THE MODDER RIVER FIGHT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11649, 5 February 1900, Page 2

THE MODDER RIVER FIGHT.

A BOER ACCOUNT.

A special corespondent of the Pretoria. Press with General Cronje's forces, writing from. Jacobsdal on November 30, gives fin interesting account from the Boer point of view of tlie Modder River fight. Ho says: — " The Modder River battle is considered by the Boers to be one of the fiercest contests they ever experienced. Genera] Oronje commanded the Transvaal wing of the federal forces, and it was his Wing which sustained almost solely the fearful attack of the British right throughout the whole of the day. The Transvaalers maintained their position with the greatest tenacity until 7 in the evening,, when the Free Stater's-wero forced by the heavy British shell-fire to retire. General Cronje theri retired under cover of darkness, after facing with his commandos the concentrated fire of the whole British batteries. The Boers presented a magnificent spottacle of heroism and determination throughout the day. They freely acknowledge tho herculean assaults of tho British and the death-dispensing fire of the attacking infantry, But in spite of the enemy's fire the Transvaalers and Free Staters maintained their position for 13 hours against the flower of the British army, replying solely with their Mausers, and keeping up an interrupted rifle fire. The Boer artillery was silenced early in the battle through the overWhelming number of the! British artillery/