THE SPION KOP REVERSE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIV, Issue 37, 14 February 1900, Page 2

THE SPION KOP REVERSE.

DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. The appended details of the battle ol Spionkop are from the Melbounu "Argus ": — „ . . Lovuox, Jan. 30, Particulars hare at length been re ceired of the engagement which led t< the capture and subsequent abandonment by the British forces uuder Sir Charle' AVarreu of the heights of Spion Kop. Tht battle commenced in the early hours ol Wednesday morning, and the details tc hand show that it was of a most desperate character, and that both sides fouo-ht with the utmost valour. ° Throughout the whole of Wednesday the struggle lasted, and it was carried out in a mist, which at times was of "Teat density. The Boer riflemen defended the edge of the plateau in force, entirely conceahng from view the heavy breastworks and defences which had been erected an<] manned a little further back on the tableland in anticipation of tho British "aming the edge of the hill. I'o add to the enormous advantage which the Boers enjoyed, guns had been placed in position commanding all the ground on the line of the British advance to the kop. Distances had been accurately measured off, and tbe Boers, thus possessing the exact range, were able to pour a deadly fire upon the British. The scene is described aa a "veritable inferno." Backwards und forwards all daylong the fortunes of battle sur«'ed the English gaining a position one hour lo lose it the next, only to recapture it again. On tho whole, however, the success of the day's lighting lay with the British arms, aud, according to Mr Beunctt Burleigh, the war correspondent of tho " Daily Telegraph," they had bviii"-,tf s ,ii secured the whole of the command*.!^ position-, which, uuder cover of darkness" they commenced strongly to fortify. The open ground round the base' of the kop was a gieat source of strength to the enemy, and as each fresh detachment arrived to reinforce Sir Charles Warren's men they fell thickly before the deadlyBoer fire. The Boers, who were under tho leadership of Commandant Botha, must be credited with a great determination in their defence of the position and in their efforts to recapture it. They resorted to every artifice to outwit the British, and their frantic attempts to recapture the position by force Jof arms having failed they repeatedly rushed into the open and preteuded to flee, in the hope of drawing the British from tho heights in pursuit. The artifice failed, and though some British were captured, it was owino- to a, regrettable failure of amnmuitioii°at a critical period. Again the British Naval guns, which have so often proved of service in the campaign, did splendid work Untortunately the British artillery was less advantageously placed than that of the Boers. Indeed, the skill shown by the enemy in the massing of their guns was a complete surprise to the British artillery ofheers. The list of casualties is still incomplete but according to particulars received up to the present it is as follows : _ l Killed. Wounded. Missin" Olhccrs 21 21 <; °" Men 32 l^o •> Totals 40 ui ~^ Total number of casualties. 205.