on is outlined in the
following memorandum to the D.A.A.G. with the official reply
thereto:--

WINBURG, O. R. C.
_Dec. 21, 1900._

To MAJOR GOUGH, D.A.A.G.,

Kindly allow me to state a few facts in order to show the
exceptional character of my position and work, both before and
since the time of my appointment.

1. Previous to the occupation of Winburg by the British troops, I
was employed in attending to the sick and wounded English
soldiers who were brought here as prisoners of war by the Dutch
Forces.

2. During a period of at least five months--as no other chaplain
or clergyman was living within a distance of about fifty miles--I
was the only one available for religious services, either parade
or voluntary, for hospital visitation and burial duties, which
were then so urgently and frequently needed. We had six
hospitals, and occasionally as many as three funerals on the same
day.

3. From the date of the British occupation, May 5th, my knowledge
of the country and people--acquired during twenty-five years'
residence in various parts of the O. R. C.--has been at the
disposal of the military authorities. I have often acted as
interpreter and translator, and as such accompanied the
Commandant of Winburg when, a few weeks ago, he went to meet the
leader of the Boer forces near their laager in this district.

4. As almost all the English population left the town before the
war, our nearly empty church was then, and still remains,
available for the garrison troops. About nine-tenths of both my
Sunday and week-day congregations are soldiers, for whom all the
seats are free.

5. Immediately after the arrival of the British forces, our
church was utilised for an entirely undenominational Soldiers'
Home, and books for the emergency were supplied from my library.
Colonel Napier, who was then C.O. of Winburg, expressed his
appreciation of this part of our garrison work, and assisted in
its development. By his direction, the Home was removed to the
premises it now occupies. It consists of separate rooms for
reading, writing and refreshments; also rooms and kitchen for the
manageress. It is still under my superintendence.--Yours, C. HARMON.

(_Copy._) _Col