FIGHTING IN CAPE COLONY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 57, 8 March 1900, Page 5

FIGHTING IN CAPE COLONY.

ENEMY STEADILY DRIVEN BACK.

CLEVER RUSE AT DORDRECHT.

PATROL ENGAGEMENT AT NORVAL'S PONT.

THE ORDEAL OF ROBERTS' ARMY.

[U.Z. Press Assoc:

:ation. —Copyright.]

(Received 9 a.m.)

LONDON'

March 7

During Colonel Maxwell's attack on the Boer position north of Dordrecht last Sunday, when the Cape Mounted Rifles scaled the breastworks, one of them was captured and compelled to hoist the white flag1. The Boers thereupon hurriedly retreated, but were scattered by shell. The captured rifleman escaped unhurt, although he was under a terrific British fire.. The Boers fought stubbornly in this engagement. The British casualties were 30. The colonial troops, used to strengthen the regulars, behaved splendidly. The -enemy still occupy the hills south of the Orange River. A patrol, consisting cf the Inniskillings and Victorians, had a sharp brush with a hundred Boers near Norval's Pont. LONDON, March C Colonel Brabant, with ISOO, men, including" the Cape Mounted Police, and the Royal' Scots, is holding the captured fort at Labushague's Nek. He' placed two 15-pounders on the other nek, looking- towards Jamestown, and the 79th Battery mercilessly pounded, and gradually'expelled the Boers from the lower ridge. The mounted force then, outflanked; them, and captured their main position, occupying a high hill, with the assistance of the Cape Rifles, and a gun, the enemy stll holding1 the hill opposite; but subsequently they fled. On Monday Aliwal North was subjected to a deadly artillery fire. The Boer laager, cattle, and a waggonload of rifles have been captured. At the fight at Aliwal North,' the enemy used explosive bullets, and others covered with verdigris. They also fired a volley at the Red Cross ambulance, wounding some of the bearers. . ]

LADYSMITH SHOCKINGLY INSANITARY.

LORD ROBERTS' ARMY