Transvaal War.

Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 204, 2 March 1900, Page 2

Transvaal War.

VICTORIANS DEFEAT 800 BOERS. THE ENEMY LOSING HEAVILY. RENSBURG OCCUPIED. DESPERATE FIGHTING. INNISKILLINGS NEARLY ANNIHILATED. THE ENEMY SCATTERED BY SOUTH LANUASHIRES, Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright Capetown, March 1 The Congress of the Africander Bond, which was fixed for the 7th inst., has been postponed. Thig step was occasioned by anxiety owing to the persistent report that it would foment a rising unless they were assured that no annexation of the Republic was contemplated. The Victorians, under Colonel Price, occupied Mooi-Fontein, after a smart fight with 800 Boers, near Drooifootein. Subsequently the Boers evacuated Knilfontein, losing considerably. The British have occupied Rensburg. A Reuters' despatch states that Captain Cameron, of the Tasmanian Contingent, was slightly wounded, and taken prisoner to Rensburg, The Boers highly praised his gallant resistance. No other Tasmanians are missing. After six days' hard fighting the British established themselves on the lower spurs of Pieters Hill. The Inniskillings, Dublins, and Connaughts made desperate efforts to capture the heights, facing a murderous fire. They were simply mown down. The Inniskillings were almost annihilated. A colonel, both majors, and two senior captains were shot. The Connaughts lost five officers wounded. It was found impossible to silence the Boers effective shell fire. Their entrenchments completely dominated the British position. Three days of fruitless, and incessaut fighting followed, which compelled General Buller to attack the hill from a point more to the eastward. General Barton, with two battalions of the 9th Brigade and Dublins, scaled the precipitous cliff, capturing the position, and turning the Boers' left flank. General Warren then assailed the main position, presumably Onderbrook Mountain, the South Laucashires magnificently storming and scattering the Boers in all directions. General Buller iv his despatch adds that a considerable body of Boers are still at Bulwana Mountain. The British losses on Tuesday were not heavy. Melbourne, March 1. Mr McLean has wired Mr Lyne suggesting that he should make a definite offer of more troops. This is presumably the outcome of Mr Chamberlain's despatch. Auckland, March 1. The Governor received the following cablegram: — "Her Majesty's Government thanks New Zealand cordially for their congratulatory message to Mr Chamberlain."