THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 February 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.)

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, February 11.

Among the despatches published by the War Office is one dated March 18th, in which Lord Roberts drew special attention to the services ot the splendid and highly effieie»t Colonial troops, who had a distinguished share in the advance on the Orange Free State. All vied with one another in sharing the hardships and dangers in amanner that won the admiration and respect of everyone. Colonel Pilcher and Major Crowe, on opposite sides of the Tabacsburg Range, engaged a large force of the Boers commanded by De Wet on the 31st. Pilcher’s Lyddite shells dispersed the Boers, who, streaming down the range, encountered Crewe’s force of 700 with three 15-pouuders and a Pompom. The Boers, numbering at least 2,500, attacked both flanks and rear. The Pompom jammed and was lost, despite most desperate efforts to save it. Crewe brilliantly seized the rising ground, just forestalling the Boers, who charged the British and fought a rearguard action against a terribly severe rifle fire until, their ammunition failing, they retired to the laagers ot wagons, defending them until nightfall. Though tho attack was renewed at daybreak, Crewe and tho convoy joined General Knox, and both regaining Bloemfontein.

In a. despatch of March 18th Lord Roberts singled out Colonel Byron (Queensland), Major Fiaschi (N. 8. Wales Medical Corps) for special praise. He would aim select Colonel Umphelby (Victoria), Lieut. G. J. Grieve (N. S. Wales), for reward if they had not bean killed. Writing in January last, Lord Roberta deeply regretted the departure of the first Australian and Canadian contingents, which materially impaired the mobility and efficiency of tho Army, but it was impossible to disregard tho urgency ot tho reasons for their return. He recognised in the colonials many soldierly qualities, especially a self-sacrificing and uncomplaining attitude. No episode of the war was more praiseworthy than that of Mafeking. A wide flanking movement, admirably executed by the N. S. Wales Mounted Rifles commanded by Captain Bennett, compelled the Boers to evacuate Reggeveld Range, enabling General Da Lisle to secure the pass leading on to Calvinia. Bennett’s force crossed country which was considered impassable.

Several horses of the force rolled over precipices 2000 feet deep. Ten men aseended a precipitous face of a mountain 5000 feet high. Piet Do Wet has appealed to Christian Da Wet to use common sense and recognise that the struggle is hopeless. It was better that all should yield and bo loyal and try to win responsible Government; otherwise the Boors would be in an impoverished and degraded condition—a mere working class. Ho says that he is convinced the other Transvaal Generals would submit if Christian did.

Louis Botha, with 2000 men, at daybreak on the 6th attacked General SmithDorien at Bothwell. 24 British were killed and 53 wounded. The Boers left 20 dead on the field, including General Spruit and two field cornets.

Many were severely wounded, including General Baademeyer. The Boers wrecked three more trains on the Natal-Johannesburg line. lord Kitchener reports that the British movement east thoroughly upset the Boers’ calculations, and created a regular panic.

General Botha, with 7000 men and 800 wagons and very large numbers of stock is going east. Be Wet and Steyn have issued a proclamation that they intend to enter Gape Colony and give the farmers a taste of the sufferings of war.