Hales - Campaign Pictures of the War in South Africa 1899 - 1900. Letters from the Front. (1900)

Anglo-Boer War. Anglo-Boereoorlog. Publisher's original red & gilt decorative cloth boards. Very good  condition with only some colour restoration to boards by a previous owner.

'At the commencement of the volume there is a poem entitled "Australia's Appeal to England," which the author tells his readers he has inserted, "because some critics have pronounced me anti-English in my sentiments." It is observed that the Australians adopted Boer tactics with great success, but it is remarked that our very clever Intelligence people considered the Boer a fool, "while he is as clever and crafty as any oriental." Mr. Hales was wounded and captured near Rensburg, Mr. Lambie, another correspondent, being killed in the same engagement. He was well treated during his stay with the Boers, and he seems to have gained a good deal of information with respect to their views on the war, and he met President Steyn, whom he describes as a refined, cultured gentleman. After his release he joined General Rundle's army, then engaged in the movement which led to Prinsloo's surrender, and he remarks that the Boer general could have escaped if he had listened to De Wet, who could just as easily have taken 6000 men with him as he took 1800.' - (Mendelssohn Vol.I, page 670)