DISASTER TO BRITISH TROOPS

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 484, 4 March 1881, Page 3

DISASTER TO BRITISH TROOPS

DEATH OF SIR GEORGE COLLEY.

Capetown, Feb. 26.

Intelligence has been received here from Natal that a severe disaster has occurred in the Transvaal to a portion of the force under Sir Geo. Colley. News to hand states that he advanced from Ingogo with six companies of infantry and occupied Opitskook. The Boers, in great force, made a strong attack on his position, and desperate fighting ensued, lasting all the morning. The British troops suffered immense loss, and finally were driven from the place. Sir George Colley and a number of officers were killed, and of the whole j six companies only 10) officers and men escaped. Feb. 28. Further telegrams to hand from Natal fully confirm the previous announcement of the disaster to the British troops in the Transvaal.

The fighting at Spitskof (not Opitskook as stated in the first telegram) was of a desperate and most sanguinary character, and lasted for fully seven hours. The British resisted the attack of the Boers until their ammunition was exhausted, and the small force which was left was then compelled to retreat. The enemy followed in pursuit for some distance, but were checked by the guns from the camp at Mount Prospect,where stragglers from the defeated force are now arriving safely.

March 1*

An official report of the buttle of Spitskof gives the following figures of casualties on the side of the British ; — Officers killed 3, wounded 9, taken prisoners 7, rank and file killed 82, wounded 220, taken prisoners 250.

Additional intelligence from Natal regarding the disasters at Spitskof has been received. The Boers are stated to have had large stores of ammunition, with which they were able to maintain their attack without intermission, and they stormed the position of the British splendidly during the temporary confusion which arose in the ranks of the latter. They had previously prepared to cut off the British retreat, during which they inflicted a further loss on our troops, and prevented many from escaping. March 1. It is announced thnt in addition to the three regiments which yesterday received orders to proceed to the Transvaal, further reinforcements, comprising three more regiments of infantry, a battery of artillery, and a detachment of cavalry will also be despatched, without delay, for service against the Boers.