EXPLOITS OF AUSTRALIANS AND TASMANIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 62, 14 March 1900, Page 2

EXPLOITS OF AUSTRALIANS AND TASMANIANS.

A WARM RECONNAISSANCE. RENSBURG, February 0. The enemy made an appearance yesterday, threatening the right Hank, and making it advisable to stop the waggons until the line was cleared. One of the Rimington Guides was shot at Crutze's farm yesterday. tins morning the Australians and Tusinanians, about fifty strong, went out to make a reconnaissance, and had a warm day's work, having eventually to retire, as they were being driven back by an overwhelming force of the enemy, who were discovered to be several hundred strong. .Our force was divided into two j>ortions, and the advanced party, consisting- of Tasmanians under Captain Cameron, supported the other under Captain Hamilton, of the lnnisldllings, with whom Captain Salmon, of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, advanced and halted at the farm were the guide was shot. They examined the kopjes while the remainder of the force moved to the right. The latter was soon engaged with the enemy, who fired very heavily from the hills at them. The Australians, who were advancing across the plain, immediately sought cover, and returned the fire. In the meantime Captain Cameron, advancing, came upon the flank of the Boers, who were in turn seeking cover. We poured in a few volleys on the enemy while they were in the act of mounting. They, however, quickly dismounted and replied, Captain Cameron's men in their turn having to seek cover on high rocky kopjes, which they held for quite an hour and a-half; but the Boers, who were numerically stronger, worked round and fired at our horses, and we had to secure our horses to get away. We managed to do this under a hot fire, and took up a second position and again , checked' the enemy. They circled, however, towards our rear, and we had to abandon the position and retire across the plain. The enemy fired wildly and furiously, at the retreating Australians, and ultimately pursued them over open country to within two-miles of our outpost as Jasfontein. None of the party was ' hit, and the escapes were marvellous. The supporting party arrived in camp after similar experiences, but one Tasmanian was wounded slightly in the neck. Several horses were hit during the day. The wounded man, whose name is Peers, was brought to Rensburg this afternoon by Major Reay, the correspondent of the Melbourne "Herald. Two Australian correspondents are missing. On several occasions during the day the effect of our volleys was visible from empty saddles; the wounded man claims to have accounted for three. Our boys, though obliged to retreat, showed true grit throughout the engagement. RENSBURG, February 10. In yesterday's brush, Captain Cameron, of the Tasmanian contingent^ showed coolness and courage, always leading the advance, and coming in last in retreat. Captain Salmon, who has never been in action before, showed exceptional skill in the management of his men, and won commendation. Corporal Whitelaw pluckily rescued a dismounted comrade under a heavy fire, and brought him safely home. A large number of narrow escapes are recounted by the men, bul- j lets penetrating their clothing, helmets, water bottles, etc. Correspondents Lambie and Hales are believed | to be in the hands of the Boers. We took two prisoners. j

Mr.Lambie is dead. ; The enemy yesterday outflanked us , in considerable force to the eastward, threatening 'communication between Rensburg and Slingersfontein. The skirmish with the force under Captain ; Cameron has already been related.. At the same time another portion of the burgher force attempted to get a gun into position to shell Slingers- , •fontein camp from the south-east. | The attempt was frustrated by the 10th Inniskillings and 20 Australians, -. under Captain .Moore, who started on .; a reconnaissance in the morning, and I discovered the enemy approaching. ' The Australians came in close conj tact and took cover on an extensive | hill 9000 yards from the camp. \ The enemy made it impossible for 11 them to leave, but could not get at i j them. Some burghers got within 200 | yards, and called upon them to sur- '. j render. They replied by showing . J their fixed bayonets and shouting cle- ', fiance. Sergeant Edwards, with two men, Hutchinson and White, made a clash, galloping under a hail of bullets, past the near hills held by the enemy. safely reached camp with the information that the Australians wore safe, and confident of defying the attack. They eventually did so, and reached home after dark.