AROUND AND ABOUT COLESBERG.

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

AROUND AND ABOUT COLESBERG.

INTERESTING DETAILS. A gentleman who has just returned from the British camp at Colcsberg has related to us a few of the incidents of the fighting and some interesting particulars concerning the several positions, says the "Eastern Province Herald." Going back to the tight on New Year's Bay, which has been the biggest engagement undertaken by .General French's column, our informant, who by the way rilled a position ! which allowed him to know everything that was going on, states that he, as recently as a fortnight ago, counted in a hole between two kopjes TWENTY-NINE DEAD BOERS, i no attempt having been made to bury - them. We have now posted on Coles i Kop a 15-pounder, and so difficult was ! it to get into position that the services of 100 men were brought in requisition j who fugged away at four ropes for three hours. The enemy has never relished this gun from the first, and it ! actually took him three days to locate it. The first three shells after getting range killed no less than IS men and 36 horses, and tin's at a range of 5000 yards, so stated a prisoner subsequent- I ly brought into the camp. This individual added that when one of the ; Boers\gave it as his opinion that the j big gun was posted on Coles Kop he was LAUGHED AT, but they found later that the laugh was on his side. A few nights after the gun had been got into position it was noticed that there was considerable movement in.one of the Boer laagers, and then the flash from the Coles Ivop gun which placed a few shells in the enemy's midst located its whereabouts for them. The Berkshire Regiment has taken up a position in front of Colesberg, and one of the Boer laagers is in the kopjes running down into the town. The Boers have INFLICTED MUCH HAVOC . at times with their Maxim, which is very skilfully manipulated, and resides this the sharpshooters on'dliier side are ever- ready to have the first shotin when the slightest opportunity occurs. The nearest Boer camp to Coles Kop is 4000 yards distant, and this and other positions are frequently being shelled. By dropping the trail of the 15-pounder into a hole, and thus allowing the muzzle great elevation, it has been possible to project percussion capped shells 9000 YARDS, and shrapnel with a special time fuse taken from the siege train 6000 yards The Boers round Colesberg have one fairly long range gun, and at times this causes some trouble. Owing to the splendid telegraphic and telephunie arrangements General French has established at all points of the British camp, it has been found possible to harass the enemy to the utmost degree, and no wonder most of those who have surrendered, and others who have been taken prisoners, exclaim that they have long since been sick of the whole business. Whenever a waggon is seen entering Colesberg a shell or two is immediately dropped IN CLOSE PROXIMITY to it, and so accurate is the fire, and to such a nicety . have the, ranges been marked off, that more often than not damage is inflicted. On Sunday week last the Boers opened fire from their gun posted on Horseshoe Hill, directing their attention to MeCracken's Hill, where the Berks are encamped, upon which we immediately replied from Coles Kop. Our second shell went into the enemy's sanger (bags of sand) and two were distinctly seen to fall, and at the same time their gun was silenced. The range was 4000 yards, and to tho surprise of all on the British side THE WHITE FLAG was hoisted. On this occasion it met with the respect it deserved, for a moment after another of our shells was seen to burst right in the laager. Both telephone and telegraph are laid on at the following positions: — I Bastard's Nek, Kloof Camp, Coleskop, McCracken's Hill, Porter's Hill, Slingersfontein and Kleinfontein. The moment a movement on the part of the enemy is espied from whatever quarter the word is sent along over the wires and before the enemy has time to seek cover shells are BURSTING OVER HIS HEAD. The field telegraph has been of great assistance to our troops and a source of the greatest discomfort to the enemy. The gentleman to whom we are indebted for these details witnessed from Coles Kop the gallant charge made by some 20 Inniskilling Dragoons when they appeared to be hopelessly cut off from the main body of their regiment. Sergeant Innes, who, unhappily, does not live to tell the tale, fought in a most determined fashion, having first witnessed his horse shot under him. As he dismounted he took the sword from the scabbard and then found himself in a sluit in which were esconced quite a number of the enemy. Fighting desperately, he cut one of the fellows down, then SNATCHED HIS RIFLE from him, and armed with this weapon he shot at least three Boers before a shot from another one laid him out. Another gallant act was that performed by Sir John Milbank, A.D.C. to General French. It was on the day of the Suffolks' abortive charge. Sir John asked to be allow-

ied to patrol for the purpose of recon- ■ noitriug a hill, and for this took a ; corporal of the 10th Hussars and ; three men' with him. They came in 'for an exceptionally heavy (ire, dur- ; lug which the Corporal's horse wa . , i shot underneath him, and Sir John iMilbank turning round in a perfect ;i HAIL OF BULLETS ' found that the rider was lying on the s veldt some distance in the rear. Not- , withstanding the fierce fusilade. moreover that he himself was wounded, the aide-de-camp turned right about, galloped up to the corporal and rescued him. The return journey was performed in safety, none other of the enemy's missiles taking effect. Viewed from Coles Kop outinformant said they regarded it as impossible to return alive after exposure to such a fearful shower of ' bullets. »