TRANSVAAL WAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxi, Issue 5055, 5 March 1900, Page 2

TRANSVAAL WAR.

The Capture of Pieter's Hill

How the Heights were Stormed

Evacuation of Grobler's Kloof

JKeport From General Buller

What Lord Roberts Thought

Lord Koberts Pressing Eastward

The Fate of the Bepublics

To be Converted into Orown Colonies

Probable Overtures for Peace

Message From the Queen

Her Thanks to the People

United Press Association—By Eleoferis Telegraph—Copyright

London, March 3 The garrison of Ladysmith suf* fered great privations since the middle of January. The rafcionß were reduced after each of General Buller's rebuffs, and finally the allowance comprised half a pound of horse flesh, half a pound of biscuits, an ounce of sugar, and one-third of an ounce of tea daily.

The garrison were pale and listless, and unable to pin in ttie pursuit of the Boers.

Most of the horses belonging to the field batteries were converted into soup and sausages.

Twelve thousand shells were thrown, into the town, but did little damage, and only killed 35 and wounded 188.

Boulders sheltered the trencheß at the nek leading to Pieter's Hill. General Bailer used 95 guns, the lyddite sweeping the entire range. The havoc w»b terrible. The wounded were yellow from the fumes. The British infantry, advancing in three simultaneous assaults, felt the effects of the fumes. Lieutenant Colonel Kitchener, com* manding Wynne's brigade, bore the brant of the engagement. The Koyal Lancasters and South Lancashire^, accompanying them, led the assault. The Boers doggedly stack to the trenches in the nek until bayonetted on the flmkp. The onslaught waa irresistible, and the Boers were paralysed, firing wildly. Those persisting were bayonetted in trench after trench. The Royals, reaching the summit, surmounted tbeir bayonets with their helmets. The West Surreys, on the lefr, and Major General Barton's force, on the right, completed the victory. One hundred prisoners were taken, the majority of whom were Hollanders, who w( ro glad to be taken. The British buried 100 BoerP. Seven officers were killed, and 25 wounded, including an Australian, H B Macartney, of the Royal Fusiliers. Onr casualties in men were 170. At the battle of P.eter's Hill, the , women were in the Bosr trenches until three hours before the British charged. Two were found—one aged 70, dead, and thfl other aged 60, dying. The latter declared that her husband had kept, her in the trench because she was a good shot. When Grobler's Kloof was evacuated the artillery pushed to the limits of the positions won from the Boers. Bulwana cannonaded Genera! Buller'i cavalry advancing on Ladjstnith. Colonel Gough found the ridges tc south east unoccupied. Lord Dundonald, with two squadron! ot the Light Horse and Carabineers, svriftly traversed the gap, and wen welcomed to Ladysmith. General Buller on Friday wired:— " The defeat of the Boers is fuller than I dared anticipate. The whole district is clear except on the top of Van Reenan's Pass. The last train left Modder Spruit on Thursday, when the Boers exploded the bridge. They had packed their waggons six days ago, and moved north of Ladysaaitb, abandon ing vast quantities of ammunition! herds, and necessaries, but they took all tbeir guns except two." Lord Roberts now admits that be considered it almost hopeless to relieve Ladysmith. The Queen's message to General* Bailer and White began—" Th,ani God 1" and after congratulations paid ( a tribute to the heroism wh;ch had beer displayed. General #hite, in thinking the Queen, said—" Any hardships or pri< vationa have been compensated for b hundredfold by the sympathy and appreciation of our Queen. The tries sage will do more to restore the officers and men than anything else." Lord Roberts has reached Osfontein, six miles east of Paardeberg. Five thousand Boers have assembled four miles farther east. The Times foreshadows that the Republics will be converted intc Crown colonies, allowing them to fede rate on Canadian or Australian lines and develop from withiu. With a view of strengthening the hands of the Government, the members of the House of Commons are largely signing a memorial that there shall be no lasting settlement over the war ' unless the residents of the Republics are disarmed and incorporated. London, March 4 The deliberate pollution of the water sipply of Ladysmith by the Borrs was the chief came of the disease and offering} President Kruger has left Pretoria to confer with President Steyn. Many believe this is preliminary to making overtures of peaqe. Cronj * has arrived at Simonstown and occupies the Admiral's quarters on board the Dons. Mr Rhodes entertained Lord Roberts at Rimberley, The New South Wales Medical Corps accompanied the Canadians and Gordons in the attack on Oronjb's laager, and were amongst the first to enter the trenches. They removed the Canadian wounded. Lord Roberts eulogised their hospital,, and said he was pleased with the tortoise tents,

which were a ' ncvslty. Dr Fiaschf, of Sydney, has accomplished many surgical successes. Melbourne, March 4 The Argus has received the following telegram from Mr Kudyard Kipling, dated Capetown, Friday :—•" Approaching dearth of horses. Insist ou increased Australian supplies," Auckland, March 3 Lord Ranfnrly b&s received the following message :-— "The Queen thanka the people of New Zealand for their loyal and sympathetic congratulations in connection with the relief of Ladyemith."

Received Wakapuaka March 5, 8 50 »«m, Thib Office 9 3 4 a.m, London, March 4

General White reports that while General Dundonald'a cavalry where galloping towards Ladysmith on Wednesday at sunset the outpost in the scrub on Waggon Hill suddenly challenged them and received the reply it was the relieving army. Then the tattered, pale worn, and almost bootless men, crowded round cheering feebly, and conducted General Dnndonald to General White. The garrison and civilians rushed to meet the relievers and the sick and wounded crawled from the tents to cheer. It was & scene of uncontrollable excitement. The cavalry started pursuit of the retiring enemy hoping to capture the big guv long Tom which was removed from Bulwano Hill. The same day General White addressing the citizens in semi darkness lauded their heroic resistance. He B»id "It hurt me terribly to reduce the rations but thank God we kept tha fl*»j flying." Durban and Capetown wero drlirious with joy. It is now stated that the Freestateri in Oronje's laager at Koodootrand nearly mutinied desiring him to surrender. One of the companies which attacked Cronje's laager was composed entirely of French Canadians. Lieutenant Brassey, of the 9< h Lancers, son of Albert Braßsey a nephew of Lord Brassey, was killed during-the advance to the relief of Ladysmith. Received Wakapoaka March 5, 8 6Ga.m

This Office 9.34 a m. Capetown, March 4

The Ousland, the official organ of Afri> kander Bond, asserts Joubert commenced the withdrawal from Natal on Sunday February 25. It declares Joubert'a future tactic* will be solely defensive.