THE BOER WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11852, 2 January 1902, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

DE WET'S RECENT ATTACKS.

THE TWEEFONTEIN AFFAIR,

DETAILS OF THE ) ATTACK.

A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT.

BOER COMMANDANT KILLED.

TWO GUNS CAPTURED.

THE FIGHT AT TAFELKOP.

A FIERCE ENGAGEMENT. ' By. Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright. (Received January !, 8.50 p.m.) London. January 1. It now transpires that De Wet detached columns from his main [ body to attack Colonels Dartriell and Damant, reserving 800 for his swoop on Tweefontein. De Wet is still south of Langberg. Captain G. Grice, of the Scottish Rifles, attached to the Imperial Yeomanry, who was : dangerously wounded at Tweefontein, has since died. (Received : January 2, 1,3 a.m.) •London, January 1. The Standard publishes a graphic narrative of De Wet's recent fight at Langberg and Tweefontein. De Wet, realising that the chain of blockhouses and the mobile columns encircling him would isolate him in a foodless district, scattered his forces, reassembling at Langberg.' Colonel Dartnell hastened to encounter him near Langberg, and on December 23 the Boers charged like cavalry with desperate courage. The Boer check became a stampede, and as they fled to cover many fell into Colonel Dartnell's clever impromptu ambush. De Wet sjamboked the retreaters into renewing a flank attack from cover. De Wet's casualties totalled 100, chiefly sustained during the charge and retreat across the open. The British force after the victory went to Bethlehem. De Wet then summoned Commandants Prinsloo's and Cellier's men, collecting 1700. Leaving 200 at Langberg he feinted to move in the direction of Reitz, and then doubled back south-eastwards to Tweefontein. ' : '; , '' ' The British had previously taken every precaution. Fifteen hundred Boers crept to the foot of the precipice, removed their boots and climbed up. They overpowered the picquets and poured a fearful fire into Colonel Firman's camp. EaciT Yeoman emerging from his tent was visible against. the - sky, while the enemy were barely distinguishable except for their triumphant shouts:■ A fierce half-hour's' struggle, ensued. Both sides lost heavily. An hour before daybreak the Boers had gone. ■ Commandant Gert Olivier, of Bethlehem, was killed at Tweefontein. The Boers secured two guns. Further details of the Tafelkop fight show that Wessells commanded the attackers. Two hundred Boers hid themselves in grass-covered kraals. ' ■ ■ ' Colonel Damant's open position was responsible for most of the casualties. Three hundred Boers charged the hill whereon the British were stationed. The leaders were riddled with bullets. The struggle was brief and fierce. Colonel Damant's guns fired point blank until the ammunition was exhausted. .The staff used their, revolvers until they fell.