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CUMMINGS, A.A., TROOPER, SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY. Five page autograph letter signed to Mrs. E. Williams, Reading.
Heidelberg, Transvaal, February 3, 1901. Folio, 178 lines, approx. 2000 words; previous folds, else fine. Cummings details the final actions of one Mr. Elton, Cummings' comrade-in-arms, from Dec. 15, 1899 to his death on June 10, 1900. "In reference to Mr. Elton I shall gladly write anything I can remember in reference to him and our sojourn together with General Bullers' column through part of the campaign. Mr. Elton joined Colonel Thorneycroft's regiment whilst we were lying at Chieveley, shortly after the first battle of Colenso - Dec. 15, 1899-; a comrade introduced us to one another, and Elton laid down his kit along side of mine, and until he went into the hospital at Ingogo, we rode side by side." Cummings cannot precisely remember the first action they saw together, but "it must have been one of the many small skirmishes we had with the Boers along the Lugela river to the west of Colenso . Leaving Chieveley - Jan. 10 - we rode on to Trichardt's drift on the Lugela . We had to swim our horses over the river which was deep and strong, Elton's horse swam deeply, but well, and so did mine, and we got across safely, but one of our men was nearly drowned - Southey - whose horse rolled over and over with him . and one of the 13th Hussars - Guilor - was drowned. "We camped on the north side of the river in a corn field: very seldom did Elton complain, but he did grumble that afternoon when we had to carry boxes of buscuits for about two miles on our backs . at a time when we were hungry and tired. "On the afternoon of the 19th Thorneycroft's rode out to a big hill, near Bastion-hill to find out the Boer position; we found the latter and the Boers found us! We were drawn up in a line whilst the officers searched the hills in front for signs of the enemy, the latter then poured in a heavy mauser fire, hitting two men, and we retired at a gallop. On Jan. 20 we advanced in a single file at a gallop across the plain, bound for Bastion hill, each man being about 20 yards apart. A big gun ofr the Boers shelled us all the way . Elton was some distance behind me, but we both reached the foot of Bastion hill and climed it. The whole of that afternoon, and all night we fought the Boers who were entrenched on top of the hill in front of us; we had good cover, and only lost a few men. On retiring to allow for fresh troops to take our place, the big gun again shelled us, and as we were riding round a hill for cover . a heavy shell burst amongst several of us. "Mr. Elton went through the Battle of Spion Kop, the most terrioble battle of the campaign - he was shot on the thumb by a mauser bullet, and a shell struck his rifle dashing it from his hand and smashing the stock to small splinters. Should you care for a description of the above-mentioned battle I would send you one. Mr. Elton had pretty good cover behind stones but the ghastly sights, the moans, and screams of agony, and the pitiful imploring for water, shook him up a good deal." Other descriptions follow: the three-day battle at Lugela Heights; repelling the Boers at Hussar Hill; the second, 12-day battle at Colenso; the march for the relief of Ladysmith. By early April Elton was complaining of his liver and bowels, and he was informed that his liver was enlarged. Elton continued to fight with his men but shortly afterwards, he was so sick that he had to be taken to the hospital. Cummings saw him there but once afterwards, and Cummings learned subsequently that he had died on June 10th. This is a letter likely written to a member of Elton's family. He describes Elton's personal belongings (spurs, a bandolier) and relates details on the numebr of engagements in which Elton saw action so that he might receive, posthumously, medals and clasps. Cummings is likely a New Zealander or a Canadian as many of those who fought in the Boer war were. In a P.S. he notes: "I thank you for your invitation. Should I visit England, I shall endeavour to call and see you."
Offered for US$ 1562.50 by: Rulon-Miller Books ABAA/ILAB - Book number: 29470