BOER DISASTER AT ITALA.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 November 1901, Page 4

BOER DISASTER AT ITALA.

A Graphic Account

Nineteen Hours’ Fighting

Over 300 Boers killed

Magnificent stand by the British

The Durban Mercury of Brd October contains the following graphic account of the remarkable action near the Zululand border last September, in which the Boers under Commandant Botha suffered severe'y :

* Nkanwila, Se tember 27,

What is admitted to be the severest contest of the war took place iu this vicinity yesterday between the forces of Louis Botha and a small British garrison at Itala Camp. It was known for a little time previously that the Boer forces, some 1500 or 2000 strong, were manceuvring around Babanago, in the direction of Vryhcid, rnd on Wednesday last it was known definitely that an attack was pending. The garrison at Itala consisted * u of three companies of mounted infantry, composed of the Dublin FusiHers, Middlesex, Dorsets, South Lancashires, and Lancashire Fusiliers, about 300 men all told, with two 15-pounders of the 69th Battery, Boyal Artillery, and a Maxim, all under the direct control of Major Chapman, than whom a more capable officci or brave leader it would be hard to find.

In the Thick of It. By ten o’clock on Wednesday night everything was in readiness to receive the enemy, and shortly after midnight our outposts were in the thick of it. The outpost camp was situated on the top of the Itala, and was not visible from the main camp beneath. This consisted of 80 men, under Lieutenant’s Kane and Lefroy. So fierce was the onslaught by the Boers that within the space of twenty minutes nothing could be used by our troops but the cold steel, and of that they made good use, such as only a British soldier can.

the piles of dead remaining on the top of the mountain telling their own gruesome tale. Six hundred Boers against 80 British soldiers was however too much odds, and the inevitable result was that by one o’clock the summit of the Itala mountain was in the hands of the enemy, and Major Chapman’s defending force was reduced to a little over 200 men. A Heroic Defence.

Seldom in the annuals of warfare has such bravery been exhibited and such heroism displayed as was exhibited by what to all upward appearance was a doomed garrison. The Boers, in overwhelming numbers surrounded it on all sides, and men began to drop in all directions. Still the fighting continued, lasting without intermission for 19 hours. The Boers fought with dogged resistance ; our fellows fought with determination to save the guns or die, Scarcely a horse was left alive in the British camp, and the troops were short of water, their supply being cut off by the Beers at the first outbreak, and by seven o’clock on Thursday night the outlook for the defenders was anything but a happy one—tired out of constant fight ng for 19 hours, short of ammunition, officers and men lying dead all over the place. Botha Retires Beaten.

About seven o’clock last night a cessation of firing on the part of the Boers pointed to some new developemont, and a little later it was found that they had evidently had enough of it, and had retired across the border. Documentary evidence found next morning proved that they despaired of taking the position. The retirement left the road open to Major Chapman to also retire with his (agged-out, but gallant little band, and they consequently arrived at their old camping ground at the Magistracy in the early hours of the morning. They had had just 19 hours’ solid fighting against a foe who was at least eight times their numbers. Our casualty list is necessarily heavy. The exact numbers are not yet known, in consequence of the doubt attached to fit) captured by the Boors when they rushed the outposts, but Ido not think I shall be very far out in putting the killed down at 10 and the wounded at 80.

“ No Surrender.”

Amongst the killed is Lieutenant Kane, South Lancashires, who died at the head of his men, shouting “ No surrender,” his fellow officer, Lieutenant Lefroy, Dublin Fusiliers, being very badly wounded at the same time. In all there were five officers more or less wounded, including the gallant major. Of the enemy, up to this morning, 128 bodies had been buiied by our burial parties, and it is expected that the list will be considerably increased

Boers Burying their Dead. All day to day the Boers can be observed busily engaged searching for and burying their dead. Of the wounded no estimate can be given at present, but I do not think their total casualties can bo less than 500. Amongst the dead were Generals Opperman and Scholtz and Commandant Potgioter. After daylight yesterday morning when there was a lull in the attack for about an hour, Dr Fielding, the military doctor, volunteered to go up the hill with some of his orderlies to succour the wounded, but was promptly made prisoner by the Boers, and has since been kept by them to attend to their own wounded. Our unfortunate wounded had, therefore, to remain under a broiling sun the who : e day without water or without any skilled assistance. At daybreak this morning Dr Kennedy, district surgeon here, went out to the scene of action, and has since rendered yeoman service, doing all in his power to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded.

The Attack on Prospect Camp. While tie main body of the Boers were attacking the Itala camp, another large body devoted* their attention to the Prospect Camp, about 10 miles on the Melmoth road, held by Captain Eowloy and about 20 men with a Maxim, This camp was in a much better position for defence than Itala. Though fighting great odds, the gallant little garrison withstood all attacks, and although completely surrounded, beat the enemy off in every direction. So complete was lha demoralisation of the enemy that they did not attempt to bury the majority of their dead, some 60 bodies lying round the little fort, telling their own talc. The number of their killed at this point is not known, but I do not think that if it were put down at 100 it would be an exaggeration. Of course, their actual casualties will never be known The casualties amongst the little garrison at Fort Prospect was one killed and 12 wounded.

A Severe Contest. In a supplementary account, the Mercury’s special correspondent says:—The Boers’ attack proves to have been the severest contest and most disastrous to the enemy of any during the long campaign up to the 29th instant. Three hundred and thirty-two dead bodies of Boers were recovered by our burial parties. The enemy were busy during the fight removing dead, and, judging by reports from various quarter?, their total loss in killed cannot fall short of 500. They admit 800 wounded, but when the Boer representations on this score during the war are remembered, it may be concluded that their casualties have been extensive and serious.

Dogged Desperation All reports show that the Boers fought with dogged desperation, and fearless of consequences. They repeatedly charged the trenches, and did everything possible to capture the little body of brave defenders at Itala Camp. The latter had only two hours, warning before hostilities commenced. The enemy were supposed to be 1,500 strong, but it is now ascertained that they brought close on 4000, these being under the direct personal command of Botha, who was supported by every Boer general of repute. After the Boers gained the summit of Itala mountain and captured the outposts, the guns of the 69th Battery were placed out of action, the horses being shot ami gunners rendered hors d# combat. An unlucky bullet striking under the Maxim, choked the mechanism with eaith, and put that gun also] out of action. This little band of defenders had only to rely ■on rifles and bayonets, which they used to perfection. Bcpcatedly the Boers demanded surrender, only to be met by volleys and bayonet charges. Enemy’ Heroic Madness The enemy seemed possessed with some heroic madness, and men who have participated in other engagements say they have never seen Boers exhibit such reckless dating. Piles of dead and dying Boers in front of trenches testified to the inherent grit of the British soldiers. Towards nightfall it was rumoured that the ammunition was giving out, but they never thought of surrender, all rather desiring to die fighting. The gallant leader, Major Chapman, seemed to bear a charmed life. He passed amidst showers of lead as he constantly visited the trenches te cheer on his faithful lads. His officers were equally zealous, and it is impossible to overestimate the services cf this garrison. Had the Boers succeeded, possibly another invasion of Natal would have taken place, however disastrous to the invaders.

Major Chapman paraded his heroes on the 29th, and read a congratulatory message from Lord Kitchener, which stated : “ That the Major had been recommended for the V.C., and that he felt all deserved it.”