BRONKHORSTSPRUIT.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—The publication in the Spectator of October 7th, through means of your correspondent who signs himself "M.," of the official report of the Bronkhorstspruit incident should be very useful in removing false impressions. The misfortune arose largely, as was admitted at the time, through the officer in command of the British troops neglecting to take the pre- cautions usual in a hostile couutry, in spite of warnings he had received as to the imminence of a Boer revolt. Sir Evelyn Wood's statement was made at the dinner-table at Government House, Pietermaritzburg, in November, 1881, in the presence of a company of some eighteen or twenty persons, including several members of his Staff, the late Sir Robert Fowler, M.P., and the present writer. A discussion had arisen as to the general behaviour of the Boers during the hostilities of a few months previously. During the discussion the military chaplain—the late Rev. G. St. M. Ritchie—raised the question of treachery at Bronkhorstsprnit, appealing to Sir Evelyn Wood, who replied emphatically,—" It was a fair fight." I have a special reason for remembering the occasion, because it was in consequence of a remark made to me during dinner by Sir Robert Fowler that the Natal Legislature increased the Governor's salary as an inducement to Lord Kimberley to cancel the appointment of Sir Walter Sendall as Lieutenant-Governor.—I am, Sir, &c.,
F. REGINALD STATHA.M.
National Liberal Club, October 9th.
Previous page
