THE BOER WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11942, 16 January 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

NEW ZEALANDERSATTHJS FRONT. •

IN A PIERCE BATTLE.

GALLANTRY OF NEW ZEALANDERS,

THEIR HEAVY LOSSES.

(Feou Our Own Coiihespoxdent.) LONDON, December 7. Accounts have been received of anothor desperate fight with the liners, General Paget's forces being engaged, including llio New Zc-alanders, who arc reported as behaving with magnificent gallantry, but also, as unhappily, sustaining severe losses. It appears tlmt on November 25 the troopa under General Paget camo in contact with the Boer forces under Commandants Erasmus and Viljoen. After three days' fighting the Boers fell back on their main position at Rhenoster Kop, about 40 miles cast of Pretoria and 18 miles from the lino of railway. The enemy's strength was estimated at 2500 men, with five guns, two pom-poms, and one Maxim. On the 29th General Paget assaulted the Boer position. The British forces met with a stubborn resistance, mid a, fierco battle, the front of which extended seven miles, was soon in progress. Along the whole seven mils 3 of front the contending forces were in contact for some considerable time, and tho fire was terrific. There was a slight lull in the firing as the Hoars made a daring attempt to turn tho British left (lank, hold by Cradock'a New Zealand troops. The Boor advance was made in the usual manner—short rushes, with halts to take cover and pour in volleys. In this way tho enemy made some headway down the kopje, |bllt Die New Zealamlcrs held their ground stubbornly and tho Boer attackers were checked and driven hack with loss. Goneral Paget then initiated a counter attack in the shape of an attempt by the British right to turn the Boor left flank. In this movement tho Munctors and the West Riding Regiment bore tho brunt of the fighting,' and twico they advanced with a view to charging with the bayonet. On each occasion, however, they found the. Boer fire too severe, and had to retire. It was late ill the afternoon when the first distinct bucccss was gained by our troop.?. Tho New Zealanders with great gallantry rushed the Boer positions, which ivere occupied aftor some sharp fighting. Darkness had fallen when tho Boers eventually retired, and pursuit was out of tho question;. but next morning the defeated enemy fell foul of Lyttelton's brigade and .were severely bandied. Altogether in the fighting tho Boers lost P0 killed and a much larger number wounded and captured. Considering .the formidable position occupied by the Boers during the fight on the 29th of November, and that our men had to attack with practically no cover on the open plain, it is marvellous that our casualties wore not heavier on that day. Tho New Zoidand Red Cross men were sent out to collect the wounded. Tho enemy, disregarding tlioir emblem of neutrality, concentrated ii heavy fire upon them until tho New Zealanders, in disgust, discarded their Red Cross ting. Several of the New Zealanders displayed conspicuous gallantry in bringing wounded comrades from tho firing lino to the rear. The casualty list issued by tho War Office in connection with this engagement includes the names of the followinc New Zealanders: Killed—(New Zealand Mounted Infantry) G. Hyde Onnenhmm, Corporal Rodnev-' Devereux, and Sergeant F. Russell. Severely wounded—>T. A. Borlase, ,T. Goldstone, Corporal C. 0. Fagenson. W. E. Hawthorne, C. Dyke, A. M'Beat'o, R. J. Foreman. E. G. Hill. Cornoral C. E. Clews, J. Anderson, A. L. M'Bride, Lieutenant J. E. Montgomerie (gunshot wound right hip), Lieutenant C. L. Somerville (gunrhot wound left arm), H. G. Swainson, and R. .T. Brown. Slightly wounded—A. A. Wood, Sergeant C. H. Street. Wounded, decree unknown— Captain G. Crawshaw, Captain S. fj. Godfrey. Lieutenant, Tucker. Dangerously—Sergeant R. E. Smith. '