THE OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 33

THE OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

GENERAL FRENCH’S REPORT. A GRAPHIC AND SOLDIERLY STORY. HEAVY BOER LOSSES.

The following message, received by the military authorities from General French at Rensburg, was officially communicated to the press yesterday afternoon :

January 4.—About five this morning my left flank, which rests on a hill about three miles north of Colcsbug, was attacked by fully 1990 Botis, who appeared from the nortli. A squadron of Inniskilliag Drag*'oils on picket was driven in, but chaigeii through the enemy in the open, luffing several. Then the Boers occupied a small line of kopjes and opened a very hot fire on the position occupied by two companies of the Berkshires and half a battalion of the .Suffoiks. .Four guns of the Royal Horse Artillery, posted in a position of readiness, at once advanced and shelled the Boers,

making them take cover. Meantime four Boer guns, with two Maxim-Vickers’s quick-firing, fired heavily. The 10th Hussars, supported by a section of the Royal Horse Artillery, were sent to threaten the right flank of the attackers. This, combined with the hot fire from our guns and infantry, caused many Boers to fall back, but the kopjes were still held by a few hundred.

About one o’clock, after a hot cross fire on them from tho guns, 150 of the Mounted Infantry moved concealed along a hollow, and then, dismounting, attacked along the ridge, carrying it without casualty, and taking nineteen prisoners.

Some fifty odd Boers were killed or wounded here. Our casualties were small. I regret to i*eport that the 10th Hussars, by incautiously approaching a small kopje on which were a few Boers, lost Major Harvey, killed, Major Alexander, slightly wounded, and a few men hit. The Inniskilling Squadron, was scattered. The 'only casualty* known is Lieutenant Gibson (dangerously wounded) and three men hit. The Suffoiks have two men slightly wounded. The Boers are still in force on the hills south-east of Colesberg. The Boers lost last Monday over fifty killed, including two field cornets, many wounded, and one gun damaged.