THE ATTACK ON MOROSI’S MOUNTAIN.

Kumara Times, Issue 917, 8 September 1879, Page 4

THE ATTACK ON MOROSI’S MOUNTAIN.

The following interesting description of this event is given by the “ Own Correspondent ” of the Queenstown Eepresentative:— Wednesday, April 9. The attack on Morosi’s Mountain took place yesterday at daylight. The proceeding opened by the C.M.E. Artillery shelling the mountain. We afterwards found, to our cost, it was not half shelled. They sent about twenty shells into the schanses where the troops had to advance, Not a nigger stirred, and we came to the conclusion that not a man was there. The order of attack was— The C.M.E. and Brd Yeomany Eegiment were to storm the mountain, and three troops of ours to form a support, and the remainder a reserve. The Commandant’s bugler sounded the advance, when our bugle repeated it, and Colonel Southey pushed his men forward. Even at this stage, to our surprise, the enemy opened fire on us, and you could see the men bobbing right and left. This “ bobbing” you can’t help it; it does not help you, as the bullet is generally past when you hear the whizzing sound. Before we commenced scaling the mountain one of our fellows was wounded. We saw the C.M.E., under Captain Grant, far ahead ; they came on in fine style ; and Captain Grant and his troop have retrieved any slur that may have been on them, and fully proved that day what stuff they were made of. Everyone one admired their plnbk and bravery. Some of our fellows, regardless of the “storming party” (?) rushed ahead, and the first man of ours that reached the advance party was asked, “ Where is Colonel Minto ? ” but no one knew. I don’t wish to say anything unpleasant of that gentleman or any one of his men, but these are the facts of the case. When we got there Captain Grant was there with his men and about ten of the 3rd Yeomanry Eegiment. The C.E.M. had then several wounded, and Lieut Eeed (3rd Yeomanry Eegiment) killed. To get to Grant we had to run the gauntlet, the niggers having some splendid shots. ’ The bugle again sounded the advance, and by this time a lot more of our fellows joined, and then some of the 3rd Yeomanry Eegiment turned up with Captain Darvall. We then made for the schanses, scrambling up as beat we could, and got within 100 yards of them, but the fire that was poured in upon us was too good, and compelled us to take cover. All we could do was to blaze away at the holes in these stone walls, flanked on both sides by other ones, so even had we taken it and got into it we should have been shot down by those on each side of us, which were on the edges of precipices and not to be got at. Even here man after man fell, and it was really a pitiful sight to see the vpoor fellows carried down. The way we managed this was to open a tremendous fire on rhe schanses, and to cover the men taking out the wounded. Poor old Broad was wounded here, and most of the C.M.E., besides others with stones. Directly we would open fire stones were thrown over on to us, and these did a lot of damage, several fellows being struck mostly °on the head. The number of narrow escapes was astounding, and how our regiment got off so well is miraculous. It was net for want of being in the thick of it. We found it was impossible to get up any further without losing most of our men, when some of C. Artillery came to our assistance. Under a heavy fire they marched up to where we were, we, as usual, blazing ahead to occupy the niggers and keep them from firing. We understand the Artillery were bringing hand-grenades, but they brought 91b shells. Sergeant Scott, C.M.E., walked as close as possible to the enemy, and threw a shell over to see what they would do it, when they deliberately threw it back to us. Knowing they would do this, be lit one and held it in his band too long, and when about to throw it it burst, taking the poor fellow’s hand off. When the shell was heard to explode, we thought it had been thrown among the enemy, and gave him a cheer. Little did we think he and a brother C.M.E. wer the only ones that suffered, the latter being severely wounded in the leg. It was hot, so hot that the C.M.E., who had been frightfully cut up, were ordered down. Then the Artillery started shelling the place, and, as the sdells came in close proximity to us, we all retired. No blame whatever can be attached to the troops—they did their utmost, and could not have done more. We got back under cover about 3 p.m., and founded the wounded were being attended to by Dr Kannemeyer (of 2nd Yeomanry Eegt.) and Dr Daamas (Basutoland force). It was a most painful sight to see the poor fellows lying about, some having received as many as three bullets. One poor fellow got a ball in the check, which came out at the eye, tearing it clean out. While on the hill, Sergeant Edwards and another C.M.E. got wounded in the first rush. They were barely under cover, and no ge’tingto their assistance. Edwards called for water, and one of his men, in rushing across to supply him, received two bullets, Edwards himself having received three. n ° OW a Ptain Surmon, D. was missing, and had not been leen the attack began, and no one knew inythiug of him. When it was dark mough to look about without being shot i heavy fire was opened up upon the memy, and his men searched and found lim behind a stone, where he had been ying since 7a,m., having received a bullet n the side. They also brought down Sergt. Sdwards and the other man. The rounded were now carried down the hill

in blankets, and a bell tent put up. Some were placed here, and others in places given up by the officers and men. This morning the doctors took Sergeant Scott’s arm off below the elbow, and he is doing well. He is a smart young fellow, and every one is sorry that he has been deprived of his right hand. Another man of the C. M. E. had his leg taken off at the thigh. I saw the leg after it was off, and a nasty sight it looked. This poor fellow died shortly after the operation. Broad’s bullet was also taken close to the skin. H e was not under chloroform, and bore the pain like a man. He is doing pretty well. I don’t know how Captain Sermon is. Poor old fellow ; I’m afraid he 'is too old to stand much, and he has received a very bad wound. I wonder what the next move will be. One thing is certain, the men here are not sufficient to take the mountain, and the 7-pounder is too small to be of much service. We had no idea what an ugly place it was until we got into it. Morosi is a good general, as the way he has fortified his mountain proves.