The Boer War.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 42, 19 February 1901, Page 2

The Boer War.

THE FIGHT WITH DE WET.

AMBULANCE WAGGON LADEN ' WITH AMMUNITION, A GREAT CHASE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, Feb. 18. Details of tho recent encounter with De Wet show that Colonel Plumer’s force of Australian.and New Zealand Bushmen followed sections of De Wet’s commandos from Phillipstown to Houtkraal, until darkness stopped friends and foes. Both sides wero exhausted, and the horses were knee-deep in mud.

Lord Kitchener witnessed the action, which took place north-west of Houtkraal.

Do Wet and Steyn, with between 2000 and 3000 men, crossed the railway between Houtkraal and Potfontein before daybreak on the 15th. Colonel Crabbe left Houtkraal in pursuit at daybreak, using two 15-pounders. The shells fired frequently scattered the enemy. De Wet did not attempt to use his guns. He was surprised by an armoured train, which arrived from the North.

Opening with two naval 12-pounders, the train facilitated the capture of practically the whole of De Wet’s convoy, including an ambulance waggon, laden with ammunition, nineteen other waggons, six hundred shells, and half a million cartridges. Fifty Boors were captured. They were most ragged and bootless.

A hundred horses were captured. De Wet lost sixty-five killed and wounded. The Boers broke into sections and fled, sniping occasionally, towards Britstown. Colonels Plumer and Crabbc are pursuing. ' Generals Knox and Bruce Hamilton and Colonel White have joined in the chase.