THE BOER WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 274, 18 November 1899, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

DURBAN, November 17.

A force of Natal cavalry repulsed 300 Boers eight miles in front of Esticourt, killing several. . . General Buller complimented the colonial forces of Natal Ttpon the ■work done in encounters with the Boers. The gallantry and resourcefulness displayed by Lieut. Churchill at Chieveley is highly praised. DURBAN, November I.G. An armoured train from Estcourt ■\vith half a company of Dublin Fusiliers and half a company of Durban Light Infantry, and ten sailors, passed Chieveley, seven miles southof Colenso, on the 15th, reconnoitring towards the latter place.

[The train at Chieveley would be 21. miles from its base at Estcourt.]

The Boers, who were in ambush near the rear, loosened the rails on a, curve after the train had passed. Two truck containing- the troops, which preceded the engine, were derailed on the. return journey, and were overturned by the explosion of a quantity of dynamite placed on the line.

The Boers, with a Maxim and two nine-pounders, occupied three positions on an adjacent kopje, and were hidden by the brushwood which covered the hi". ' .

Sharpshooters, stationed behind boulders attacked the British, the shells' shattering the naval sevenpounder which accompanied the force, and destroying the dome protecting the engine.

Part of the British force opened out and though outnumbered and subjected to a. withering- fire foug-ht desperately in skirmishing order, while the remainder of the men with the train cleared the wreckage.

Lieut. Winston Churchill, son of the late Lord Randolph Churchill, the "Morning Post" correspondent, risked his life in helping- to clear the line, and carried several wounded and two dead Fusiliers to the train.

The engine, and tender ultimately steamed into Estcourt with fifteen Durban Infantry. Seven of the same corps and fifteen Fusiliers came in later.

It is estimated that fifty are missing, including Lieut. Churchill, and it is feared they have been taken prisoners.

The Boers at Chieveley refused to allow Dr. Bristol, of the Estcourt Reel Cross train, To remove the Avounded before General Jonbert's consent- was obtained. November 17. An armoured train lias brought 13 wounded (two severely) into Estcourt. The Red Cross train returned empty. The Boers stated that three British •were killed and nine wounded, but they refused to transfer them to, the train. The Boers have moved nearer to Estcourt, hoping- to cut the railway line further south.

Estccrart is short of artillery