Details of the Fighting at the Tugela.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 5057, 7 March 1900, Page 2

Details of the Fighting at the Tugela.

Splendid Work ly the British. Troops-

Received Wakapuaka March 7, 8 a.m, This Office 9.39 a.m) Hobaet, March 7 Farther war news is to hand, d«*fced Potgieter's Drift, February 7ih. During the last two day's fchere has be«a witnessed a magnificent battle. The British attacked at daylight on Mon day. The enemies line was Bwept by a terrific sheil fire from 7 till 2/ In the int«rval the Engineer's threw a pontoon bridge across the Tugela before the false attack disclosed General Bailer's purpose. When that wag apparent the Boers guns, which hitherto had been silent, began shelling, and for two hourß our batteries coolly pounded away amidst a shower of shrapnel, the ■hells bursting all around them. The behaviour of the officers and met?, during the trying ordeal, was one of the finest sights of the campaign. On the guns retiring the infantry walked the gauntlet of a severe shell fire, losing a number of wonnded. The real attack was now disclosed by General LytteltonYßrigade crossing the Tugela, from the end of Zwaarkop. Another pontoon bridge was laid down under a hot fire. The Tugela was then crossed, the Durhams leading, with the Rifle Brigade next. The men met a warm reception, but moving forward with great steadiness they rushed the enemy with fixed bayonets, cheering as they charged. The Boers fled, for ty remaining until it was too late and many were taken prisoners. Next morning the bombardment was resumed and the enemy's heavy guns shelled thecap ured positions, forcing the troopg at Zwartkop to retire. The day passed with an artillery duel. At four o'c'cck in the afternoon six hundred of the cqemy made a desperate attempt to recapture two kopjes but were forced to retire } with a considerable loss. The enemy got additional guns into position but the British succeeded in exploding thtir magazine on the crest of the hill. The enemy having been reinforced sent a heavy fire into the advanced trenches. The position becoming a trying one to maintain our men wavered but the officers rallied tbem gallantly. The Kings' Boyal Rifles advanced from cover with ringing cheers, and although the hill was swept with bullets they did not falter for a moment. Their enthusiasm was unlimited and. the enemy was repulsed. Another pontoon was constructed in front of the hill and reinforcements moved rapidly forwat d. In the meantime the British opened a heavy artillery fire on the hi:l where the most firing came from, forcing the enemy into cover and ielieving the pressure on the ir.fantry. The enemy on both aides rendered the position extremely difficult to bold. Wednesday's fighting was a duplication of the previous days. The infantry underwent a severe shelling, and wftrb enfiladed on three sides The losses were again email considering the severity of the Boers' fire. As predicted, the position taken north of the Tugela was found difficult to hold, and General Buller decided not. to press the attack the chuf reason being it was impo sible to mount guns on the,cap tured kopjes, and the battalions would consequently be exposed to a heavy shell fire, and the troops were inadequate to dislodge the enemy from the overwhelmingly superior position. The withdrawal was completed successfully.