CABLEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 922, 2 March 1881, Page 5

CABLEGRAMS.

• THE CAPE WAR. British Troops Defeated at the Cape. General Colley Killed. London, February 26. Intelligence has been received here of a severe disaster in the Transvaal Sir George Colley. He advanced from Ingogo with six companies of infantry and occupied Spihakoko, when the Boers, in great force, made a strong attack on his position, and desperate fighting ensued, lasting all the morning. The British troops suffered immense loss, and finally were driven from their place, Sir George Colley and a number of officers were killed. Oof the whole six companies only 100 officers and men escaped. Capetown, Feb. 28. Further cablegrams to hand from Natal fully confirmed the previous announcement of the disaster to the British troops in Transvaal. The fighting occurred at Spitskol, and was of a desperate and moet sanguinary character. It lasted for fully seven hours. The British resisted the attack of the Boers until their ammunition was exhausted, and the small force which was left, were compelled to retreat. The enemy followed in pursuit for some distance, but were checked by the guns from the camp at Mount Prospect, where stragglers from the defeated force are now arriving safely. , r