BATTLE OF LABUSCHANGES NEK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 78, 30 March 1900, Page 2

BATTLE OF LABUSCHANGES NEK.

GALLANTRY OF OOLOMAL& (Received 29,-2.60 p.m.) Hobabt, March 29, The Whatakane haa arrived bun, She brings Gape files to March 6th. A despatch dated from Dordrecht, March sth, states that the colonial division was ably carrying out all asked of it. General Brabant's rapidly moving regiments unflinchingly pushing for* ward, and the rebels doggedly retreating brought the combatants to battle at Libuschagn' s Nek. Eighteen hundred colonial troops moved from Dordrecht at midnight on March 3rd, and shortly before daybreak the men terambled up one of the Boer positions on a lung high ridge. They were greatly surprised when the top was reached to find it unoccupied and the enemy in their laager sleeping. The attackers quietly awaited developments. At sunrise- : the Boers were observed approaching the ambuscade, and when it waa deemed that a sufficient number of tbem had appeared within range the colonials let go, bewildering and nonplussing the enemy, who rapidly fled. The men stuck to the position thus cleverly won. Two fifteen- pounders on the flat below opened fire upon the enemy's main and strongest position, The action became general. Excellent artillery practice was indulged in, the colonials pounding shells in from six guns in three different positions. The Boers, after the first shock was over, behaved pluckily. They made a determined effort to regain the lost position, and actually succeeded in getting to the fort, but they were quickly driven back. They doggedly , held a lower position on the ridge f where the colonials had a higher commanding position at the same range, while two guns of the 79th battery mercilessly shelled them. They gallantly held till the position became untenable, when they rt tired one by one until but eight men were seen hopelessly and dffian ly standing alone. Ultimately they gave in. The artillery then turned to another great bill of tho enemy's main position, shelling ft with accuracy from end to end. In the meantime a body of mounted men wo ked r glit round the captured hill, engaging the enemy on the light. Here, late in the d-y, the enemy brought two guns int > position, and for I a considerable time rifle Hnd shell fire

was very brisk. The Riyal Scots joined in ai'd the position was taken. Having captured the onnny's strongest position they deemed it advisable to draw off, A portion of the m n were sent to Dordrecht for rest. This was accom-

plished without mishap. Three hundred men with four guns were left oa the hill top all night. The enemy recreated, subsequently leaving the colonials in possession. ~