17th LANCERS SURPRISED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 259, 9 November 1901, Page 5

17th LANCERS SURPRISED.

A FIGHT TO THE DEATH.

The "Midland News" published the following authoritative report of the engagement at Eland's Eiver Poort, where the 17th Lancers suffered so heavily: — Smut's commando rushed a squadron of the 17th Lancers, under Capt. Sandeman on Tuesday morning, the 17th September. The squadron was posted at Modderfontein, guarding the southern exit from Eland's River Poort and another pass towards the north-east, known as Evanshoek, to prevent the Boers coming south-west into the Cradock district.

The surprise was due chiefly to the Boers being dressed in khaki, and being- thus mistaken for Gorringe'f men, who were expected to arrive) from Houdenek during the course o; the day.

A mist which hung over the low ground till late that morning- alsc favoured the approach of the enemy, as in the case of Colonel Scobell'f capture of Lotter's commando.

On the receipt of a report that a small picquet in advance of the camp had been rushed, a troop quickly mounted and rode towards the poort. The officer in command saw some khaki clad men about two miles from camp. Thinking that they were some of Colonel Gorringe*s men he rode forward to meet them. When about! 200 yards, distant, seeing them levelling their rifles, he shouted out: "Don't fire. We are the 17th Lancers." The only reply was a rapid fire, which emptied several saddles.

During this time another body of the enemy had worked up the douga running past the camp and approached it from the rear. These men. dressed in khaki, were taken forfriends.

Major Nickalls, encamped at Hoogstude, about three miles distant, having- been informed of the attack on Captain Sandeman's camp, was coming up to its support, consequent^ the order was given to fire on this party

The camp was placed on the southern slope of a gentle rise, which is encircled on the west by a spruit running generally north-west, and joining- the main river about two miles distant. About 300 yards from the spruit the ground on which the camp stood rises into a rocky kopje about one hundred yards long at the crest. This was defended with great determination, and most of the casualties occurred here. The Boers, too, suf* fered very severely in their attack on this position, and it was not until the enemy attacked the hill from the rear that any impression seems to have been made on the defenders. A per-

feet hail of bullets seems then to havt been poured in from the rear, which killed and wounded all its defenders. Finally, Captain Haudeman tried to reach the kraals in the vicinity oi the camp, but most cf the men with him were shot down, and he himseli was wounded. The Boers then rushed the camp, bur not a single man

surrendered, the enemy levelling their rifles and firing- on any man

they saw

On Major Niekalls" squadron coming- up the enemy retired quickly in the direction in which they hat1, cbme.

'Hie Boers on entering1 the camp went straight for the' supplies, but were only able to take away a few biscuits and hard I v any ammunition,

the Lancers having emptied their bandoliers, as the hundreds of empty cartridge cases found oa the kopje bore eloquent testimony.

The Boers were unable to carry away the mountain gun., and the Maxim was destroyed before they entered the camp, so no guns fell into their hands.

The British casualties were very severe, no officers escaping- injury, four officers being killed and twe wounded. Twenty-nine men were killed and forty-one wounded out ot a squadron numbering- 130. The enemy's casualties were also extremely heavy. Many dead were left on the ground, while two waggon load-; of dead and wounded were carried oil by the commando when it retired.

While sympathising1 deeply with the 17th Lancers we cannot but congratulate them on their magnificent resistance and admire the pluck with which they carried out so faithfully their motto, "Death or Glory."