DETAILS OF BATTLE OF KOODOOSRAAD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 45, 24 February 1900, Page 3

DETAILS OF BATTLE OF KOODOOSRAAD.

BOERS ADMIT A LOSS OF 800. THE ENEMY FOROED INTO A DEATH TRAP. THEY FIGHT WITH DESPERATE ' COURAGE. TERRIBLE MUSKETRY FIRE ON BOTH BIDES. Received 23, 10 p.m. London, February 23. The battle, of Koodoosraad is desciibedas a replica of that fought by Lieut-General Lord Mcthuen at the Modder River. The result was in-

although the Boors confessed that their casualties were 800. General Kelly-Kenny's Column enveloped the Boers on both banks of the Modder River, compelling the main body to hide in the river-bed, where they entrenched themselves. The British artillery and infantry, enclosing the bed, formed a death-trap. The Seaforth Highlanders, the Black Watch, and tho ArgyJe Highlanders advanced on Sund.iy from the south bank of the river. Tho Essex and Yorkshire Regiments and the Welsh Fusiliers formed a line

whose k-ft rested on the river bank, with the Welsh Fusiliers on the extreme right. The Fusiliers seized Koodoo3iaad Drift. The fiting soon became deadly on the open ground, the Boers fighting with desperate courage. They occupied a splendid position facing the Highlanders, who advanced partly on the river-bed, partly in tho open. They were compelled to lie shooting all day amid thunderstorms .and terrible heat. Lieut.-Oolonel Smith Dorrien's force, including the" Canadians, attacked a laager to the north, encountering a vigorous shell fire from the enemy, who, with Vickers-Maxims and other guns, held a kopje on the south bank of the river, between the attacking British forces-. Theßritish batteries caused great havoo in the enemy's laager. The latter's ammunition waggon was set on fire by shells.

The enemy in the river-bod are now enclosed in a limited area, The musketry fire on both sides during the engagement was fierce.