COMBATANT NON-COMBATANTS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In an article in last week's Spectator you allude to the conduct during the action of November 15th at Frere Station of Engine-driver S. Wagner, of the Natal Government Rail- ways, and I will venture to add a comment. He was a civilian upon whose services the military authorities had no legal claim. He was wounded severely at the very beginning of the fight. He was the only man who could save the train; for no one else could work the engine. He stuck to his post for fifty minutes under a scourging artillery fire, moving his engine backwards and forwards with considerable skill and coolness until at length the derailed trucks were pushed clear of the track. In consequence of his exertions upwards of forty soldiers were carried to safety on the engine, escaping the otherwise inevitable shame of surrendering to the enemy. and the Boers were prevented from obtaining the locomotive, which they greatly desired, for they had none running south of Ladysmith. He has received no recognition of any kind fiorn the War Office, although one would have thought his services not less valuable and deserving than those of several young gentlemen who adorned the Headquarter Staff. Driver Wagner—he is driving an armoured engine still—is not likely to complain ; but as from time to time I get querulous letters from his comrades on the line who think he has been gracelessly treated, I take this opportunity of setting forth the facts of his case.—I am. Sir, &c.,
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