THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 358, 7 March 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

YONDOXOP’S DISASTER. HARD FIGHTING. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 5. The Standard states that, believing it was quite safe, a part of the escort to Vondonop’s convoy, including a detachment of Paget's Horse, were allowed to ride to Potersdorp tho previous night. Covered by a dark, wet night, Delarey placed 1300 men between the camp and Klerksdorp, concealing 500 in a thick scrub a few hundred yards round leading to the spruit.

When the vanguard were assailed at daybreak the guns instantly raked the scrub with shrapnel. The Maxims and Mounted Infantry, firing steadily, compelled the Boers to retreat after half an hour's engagement.

Tho waggons had liardly resumed the march when a second onslaught was delivered with extreme dash and courage, the enemy riding within one hundred yards, and firing from the saddle, causing the mules to bolt and overturn the teams. After a second repulse, there was a brief lull, and then the Boers recklessly galloped on the flanks of the column, overwhelming it by sheer weight of numbers.

Vondonop’s attempt to pack the Wilgnons across tiie road when the final attack was made failed, owing to the native drivers bolting and the mules stampeding. Guns from tho high hills were kept shelling vigorously until the Boers, charging with tremendous impotus, captured them.

A few minutes of confused fighting ensued, and then all was over. The Northuumerland Fusiliers were in the extreme rear of tho column, and when

their ammunition was exhausted they fixed bayonets and charged. They were eventually overpowered. Delarey freely sjamboked the looters, but when he was gone the dead, wounded, and prisoners were stripped. A few waggons and ono Maxim gun reached Klerksdorp. Delarey burned most of the waggons, and then, dividing his force into three bodies, moved north.

Thirty Boers were killed and twentyeight wounded. • Colonel Driscoll captured Commandant Jacob’s laager at Orange River, taking six prisoners, including Field-Cornet Smit.

Captain Howgate, of Stenmacker’s Horse, captured fifteen Boers, near Steynsdorp, including Cooper, Steyn’s chief telegraphist. The Boer prisoners at Umballa are

sullen and defiant, aud they refuse to sign a parole if they are transferred tJ Simla. PUNISHING REBELS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 5. A farmer at Barkly West has been sentenced to three years’ for joining the enemy. Another farmer has received sentence of a year’s imprisonment and fined 4500 for acting as a field-cornet. J. Freek, of the Sixth New Zealanders, is convalescent, and has resumed duty. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Hokitika, last night. A cable from the officer commanding at Capetown to his father reports that Trooper Lot Cooper, of this town, has been accidentally wounded in South Africa. Cooper is with the Seventh.