THE FIGHT AT AMERSPOORT.
FINE CHARGE BY QUEENS-
LANDERS.
Received January 17, 9.5 a.m.
London, January 16. The Daily News' correspondent, who accompanied Major Vallentin's expedition near Amer'spoort which ended so seriously for the British column, gives a vivid description of the fighting. Major Vallentin, with 230 men, was sent to hustle the Boers northward from Brigadier-General Plumer's column. Colonel Pulteney's column acted as support, while Colonel Colvin's New Zealanders were held in reserve.
Major Toll's Queonslanders made a brilliant charge upon the highest eminence, and the enemy fled.
The inarch waa resumed shortly afterwards.
The Hampshire men, forming part of Major Vallentin's command, rested for dinner at the corner of an evacuated plateau. Suddenly a swarm of Boers 6prang up in front and on both flanks, and, taking advantage of good cover, poured in volleys, disabling men right and left.
Lieut. Wilson, who had charge of the pompom, the Hampshires, and mounted Queenßlanders vied with each other in the stubbornness of their resistance, but were outnumbered three to one, and had no cover.
The British right retreated under a murderous fire.
Captain Johnstone, formerly belonging to Strathcona'B Horse, fell mortally wounded, vainly trying to rally his men, and Major Vallentin fell issuing orders, which Major Toll executed. His dyinp injunctions were: "We must stand, Toll, to the last 1"
Hundreds of Boers charged within eighty yards of the British. Lieut. Wilson's pompom, with the last shells, mowed down five of the enemy, and, after limbering up, the gun waa galloped back to shelter. Here the scattered remnant of the force was reorganised.
Meanwhile the gallant Queenslanders and Hampshires were ever whelmed. Colonel Pulteney, at this stage, arriving with guns, checked the advance againsl Lieut. Wilson, whom Borne mounted infantry on a knotty kopje supported.
A Boer detachment, attacking Colonel Pulteney's left, found themselves confronted by two companies of Victorians, who seized the kopje. The New Zealanders, also appearing, caused the enemy t(J retire.
The Daily Telegraph correspondent mentions that General Oppermann was killed by a shell during the angagement. His death is expected to lead to the desertion and surrender of many Boers. Lieut.-Colonel Vialls, of the Westralians, greatly distinguished himself during the engagement, seizing a number of positions and replying to the enemy from all parts.
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Bibliographic details
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7365, 17 January 1902, Page 2
Word Count
378THE FIGHT AT AMERSPOORT. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7365, 17 January 1902, Page 2
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