THE WAR. DETAILS OF SOME OF THE FIGHTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 16

THE WAR. DETAILS OF SOME OF THE FIGHTING.

THE FIGHT AT LADYSMITH.

Speaking of the battle of Ladjrsmith, thai Central News correspondent says the fortitude and endurance displayed by our troopa was wonderful, Boer guns hurling shells at them from dawn till past noon. - The main? honours of the day were with the cavalry and artillery. A couple of squadrons of Hussara narrowly." escaped 'disaster early in tho day, being suddenly confronted by an overwhelming force of the enemy, who opened a heavy, fire upon the troopers, but the men, splendidly handled, were extricated from an awkward predicament with the loss of only one wounded. The Boers used Maxims very much, but did little execution with them. One of our Maxims was disabled by the Boer artillery. The men in charge fought doggedly, working the gun amidst a shower of shell as } long as it was workable, and finally dragging" it out of range with their own hands, aa every one of the mules belonging to tho detachment was either killed or disabled. The . field artillery was in evidence all day. -Over and over again the battery would expose .it- - self to' the fullest fire, whilst a battalion- ia , temporary difficulties got out of range. - There was general jubilation on the arrival of tKe Naval Brigade. Nothing- could have been more opportune. The bluejackets, jwho " all belong to the cruiser Powerful, left Durban by special (rain, on- Sunday, their de-v, epafceh being kept secret. The brigade brought two 50-pounders and, several heavy quick-firers. Tho smart way in which the bluejackets got their guns into excellent positions was a thing to bo remembered with ad--miration. When they got actually to work, their marksmanship was superb. They silenced tho Boer 40-pounder at the third shot, and it was hoped "Long Tom" had beeifc" settled for good, but in the course of the clay the Boers managed to get him remounted. Before evening they also got come other guns up to the ridge they had occupied the previous day.

The ridge was fortified roughly, but effectively. The enemy also got a second big gun on the ridge just over the 'town, near the old camp, and firing re-commenced later in the afternoon, the bluejackets opening tho ball with a beautifully-placed shot at " Long Tom." The Boers instantly replied, and a lively exchange of fire followed. Then there was a considerable interval, during which everything was quiet. At a quarter to 7 the bluejackets began to pound the Boer batteries, and the enemy replied vigorously- for a -time, but our fire was too much for them, and they ceased to rcsuond. The remainder of the evening passed qujetly. General White, during the darkness, had the two Powerful's 50-pounders mounted in a position . bearing directly \ipon the Boer ' battery. ' The Naval Brigade manned the guns ,at 6 on Tuesday morning/ and the order - was given to open fire. Our men made, beau- " tifui practice, and. the guns were splendidly served. The cannonade was instantly replied to by the Boers, who seemed also to : have got.more guns up. Some were, however, silenced, and the fire "slackened. The enemy's • losses must have been great, our shells repeatedly bursting Among, them, 'but the Boers stuck doggedly to -their heavy guns. The artillery practice of- tho bluejackets produced wondering admiration throughout the camp.