1900 (Apr 10) Cover with enclosed letter from E. Harland, he...

Hammer

£1,900

1900 (Apr 10) Cover with enclosed letter from E. Harland, headed "Rhodesia Regt. Rhodesia", which includes "we had a great scrap outside Mafeking last week. We were to demonstrate against the besieging army and try to draw them off towards us. Instead of striking a small outlying laager we struck their biggest in full view of the town. We blazed at them for an hour and then found they were turning our flanks with a very large force of mounted men. We were ordered to retire ..... men & horses fell on all sides, everywhere one saw dismounted men hanging onto another mans stirrup or two men on one horse. Out of 350 mounted men we lost 50 men hit and 80 horses. My own Squadron, "B" was halted by the Colonel after our 15 miles running fight & addressed by him in very flattering terms. He mentioned both May Bird, my Squadron Commander, and me in despatches. C Squadron lost the whole of the officers (we had 6 officers hit out of 13) and I have been put in command of them". Also "one of our colonial officers got into Mafeking thro' the Boer lines & came out again. He has told us all about Mafeking & apparently no one has any idea how B.P has managed. He has no guns to carry more than 3000 yards & makes great use of an old smooth bore named Lord Nelson, which was found ornamenting a back garden". The cover addressed to "Sgt. Maj. W. Harland, The Belfast Yeomanry, S. Africa Field Force" and endorsed "45 Coy", franked Rhodesia Large Arms 6d cancelled "CROCODILE POOLS / SOUTH AFRICA" c.d.s (Apr. 20, a second strike alongside) used at this date at the Base Camp Post Office at Gaberones, backstamped at Bulawayo (Apr. 23) and East London (May 16). Superb quality and scarce on a Rhodesia stamp, with a fine letter describing actions around Mafeking and the defence of the town. The writer, Lt. Edwyn Harland, was killed on May 16th whilst successfully saving the life of Major Bird, at the final action of the Relief of Mafeking. Photo on Page 80.