis,  Moosomin. 
Sargent,  John  Beresford,  Regina. 
Schell,  Joseph  John,  Edmonton. 
Scott,  Thomas,  Macleod. 
Sexton,  Frank,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Shobbrook,  Heber,  Moosomin. 
Sharp,  Lance,  Edmonton. 
Sharpe,   Stanley  Lancelot,  Moosomin. 
Sharpe,  George  Grinley,  Regina. 
Sheppard,  Walter  F.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Sheppard,  Reginald  Harry,  Regina. 
Shunn,  Abner,  N,  W.  M.  P. 
Simms,  John,  Calgarj*. 
Stewart,  John  Poster,  Macleod. 
Skeet,  Ronald  Geo.  S.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Skinner,  Wm.   Paxton,  Pincher  Creek. 
Slack,  Charles  John,  Calgary. 
Smart,  James,  Âlaple  Creek. 
Smith,  Reuben,  Prince  Albert. 
Smith,  Henry  Daniel,  Edmonton. 
Smith,  James  Alpin,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Smith,  Cavin  Graham,  Regina. 
Smith,  Ovide,  Pincher  Creek. 
Smith,  William  Cunningham,   Regina. 
Soper,    Fred.  Percy  W.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Soubê,  Angus,  Pincher  Creek. 
Spreadbury,  Alfred,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Sprott,  William,  Edmonton. 
Stayner,  Richard  W.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Stephens,  Reginald  Herbert,  Regina. 
Stevens,  Robert  C.  H.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 


Storey,  Arthur,  K.  W.  M.  P. 
Strong,  Harold,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Talbot,  Milton  Smith,  Regina. 
Taylor,  Sydney,  Calgary. 
Taylor,  John  Edward,  Macleod. 
Taylor,  Frank  Joseph,  Edmonton. 
Taylor,  Joseph  Robert,  X.  W.  M.  P. 
Thackwell,  Edward    Hillyar,  Calgary . 
Threadkell,  Frank,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Thevenet,  Marcel  Raoul,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Tracey,  Augustus  Warren,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Travers,  Oliver,  Edmonton 
Tr^•on,  Charles  Robert,  Kegina. 
Tucker,  Henry  Walter,  Pincher  Creek. 
Uniacke,  Andrew  Gore,  Calgary. 
Vernon,  Walter  G.   H.,   X.  W.  M.  P. 
Villebrum,  Peter,  Regina. 
Waite,  A  ,  Stanley,  X.  W.  M.  P. 
Waldy,  Edward  Fielding,  Calgary. 
Waller,  Pitt,  X\  W.  M.  P. 
Walsh,  Robt.  George,  Regina. 
Wallon,  Joseph,  Prince  Albert. 
Warene,  Harrj'  Thos.,  X.  W.  M.   P. 
Weatherald,  Charles   Ed.,   Moosomin. 
Weaver,  Oswald  James,  Regina. 
Weir,  Robert  Henry,  X.  W.  M.  P. 
Westhead,  Charles  George,  Edmonton. 
Wetzell,  Olaf,  X.  W.  Î^L  P. 
Whittaker,  John,  X.  W.  !SL  P. 
Wildman,  George  Ed.,  X.  W.  M.  P. 
Wilkie,  William,  Edmonton. 
Wilson,  Maurice  Studdert,  Macleod. 
Wilson,  Thomas  G.,  Pincher  Creek. 
Wilson,  George  Peter,  X.  W.  M.  P. 
Willson,  Justus  Duncan,  Regina. 
Winfield,  Harry,  Calgary. 
Wolters,  Paul,  X.  W.  M.  P. 
Wood,  William,  Edmonton. 
Wood,  Percy  Amble,  Macleod. 
Woollcombe,  John,  Edmonton. 


Brigade  Division,  Tieid  Jirtillery 


Connuanding  Officer. 

Drurt,  C.  W.,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Royal  Canadian  Artillery.     A.   D.  C.   to 
His  Excellency,  the  Governor-General. 

North-lVett.iSSs. 

"  C  "  Battery 

Major. 

Hudon,  J.  A.  G.,  Major  R.  C.  A., 
North-  Weit,  1883. 

Captain. 

Panet,  H.  A.,  Capt.  R.  C.  A.    Grad- 
uate  R.  M.  C. 

Lieutenants. 

ist  Section:  Leslie,  J.   N.   S.,  Lieut. 

RCA 
and  Section  :'King,  W.   B.,  Capt.   yth 

F.  B.,C.  A. 
ard  Section  :  Irving,  L.  E.  W.,  Capt. 

R.ofO. 


"D"  Battery 

Major. 
Hurdman,W.  G.,Maj.  2ndF.  B.,C.A. 

Captain. 
Eaton,  D.  I,  V.,  Capt.  R.  C.  A. 
Lieutenants. 

ist  Section:  Van  Tuyl,  T.  W.,Capt. 

6thF.  B.,C.  A.     Grad.  R.  M.  C. 
and  Section:  McCrea,  J.,  Lieut.  i6th 

F.  B.,C.  A. 
ard  Section  :  Morrison,  E.  W.  B.,  Lieut. 

8ndF.B.,C.A. 


"E"  Battery 

Major. 
Ogilvie,  G.  H.,  Major  R.  C.  A. 
Nortk-  West,  1883. 

Captain. 

Costigan,   R.,  Major  srdF.  B.,C.A. 

Lieutenants. 

ist  Section:  Murray,  W.  P.,  Lieut.  gth 

F.  B.,C.  A. 
2nd   Section:    Ogilvie,  A.   T.,    Lieut. 

RCA 
3rd  Section:    Good,  W.  C,  Capt.  loth 

F.  B.,C.  A. 

Attached  for  Duty. 

Mackie,  H.   J.,  Capt.   42nd    B.,  late 
2ndF.  B.,  C.  A. 

Adjutant. 

Thacker,  H.CCapt.  R.  C.  A.  Grad- 
uate  R.  M.  C. 

Médical  Officer. 

Worthington,    A.   N.,   Surgeon-Major 
53rdS.  B. 
North-yVett,i8Ss. 

Veterinary  Officer. 
Massie,  J.,  Veterinary-Major  R.  C.  A. 

Médical  Staff  for  General 
Service. 

1  Vaux,  Lieut.   F.,  Can.  Army  Med.  S. 


Brigade  Division,  R.  €.  K 


"  C  "  Field  Battery 

Corps — If  noi  belonging  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Addrcss. 


B.  S. -Major  Gimblett,  W.  H  . ,  R .  C.  A. 
Q.  M.  S.  de  M.  Silifant,  R.  C.  A. 
Q.  M.  S.  Bramah,  \V.,  R.  C.  A. 
Sergt.  McCully,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 
'■       Shipton,  W.  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Graham,  R.  W.,  R.  C.  A. 
"       Slater,  S.,  R.  C.  A 
"       Kiely,  W.,  i3thF.  B.,C.  A. 
Far.  Sergt.  Harper,  S.,  Moulton,  Ont. 
Corpl.  Wherry,  M.  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
"        Grey,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Hilton,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 
Aldcroft,  G.,  R.  C.  A. 
"        Higginson,  Jos.,  4th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Bomb.  Barnard,  W.,4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Boyle,  R.,  yth  F.  B.,C.  A. 
"        Hope,  R.  S.,  2oth  L.  R. 

Tennant,  W.  H.,  i3th  F.B.,C.A. 
Marling,  B.,  yth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Williams,  O.  V.,  R.  C.  A. 
"       Boulanger,  G. 
Trptr.  Robert,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 

Gunners  or  Driver*. 

Allan,  W.,  77th  W.  B. 
Andersen,  A.,  i3th  F.  B..  C.  A. 
Andress,  B.,  Belleville,  Ont. 
Andrews,  \Vm.,  4ih  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Armstrong,  A.,  Tweed,  Ont. 
Baird,  G.  A.,  Ridgetown,  Ont. 
Barker,  H.  A.,  isthH.  B. 
Bell,  Wm.,4thF.  B.,  C.  A. 
Bellamy,  R.  E.,  Brockville,  Ont. 
Benson,  W.,  R.  C    A. 
Birch,  C.  E.,  Kingston,  Ont. 
Black,  J.,  St.  Catharines,  Ont. 
Blackley,  F.,  4thF.  B.,  C.  A. 
Blackeby,  A.  E.,  Kinjjsiou,  Ont. 
Bond,  J.  C.,  loronto. 


Burton,  W.,  Harrismith,  Ont. 
Cavins,  John. 

Chandler,  G.,  gth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Clarkson,  L.,  gth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Cobb,  E.,  i3thF.  B.,C.  A. 
Coffey,  G.,  Kingston,  Ont. 
Cosby,  N.  W.,  Lieut.  48th  H. 
Davenport,  J.,  Northport,  Ont. 
Derwent,  F.  C,  Croydon,  England. 
Derwent,  W.  R.,  Croydon,  England. 
Eastwood,  W.,  Gananoque,  Ont. 
Evans,  H.  C.,  Toronto. 
Eby,  —  F.,  Kingston,  Ont. 
Fuller,  L.  B.,  and  Q.  O.  R. 
Gare,  J.  C.,  St.  Catharines. 
(jarry,  James,  4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Glenn,  M.,  Fort  Henry,  Kingston. 
Goodbrand,  A.,  77th  W.  B. 
Genge,  R.,  Gananoque,  Ont. 
George,  Wesley,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Gillen,  T.  A.,  i8  Lady  Lane,  Paisley, 

Scotland. 
Gillespie,  H.,  Plainfield,  Ont. 
Gordon,  Hugh,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Gowdey,  B.,  Kingston,  Ont. 
Gray,  J.  W.,  Kingston  Lower  Station. 
Grant,  J.  A.,  Gananoque,  Ont. 
Green,  J.  F.,  St.  Catharines,  Ont. 
Greenfield,  J.  K.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Guest,  J.  W.,  Picton,  Ont. 
Hamilton,  T. 

Hamn.ond,  D.  B.,  3ist  G.  B. 
Hanson,  C.,  Cobiirg,  Ont. 
Harrison,  E.,  Napanee,  Ont. 
Holbrook,  Geo.,  Greenwood,  B.  C. 
Holmes,  W.,  Alcester   Road,  Brooms- 

grove,  Kent,  England. 
Hopson,  E.  H.,  9ih  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hopkinson,  Wm.,  4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Howe,  G.,  Toronto,  Ont. 


LIST  OF  THE  DRIGADE  DIVISION,  R.  C.  A. 


'79 


Corps— //  no:  telongitig  io  any  Corps,  Po:i  Office  Adiirets. 


Hiidson,  E.  A.  P.,  4lh  K.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hudson,  H.  F.,  i3ih  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hughes,  Cha'rles,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hughes,  E.,  Wolfe  Island,  Ont. 
Irving,  C.  H.,  Toronto. 
Irwin,  J.  F.,  7th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Isbister,  M.  L.,  i3lh  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Sohns,  J.  C.  M.,  Burlington,  Ont. 
ohnson,  A.  S.,  gth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
ohnson,  E.,  Vanick  Hill,  Ont. 
Lenny,  E.  L.,  Brockville,  Ont. 
Laird,  G.  A.,  Irlaw,  Manchester,  Eng. 
Laidlaw,  W.  C,  Barrie,  Ont. 
La  V aile,  James,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Loosemore,  R.,  7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Malthouse,  H.,  Niagara  Falls,  Ont. 
McCalla,  G.  B.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
McCamis,  H.,  isth  H.  B. 
McCollum,  W.,R.  A. 
McCoy,  A.  L.,  42nd  L.  and  R.  B. 
McDonald,  W.  E.,  4th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
McDonald,  A.,  Gananoque,  Ont. 
Macdonald,  W.  J.,  gth  F.  A.,  C.  A. 
Macdonald,  F.  Cgth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
McEachern,  C.  E.,  2nd  Q.  O.  R. 
McGregor,  D.  J.,  14  the  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Mcintyre,  W.,  Fort  William,  Ont. 
IMcKenzie,  K.,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
McLean,  James,  4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
McNabb,  J.  A.,  isth  H.  B. 
McQuarrie,  A.,  lath  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Marsden,  A.,  7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Marshall,  G.,  Kingston,  Ont. 
Maatin,  Jas.,  St.  Catharines. 
Martin,  T.,  Borun,  Newfoundland. 
Mathias,  C.,  I3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Miller,  J.  W.,  Manchester,  England. 
Moore,  A.,  St.  Catharines. 
Moffat,  J.  N.,  Valencia,  P.  O.,  Ont. 
Munsie,  H.  S.,i476Le.\ingtonAv.,  N.Y. 
^lurray.  H.,  358  Victoria  Ave.,  Mont. 
Kewdick,  N.,  Stoufifville,  Ont. 
Newnham,  T.  F.,  Kingston,  Ont. 
Newton,  S.,  7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Norwebb,  C.  H.  S.,  West  Bridgeford 

Road,  Nottingham,  Eng. 
O'Neill,  R.,  St.  Catharines,  Ont. 
O'Reilly,  J.  F.,  77111  W.  B. 
Paget,  T.  E.,  Marmora,  Ont. 


Patton,  Wm.,4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Pe.isnell,  A.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Porteous,  J.,  Hamilton,  Ont. 

Po\vell,G.,2nd  Q.  O.  R. 

Price,  T.  R.,  Brockville,  Ont. 

Raynor,  H  .,  Toronto. 

Richardson,  J.  R.,  loth  R.  G. 

Robertson,  W.  J.,  4th  F.  E.,  C.  A. 

Roberlson,  W.  A.,  37th  H  .  R. 

Robinson,  A.,  Kingston,  Ont. 

Robinson,  G.  F.,  Brockville,  Ont. 

Ryder,  E.,  Kingston,  Ont. 

Schell,  Geo.,  qth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Seward,  F.  W.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Shaw,  John,  Toronto. 

Shaw,  E.,  Gananoque,  Ont. 

Shaw,  E.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Shedd,  F.,  Centreville,  Vermont,  U. 
S.  A. 

Smith,  T.,  200  Wood  St.,  Hamilton. 

Smith,  W.  J.,  Hickson  Ave.,  King- 
ston, Ont. 

Smythe,  G.,  Kingston,  Ont. 

Speck,  F.,  7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Stallwood,  R.  J.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Straley,  Wm.,  gth  F.  B..  C.  A. 

Stringer,  H.  L.,  4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Sweeney,  G.  R.,  Toronto. 

Sweet,  C.  E.,  Seeley's  Bay,  Ont. 

Tompson,  C.  W.,  Kingston  Ont. 

Tibbs,  J.  W.,gthF.  B.,  C.  A. 

Tramer,  Wm.  D.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Troiman,  D.,  Carleton  Place,  Ont. 

Turnbull.  John,  I3th  F.  B..  C.  A. 

Tupper,  R.  R. 

Turvey,  Albert  E  ,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Turner,  T.,  Mary  Hill  St.,  Glasgow. 

Tyner,  E.  L.,  gth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Vanorman,  G.,  4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Walker,  J.  A,,  Hawthorne,  Ont. 

Wallis,  G.  F.,  i2th  Y.  R. 

Watson,  L.,  Brockville,  Ont. 

Williams,  S.,  Toronto. 

Williamson,  W.  J.  S.,  Burlington,  Ont. 

Williams,  A.,  I3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Wilson,  R.,  421  Théodore  St.,  Ottawa. 

Wilson,  H.,  38  Charles  St.,  Kingston. 

Winger,  J.  C,  7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Wood,  A,  H.,  gth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 


"  O  "  Field   Battery 

Corps — Ifnot  belongîng  toany  Corps,  Post  Office  Address, 


Sergt.  Major  Mcintyre,  W.,  A  F.  B., 

R    C    A. 
Q.  S.  M.  Slade,  J.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Sergt.  Henderson,G.,AF.B.,R.C.A. 

"       Somers,  L.,  A  F.  B.,R.  C.  A. 

••       Lett,  K.,  iithF.  B.,C.  A. 

"       Bamhill,  J.,6thF.  B.,C.  A. 

"       Stinsoii,  \V.J.,AF.B.,R.C.A. 


Sergt.  Wood,  B.  S.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Corp.     Kenealy,    J.,   jr.,    A    F.    B. 

RCA 
Corp.    "Berubé,   J.    F.    X.,  A   F.    B. 

R.  C.  A. 
Corp.  Curzon,  J.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

"     Ross,  M.,  i6th  F.  B.,C.  A. 

"     Colter,  C.  F.,6thF.  B.,C.  A. 


i8o 


LIST  OF  THE  BRIGADE  DIVISION,  R.  C.  A. 


Corps — If  not  belonging  io  any  Corf>s,  Post  Office  Address. 


Bomb.  Smith,  W.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C-  A. 

"      Wagar,  F.  E.,AF.B.,R.C.A. 

"       Brown,  G.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 

"      Beaven,  L.  E.,2nd  F.B.,  C.A. 

"      Mattries.  E.E.,  AF.B.jR.C.A. 
Tptr.  Barker,  VV.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Cunners  or  Drivers. 

Abbs,  F.,  iith  F.B.,C.  A. 
Alexander,  F.  H.,  and  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Anderson,  J.  C,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Ballantine,  J.,  2oth  L.  R. 
Bancroft,  G.R.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Barber,  S.  W.,  soth  W.  R. 
Bargette,  T.  E.,  iith  F.  B.,  C,  A. 
Barrett,  G.  A.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Bapty,  W.,  iith  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Belford,  J.  A.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Beaven,  N.  W.,  Ottawa. 
Bennett,  T.  B.,  G.  G.  F.  G. 
Bolton,  D.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Bott,  E.  S.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Boyle,  R.,  i4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Bradley,  R.,  Ottawa. 
Bradley,  S.  W.,  Hazledean. 
Bramah,  E.  J.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Bramah,  T.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C,  A. 
Brown,  J.  A.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Burnham,  H.  L.,  I4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Cameron,  H.  H.,  G.  G.  F.  G" 
Campbell,  J.  A.,3othW.  R. 
Cornett,  H.  G.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Cartledge,  W.  R.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Cause,  H.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Chisholm,  D.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Clarke,  S.  A.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Crowe,  A.  R.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Coogan,  R.  J.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Cormack,  Jas.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Daley,  M.  J.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A . 
Davey,  W.  H.  G.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Davey,  F.,  Ottawa. 
Davidson,  T.  C.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Darlington,  G.  W.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Decasse,  G.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Denmark,  J.  C,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Denges,  H.  D.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Dickson,  W.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Donaghy,  J.  A.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Elliott,  L.,  20th  L.  R. 
Evatt,  E. 

Farquharson,  G.  H.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Fennell,  C.  W.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Flannigan,  A.,  i6th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Forest,  H.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Gamble,  R.  B. 

Garnett,  C.  G.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Gavan,  W.,  29tn  W.  B. 
Gervan,  J.  E.,  Ottawa. 
Gillespie,  J.,  Billings  Bridge,  Ont. 
Glenn,  W.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Glenister,  J.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Gokey,  F.  W.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 


Gould,  W.  J.,2olhL.  R. 
Graham,  G.,  Brighton,  England. 
Greene,  E.  W,,  A  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Griffin,  T.  M.,  Kemptville,  Ont. 
Hall,  V.  A.,  46lh  D.  B. 
Hare,  W.  A.,  E.  C. 
Hare,  W.  R.,  E.  C. 
Henry,  B.,  Ottawa. 
Hinch,  J.  E.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Hodson,  G.  C,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hopkins,  W.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Howard,  G.  V.  W.,  Aylmer,  Ont. 
Howe,  H.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hugall,  P.,  R.  C.  A. 
Hume,  A.  H.,6thF.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hutchinson,  E.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A, 
Igglesden,  E.,2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Irish,  V.  A.,C.  C.,C.  A. 
Jackson,  J.,  iith  F.  B.,C.  A. 
James,  J.  W.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A 
Keeler,  H.,  J4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Kerr,  Thomas. 

Kerr,  P.  A.,  2nd  F.  B..C.  A. 
Kidd,  C,  i6thF.  B.,  C.  A. 
KingC.,3othW.  R. 
Kitcheman,  H.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Lacoste,  J. 

Lafloor,  S.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Lamkin,  W.  L.,  B  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Lane,  E.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Lawes,  G.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C,  A. 
Leach,  W.  D.,  2nd   Lient.  46th  D.  B. 
Lee,  F.  E.,  iith  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Lefroy,  C.  J.  A„  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
LeRoy,  Lewis  J.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Lewis,  C. 

Lyon,  A.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Macdonald,  D.  A.,  sôth  L.  R. 
McDonald,  J.  C.,  28th  P.  B. 
McCuaig,  A.  B.,  P.  L.  D.  G. 
McGibbon,  D.,  iith  F.  B.,  C,  A. 
McKenzie,  H.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A.  ■ 
Mason,  F    W.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Miller,  A.,iithF.  B.,C.  A. 
Mills,  C.  E.,6thF.  B.,  C.  A. 
Mintram,  A.  M.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Mole,  C.  E.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Moore,  W.  J.,  2oth  L.  R. 
Nicholson,  H.,  and  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
O'Connor,  T.  P.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Ough,  C.  R.,  i4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Outram,  F.  H.,  46th  D.  B. 
Pape,  J.  J.,  AF.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Parker,  G.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Partridge,  W.  R.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Philp,  J.,  iith  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Picot,  E.,  C.  I.  F.  B. 
Pryke,  G.,4th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Quinney,  J.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Quirenbach,  H.,  ii  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Randell,  J.  W.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Ray,  J.,6thF.  B.,C.  A. 
Read,  H.,46thD.  B. 
Richmond,  A.  S.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 


LIST  OF  THE  BRIGADE  DIVISION,  R.  C.  A. 


iSl 


Corfs — If  noi  belonging  io  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Robinson,  A.,  Ottawa. 
Russell,  D.  H.  N.,  i6th   F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Russell,  J.  M.,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Sandercock,  J. 

Sargent,  A.,  A  F.  B.,  K.  C.  A. 
Scollie,  F.  L.,  i4th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Shepherd,  G.  K  ,  i6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Shore,  E.  R.,  eth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Skirving,  V.  A.,  6th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Smith,  W.  F.,  A  F.  B..  R.  C.  A. 
Somers,  J.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Sparrow,  J.  G.,  i6th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Street,  C,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Street,  J.  D.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Stephenson,  B.,  iith  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Sullivan,  W.  H.,  2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Sutherland,  Wm. ,  6th  F .  B . ,  C .  A . 


Siitton.  F,.,  3oth  W.  R. 

Symmes,  H  .  C  . 

Taylor,  Thomas,  i4th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Taylor,  W.,iith  F.  B.,C.  A. 

Thomas,  H.  N.,  i6th  F.  B.,C.  A. 

Thorne,  W.  K,,  Ottawa. 

Tucker,  W.  F.,  4th  F.  B.,  C.  A . 

Tunstead,  K.  F.,  and  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Wallace,  J.,  solh  W.  R. 

Walters,  H.,  Ottawa. 

Welch,  Wm.,nil. 

Wideman,  M.  E.,  3oth  W.  R. 

Williams,  F.  W.,2nd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Williams,  M.  S.  P.,  i6th  F.  B.,C.  A. 

Whitten,  D.  A.,  G.  G.  F.  G. 

Woolsey,  E.  C,  43rd,  O.  andC.  R. 

Wright,  H.  A.,Hull,  Que. 


"  E  "    Field   Battery 

Corps— T/noi  telonging  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Sergt.-Major  O'Grady,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Q.  M.  S.  Clifford,  W.,  R.  C.  A. 
S.  Far.  Cunningham,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Sergt.  Lyndon,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 

Hughes,  A.  T.,  R.  C.  A. 
"        Kruger,  W.  A.,  R.  C.  A. 
Small.  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Agus,  W.,  R.  C.  A. 
Jago,  J.  R.,G.  R.  M.  C. 
Corpl.  Crockett,  L.,  R.  C.  A. 

Brown,  H.  M.,  R.  C.  A. 
"       Biggs,  R.  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
"        Latimer,  W.,  i5th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
"        Black,  S.,  I7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
"        Macdonald,    J.  H.,  lyth  F.  B., 

C.  A. 
"        Laflamme,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 

MacGillivray,  D.,  R.  C.  A. 
Bomb.  Richardson,  M.,  R.  C.  A. 
Daniels,  G.,  R.  C.  A. 
"       MacCormack,  E.  F.,  R.  C.  A. 
Macaskill,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Evans,  P.  H.,  ard  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Tptr.    Robert,  A.,  R.  C.  A. 

Bradley,  G.  W.,  R.  C.  A. 
Shoeing-smith  Cameron,  N  .,  loth  F.B., 

C.  A. 
Shoeing-smith  Fletcher,  J.  E.,  3rd    F. 

B.,C.  A. 
Shoeing-smith  Stewart,   D.   G.,    New- 

castle. 
WheelerO'Donnell,  W.,  R.  C.  A. 

Pedley,  W.,  R.  C.  A. 
Collar-maker  Pierce,  H . 

"  McDonald,  D.  D. 

Cunners  or  Drivers. 

Boyce,  A.,  i3th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Byrne,  Thos.,  3rd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 


Bartlett,  H.  G.,  3rd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Beauchamp,  J. 

Blyth,  R.  B.,  3rdF.  B.,C.  A. 
Buck,  F.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Browning,  J.  H.,  R.  C.  A. 
Borden,  \V.,  Pugwash,  N.  S. 
Boone,  M.,  I2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Brewer,  F.  C,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
CarroU,  T.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Chesley,  F.  T.,  3rd  R.,C.  A. 
Creighton,  J.  F.,  I3th  F.B.,C.  A. 
Creighton,  J.  A.,  I3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Crocker,  W.  J.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
Coombs,  F.  E.  L.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Çornish,  H„  isth  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Cunard,  C.  K.,  3rd  R.,  C.  A. 
Campbell,  D.,  Hon.  Capt.  H.  C.  B. 
Craig,  S.,  i2thF.  B.,  C.  A. 
Dalton,  D.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Dysart,  H.  B.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Duncan,  J.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Duval,  G.  T.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Eustace,  M.,  R.  C.  A. 
Everett,  F.  H.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Ferguson,  W.,  R.  C.  A. 
Ferguson,  D.,  3rd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Fielders,  G.  R.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Finnamore,  B.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  .\. 
Fletcher,  G.  F.,  Halifax,  N.  S. 
Fraser,  W.  D.,  3rd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Fradette,  T.  G.,  K.  C.  A. 
Gordon,  W.  S.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Gorham,  F.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Galliah,  J.  J.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Gilmour,  E.  F.,  R.  C.  A. 
Grâce,  M.  T.,  3rd  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Grey,  H.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
GIew,  G.  W. 
Gosselin,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Hayden,  A.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 


lS2 


LIST  OF  THE  BRIGADE  DIVISION,  R.  C.  A. 


Corps — Jf  not  belonging  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Hacquoil,  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Hall,  H.,  lothF.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hague,  J.H. 

Hamlev,  John,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Harrison,  R.  A.,  ycà  R.,  C.  A. 
Howard,  A.  G.,  srd  R.,  C.  A. 
Hibbs,  H.  H.;  R.  C.  A. 
Hill,  T.  T.,  isthF.  B.,C.  A. 
Horsfall,  H.  W.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Hughes,  R.,  lotti  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Huot,  R.,  R.  C.  A. 
Jackson,  R.  C,  P.  Co.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
Jay,  James,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Johnson,  G.  H.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Jones,  H  . ,  srd  F .  B . ,  C .  A . 
Jones,  R.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Kane,  J.,  R.  C.  A. 
Kennedy,  W.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
King,  M.  R.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Kirk,  G.  P.,  srd  R.,C.  A. 
Leighton,  W.  L.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Lightstone,  H.,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Longée,  M.  M.,53rdS.  B. 
Lynn,  W.  P.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Macdonald,  D.,  R.  C.  A. 
Macdonald,  D.  J.,  i7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Macdonald,  J.  J.,  ist  R.,  C.  A. 
McLean,  H.  G.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
McLaan,  R.,  Reserve  Mines,  C.  B. 
Mackenzie,  M.  A.,  lyth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Mackenzie,  C.  L.,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 
Mackenzie,  A.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
MacLeod,  P.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
MacLeod,  G.  F.,srdR.,  C.  A. 
Macl.oughlin,  JT.,  R.  C.  A. 
Mason,  Benjamin,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Miller,  R.,R.  C.  A. 
Michaud,  D.,  s^-d  F.  B.,  C,  A. 
Maison,  E.  A..  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 
Morrison,  D.,  lyth  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Morrison,  S.  J.,  I2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Mottram,  A.  E.,  R.  C.  A. 
Munsey,  S.  W.,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 
Myra,  W.  A.,  i7th  F.  B.,C.  A. 
Neild,  J.,  isth  F.  B,  C.  A. 
Nethersole,  Bdr.  P.  R.,  Johannesburg. 
O'Handley,  D.,  94*  A.  H. 


O'ReilIy,  P.  P.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Pagean,  C.,  R.  C.  A. 

Parker,  G.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Perrin,  J.  H.,  R.  C.  A. 

Phillips,  H.,  R.  C.  A. 

Phillips,  G.  H.,  isthF.  B.,C.  A. 

Pitman,  Joseph,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Price,  W.  E.,  isth  F .  B.,  C.  A. 

Porteous,  A. 

Pugh,  S.,  R.  C.  A. 

Randell,  J.  T.,  Trinity,  Newfoundland 

Rawlings,  G.  W.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Reynolds,  W.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H. 

Reus,  J.  H.,  R.  C.  A. 

Roberts,  W.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Ross,  G.  H.,  R.  C.  A. 

Ross,  J.  G.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Russell,  G.,  i2th  F.  B.  C.  A. 

Rutter,  C.  W.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Ryan,  R.  J.,  sth  R.  S. 

Scott,  Thomas,  i7th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Searle,  G.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Sinclair,  E.  H.,  i2th  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Smith,  R.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Smith,  A.  A.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Smith,  J.  W.,  srd  F.  B..  C.  A. 

Smith,  Johnston,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Squires,  J.,  isth  F.  B.,  C  .  A. 

State,  A.  F.,  srd  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Stone,  F.,  R.  C.  A. 

Taite,  H .  B.,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Tapp,W.,  ôsrd  H.  R. 

Tibbitts,  A.,  loth  F.  B.,C.  A. 

Tibbitts,  J.,  i2rn  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Tooker,  J.  R.,  Yarmouth,  N.  S. 

Vincent,  T.,  R.  C.  A. 

Walsh,  Patrick,  znd  R.,  C.  A. 

Wells,  S.,  R.  C.  A. 

Welch,  R.  S.,  loth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Welsh,  G.  E.,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Wilson,  J.  W.,  2nd  R.,  C.  A. 

Wilson,  T.  R.,  i3th  F.  B.,  C.  A 

Withers,  S.  J.,  srd  R.,C.  A. 

Woollard,  C,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Woods,  J.  B.,  i2thF.  B.,  C.  A. 

Woodeau,  W.  J.,  isth  F.  B.,  C.  A. 

Young,  W.  D.,  2ndR.,C.  A. 


-♦32+^«»^«-C;« 


Stratbcona's  l)or$( 


OFFIŒRS 

Uentenaiit«ColoneI. 

Steele,  Lieutenant-Colonels.  B.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
Fenian  Raids,  1866-70;  Norih'West,  iSSs^ 

Second  in  Command. 

Belcher,  Major  R.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 
North-  West,  1883. 


Majors. 

Snyder,  A.  E.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 

North-  West,  1883. 
Jarvis,  A.  M.,N.  W.  M.  P. 
Laurie,  R.  C.   Graduate  R.  M.  C. 

Captains. 
Howard,  D.  M.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 

North-  West,  1885. 
Cameron,  G.  W.,  Major  «th  R.  S. 
Cartwright,  F.  L.,  N.  W.  M.  P. 

Lieutenants. 

Magee,  R.  H.  B.    Giaduate  R.  M.  C. 
Harper,  F.,N.  W.  M.  P. 
Benyon,  T.  A.,  Captain  K.  C.  A. 
Mackie,  E.  F.,  Captain  goth  W.  R. 
Fall,  P.,  and  Lient.  Man.  D. 
White-Fraser,    M.    H.,   Ex-Inspector 
N.W.  M.  P. 

South  Africa,  i8jq-8o.  North-  Weti, 
1883. 


\ 


Ketchen,  H.  D.  B.,N.  W.  M.  F. 
Macdonald,  J.  F  .,  Captain  37th  H.  R". 
Leckie,  J.  E.,  Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
Courtney,  R.  M.,  Captain  ist  P.   W. 

R.  F.     Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
Pooley,  T.  E.,  Captain  sth  R.,  C.  A. 
Christie,  A.  E. 
Strange,  A.  W. 

Laidlaw,  G.  E.     Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
Kirkpatrick,  G.  H.    Graduate  R.  M.  C. 
Tobin,  S.  H.     Graduate  R.  M.  G. 

QUARTBRMASTBR. 

Parker,  W. 

Transport    Officer. 

Snider,  I.    B.,   znd    Lieut.   Man.    D. 

Médical  Officer. 

Keenan,  C.B.,  Royal  Victoria  Hospi- 
tal,  Montréal. 

Veterinary  Officsr» 
Stevenson,  G.  T. 


25 


StratKona's  Rorse 


Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Men 


"A"   Squadron 

Corps — If  noi  belongivg  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


R.S.  M.  Elliott,  Frank. 

Q.  M.  S.  Crafter,  A.  G.,  27   Fleet  St. 

London. 
F.  Q.  M.  S.  McMillan,  A.,  OakLake, 

Man. 
S.  S.  M.,Hooper,  H.C.  L.,  13  Nonh 

Sherbourne  Street,  Toronto. 

Private. 

Albert,  E.,  Deal  England. 
Andersen,  E.  F.,  Palmerston,  Ont. 
Archer,  W.,  Melbourne,    Derbyshire, 

England. 
Arnold,  F.  G.,  Corkstown,  Barry,Ont. 
Baker,  W.  G.,  Morrisburg,  Ont. 
Barker,  M.,Herne  Bay,  Kent,  England. 
Barker,  W.  J.,  Victoria  Road,  Ont. 
Barrett,  J.,    Smallheath,   Birmingham, 

England. 
Bastien,  H.,  Rallanvelle,  Assa. 
Beckitt,  F.  W.,  229  Yonge  St.,  Win. 
Bennett,  J.,  Wakopa,  Man. 
Bland,  E.  M.,  218  McNab  St.,  Hamil- 

ton.  Ont. 
Bourne,  R.,  Staffordshire,  Eng. 
Bradbury,  J.,  Fox  Earth  Hall,  Stafford, 

England. 
Bride,  F.,  Portage  la  Prairie,  Man. 
Brigham,  T.  R.,  Ottawa. 
Brooks,  W. ,  Indian  Head,  Man. 
Brown,  A.  M.,  City  Clerk,  Win.,  Man. 
Bullough,  J.,  Grand  Ville,  Dewsbury, 

England. 
Burton,  A.  E.,  Cobden,  Ont. 
■Camffeell,  M.  G.,  Whycocomagh,  N.S. 


Carpenter,  J.,  Carrigohane,Co.  Cork, 
Ireland. 

CarroU,  P.  E.,  Spy  Hill,  N.  W.  T. 

Carson,  T.  L.,  Y  orkton,  Assa. 

Cassidy,  H.  E.,  Hendon,  England. 

Clark,  G.,  Bentley,  Ipswitch,  England. 

Clark,  E.  H.,  Maldon,  Essex,  Eng. 

Common,  A.,  Hazel  ClifF,  N.  W.  T. 

Cosens,  F.  C,  Maryfield,  N.  W.  T. 

Currie,  W.  E.  E.,  Mayfield,  Sussex, 
England. 

Cuthbert,  W.,  Portage  la  Prairie. 

Dandy,  C.  R.,  Medora,  Man. 

Daykin,A.U.,  Lacombe,Alta.,N.W.T. 

Deacon,  B.  L.,  Freetown,  P.  E.  I. 

Dingan,  A.,  Aberdeen,  Scotland. 

Dickson,  J.,  Keddle  Firth,  Ork.,  Scotl. 

Dodd,  G.  S.,  381  Maint  St.,  Winnipeg. 

Doherty,  G.  H.,  Carllon Place, London, 
England. 

Donnan,  J.  W.,  Robson,  B.  C. 

Drever,  A.,  Prince  Albert,  N.  W.  T. 

Dunsford,  H.,  Mordon,  Man. 

Dunsmore,  F.  C.,  Stratford,  Eng. 

Edwards,  E.  H.,  Oxford  Mills,  Ont. 

Ewing,  A.,  Elkorn,  Man. 

Evans,  J.,  Balkerry,  Co  Wicklow,  Irl. 

F  armer,  J.  T.,  34  Oxford,  St., Toronto. 

Fis'.ier,  C.  W.  D.,  Tudor  House,  Chad- 
desby,  near  Kidderminster,  Eng. 

Fletcher,  R.,  Devizes,  Ont. 

Flotten,  P.,  Prince  Albert,  N.  W.  T. 

Fraser,  R.  N.,  444  Pacific  ave,  Win- 
nipeg. 

Grammond,  C.,  Fort  William,  Ont. 

Garner,  A.  C,  Moosomin,  Man. 


LIST  OF  THE  STRATHCONA'S  HORSE 


1S5 


Priva! c — Corps — 1/ not  belongîng  io  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Gilroy,  H.,  Regina,  N.  W.  T. 
Glass,  N.,  Willoughby,  N.  W.  T. 
Goodburn,  O.,  Newlands,  Putney  Vale, 

England. 
Gooding,  J.E.P.,  Ipswich,  SuflFolk,Eng. 
Gordon,  K.,  Hazelcliflfe,  Man. 
Gowler,  A.  W.,  Poplar  Point,  N.W.T. 
Gregory,  T.,  Field,  B.  C. 
Grestock,   H.,   8  Fenchurch  Buildings, 

London,  England. 
Griffith,  J.  J.,  Hagersville,  Ont. 
Gurney,  W.  B.  L  ,  Aylesbury,  Bucking- 

hanishire,  England. 
Harley,  .( .  A.,  Petrolia,  Ont. 
Harris,  M.  R.,  Falmouth,  Eng. 
Hathorne,  W.,  Rossburn,  Northumber- 

land,  England. 
Hazeldine,  F.  R.,  Manchester,  Eng. 
Henderson,  J.  J.,  Regina,  N.  W.  T. 
Hogarth,  W.  R.,  Strathclair,  Man. 
Hudson,  W.,  Haydon,  Ont. 
Inkster,  J.,  St.  Marks,  Man. 
Irwin,  H.  M.,  Port  Hope,  Ont. 
Irwin,  F.,  Fitzmaurice,  Man. 
Jackson,  W.  P.,  Bournemouth,  Eng. 
Johnston,  J.  D.,  Snow  Hill,  Co  Ferma- 

nagh,  Ireland. 
Keeling,  J.  H.  Clarkleigh,  Man. 
Kempster,  H.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Kermode,  J.  O.,  Bradford,  England. 
King,  W.  J.,    169   Frankland  St.,  To- 
ronto. 
Firkpatrick,  A.,  Moosomin,  Man. 
Lambert,  J,  S.,   Clitheroe,  Lancashire, 

England. 
Lamont,  B.,  Chesley,  Ont. 
Locke,  C.,  7  Mills  Road,  Acton,  Eng. 
Lorsch,  A.  P.,i6Grome!ieSt.,  Toronto. 
Lowe,  A.  A.  R.,  Mossomin,  Assa. 
Lyle,  H.,  Tara,  Ont. 
Macdonnell,  K.  C,  Grenfell,  Assa. 
Machen,  S.  R.,  Rosser,  Man. 
Martin,  R.  W.,  Treherne,  Man. 
Matthews,  F.   A.    W.,    Essex  Lodge, 

Cheltenham,  England. 
Maweety,  J.  1).,  Prince  Albert,  Assa. 
McAlonen,  R.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
McArthur,  J.  H.,  Tobo,  One. 
McGillvray,  A.,  Kirkfield,  Ont. 
McLaren,  G.,  Wor  Road,  Minnesota. 
McLean,  G.,  Goulais  Bay,  Algoma. 
McLeod,  W    R  .,  Prince  Albert,   Assa. 
McLoy,  J.,  Prince  Albert,  Assa. 
McNaiight,  J.  Y.,  Nertherhome,  Dum- 

fries,  Scotland. 
Mills,  T.,  Newmarket,  Ont. 
Milligan,  W.,  Brandon,  Man. 
Moberlcy,  G.  A.,  Prince  Albert,  Assa. 
Morrison,  J.  H.,  Portage  la    Prairie, 

Man. 
Munroe,  H.  S.,  Hinnedosa,  Man. 
Murphy,  W.  M.,  South  Norwich,  Assa. 
Neville,  J.  F.,  Wappella,  Assa. 
Nicks,  J.,  Upton  Pyne,  Exeter,  Eng. 


Norquay,  A.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Norris,  F.,  Church  Farm,  DursIey,Ene 
Nyblett,  R.  W.,  Nesbit,  Man. 
Orr,  F.  W.,  Moosejaw,  Man. 
Page,  C.  F.,  Moosomin,  N.  W.  T. 
Palmer,  P.  S.,  Renwyn,  Clapham,  Lon 

don,  England. 
Palmer,  G.  S.,  Richmond.Surrey,  Eng 
Parker,  H.,  Summerberry,  Assa. 
Parker,  J.,  751  Albert  Road,  Blackpool 

Lanc.  England. 
Perkins,  G.,  Kingsheath,   Birmingham 

England. 
Powell,  F.  N.,  Great  Malvern,  Worces 

tershire,  England. 
Ramsay,    D.,    10    Kensingnton  Ave. 

.rtshley  Down,  Bristol. 
Reid,  J.,  Smith's  Falls  Ont. 
Richardson,   A.   H.    L.,  Sefton  Park 

Liverpool,  England. 
Robinson,  A.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Rooke,  C.   W.,  G.  W.   Life  Insuranc 

Co.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Rooke,  R.  P.,  G.   W.   Life  Insurance 

Co.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Ross,  J.  T.,  Moosomin,  N.  W.  T. 
Rushe,  M.  J.,   Pall  Mail  Gazette,  Lon- 
don, England. 
Sabine,  H.  E.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Sawyer,  W.  L.,  Lockview,  Sunbury-on- 

Thames,  England. 
Saxby,  H.  B.,  bhetland. 
Sayce,  W.,  Craven,  N.  W.  T. 
Scott,  L.  B.,  Regina,  N.  W.  T. 
Scott,  W.,  Regina,  N.W.T. 
Skirving,  G.   M.,  Dawson  City,   Y.  T. 
Smith,  K.  W.,  Montréal  Que. 
Sinnington,  A.,  Elkhorn,  Man. 
Stanier,  C.  Y.,  Moosomin,  N.  W.  T. 
Starke,  T.  B.,  Elkhorn,  Man. 
Steadman,  CD.,  Whitchurch,  Shrop- 

shire,  England. 
Stevenson,  A.  T.,  Orillia,  Ont. 
Stocker,  J.  R.,  39  Martha,  St.,  Winni- 
peg, Alan. 
Stuart,  A.  W.,  Sandypoint,  Ont. 
Stutt,  W.,  Fairmead,  N.  W.  T. 
Sutherland,  A.,  Collestar,  N.  W.  T. 
Terry,  N.  F.,  Buckingham,  England. 
Thompson,  H.  C,  Kefinery,  Montréal. 
Thorne,  A.,  Gore  Bay,  Ont. 
Thornton,  É.,  Sydney,  N.  S.  W. 
'Ihomas,  C.  F.,  Wrightson,  Que. 
Townsend,  P.  H.,  R.  1.  I.,  Allahabad, 

India. 
Traill,  W.  M.,  Prince  Albert,  N.  W.T. 
Treston,  J.,   Grand   Forks,   Minesota, 

U.  S.A. 
Trelevan,  A.,   18  Melrose,   Road,  Du- 
blin, Ireland. 
Van  Stan.,  A.,  25  Gibson  Square,  Leur 

don,  England. 
Wade,  R.,  Smithfield,  Ont. 
Ward.  J,  Church  St.,  Flint,  Wales. 


I 


iS6 


LIST  OF  THE  STRATHCOXA  S  HORSE 


Prîvate — Corps — 1/ noi  belonging  io  any  Corps,  Poit  Office  Address. 


Watson,  A . 

Webb,  É,.  Aspatria,  Cumberland,  Eng. 
Webb,  H..  Burford,  England. 
Wemyss,  D.  N.,  Reaburn,  Man. 


Wilkins,  H.,  St.   Paul  Villas,  Winches- 
ter, England. 
Wyndham,  H.  S.,  Bein  Bridge,  Eng. 
Zimmer,  W.  J.,  Rapid  City,  Man. 


"  B  "  Squadron 

Corps — If  not  belonging  toatiy  Corps,  Post  Office  Address . 


S.  S.  M.  Steel,  S.  J.,  Ottawa,  Ont. 
Privaie. 

A'Court,  A.    W.    H.,  Antigua,  West 

Indies. 
Abbott,  W.  R.,  Maple  Creek,  Alta. 
Allison,  D.,  Molica,  111.,  U.  S.  A. 
Andersen,  J.  L.,  Lacombe,  Alta. 
Armstrong,    J.   p..    Newton   Stewart, 

Scotland. 
Armonstrong,  J.  E.,  Newton  Stewart, 

Scotland. 
Banks,  E.  M.,  S4Belgrave  Sq.,  Dublin, 

Ireland. 
Bannes,  P.,  Lauzanne,  Switzerland. 
Barton,  M.  M.,  12  Cross  Lane,  London, 

England. 
Beaumont,  T.  E.,  Gananoque,  Ont. 
Bentham,  W.,  Merrjtton,  Ont. 
Beresford,  W.  P.,  Winford,  England. 
Bingham,  H.  B.,  Dunseith,  N.  D. 
Bertram  C.  F.,  Maple  Creek,  Alta. 
Blick,  C.  A. 

Bradley,  R.  H.,  Brandon,  Man. 
Brothers,  J.,  Arthur,  Ont. 
Brown,  H.  S.,  Aberdeen,  Scotland. 
Brown,  A.  S.,  Peterborough,  Ont. 
Bull,  J.   V.,  231  High  Road,  Balham, 

London,  S.  W.,  England. 
Burdett,   A.    H.,    57  Charring    Cross 

Mansions,  London,  England. 
Burgess,  D.,  Pincher  Creek  Alta. 
Calllin,  T.  A.,  Whitewood,  Assa. 
Campbell,  N.   M.,  80  Charles  St.  Ha- 

milton. 
Carson,  W.,  Puton,  N.  S. 
Clayton,  A.,  Birmingham,  England. 
Condon,  F.  B.,  Kingston,  N.  S. 
Corbett,  W.,  Laird  Sutherland. 
Cronyn,  E.  S.,  London,  Ont. 
Cross,  J.  R.,  Birkenhead,  England. 
Crozier,  J.  A.,  Ashburn,  Ont. 
Cruickshank,  C,  Red  Deer,  N.  W.  T. 
Cumming,  F.,  Toronto. 
Dalglish,  A.,  Pt.  Beuf  Station,  Que. 
Deane,  J.  79  West  i27th  St.  New-York. 
Dick,    M.    F.,   North   Eastern  Bank, 

Newcastle-on-Tyne,  England. 
Dickinson,  D.,  Baschurch,  Shropshire, 

England. 
Donaldson,  A.  S.,  Brockville,  Ont. 
Douglas,  F.  C.  A.,  Virden,  Man. 
Down,  G.,  Macleod,  N.  W.  T. 


Dupon,  A.  E.,  Calgary,  N.  W.  T. 
Dunn,  F.  J. 

Eastmead,  —  Bristol,  England. 
Edmundson,  T.  L.,  Belfast,  Ireland. 
Edwards,  A.  J.,    42   Bloomsbury  St.' 

Bedford  Square,  London,  England. 
Edwards,  R.  H.,  Halifax,  N.   S. 
Fawcett,  N.,  Lacombe,  Alta. 
Fennell,  —  Bobcaygeon,  Ont. 
FlintofiF,  W.,  Fort  Sascatchewan,NWT. 
Ford,  J..  London,  Ont. 
Fortey,  A.,  Watford,  England. 
Freezer,  J.  R.,  Calgary,  N.  W.  T. 
Gramsby,  G. 

Ganesford,  W.  F.,  Montréal. 
Gillies,  A.,  Toronto,  Ont. 
Gilmour,  J.  F.,  Ottawa,  Ont. 
Grobil,  A.  C,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 
Graham,C.H.,i36  Cobourg St., Ottawa. 
Grey,  W.,  Dublin,  Ireland. 
Hall,  F.  A.,  St.  Monaco,  Cal.,  U.S. A. 
Hardwick,  M.  D,  K.,  High  River  Alta. 
Hardy,  A.,  Pocklington,  Vorks,  Eng. 
Hart,  C.  A.,  Strathroy,  Ont. 
Haylett,  J. 

Hayes,  R.  P.,  Dublin,  Ireland. 
Hicks,,  R.  C,  Ipswich,  England. 
Hobson,  J.,  G.  T.  Ry.,  Montréal. 
Inglis,  R.  C. 

Irwin,  H.,  Shelburne,  N.  S. 
Jackson,  H.,  2  Dulwich  Road,  London, 

S.  E.,  England. 
Jameson,  T.,  Belfast,  Ireland. 
Jenkins,  A.,  Red  Deer,  M.  W.  T. 
Kerr,  G.  T.,  Perth,  Ont. 
Kindrew,  C.  F.,  Red  Deer,  Alta. 
Laffertv,  W.,  Ottawa. 
Laidlaw,  C.  E.,  Victoria,  Ont. 
Lamb,  A.,  Bolling  Green,  Ont. 
Leder,  Bert. 

Lee,  H.  A.,   i  Linton  St.  E.,  Toronto. 
Lewis,  T.  A.,  Revelstoke,  B.  C. 
Lewis,  F.  C,  Nelson,  B.  C. 
Lindsay,  A.  P.,  Springband,  Alta. 
Linton,  R.,  Aurora,  Ont. 
Loney,  M.  F.,  Eustache,  Man. 
Lowry,  W.  A.,  Carberry,  Man. 

Lynch,  W.  G.,  Seaforth,  Ont. 
Macdonald,  J.  R.,  Puddes,  Alta. 
Macdonald,  A.  D.,  Manitou,  Man. 
Madge,  F.  T.,  London,  Ont. 
Mansell,  M. 
Martin,  H.,  Winnipeg. 


LIST  OV  THE  STRATHCONA'S  HORSE 


187 


Prîvaie—Corpt—1/noibelonsînsioany  Corps,  Posi  OJfice  Address. 


Martin,  L.  A.,  Vancouver,  B.  C. 
Matallal,  A.,  Tatamagonda,  N.  S. 
McDonald,  G.  A.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
McDonald,  R.  S.,  Owen  Sound,  Ont. 
McClay,  R.,  293  Gunnell  St.,  Win. 
McCormack,  E . 

McMillan,  T.,  Ayrshire,  Scotland. 
McNichol,  A.,  Red  Deer,  Assa. 
McNair,  E.   W.   C.,  Roundwood,  Ip- 

swich,  Ensland. 
McNeil,  F.  J.,  Lylton,  B.  C. 
McRae,    D.,    UpshiU,    Victoria    E., 

Ont. 
McElray,  G.  E. 
Mcintosh,  E.,  Rossland,  B.  C. 
McKeage,  F.  O.  E.,Cc-s  lebar,  P.  Q. 
McKinley,  ]\I.,  Edmonton,  N.  \V.  T. 
McKugo,    G.,    Custom    House,    Lon- 

don.  Ont. 
Miller,    A.,    Dennison's    Mills,    Que- 
bec. 
Milne,  A.,  Edmonton,  N.  W.  T. 
Mitchell,  G.,  Çhard,  England. 
Moir,  R.  H.,  St.  Mary's,  Ont. 
MuUigan,  F.,  London,  Ont. 
Murphy,  E.  D.,  Str?.thcona,  Alta. 
Newman,  F.  G.,  Bradford,'Ont. 
Niblock,  B.  L.,  Calgary,  N.  W.  T. 
Nichol,  H,  F.,  Northumberland,  Eng- 
land. 
Nichol,   D.,   41  E.   Claremont  Street, 

Edinburgh. 
Paul,  J.,  Tenitville,  Ont. 
Pearce,  R.  G.,  Toronto. 
Pearce,  E.  J.,  Agricola,  Alta. 
Pearson,  A.,  Tib  Street,  Manchester, 

England. 
Pinder,  E.  G.  J.,  Nelson,  B.C. 
Percy,  H.  N.,  G.  T.  R.,  Mon  real. 
Perry,  T.,   Bondon  Street,  Commercial 

Road,  London,  England. 
Peyto,  E.  W.,  Welwyn,  England. 
Phillips,  J.  W.,  Bellevillc,  Ont. 
Pillans,  R.  B.,  3  Rue  Les  Bionosaits, 

Brussels. 
Playfair,     W.     S.,     Aislebank,    Scot- 
land. 
Poolc,  H.,  Lacombe,  Alta. 
Poole,  F.,  Lacombe,  Alta. 
Purvis.A.S.,  BramptonLodge,  Hitch., 

Hertl'ordshire,  England. 
Quick,  H.  H.,  Quick  City,  Miss. 
Rackham,W. ,  191  Seymour  Road,  Har- 

ringay,  London  N.,  England. 
Reed,  W.  E.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Rice- Jones,  I .  E.  C,  2  CliftonTerrace, 

Brighton,  England. 
Robson,  J.  S.,  Lytton,  B.  C. 
Rogers,  H  .  M.,  Sheep  Creek,  Alta. 
Ross,  A.  M.,  Portage  La  Prairie. 
Routh,  G.  F.,34PrincessRoad,  Liver- 

pool,  England. 
Saddington,  W.,   14  Axe  St.,  Barking, 
E&sex.  England. 


Scott,  H.  H.,  Lambton  Mills,  Ont. 
Scott,  F.  W.,  21  Moreoaks  Road,  Shef- 

field,  England. 
Shuckburgh,  W.  C.,  TrafalgarTerrace, 

Torquay,  England. 
Sharples,  W.  A.,  False  Creek  Station, 

Vancouver,  B.  C. 
Shaw,  C.  W.,  Medicine  Hat,  N.  W.  T. 
Shiles,  T.,  74  Grosvenor  Terrace,  Cam- 

berwell,  London,  England. 
Simpson,  T.,  Elm  Creek,  Man. 
Skinner,  A.,  Lindsay,  Ont. 
Smiley,   S.,   10   George  Street,    John- 

stone,  Scotland. 
Smith,  J.,  Poplar  Point,  Man. 
Somerton,  W.,  Parkington,  Ont. 
Spratt,  A.,  35  Jamieson  Avenue,  Tor- 
onto. 
Stewart,  J.  S.,  Brampton,  Ont. 
Stranger,  P .,  85  Woodland  Road,  Wood 

Street,  Walthamstow,  Essex,  Eng. 
Swanston,  E.,  Merriton,  N.  W.  T. 
Sutherland,  R.,  Edmonton,  N.  W.  T. 
Thomas,  G.  D.,  Halifax,  N.  S. 
Tompson,  F.,  Macleod,  M.  W.  T. 
Tegart,  H .,  Craven,  Assa. 
Townshend,     N.     S.,      Parsborough, 

Tucicer,  P.  H.,BrackneIl,  Bercks,  Eng- 
land. 
Vernon,  A.  A.,  Victoria,  B.  C. 
Waite,  J.  T.,  Fisham,  Surrey,  Eng. 
Walker,  T.  C,  Vancouver,  B.  C. 
Walker,  B.  G.,  24CarIyIe  Square,  Lon- 
don S.  W.,  England. 
Watts,  C.  C.  M.,  Virden,  Man. 
Watts,  A.  H.,  Virden,  Man. 
White,  S.  A.,  2  The  Cedars,   Putney, 

S.  W.  England. 
Watson,  A. 

Whiteley,  C,  Rolland,  Ont. 
Whitehead,  C.  A.  W.  Calgary,  Alta. 
Wilby,  A.  W.  R.,  Southsea.  England. 
Wilkin,  W.,  Wickham  Brook,  Suffolk, 

England. 
Watson,  B.,  Macleod,  Alta. 
Wllson,  F.,  London,  EneKind. 
Wilson,D.,  Z9  Montagne  l'errace,  Edin- 
burgh. 
Williams,  T.  H.  A.  Monmouth,  Eng- 
land. 
Woods,  W.  T.,  Innisfail,  Alta. 
Woodward,   W.,    Ashby-de-la-Zouche, 

England. 
Woodward,    A.    J.,    5    Union    Place, 

Limehouse,  London,  E.,  England. 
Wragge,  E.  C.,  London,  England. 
Wright,  T.  W.  H.,  Calgary,  Alta. 
Wright,  H.  H.,  Walkeringham,  Notu, 

England. 
Wyse,  D.,  Bush  Terrace,  Musselburgh, 

Scotland. 
Yemen,  N.  W.,  Ripsley,  Ont. 
Yule,  B.,  Prescott,  Ont. 


LIST  OF  THE  STRATHCOXA  S  HORSE 


"  C  "  Squadron 

Corps— If  not  belonging  io  any  Corps,  Posi  Office  Address. 


S.  S.  M.  Hynes,  J.,  Fahey  EyreCourt, 
County  Galloway,  Ireland. 

Private. 

Abbott,  J.,  Rochford,  England. 
Agar,  G.  S.,  London,  England. 
Albert,  G.,  Pickering,  Ont. 
Allan,    P.     K.,     Stanley-on-Chobham, 

Surrey,  England, 
Armstrong,  J.  W.,  Warwick,  England. 
Bell,  P.  W.  W.,  Vancouver,  B.  C. 
Bell,  W.  H.,  Birkenhead,  Engl.ind. 
Bolton,  N.  T.,  Revelstoke,  B.C. 
Bonner,  L.  A.,  East  Lodge,  Wanstead, 

England. 
Bousiield,   J.,   139    Claremont    Street, 

Toronto. 
Bowers,  G.  A.,  Nelson,  B.  C. 
Brent,  W.,  San  José,  Cal.,  U.  S.  A. 
Brixton,  J.,  Adelphi  Théâtre,  London. 
Broadbent,  E.  R.,  CaldwelI,Hereford- 

shire,  England. 
Burke,  B.,  Trondheim,  Norway. 
Cameron,   N.    C.    J.,   Christ  Church, 

Hants,  England. 
Castelaine,  L.,  Bath,  England. 
Chancelier,  E.  V.,  Atlin,  B.  C. 
Childers,  H.  C,  20  Carlisle  Aiansions, 

Cheyne  Walk  London,  England. 
Clark,  W.  F.,  Manotick,  Ont. 
Cochrane,  R.  L.,  Mount Charles,  Mof- 

fat,  Scotland. 
Cook,  W.,  Brandon,  Man. 
Cotterill,  C.  W.,  Dundas,  Ont. 
Crée,  A.  H.,  Pemberton  Gardens,  Lon- 
don, England. 
Curtis,   E.    F.    E.,    Caynham   Court, 

Ludlow,  England. 
Custance,  T.   F.  M.,  Caldwell,  Here- 

fordshire,  England. 
Daley,  H.  M.,  Rossiand,  B.C. 
D'Amour,  A.  P.,  Notre  Dame  Street, 

Montréal. 
Dawson,   W.   H.    N.,    Rainy    River, 

Ont. 
Davis,  L.  S.,  45  Léonard  Street,  New 

York,  U.  S.  A. 
Deering,  R.,  Deer  River,  Man. 
Duncan,  C.  J.,  Glendevon,  Penh,  Scot- 
land. 
Dunn,  F.  J. 
Dunn,  T.,  Montréal. 
Edwards,  W.,  Glencoe,  Ont. 
Elliott,   J.,    Dunstable,   Bedfordshire, 

England. 
EUis,  F.  W.,  17  Beverley  Road,  Aner- 

ley,  London,  S.  E.,  England. 
Eyre,  G.,  Hasborough,  England. 
Fader,  G.  J.,  Sydney,  C.  B. 
Fall,  C.  S.,  Victoriy,  B.  C. 
Fanning,  W.,  Peterboro,  Ont. 


Faulder,  E.  R.,  Church  Fields,  Har- 

row-on-the-hill,  England. 
Fernie,  W.  L.,  Macclesfield,  England. 
Fernie,  M.,  West  Street,  Scarborough, 

England. 
Fischer,   J.   C,   Conductor  C.  P.  R., 

Mountain  Division. 
Poster,  J.  M.,  Cochrane,  Alta. 
Fraser,  J.  A.,  Grenville,  Ont. 
Fraser,  H.,  Victoria,  B.  C. 
Fraser,  W.,  Victoria,  B.  C. 
FuUer,  J.  W.,  Rapid  City,  S.  D. 
Fuller,  James,  Rio  Sulto,  Chili. 
Halcro,  A.  J.,  Hudson,  Que. 
H.-1II,  A. 

Hambly,  G.,  Procter  Knob,  Min. 
Hammond,  R.  B.  L.,  Melbourne,  Au- 

stralia. 
Harding,J.E.,  Sykston,  North  Dakota, 

U.  S.A. 
Harper,  W.  H.,  Smith's  Falls,  Ont. 
Harris,  C.  C,  Salmon  Arm,  B.  C. 
Harris,  C.B.,  Salmon  .Arm,  B.  C. 
Hawes,  H.,  Spry  Harbor,  N.  S. 
Haynes,  W.  T.,  Bridport,  Dorsetshire, 

England. 
Hazel,  George,  33  Melbourne  Avenue, 

Toronto. 
Hicks,  H.  J.,  Mitchell,  Ont. 
Hirsch,   John,    Park    Road,    Chester, 

England. 
Hulbert,  T.,  Portage  la  Prairie,  Man. 
Humfrey,  W.  H.,  Pincher  Creek,  Alta. 
Hunter,  E.  T., 

Graham,  W.  F.,  Shuswap,  B.  C. 
Griffin,  John,  Newent,  Gîoucester,  Eng. 
Grogan,  R.  N.,  Cheltenham,  England. 
Ingram,  W.  H.,  Grand  Prairie,  B.  C. 
Jackson,  C.   F.,   Westmoreland,   Eng- 
land. 
Johnson,  A.  W.,  Belgrave,  England. 
Johnston,  H.  R.,  Derbyshire,  England. 
Jones,  A.,  Pontrellis,  Hereford,  Eng. 
Jones,  E.  E.,  5  Smith  Street,  Chelsea, 

England. 
Kearney,  J.,  North  Bay,  Ont. 
Kelly,  S.  A.  J.,  Hoston,  U.  S.  A. 
Kennedy,  J.,  Mattawa,  Ont. 
Kerr,  F.,  Hanover,  Ont. 
Ledingham,  G.  W.,  Dominick,  Ont. 
Lee,   B.   H.,  Herne  Bay,   Kent,  Eng. 
Lefroy,  L.  B..  Ladner,  B.  C. 
Linds.-iy,  W.  E.,  Toronto,  Ont. 
Lockhart,  F.  C-,  Kirkcaldy,  Scotland. 
Logan,  A.  E.    H.,  16  Beuverie  Road, 

Folkestone,  England. 
Malalne,  J.  H.,  Oldham,  England. 
McAllister,D.,  Dumfrieshire,  Scotland. 
McDonald,  A.,  Greenfield,  Ont. 
McDonald,  G.  A.,  Alexandria,  Ont. 
McDonnell,  C.  R.,  King.ston,  Ont. 
McDuflf,  J.,  Point  Fortune,  Que. 


LIST  OF  THE  STRATHCONA'S  HORSE 


189 


PrivaU — Corps — I/noi  belonging  io  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


McKanzie,  A.  W.,  Bonny  Rigg,  Mid- 

lothiam,  Scotland. 
McMullen,   J.     H.,    Barnham,    Court, 

Bognor,  Sussex,  England. 
McRae,  D.  J.,  Nashville,  Ont. 
McCullough,  R.  J.,  Stonewall,  Man. 
Melton,  E.  J.,  Poseyville,  Md.,  U.S.A. 
Monteilh,  W.   E.,  Rownham's  Mount, 

Southampton,  England. 
Morgan,  H.  E.,  Bissett's  Creek,  Ont. 
Murray,  E.,  Gleichen,  Alta. 
Murray,  J.  W.,  Hepworth,  Ont. 
Nash,   J.    F.    P.,  Goring-on-Thames, 

England. 
Nesbitt,  J.  L.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Nicholson,  C.  J. 

Norton,  F.,  Yalding,  Kent,  England. 
Norton,  C.,  4   Springfield,   Erdington, 

Birmingham,  England. 
Noury,  H.  W.,  Victoria,  B.  C. 
O'Brien,   A.   W.,    Barrow-in-Furness, 

England. 
Ogilby,  W.  L.,  Poolewe,   Ross-shire, 

Scotland. 
O'Hearn,  W.,  Two  Harbour,  Minn. 
Oldham,  P. 

Orchard,  E.  A.,  Sidmouth,  England. 
Palmer,  R.  H.,  Army  and  Navy  Club, 

London,  England. 
Parkes,   F.  C-,  Kingsland,  Hereford- 

shire,  England. 
Pearson,  A.  C,  Hullet,  Wy.,U.S.  A. 
Peterson,  C,  Copenhagen,  Denmark. 
Parham,  H.  J.,  Chalford,  Gloucester- 

shire,  England. 
Peddigrew,  J.,  Bright,  Ont. 
Pinkerton,  T.  A.,  Bangor,  NorthWales. 
Powell,  C.  J.,  Madras,  India. 
Press,  A.,  Brandon,  Man. 
Pym,  T.  ^I.  L.,  Melbourne,  Australia. 
Radwell,  A.,  Kilburn,  London,  Eng. 
Rennie,  C,  Regina,  N.  W.  T. 
Robson,  W.,  Liverpool,  England. 


Routh,  P.,  Toronto. 

Ryan,  J.,  Dublin,  Ireland. 

St.  George,  B.  A.,  Cochrane,  B.  C. 

Seymour,  E.,  Ragley  Park,  Alcester, 

England. 
Shaw,  R.,  Wapella,  Assa. 
Shaw,  A.    J.    M.,  41  Imaicko  Agaba, 

Tokio,  Japan. 
Stillingfleet,  H.C.,  Rhayader,  Radnor- 

shire,  Wales. 
Simon,  A.  B.  J.,  Paisley,  Ont. 
Skene,  J.  G.,  Revelstoke,  B.  C. 
Simpson,  P.  E-.,  Aylmer,  Ont. 
Spencer,  J.,  Victoria,  B.  C. 
Squires,  C,  Kamloops,  B.  C. 
Strickland,  C.  S.,  Dawlish,  Devonshire, 

England. 
Swifth,    T.,    Farnsfield,    Nottingham- 

shire,  England. 
Switzer,  P.,  Carberry,  Man. 
Simmill,  J.,  StaflFord  Street,  Newport, 

Salop,  England. 
Swinburn,  A.,  McKinley,  B.  C. 
Tennant,  C,  Gayton  Terrace,  Hamp- 

stead,  England. 
Thomas,  L,  Mewport,  Mon.,  England. 
Thomas,  H.,  Okotoks,  Alta. 
Tuson,  J.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Venner,  R .  P. ,  Guildford,  Surrey,  Eng- 
land. 
Warren,  F.  F.,  Vancouver,  B.  C. 
West,  W.,  Nottingham,  England. 
Wiggins,   H.    J.,    24    Cobden    Street, 

Rocksbury,  Mass. 
Wilkie,  J.  H.,  906  Lorne  Avenue,  Lon- 
don, Ont. 
Winearls,  R.  A.,  Martham,  Norfolk, 

England. 
Winkle,   W.   C,    32    Niagara    Street, 

Victoria,  B.  C. 
Wright,  S.,  St.  John,  N.  B. 
Woodhouse,   F.   W.    B.,   Cape  Town, 

South  Africa. 


.O-NO- 


o^io- 


Reînforcements  f  ir$t  Continrent 


OFFICERS  ■ 

Carpenter,  Captain  A.  E.,  R.  C.  R.  I. 

WiNTER,  Captain  C.  F.,  Governor-General's  Foot  Guards. 

Egypt,  1S82  ;  North-  West,  1SS5. 
BoYD,  Captain  A.  J.,  loth  Royal  Grenadiers. 

Noth-  West,  1S85. 

Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Men 


Prîvate — Corps — Jf  not  belonging  ioany  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Aitken,  R.  C.,3othW.  R. 
Andersen,  S.,  8th  R.  R. 
Arbuckle,  George  A.,  4th  R.,  C.  A. 
Ardagh,  H.  V.,8thR.  R. 
Austin,  E.  F.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Bailey,  P.,  loth  R.  G. 
Barnstead,  Frank  E.,  H.  B.  C. 
Beecher,  A.  V.,  i6th  M.  L.  I. 
Boulter,  John  W.,  82nd  Q.  Co.  B. 
Brown,  Hubert  G.,  93rd  C.  B. 
Browne,  H.  G.,  srd  V.  R, 
Burrett,  G.  H.,  43rd  0.  and  C.  R. 
Butler,  J.,  H.  C.  C. 
Cameron,  Robert  W.,  C.  E.  C. 
Cameron,  A.  R.  H.,  Russell  House, 

Cowardine,  W.  H.,  G.-G.  F.  G. 

Convey,  J.,8th  R.  R. 

Cook,  Wm.  C.,C.  E.  C. 

Coombs,  Wm.  E.,  C.  E.  C. 

Dare,  Eric,  103  Provide  St.,  St.  Henry, 

Montréal. 
Dodds,  J.  H.  F.,  3othW.  R. 
Doucet,  R.  P.,  ard  V.  R. 
Drum,  A.,  8th  R.  R. 
Dunlop,  F.  W.,  3rd  V.  R. 
Eaton,  W.,  A  F.  B.,  R.  C.  A. 
Edmondson,  loth  R.  G. 


Edwards,  W.,  7ist  Y.  B. 
Evans,  A.,  8th  K.  R. 
Evans,  W.  J.,  loth  R.  G. 
Fairweather,  Percy,  ôznd  St.  J.  F. 
Ford,  J.,  i2th  Y.  R. 
Fraser,  James  A.,  40th  N.B. 
Gerhardt,  F.,  loth  R.  G. 
Geen,  E.  D.  F.,  isth  A.  L.  I. 
Gladwin,  John  S.,  Lacombe,  Alberta. 
Gurney,  Thomas  F.,  82nd  Q.  Co.  B. 
Holl,  Alfred  J.,  4th  R.,  C.  A. 
Home,  Robert,  C.  E.  C. 
Havris,  W.  M.,  82nd  Q.  Co.  B. 
Hodgins,  H.  A.,2nd  F.  B.,C.  A. 
HoUoway,  H.  B.,  srd  V.  R. 
Hooper,  W.  H.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Horan,  H.  J.,  srd  V.  R. 
Hove,  James,  74th  B.,  S.,  N.  B. 
Hulme,  T.  H.,G.-G.  F.  G. 
Jackson,  L.  F.  V.,  2nd  Q.  O.  R. 
Jones,  John,  yist  Y.  B. 
Kennedy,  Donald  R.,  C.  E.  C. 
Kirk,  R.  J.,  loth  R.  G. 
Lake,  F.  A.,  2nd  Q.  O.  R. 
Lamden,  J.,  sth  R.  S. 
Lillie,  C.  W.,2ndQ.  O.  R. 
Lucas,  L.W.,  D.  Y.  R.  C.  H, 
Lûtes,  B.,G.-G.  F.  G. 


REINFORCEMENTS  FIRST  CONTINGENT 


191 


Prîvate— Corps— 1/ noi  belonging  to  any  Corps,  Post  Office  Address. 


Macbeth,  Thomas,  L.,  4th  R.  C.  A. 
Mackay,  J.  D.,4othN.  B. 
Mackellar,  A.,  sth  R.  S. 
McCarthy,  V.  0.,2ndQ.  O.  R. 
McCormick,  A.  S.,  2nd  L.  3rd  V.  R. 
McDonald,  N.,  ySth  C.  H.  and  P.  H. 
McDonald,  M.,  82nd  Q.  Co.  B. 
McEachern,  W.  A.,4th  R.  C.  A. 
McKerrihan,  J.  R.  D.,  2nd  Q.  O.  R. 
McNaughton,  F.  M.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Miller.C.  J.,G.-G.  B.  G. 
Milliken,  J.  B.,  26thM.  L.  I. 
Mills,  Thomas,  H  .  B.C. 
Moodie,  G.  H.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Mudge,  H.,  srd  V.  R. 
Munnis,  Charles  H.,  ôsrd  H.  R. 
Nicholson,    John     D.,    Provmcetown, 

Mass. 
Nixon,  C.J..R.  C.  R.  I. 
Fardée,  J.,27th  St.  C.  B. 
Pay,  A.,  R.C.  A. 
Pepper,J.  T.,  2ndQ.  O.  R. 
Phillips,  Henry,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 
Pigot,  James  A . ,  4th  R.  C .  A . 
Playfair,  S.  B.,2ndQ.  G.  R. 
Price,  E.  H.,R.  G.  R.  I. 


Proud,  W.  J.,4thR.  C.  A. 
Puddifer,  W.,G.-G.  B.  G. 
Rattray,  E.  E.  B.,  Sth  R.  R. 
Robertson,  D.,  62nd  St.  J.  F. 
Robertson,  James  M.,  yist  Y.  B. 
Russell,  P.,  Q.  O.  C.  H. 
Scott,  Harry  C,  Athol,  N.  S. 
Scott,  C.  C.,8th  R.  R. 
Sinclair,  A.,  48th  H. 
Smith,  C.  L.,63rd  H.  R. 
Tennant,  James,  7ist  Y.  B. 
Tierney,  George  V . ,  Prince  St.   Dart- 

mouth,  N.  S. 
TurnbuU,  D.,  43rd  O.  and  C.  R. 
Walters,  M.  P.,  HuU,  P.  Q. 
Wandless,  John,  F.,  yist  Y.  B. 
Watson,    Alex.    H.,    38  Tudor  Villa, 

Eglantine  Avenue,  Belfast. 
Webber,  Maurice,  E.,  66th  P.  L.  F. 
Webster,  P.  G.  A.,48thH. 
Welch,  George  H.,  15  Gascony  Avenue, 

Brondesburg,  London,  England. 
Wilson,  James  J.,   17  South  Hollis  St., 

Halifax,  N.  S. 
Wolfe,  P.,8thR.  R. 
Wright,  T.  M.,  7ist  Y.  B. 


--^' 


<^^ 


Keinîorcemenfs  Stratbcona's  l)or$e 


OFFICIER 


Adamson,  Lieut,  A.  S.  A.  M.,  Governor-Generals  Foot  Guards. 


NonCommissioned  Ofticers  and  Men 

Prîvate — Rank,   and  Post    Office   Address   of  next   of  kin. 


Anderson,  G.,  Millarville,  Alta. 

Andrews,  A.  M.,  37  South  Grove, 
Highgate,  London,  N.,  England. 

Bartram,  W.  B.,  Ottawa. 

Blakmore,  P.  H.  J.,  Car  of  Canada  Life 
Assurance  Co.,  Montréal. 

Bruce,  G.  B.,  Knee  Hill,  Calgary, 
N.  W.  T. 

Buchanan,  J.  J.,  Morden,  Man. 

Burnet,  David,  Ottawa. 

Campbell,  T.  G.,  Orillia,  Ont. 

Campbell,  W.  J.,  Maryfield,  Assa. 

Clampitt,  J.  H.,  Redjacket,  Assa. 

Carey.S  T.St.G.,CareofH.  S.  King  & 
Co.,  ôsCornhill,  London,  E.  C.,  Eng- 
land. 

Cooke,  J.  T.,Cannington  Manor,  Assa. 

Della-Torre,  W.  J.,  Sydney,  Cape  Bre- 
ton. 

Fowler,  W.  R.,  Hamilton,  Ont. 

Gilbertson,J.E.,  SaultSte.  Marie,  Ont. 

Greaves,  J.  B.,  Douglas  Lake,  Nicola 
Valley,  B.  C. 

Green-Armytage,  H.  R.,  Fergus,  Ont. 

Grev,  Charles,  Wellington,  England. 

Grifflith,  W.  R.,  Penh,  Ont. 

Hall,  G.  L.,  Calgary,  Alta. 

Henderson,  T.  A.,  Moosomin,  Assa. 

Héron,  R.  B.,  Scarborough  Junction, 
Ont. 

Heygate,  W.  A.  N.,  12  Bennett  Street, 
Bath,  England. 

Howell,  T.  E.,  Waghorn,  Alta. 

Hunt,  W.  de  Vere,  Millarville,  Alta. 

Hutchison,  W.,  Fergus,  Ont. 

Isbester,  C.  J.,  173  Daly  St.,  Ottawa. 


Macdougall,  J.  G.,  648  Rideau  Street 

Ottawa. 
Malet,  C.  C,  Hirewood  Road,  Mertoa 

London,  S.  W.,  England. 
Martin,  J.  S.,  Market  Drayton,  Shrop- 

shire,  England. 
McArthur,  A.,  Lobo,  Middlesex  Co., 

Ont. 
McDougall,  J.  B.,  Calg.iry,  N.  W.  T. 
McMillan,  C.  W.,  Gladstone,  Man. 
Morris,  Cecil,  i  Albert  Mansions,Brigh- 

ton,  England. 
Myers,  L.,  Winnipeg,  Man. 
Palmer,    W.,    Lodge    Road,    Knowle, 

Birmingham,  England. 
Paton,  S.  C,  Toronto,  Ont. 
Preston.  A.  J.,  Folkestone,  Kent,  Eng. 
Robertson,  D.,  192  Concession  Street, 

Ottawa. 
Robinson,  H  .  L.,  12  Burlinghara  Road, 

Redland,  Bristol,  England. 
Rose,  D.  W.,  Gladstone,  Man. 
Ritchie,  D.  V.,   285   Metcalfe   Street, 

Ottawa. 
Shuttleworth,  P.  P.,  Petersfield,  Hants, 

England. 
Slocock,  E.  F.,  Goldwell  House,  New- 

bury,  England. 
Smith,  W.,  McLeod,  N.  W.  T. 
Sparkes,  F.  D.,  Address  unknown. 
Sparks,  G.  A.  S.,  Careof  Mrs.  Vincent, 

Basset,  Southampton,  England. 
Stewart,  D.  M.,  Westbourne,  Man. 
Stringer,  A.,  152  Wallwood  Road,  Ley- 

tonstone,  Essex,  England. 
Tucker,  R.,  Lacombe,  N.  W.  T. 


Graduâtes  and  Cadets  ol  tùe  Royal  Mîlitary  Collège, 
Kingston,  Serving  in  South  Mrica 


Denison,  S.  J.  A.,  Major  R.C.  R.  !..  I 
A.   D.   C.   to    Field    Marshal    Lord 
Roberts.  ^_.        .     , 

Dixon,  F.  J.,  Capt.   R.  O.,  Histoncal 
Recorder,  Canadian  Contingent. 

Laurie.R.C,  Maj.  Strathcona's  Horse. 

CampbeU,  H.  M.,  Major  Royal  ArtU- 

Ho*^^n,  H  .  H . ,  Trooper  Duke  of  Edin- 

burgh's  Horse.  ,    „     ^     , 

Sears,  J.  W.,  Captain  South  Staflford- 

shire  Reg't.  ,-     ^    t.     t 

Cartwright,  Robt.,  Major  R.  C.  K.  I., 

Spécial  Dutj',  First  Contingent. 
Greenwood,H.S.,  Lieut.-Col.  srd CD., 

Capt.  ist  Battalion,  C.  M.  R. 
Hodgins,   A.    E.,   Capt.  Nelson  Rifle 

Co.,  Lieut.  A  Co.,  ist  Contingent. 
Ogilvie,  G.  H.,  Major  R.  C.  A.,  Capt. 

EBattery,  R.  C.  A. 
Laidlaw,    G.    E.,   Lieut.   Strathcona  s 

Horse. 
Gray,    P.    E.,     Major    Royal   Horse 

Artillery.  ,„    „      ^ 

Van    Straubenzee,   B.  W.  S.,  Captain 

South  Wales  Borderers. 
Nanton,  H .  C . ,  Capt.  Royal  Engineers. 
Carruthers,  W.  B.  M.,  Hth  P.W.O.R., 

Sergt.  D  Ce,  ist  Contingent. 
Strange,  H.  B.,  Capt.  Royal  Artillery. 
Chalmers,  T.  W.,  late  N.  W.  M.  P., 

Lieut.  2nd  Battalion,  C.  M.  R. 
MacDougall,  J.  C,  Maj.  R.  C.  R.  I., 

Adjutant  First  Contingent. 
Sanders,  G.  E.,  Supt.  N.  W.  M.  P., 

Majoi  2nd  Battalion,  C.  M.  R. 
Von   Hugel,    N.    G.,    Captain    Royal 

Engineers. 
Dufifus,  E.  T.,  Capt.  Royal  Artillery. 
Kennedy,   J.   N.    C,    Captain    Royal 
Engineers.  ,  „    ., 

Girouard,  E.  P.  C,  Director  of  Rail- 
ways,  Lieut.-Col.    Royal   Engineers. 
Macdonnell,  A.  C,  Captain  and  Bat- 
talion, C.  M.  R. 


Kirkpatrick,   G.   M.,    Captain    Royal 

Engineers.  ,   ^   ,  ,. 

Smith,  H.  C,  Captain  Royal  Dublin 

Fusiliers. 
Hensley,  C.  A.,  Captain  Royal  Dubhn 

Fusiliers. 
Leader,    H.    P.,    Capt.    6th    Dragoon 

Guards,  Carbineers. 
Joly  de  Lotbinière,  H.  G.,  Capt.  Royal 

Engineers. 
Barker,F.E.L.,Capt.  Royal  Artillery. 
Williams,  V.  A.  S.,  Major  R.  C.  D., 

Major  ist  Battalion,  C.  M.  R. 
Dobell,  C.   M.,    Major    Royal  Welsh 

Fusiliers. 
Morris,   E.    M.   Adjt.   Thorneycroft  s 

Horse,  Capt.  Devonshire  Reg't. 
Macinnes,    D.    S.,    Kimberly,    Lieut. 

Royal  Engineers. 
Van  Tuyl,  T.   W.,  Lieut.  D  Battery, 

Royal  Canadian  Artillery. 
Scott,  R.  K.,  Captain  Royal  Artillery. 
Tacker,  H.  C,  Capt.   R.  C.  A.  Adju- 
tant Brigade  Division,  R.  C.  A. 
Panet,  H .  A.,  Capt.  R.  C.  A.,  Capt. 

CBattery,  R.  C.  A.  „  ,„  „  „ 

Courtney,  R.  M.,  Capt.  istP.W.R.F., 

Lieut.  Strathcona's  Horse. 
Burstall,  H.  E.  Capt.  R.C.  A.,  Lieu. 

E  Battery,  R.  C.  A. 
Duffus,   F.    F.,   Lieut.   Army    Service 

Corps. 
Clinch,  H.  W.,  Lieut.  Army  Service 

Corps. 
Armstrong,  C.    T.,  Lieut.   sth   R.   S., 

Lieut.  E  Co.,  First  Contingent. 
Leckie,J.E., Lieut.  Strathcona's  Horse. 
Magee,  R.  H.  B.,  Lieut.  Strathcona's 

Horse.  „        ,  ^     . 

Frith,  G.  R.,  Lieut.  Royal  Engineers. 
Cory,    G.    N.,    Lieut.    Royal    Dublin 

Fusiliers. 
Osborne,  J.  W.,  Lieut.  Scottish  Rifles. 
Kirkpatrick,  G.  H.,  Lieut.  Strathcona's 
Horse. 


J94 


GRADUATES  AND  CADETS,  ETC. 


Cantlie,    W.    H.    N.,     Lieut.     Royal 

Artillery. 
Leach,    F.    E.,    Pte.    2nd    Battalion, 

G.  M.  R. 
Parles,  J.  H.,  Lieut.  P.   L.   Hussars, 

Corpl.  ist  Battalion,  C.  M.  R. 
Wood,    C.    C,    Lieut.    Loyal    North 

Lancashire  Régiment. 
J^afferty,   F.   D.,    Lieut.    R.    C.    A., 

Lieut.  First  Contingent. 
Tobin,H.S.,  Lieut.  Strathcona's  Horse. 
Cosby,  N.  W.,  Lieut.  48th  Highlanders, 

Gr.  C  Battery,  R.  C.  A. 
Hendrie,  M.,  Pte.  C  Company  First 

Contingent. 
Bland,E.M.,  Pte.  Strathcona's  Horse. 


Hamersley,    H.    St.     G.,    and    Lieut, 

Royal  Artillery. 
Caldwell,  A.  C,  Lieut.  First  Con. 
Poole,  H.  R.,  snd  Lieut.  Royal  Gar. 

Artillen'. 
Ridout,  J.   Y.  H.,  and  Lieut.   Royal 

Gar.  Artillery. 
Kaulbach,  H.  A.,  Lieut.  Roval  War- 

wickshire  Régiment. 
Jago,  J.  B.,  Sergt.   E  Battery,  Royal 

Canadian  Artillery. 
McLean,  C.  W.  W.,  and  Lieut.  Royal 

Field  Artillery. 
Magee,  J.  K.  G.,  Pte.  First  Cont. 
Vernon,     A.     A.,     Pte.     Strathcona's 

Horse. 


<?^^ 


Officers  who  hâve  Resigned  their  Commissions  and  Enlisted 
in  ttie  Ranks  for  Service  in  Soutli  Âfrica 


First  Contingent 


Anslow.C.W.,  Lieut.  lath  F.B.,  C.  A. 

Pte.  GCo. 
Carruthers,  W.    B.,    Lieut.    Graduate 

R.  M.  C.  Sergt.  D  Co. 
Cowan,  H.   J.,  znd  Lieut.   Man.    D. 

Pte.  ACo. 
Ferguson.W.R.,  2nd  Lieut.  gsrd  C.B., 

Corpl.  H  Co. 
Gardner,  J.,  Captain  M.   B.    S.    R., 

Corpl.  E  Co. 
Gorman,  F.,  Captain  zyth  St.  C.  B., 

Sergt.  B  Co. 
Hulme,  G.  G.,  2nd  Lieut.  isth  A.L.I., 

Corpl.  D  Co. 
Irvine,  A.  B.,  and  Lieut.  goth  W.  R., 

Corpl.  A  Co. 
Larue,  L.,  Lieut.  87th  Q.  B.,  Pte.  F  Co. 
McCormick:,A.S.,2nd  Lieut.  srdV.R. 

with  reinforcements. 
McCosh,  P.,  Lt.  3Sth  S.  F.,  Pte.  C  Co. 
McHarg.  W.  H.,  2nd  Lieut.  R.  R.  Co., 

Corpl.  A  Co. 
Magee,  J.  K.  G.,  Cadet,  R.  M.  C, 

Corpl.  C  Co. 


Mellish.A.J.B.,  Lieut.  Sand  Q.Co 

Pte.  G  Co. 
O'Meara,  D.  A.,  and  Lieut.  8th  R. 

Pte.  E  Co. 
Oxley,     W.,    Captain.    çsrd    C. 

Pte.  H  Co. 
Rood,  T.  A.,  and  Lieut.  8and  Q.Co. 

Pte.  G  Co. 
Rorke,     J.    H.,    Lieut.    3ist    G. 

Pte.  C  Co. 
Ross,   A.    L.,  Captain    3oth    W. 

Sergt.  D  Co. 
Southey,   E.   C,  Lieut.   46th   D. 

Lee. -Corpl.  D  Co. 
Stewart,  L.,  Lieut.  Sand  Q.  Co. 

Pte.  GCo. 
Wall,    A.,    Captain    i6th    P.    E. 

Pte.  DCo. 
Wallace,  T.   G.,  Captain  sôth  P. 

Pte.  C  Co. 
Ward,  G.  L.,  Captain  68th  K.  Co. 

Pte.  H.  Co. 
Whimster,     P.,    Captain    Man. 

Sergt.  A  Co. 


B., 
R., 
B., 
B., 
B., 
R., 
B., 
B., 
B., 
B., 
B., 
D., 


Second  Contingent 


Armstrong,  B.  R.,  Captain  srd  Ré- 
giment, C.  A.,  Pte.  ist  Battalion, 
C.  M.  R. 

Arnold,  R.  H.,  Lieut.  8th  P.  L.  H., 
Pte.  istB.,C.  M.  R. 

Butler,  A.,  Lieut.  ist  P.  W.  R.  F., 
Pte.  istB.,C.  M.  R. 

Campbell,  J.  A.,  2nd  Lieut.  aothW.R., 
Gr.  DB.,R.  C.  A. 

Campbell,  D.,  Hon.  Capt.  H.  C.  B., 
Gr.  EB.,  R.C.  A. 

Cosby,  N.    W.,   Lieut.   48th  H.,   Gr. 

Garnett,  C.  É.,  Capt.  26th  M.  L.  I., 

Gr.  D  B.,  R   C.  A. 
Hayward,   G.   F.   H.,  Lieutenant  ard 

P.  W.  C.  D.,  Sergt.  ist  Battalion, 

C.  M.  R. 
Hope,  R.  S.,  Lieut.  aoth  L.  R.,  Bdr. 

CB.,  R.  C.  A. 


Jago,  J.   B.,    Lieut.    Gr.    R.   M.  C. 

Sergt.  EB.,  R.  C.  A. 
Leach,  F.    E.,  Lieut.  Gr.    R.  M.   C. 

Pte.  2ndB.,  C.  M.  R. 
Leach.  W.  D.,  and  Lieut.  46th  D.  B., 

Gr.  DB.,  R.  C.  A. 
Markham,  R.  F.,  and  Lt.  8th  P.L.H., 

Sergt.  ist  B.,  C.  M.  R. 
Metzler,   H.,  2nd   Lieut.  74th  B.,  S., 

N.  B.,  Pte.  ist  B.,  R.  M.  C. 
Moorehouse,  A.  H.,2ndLieut.  74th  B., 

S.,  N.  B.,  Pte.  istB.,  C.  M.  R. 
Parks,   J.    H.,    Lieut.    8th   P.    L.  H., 

Corpl.  ist  B.,C.  M.  R. 
Read,  H.,  Lieut.  46t"nD.  B.,Gr.  DB., 

R    C.  A. 
Rayan,    R.    H.,    R.    of   G.,    Corpl. 

istB.,C.  M.  R. 
Warren,   D.  I.,   Lieut.   G.  G.  B.  G., 

Pte.  ist  B.,C.  M.  R. 


Artificers  EDrolled  for  Service  with  the  Regular 
Forces  in  Soath  Âfrica 


Belleveau,  A.  L.,  Saddler,  63  Patrick 

Street,  Québec. 
Blackwell,  Fred'k  W.,  Shoeing-smith, 

50  Elm  Street,  Toronto. 
Brierly,   Joseph,    Wheeler,    787    York 

Street,  London,  Ont. 
Cass,  Patrick  B.,  Wheeler,  93  Campbell 

Road  Halifax. 
Cooper,  John  T.,  Wheeler,  18  Artillery 

Street,  Québec. 
Cumming,     Geo.     A.,     Shoeing-smith, 

Meadowville,  Ont. 
Dickey,    William    J.,     Shoeing-smith, 

Campbellford,  Ont. 
Hicks,  John  T.,  Shoeing-smith,  Wel- 

land.  Ont. 
Lauder.     George,     Shoeing-smith,    371 

Burgess  Street,  Montréal. 
Layng,  Wm.,  Shoeing-smith,  118  Os- 

sington  Avenue,  Toronto. 
McMillan,      Donald,      Shoeing-smith, 

Winnipeg,  Man. 


McMoris,   Rupert,    Shoeing-smith,   21 

Poplar  Grove,  Halifax,  N.  S. 
Patton,  J.  A.,  Saddler, Corbetton,  Ont. 
Pierce,  Herbert  McK.,  Saddler,  New 

Glasgow,  N.  S. 
Poynter,    Arthur,    Wheeler,    20    Ellis 

Street,  Toronto. 
Rankin,  Hugh,  Shoeing-smith,  Bolton, 

Ont. 
Smith,  Alex.,  Wheeler,  Carp,  Ont. 
Smith,   Horace,    H.,    Saddler,    Dart- 

mouth,  N .  S. 
Smith,     John,      Shoeing-smith,      Port 

Perry,  Ont. 
Speak,    John,    Saddler,     23    Yorshire 

Street,  Burnley,  Lancs.,  Ëngland. 
Thomas,     William     Henry,     Saddler, 

Long  Ashton,  near  Bristol,  England. 
Wetmore,  Henry  A.,  Saddler,  Mimicoe, 

Ont. 
Whiteoak,     Norman,      Shoeing-smith, 

Markham,  Ont. 


1)^^®®^*^» 


>^^èi^ 


CASUALTIES 


Killed  in  Action,  or  Died  of  Woonds  (t) 


OFFICERS 


•  Then,   here's   their   memory  ; 
May  it  be  for  us  a  guiding  light, 
To  cheer  our  hearts  for  liberty, 
And  teach  us  to  unité  !  " 

J.  K.  Ingram. 


Major 
Capt. 
Lieut 


Saunders,  G.  E. 

Howard,   (Gat.) 
Arnold,  H.  N. 
Hensley,  C.  A. 
Osboriie,  J.  W. 


Lieut.  Wood,  C .  C. 
"      Blanchard,  M.    C 
"      Borden,  H.  L. 
'•      Burch,  T.  E. 
"      Chalmers,  T.  W. 


NON-COlWMISSIOÎfED    OFFICERS 


Q.  M 

Sergt. 
Sergt 


,  S.  Elliott,  T. 
-Major  Pearson,  J.  A, 

Logan,  A.  E.  H  . 

Brothers,  J. 

Edward,  C.  Parker. 

Scott,  W. 

Bredin,  H.  H. 

Munsey,  S.  W. 


Sergt.  Evatt,  E. 
Corpl.  Morden,  J.  F. 

"      Taylor,  J.  R. 

'■      Goodfellow,  R. 

"     Bradley,  W.  C. 

"      Latimer,  W. 

"      Wiihers,  F.  W. 

•'      Withey,  B. 


PRITATES 


Arnold,  T.  G. 
Angus,  Jenkins. 
Brown,  A.  W. 
Barry,  C.  H. 
Burns,  O.  T. 
Clarence,  C.  Owen. 
Cotion,  H. 
Cruikshank. 
Uafoe,  J. 
Donegan,  J.  A. 
Findlay,  J.  H. 
Floyd,  F.  G.  W. 


Frost,  W. 

Ingram,  W.  H. 

Jackson,  C.  E.  E. 

Jackson,  W. 

Johnston,  Jos.  M. 

Jones,  A. 
,  Lee,  B.  H. 
;  Léonard,  J.  W. 
I  Lester,  C. 
I  Lewis,  Z.  R.  E. 
I  Living,  F.  J. 
i  Manion,  W.  T. 


Maundrill,  A. 
McCreary,  P. 
McQueen,  A. 
Ncild,  J.^ 
Norris,  F. 
Orman,  G. 
Page,  F.  C 
Radclifife,  A. 
Riggs,  W.A. 
Roy,  A. 
Scott,  J.  B. 
Scott,  L.  B. 


Sievert,  J. 
Smith,  R. 
Somers,  J.  H . 
Spence,  M.  D. 
Taylor,  R.  D. 
Thomas,  C.  T. 
Todd,  T. 
Wasdell,  F. 
West,  W. 
White,  H.  B. 
White,  W. 
Wigins,  W.  J. 


M  This  list  is  as  complote  as  ir.  possible,  being  from  the  officiai  returns  :  and 
thr  re^ders  will  find  menlioncd  the  corps  lo  which  cach  nian  belonged  on  the  Muster 
Koll  Now,  if  I  do  not  note  the  namc  of  the  places  wherc  they  were  wounded,  or 
died.'it  is  becausc  their  glorious  sacrifice  W.-IS  the  same,  whether  at  Paardebe.g, 
Spio'n  Kcp,  or  clscwhere. 


WOUNDED 


OFFICERS 


Lieut.-Col.  Otter,  W.  D. 

Pelletier,  O.  C.  C. 
Captain  Nelles,  CM. 

"      Turner,  R.  E.W. 

"      Macdonnell,  A.  C. 


Lieut.  Ingles,  W.  M. 
"  Young,  H.W. 
"        Armstrong,  C.  J. 

Ross,  J.  M. 
"       Masson,  J.  C. 


KON-COMMISSIONED    OFFI€ERS 


Sergt.  Ryan,  K.  H. 
Hayes,  W. 

"        Shreeve,  J. 

"        Peppiatt,  W. 

"       Sippe,  G.  R.  B. 

"       Norways. 

"       Douglas. 

••       Abbott. 
Vine. 
Far.  Sergt.  McCulloch,  D. 
Cr.  Sergt.  Thompson,  C.  H.  D. 
Corpl.  Baugh,  T.  E. 

"       Baines,  H.  H. 


Corpl.  Miles,  R. 

"       Brown,  H.M. 

"       Moody,  F. 

"        McDonald,  R.  D. 

"       Coombs,  F.  W. 

"       Smith,  J. 

"       Stevens,  R.  C.  H. 

"       McDonnell,  C.  R. 
Lee. -Corpl.  Van  Norman, 

R.C. 
Lee. -Corpl.  Powell,  L. 
Bomb.  Hope,  R.  C. 

"      McCaskill,  J, 


PRIVATES 


Adams.W.  G. 
Allan,  L. 
Andrews,  H. 
Armstrong,  A. 
Aspinall,  A. 
Bagot,  A. 
Baugh,  E. 
Beach,  A.  C. 
Braee,  N.  T. 
Bradshaw,  J.L.H. 
Brown,  F. 
Bums,  R. 


Bums,W.  J. 
Burney,  J.  A. 
Bull,  J.  V. 
Burns,  D. 
Clarke,  C.  P. 
Coggins,  H. 
Cole,  A.  E. 
Coleman,  J.  D. 
Corley,  J.  B. 
Culver,  J.  W. 
Childers,  H    C 
Carters,  C.  L. 


Crawley,  A.  V 
Davies,  A.  E. 
Day,  E.  C. 
Day,  J. 
Dickson,  W.  J 
Donohue,  W. 
Downing,  W. 
Duncalfe,   C. 
Durant,  H.  E. 
Deering,  R. 
Dodd. 
Finch-Smiles,  F 


W. 


Fletcher,   Gr. 

F. 
Foster,  P.  R. 
Fradshaw,  H. 
Flynn,  W.  B. 
Gibson,  C.  A. 
Gifford,  B. 
Gorman,  J.  F. 
Gray,  J.  W. 
Gray,  N. 
Green,  W.  J. 
Garner,  A.  C. 


LIST   OF  THE  WOUNDED 


199 


Greewall,  F. 
Harris,  J.  A. 
Harrison,  C. 
Haydon,  A . 
HiU,  E. 
HoUand,  C. 
HoUand,  J. 
Hudon,  J.  A. 
Harvey,  J.  J. 
Hainnioncl,R.6.L. 
Hare,  W.  R. 
Hudson,  W. 
Jackson,  Gr.  R.C. 
Johnson,  Jas. 
Jordan,  J. 
ÎCane,  Driver  J. 
Kennedy,  Jas. 
Kidner,  R. 
Kingswell,  J. 
Kerr,  R.  J. 
Laird,  A. 
Larue,  L. 
Leavitt,  H. 
Letson,  J. 
Lohman,  A.  O. 


Lutz,  J. 
Legott,  M. 
Lord,  J.  W. 
Marentette,  V.  F. 
Matheson,  O. 
Moore,  T. 
MacAulay,  A . 
McCollum,  G.  D. 
McCollum,  Gr.W. 
McConnell,  J.   F. 
McGill,  D.  R. 
McGiverin,  L. 
Mciver,  W. 
McKenzie,  H . 
McLaren,  C .  D. 
McLaughlin.R.H. 
McLaughlin,H.P. 
McLean,  A.  R. 
McDuff,  J. 
McGregor,  S.  J. 
McCarty,  P. 
Marriott,  T.  H. 
McArthur,  A. 
McDougall,  J.  C. 
Mulloy,  L.  W.  R. 


Monteith,  W.G.S. 
Niebergall,  H.  E. 
Neild,  Gr.  J. 
Nicks,  J. 
Northway,  T.  J. 
Paddon,  A.  E. 
Parker,  A. 
Patton,  Gr.  W. 
Pelky,A. 
Proulx,  H. 
Pralt,  F.  J. 
Palmer,  R.  H. 
Quinn,  I^L  J. 
Regan,  W.  J. 
Richardson,  F. 
Ritchie,  W.  G. 
Robarts,  G.  P. 
Robinson,  J.  B. 
Rorison,  C.  K. 
Ross,   Dr.    G.  H. 
Robinson,   Strath. 
Scott,  J.  A. 
Shaw,A.  C. 
Simpson,;A. 


Sprague,  F.  W. 
Stewart,  M.  M. 

Sutherland,  A. 
Sutton,  J.  H. 
Switzer,  P. 
Seymour,  G. 
Stuart,  A.  W. 
Sparks,  C.  A.  S. 
Taite,  Gr.  H.  B. 
Thériault,  A. 
Thomas,  A.  P. 
Thompson,  C   C. 
Turner,  A .  J . 
Unkauf,  W.  C. 
Usher,  J.  F  . 
Utton,  F.  W. 
Vanderwater,W.J. 
Vickers,  J.  R. 
Warde,  S.  M. 
Wayne,  J.  F. 
Wheatcraft,  A.  H. 
Woollard,  Gr.  G. 
Watts,  C.  C.  M. 
Whiteley,  F.  C. 


DIED    FROM    DISEASES 


OFFICEBS 

Captain   Pearse,   C . 

"        Sutton,  F.  H.  C. 


llîON-COZttMISSIONED    OFFICUBS 


Q.  M.  S.  Hunt,  S.B. 
Sergt.  Beattie,  A. 


Sergt.  Clunnie,  P. 

Inglis,  L.  J.  S 


PRIVATES 


Adams,   T. 
Adams,  W.  G. 
Barr,  H.  B. 
Blight,  W.  S. 
Boit,  G.  H. 
Bradley,  Gr.  R. 
Bradley,    Tr.     G. 

W. 
Bing,  A.  B. 
Chapelle,  M.  C. 
Cléments,  H.  H. 
Curphy,  J. 
Cotterill,  C.  W. 
Crowe,  D.  J. 


Cooper,  Dr.  J. 
De  Rochejacque- 

lain,  A. 
DesLauriers,  E. 
Duhamel,  J.  W. 
Dunsmore,  R.   J. 
Dandy,  Ch.  R. 
Davis,  L.  S. 
Failey,  T.  E. 
Forest,  H. 
Farrell,  G. 
Harrison,  R . 
Hull,  W.  A. 
Hampton,  W.  J . 


Hughes,  Tr.  W. 
Irwin,  R. 
Kelly,  G.   M.   O. 
Liston,  B. 
Leit,  R. 
Larue,  L. 
Moore,  D.  L. 
McMillan,     Shoe- 

jng-sm.  D. 
McNicholl,  A. 
MuUins,  E. 
.Merchant,  E. 
Maxwell,  Femel. 
Mclntosh,  Ed. 


lO'Rielly.Gr.  P. 

O'Kelly,  J. 

Picot,  Gr.  E. 

Purcell,  E.  S. 
I  Purcell,  J.  J. 

Ramsay,  D.  L. 

Raspberry,  J. 

Ross,  W.  J.  H. 

Simmill.  J. 

St-George,  B.  A. 

Valentine. 

WooUcombe,  J. 

Zong,  A.  £. 


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■» 

APPENDIX 


/HIS  Appendix  is  surdy  in  place,  especially  in  view  of  the 
death  of  the  ever-to-be  lamented  Queen  of  England,  and  the 
(T  "^  manifestation  of  Canadian  loyalty,  on  that  sad  occasion,  so 
corroborative  of  the  remarks  contained  in  the  first  part  of  this  volume. 

The  reader  will,  therefore,  not  be  surprised  to  hère  find  the 
expression  of  the  most  deeply  loyal  sentiments,  not  only  by  the 
Canadian  people  in  gênerai,  but,  above  ail,  by  the  most  eminent 
personages  in  the  religious,  military,  political,  civil  and  administrative 
sphères. 

Apart  from  ail  this,  thèse  few  pages  hâve  been  reserved  for  the 
latest  détails  that  the  arrivai  of  the  Second  Contingent  and  of  the 
Strathconas  aflfords  us  ;  for,  as  our  work  commences  with  the  departure 
of  our  Contingents  for  the  seat  of  war,  it  necessarily  should  not  close 
until  the  retum  of  the  last  soldier  —  otherwise  our  story  would  be 
incomplète  and  unsatisfactory.  Moreover,  we  deemed  it  proper  to 
hère  give  the  names  of  a  few  Canadians  who  hâve  fought,  or  who  are 
still  fighting  in  various  quarters  of  the  globe.  Such  the  purpose  of 
this  Appendix  ! 

Consequently  thèse  concluding  pages  will  furnish  the  reader  with 
an  account  of  the  home-coming  of  the  Second  Contingent  and  that  of 
the  Strathconas  ;  the  striking  évidences  of  French-Canadian  loyalty 
towards  the  British  Crown  ;  and,  finally,  to  mention  but  a  few,  the 
tribute  we  feel  bound  to  pay  to  the  memory  of  Major  Hébert,  formerly 
of  the  65th  and  of  *'B  "  Battery,  who  died  of  enteric  fever,  in  1882, 
in  Egypt.  Nor  shall  we  forget  the  number  of  Canafiian  Voyageurs, 
whom,  during  the  expédition  of  1884-85,  the  waters  of  the  Nile  swal- 


2  APPENDIX 

lowed  up,  or  the  sands  of  the  désert  coveied  over  forever.  We  shall  also 
recall  the  death  of  the  kindly  Colonel  Kennedy,  of  Winnipeg,  who 
succumbed  during  the  voyage,  under  the  deadly  influence  of  that 
terrible  malady,  even  as  did  the  regretted  Captain  Sutton,  Sergeant 
Inglis,  Private  Deslauriers,  and  the  half  breed  Henderson  —  ail  of 
whom  found  a  last  resting-place  beneath  the  billows  of  the  great  océan. 
And  again,  there  are  others  :  Lieutenant  E.  Carsley,  who  died  in 
India  ;  Révérend  Mr.  Leslie,  a  victim  of  Chinese  barbarism  ;  Major 
Boulanger  and  Alfred  Bergevin,  at  présent  in  China  ;  James  Welch, 
of  Port  Hope  ;  Oscar  Grégoire  and  Adjutor  Vohl,  of  Québec,  now 
in  Manilla,  and  a  great  number  of  other  Canadians  of  whom  the  press 
has  largely  spoken,  and  to  whom  références  are  still  daily  made. 

Honor  be  to  ail  the  heroic  ones  who  spread  abroad,  over  the  world, 
the  famé  of  Canada  and  the  renown  of  Canadian  bravery  and  worth  I 

Honor  be  to  the  brave  and  valiant  Strathconas,  who  hâve  remained 
in  South  Africa  to  complète  the  grand  work  of  the  Contingents,  and 
to  whom  it  has  been  reserved  to  eventually  deposit  at  the  feet  of 
Canada  the  crown  of  glory  that  shall  for  ail  time  immortalize  our 
Canadian  Contingents. 

Gaston  P.  Labat, 


RETURN  OF  THE  2nd  CONTINGENT 


From  the  Gazette,  January  Qlh,  1901. 

„rTr;Yrr'HEN  the  booming  of  guns  announced  to  those  who  had 
Py»-A7/|  anxiously  watched  for  some  sign  of  the  transport  since 
(qq^ù  Monday  that  the  Roslyn  Castle  was  sighted,  the  quarantine 
steamer  and  a  tug  raced  down  the  harbor  to  meet  her.  On  board  the 
tug  was  a  large  party  of  ladies,  some  of  whom  were  the  wives  of  the 
retuming  officers.  The  moon  was  just  rising,  as  the  Roslyn  Castte 
came  within  sight,  and  by  its  faint  light  the  party  on  board  the  tug 
were  enabled  to  see  a  flag  flying  at  half-mast  from  the  transport's 
after  peak.  Long  before  the  tug  came  within  hailing  distance  of  the 
steamer  the  doctor's  boat  had  reached  it,  and  turned  back  to  order 
the  captain  of  the  tug  to  put  back  to  shore.  The  ladies  on  board 
piteously  begged  the  doctor  to  tell  them  who  was  dead  before  they 
started  back.  On  the  doctor's  boat  was  the  Révérend  Father  Sinnett, 
who  gently  broke  the  news  to  Mrs.  Sutton,  one  of  the  ladies  who 
made  up  the  light  hearted  party  aboard  the  tug,  that  her  husband, 
Captain  Sutton,  had  died  two  days  before  the  transport  reached 
port.  She  could  not  realize  for  a  moment  the  full  meaning  of  what 
she  heard,  When  she  did  her  grief  was  pitiful.  Mrs.  Sutton  had 
been  one  of  the  gayest  of  the  little  party  on  board  the  tug  and  did  not 
attempt  to  restrain  the  joy  with  which  she  looked  forward  to  meeting 
her  husband  again.  She  had  only  been  married  eight  years  when  her 
husband  answered  his  country's  call  to  arms,  and  left  her  for  South 
Africa.  Some  time  ago  Mrs.  Sutton  left  for  England,  hoping  to 
meet  him  on  his  arrivai  there,  only  to  find  that  he  was  coming  direct 
to  Halifax,  which  she  managed  to  reach  just  in  time  to  welcome  him. 


4  APPENDIX 

"The  first  boat  to  leave  the  transport  vvas  the  Government  tug 
Argus,  bearing  the  remains  of  Captain  Sutton.  The  remains  were 
enclosed  in  a  casket  and  the  young  wife,  who  had  travelled  eight 
thousand  miles  to  welcome  her  husband,  received  his  dead  body  at 
the  landing  stage. 

"  Captain'  Sutton  contracted  enteric  fever  in  South  Africa,  but 
was  apparently  in  fairly  good  health.  Towards  the  latter  part  of  the 
voyage,  when  cold  weather  was  encountered  he  was  taken  with 
pneumonia,  and,  although  every  hunian  effort  was  made  to  save  him, 
he  died  on  Saturday  last. 

"  The  other  officers'  wives  on  the  tug  that  met  the  transport  were 
Mrs.  Williams,  Mrs.  Ogilvie,  Mrs.  Drury,  Mrs.  Eaton  and  Mrs. 
Randolph.  The  meetings  with  ttieir  husbands  took  place  on  the 
deck  of  the  transport  with  great  tears  of  joy. 

"  The  death  of  Captain  Sutton  was  not  the  only  one.  Two  days 
out  from  St.  Vincent,  Sergeant  Inglis  died  of  enteric  fever,  and  his 
body  was  consigned  to  the  deep,  one  of  the  chaplains  performing  the 
last  sad  rites.     His  body  was  shot  down  a  plank  into  the  water." 

Captain  Sutton  was  highly  appreciated  by  his  chiefs  and  his  men, 
as  a  good  soldier,  hearthy  comrade,  and  by  society,  for  his  noble 
and  distinguished  manners.  He  was  at  forty-nine  engagements,  and 
his  last  battle  was  with  and  for  God,  who  gave  him  the  reward 
promised  to  every  good  Christian. 


PRAISE  FOR  THE  TROOPS 

"  When  Colonel  Lessard  and  Major  Hurdman  were  interviewed 
they  showed  your  correspondent  the  following  communication  they  had 
received  from  General  Smith-Dorrien  just  previous  to  the  departure 
of  the  Canadians  for  home. 

"  To  C.  S.  O.,  4th  Division,  Middelburg  :  — 
"  Sir, 

"Ihavemuch  pleasure  in  forwarding  attached  statements  on  the 
gallant  behavior  of  officers  of  the  Royal  Canadian  forces  in  the  action 
of  the  7th  November,  1900,  between  Witkloof  and  Lilliefontein,  the 
Komatie  emphasize  the  fact  that  the  behavior  of  the  whole  Royal 
Canadian  rear-guard  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lessard,  was  so  fine 


CAPTAIN  F.  II.  C.  SUTTOX. 


APPENDIX  5 

that  it  makes  it  most  difficult  to  single  any  out  for  spécial  distinction. 
"  There  is  no  doubt   the  men  sacrifieed   themselves  in  the  most 
gallant  way  to  save  the  guns  of  the  battery,  which  they  succeeded  in 
doing. 

"Thèse  statements,  added  to  what  I  know  myself,  enable  me  to 
bring  forward  five  names  for  spécial  distinction.  The  four  first  of 
them  I  emphatically  recommend  for  the  proud  distinction  of  the 
Victoria  Cross,  and  the  fifth  for  some  spécial  mark  of  Her  Majesty's 
favor. 

"I.  Lieutenant  H.  Z.  C.  Cockburn,  of  the  Royal  Canadian 
Dragoons,  with  a  handful  of  men,  at  a  most  critical  moment,  held  oflf 
the  Boers  to  allow  the  guns  to  get  away  ;  but  to  do  so  he  had  to 
sacrifice  himself  and  his  party,  ail  of  whom  were  killed,  wounded  or 
taken  prisoners. 

«<2.  Lieutenant  R.  E.  \V.  Turner,  later  in  the  day,  when  the  Boers 
again  seriously  threatened  to  capture  the  guns,  although  twice 
previously  wounded,  dismounted  and  deployed  his  men  at  close 
quarters  and  drove  off  the  Boers,  thus  saving  the  guns. 

'«  3.  No.  185,  Private  W.  A.  Kinsley,  of  the  Royal  Canadian 
Dragoons,  in  a  most  gallant  way,  carried  out  of  action  under  a  heavy 
and  close  fire  No.  172,  Corporal  Percy  R.  Price,  of  the  Royal 
Canadian  Dragoons,  getting  wounded  himself  in  doing  so. 

«'4.  No.  176,  Sergeant  E.  HoUand,  of  the  Royal  Canadian 
Dragoons,  did  splendid  work  with  his  Coït  gun,  He  kept  the  Boers 
off  the  two  i2-pounders  by  fire  from  his  gun  at  close  range  and  then, 
whcn  he  saw  the  Boers  were  too  near  for  him  to  escape  with  the 
carriage,  as  the  horse  was  blown,  he  calmly  lifted  the  gun  oft"  the 
carriage  and  galloped  off  with  it  under  his  arm. 

"  5.  Lieutenant  E.  W.  B.  Morrison,  Royal  Canadian  Artillery,  for 
the  skill  and  coolness  with  which  he  worked  and  finally  saved  his  gun. 

•'  I  hâve  the  honor  to  he,  Sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

H.  L.  Smith-Dorrien, 
"  Major-General  commanding  flying  column." 

"After  shakine  hands  with  the  officers,  ail  were  asked  to  give 
particulars  of  the  deeds  which  received  such  substantial  récognition, 
but  ail  declined  to  discuss  their  actions  in  any  other  way  than  to  state 
that  they  had  donc  only  their  duty. 


O  APPENDIX 

"True  heroes  in  every  sensé  of  the  word,  their  very  modesty 
stamped  them  as  soldiers  of  the  do-and-dare  character.  None  were 
more  proud  of  such  achievements  than  Colonels  Drury,  Lessard, 
Evans  and  Major  H.  Hudon,  of  the  R.  C.  A.,  R.  C.  D.,  and  R.  C.  R., 
respectively.  While  declining  to  make  comparisons,  the  commanders 
were  satisfied  that  they  had  been  placed  over  men  who  would  not 
contrast  unfavourably  with  the  best  soldiers  of  the  world.  Like  the 
men  of  the  first  Canadian  Contingent,  they  had  been  thrown  into 
contact  with  the  pick  of  the  British  army,  and  in  fighting  and  marching 
they  '  held  their  own,  and  a  little  better.' 

"Colonel  Drury,  the  senior  officer,  was  one  of  the  most  pleased 
men  on  the  trooper.  He  preceded  the  Canadian  Artillery  by  several 
months,  and  joined  "D"  and  "  E  "  Batteries  at  Cape-Town.  Under 
General  Parsons  they  were  taken  to  Carnarvon,  where  they  did  duty 
in  the  disaffected  districts.  Then  they  proceeded  in  a  north-westerly 
direction  and  marched  five  hundreds  miles.  "  E  "  Battery  then  joined 
General  Warren  and  "  D  "  Battery  was  detached  to  guard  the  line  of 
communication. 

LORD  ROBERTS'  PRAISE 

"  But  it  was  "  C  "  Battery,  under  Major  Hudon's  command,  which, 
by  its  famous  march  to  join  Colonel  Plumer,  and  which  decided  the 
relief  of  Mafeking,  brought  so  much  glory  to  the  Canadian  arms.  It 
was  that  march  which  brought  them  to  General  Baden-Powell's  relief 
one-half  a  day  before  the  historical  siège  was  raised.  Their  guns 
were  galloped  for  hundreds  of  miles,  with  the  aid  of  relays  of  mules, 
sixteen  to  each  team,  and  stationed  twenty-five  miles  apart.  It  was 
the  ride  which  brought  forth  from  Lord  Roberts  the  exclamation  : 
'  The  wonderful,  almost  incredible,  march  of  thèse  Canadians  !  " 

"At  Pretoria,  when  the  majority  of  the  Second  Contingent  were 
drawn  up  before  him,  the  British  Commander-in-Chief  again  took 
advantage  of  the  opportunity  to  express  his  high  regard  for  the  services 
of  the  Canadians,  and  thanked  them  for  their  efforts  in  behalf  of  the 
Empire, 

ON  MISSIONS  OF   MERCY 

"But  there  were  other  heroes  on  board  whose  mission  had  been 
rather  one  of  mercy  than  war.  Chaplain  Father  Sinnett  and  Révérend 
Mr.  Cox  had  donc  yeoman  service  in  comforting  the  sick  and  wounded. 
There  were  also  the  young  lady  nurses. 


APPENDIX  / 

"  Canada's  daughters  had  not  been  behind  lier  sons,  and  seven  of 
thèse  ministering  angels  accompanied  the  Contingent  home.  They 
were  Misses  McDonald,  Russell,  Forbes,  Hurcomb,  Affleck,  Pope 
and  Richardson.  In  their  becoming  costumes  of  khaki,  with  red 
trimmings,  their  rosy  cheeks  and  bright  eyes,  they  did  not  seem  to 
hâve  experienced  much  hardship.  But  thèse  brave  women  had 
endured  the  trials  of  the  others.  They  moved  from  place  to  place  as 
best  they  could,  lived  on  half  rations,  and  slept,  when  the  opportunity 
offered,  in  the  open  and  on  hard  floors,  and  ail  without  a  murmur. 
They  were  from  the  first  placed  in  the  advance  guard,  and  led  the 
army  to  the  Transvaal  Capital.  Hundreds  of  poor  fellows  had  felt 
their  kind  touch  and  had  been  cheered  by  their  sisterly  sympathy,  and 
many  a  '  God  bless  you  '  had  foUowed  thèse  heroines,  as  they  passed 
from  cot  to  cot. 

LANDING   TOOK   PLACE  AT  TEN 

"The  landing  took  place  at  the  dock  yard  at  10  o'clock  this 
morning.  Two  hours  before  tliree  signal  guns  from  Citadel  Hill 
announced  that  the  boat  was  to  leave  for  the  pier,  and  the  rush  for 
places  of  vantage  continued  for  several  hours.  The  gênerai  public 
were  admitted  at  the  north  gâte  and  Govemor  Jones,  the  military, 
Mayor  and  corporation,  and  relatives  were  allowed  to  pass  at  the 
south  gâte  and  take  up  positions  on  the  wharf. 

•'  As  the  vessel  steamed  up  the  harbour  a  salute  of  twenty-one  guns 
roared  their  welcome  from  Citadel  Hill,  and  the  fire  bells  joined  in 
the  réception.  Shortly  after  the  troops  left  the  steamer  they  were 
formally  welcomed  back  to  Canadian  soil  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Biscoe,  on  behalf  of  the  Impérial  authorities.  His  address  was  brief, 
but  appropriate.  He  said  that  it  aflorded  him  great  pleasure  to 
welcome,  on  behalf  of  the  Impérial  authorities,  the  men  who  had  so 
gallantly  upheld  the  old  flag.  As  a  Britisher,  he  felt  delighted  over 
the  grand  réputation  the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  and  Artillery  had 
made  on  the  battlefield.  Their  work  and  their  achievements  were 
brilliant.  They  had  exhibited  in  no  unmistakeable  way  that  the 
soldiers  of  Canada  were  made  of  fighting  material,  second  to  none  in 
the  world.  He  was  highly  pleased  to  leam  of  the  many  brave  and 
heroic  deeds  performed  by  the  Canadian  soldiers,  but  ref  retted  that 
their  ranks  had  been  thinned  on  the  field  of  action. 

••  In  conclusion,  he  wished  Lieutenant-Colonel  Drury  and  those 
who  had  returned  under  his  command  long  and  prosperous  lives." 


8  APPENDIX 

LIEUT.-GOVERNOR  JONES'  ADDRESS  TO  THE  MEN 

"  Lieutenant-Govemor  Jones,  addressed  the  returning  Contingent 
as  foUows  :  — 

**  Lieutenant-Colonel  Drury,  officers  and  men  of  the  2nd  Contingent  : 

"  It  affords  me  the  greatest  pleasure  and  gratification  to  extend  to 
you,  on  behalf  of  the  people  of  Canada  a  most  cordial  and  hearty 
welcome  on  your  retum  to  your  native  land. 

"  During  the  time  you  hâve  been  absent  the  people  of  Canada  hâve 
watched  your  movements  with  intense  interest  and  satisfaction,  and 
vvhen,  as  on  many  occasions,  your  conduct  in  the  field  secured  you 
the  high  approbation  of  your  illustrions  commander  and  gênerais 
under  -n-hom  you  hâve  served,  a  feeling  of  national  pride  and  satisfac- 
tion was  felt  from  one  end  of  the  Dominion  to  the  other. 

"  Every  hamlet  and  cottage  had  an  interest  in  your  movements  and 
shared  in  the  pleasure  that  ail  felt  at  the  crédit  you  were  reflecting  on 
yourselves  and  on  the  country  that  sent  you  forth  to  battle  in  a 
righteous  cause.  You  hâve  nobly  illustrated  in  your  persons  the 
qualities  of  the  race  from  which  you  sprang.  Worthy  sons  of  worthy 
sires  ;  and  one  of  the  brightest  pages  of  Canadian  history  has  been 
fumished  by  her  gallant  sons  on  the  field  of  battle. 

"  Some  of  your  brethren  in  arms,  who  visited  England  and  who 
lately  landed  hère,  hâve  received  from  her  people  every  possible 
mark  of  national  appréciation  and  gratitude  ;  from  the  highest  in  the 
land,  there  was  nothing  but  kind  words  and  pleasant  commendation 
for  the  services  rendered  to  the  Empire. 

"  Our  vénérable  and  sympathetic  Queen,  with  an  émotion  that 
faintly  concealed  the  depth  of  her  feeling,  expressed,  in  graceful  and 
kindly  language,  her  thanks  for  your  dévotion  and  her  gratitude  for 
your  services  to  the  Empire. 

"  I  hâve  witnessed  the  occasion  of  her  kind  words  to  a  wounded 
soldier,  standing  on  crutches  before  her,  which  was  an  event  that 
must  forever  linger  in  the  memory  of  ail  who  were  présent. 

QUEEN'S  WORDS  WERE  FOR  ALL 

"  The  portion  of  our  contingent  now  before  us  were  not  able  to  be 
présent  on  that  historié  occasion,  but  you  must  not  forget  that  every 
Word  addressed  to  those  who  were  before  her  was  intended  for  you  ail, 


APPENDIX  9 

and  belongs  as  much  to  you,  one  and  ail,  as  if  you  had  been  actually 
standing  before  her.  Your  services  were  the  same  as  theirs,  your 
dévotion  to  duty  and  discipline  had  been  equally  great,  your  conduct 
in  the  face  of  a  stubborn  foe  had  been  equally  brilliant  and  effective, 
and  you  hâve  a  full  right  to  share  with  your  brave  companions-in-arms 
the  crédit  and  commendation  that  was  given  to  the  soldiers  of  Canada. 

'♦  At  the  time  when  it  seemed  right  that  our  people  should  share  in 
the  conflict  for  Queen  and  Empire  the  only  difficulty  the  militia 
authorities  had  to  contend  with  was  how  to  restrict  the  enthusiasm  of 
our  people.  No  act  of  conscription  was  necessary  to  fiU  your  ranks, 
thousands  were  only  too  ready  to  join  the  gênerai  battalions  who 
were  going  forth  to  the  seat  of  war.  Our  friends  across  the  border, 
in  their  hour  of  necessity,  could  only  fiU  their  depleted  ranks  by  an 
act  of  conscription,  but  the  Old  Land,  as  well  as  her  varions  Colonies, 
has  never  been  compelled  to  resort  to  that  arbitrary  manner  of  securing 
the  services  of  her  national  defenders. 

"Proud  of  their  glorious  country,  her  history  and  her  institutions, 
they  always  hâve  been,  and  always  will  be,  ready  and  willing  to 
proceed  to  the  extremest  corners  of  her  possessions  to  fight  under  the 
flag  which,  as  Kipling  observes  :  — 

♦'  Because  on  the  bones  of  the  English 
The  English  flag  is  stayed." 

••You  men  of  the  Contingent  are  returning  once  more  to  your 
homes.  We  earnestly  trust  that  you  may  be  spared  a  long  life  of 
honoured  usefulness  in  the  various  walks  of  life  with  which  you  hâve 
been  previously  associated. 

"  Mr.  Président,  I  ask  ail  présent  to  join  with  us  in  drinking  the 
health  of  Colonel  Drury,  his  officers  and  men  under  his  command. 


HEARTS  SADDENED  BY  DEATH 

"  But  amid  ail  our  rejoicings  our  hearts  hâve  been  deeply  saddened 
by  the  death  so  near  home  of  two  of  your  gallant  band,  just  as  they 
should  hâve  been  filled  with  the  pleasurable  feeling  of  reaching  their 
homes  and  meeting  those  so  dear  to  them  once  more.  They  had 
faced  death  in  a  thousund  forms  in  the  face  of  a  stubborn  foe,  but  they 
were  summoned  to  the  Great  Muster-RoUat  a  time  when  their  hopes 


1 O  APPENDIX 

must  hâve  been  high,  and   loving  friends  were  leady  to  welcome 
them  again. 

"To  those  who  hâve  been  so  deeply  afflicted  are  extended  our  most 
heartfelt  sympathy  and  commisération  ;  and  we  pray  that  the  Good 
Father  of  ail  may  grant  them  His  blessing  and  consolation." 


A  NURSE  AND  THE  WAE 

ONE   OF   THOSE  WITH    BATTERY    "d"   TELLS    OF    HOSPITAL    WORK. 

"  Miss  Georgina  Pope,  sister  of  Mr.  Joseph  Pope,  for  many  years 
private  secretary  to  the  late  Right  Honorable  Sir  John  Macdonald, 
and  now  under-secretary  of  state,  was  one  of  the  nurses  who  went  eut 
with  the  first  Canadian  Contingent.  Miss  Pope  returned  to  Ottawa 
with  "D  "  Battery,  and  is  now  the  guest  of  her  brother.  Miss  Pope, 
in  common  with  the  other  nurses,  was  not  allowed  to  go  to  the  front, 
owing  to  the  hardships  incidental  to  such  work.  She  commenced  her 
labors  in  alleviating  and  caring  for  the  sick  and  wounded  at  Wynberg 
Hospital  and  subsequently  served  in  the  hospital  at  Rondebosch, 
Kroonstad,  and  Pretoria.  After  January  last,  Miss  Pope  says,  the 
cases  which  she  nursed  were  almost  entirely  of  enteric  fever,  which 
was  of  a  very  malignant  type,  with  complications,  and  resulted  in  a 
heavy  mortality. 

"Speaking  of  the  hospital  question,  Miss  Pope  was  under  the 
impression  that  the  state  of  affairs  had  been  grossly  exaggerated.  If 
the  field  hospitals  were  in  any  way  defective,  she  stated  that  it  was 
due  to  the  inévitable  horrors  of  war.  Under  the  existing  conditions  it 
was  not  to  be  expected  that  such  improvised  institutions  could  be 
conducted  as  well  as  the  regular  hospital. 

"  At  Rondebosch  there  were  but  thirty  deaths  in  six  months,  and 
this,  Miss  Pope  considers,  speaks  well  for  the  hospital  service. 

"The  nurse  met  Mr.  Burdett-Coutts  and  also  some  of  the  hospital 
commission,  but  when  they  arrived  the  alleged  cause  of  trouble 
had  largely  disappeared.  The  base  hospitals,  Miss  Pope  stated,  were 
excellent. 

'  '  The  nurse  spoke  very  highly  of  the  work  perf ormed  by  the  Red 
Gross  Society  and  stated  that  she  and  others  were  the  récipients  of 
many  acts  of  kindness  on  the  part  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ryerson." 


APPENDIX  II 

AT  THE  KINGSTON   BARRACKS 

"There  were  the  several  members  ofthe  Réception  Committee  which 
vas  formed  to  make  pleasant  the  stay  of  the  Canadians  in  London 
—  the  Duke  ofAbercom,  chairman  ;  EarlGrey,  vice-chairman  ;  Lord 
Onslow,  Colonel  Mackinnon,  Captain  Simpson,  Mr.  Fleetwood 
Wilson,  of  the  War  Office,  Mr.  Oliver  Williams,  and  Major  Balfour, 
of  the  Home  District.  The  battalion  reached  the  barracks  at  a  quarter 
past  3  o'clock,  and  when  the  men  were  drawn  up  in  the  square 
Colonel  Otter  read  to  them  the  following  letter,  written  by  the  Duke 
of  Connaught  to  the  Duke  of  Abercorn  :  — 

"Royal  Hospital,  Dublin,  November  2'jth. 
"  My  dear  Abercorn, 

"I  Write  to  you  as  the  chairman  of  the  Réception  Committee  of 
the  Colonial  Contingents  visiting  England  on  their  return  from  the 
Boer  war  to  ask  you  to  express  my  welcome  to  the  Canadian 
Contingent  arriving  to-morrow.  I  wish  I  had  been  able  to  come  over 
to  see  them  personally.  I  hâve  read  with  pride  and  pleasure  the 
accounts  of  the  splendid  services  rendered  by  the  Canadian  troops  to 
the  Empire  in  the  numerous  engagements  in  which  they  took  part  in 
South  Africa.  I  also  share  with  ail  Englishmen  the  feelings  of  sorrow 
for  those  brave  Canadians  who  fell  in  this  war. 

"  I  am  no  stranger  to  Canada  nor  to  her  troops.  I  always 
remember  with  pleasure  that  I  shared  with  her  militia  in  the  defence 
of  her  frontier  during  the  Fenian  invasion  of  1870,  and  for  which 
service  I  wear  the  Canadian  medal. 

"Wishingthe  Canadians  a  good  time  in  England,  and  a  happy 
return  home. 

"  Belle ve  me,  yours,  very  sincerely, 

•'  Arthur." 

"The  final  report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  T.  D.  B.  Evans,  to  the 
Militia  Department  as  commanding  officer  of  the  Canadian  Mounted 
Rifles,  contains  the  following,  extract  of  a  highly  complimentary 
character,  from  a  letter  written  to  him  by  Brigadier-General  Alderson, 
commanding  the  Mounted  Infantry  Brigade  :  — 

"  I  should  like  to  tell  you  how  sincerely  sorry  I  am  that  the 
Canadian  Mounted  Rifles  are  leaving  the  mounted  infantry  brigade. 


12  APPENDIX 

Since  the  ist  of  May  last  we  hâve  soldiered  together,  and  I  can 
honestly  say  that  I  hâve  been  very  proud  and  pleased  to  hâve  those 
people  with  me.  Everything  I  hâve  asked  them  to  do  has  been  donc, 
not  only  thoroughly  well,  but  most  cheerfully.  I  should  like  you  to 
know  how  the  last  has  helped  me  along.  Personally  I  do  not  think 
that  orders  are  quite  the  place  to  give  vent  to  one's  sincère  feelings, 
and,  therefore,  I  write  this  semi -priva te  letter  to  you  to  let  your 
people  know  how  proud  I  hâve  been  to  speak  (and  to  write  home) 
about  them  as  '  My  Canadians,'  and  also  how  sorry,  as  far  as  I  am 
personally  concerned,  though  thoroughly  glad  for  their  sakes,  that 
they  are  going,  and  how  sincerely  I  wish  them  the  best  of  luck  in  the 
future." 

BENE  MERENTI 

"Lord  Roberts'  despatches  mentioning  those  officers  who  deserved 
récognition  for  their  services  in  South  Africa  are  published  in  the 
London  press.  Among  those  specially  nientioned  are  Major  S. 
Denison,  Royal  Canadian  Régiment  of  Infantry,  A.  D.  C.  to  the 
Commander-in-Chief. 

"  Captain  Brevet  Major  and  local  Lieutenant-Colonel  E.  P.  R. 
Girouard,  D.  S.  O.,  R.  E.,  Director  of  Railways,  has  carried  out  his 
duties  in  a  highly  creditable  manner.  The  concentration  of  troops 
prior  to  my  advance  was  carried  out  by  him  without  a  hitch,  and  he 
has  recently  performed  valuable  service  in  restoting  through  railway 
communication  between  the  Orange  Free  State  and  Cape  Colony. 

"Lieutenant-Colonel  W.  D.  Otter,  Canadian  Staff,  Aide-de-Camp 
to  His  Excellency,  the  Governor-General  of  Canada. 

"Major  L.  Buchan,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Royal  Canadian  Régiment 
of  Infantry. 

"Major  O.  C.  C.  Pelletier,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Royal  Canadian 
Régiment  of  Infantry. 

"Captain  H.  B.  Stairs,  Captain  of  66th  Princess  Louise  Fusiliers. 

"  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  A.  H.  Macdonnell,  Captain  Royal 
Canadian  Régiment  of  Infantry. 

"  Sergeant  Utton,  Private  J.  Kennedy,  Private  H.  Andrews, 
Private  J.  H.  Dickson,   Private   C.  \V.  Duncafe,  Private  F.  C.  Page. 

"Lord  Roberts  confidently  recomniends  those  named  to  the  fovor- 
able  considération  of  the  Government. 


APPENDIX  13 

'«General  Warren  in  his  report  upon  the  attack  on  Faber's  Port 
commends  Surgeon-Major  Worthington,  Canadian  Artillery,  for 
excellent  work  in  the  field,  and  especially  mentions  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hughes,  M.  P.  ;  Major  Ogilvie,  of  "E  "  Battery,  R.  C.  A.  ; 
and  Captain  Mackie,  R.  C.  A.,  attached  to  Warren's  Scouts." 


"  GAT  "  HOWARD  IS  KILLED 

"London,  February  24th. 

"The  War  Office  has  received  the  follovving  despatch  from  Lord 
Kitchener  :  — 

"I  regret  to  say  that  Major  Howard,  a  very  gallant  officer  of  the 
Canadian  Scouts,  was  killed  February  lyth." 

"The  Major  Howard  referred  to  above  is  "Gat"  Howard,  who 
went  out  with  the  Mounted  Rifles,  in  command  of  a  machine  gun, 
with  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  He  came  to  Canada  in  1880,  in  charge 
of  a  gattling  gun  which  was  used  in  the  fight  at  Batoche,  when  Riel's 
position  was  taken.  He  had  formerly  been  an  officer  of  the  Connec- 
ticut  National  Guard.  On  his  return  from  the  West,  he  was 
instrumental  in  establishing  the  Dominion  Cartridge  Company,  at 
Brownsburg,  near  Lachute,  of  which  he  was  manager.  He  volunteered 
for  service  in  South  Africa.  On  the  return  of  the  corps  he  remained 
in  charge  of  his  gun  squad  and  later  was  given  command  of  a  corps  of 
Canadian  scouts,  whose  services  hâve  been  several  times  referred  to  in 
the  telegrams.  He  bade  farewell  to  his  retuming  comrades  at  Cape- 
Town,  and  returned  to  duty  and,  as  it  has  tumed  out,  to  death. 

"  During  the  past  week  there  was  received  from  him  by  a  friend  at 
Ottawa  a  letter  from  which  the  foUowing  was  published  :  — 

"  I  hâve  added  to  my  battery  a  pom-pom,  so  we  hâve  quite  a  force, 
six  coït  guns,  a  pom-pom  and  loo  scouts.  We  hâve  had  two  brushes 
with  the  enemy  since  you  left,  and  made  them  hump  each  time.  We 
were  paraded  by  the  General  and  given  great  crédit.  I  may  come 
back  in  July  and  recruit  a  régiment  of  half-breeds.  The  Boers  are 
cutting  up  Hades  around  hère,  so  you  see  the  war  is  not  over  yet  or 
likely  to  be  for  the  next  year.  Give  my  best  regards  to  ail.  I  will 
meet  you  in  England  probably  next  June." 


14  APPENDIX 

"  When  the  mounted  men  returned  home  Major  Howard  preferred 
to  remain,  and  formed  a  corps  known  as  the  Canadian  Scouts,  drawn 
from  men  of  the  Canadian  mounted  Contingent  who  wished  to  stay  on. 
Sergeants'  pay  was  given  the  men  of  this  corps,  showing  the  high 
regard  in  which  they  were  held.  On  several  occasions  they  disting- 
uished  themselves.  Poor  Major  Howard  has  evidently  exposed 
him self  once  too  often." 


FORMER  TORONTONIAN  KILLED 

"  News  was  received  of  the  death  in  action  of  Frank  Douglas, 
formerly  of  Toronto.  Mr.  Douglas  was  a  member  of  the  Impérial 
Oxford  Yeomanry  and  was  killed  during  an  action  under  Lord 
Methuen  on  February  i6th.  He  enlisted  a  little  over  a  year  ago. 
Mr.  Douglas  was  an  old  Upper  Canada  Collège  boy  and  studied 
architecture  in  Toronto  in  the  office  of  Mr.  D.  B.  Dick.  He  had  been 
practising  his  profession  in  London,  Eng.  Mr.  Douglas  was  the  third 
son  of  Mr.  C.  I.  Douglas,  Brampton,  Oxfordshire,  and  a  brother  of 
Mrs.  W.  M.  Boultbee,  of  Toronto.  Mr.  George  S.  Holmested,  of 
Osgoode  Hall,  was  an  uncle  of  deceased.  It  is  supposed  that  the 
action  in  which  he  lost  his  life  was  that  at  Hartebeestfontein,  in  which 
the  loth  Impérial  Yeomanry  distinguished  themselves." 


RETURN  OF  THE  STRATHCONA'S  HORSE 


"  Ottawa,  January  I4th,   1901. 

HE  following  cable   was  received  at  the  Militia  Department, 
from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Biggar  to-day  :  — 

"  Cape-Town,  January  I4tli,  igoi. 
"  Strathcona^'  sail  for  Halifax  about  2lst  instant. 

"Biggar." 

"Ottawa,  January  3rd,  1901, 

"  The  Minister  of  Militia  is  in  receipt  of  a  report  from  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Steele,  Officer  Commanding  Strathcona's  Horse,  dated 
Potchefstroom,  November  2jth.  The  report  commences  with  October 
2oth,  and  is  tersely  written,  and  of  great  interest.  On  the  night  of 
November  2oth  at  Elandstadt,  the  régiment  was  ordered  to  cover  the 
movements  of  the  Impérial  troops  so  as  to  enable  General  Barton  to 
cross  the  Valley.  One  of  the  Impérial  Régiments  failed  to  connect 
and  the  plan  failed.  Then  Colonel  Steele  was  requested  to  send  a 
troop  to  recall  a  body  of  Impérial  Light  Horse  on  the  other  side  of 
the  Valley.  The  troops  started  and  rode  to  what  they  thought  were 
the  Light  Horse.  That  body  had,  however,  retired,  and  the  Strath- 
conas  had  coma  within  range  of  a  body  of  the  enemy  who  opened  fire, 
The  Strathconas  retired.  Private  Read  had  his  horse  shot  under  him^ 
and  surrendered.  During  the  night  finding  his  guard  asleep  he  escaped 
and  rejoined. 

"On  November  iith,    General   Barton  wrote    'I  cannot  speak  too 
highly  of  the  practical  and  efficient  manner  in  which  the  duty  assigned 


27 


l6  APPENDIX 

to  your  splendid  corps  was  carried  out  by  yourself,  and  ail  under  your 
command.  I  hâve  specially  mentioned  this  in  my  report  to  the 
C.  M.  C  General  Barton  regretted  that  the  movement  was  net 
successful,  and  the  loss  of  one  nian,  and  one  taken  prisoner.  Colonel 
Steele  commends  Private  Stewart  for  bravery." 


THEIR  LAST  MARCH 

"The  follovving  interesting  account  of  the  last  march  of  Strathcona's 
Horse  in  South  Africa  before  their  departure  for  England  was  con- 
tained  in  a  letter  received  in  Montréal  from  a  member  of  the  corps  : — 

"  The  régiment  left  Pochefstroom  by  rail  under  orders  to  go  to 
Aliwal  North  on  the  28th  of  November,  General  DeWet  was  at  this 
time  threatening  to  cross  the  Orange  River  into  Cape  Colony,  and 
our  gênerais  feared  that  the  disloyal  colonists  would  rise  and  assist 
him.  At  Bloemfontein,  on  our  way  south,  we  received  fresh  orders 
to  detrain  at  Bethulie,  near  the  Cape  Colony  boundary.  We  reached 
the  place  in  the  afternoon,  and  at  midnight  "  A  "  and  "  C  "  Squad- 
rons,  under  command  of  Major  lîelcher,  joined  a  small  column,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Long,  R.  A.,  which  marched  east  to  join  the 
force  under  command  of  General  Charles  Knox.  Passing  through  a 
very  diffîcult  rocky  range  of  hills,  the  little  column  joined  the  force 
under  General  Knox. 


STRATHCOKAS    IN    ACTION 

"  The  Strathconas  were  immédiate! y  ordered  to  join  the  advance 
guard,  which  was  then  in  contact  with  DeWet.  Moving  forward, 
one  squadron  got  under  a  very  hot  fire.  Seven  horses  went  down 
and  three  men  were  wounded  and  some  more  were  hurt  by  falls  from 
their  horses. 

'  '  The  rest  of  the  régiment  was  then  ordered  up,  and  taking  advant- 
age  of  a  donga,  gained  a  farm  house  under  cover,  except  for  a  short 
distance.  A  pom-pom  was  brought  up,  and  under  the  direction  of 
Colonel  Steele,  opened  a  withering  fire  on  the  enemy  from  cover 
behind  the  farm  house. 

"  A  force  of  mounted  infantry,  under  Colonel  Herbert,  about  this 
time  turned  the  enemy's  left  flank.     The  Boers  retired  at  once,  and 


APPENDIX  17 

though  darkness  was  closing  in  they  were  closely  pursued  by  the 
Strathconas  and  mounted  infantry  under  Colonel  Herbert.  The 
pursuit  was  continued  the  following  day,  the  rain  coming  down  in 
torrents.  A  start  was  made  at  dawn,  and  a  drift  over  the  Caledon 
River  reached  at  dusk.  The  heavy  rains  had  swollen  the  stream.  A 
hait  had  to  be  called  until  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  the  water 
went  down  again,  and  the  troops  were  able  to  cross  the  drift. 

"Continuing  the  pursuit  for  several  days  our  boys  succeeded  in 
tuming  General  DeWet  from  the  Orange  River,  which  he  wished  to 
cross,  and  compelled  him  to  turn  to  the  north  again.  Passing  through 
Rouxville,  Smithfield  and  Dewetsdorp,  the  corps  caught  up  to 
DeWet's  force  again  at  Helvetia,  and  pressed  him  close.  The 
following  day  the  enemy  again  had  a  hard  time  of  it  but  on  the  third 
day  they  put  out  a  strong  rear  guard  .  and  only  the  skill  and  cunning 
of  our  boys  saved  the  advance  from  a  disaster.  This  was  New  Year's 
day. 

ENEMY  PUSHED  NORTHWARD 

"Finally  towards  evening  the  enemy  were  pushed  further  north 
and  as  darkness  closed  in  our  advance  rode  into  the  town  of  Lindley 
which  the  enemy  evacuated  after  a  short  but  warm  skirmish.  During 
the  march  the  Strathconas  covered  about  400  miles  at  the  rate  of  20 
to  25  miles  a  day.  Owing  to  the  rapid  march  the  transport  was 
exceedingly  light  and  during  the  wet  weather  the  boys  had  not  enough 
blankets  to  keep  the  cold  and  wet  out  at  nights.  News  from  Elands- 
fontein,  i3thjanuary,  says  that  the  corps  had  marched  500  miles  to 
date  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  in  which  the  casualties  were  only  one 
man  and  seven  horses  killed,  and  one  man  wounded. 

"  The  régiment  had  Christmas  dinner  at  Clocolair  when  they  were 
in  camp.  Christmas  night  the  Irish  Yeomanry  who  were  camped 
alongside  our  boys  gave  a  smoking  concert  to  which  the  Strathconas 
were  invited. 

"  One  man  was  killed  and  another  wounded  the  24th  December. 
The  Irish  Yeomanry  sent  flowers  to  decorate  the  former's  grave." 

IN  AN  ALL-DAY  FIGHT 

"  A  delayed  despatch  dealing  with  the  pursuit  of  De  Wet  before  he 
escaped  from  General  Knox  refers  to  an  all-day  fight  near  Bethulie, 
in  which  the  Strathconas  participated. 


l8  APPENDIX 

"The  despatch  says  :  — 

"  Soon  after  daybreak  the  Boers  began  firing  at  our  outposts.  The 
enemy  held  a  strong  position  north  of  and  parallel  with  the  road. 

"General  Knox  found  Colonel  Barker  holding  the  several  positions 
•which  he  had  gained  the  previous  day,  but  the  enemy's  centre  was  a 
very  strong,  rugged  kopje,  traversed  by  a  solid  stone  wall,  affording 
splendid  cover. 

"  Along  the  foot  of  the  kopje  ran  one  of  the  branches  of  the  Silk 
spruit,  and  up  this  a  company  of  the  Seaforth  Highlanders  attached 
to  Colonel  Barker's  column  crept  at  the  early  moming.  They  were 
warmly  received  by  the  enemy,  but  they  ultimately  gained  a  fann 
house  at  the  foot  of  the  kopje,  while  on  the  opposite  side  the  Boers 
held  the  end  of  the  ridge,  the  eastern  portion  of  which  was  held  by 
Colonel  Herbert. 

"  When  General  Knox  arrived  he  ordered  Strathcona's  Horse  to 
support  the  Seaforth  Highlanders,  and  they  at  once  started  off  with 
this  object.  They  received  a  heavy  and  continuons  fire,  but  quickly 
took  shelter  in  the  spruit.  Unfortunately,  however,  they  took  the 
wrong  track,  and  on  discovering  their  mislake,  made  a  bold  and 
plucky  dash  for  some  fann  enclosures.  They  met  with  a  terrifie  rain 
of  fire,  but  gallantly  persisted,  galloping  at  fuU  speed.  They  were 
forced,  however,  to  return  in  conjunction  with  the  Seaforths,  having 
fought  the  whole  day  long,  but  having  been  well  covered,  their 
casualties  were  small. 

"  Colonel  Herbert  and  Colonel  Williams  had  meanwhile  swung 
round  to  the  right  with  great  speed,  and  brought  the  howitzers  of  the 
36th  Battery  to  bear  upon  the  Boer  left.  The  enemy  were  unable  to 
stand  the  lyddite  shells,  and  retired  hurriedly,  but  their  centre  stood 
firm  till  nightfall,  and  then  also  retired. 

"  When  this  despatch  left,  DeWet's  convoys,  which  are  three  miles 
in  length,  were  proceeding  northward." 

AN  INCIDENT  IN  CHASE  OF  DeWET 

"  Kroonstad,  O.  R.  C,  January  loth. 

"Lord  Strathcona's  corps  to-day  ended  its  chase  after  DeWet  and 
likewise  its  active  participation  as  a  régiment  in  the  présent  campaign. 
Upon  its  arrivai  hère  this  afternoon  orders  were  received  for  mobiliza- 


APPENDIX  19 

tion  in  préparation  for  an  early  embarkation  for  home,  and  steps  in 
that  direction  hâve  already  begun." 

•'There  are  still  roving  bands  of  Boers  lingering  along  the  main 
roads  leading  to  the  railway  with  the  object  of  capturing  convoys  sent 
eut  to  the  columns  operating  southward  of  this  place.  Thèse  are  very 
bold  and  troublesome.  They  invariably  attack  the  rear  guard  of 
every  column  or  convoy  passing  along  the  roads.  General  Barton's 
column  on  its  way  in  to  Kroonstadt  had  rear  guard  fights  with  thèse 
rebels  daily.  The  Strathconas  figured  in  two  of  thèse,  on  both 
occasions  ha\àng  to  hold  off  the  Boers  from  daylight  until  dark.  In 
thèse  fights  the  Strathcona  pom-pom  did  splendid  service  and  saved 
the  men  on  several  occasions.  In  the  last  day's  fighting  the  Strathcona 
pom-pom  fired  almost  a  thousand  rounds  of  ammunition  which  speaks 
eloquently  of  the  work  the  gunners  had." 


KING  AND  QUEEN  ACKKOWLEDGE   THE   SALUTES  OF 
CANADA'S    ROUGH   RIDERS 

"  London,  February  I4th. 

"Though  the  Strathcona's  Horse  only  landed  this  morning  they 
occupied  places  within  200  yards  of  Buckingham  Palace,  the  roof  and 
precincts  of  which  were  crowded  with  spectators. 

"Among  the  troops  lining  the  Royal  route  to  the  Houses  of 
Parliament,  the  Strathconas,  clad  in  dark  overcoats  with  grey  cowboy 
hats  and  carrying  rifles,  looked  business! -like  and  bronzed. 

"They  were  in  striking  contrast  with  the  gorgeously  uniformed 
Guards." 

CHEERED  THE  STRATHCONAS 

«•'  The  heroes  of  the  crowd  were  members  of  the  Strathcona's  Horse, 
who  came  in  several  four-horse  brakes,  carrying  their  carbines  and 
wearing  informai,  slouch  hats  and  khaki  overcoats.  They  alighted  in 
front  of  the  palace  and  marched  down  the  line  to  a  position  a  short 
distance  from  the  palace,  where  they  were  drawn  up  while  the 
procession  passed.  The  King  saluted  them  most  cordially  and  the 
people  cheered  them  repeatedly." 


20  APPENDIX 

RECOGNIZED  BY  THE  KING 

"When  passing  them  both  the  King  and  Queen,  who  were  raised 
well  above  the  heads  of  the  crowd  in  the  golden  state  caniage  drawn 
by  six  cream  coloured  horses,  and  caparisoned  in  purple,  were  seen  to 
half  turn  in  their  direction,  The  King  and  Queen  bowed  several  times. 

"  Soon  after  the  procession  passed  the  Strathconas  marched  to  the 
barracks," 

A  MEDAL  PRESENTED  TO  EACH  OF  THE  OFFICERS 
AND  MEN 

"  London,  February  I5th,  1901. 

"King  Edward  accompanied  by  Queen  Alexandra,  this  morning 
inspected  at  Buckingham  Palace  350  officers  and  men  of  Strathcona's 
Horse.  His  Majesty  presented  the  régiment  with  the  King's  colour 
and  gave  medals  to  the  men.  A  detachment  of  guards  held  the  lawn 
of  the  West  Terrace  and  the  Canadians  were  drawn  up  in  front  of  the 
terrace.  The  company  présent  included  Lord  Roberts  in  full  uniform  ; 
General  Buller,  the  Duke  of  Connaught,  Mr.  Joseph  Chamberlain, 
the  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Colonies  ;  Lord  Strathcona  and  Mount 
Royal  who  organized  Strathcona's  Horse,  and  many  army  and  court 
officers.  The  Royal  Standard  was  hoisttd  over  the  palace  as  the 
King,  wearing  a  Field  Marshal's  uniform,  and  the  Queen  in  deep 
mourning,  appeared  on  the  terrace,  accompanied  by  the  Duke  and 
Duchess  of  Argyll,  Prince  Charles  of  Denmark  and  the  Duke  of 
Cambridge. 

"His  Majesty  shook  hands  with  Lord  Roberts  and  General  Buller, 
and  the  band  of  the  Coldstream  Guards  played  'God  Save  the  King.' 

COLONEL  STEELE  PRESENTED 

"  Colonel  Samuel  B.  Steele,  of  Strathcona's  Horse,  was  presented 
to  King  Edward  who  proceeded  to  inspect  the  régiment. 

"  Returning  to  the  terrace,  the  King  handed  a  medal  to  Colonel 
Steele.  Then  the  officers  and  men  filed  past  a  table,  the  King 
presenting  each  of  them  with  a  medal. 

"The  King's  colour  was  brought  by  an  escort  of  Grenadier  Guards 
to  the  foot  of  the  steps,  and  His  Majesty  presented  it  to  the  Canadian 
cavalrymen,  saying  it  had  been  the  intention  of  his  mother  to  présent 


APPENDIX  21 

ît  to  the  régiment,  and  that  he  now  did  so  in  her  name,  and  in  his  own. 
•'  Tlie  colour  was  borne  to  the  régiment,  the  band  playing  '  God 
Save  the  King.' 

THE  KING'S  SPEECH 

"  Afterwards  the  Canadians  maiched  past,  and  the  King,  accom- 
panied  by  Lord    Strathcona,  advanced  and  addressed  the  troopers  as 
follows  :  — 
"Colonel  Steele,  Officers,  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Privâtes, 

««I  welcome  you  hère  to  our  shores  on  your  return  from  active 
service  in  South  Africa.  I  know  it  would  hâve  been  the  ardent  wish 
of  my  beloved  mother,  our  revered  Queen,  to  vi^elcome  you.  Alas, 
that  was  not  to  be.  But  be  assured  she  deeply  appreciated  the  services 
you  hâve  rendered,  as  I  do.  I  feel  sure  that  in  entrusting  the  King's 
colour  to  you.  Colonel  Steele,  and  those  under  you,  you  will  always 
défend  it  and  do  your  duty  as  you  hâve  done  during  the  past  year  in 
South  Africa,  and  will  do  so  on  ail  future  occasions.  I  am  glad  Lord 
Strathcona  is  hère  to-day,  as  it  is  owing  to  him  that  this  magnificent 
force  was  equipped  and  sent  out.  I  can  only  hope  your  short  sejourn 
in  England  will  be  agreeable  and  that  you  will  return  safely  te  your 
homes,  friends  and  relations.  Be  assured  that  neither  I  nor  the 
British  nation  will  ever  forget  the  valuable  services  you  hâve 
rendered  in  South  Africa." 

COLONEL  STEELE'S  REPLY 

"Colonel  Steele,  thanking  the  King  on  behalf  of  the  régiment, 
assured  him  that  the  people  of  Canada  would  always  do  as  well  as 
Strathcona's  Horse,  if  not  better,  and  added  that  they  were,  '  always 
ready  to  défend  the  flag,  the  King  and  the  rights  of  the  British  Empire.' 

"  After  three  cheers  for  the  King,  the  officers  were  presented  to  His 
Majesty,  who  shook  hands  with  and  thanked  each  of  them." 

LORD  STRATHCONA'S  RECEPTION 

"  London,  February  igth. 

"  London  has  rarely  witnessed  a  scène  of  patriotic  enthueiasm  that 
equalled  to-day's  luncheon  given  by  Lord  Strathcona,  at  Kensington 
Palace  Hôtel,  to  Colonel  Steele,  officers  and  men  of  the  Strathcona's 
Horse. 


22  APPENDIX 

"Owing  to  the  national  mourning  the  gathering  was  of  a  semi 
private  character  ;  but  among  Lord  Strathcona's  personal  frienda 
présent  were  Lord  Dundalk,  under  whose  command  the  Strathcona's 
fought,  Mr,  St.  John  Brodrick,  Secretary  of  State  for  War,  Lord 
Aberdeen,  Earl  Grey,  Earl  Derby,  Lord  Stanley,  and  other  prominent 
Englishmen. 

"  Lord  Dundalk's  speech,  recording  the  deeds  of  the  Strathcona's 
Horse,  roused  the  gathering  to  the  highest  pitch  of  enthusiasm. 

"Lord  Strathcona  received  volley  after  voUey  of  cheers  from  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  Strathconas  ;  but  the  wildest  cheering  was 
reserved  for  General  BuUer,  who  unquestionably  remains  the  hero  oi 
the  fighting  Canadians. 

"  We  are,"  said  Colonel  Steele,  amid  vociferous  cheers,  "going 
back  to  Canada  to  settle  up  our  little  afifairs  there.  When  we  hâve 
done  that,  we  are  ready  to  go  back  to  South  Africa  to  fight  for  the 
Empire." 

'  '  The  Strathconas  are  being  overwhelmed  with  kindness  at  their 
réception  everywhere  hère." 

TWO  BRAVE  CANADIANS 

"  Ottawa,  February  4th. 

"  Captain  Fall  and  Lieutenant  J.  G.  Leckie,  of  Strathcona's  Horse, 
hâve  been  recommended  by  Lord  Dundonnald  for  the  distinguished 
service  orderas  reward  for  bravery  in  South  Africa." 

STRATHCONA'S    DEPART 

"Toronto,  February  23rd. 

•'  An  Evening  Telegram's  spécial  cable,  dated  London,  February 
23rd,  says  :  — 

"The  Strathcona's  Horse  received  a  most  enthusiastic  send-off  this 
morning  on  their  departure  for  Liverpool  to  sail  for  their  homes  in 
Canada.  Though  the  hour  was  early,  great  crowds  lined  the  streets. 
Lord  Strathcona  and  the  Duke  of  Abercorn  were  présent  at  the  station 
to  bid  farewell  to  the  men.  One  hundred  Strathconas  remain  in 
England  on  leave  of  absence.  They  will  spend  the  time  visiting 
relatives. 


APPENDIX 


23 


"  On  the  way  to  Liverpool,  the  Strathconas  met  with  a  hearty 
réceptions  at  Rugby  and  Crewe. 

"  At  Liverpool  an  enormous  crowd  had  gathered,  and  the  men 
were  given  a  magnificent  réception. 

«'  The  régiment  marched  through  the  streets  to  St.  George's  Hall, 
where  they  had  lunch  with  the  Lord  Mayor,  who,  with  the  Lady 
Mayoress,  and  a  great  gathering  of  the  militia,  received  them. 

"  The  Lord  Mayor,  in  addressing  the  men,  remarked  that  he  would 
be  glad  to  change  places  with  the  men.  He  welcomed  them  in  the 
heartiest  terms,  and  thanked  them  for  the  services  they  had  rendered 
to  the  Empire,  and  wished  them  God-speed  on  their  journey  home. 

"  The  people  of  Liverpool  were  wildly  enthusiastic  over  the 
Canadians,  and  an  enormous  crowd  assembled  at  the  landing  stage  to 
witness  their  departure  on  the  Numidian.  As  the  steamer  moved  out 
of  the  harbor  marvellous  enthusiasm  broke  forth, 

"  Richardson,  the  trooper  who  won  the  Victoria  Cross  was  recog- 
nized,  and  the  crowds  soon  gathered  around  in  an  attempt  to  shake 
hands  with  the  brave  fellow.  The  Strathconas  are  immensely  pleased 
and  gratified  with  the  réception  accorded  them  in  England. 

"  Most  of  the  members  of  the  Strathcona's  Horse,  which  arrived 
hère  from  South  Africa  last  week,  left  early  this  morning,  and  later 
embarked  at  Liverpool  upon  the  British  steamer  Numidian  for  their 
homeward  journey. 

"  The  troopers  were  played  to  the  station  by  a  band  of  pipers  of 
the  Scots  Guards.  Tlie  large  crowds  which  witnessed  their  departure 
and  the  rousing  cheers  showed  the  popularity  of  the  Canadians. 

"The   color  presented  by  the  King  was  carried  by  a  subaltern. 

Lord  Strathcona  and  Mount  Royal,  the  Duke  of  Abercorn  and  many 

other  persons  were  présent  at  the  station  to  bid  the  troopers  farewell. 

"The  Nuviidian  sailed  amid  great  démonstrations  in  honor  of  the 

Canadians." 


A  STRATHCONA  VICTORIA  CROSS  HERO 

To  the  roll  of  heroes  who  can  add  the  letters  V.  C.  to  their  names 
may  now  be  added  the  name  of  Sergeant  Arthur  Richardson,  of 
Strathcona's  Horse.  His  cross  was  won  at  Wolvespruit,  near  Stand- 
erton,  where  thirty  of  the  Strathconas,  found  themselves  ambushed  by 
some  200  Boers.     In  the  retirement,  under  heavy  fire  at  short  range. 


24  APPENDIX 

Sergeant  Richardson  saved  a  wounded  trooper  ;  in  doing  so,  Sergeant 
Richardson  and  his  doubly-burdened  horse  had  to  gallop  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  under  heavy  fire,  until  the  steed  was  induced,  by  the  stimulant 
of  a  Boer  bullet  striking  him  in  the  hoof,  to  charge  a  barbed  wire  fence 
which  the  gallant  sergeant  was  trying  to  make  bim  leap. 

IN   STRATHCONA'S  HONOR 

"A  meeting  of  citizens  will  take  place  in  the  St.  Lawrence  Hall, 
on  Monday  afternoon  at  4.30  o'clock,  to  discuss  the  proposai  to  erect 
a  monument  to  Lord  Strathcona. 

"Lord  Strathcona  having  expressed  the  wish  that  this  movement  in 
his  honor  should  take  some  other  form  than  the  érection  of  a  statue  to 
him,  a  proposai  has  been  made  to  unité  with  the  Soldier's  Monument 
Fund  to  obtain  the  érection  of  a  suitable  mémorial  of  Canada's 
contribution  of  troops  in  the  South  African  war,  as  well  as  of 
Strathcona's  Horse." 

THE  STRATHCONAS 

THEIR  FINAL  HOURS  IN  LONDON  WERE  FULL  OF  ENTERTAINMENT.  — 

WERE  PROUD  OF  GENERAL  BULLER.  —  AN  INTERESTING 

INTERVIEW   UPON    THE    CAMPAIGN   WITH 

CAPTAIN    MACDONALD. 

From  the  Star. 

"London,  February  23rd. 

*«  To-day  we  see  the  last  of  the  Strathconas.  '  Fine  fellows  ail  ' 
has  been  the  gênerai  verdict,  and  again  and  again  you  would  hear 
regrets  expressed  that  Kitchener  has  not  a  thousand  or  two  of  such 
men  to  put  on  the  trail  of  the  slippery  DeWet."    ' 

"  .  .  .  .  When,  as  one  of  the  guests,  I  reached  the  hôtel  I  found 
the  spacious  hall  and  passages  lined  with  Canada's  Western  warriors, 
bronzed  and  khaki-clad  and  to  be  dist'nguished  from  ail  the  other 
khaki-clad  troops  that  hâve  been  in  London  of  late  by  the  peculiar 
wide-a-wake  character  of  their  hats.  The  Strathconas  might  once 
hâve  been  distinguished  by  the  brass  letterings  upon  their  shoulder- 
straps  and  the  Strathcona  arms  upon  the  collars  of  their  tunics;  but 
not  one  in  ten  had  any  such  distinctive  marks  on  Tuesday  last.     I 


APPENDIX  25 

asked  one  of  the  officers  why.  '  Well,'  he  replied,  *  the  Boer  girls 
hâve  got  those.  They  are  great  curiosity  hunters  and  our  boys  were 
tremendous  favorites." 

PROUD    OF    COLONEL    STEELE 

«*  The  relations  between  Colonel  Steele  and  his  men  are  evidently 
of  the  best.  They  are  proud  of  their  commander,  and  they  are  proud 
to  remember  that  he  is  returning  to  South  Africa,  when,  to  quotè  his 
own  words,  '  We  hâve  been  to  Canada  to  settle  up  affairs  and  see  our 
little  ones,'—  as  Colonel  in  the  Baden-Powell  constabulary  force. 
Indeed  one  impression  brought  away  from  the  luncheon  was  that  hère, 
at  last,  one  had  seen  a  happy  military  family.  An  explanation  of 
this  phenomenon  might,  perhaps,  be  found  in  a  little  incident,  narrated 
to  me  by  one  of  the  officers.  When  the  Strathcona's  landed  at  the 
Royal  Albert  Docks,  they  were  met  by  an  Impérial  officer  with  whom 
the  deputed  Strathcona  officer  proceeded  to  arrange  the  matter  of 
déportation  and  joumey  to  London.  As  the  two  officers  were  talking 
together,  a  Strathcona  trooper  came  up  and  engaged  in  a  conversation 
of  the  freest  type,  with  the  Strathcona  officer.  He  was  grumbling 
about  something  or  other,  and  the  officer  gently  reasoned  with  him 
and  at  length  sent  him  away,  quite  satisfied. 

"  You  allow  your  men  to  talk  to  you  like  that,  do  you  ?"  said  the 
British  officer. 

«'Certainly,  can't  help  it,"  was  the  Canadian  reply. 

"Well,  l'd  soon  help  it,"  was  the  British  retort.  '«If  one  of my 
men  talked  like  that  to  me,  I  would  hand  him  over  to  the  guard 
immediately." 

"  Oh,  you  would,  would  you?  Well,  let  me  tell  you,  that  if  you'd 
tried  any  of  those  high-handed  ways  with  our  fellows,  in  South  Africa, 
you'd  hâve  been  lynched  at  the  nearest  tree,  or  buUeted  onthe  quiet 
at  night." 

A  STRATHCONA  OFFICER  INTERVIEWED 

"  A  conversation  had  with  Captâîn  Macdonald,  of  the  Strathcona, 
at  the  Kensington  Palace  Hôtel  last  Thursday,  will  be  of  interest  to 
Canadian  readers.  When  found,  the  Captain  was  stroUing  up  and 
down  a  corridor  of  the  hôtel  deepin  conversation  with  Colonel  Steele, 
arranging  for  to-day's  journey  to  Liverpool.  But  he  spared  a  few 
minutes. 


26  APPENDIX 

"  Glad  to  get  home  ?  "  the  interviewer  ventured. 

"  To  see  one's  friends  and  get  sight  of  the  country  again,  of  course." 

"  Do  you  intend  remaining  in  Canada  ?" 

"  Captain  Macdonald  laughed,  but  would  not  commit  himself. 
"You  see,"  he  said,  "  I  am  a  law7er  at  home,  and  a  lawyer's  life  is 
a  little  différent  to  the  one  I  hâve  been  leading  during  the  last  year  or 
so.  The  spirit  of  roving  is  upon  me  and  I  don't  think  I  could  ever 
settle  down  to  humdrum  office  work  again." 

"Are  many  of  your  men  returning  to  South  Africa?" 

"  About  a  hundred,  I  believe,  to  join  Baden-Powell's  constabulary. 
Then  we  left  thirty-two  behind  on  private  business,  and  thèse  probably 
intend  to  settle  or  obtain  ci\'il  employment  of  some  kind.  The 
Colonel  himself  will  not  remain  long  in  Canada,  returning  to  South 
Africa  to  take  up  a  command  in  the  Police." 

"  Speaking  as  a  Canadian,  were  you  struck  with  the  prospects  for 
settlers  in  South  Africa  ?  " 

"Well,  the  country  is  good  enough  if  you  go  to  the  right  place. 
Some  of  the  valleys  we  passed  through  were  wonderfully  fertile  and 
splendidly  adapted  for  fruit  farming.  It  is  a  curious  fact,  though, 
that  the  fruit  is  very  fîavourless  and  that  though  roses  flourish,  they 
hâve  no  smell.  The  country  is  not  to  be  compared  with  Canada, 
especially  with  my  own  Province,  Ontario." 

"Did  you  see  much  of  the  British  Tommy  in  action?" 

"The  British  Tommy?"  said  the  Captain,  "he's  simply  grand. 
That  is  the  only  way  I  can  describe  him.  I  never  want  to  see  any- 
thing  finer  than  the  way  in  which  the  Rifle  Brigade  stormed  a  Boer 
position  near  Machadodorp.  The  Boers  were  well  concealed  on  a 
rocky  kopje  and  the  Rifle  Brigade  had  to  advance  along  a  pièce  of 
level  open  ground  to  get  at  them.  We  were  posted  on  a  hill  protect- 
ing  the  left  flank  of  the  British  troops  and  got  a  good  view  of  the  long 
lines  of  khaki  figures  as  they  advanced,  keeping  their  distances 
splendidly.  Of  course,  they  lost  heavily  —  over  a  hundred  casualties, 
I  believe  —  but  helped  by  the  accurate  fire  of  our  artillery,  with  well 
placed  lyddite  and  sharpnell,  they  turned  those  Boers  out  vnth 
heavy  loss." 

"What  of  British  generalship  and  the  British  officer  ?  " 

"  We  saw  little  of  Lord  Roberts,  but  he  was  undoubtedly  much 
too  lenient.  Lord  Kitchener,  in  my  opinion,  is  just  the  man  for  the 
vork.     The  notion  of  his  undue  severity  is  quite  a  mistaken  one.  The 


APPENDIX  27 

officer  who  takes  bis  business  seriously  and  means  to  get  on  bas  no 
better  friend.  To  the  lazy,  eye-glassed  officer,  however,  heis  deserved- 
ly  a  teiTor.  We,  of  course,  bad  most  to  do  with  Buller.  His  popularity 
with  our  men  is  extraordinary.  As  an  instance,  at  the  King's  review 
last  week  tbey  asked  as  a  spécial  favour  that  they  might  be  allowed 
to  cbeer  him.  This,  too,  although  Lord  Roberts  was  présent. 
Naturally  the  Colonel  could  not  allow  it.  As  for  the  British  officer 
generally,  he  is  a  splendid  fellow,  alvvays  treated  us  well,  and  as 
brave  as  could  be.  Some  they  are  sending  out  now  are  terribly 
young,  though  they  seem  to  lack  nothing  in  pluck." 

"  What  did  you  think  of  the  Canadian  horses?  " 

"  We  used  them  ail  the  time  until  we  reached  Pretoria,  and  found 
they  stood  the  hard  work  well.  The  Argentine  horses  were  very 
poor  in  comparison." 

STRATHCOXA'S   HORSE,    ARRIVES 

From  the  Star. 

"  Halifax,  N.  S.,  March  8th. 

"As  daylight  was  breaking  on  the  Nova  Scotia  coast  the  staunch 
ship  Numidian,  with  Strathcona's  Horse  on  board,  came  within  sight 
of  the  entrance  to  Halifax  harbour.  The  Captain  of  the  liner  was  not 
sorry  that  the  fourteen  days'  voyage  was  over,  and  Colonel  Steele  and 
his  brave  men  were  more  than  glad  once  more  to  be  within  hailing 
distance  of  Canadian  soil.  The  régiment  will  be  rashed  forward 
without  delay,  the  whole  corps  proceeding  direct  from  the  ship's  side 
to  Ottawa.  There  will  be  no  stay  in  this  city.  The  men  will  hâve 
dinner  on  board  the  Numidiati  as  she  lies  at  anchor  in  the  stream, 
having  been  paid  off  in  the  meantime,  and  early  in  the  aftemoon  they 
will  disembark  and  entrain  for  Ottawa.  The  voyage  was  uneventful 
except  that  for  the  first  four  days  particularly  rough  weather  was 
experienced.  As  the  ship  passed  Cape  Clear,  she  encountered  a  gale 
which  continued  day  after  day.  The  sea  was  heavy  and  the  winds 
were  contrary.  Even  after  the  long  voyage  from  South  Africa,  there 
were  very  few  of  the  men  who  escaped  at  least  a  touch  of  sea-sickness." 

ONE  CASE  OF  SERIOUS   ILLNESS 

"  Sergeant  Miller,  of  Ottawa,  was  one  of  the  first  men  the  S(ar 
correspondent  met  when  he  boarded  the  steamer  in  mid-stream.     He 


28  APPENDIX 

said  that  the  health  of  the  men  generally  on  the  voyage  out  had  been 
good  with  no  mishaps  of  any  kind.  There  was  only  one  exception  to 
this  pleasant  state  of  affairs,  and  this  was  the  serious  illness  of  Private 
A.  Robinson  of  "  C  "  Squadron,  who  is  down  with  pneumonia.  Last 
night  Robinson's  condition  was  so  serious  that  he  was  hardly  expected 
to  live,  but  to-day  he  is  a  shade  better  and  will  be  removed  to  the 
military  hospital.  Sergeant  Miller  says  that  of  the  thiity-one  ofScers 
who  went  out,  eighteen  return,  and  of  the  569  men,  262  are  on  board. 
When  Strathcona's  Horse  left  Cape-Town,  the  régiment  had  515  of 
ail  ranks.  Of  thèse  145  remained  in  England,  on  furlough,  pending 
discharge.  The  régiment  has  lost  26  men  by  death  since  sailing  from 
Halifax  a  year  ago,  of  whom  12  were  killed  and  14  died  from  illness. 
Thirty-eight  of  the  Strathcona's  remain  in  South  Africa  in  other  corps, 
a  number  of  them  having  received  commissions,  and  26  more  stay 
behind  there  to  engage  in  private  business.  Two  of  the  Strathconas 
died  of  enteric  fever  in  England.  Such,  in  brief,  was  the  interesting 
statistical  story  told  of  Strathcona's  Horse,  by  Sergeant  Miller.  He 
said  before  I  left  him,  that  there  wer.e  three  horses  on  board  belonging 
to  officers,  one  of  them  an  Ottawa  man.  Thèse  horses  hâve  had  to 
subsist,  since  leaving  Liverpool,  on  potato  peelings,  for  no  hay  was 
taken  on  board  the  Numidian.^' 


INDIGNANTLY   DENIES    STORY 

"Colonel  Steele  was  breakfasting  with  Mrs,  Steele,  who  was  hère 
awaiting  him,  the  Captain  of  the  steamer,  Colonel  Irving,  D.  O.  C, 
and  a  number  of  other  local  officers,  when  I  boarded  the  steamer. 
He  looks  not  a  day  older  for  his  year's  service,  just  as  cool  and 
nonchalant  as  the  day  he  marched  the  régiment  Ihrough  the  streets  of 
Halifax  to  board  the  troopship  for  Africa.  The  first  thing  that 
occurred  to  me  was  to  ask  him  about  the  story  told  by  an  Australian 
war  correspondent,  of  cruelty  to  Boers  practised  by  Colonel  Steele's 
men.  The  Colonel  did  not  feel  at  first  much  like  talking,  but  that 
Australian  yarn  warmed  him  up. 

"The  story  is  absurd,"  he  said.  "  Our  coi-ps  is  notad  for  its 
humaneness.  \Ye  never  saw  an  Australian  ail  the  time  we  were  in 
South  Africa.  Our  lot  was  cast  with  other  corps.  No  colonials  were 
in  our  column,  except  the  South  African  Light  Horse,  a  splendid 
corps,  and  Tliornycroft's  and  Beaton's  Horse,  ail  first  rate  régiments. 


APPENDIX  29 

Our  men  were  most  considerate  to  the  enemy  on  many  occasions  wheii 
severe  measures  would  hâve  been  excusable.  Boers  were  more  than 
once  caught  crawling  up  to  shoot  our  sentries  in  the  dark,  yet  they 
were  only  taken  prisoners  and  brought  in.  I  hâve  had  considérable 
expérience  with  men,  and  am  prepared  to  say  that  there  was  no  more 
cruelty  displayed  by  Strathcona  Horse  in  South  Africa,  than  there  is 
to-day  among  the  North-West  Mounted  Police,  and  we  ail  know 
what  that  body  is  like.  There  is  no  better  body  of  men  living. 
Strathcona's  Horse  hâve  done  honour  to  their  country.  They  obeyed 
orders  strictly  and  we  always  had  magnificent  discipline. 

WELCOMED  BY  BOER  LADIES 

"They  were  kind  to  women  and  children,  so  much  so  ihat  Boer 
ladies  were  always  anxious  for  the  régiment  to  camp  in  their  vicinity, 
for  they  knew  from  expérience  that  they  would  be  sure  of  the  kindest 
treatment.  The  soldiers  of  the  regular  British  army  also  were  exam- 
plary  in  this  respect.     This  war  has  been  conducted  on  humane  Unes. 

"  Yes,  I  am  glad  to  be  back,"  Colonel  Steele  said,  in  response  to 
an  inquiry,  and  when  I  asked  him  what  about  the  future,  he  said  :  — 

"  I  hâve  been  ofTered  the  command  of  the  Petersburg  district  of 
South  Africa  and  I  may  accept.  Whether  I  shall  or  not  dépends  on 
circumstanccs." 

"  Colonel  Steele  referred  to  the  record  of  Strathcona's  Horse  in 
South  Africa,  remarking  that  he  had  heard  reports  that  his  corps  had 
•  raised  Cain' in  some  towns.  His  sufficient  answer  to  that  was  that 
the  régiment  had  no:  been  in  Cape-Town  on  its  way  home,  more  than 
to  pass  direct  from  the  train  to  the  steamer. 

LORD  STRATHCONA  PROUD  OF  MEN 

"  People  hâve  to  remember,"  Colonel  Steele  said,  "  that  there  are 
no  scrubs  in  our  régiment.  They  are  the  sons  of  Canadian  farmers 
and  gentlemen.  What  we  did  as  soldiers  in  the  field  and  on  the 
march  I  leave  to  our  Gênerais  to  say,  but  of  their  good  conduct  I  can 
speak.  Lord  Strathcona  is  proud  of  his  men.  In  London  they  were 
the  talk  of  the  clubs.  They  looked  magnificent  when  paraded  before 
the  King.  Ail  the  officers  were  presented  to  him.  Lord  Strathcona 
gave  the  men  Iwo  banquets  in  the  Empress  room  of  the  Royal  Palace 
Hôtel,  Kensington.     Among  those  présent  were  the  Duke  of  Aber- 


3Ô  APPENDIX 

corn,  the  Marquis  of  Hertford,  Lord  Dundonald  and  many  noble  men. 
Lord  Strathcona  presided,  and  most  complimentary  remarks  were 
made  of  our  régiment.  Lord  Dundonald,  who  commanded  the  Third 
Mounted  Brigade,  to  which  the  Strathcona's  belonged,  stated  that  on 
the  field  we  took  everything  seriously,  and  that  our  régiment  was 
made  up  from  the  crown  of  the  head  to  the  sole  of  the  foot  of  men. 
Lord  Strathcona  spoke  of  the  great  pleasure  it  was  to  hâve  his  name 
connected  with  the  régiment. 

"  Lord  Strathcona,  the  Duke  of  Abercorn  and  Lord  Dundonald, 
saw  us  off  at  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  we  left  London.  At 
Liverpool  we  were  given  a  splendid  banquet  in  St.  George's  Hall. 
The  officers  were  presented  to  the  Lord  and  Lady  Mayoress,  who 
received  in  state.  AU  the  military  staff  were  présent  and  there  were 
ten  thousand  people  in  the  galleries  of  the  hall.  After  the  banquet, 
the  régiment  marched  to  the  City  Hall,  the  streets  lined  with  a  dense 
mass  of  citizens,  eager  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  us.  The  Lord  Mayor 
addressed  us  in  terms  highly  complimentary  to  the  régiment,  and  to 
Canada." 

GALLANTRY  OF  CANADIANS 

'•Before  finishing  his  talk  with  your  correspondent.  Colonel  Steele 
said  :  — 

"Our  régiment  was  always  delighted  to  hear  of  the  gallantry  of 
comrade  régiments  from  Canada.  We  went  to  do  our  duty  for 
Canada  and  the  Empire,  and  we  are  glad  to  know  that  no  régiments 
were  more  thought  of  than  Colonel  Otter's.  the  Canadian  Artillery, 
and  the  Dragoons  and  Mounted  Rifles.  There  was  only  one  opinion 
of  the  Canadians  among  the  British  troops,  and  that  was  that  they 
were  highly  efficient  and  worthy  of  ail  respect." 

STRATHCONA'S    LEAVE 

COLONEL    STEELE'S    PATRIOTIC     SPEECH.  —  HE    ASKS    HIS    MEN 
NEVER   TO    FORGET   THAT    THEY    ARE    CANADIANS. 
—  BE  EVER  LOYAL  TO  THE  EMPIRE. 

"  Halifax,  N.   S.,  March  gth. 

"The  military  spécial  with  the  Strathcona  Horse,  hauled  by  two 
engines,  left  over  the  International  at  7  o'clock  last  evening. 

"  One  of  the  features  of  the  afternoon  was  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Steele's  address  to  the  men,  every  word  of  it  ringing  with  patriolism. 


APPENDIX  31 

"After  reviewing  the  men,  Colonel  Steele  said  :  *I  thank  you 
Colonel  White,  officers  and  men  of  the  ITiird  Royal  Canadian  Régi- 
ment, for  the  honour  you  hâve  donc  Strathcona's  Horse  on  receiving 
us  in  this  way  on  this  occasion.  I  wish  to  congratulate  you  on  the 
fine  appearance  and  discipline  of  your  men." 

"  Then,  tuming  straight  round  to  squarely  face  the  men  of  the 
guard  of  honour,  his  face  grave  and  earnest,  rivetting  every  eye,  and 
thousands  straining  their  ears  to  hear  every  word,  he  said  :  — 

"  Boys,  ne  ver  forget  that  you  are  Canadians,  and  that  Canada,  as  a 
country,  has  no  superior  in  the  wide  world.  Ahvays  be  ready  to  take 
up  arms  to  défend  the  Empire  ■whenever  occasion  calls.  The  corps 
you  hâve  welcomed  home  to-day,  raised  by  that  patriotic  Canadian, 
Lord  Strathcona,  hâve  endeavoured  in  a  quiet  way  to  deserve  the 
respect  of  the  Impérial  troops  in  South  Africa  by  endurance  and 
attention  to  duty.     \Ve  hâve  not  done  much,  but 


WE   HAVE   DONE  OUR  DUTY 

to  the  best  of  our  ability.  In  returning  home  we  hâve  a  picture  in 
Dur  mind  of  a  quiet  farmhouse,  and  it  should  be  characteristic  of  a 
Canadian  that  he  can  couvert  himself  into  a  soldier  and  back  again 
into  a  citizen  as  required.  The  Strathconas  are  proud  of  being 
Canadians,  and  I  hope  that  the  young  men  in  particular  will  ahvays 
remember  that  they  are  Canadians  first.  I  hâve  served  in  the  ranks 
and  carried  a  rifle  many  a  long  day,  and  can  advise  you  from 
expérience  to  always  endeavour  to  do  your  duty  in  whatever  position 
you  are  placed,  and  in  the  assurance  that  if  you  try  you  can 
succeed. 

*'  I  thank  you  again  for  the  honour  you  hâve  done  the  Strathconas 
this  day." 

«'Concluding  his  brief  remarks,  the  Colonel  said,  with  fine  eftect  r 
'  Remember  Canada.     She  is  ail  right.'  " 

»' At  this  the  immense  gathering  burst  into  cheers,  and  the  band  of 
the  Third  Royal  Canadian  Régiment  struck  up  the  Maple  Leaf. 

«'  Women  pressed  forward  eager  to  get  a  grasp  of  the  Colonel's 
hand,  and  one  old  Irishwoman  ejaculated  :  '  That's  good,  Colonel  ; 
you've  given  us  a  real  Canadian  speech.'  " 

28 


32  APPENDIX 

THE  KING'S  COLOURS 

"  The  King's  colours,  presented  to  Strathcona's  Horse  in  London, 
is  a  really  beautiful  flag.  It  is  a  silk  Union  Jack  about  2^  feet  by 
SK  f"2^t.  The  staff  is  richly  mounted  in  gold,  with  tassais  hanging 
from  the  top.  On  the  staff  is  a  silver  tablât,  with  the  foUowing 
inscription  :  — 

PRESENTED   BY 

His  MoGt  Gracious  Majesty  Edward  VII. 

KING  AND   EMPEROR 

TO 

Lord   Stratlicona' s    Corps 

In  récognition  of  services  rendered  to  the  Emplir e  in 
South  Africa   in  içoo. 

"It  is  decided  the  colours  will  be  placed  in  Lord  Strathcona 
and  Mount  Royals'  Private  Gallery. 

"A  group  was  formed  on  the  Numidian's  deck  just  before  the 
régiment  disembarked.  The  group  was  composed  of  Lieutenant 
Leckie,  holding  the  colours,  with  Sergeant  Murphy  and  Sergeant 
Trail  on  either  side  with  rifles  at  guard,  and  in  this  position  they  were 
photographed.  Colonel  Steele  appears  in  the  photo  a  little  to  the 
rear  on  the  left." 

HONOURS     FOR     COLONEL    STEELE 

HE     IS    APPOINTED     TO    FOURTH    CLASS   OF   VICTORIAN   ORDER. 

"  London,  March  çth, 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Steele,  of  Strathcona's  Horse,  has  been 
appointed  to  the  fourth  class  of  the  Victorian  Order." 


m.t  ënd  (ïrï0w«i&'  the  Wûvîî. 


( 


LOYALTY 


r^ 


THE    GOOD     QUEEN 

WILL  be  good,"  said  the  Princess  Victoria  at  the  âge  of 
eleven,  when  she  first  learned  that  she  was  heir  to  the  throne. 
"  It  is  because  she  has  been  good  that  ail  the  world  loves 
her.  Only  those  who  met  her  could  appreciate  the  chartn  of  her 
personality,  but  ail  the  world  knew  of  her  goodness.  The  Queen's 
name  is  always  respectfully  and  even  warmly  greeted,  net  because 
she  is  Queen,  but  because  there  is  a  gênerai  feeling  that  she  is  one  of 
the  best  women  that  ever  lived. 

"There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  moral  tone  of  the  British  Empire 
is  higher  because  Queen  Victoria  has  reigned  over  it  so  long  and  her 
influence  for  good  has  not  been  confined  to  the  British  Empire." 


A  WARM  TRIBUTE  FROM    LORD    STRATHCONA 

"London,  January  22nd. 

"Speaking  from  a  Colonial  standpoint,  Lord  Strathcona,  Canadian 
High  Commissioner  in  London,  said  :  — 

"  The  Queen's  serions  illness  will  cause  deep  sorrow  in  every  part 
of  Her  Majesty's  Dominions.  Hope  will  everywhere  prevail  that  our 
great  Queen  will  soon  be  restored  to  her  usual  health.  Her  influence 
for  good  throughout  the  Empire  stnnds  as  one  of  the  most  marvellous 
and  beneficent  things  in  the  modem  polilical  world." 


34  APPENDIX 

LA    REYNE    EST    MORTE 

"  London  Times,  January  23rd. 

Mother  of  Mothers,  Qucen  of  Queens, 

Ruler  of  Rulers,  Lord  of  Lords  ; 
War  harvests,  but  the  Reaper  gleans 

A  richer  prize  than  Swords. 

God  help  our  England,  for  we  stand 
Orphaned  of  Her  who  made  us  one  ; 

The  Honour  of  the  Fatherland, 
Her  Hope,  Her  Trust,  Her  Sun. 

Afar,  where  Summers  bum  and  glow, 

The  subject  Peoples  of  our  race 
Shall  see  their  stricken  Master  go 

With  tears  upon  his  face, 

The  Nation,  at  her  dying,  born, 

Shall  weep  beneath  the  Southern  Cross, 

And  with  her  Mother-Country  mourn 
Irréparable  loss. 

The  scattered  Islands  of  Her  Realm 
Shall  droop  the  emblem  of  Her  sway 

Who  through  the  long  years  grasped  the  helm— 
Through  the  laborious  day. 

And  flashing  lights  shall  signal  far 

Their  tidings  to  the  passing  ships, 
To  tell  the  sinking  of  Her  Star, 

Her  sorrowful  éclipse. 

Oh  Mother  Queen  !  God's  honoured  guest, 
Who  greatly  welcomes  those  who  bring 

Thy  great  credentials  :  thine  His  rest  1 
Amen!     God  Save  the  King." 


APPENDIX  35 

THE  VIRTUES  AND  GREATNESS  OF  QUEEN  VICTORIA 

BY   ELLA   WHEELER  WILCOX. 
(Spécial  to  the  Star.) 

"  London,  February  Ist. 

"Ella  Wheeler  Wilcox  has  written  a  poem  extoUing  the  viitues 
and  greatness  of  Queen  Victoria  as  foUows  :  — 

Colossal  woman  of  an  epoch  past 
Your  long,  eventful  pilgrimage  is  done  ; 
Yet,  shall  the  influence  of  your  goodness  last 
When  later  centuries  their  course  hâve  run. 

Impérial,  not  iinperious,  was  your  sway  — 
More  than  an  Empress,  greater  than  a  Queen. 
The  -Hatchful  world  beheld  in  you  alway 
A  virtuous  woman  of  benignant  mien. 

Peace  was  your  purpose,  progress  was  your  aim, 
Fair  justice  was  your  large  soûl 's  honoured  guest; 
When  war,  relentless  and  resistless,  came, 
The  tender  heart  broke  in  your  woman's  breast. 

No  impious  lust  for  power  defiled  your  mind  ; 
Concerned  with  but  the  ultimate  good  of  earth  — 
Eecause  you  lived  shall  unborn  rulers  find 
A  nobler  meaning  in  Impérial  birth." 


KING   EDWARD'S    MESSAGE  TO   HIS  PEOPLE   O'ER 
THE  SEAS. 

"  King  Edward  VII.  has  sent  the  following  message  to  ail  the 
British  Colonies  and  Dependencies  :  — 

"  To  My  people  beyond  the  Seas, 

"The  countless  messages  of  loyal  sympathy  that  I  hâve  received 
from  every  part  of  my  dominions  over  the  seas  testify  to  the  universal 
grief  in  which  the  whole  Empire  now  mourns  the  loss  of  my  beloved 
mother. 


36  APPENDIX 

'•In  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  her  subjects  throughout  Great 
Britain,  the  Queen  ever  evinced  a  heartfelt  interest.  She  saw  with 
thankfulness  the  steady  progress  which,  under  the  wide  extension  of 
self-govemment,  they  had  made  during  her  reign.  She  warmly 
appreciated  their  unfailing  loyalty  to  her  throne  and  person,  and  was 
proud  to  think  of  those  who  had  so  nobly  fought  and  died  for  the 
Empire's  cause  in  South  Africa. 

"  I  hâve  already  declared  it  would  be  my  constant  endeavor  to 
follow  the  great  example  which  has  been  bequeathed  to  me. 

"  In  thèse  endeavors  I  shall  hâve  confident  trust  in  the  dévotion 
and  sympathy  of  the  people,  and  of  their  several  représentative 
assemblies  throughout  my  vast  colonial  dominions.  With  such  loyal 
support,  I  will,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  solemnly  work  for  the 
promotion  of  the  common  welfare  and  security  of  our  great  Empire, 
over  which   I   hâve   now  been   called   to   reign. 

"  Edward,  Rex." 

"  The  King  has  sent  a  spécial  message  to  the  people  of  India,  and 
a  greeting  to  the  ruling  chiefs  of  the  native  states." 

THE    GOVERNMENT 

FK.OCLAIMED    A    HOLIDAY.   —  THE    OFFICIEL    DECREE    SUSPENDING 

BUSINESS    IN    THE    DOMINION.  —  BANKS    AND    PUBLIC 

OFFICES  WILL   ALL    BE    CLOSED. 

"Ottawa,  February  ist,  1901. 

"  As  was  announced  yesterday  would  be  the  case,  the  Secretary  «f 
State  last  night  issued  a  proclamation  appointing  Saturday  to  be  a 
public  holiday.     The  proclamation  reads  :  — 

"To  ail  to  whom  thèse  présents  shall  corne,  or  whom  the  same  may 
in  anywise  concern,  greeting  :  — 

PROCLAMATION 

"  David  Mills,  Attomey-General,  Canada  :  — 

♦'  Whereas,  Saturday,  the  second  day  of  February,  has  been  fixed 
for  the  obsequies  of  her  late  Majesty  our  Royal  Mother  of  Blessed 
and  Glorious  Memory  ; 


APPENDIX  37 

"  And,  whereas,  well  knowing  that  our  deep  grief  is  shared  by  our 
loving  subjects  in  Canada,  \ve  are  desirous  to  afford  them  an  opport- 
unity  of  testifying  their  sorrow  and  their  sympathy  with  us  in  the 
grievous  affliction  which  bas  befallen  us  and  them  ;  now  tberefore  we 
bave  thought  fit,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  our  Privy  Council  for 
Canada,  to  appoint  and  set  apart,  and  we  do  hereby  appoint  and  set 
apart,  Saturday,  the  second  day  of  February  next,  as  a  public  holiday 
to  be  observed  as  a  gênerai  day  of  mourning  byall  persons  throughout 
our  Dominion  of  Canada. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  we  hâve  caused  thèse  our  letters  to  be  made 
patent  and  the  great  seal  of  Canada  to  be  hereunto  afiixed. 

"Witness  our  right  and  trusty  and  right  well-beloved  cousin  the 
Right  Honourable  Sir  Gilbert  John  EUiott,  Earl  of  Minto  and 
Viscount  Melgund  of  Melgund,  county  of  Forfar,  in  the  peerage  of 
the  United  Kingdom,  3aron  Minto  of  Minto,  county  of  Roxburgh,  in 
the  peerage  of  Great  Britain,  baronet  of  Nova  Scotia,  Knight  Grand 
Cross  of  our  most  distinguished  Order  of  St.  Michael  and  St.  George, 
etc.,  etc.,  Governor-General  of  Canada. 

"  At  our  Government  House,  in  our  city  of  Ottawa,  this  thirtieth 
day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  Our  Lord,  one  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  one,  and  in  the  first  year  of  our  reign. 

"  By  command, 

"  R.  W.  Scott, 

"  Secretary  of  State, 
"  God  Save  the  King." 

A    ROYAL   VISITOR 

"  Ottawa,  February  7th. 

"  The  formai  opening  of  Parliament  took  place  this  afternoon  at 
three  o'clock,  when  His  Excellency  in  ail  the  State  consistent  with 
Court  mourning,  and  escorted  by  the  Princess  Louise  Dragoon  Guards, 
drove  to  Parliament  Hill,  wherehe  was  received  byaguard  of  honour 
of  the  Governor-General's  Foot  Guards.  As  His  Excellency  passed 
over  Dufferin  Bridge,  a  vice-royal  salute  was  fired  by  the  Ottawa 
Field  Battery  from  Nepean  Point.  His  Excellency  having  entered 
the  Senate  Chamber,  the  Black  Rod  was  despatched  to  summon  the 
Gommons,  who  arrived  headed  by  Mr.  Speaker  Brodeur,  preceded  by 
the  Sergeant-at-arms  carrying  the  Mace. 


38  APPENDIX 

"Honorable  Mr.  Brodeur  informed  His  Excellency  that  he  had 
been  chosen  Speaker  by  the  House  of  Gommons,  and  in  the  name  of 
that  House  demanded  Treedom  of  speech  in  debate,'  a  privilège 
which  even  the  impetuous  Tudor  Queen  Elizabeth  apologized  for 
ha^•ing  unduly  criticized  :  '  The  préservation  of  their  undoubted  and 
ancient  rights  and  privilèges  and  access  to  His  Excellency's  person  at 
ail  reasonable  times.' 

"  His  Excellency  then  delivered  the  speech  from  the  Throne,  as 
follows  :  — 

"Honorable  Gentlemen  of  the  Senate,   Gentlemen  of  the  House  of 
Gommons  :  — 

"  Since  our  last  meeting  the  Empire  has  been  called  on  to  lament 
the  démise  of  Her  late  Majesty  Queen  Victoria,  The  universal  regret 
and  sympathy  \vith  which  the  tidings  of  her  decease  hâve  been  received 
throughout  the  entire  civilized  world  afford  the  best  testimony  to  the 
manner  in  which  she  has  at  ail  times  discharged  her  duties  both  as  a 
woman  and  a  Sovereign  throughout  her  unprecedentediy  long  and 
glorious  reign,  and  I  will  venture  to  add  that  in  no  portion  of  her  vast 
territories  were  those  sentiments  more  profoundly  felt  than  in  the 
Dominion  of  Ganada.  You  will,  I  am  sure,  take  early  action  to 
express  your  sympathy  with  the  royal  family  in  their  bereavement 
and  your  loyalty  to  the  new  Sovereign." 

CANADIAN   CONTINGENT 

"  The  Ganadian  Gontingents  to  South  Af.ica  hâve  nearly  ail 
returned,  and  it  affords  me  a  very  great  gratification  to  be  able  to 
assure  you  that  the  valour  and  good  conduct  of  our  Ganadian  soldiers 
hâve  called  forth  the  highest  encomiums  from  the  several  commanders 
under  whom  they  hâve  served  during  the  arduous  contest." 

ADDRESS   TO  THE   KING 

"  Sir  Wilfrid  moved  the  address,  which  was  as  follows  :  — 
"  To  the  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty  :  — 
"  Most  Gracious  Sovereign, 

"We,  Your  Majesty's  dutiful  and  loyal  subjects,  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Gommons  of  Ganada  in  Parliament  assembled,  humbly  beg 
leave  to  approach  Your  Majesty  with  the  expression  of  our  deep  and 


APPENDIX  39 

heartfelt  sorrow  at  the  démise  of  our  late    Sovereign   Lady  Queen 
Victoria. 

"Incommon  -^vith  our  fellow-subjects  in  ail  parts  of  the  Empire, 
we  déplore  the  loss  of  a  great  ruler,  whose  manifold  and  exalted 
virtues  hâve  for  three  gf^nerations  commanded  the  respect  and 
admiration  of  the  world. 

"As  representati^-es  of  the  Canadian  people  we  moum  for  the 
beloved  sovereign  under  whom  our  Dominion  first  rose  into  being, 
and  to  whose  wise  and  beneficent  sway  are  due  in  no  small  measure 
its  growth  and  prosperity. 

"  May  we  venture  to  add  that  above  and  beyond  thèse  sentiments 
which  the  sad  occasion  naturally  calls  forth  there  bas  come  to  each 
one  of  us  a  sensé  of  personal  bereavement,  which,  we  say  it  with  ail 
possible  respect  and  duty,  makes  Your  Majesty's  sorrow  our  ovm. 

"  We  pray  that  the  God  of  Consolation  may  comfort  Your  Majesty 
and  the  members  of  the  royal  family  in  their  affliction. 

"  It  is  with  feelings  not  less  deep  and  sincère  than  those  to  which 
we  hâve  just  given  utterance  that  we  bail  Your  Majesty's  accession  to 
the  throne  of  your  ancestors.  We  beg  to  assure  Your  Majesty  of  our 
devoted  attachment  to  Your  Majesty's  person  and  Government,  and  to 
express  our  unclouded  confidence  that  the  glory  and  the  greatness  of 
the  British  Empire  abroad,  and  the  happiness  and  well-being  of  Your 
Majesty's  people  at  home,  will  suffer  no  diminution  under  Your 
Majesty's  gracious  rule." 

SECONDED   BY    MR.    BORDEN 

"Mr.  R.  L.  Borden  (Halifax).  I  hâve  little  to  add,  Mr.  Speaker, 
to  the  very  éloquent  and  appropriate  words  in  which  my  Right 
Honourable  friend,  the  Prime  Minister,  bas  moved  his  resolution, 
beyond  saying  that  it  will  meet,  with  the  cordial  approval  and  support 
of  every  member  of  this  House. 

'  'The  Right  Honourable  Gentleman  bas  well  referred  to  the  condition 
of  this  country  at  the  time  when  her  Gracious  Majesty  ascended  the 
throne  and  its  condition  at  the  présent  time.  Then  there  were  five  or 
six  disconnected  provinces  having  no  means  of  inter-communication, 
\^'ith  hostile  tariffs  between  them,  wth  our  North-West  a  wilderness 
and  with  British  Columbia  an  unknown  country.  Now,  we  find  this 
country  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  governed  by  one  Parliament, 
subject  to  the  same  gênerai  laws  ;  and  instead  of  rébellion,  we  see 


40  APPENDIX 

our  volunteer  soldiers  returning  home  from  fighting  the  battles  of  the 
Empire  across  the  seas.  It  is  truly  a  great  change  and  a  change 
which  has  been  to  no  small  extent  brought  about  by  the  influence  of 
Her  late  Majesty." 

THE   SENATORS   PAY  TRIBUTE 

"  Ottawa,  February  I3th. 

"The  Senate  yesterday  concurred  in  the  resolution  of  sympathy 
with  His  Majesty  King  Edward  VII.  on  the  démise  of  the  Queen. 
Honorable  David  Mills,  in  moving  the  resolution,  made  an  excellent, 
erudite  address  on  the  constitutional  aspect  of  Her  Majesty's  reign, 
the  tributes  to  her  personality  being  apparently  little  more  than 
incidental. 

'•  Sir  Mackenzie  Bowell  spoke  very  briefly  and  with  much  feeling. 

"The  resolution  was  adopted,  and  then  the  debate  on  the  address 
was  concluded,  and  that  disposed  of." 

QUEBEC    LEGISLATURE 

"  Québec,  February  i6th. 

"  Loyal  and  patriotic  were  the  speeches  of  Premier  Parent  and 
Honorable  Mr.  Flynn  in  the  Législature  to-day  on  the  occasion  of  the 
moving  and  seconding  of  the  address  of  condolence  to  His  Majesty 
the  King. 

"  Seldom  indeed  has  the  impression  of  the  greatness  of  the  British 
Empire  been  more  vividly  shown  and  those  calamity  howlers  who 
believe  that  the  many-pieced  fabric  woven  by  the  world's  greatest 
statesmen  is  soon  to  crumble  to  dust  hâve  evidently  no  knovvledge  of 
the  nature  of  that  fabric  nor  ofthe  secret  strands  that  contribute  to  its 
strength. 

"  The  Honorable  S.  N.  Parent,  Premier  ofthe  Province  of  Québec, 
is  not  an  Englishman,  and  although  he  speaks  English  he  is  much 
more  fluent  in  his  mother  tongue,  yet  he,  truly  the  représentative  cf 
over  one  million  of  his  compatriots,  of  a  race  at  one  time  at  continuai 
enmity  with  Britain,  and  of  a  religion  at  one  time  proscribed  in 
British  territory,  is  a  true,  loyal  and  honest  advocate  of  British 
sovereignty,  and  bears  devoted  allegiance  to  Britain's  Impérial  crown. 

"  His  speech  to-day,  and  that  of  his  political  opponent.  Honorable 


APPENDIX  41 

Mr.  Flynn,  were  above  ail  ringing  réfutations  of  the  base  slander  that 
French-Canadians  are  traitors,  and  the  words  of  love,  praise,  and 
regret  that  were  spoken  in  regard  to  our  late  sovereign,  Queen 
Victoria,  the  great  and  good,  will  be  received  by  Englishmen  the 
■world  over  as  the  direct  resuit  of  a  policy  of  liberty,  generosity  and 
tolérance,  which  is  a  pattern  to  the  other  nations  of  the  earth." 

MONTREAL  CITY   COUNCIL 

"  Montréal  to-day  présents  an  appearance  unique  in  its  history. 
Clouds  of  mouming  are  flapping  from  almost  every  building.  Pillars 
of  public  buildings  are  wrapt  about  with  black  and  tied  with  bows  of 
royal  purple.  In  sections,  the  black  effects  are  relieved  by  mono- 
grams,  emblems  and  mottoes.  Flags  fly  half  masted  from  thousands 
of  flag  pôles,  and  it  is  like  a  Sunday  in  the  business  portions  of  the 
city,  Loose  streamers  of  black  and  purple  float  disconsolately  in  the 
air  and  the  gênerai  effect  is  one  of  sadness." 

"  In  addition  to  the  resolutions  of  condolence  on  the  death  of  Her 
Majesty,  passed  by  the  City  Council  of  Montréal,  there  was  a  resolu- 
tion of  much  interest  moved  by  Alderman  Ekers  and  seconded  by 
Aldennan  Bumbray.     It  was  as  follows  :  — 

««That  on  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Montréal  the  Council  seize  this 
mournful  occasion  to  express  their  loyalty  to  the  throne  of  Great 
Britain." 

««Like  ail  the  other  resolutions,  it  was  unanimously  adopted. 
«'  In  a  few  words  His  Worship  said  the  death  of  Her  Majesty  was 
a  shock  to  the  whole  world.     Wherever  the  sun  shone  there  were 
mouming  hearts  over  the  death  of  the  noble  woman  who  had  reigned 
for  so  long  and  so  wisely. 

"  Similar  remarks  were  made  by  Aldermen  Laporte,  Jacques, 
McBride,  and  others. 

"  Rising,  Alderman  Gallery  said  he  would  like  to  say  a  few  words 
on  behalf  of  the  Irish  people  he  represented  both  in  the  City  Council 
and  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

•'The  twentieth  century,"  he  said,  "cornes  in  with  mourning  for 
the  British  Empire:  The  news  has  been  flashed  across  the  Atlantic 
that  England's  noblest  Sovereign,  and  one  of  the  grandest  of  women, 
has  just  passed  away.     After   the    longest   reign   in   the  history  of 


42  APPENDIX 

England,  Queen  Victoria  has  closed  her  eyes  on  the  world  in  whicli 
she  held  such  an  exalted  position. 

"As  an  Irishman,  I  feel  that  I  should  express  the  sentiments  of  the 
vast  majority  of  the  people  of  my  race  when  I  state  how  much  more 
esteemed  was  Queen  Victoria  in  Ireland  than  were  many  of  her 
predecessors. 

"I  rise  to  pay  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  a  good  and 
noble  woman,  whose  démise  has  thrown  the  whole  Empire  into 
mourning. 

"Her  kind  heart  and  many  amiable  qualities  commanded  the 
admiration  and  respect  of  the  whole  civilized  world,  and  especially  of 
her  own  subjects. 

"We  lament  her  Gracions  Majesty's  death,  particularly  when  we 
recollect  what  a  good  and  noble  woman  she  was,  and  how  worthy  of 
the  exalted  place  she  filled  with  such  dignity." 

"  Before  adjournment,  the  Mayorsaid,  after  consulting  the  religions 
authorities,  he  had  decided  to  proclaim  February  2nd  as  a  day  of 
mourning,  and  that  spécial  religions  services  would  be  arranged.  The 
exact  form  of  this  would  be  decided  later. 

"  He  understood  that  His  Grâce  Archbishop  Bruchési  would  issue 
a  pastoral  letter  next  Sunday  on  this  subject.  Regarding  the  wearing 
of  mourning  by  the  public,  the  Mayor  said  it  had  been  suggested  to 
him,  and  he  entirely  approved  of  it. 

"  He  also  remarked  that  orders  had  been  given  to  drape  the  City 
Hall." 

ONTARIO  LEGISLATURE 

"  Toronto,  February  I3th> 

"In  the  Provincial  Législature,  yesterday,  appropriate  action  was 
taken  in  regard  to  the  death  of  the  late  Queen,  An  address  expressive 
of  the  sorrow  of  the  members  of  the  House  and  the  people  of  the 
Province,  condolence  with  the  King  and  Royal  family,  and  recording 
allegiance  to  His  Majesty  was  moved  by  ^he  Premier  and  seconded 
by  the  leader  of  the  Opposition.  Mr.  Ross's  speech  was  befitting 
the  occasion.  It  was  comparatively  brief,  but  the  language  was 
strikingly  impressive.  Mr.  Whitney,  who  followed,  also  spoke  well, 
and  the  House,  at  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks,  adopted  the  address 
by  a  standing  vote." 


APPENDIX  43 

AT  WINNIPEG 

"  Winnipeg,  February  ist. 

"A  proclamation  has  been  issued  by  the  Local  Govemment  in  a 
spécial  number  of  the  Offitial  Gazette,  announcing  Saturday,  February 
2nd,  a  public  holiday  on  account  of  the  funeral  of  Her  Majesty  the 
Queen  and  directing  that  ail  offices  in  which  Govemment  officiais  are 
employed  be  closed  on  that  day.  To  ensure  that  Saturday  is  properly 
observed  as  a  day  of  mouming  in  Winnipeg.  Mayor  Arbuthnot  has 
supplemented  the  Government  proclamation  with  one  of  a  ci  vie  nature." 

MOURNING    IN   THE    DOMINION 

"The  day  of  mouming  for  the  late  Queen  is  being  rigidly  observed 
throughout  ail  the  Dominion.  In  ail  cities  ail  business  is  suspended, 
even  hôtels  being  closed.  The  principal  buildings  on  the  main  streets 
are  heavily  robed  in  purple  and  black.  Mémorial  services  are  being 
held  in  the  churches.  Ail  the  city  régiments,  with  beat  of  muffled 
drums  and  arms  reversed,  marched  to  diNnne  service.  Bells  tolled 
and  guns  boomed.  Everything,  indeed,  betokened  genuine  and 
heartfelt  sorrow  at  the  loss  of  Her  Gracions  Majesty." 

LOYALT\'   OF  THE  CHURCHES 

MGR.    FALCONIO'S  TRIBUTE 

"Mgr.  Falconio,  Apostolic  Delegate  to  Canada,  adds  a  fitting 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  dead  Queen,  as  follows  :  — 

"  Her  Majesty  was  a  noble,  pious  lady,  who,  during  her  reign,  had 
■won  the  respect,  love  and  vénération  of  ail  her  subjects,  and  in  an 
especial  manner  of  her  Catholic  subjects,  who  hâve  enjoyed  the 
greatest  measure  of  religions  liberty  in  the  Victorian  era.  Surely,  if 
any  should  regret  Her  Majesty's  death,  it  should  be  the  Catholics.  I 
speak  from  personal  knowledge  when  I  say  that  the  Holy  Father 
always  held  the  Queen  in  the  highest  possible  esteem." 

MGR.    BRCCHÉSi'S    REMARKS 

"  At  the  High  Mass  sung  on  Saturday  at  St.  James  Cathedral  for 
the   Royal  family,  His  Grâce  Archbishop  Bruchési,  who  attended  at 


44  APPENDIX 

tlie  throne,  made  the  foUowing  reraarks  to  the  congrégation  which, 
stood  during  the  delivery  of  the  allocution  :  — 

"  My  dear  Brethren, 

"  At  this  solemn  moment,  while  we  are  hère  gathered  together  in 
this  Cathedral,  the  funeral  of  our  late  lamented  Queen  is  taking  place 
in  the  British  metropolis.  With  what  sincerity  we  associate  our  grief 
with  that  of  the  great  Empire  to  which  we  ail  belong  !  We  hâve 
rendered  homage,  as  it  is  our  duty  to  do,  to  the  noble  woman,  to  the 
model  vnk  and  to  the  illustrious  Queen,  in  whom  we  hâve  always 
recognized  the  sure  friend  of  our  country  and  the  protectress  of  our 
liberties.  What  can  we  ail  do  for  her  now  that  she  has  gone  ?  Each 
one  will  fînd  answer  in  Consulting  our  Catholic  faith,  which  embraces 
the  world,  and  which  teaches  us  that  the  tie  which  unités  those  who 
hâve  gone  and  those  who  remain,  is  not  broken  and  that  we  may  aid 
those  who  hâve  gone  before  by  prayer  and  good  works.  That  which 
the  holy  laws  of  our  Church  permit  us  to  do  we  are  doing  to-day. 
We  are  prajdng  for  the  Royal  family  in  deep  distress,  and  we  are 
praying  for  our  new  Sovereign,  who  has  just  ascended  the  throne, 
and  in  doing  this  we  are  putting  in  practice  the  precept  of  St.  Paul  to 
the  first  Christians  who  recommended  them  to  think  of,  and  particularly 
before  God,  those  who  are  invested  with  power  and  authority.  What 
the  new  reign  will  be,  no  one  but  God  can  tell,  but  let  us  pray  it  be 
a  prospérons  and  happy  one.  Let  us  pray  for  the  Catholic  Church, 
for  the  Empire,  and  for  the  people.  This,  my  dear  brethren,  is  my 
heartfelt  wish." 

After  this  noble  and  loyal  language,  the  choir  sang  three  times  : 
Domine,  salvam  fac  regem  !     God  Save  the  King. 


PASTORAI,  LETTER  FROM  MGR.  BEGIN 

"  The  service  at  High  Mass  at  the  Basilica  yesterday  morning  was 
most  impressive,  and  was  attended  by  a  very  large  congrégation. 
Mgr.  Bégin  occupying  the  Episcopal  throne.  A  draped  Union  Jack 
hung  at  each  side  of  the  main  altar. 

"  Before  the  sermon,  Révérend  Cure  Faguy  read  the  foUowing 
pastoral  letter  from  Mgr.  Bégin,  announciug  the  death  of  Her  Majesty 


APPENDIX  45 

Queen  Victoria  and  the  accession  of  the  Prince  of  Wales  to  the  throne 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  :  — 

"  Louis  Nazaire  Bégin,  by  the  grâce  of  God  and  the  Apostolic  See, 
Archbishop  of  Québec  :  — 

"  We  hâve  just  received,  very  dear  brethren,  the  officiai  announce- 
ment  of  the  sad  event  foreshadowed  by  ail  that  has  taken  place  the 
last  few  days,  and  which  fiUed  ail  good  citizens  with  the  most 
poignant  appréhensions.  Our  gracious  Sovereign,  Victoria,  is  no 
more  !  She  has  just  closed  her  earthly  career,  after  a  glorious  reign 
of  sixty-four  years. 

"  We  hasten  to  communicate  to  you  this  afflicting  news,  in  the  firm 
con\-iction  that  you  will  bestow  just  regrets  on  the  memory  of  this 
illustrious  Queen,  whose  death  is  a  matter  of  deep  mouming  for  ail 
her  subjects. 

*'  Called  while  still  young  to  occupy  the  throne,  placed  by  Divine 
Providence  at  the  head  of  the  vastest  and  niost  powerful  Empire  the 
world  has  ever  known,  profoundly  penetrated  by  the  responsibility 
attached  to  the  sovereign  power,  she  has  spared  nothing  towards  the 
accomplishment  of  her  formidable  mission. 

"  It  was  given  her  to  occupy  the  throne  of  Great  Britain  longer 
than  any  of  her  illustrious  predecessors  ;  during  her  reign,  events  of 
the  most  remarkable  character  and  of  the  highest  importance  for  the 
future  and  the  happiness  of  the  people,  hâve  taken  place  ;  She  has 
been  a  witness  of  the  marvellous  progress  achieved  in  every  depart- 
ment  of  human  activity,  in  literature,  science,  the  arts,  industry  and 
commerce. 

"And  while  she  favoured  and  encouraged  ail  thèse  movements 
destined  to  enlarge  the  boundariesof  human  knowledge,  or  to  increase 
the  glory  and  prosperity  of  the  State,  it  can  be  truly  said  that  social 
and  philanthropie  works,  movements  having  for  object  to  relieve  or 
diminish  human  misery,  hâve  always  had  the  préférence  in  this  noble 
heart,  and  hâve  most  largely  benefited  by  her  benevolent  protection. 

'*  Her  subjects,  toc,  hâve  always  surrounded  her  with  the  deepest 
respect,  and  hâve  seized  on  every  favourable  occasion  to  testify  their 
love  and  gratitude. 

"As  they  shared  in  her  sorrows,  and  showed  that  they  could 
sympathize  with  her  in  her  trials  (because  sorrow  and  trials  visited 
her,  too,  giving  to  her  life  the  last  touch  of  perfection),  so,  likevvise, 


46  APPENDIX 

they  saluted  the  days  consecrated  to  her  triumphs  with  unariimous 
and  enthusiastic  acclamations.  For  the  dignity  of  her  life,  eminent 
qualifies  of  her  heart,  and  a  political  sagacity  to  which  the  whole 
svorld  had  been  pleased  to  render  homage,  had  won  ail  hearts  to  her. 

"  Our  Canada,  like  the  other  portions  of  the  Empire,  has  benefited 
by  the  justice  and  liberality  of  her  nile  ;  during  her  reign,  our  material 
progress  has  advanced  far  beyond  our  most  sanguine  expectations, 
and  the  Catholic  Church,  the  great  inspiration  of  ail  moral  grandeur, 
has  been  enabled  to  wield  its  influence  and  exercise  its  beneficent 
action  with  the  utmost  freedom. 

"  And  now  she  goes  down  into  the  grave  mourned  and  regretted 
by  ail.  Her  death  is  a  bereavement  not  only  for  one  nation,  but  for 
that  immense  multitude  of  peoples,  differing  so  greatly  in  race, 
longues,  creeds  and  manners,  who  compose  the  vast  Empire  of  which 
she  was  the  loved  and  venerated  Sovereign. 

"  But  the  Almighty  does  not  forsake  His  people  in  their  afiliction, 
and,  in  the  midst  of  the  universal  mourning.  Providence  permits  us  a 
subject  of  consolation  and  hope  in  the  accession  to  the  throne  of  His 
Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales,  whom  the  laws  of  the  Kingdom 
call  to  succeed  his  august  mother. 

"The  sentiments  of  kindness  and  benevolence  which  animate  him, 
give  rise  to  the  hope  that  he  will  maintain  the  noble  traditions 
bequeathed  to  him  by  his  predecessors,  and  that  he  will  apply  himself 
constantly  to  the  task  of  maintaining  the  reign  of  peace,  justice  and 
prosperity. 

"It  is  the  duty  of  every  one  of  us,  very  dear  brethren,  to  pray  for 
this  August  Monarch.  Let  us  beseach  God,  through  whom  Kings 
reign,  and  from  whom  ail  power  flows,  that  He  may  deign  to  bestow 
on  him  His  most  abundant  bénédictions,  in  order  chat  he  may  be  a 
worthy  successor  of  the  great  Queen  we  mourn,  and  a  monarch  always 
equal  to  the  fundamental  and  important  mission  entrusted  to  him, 
and  to  the  charges  which  he  assumes  in  circumstances  peculiarly 
difficult. 

'•  Wherefore,  We  hâve  ordained  and  do  ordain  as  follows  :  — 

"  On  the  first  Sunday  foUowing  the  réception  of  this  mandate,  there 
will  be  sung  in  ail  the  churches  of  this  diocèse,  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  Divine  Service,  in  the  morning,  a  solemn  Te  Deuvi  and  thanks- 
giving  for  the  accession  to  the  throne  of  the  High  and  Mighty  Prince 
Albert  Edward,  under  the  title  of  Edward  VH.,  and  afterwards  the 
psalm  Exaudiat,  with  the  prayer  for  the  King. 


APPENDIX 


47 


"  Given  at  Québec,  under  our  hand  and  seal,  the  seal  of  the  diocèse, 
and  the  countersign  of  our  Secretary,  the  twenty-second  day  of 
January,  nineteen  hundred  and  one. 

"  >i«  L.  N.,  Archbishop  of  Québec. 

•'By  order  of  Monseigneur, 

"J.  C.  Arsenault,  Priest,  Secretary." 

"Atthe  conclusion  of  High  Mass,  God  Save  the  King  was  played 
on  the  organ  by  Mr.  Gustave  Gagnon.  Mgr.  Bégin,  the  Clergy  and 
congrégation  standing.  A  Te  Deiim  was  then  sung  in  honor  of  the 
accession  of  King  Edward  VII.,  Mgr.  Bégin  officiating,  and  as  the 
congrégation  left  the  sacred  édifice,  Rule  Britannia  was  played  by 
the  organist." 

MONSIGNOR   DUHAMEL    PARTICIPATES 

"  The  Catholics  of  Ottawa  will  unité  in  a  mémorial  service  for  the 
Queen  on  Saturday.  The  following  Pastoral  on  the  subject  was 
issued  by  the  Archbishop  yesterday  :  — 

"  Archbishop's  Palace,  Ottawa,  January  3ist. 
"To   the   Clergy   and   Faithful    of  Ottawa:  — 
"  Dear  Co-Operators  and  Brethren, 

•'  Last  Sunday  a  circular  announcing  the  death  of  our  gracious 
sovereign,  Queen  Victoria,  and  the  accession  of  Edward  VII.  to  the 
throne  of  England  was  read  in  the  churches  of  this  diocèse.  In 
compliance  with  the  order  which  we  had  given  thereon  prayers  were 
offered  up  to  God  imploring  Him  to  showerdown  upon  our  King  His 
most  abundant  blessings.  We  thereby  openly  manifested  that  we 
shared  in  the  deep  mouming  and  the  sincère  loyalty  of  ail  British 
subjects. 

"  We  shall  hâve  next  Saturday,  on  the  occasion  of  the  late  Queen's 
funeral,  another  occasion  to  express  the  sentiments  of  our  attachmeut 
to  the  King  and  to  the  members  of  the  royal  family,  and  of  our  sincère 
sympathy  in  the  profound  sorrow  that  they  will  feel,  more  especially 
at  the  moment  when  the  mortal  remains  of  her  who  was  so  dear  to 
them  in  every  way  shall  be  deposited  in  that  last  abode  hère  below 
which  we  call  the  tomb.     As  the  laws  of  the  Holy  Church  do  not- 

29 


48  APPENDIX 

allow  Catholics  to  assist  at  a  religious  service  in  a  non-Catholic  church 
we  hereby  announce  to  you  that  a  Solemn  Mass  will  be  chanted  at  the 
Basilica  of  Ottawa,  at  il  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Saturday, 
2nd  February. 

**  For  the  reason  that  we  cannot  say  the  Mass  which  is  célébra ted 
on  behalf  of  the  soûls  of  Catholics  dying  in  the  bosom  of  the  Church, 
we  will  offer  up  the  Mass  of  the  day  with  the  rightful  trust  that  our 
most  fervent  prayers  shall  be  granted  and  obtain  consolation  to  the 
royal  family  and  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the  reign  of  Edward  VII. 

"  Ail  the  faithful  are  invited  to  attend.  Seats  at  the  Basilica  will 
be  free  to  ail. 

•'  I  remain,  dear  co-operators  and  brethren, 

*'  Your  devoted  servant, 

"  ^  !•  Thomas,  Archbishop  of  Ottawa." 

"Kingston,  Ont,,  February  ist. 

"  His  Grâce  Archbishop  Gauthier  has  sent  word  to  ail  the  priests 
of  the  Archdiocese  of  Kingston,  to  hâve  the  church  bells  toll  on  next 
Sunday  from  ii  a.  m.  to  12  o'clock  at  noon,  out  of  respect  to  the 
memory  of  Her  late  Majesty  the  Queen  ;  and  also  to  hâve  the  Te 
Deum  sung  on  next  Sunday  after  Mass  in  thanksgiving  for  the  new 
King. 

"This  aftemoon  the  school  children's  mémorial  services  were  held 
in  Sydenham  street  church.  Therewere  2,000  pupils  présent  and  the 
singing  of  suitable  hymns  was  aided  by  the  members  of  the  church 
choirs.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Messrs.  Lambert,  J.  G.  Elliott, 
R.  Meek  and  Dr.  Herald." 

"Kingston,  Ont.,  February  ist. 

"  The  Ontario  Catholic  Libéral  Committee  met  hère  yesterday  and 
passed  a  resolution  of  condolence  at  the  death  of  the  Queen." 

THE  BAR'S  SORROW 

"  At  the  meeting  of  the  Montréal  Bar,  held  yesterday  aftemoon,  to 
receive  and  adopt  the  resolutions  drafted  on  the  occasion  of  the 
Queen's  death,  the  Bâtonnier,  Mr.  J.  A.  C.  Madore,  M.  P.,  presided, 
and  Mr.  C.  H.  Stephens,  Q.  C,  acted  as  secretary. 


APPENDIX  49 

••The  followîng  resolutions  were  adopted  unanimously  :  — 

"  Moved  by  Mr.  Rouer  Roy,  Q.  C,  seconded  by  Mr.  Strachan 
Bethune,   5'  C.  :  — 

"That  the  members  of  the  Montréal  Bar,  in  council  assembled, 
express  their  profound  sorrow  that  death  has  removed  our  beloved. 
Sovereign,  Queen  Victoria,  who,  in  sympathy  with  the  govemed,  and 
respecting  the  constitution,  for  over  sixty-three  years,  has  ruled  the 
largest  and  most  populous  Empire  in  the  world  as  a  wise,  just  and 
humane  potentite,  administering  justice  with  firmness,  and  yet  with 
mercy,  redressing  the  wrongs  of  the  people,  uplifting  the  bondsman 
from  oppression's  grasp,  extending  the  national  commerce,  until  it 
envelopes  the  globe,  founding  infant  communities  and  fostering  them 
in  their  growth  to  nationhood,  steadfastly  maintaining  the  honour  and 
dignity  of  the  Empire  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  exemplify- 
ing  the  gifts  and  grâces  which  render  private  life  beautiful,  and  public 
life  illustrious  ;  and  that  we  gratefully  recognize  that  during  her 
benign  reign  her  subjects  in  Canada  obtained  the  high  benefits  of 
responsible  government,  the  land  tenure  has  been  ameliorated,  and 
the  varions  Provinces  of  British  Xorth  America  hâve  been  united  in  a 
Fédéral  Government." 

«'Moved  by  Mr.  F.  L.  Béïque,  Q.  C,  seconded  by  Mr.  G.  B. 
Cramp,  Q.  C.  :  — 

"That  the  Bar  of  Montréal  desires  to  place  on  record  its  heartfelt 
expression  of  deep  and  sincère  sympathy  with  the  royal  family  in  their 
great  sorrow  ;  and  that  upon  the  accession  of  His  Majesty  King 
Edward  VIL,  we  renew  the  honourable  déclaration  of  our  allegiance 
and  dévotion  to  his  person  and  the  throne." 

'«Proposed  by  Mr.  C.  B.  Carter,  Q.  C,  seconded  by  Honorable 
L.  O.  Taillon,  Q.  C.  :  — 

"  That  the  Bar  wear  mournlng  for  three  months." 

"On  motion  of  Mr.  A.  Globensky,  seconded  by  Mr.  ti.  C.  St. 
Pierre,  Q.  C,  it  was  decided  that  the  resolutions  be  inscribed  in  the 
minutes  of  the  Bar,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  same  be  forwarded  to  the 
Governor-General  for  transmission  to  the  proper  quarter. 

"The  meeting  was  brought  to  a  close  by  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
chairman,  moved  by  Mr.  Donald  MacMaster,  Q.  C." 


50  APPENDIX 

THE   BRIGADE   PARADE 

REGIMENTS    OF     THE   MONTREAL     BRIGADE     MARCHED     TO     CHURCH 
THIS    MORNING. 

"The  brigade  parade  this  morning  was  one  ofthe  large st  in  the 
history  of  the  Montréal  Militia,  every  man  who  could  possibly  absent 
himself  from  work  being  présent  in  the  ranks  of  his  particular  corps, 

"The  very  gênerai  manner  in  which  the  day  of  mouming  was  kept 
by  the  business  houses,  the  banks,  and  manufactories  in  gênerai,  had 
the  effect  of  making  the  turnout  of  troops  larger  than  was  at  first 
expected.  Tne  boys  are  aware  that  the  occasion  was  the  last  on 
which  they  would  hâve  the  opportunity  of  paying  their  respects  to 
their  beloved  Sovereign,  in  whose  reign  ail  of  them  had  been  born 
and  brought  up,  and  consequently  the  ranks  to-day  were  fiill  of 
Queen's  soldiers. 

'*  Strange  as  it  may  appear  a  very  considérable  percentage  ofthe 
militia  of  Montréal  are  still  soldiers  of  the  Queen,  owing  to  the  failure 
of  jjast  commanding  officers  in  the  city  to  add  to  the  oath  of  allegiance 
the  words,  '  and  to  her  heirs  aixi  assigns.'  Every  volunteer  in  Mont- 
réal who  failed  to  swear  allegiance  to  '  Victoria,  and  her  heirs  and 
assigns,'  or  '  Victoria  and  her  lawful  successors,'  is  to-day  freed  form 
any  obligation  t-o  serve  in  the  militia  of  Canada,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  his  three  years'  term  of  service  may  not  hâve  expired  as  yet. 
Consequently  there  were  many  in  the  ranks  of  the  Montréal  militia 
to-day  who  could  not  by  any  stretch  of  the  imagination  be  tenned 
'  soldiers  of  the  King.' 

"One  impressive  feature  of  to-day's  parade  was  the  présence  ofthe 
Army  and  Navy  Vétérans,  the  Fenian  Raid  Vétérans,  the  Vétérans  of 
the  North-West  Rebellions,  and  past  members  of  local  corps.  Thèse 
formed  a  battalion  in  themselves.  It  seemed  as  if  everyone  in  Mont- 
réal who  had  borne  arms  for  Her  Majesty  at  some  period  in  their 
lives  was  anxious  to  participate  in  the  gênerai  mourning  which 
envelops  and  encircles  the  Empire  to-day. 

"The  différent  régiments  fell  in  at  their  respective  armories  at 
half-past  nine  o'clock,  with  the  exception  of  the  Vies,  and  the  65th, 
who  paraded  at  nine  and  half-past  eight  o'clock,  respectively.  At 
half-past  nine  o'clock  the  65th  left  for  St.  James  Cathedral,  where 
a  mémorial  Mass  was  chanted  by  His  Grâce  the  Archbishop  of 
Montréal." 


APPENDIX  5 1 

THE  VICTORIA    RIFLES 

"The  folio wing  message  from  the  Victoria  Rifles  of  Canada,  was 
sent  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Arthur  Hamilton  to  Lord  Strathcona,  the 
Honourary  Colonel  of  the  régiment  :  — 

"  Please  convey  to  proper  authority  our  great  grief  over  the  death 
of  our  beloved  Queen,  from  your  régiment,  the  Victoria  Rifles  of 
Canada. 

"Arthur  Hamilton, 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel." 

DECORATING  THE   QUEEN's   STATUE 

"  Two  little  children  engaged  in  decorating  the  Queen's  monument, 
Victoria  square,  attracted  considérable  attention  this  moming." 

SOLEMN   MILITARY    SERVICE 

"  Halifax,  N.  S.,  February  2nd. 

"  At  eight  o'clock  this  moming  the  Royal  Standard  was  run  to  the 
top  of  the  flag-pole  at  the  Citadel.  Then  it  dropped  to  half-mast, 
and  remained.  The  military  were  soon  astir  for  the  mémorial  service. 
The  non-conformists  in  the  garrison  attended  St.  Matthew's  Presbyte- 
rian,  where  a  united  service  was  held. 

"Révérend  Dr.  Saunders,  Baptist,  and  Révérend  Dr.  Lathem, 
Methodist,  were  the  speakers.  The  officiai,  or  State,  service  was  held 
in  historié  St.  Paul's,  where  the  Lord  Bishop  preached  to  2,500 
people.  This  service  was  attended  by  the  66tli  P.  L,  F.  and  heads  of 
militia.  The  Dean  of  Nova  Scotia,  Dr.  Gilpin,  preached  in  the 
Anglican  Cathedral  to  a  crowded  congrégation. 

"The  military  service  was  at  the  garrison,  where  Révérend  Dr. 
Bullock,  honourary  chaplain  to  the  Queen,  preached.  The  scène  was 
a  most  solemn  one.  Troops  marched  to  and  from  church  at  slow 
step,  but  the  band  did  not  play.     The  city  is  draped  in  mouming. 

"  Over  in  Dartmouth  a  union  service  was  held  in  Christ  Church, 
Anglican.  The  preacher  was  Révérend  F.  Wilkinson,  and  Baptist, 
Methodist  and  Presbyterian  took  part.  The  Mayor  and  Town  Council 
attended  in  a  body. 

"  High  Mass  was  celebrated  in  ail  Roman  Catholic  churches." 


52  APPENDIX 

THE  ST.  JEAN  BAPTISTE   SOCIETY 

"The  St,  Jean  Baptiste  Society  met  last  night  at  the  Monument 
National  to  pass  a  resolution  of  sorrow  at  the  death  of  the  Queen. 
Mr.  F.  L.  Bêïque,  Q,  C,  président,  was  in  the  chair. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Justice  Loranger,  seconded  by  Mr.  L.  O.  David, 
the  following  resolution  was  directed  to  be  sent  to  the  Govemor- 
General. 

"Resolved,  that  the  St.  Jean  Baptiste  Association  of  Montréal,  as 
the  interpréter  of  the  French-Canadians,  présents  an  address  to  His 
Excellency  the  Governor-General,  praying  him  to  transmit  to  His 
Majesty  Edward  VU.  the  assurance  of  its  most  profound  loyalty,  and 
of  its  most  sincère  sympathies  on  the  occasion  of  the  death  of  his 
illustrious  mother. 

"ITie  FrenchCanadian  people  is  one  with  ail  parts  of  the  British 
Empire  in  deploring  the  death  of  Her  Majesty  Queen  Victoria,  and 
in  proclaiming  that  never  did  sovereign  merit  in  greater  measure  the 
affection  and  loyalty  of  her  subjects,  the  respect  and  gratitude  of  the 
civilized  world. 

"This  illustrious  sovereign  possessed  in  the  royal  authority  a 
powerful  means  of  exercising  a  salutary  influence  upon  public  and 
private  manners,  and  of  putting  into  practice  the  inspiring  principle 
which  St.  Jean  Baptiste  Association  has  adopted  as  its  motte  : 
•Make  People  Better.' 

"  The  French-Canadians  in  particular  cannot  forget  that  under  her 
happy  rule  they  hâve  obtained  the  defmite  consécration  of  constitutional 
liberties,  the  complète  enjoyment  of  their  religious  and  national  rights. 
•*  United  by  this  thought  round  the  hier  of  the  good  and  great 
Queen,  they  offer  her  the  homage  of  their  most  profound  gratitude, 
and  pray  God  to  grant  her  the  reward  of  her  virtues. 

"They  are  happy,  in  the  midst  of  their  sorrow,  to  think  that  shc 
will  hâve  as  her  successor  a  prince  whom  they  hâve  learned  to  love, 
and  who  will  walk  in  her  glorious  steps  in  receiving  the  happiness  of 
ail  his  subjects,  without  distinction  of  race  and  religion." 

MESSAGES    OF    LOYALTY 

"  AU  Canada  sorrows  ;  and  loving  tribu  tes  to  the  worth  of  the  dead 
Queen  are  coming  from  ail  quarters  of  the  Dominion  and  from  ail 
classes.     There  are  spokesmen  for  the  churches,  for  the  press,  for  the 


APPENDIX  53 

Bench.  The  Member  of  Parliament  speaks  for  his  constituents,  and 
the  Mayors  send  messages  on  behalf  of  the  teeming  thousands  in  the 
large  cities  of  our  country.  The  officiai  utterances  are  not  formai, 
but  breathe  forth  a  note  of  sadness. 

"AU  pay  a  high  tribute  to  the  worth  of  Queen  Victoria.  Her 
virtues  as  a  woman  are  extolled  even  more  than  her  high  qualities  as 
a  ruler;  for  as  she  lies  upon  her  death-bed  her  imposing  attributes  of 
Impérial  Sovereignty  are  temporarily  lost  sight  of  in  the  expressions 
ofkeenand  heartfelt  sympathy,  which  are  uttered  by  millions  and 
millions  of  her  subjects  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  and  who,  so  to 
speak,  are  brought  side  by  side,  animated  only  by  one  feeling  as  they 
regard  the  passing  away  of  'Victoria  the  Good.'  " 

THE     SPEAKER    OF     THE    SENATE 

"  Québec,  January  21  st. 
*«  To  the  Editor  Montréal  Star:  — 

"  I  am  quite  willing  to  express  publicly  my  great  sorrow  in  hearing 

the  sad  news  of  the  ill  health  of  Her  Majesty,  most  beloved  Queen 

Victoria,     I  heartily  share  the  sincère  grief  and  sympathy  felt  through 

the  whole  world.  Deep  interest  in  Her  Majesty  is  emphasized  because 

her  examplary  life   has  had  its  influence,   not  only  upon  her  own 

subjects,  but  upon  ail  who  know  of  her  kindness,  her  modesty,  her 

interest  in  humanity.     Her  Majesty  has  been  a  most  examplary  wife, 

the  model  of  a  kind  and  devoted  mother,  and  there  was  never  a  more 

respected  and  beloved  sovereign.     In  expressing  my  admiration,  my 

respect  and  loyalty  to  Her  Majesty,  I  am  speaking,  1  am  sure,  the 

sentiment  of  ail  true   French-Canadians,  whose  loyalty  and  dévotion 

bave  been  many  times  shown,  even  in  ofiering  their  lives  for  the  défense 

of  her  flag.     May  God  spare  her  life   for  a  few  years  more  for  the 

pood  and  welfare  of  her  subjects. 

"C.  A.  Pelletier, 

•'  Speaker  of  the  Senate." 

FROM    HIS    HONOUR    L1EUTENANT-GOVERNOR    FORGET,    NORTH-WEST 
TERRITORIES. 

«'Government  House,  Regina,  N.  W.  T.,  Jai«iary  22nd. 

««  Nowhere  will  the  sorrow  at  the  démise  of  our  beloved  Sovereign 
be  greater  than  in  this  distant  part  of  the  Empire.     As  mother,  wife 


54  APPENDIX 

and  Queen,  her  life  will  be  an  everliving  example  to  ail  ;  as  mother 
for  her  homely  virtues,  as  wife  for  her  deep  affection,  as  Sovereign  for 
her  broad  sympathies  and  loving  kindness  to  her  people. 

"A.    E.    FORGET, 

"  Lieutenant-Governor." 

HONORABLE   M.    E.    BERNIER,    MINISTER   OF    INTERIOR 

"Ottawa,  January  21  st. 
"  To  the  Editor  Montréal  Star:  — 

"  I  really  Jo  not  see  how  the  opinion  of  Canadians  could  greatly 
differ  from  those  of  the  people  of  the  whole  British  Empire,  and, 
indeed,  of  the  world.  We  love  and  veiaerate  Her  Majesty  for  her 
wisdom  and  her  virtues,  and  her  memory  will  ever  live  among  us  as 
of  the  best  and  greatest  of  sovereigns.  Nor  will  Canadians  ever 
forget  that  it  is  under  the  reign  of  Victoria,  and  thanks,  in  a  great 
measure,  to  her  wisdom  and  policy,  that  we  hâve  obtained  thèse 
constitutional  liberties  which  are  the  foundation  of  the  Canadian 
Confédération. 

•'M.  E.  Bernier. 

"  Minister  of  Interior." 

"Thousands  of  messages  of  sympathy  from  ail  the  Dominion  were 
received  at  Government  House  yebterday,  addressed  to  His  Excellency 
tlie  Governor-General  :  — 

"  Québec,  January  23rd. 

"It  is  with  the  deepest  sorrow  that  the  people  of  the  Province  of 
Québec,  and  especially  the  French-Canadians,  hâve  heard  of  the  death 
of  Queen  Victoria,  whose  bénéficiai  reign  has  made  them  the  most 
devoted  and  loyal  of  her  subjects.  They  will  never  forget  that  it  is 
since  her  accession  to  the  throne  of  England  that  they  hâve  enjoyed 
that  amount  of  civil,  religious  and  political  liberty,  of  which  they  are 
so  juslly  proud. 

"  L.  A.  Jette, 
"Lieutenant-Governor,  Québec." 

"Victoria,  B.  C,  January  22nd. 

"  May  I  beg  Your  Excellency  to  forward  the  following  message  : 
The  Government  of  British  Columbia  express  the  profound  regret 


APPENDIK  55 

which  will  be  felt  by  the  whole  Province  to  its  most  remote  limits  at 
the  sad  news  of  the  death  of  our  bèloved  Sovereign. 

Sir  Heny  Joly  de  Lotbinière, 

"  Lieutenant-Governor  B.  C. 

"  Fredericton,  N.  B.,  January  22nd- 

'*  I  beg  Your  Excellency  will  transmit  on  behalf  of  my  Government 
and  myself,  as  well  as  the  people  of  this  Province,  an  expression  of 
the  profound  grief  which  is  feel  at  the  death  of  our  beloved  Queen, 
and  our  sympathy  with  the  Royal  Family  in  their  sad  bereavement. 

"A.  R.  McLelan, 
"Lieutenant-Governor,  N.   B." 

«'  On  behalf  of  the  Church  of  England  in  the  diocèse  of  Ottawa, 

we  most  respectfuUy  désire  to  assure  Your  Excellency  of  our  deep 

sjrmpathy  with  ail  the  members  of  the  Royal  Family  in  their  great 

bereavements  and  of  our  earnest  prayers  that  the  spirit  and  blessing 

of  the  rule  of  Queen  Victoria  may  rest  abundantly  upon  the  Sovereign 

Lord  King  Edward  VII." 

Charles,  Ottawa. 

James  J.  Bogert,  Archdeacon  of  Ottawa. 
Geo.  J.  Low,  Canon. 
H.  POLLARD,  Canon. 


THE  GARDENERS'  WREATH 

"  The  Montréal  Gardeners  and  Florists'  Club  hâve  prepared  a  most 
imposing  wreath,  which  was  placed  on  the  statue  of  the  Queen  on 
Victoria  square.  The  wreath,  which  is  five  feet  in  diameter,  is 
composed  of  lilies,  roses,  and  orchids,  with  groups  of  heather, 
shamrocks  and  roses.  The  club  marched  in  a  body  this  moming  to 
the  statue  at  lo  o'clock,  and  deposited  the  wreath." 

'«At  Temple  Grove,  Mr.  McCord  draped  the  Royal  Standard 
which  was  hoisted  on  the  Citadel  at  Québec  on  the  occasion  of  the 
proclamation  of  the  Queen  in  1837." 


56  APPENDIX 

PUBLIC  OFFICES  CLOSED 

"  Ail  Custom  Houses,  and  in  fact  ail  departments  of  the  Govern- 
ment will  be  closed  to-morrow  in  honour  of  the  dead  Queen.  As  the 
first  proclamation  issued  merely  called  upon  the  people  of  Canada  to 
observe  Saturday  as  a  holiday  and  failed  to  designate  it  as  a  public 
holiday,  it  did  not  allow  of  the  closing  of  the  différent  departments. 
However,  as  the  addition  to  the  proclamation  déclares  Saturday, 
February  2nd,  to  be  a  public  holiday,  the  Government  buildings 
throughout  Canada  must  close  as  a  matter  of  necessity. 

"The  samerule  holds  good,  of  course,  with  the  banking  institutions 
throughout  the  country,  and  so  the  public  will  be  obliged  to  put  its 
bank  business  off  from  this  afternoon  until  Monday  morning." 

INDIANS  EXPRESS  REGRET 

"  Québec,  January  25th. 

"  The  Huron  Indians  of  Lorette  hâve  passed  a  resolution  of  regret 
at  the  death  of  Queen  Victoria  and  fired  a  sainte  of  21  guns  as  token 
of  loyalty." 

THE  MINUTE  GUNS 

"A  salute  of  8i  minute  guns  will  be  fired  from  St.  Helen's  Island 
this  afternoon,  by  a  contingent  of  the  2nd  Régiment,  Canadian 
Artillery,  in  charge  of  Captain  Renouf.  The  salute  will  be  timed  so 
that  the  last  gun  will  boom  at  sun-down.  In  this  latitude  the  sun 
wild  set  this  afternoon  at  5.02,  so  that  the  first  gun  will  be  fired 
at  3.41." 

HER  LAST  FUNCTION 

"  Lachine  Locks,  Que. 
"To  the  Editor  of  the  ^iar  :  — 

"  Sir, 
"  I  had  the  honour  of  being  among  the  first  Colonials  who  were 
presented  to  Her  Majesty  the  Queen  on  November  l6th.  Every  one 
of  us  looked  eagerly  at  the  magnificent  home  of  Her  Majesty.  One 
of  my  comrades  said  to  me  :  '  Of  ail  our  visits,  this  one  will  live  the 
longest  in  my  memory.'  The  inspection  took  place  in  St.  George's 
Hall,   where  the  Queen,    with   Princess  Henry   of  Battenberg  was 


APPENDIX  57 

seated.  The  Queen  asked  specially  after  the  wounded  men  as  they 
limped  by,  and  enquired  about  Sergeant  Legge,  vvho  had  five  brotiiers 
at  the  front.  The  sergeant,  who  was  presented  to  the  Queen,  belongs 
to  the  Australian  Horse.  Sergeant  MacDonald,  too,  of  Kitchener's 
Horse,  was  addressed  personally.  The  Queen  sympathetically  asked 
how  he  came  by  his  wounds.  After  we  had  given  three  cheers  and 
an  extra  Colonial  cheer,  Her  Majesty  addressed  us  as  follows  :  — 

"  It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  see  you  ail  hère  to-day  and  to 
personally  thank  you  for  your  loyal  services  to  the  Empire  in  South 
Africa.     I  wish  you  God  speed  and  a  safe  retum  home. 

"  D.  MURPHY, 
"  Late  of  Royal  Canadian  Régiment." 

"  Private  Murphy  also  enclosed  the  following  verses,  which  were 
presented  to  the  Royal  Canadians  on  their  visit  to  Windsor  on 
November  l6th  by  the  May  or  of  the  town  :  — 

Ye  winds  that  blow, 

Ye  seas  that  flow, 

Fleets  to  and  fro, 
(To  Afric,  Austral,  Ind,  Canadian  sons  that  go), 
Move  in  one  song  to-day — stirs  sons  of  Britain  so  I 

Sound,  Curfew  Tower,  Victoria's  year, 
With  joyful,  trembling  noise  ; 
Peal,  bells,  "  O  serve  the  Lord  with  fear," 
Ring,  nine  times  nine  ;  Rejoice  ! 

Wave  Windsor's  Flag  in  stately  folds, 

High  Heaven  confirms  the  story 

That  length  of  Days  her  right  hand  holds, 

And  in  her  left  is  Glory, 

In  praise,  in  prayer  the  Empire  joins 

Vast  Empire,  sprung  from  Britain's  loins. 

Etemal  God,  Immortal  King, 
Ancient  of  Days,  this  day  we  bring 
Great — Greater — Britain's  praise,  and  sing 
Thou  hast  preserved  her. 


58  APPENDIX 

Gifted  with  Majesty  and  might 

To  smite  at  Miong,  défend  the  right. 

Victoria  !  one  and  eighty  years, 

To  crown  our  triumphs,  share  our  tears. 

Beam  good-will,  peace,  ail  sweet  endears  ; 

Thou  hast  reserved  her. 
Grant  her  thy  peace,  give  her  to  know 
Thy  choicest  love,  and  may  \ve  grow. 

Resolved  to  hold  to  Duty's  ways, 
Honour,  obey  her  ail  our  days, 
Uphold  her  Throne,  strive  for  the  praise 
That  we  deserved  her. 

The  Standard  waves  in  proudest  folds, 
High  Heaven  confirms  the  story, 
The  length  of  Days  her  right  hand  holds, 
And  in  her  left  hand  Glory. 


HONOR    DEAD    HEROES 

MEDICAL  STUDENTS    AT   MCGILL    UNIVERSITY  WILL  ERECT  A  TABLET 

TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LIEUTENANT  BORDEN    AND  GUNNER 

O'RIELLY  WHO    DIED    in   SOUTH  AFRICA. 

"  A  very  handsome  mémorial  to  the  late  Lieutenant  Harold 
Borden,  of  the  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles,  who  was  killed  ùi  action 
near  Pretoria  on  July  i6th  last,  and  the  late  Gunner  E.  P.  O'Rielly, 
of  the  Royal  Canadian  Artillery,  who  died  on  active  service  near 
DeAar,  in  May  last,  is  under  construction  for  the  médical  building  of 
McGill  University.  The  mémorial  is  the  gift  of  the  médical  students 
of  McGill,  and  consists  of  a  marble  tablet  mounted  on  an  onyx 
background,  and  surmounted  by  a  couple  of  Strathcona  hats.  The 
sides  of  the  tablet  are  relieved  and  ornamented  with  Lee-Enfield  rifles, 
while  the  base  carnes  a  couple  of  cannon,  a  pyramid  of  shot,  and 
other  features  of  an  artillery  field  pièce.  The  ornaments  and  em- 
bellishments,  like  the  tablets,  are  sculptured  out  of  marble.  The 
design  is  most  artistic,  and  the  whole  forms  a  beautiful  mémorial  to 


APPENDIX  59 

the  dead  heroes,  both  of  whom,  at  the  time  of  their  departure  for 
South  Africa,  were  médical  students  at  McGill.  The  tablet  bears 
the   following   inscription  :  — 

HarolcL    Lorthrop    Borden,   B.  A., 

Lieutenant  Canadian  Mounted  Rifles, 

BORN  AT  CANNING,  N.S.,  MAY  asth  1876. 

Kîîled  in  action  near    Pretoria,  S.  A.,    July   ibtk,  içoo. 


Edwin  Patrieh  O'Rielly,  B.  A., 

Royal  Canadian  Artillery, 

BORN  AT  HAMILTON,  OKT.,  DECEMBER   29th,  1875. 

Diedwhile  on  service  near  DeAar,  S.  A.,  iqoo. 

Erected   by   their   fellow   students   as   an  expression  of  admiration. 

ABOUT  LOYALTY 
•Tlae  last,  but  mot  thie  least.  " 

CANADA   HAS   NO   SYMPATHY   FOR   THE   ENEMIES   OF    THE   EjrPIRE. — 

MR.  BOURASSA'S  resolution  ON  BEHALF  OF  THE  BOERS  FOUND 

ONLY  TWO  SUPPORTERS  IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  GOMMONS. — 

A    MAGNIFICENT    DEFENCE   OF    BRITISH   POLICY 

AND  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  ERITISH  LIBERTY 

BY    SIR    WILFRID    LAURIER. 

"Mr.  Bourassa,  in  moving  his  pro-Boer  resolution —  'A  stop 
should  be  put  to  the  spéculation  of  Milner  and  Chamberlain  upon  the 
enthusiasm  of  Canadians.'  " 

SIR   WILFRID    LAURIER 

"  It  has  cither  to  be  the  libéral  and  enlightened  civilization  of 
England  of  to-day  or  the  old  bigotted  and  narrow  civilization  of  the 


6o  APPENDIX 

Dutch  of  two  hundrsd  years  ago.  There  is  but  one  future  for  South 
Africa,  and  that  future  is  a  grand  confédération  on  the  pattem  of  the 
Canadia*!  confédération.  It  is  a  fédération  in  which  Cape  Colony  and 
Natal  and  the  Orange  Free  State  and  the  Transvaal  and  Rhodesia 
shall  be  united  together  under  a  fédéral  constitution,  under  the  British 
flag,  and  under  the  sovereignty  of  England.  When  they  hâve  the 
British  flag  over  South  Africa  they  shall  hâve  that  which  has  been 
found  everywhere  during  the  last  sixty  years  under  the  British  flag, 
liberty  for  ail,  equality  for  ail,  justice  and  civil  rights  for  English  and 
Dutch  alike." 

"The  division  was  called  on  at  lo  o'clock.  During  the  time  before 
the  whips  came  in,  Mr.  Jabel  Robinson,  of  Elgin,  thought  the 
National  Anthem  the  most  fitting  hymn  for  a  division  on  such  a 
resolution,  and  struck  up  'God  Save  the  King,'  being  fairly  well 
supported  in  his  own  immédiate  locality. 

"The  resuit  of  the  vote  was  that  the  resolution  was  lost  by  3  yeas 
to  144  nays.  The  yeas  were  Messrs.  Angers,  Bourassa  and  Monet, 
the  three  who  last  year  supported  Mr.  Bourassa's  anti-contingent 
resolutions. 

"  On  the  déclaration  of  the  vote  the  House  rose  en  masse,  members, 
visitors  and  ail,  save  Messrs.  Angers,  Bourassa,  Monet,  Fortier  and 
Bourbonnais  of  Soulanges,  and  sang  in  the  same  spirit  with  which 
we  now  exclaim  :  — 


CONTENTS 


Pages 

Dedicated  to  His  Excellency  the  Governor  General m 

An  Introductory  Letter v 

Préface ix 

A  Word  of  Explanation xi 

Canadian  Loyalty I 

Formation  of  the  Contingents 13 

Departure  of  the  Contingents 21 

Strathcona's  Horse 38 

Colonel  W.  D.  Otter's  Report 57 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Buchan's  Report 78 

Lieutenant-Colonel   Lessard's  Report 82 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Herchmer 90 

Brigade  Field  Artillery  :    Lieutenant-Colonel  L.  W.  Drury....  93 

Major  Hudon 94 

Révérend   Lane,  Chaplain 103 

The  Nurses 106 

The  Red  Cross  Society 106 

Surgeon  Major  Worthington 107 

Colonel  Percy  Girouard 112 

Lieutenant  Harold  Borden 113 

Lieutenant  J  ohn  Burch 117 

Private  MuUoy 119 

Corporal  Armstrong 1 20 

Sergeant  Albert  Beattie 121 

Note. — The  English   part   finishes   at  page  178.     The  Appendix   after   the 
Nominai  RoU. 


02  •  CONTENTS 

Pages 

Extracts  from  Letters from  page  123  to  158 

"Well  Done  !    (Poetry) 159 

Our  Royal  Canadians 159 

Kipling's  Poem , 161 

The  Postal  Service 1 63 

The  Patriotic  Fund 166 

The  Tupper  Insurance 167 

Congratulations  for  the  Contingents 168 

The  Return 173 

A  Parting  Word 176 

The  Bo w  of  Promise 177 

Nominal  RoU  (after  French  Part) 155 

List  of  Killed 197 

List  of  Wounded 198 

Appendix from  page  l  to  60 


TABLE    DES    MATIÈRES 


Pagb* 

Dédicace 

v 

Lettre-Préface 

IX 

Préface 

Un  mot  d  explication 

Le  Loyalisme  Canadien 

Formation  des  Contingents 3 

21 

Départ  des  Contingents 

Lieutenant-colonel  O.  Pelletier 39 

Révérend  Père  O'Leary 45 

Chirurgien  major  Fiset 

Sœur  Saint- Antoine-de-Padoue ^5 

_  ,  .  , 68 

Major  Peltier 

Major  Boulanger 75 

Capitaine  Fraser 

Lucien  LaRue 

Lucien   Vallée ^°l 

,     .  ii6 

Lettre  typique 

Huot  et  Gosselin 

Noble  enfant  ! 

Extraits  de  lettres de  123  à  135 

Service  Postal -^ 

Souscription  patriotique '3 

L'assurance  Tupper 39 

Félicitations  aux  Contingents '4» 


Note.  —  La  partie  française  commence  après  (a  page  178  de  la  partie  anglaise. 


64  TABLE    DES    MATIÈRES 

Fagfs 

Rapport  du  lieutenant-colonel  Otter 145 

Le   retour 151 

Un  dernier  mot 154 

Liste  complète  des  Contingents 155 

Liste  des  tués 197 

Liste  des  blessés 19S 

Arc-en-ciel  (partie  anglaise) 1 7S 


PHOTOGRAVURES 


ENGLISH  PART 

Pagbs 

Royal    Family ^ 

His  Excellency  the  Governor  General i" 

Sir  Wilfrid  Laurier 4- 

L'Honorable  Evanturel ° 

His  Honor  Mayor  Préfontaine 12 

Giving  Souvenir  to  tne  Contingents 23 

Honorable  Borden 29 

Good-bye  niy  Boy 34 

Lord  Strathcona  and  Mount  Royal 3^ 

Lieutenant-Colonel  S.  B.  Steele 40 

Two  Brothers  in  Anns ....  52 

Colonel  W.  D.  Otter 57 

Lieutenant-Colonel  F.  L.  Lessard 82 

Lieutenant-Colonel  L.  W.  Herchmer 9° 

Lieutenant-Colonel  L.  W.  Drury 93 

Major  J.  A.  G.  Hudon 95 

Group  of  Canadians 99 

Révérend  W.  G.  Lane,  Chaplain 103 

The  Nurses lo^ 

Surgeon  Major  Worthington 107 

Colonel  Percy  Girouard "2 

Lieutenant  Harold  Borden 115 

Lieutenant  John  Burch "7 

Private  Mulloy  and  Corporal  Armstrong 121 

Sergeant   A.  Beattie,  C.  T.  Thomas  and  Bugler  Douglass 123 

Private  H.  Cotton 127 

Honorable   W.    Mulock 163 


66  PHOTOGRAVURES 

Pages 

Sir  Charles  Tupper. 167 

Our  Pro\-inces  represented  by  Cavalry,   Infantry,    Strathconas 

and  Artillery 178 

Map  of  Paardeberg 1 78 

Captain  F.  H.  C.  Sutton  (Appendix) 4 

PAETIE    FEAHÇAISE 

Lieutenant-colonel   L.  F.  Pinault i 

Son  Honneur  le  Maire  Parent 12 

Adressant  la  parole  au  Contingent 23 

Lieutenant-colonel  O.  C.  Pelletier 39 

Chirurgien  et  blessé , 42 

L'abbé  P.  M.  O'Leary 44 

Chirurgien-major  E.  Fiset 61 

Sœur  Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue 65 

Major  J.  E.   Peltier,  major  T.    L.   Boulanger  et  le  capitaine 

C.  K.   Fraser 86 

Lucien  LaRue 97 

Caporal   Lucien  Vallée 115 

Trompette  Geo.  W.  Bradley,  A.  J.  Turner,  H.  Montizambert..  131 

La  dernière  lettre 1 35 

Carte  de  Paardeberg  (partie  anglaise) 1 78 


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