ANOTHER 'ACCOUNT OF. GLENCOE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 275, 20 November 1899, Page 5

ANOTHER 'ACCOUNT OF. GLENCOE.

A GLORIOUS VICTORY.,

FIGHTING FOR SIN

HOURS. •

THE DUBLINS AND THE

KING'S ROYALS

A GALLING MAUSER FIRE

TROOPS BEHAVE SPLEN-

DIDLY,

EXTRACTS FROM CAPE

PAPERS

GLENCOE CAMP. Oct. 20, 10.30 a.m

As Avas expected, the Boers opened 'the attack at Dundee at dawn this morning. The picket of the Dublin Fusiliers at Smith's Nek was first fired on, and one' man was shot in the left arm. This was about 2.30 a.m. By 4 o'clock the while of the Dublin Fusiliers, under tlie command of Major Bird, marched out from camp and took up a position in the riverbed on the east of the town, fronting the Nek. Daylight Avas just dawning when the regiment got under cover, and their appearance Avas noticed by the Boers, AA'ho lined the ridge of Smith's Hill and the adjoining hill on the other side of the Nek. Rifle firing was commenced by the enprny, and the Dublin Fusiliers fired a short volley in return, and then stood to arms under cover, awaiting instructions' as their fire avus without noticeable effect. About a quarter to 5 the Boers opened an artilIt. y fire from the hill on the camp. The. calibre- of their guns, judging from the sound, appeared to be S to 12-pounders. For some time the Imperial artillery we.re silent, whilst getting the range, but presently the artillery on both sides were engaged, and heavy firing continued for two hours, when the Boer artillery ceased. Meantime, the Dublin Fusiliers Avere reinforced by the Ist King's Royal Rifles, under Colonel Gunning. The order was then given-to advance and move up 'to a nearer position to the wood below Smith's farm. The advance Avas led by Major English with the utmostgallantry, and the troops displayed great coolness under a galling Mauser fire. The Avood Avas then reached Iby the British, but not before seA'eral casualties had occurred. The infan|try,, once in the wood, maintained a j continuous fire, supported by the artilI lerv, the whole operations being under | the* supervision of General Sir William i Perm Symons. Th?. Imperial troops | behaved splendidly. . The Boers i brought a Hovchkiss gun into action, j but apparently without much effect, and this gun was speedily silenced. !In the meantime, the 18th Hussars, ■ under the command of Colonel Moller, ; were dispatched to the left of the hill, j '-with a vieAV of outflanking the enemy, | and the infantry and artillery fire was 'maintained until the ridges Avere absolutely clear of the enemy, and but few i shots Avere fired by them".. The Boers ; kept to their old tactics, keeping well : under cover, but the artillery got the range of the hill beautifully, j The Field Hospital Corps folloAved the men into.-action with their dhool-;

Fes, and began to bring in the wounded from the wood. A drizzling mist fell all the morning, and it was difficult to see more than a few hundred yards.

When the British camp was.shelled by the Boer artillery at the opening oi' the engagement the shells fell so close that the, Boers had! evidently gauged the range admirably. Common shells only were used, otherwise the fire would* have been disastrous. Our men behaved right through with the coolness of men on parade, though it. was somewhat trying for Ihe Dublins and the Rifles -waiting for the order to advance.

The engagement was still proceeding at.the time of wiring, but the Boers were practically beaten then. As.yet nothing is known as to the extent of the loss on either side.

October 20 ,0.30 p.m.—The fire of the enemy at this juncture was burning hot; yet, despite this, the Ist Battalion of'the King's Royal Rifles and the Irish Fusiliers, led respectively by Colonels Gunning and Carleton, continued to mount, Talana-hill. Gradually they were extended outwards from the centre all along the hill, and the 10 o'clock, after 4_ hours' fighting, the firing screen of Infantry managed to reach the protection of a wall, which runs parallel to the ridge, and is about 600 yds. from the town. This position was gained uniier cover ot some magnificent shooting by the artillery, who poured shells with amazing accuracy at every place where the Boers massed, compelling them to retire. On they came again—a determined foe, only to be beaten back by the brilliant work of the artillery, the 13th and 9th Batteries being under the command respectively of Majors. Dawkins and Wing.

At 11.45 firing ceased, and tho infantry, taking advantage of the lull, were over the wall in a twinkling, and speedily rushed the plateau, taking cover unrter the base of the cap of the ridge. The defence made by the Boers was of the most determined character. They kept up a fusilade of fire, which was splendidly returned by well-direct-ed volleys from the advancing companies of Dublin's and the King's Rifles.

A large party of Boers then came out from the position, and extended on our right flank, their intention being to get the advancing infantry between a cross-fire. They formed a screen, but the 13th opened; fire, and shifted them quickly. The enemy so far had displayed undoubted courage, perhaps not equalled by the best European troops. They had stood lip to our withering artillery, fire with great determination, and though they Avere still on the ridge of Talana-hili, standing clearly out on the skyline, they appeared as yet unbeaten and defiant.

The battle raged for 6J hours with unabated vigour, except for lulls after the opening.

In this lull the 69th Battery 'we're ordered to limber up and advance. They galloped gallantly into their new position, and were in action like lightning. The effect of their first at close range Avas at once noticeable, so much so that the 13th Battery' were also ordered up, and after several rounds from their death-dealing pieces, perfect silence reigned for some time, 'broken only by the firing of the Maxim of the Dublins, which had secured a good positiou on' the right, and was trained on the enemy, who came in position on our right. During the eessatiou of firing tbe Boers took up a strong position on our right flank, but the 13th Battery soon dropped a few^ shells among them aud compelled them to retire.

Meantime the two 2nd Infantry Battalions continued their advance, up the steep hill. At 1.30 exactly, or after eight hours' hard fighting, the Dublins and the Royal Rifles Avere seen to scale the summit of the hill, and the position was won. The Boers had precipitately fled, aud what commenced as the Battle of Dundee ended as a glorious victory for our arms, which must be known as the Battle of Talanahill.

.Inst' as the King's Rifles and the Dublins gained the top of the hill, the Mounted Infantry could be seen Avoiding round the left flank, and the, Hussars, under Col. Mpller, succeeded in cutting off the horses of the Boers, and had driven them aAva.y.