THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 263, 15 November 1901, Page 4

THE WAR.

A DESPERATE AFFAIR. FIGHTING AT CLOSE QUARTERS. The Natal Mercury special corrcsoondeiii at Nkaiidhla a■ a the loHoving detailed account of th.c lighting in Lululand : Latest accounts received respecting the battle of Italy, prove it to have been the severest contest and most disastrous to the enemy of any during this long cam- j paign. Up to to-day close on 300 bodies | of Doers have been recovered by our buriai parties, and as the enemy were observed throughout the right removing their beam and from tin: uvriv, reports, their total loss in killed cam:. >t l'.nl short o; o,V. They annul hating d)o wouiideu, and taking into consideration the veracity with which former casualty lists have been compiled it may be taken lor granted that the present one may be considerably increased. I have listened to numerous accounts of the bailie, and carefully comparing one with the other, and sifting some apparently doubtful details, all tend to prove tiiat the Doers fought with DOG GE D DET ER MIX AT lON, fearless of consequences, repeatedly charging the trenches in which our men were King, and doing everything that daring could do to capture the little body of brave defenders in Itala Camp. The enemy was supposed to be about 1500 strong, but it is now ascertained that they numbered between 2000 and 3000 under the personal command of Botha, who was aided by all the Commandants of repute in the Boer army at present under arms. Of these 600 men under Generals Emmett and Grobler were sent to attack Fort Prospect. The general plan of action was well conceived, and the attack was bravely pushed, but 2000 odd Boers forgot for a moment that although the British force beneath them numbered only some 300 odd, they consisted of men who fought at Talana, men of Spion Hop, and I'ienarr’s Flill, Ladysmith, and A ryheid, men who knew not the meaning of the word fear. Such were the men who held

BOTHA'S AIIMY AT BAY for 19 hours, without food or water. Front the time that the Boers gained possession of the summit oi Itaia Mountain, and captured the advanced outposts of the British, an incessant had of lead was poured into the little camp below. So heavy was the tire that two guns of the 69th Battery, Ti.F.A., were early in the light placed out of action, and an unlucky bullet from the enemy, striking underneath the Maxim, choked the mechanism with earth, and put that gun also out of action. A common occurrence during the light was to see the Boors rushing Lo trenches, calling on the occupants to surrender, only to be met with volievs and bayonet chav.-,,. nu - “ " ’ ' 1 i,

Boers to exhibit suen redness .taring its they did on the early morning of the 26th. It was AN ANXIOUS MOMENT when towards nightfall the rumor gained ground that the ammunition was running short,. Then our troops clenched their teeth, grasped more tightly their rifles, and saw that their bayonets were more iirmly fixed. There was never a thought of surrender, but a unanimous desire to die lighting. Their gallant leader, Major Chapman, seemed to bear a charmed life. Amidst showers of lead he visited and revisited each trench, saying a cheery word to his gallant lads, unmindful of the bullets, and as coo! as if on parade. About seven o’clock in the evening the Boer lire suddenly ceased, whistles sounded throughout tlic camp, and immediately afterwards a general retirement was observed in the ranks of the enemy. Taking advantage of this unlooked for respite, Major Chapman decided to retire witn his much-diminished force, faint with the efforts of nineteen hours in the trenches, to his old camp at N’Kandhla. This was accomplished without a hitch, and the gallant little band were soon enjoying much-needed repose. Simultaneously with the opening of the attack at Itala, Emmet and Grobler ATTACHED FORT PROSPECT here with their force of 600 men. They evidently anticipated a wall; over, the garrison numbering but 20 men, but were grievously disappointed. Captain Rowley’s Maxim, placed in an advantageous position, simply mowed down the horses and men by the dozen. Again and again, they attacked throughout the day, but without making the slightest impression on the little band of heroes within the fort. The Maxim worked splendidly, and, being ably handled, wrought such execution among the enemy that they thought discretion the better part of valor, even though it occurred to them late in the day. Captain Rowley and his little party captured fifty horses, and there were found fifty-two lifeless bodies round the enclosure. To this may be added dozens that were removed as usual by the Boers during the engagement. Of eighty men who composed the outpost on Itala Mountain when it was rushed by the enemy, fourteen managed to escape, and thirty-seven were taken prisoners by the Boers. These wore immediately made to do duty as stretcherbearers, and after carrying the dead Boors back to Badanango, a distance of about eighteen miles, were released and scut into camp here, first being deprived of their clothing and RECLOTHED IN RAGS

c ast of! by their captors. On the whole I am informed that these prisoners were treated not roughly nor unkindly by the Boers. A parade of the heroes of Itala was held by Major Chapman while he read out to them the contents of a congratulatory telegram from Lord Kitchener. The gallant Major then publicly thanked his men for the brave stand they had made on the 26th inst., but his words were scarcely audible owing to the vociferous cheering. Recommendations for the V.C. have been given in at least two instances.