THE BATTLE OF GRASSPAN.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10540, 29 December 1899, Page 5

THE BATTLE OF GRASSPAN.

A TERRIBLE ARTILLERY DUEL, A MAGNIFICENT CHARGE, SYDNEY, December 88. The enemy had been well informed as tc our movements?, and so carefully planned has this campaign been that the kopjea on every side are studded with trenches. The ground liad been carefully measured to enable the artillery to find the range without difficulty. The division left Thomas's farm on Friday afternoon, and passed through Belmont, where the Boer prisoners and wounded were being entrained, and encamped seven miles distant at Swinkspan, where there was a good supply of water. At half-past three o'clock in the morning, the men moved out of oarap, and proceeded in a, northerly direction, through buahy country. An armoured train, followed by a material train, advanced slowly, and when the column reached ifcn*--slin's kopje, it was seen that the armoured train was in action. went off on the flanks. Lord Methuen loot no time in the disposition of hia foroua. The artiltay followed the cavalry to the sight and fcft,

and the. Ninth Brigade advanced in tkirmiahing order. At six o'clock an artillery duel began. The enemy occupied the long range kopjes, where four camion were posted in excellent f-sftitioxM. The engineera* railway train mounted a gun and assisted the Naval Brigade. The fire waa opened on the extreme left of the enemy's position. It was found tbat the cannon bad been posted on the othet side ot tha line, and a terrible battle began *< between the artillery. One Boer shell struck the armoured train, but only damaged a chain. The Boers had the exact range, the ■hells bursting right over our men. One man's Lee-Metford rifle was broken right •cross. Shrapnel were falling incessantly, but our men gallantly stuck to their _ guns, and the fire was returned with interest. After an hour's practice, our guns were taken back 1000 yards to give the enemy a difficulty in finding the range. . After three hours' severe work, the General found that the Boers would not vacate their strongholds until they saw the glint of cold The infantry advanced in mag-nificent-style. The Boers sent a scathing fire into them. Our men, replied aa they advanced, and forced the enemy from their first position. A party of a couple of hundred Boers were seen retreating across tlie plain, when the cavalry charged, and succeeded in catching them in the rear close to a kopje, where they were rushing for shelter. The Lancers came up to the face of the kopje, which was found to be alive with the enemy. A -heavy fire forced the, Lancers to retreat. Hue enemy occupied almost every kopje on each side. Tho engagement now became -very severe, and shells were sent amongst the infantry on the plain, but did no damage. The musketry fire became general along tbe face of tbe kopjes. At last the position -of the enemy waa occupied, and a fearful •engagement took place. The Marines bore tbe brunt, and rushed up gallantly. Officer after officer fell, but still our men clambered over the boulders undaunted. The ■harp click of the bullets striking the boulders came every second. The Boers used their rifles with good effect, but nothing human could atop the onward rush of the infantry detachments. All the regiments helped tha Marines, and after four hours' fighting the enemy woe forced from the last position. They again opened fire from a kopje to the east, but the artillery swung round, and the first shot made matters too warm. A few thousand Boers left their cover and fled, across the plain. The Lancers mrero not available owing to their horses being exhausted. The artillery sent shell after shell amongst the enemy, who fled and made good their retreat towards HoneyWt' Kloof. '-*>■ THE BATTLE OF BELMONT. ' ANOTHER BRILLIANT CHARGE. The battle of Belmont, two days before, wm characterised by a brilliant charge by the Soots Guard*, under Major Dalrymple, -which was worthy of the beat traditions of the British Army. They took the first posiiSm, after an hour'a combat. The Cold•tteains, Ncjrthumberiands, and North■BDptCM were exposed to a death-dealing •fire in the advance. The Boers at first -stood to their position, and our men went on at a great sacrifice. The Boers, being entibwiked, fell back to the second position,* "There another desperate conflict ensued. The Naval Brigade gun, at 1800 yards, poured shells on the enemy, who throw np the sponge and retxeatetl on the laager. The Lancers subsequently 'destroyed the enemy's ammunition and rendered the guns useless. BOEBS AFRAID OF BADEN-POWELL. ' The Boers fight shy of Mafeking, believing the environs are honeycombed with dytiamifte mines, as well as being protected with bit-bed wire fencing. AMERICANS IN THE CANADIAN . ' CONTINGENT. ~~ ''A hundred and fifty Americans joined the Qurdiftn Contingent before it left Canada.