THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 December 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

(PK» PIBSB ASSOCIATION.—-COPYRIGHT.), London, Dec 28. General Bruce Hamilton surprised Pretoria’s laager, killing one and capturing 15. Tne details of she Beginderlya figbr. show that mounteds chased six Boers over successive ridges, and owing to a halt the third company occupied a foremost position and they mistook a body of khaki clad enemy approaching in led sections for tbo British, The Boers dismounted at distance of 80 yards aod commenced volleying and overpon ered the company. The second company, which was to the leftward, made a stond, and the first oomany in the rear was thus enabled to retire. The fourth company sustained eight |> casualties. 1- • Lord Roberts, at the King’s command issued an order abolishing gold laced trousers, gold sashes and blets. The'details of the Weefontein incident. Major Williams, of the Southern Staffords was commanding in Colonel Firman s absence and was encamped on. the north- <, em slope of a solitary'kopje, placing outposts at the edge of an almost precipitous ' face oh the southern side. \ The outposts wore pushed well out north, when the slope was gentle. The position was naturally strong and entrenched. The night was moonlight, • but cloudy. The Boers climbed the precipitous side, and collecting near the top at two o’clock in the morning, suddenly attacked the picquets on the summit and jbefore the men encamped could get clear of the tents the Boers rushed through shooting all as they emerged.. The officers were killed in trying to stem the tide. There was no panic. All did their best. Lieut Harwich was killed whilst firing the pompom, Lieut Watnay when leading a charge. When the picquet at Tweefontein was overwhelmed the 1,200 under De Wet had all the advantage, including the killed and wounded. with those now at Elands river bridge.

About half the column is accounted for ’> the reet were taken prisoners. The fifteen pounder fired two rounds and then jammed, The gunners were shot round the gun, Lient Scarlett, who was overlooked and left behind saw two wagon loads of dead and Wounded Boers removed— mostly hit in the first attack on the picquets. Major Haag, who confirms Scarlett in stating .that, he saw the Boer dead all round at daybreak. The Boers behaved well, leaving men to assist the wounded. The Imperial Light Horse were 14 miles away at Elands river, and arrived bifora seven in the morning and pursued the enemy, securing a few before the Boers reached the broken country at South Langberg, '•■ Major Williams, 6 officers and 52 men were killed and 9 officers wounded, 5 are missing. ;