The Second Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the South African War Part 28

REPLY.

18/3/00 (1).

_'To Inspector Campbell, Colenso._

'On behalf of the officers and men under my command, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your kind message and expressions of sympathy.

(Signed) COLONEL COOPER.'

x.x.x.

_5th Brigade Orders, 18/3/00_ (1).

CAPE TOWN IRISHMEN SEND TELEGRAM.

The following telegram has been received by General Sir Redvers Buller:--

'Cape Town Irishmen wish the gallant Irish officers and men under your command many returns of St. Patrick's Day, and would express their heartfelt admiration for the way in which they have maintained unsullied the splendid military traditions of Ireland and the Empire under your gallant leaders.h.i.+p.'

x.x.xI.

_Ladysmith, 20/3/00_ (2).

THE QUEEN SENDS TELEGRAM OF THANKS.

The following reply to telegram sent by Colonel Cooper on behalf of the battalion to Her Majesty the Queen on Shamrock Day was received yesterday:--

'The Queen thanks her Dublin Fusiliers for loyal message. Windsor Castle, 18th.'

x.x.xII.

_Elandslaagte, 3/4/00_ (7).

COLONEL SAUNDERSON'S LETTER.

The following letter was received to-day by the Commanding Officer from Colonel Saunderson, M.P.:--

_'Castle Saunderson, Belturbet, 1/3/00._

'DEAR SIR,

'I cannot help writing to you to express on my part, and on the part of every loyal Irishman, the pride and sympathy we take in the heroic deeds of the Dublin Fusiliers in South Africa. Your gallant regiment has shed a l.u.s.tre on the army to which they belong and on the country from which they come.

'No words of mine can express the admiration we feel for their loyalty, their courage, and their indomitable determination. I hope they realise how our hearts are with them.'

A reply thanking Colonel Saunderson has been sent by the Commanding Officer.

x.x.xIII.

_Fourteen Streams, 12/5_ (3).

DEATH OF SECOND LIEUTENANT J. T. DENNIS AT ALIWAL NORTH, MAY 2ND.

ENTERIC.

The Commanding Officer deeply regrets to announce the death of Second Lieutenant J. T. Dennis, which occurred at Aliwal North on May 2nd of enteric.

x.x.xIV.

17/5/00 (4).

GENERAL HART CONGRATULATES 1ST BORDERS AND 2ND ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS ON THEIR MARCHING.

Major-General Hart congratulates the 1st Border Regiment and 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers upon the recent instance of their marching powers.

For military reasons it was needful after the march forward yesterday to march back at once to Fourteen Streams. As far as he can arrive at a tolerably accurate estimate of the ground gone over, these two battalions in the course of yesterday and last night marched twenty-six miles in the s.p.a.ce of nineteen hours. And the strong point is that they arrived at the end of it in compact formation, still going a good pace, and without any straggling or falling out. The Major-General accordingly puts this event on record.

x.x.xV.

_Heidelberg, 2/7/00_ (5).

COLONEL COOPER'S FAREWELL ORDER.

The following farewell order by Major-General C. D. Cooper is published for information. The Commanding Officer regrets that its publication has been unavoidably postponed till now:--

'In bidding farewell to the battalion in which I have served for so many years, I wish to thank all ranks from the bottom of my heart for the kind and efficient support accorded to me during the period of my command--close on five years. It was always my ambition to command the battalion, and on active service, and I feel very thankful that my wish was granted. We have fought together and worked hard for our n.o.ble Queen and country, and all ranks have shown that good spirit and bravery that has made the battalion what it is. You may rest a.s.sured that I will always take the greatest interest in the doings of the battalion, and I shall never forget the happy days spent amongst you.

I much regret that I was unable to wish you G.o.dspeed in person, but I sincerely hope I shall soon see you all again. My very sincere sympathy and regret at our very heavy losses. May G.o.d bless you all.

'(Signed) C. D. COOPER, _Major-General Commanding 4th Brigade_.'

x.x.xVI.

_Heidelberg, 24/7/00_ (6).

GENERAL BULLER'S TELEGRAM RE ZUIKERBOSCH.

The following telegram received by the G.O.C. is published for information:--

'_from Sir Redvers Buller._

'So glad to hear of your fight. Good old Dublins, and tell them so from me, and well done you.'

x.x.xVII.