THE NICHOLSON'S NEK DISASTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 28

THE NICHOLSON'S NEK DISASTER.

DETAILS OF THE SURRENDER, SYDNEY, November 27. Details of the surrender of Lieutenanf;colonel Carleton's column at Nicholson's Nek show that, he carried out his instructions from General White to make a night march, so that the Boers should not slip past and get on to Ladysfiiith till within two miles of the Nek. At this point two boulders rolled down from the hill, and there were a few rifle shots," which causeil a stampede of the infantry ' ammunition mules. The stampede spread to the battery mules, which broke Jloose 'and bolted wit!i practically the whole pj the gun equipment^ The greater portion of the regimental small I arms ammunition reserve was similarly lost H The infantry battalions, however, fixed! bayonets, and, accompanied by the personnel of the battery, seized the hill two miles from the Nek with but little oppositions They remained , there unmolested till dawn r the time being occupied in organising tha defences and constructing stone sangars an J walls, as a cover from, the fire. At dawn a skirmishing attack on our position was* , commenced, but the enemy made no way; till 9.30, when large reinforcements enabled them to push the attack with great energy* The fire became very scorching, and tha two companies of the Gloucester in an ad" vanced position were ordered to fall baclo. The enemy then pressed the British atshorti range, the losses on our side becoming; numerous. At -2 p.m. our ammunition was practically, exhausted,, the position cajjf

tured, und the survivors' oolumn fell into Vhe enemy's hands. The enemy treated our Wounded with great kindness and humanity.