THE BATTLE "OF ELANDSLAAGTE. REMEMBERING MAJUBA.

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

THE BATTLE "OF ELANDSLAAGTE. REMEMBERING MAJUBA.

The special correspondent -of tho Standard sends further graphic details about the fight at Elanclpjaagto. • - So keen were the rank and file of the Dovonshiros that 'rtiore "than one man exposed himself to the deadly aim of the Boers merely in order to satisfy himself as to the progress of the fight. I heard one soldier invite hia comrade to put up his head and see how the' Boers were getting on. " I will as soon as there is room for it," was the reply— a very natural one, considering that the air seemed to consist of flying lead. The Gordon Highlanders were especially anxious to teach tho enemy a lesson. Their regiment was represented at Majuba Hill, and the Boers had afterwards referred to them in derision as " Kaffirs clothed in kilts." The men were keen on wiping out the insult, and to this end bore themselves with the most reckless courage. Towards 6 o'clock there was a lull in tho. deadly rattle of rifles and machine guns, and our artillery ceased to throw in their hail of, shell for fear' of impeding our advance. It was a magnificent and soul-stirring spectacle, as our gallant fellows dashed straight at the enemy, driviug him irresistibly from point, to point: The Boers stood their ground to tho last, with the courage of despair; but they were no match for our men in personal combat, and were drivea back in hopeless confusion. Fifty or sixty of them, mounting . their horses, made off at full speed over the. hills towards the east. Another 15 minutes of deadly work, and the last shot had been fired. With a loud cheer, and a shout from tho Gordon Highlanders of " What price Majuba?" our men dashed down the opposite ijicline right into the heart of the Boer position, with bayonets fixed. But the white flag, stuck into tho muzzle of a Mauser, was already flying in the laager, and the officers checked their men in mid-career. The hollow in which the enemy h?,d fought was thickly strewn with dead and wounded. Colonel Scluel, the leader of tho German contingent, lay prostrate with both legs shattered. He had, it appears, exposed himself on the ridge with the utmost gallantry, in order to encourage his men when they seemed disposed to give way to panic. No praise can be too high for the courago and self-Ba<jrific« of our officers. Their behaviour was worthy of the finest traditions of the British Army. Any officer showing himself against the skyline at once became a target for the Mausers of the Boers, and only with rare exceptions escaped injury. Their courage was not mere recklessness, but deliberately calculated, with the object of encouraging and directing the men who followed them. Yet it is only just to tho rank and file to say they would have advanced as steadily on their own initiative.

The Daily News correspondent says: — Conspicuous in the Gordons' fighting line through* out was Lord Ava,- attached specially to the Brigadier's staff. The final rush, states the Daily Nows account, of the Devons in front and the Gordons and Manchester men on the flank was a sight to see. With levelled bayonets, cheering an they went, they sprang over tho boulder^ etrejyn at their feet. ' Tho Boora, recoiling, fired wildly, then dashed dowu the ruggea

steep to escape the annihilation threatening 'them. Some, desperately 'determined on killing, returned, however, to tlie nek, in the rear of which the Gordons had crouched behind the boulders.

xne enemy uispiayea, suites iae jjuny news ( correspondent, qualities of fight for which : even his stand on Friday had not prepared us. He had entrenched himself on. ground ] ■which gave him a great advantage 1 , and ho contested every inch of the terrain with great stubbornness, fighting from ridge to ridge as his skirmishers were driven in by the Imperial Light Horse and the sth Lancers. ' " At five minutes past 6 o'clock," says the Morning Post correspondent, " the cease fire ■was sounded, and the whole of our infantry lino advanced with a rush. The Boers fled, but were unable, owing to the raoidity of the advance of our men, to get to their horses ! or to reach the fort," and soon our men were among them with fixed bayonets. On the extreme left the sth Lancers charged just about the Hame moment, doing great execution." ■ " A wounded Light Horseman, to whose assistance I went," says the Daily News corre- ! epondenf, " " unselfishly implored me to leave him and" get under cover.' 'l was fortunately able to help him out of range of this sniping, fire, which lasted until sudden darkness came 7 putting a stop to hostilities. It saved the Boera, but not before a squadron of the sth Lancers had caught many on the lower ground and taught them a lesson. Not easily forgotten is the swift punishment which 'British cavalry inflicts."

" A wounded Light Horseman, to whose as- " sietance I went," says the Daily News correspondent, ~ " unselfishly implored me to leave

THE SIEGE OF MAFEKING.

MAFEKING, November 3. On. Sunday night two 7-pounders were placed in an advanced position in the direction of tho waterworks. Early on Monday morning the enemy opened shell fire on the town. After half an hour's firing, we succeeded in knocking one of the enemy's guns out of action,. The- -Boers retired, but, on the arrival of reinforcements from Walmanu, again attacked in force, and were again repulsed. On Tuesday the enemy opened a heavy shell fire on Cannon Kopje, but the excellent fortifications prevented serious damage there. Later in the day the enemy ehelled the town with a 96-pounder, and also with smaller field pieces. On Wednesday the enemy made a general attack on all sides, under cover of shell fire, and were repelled with the Hotchkiss and 7-pounders. We also poured a raking fire from the Maxims into the advancing Boers, and the enemy were eventually driven back, after a hot engagement, throughout which our men behaved with great spirit. The casualties on our side were slight, and the enemy's losses were estimated at 50 killed. Colonel Baden-Powell complimented the men on their excellent behaviour. On Thursday the shelling was-re-sumed at an early hour, the 96-ponnder being again in evidence. Later in the day the enemy, 2000 strong, took up a position to westward, with the evident intention of making a general advance. A heavy thunderstorm broke, however, and the Boers retired, after firing a few volleys from their rifles and Maxims. So far the shell fire lias had a remarkably small effect. The enemy's gunnery is excellent, and the absence of disastrous loss of life on our eide is entirely due to the admirable fortifications. Civilians take refuge in shell-proof cellars, and the troops retire to fortified trenches. The health of the troops is good.

The following is the strength of the Boer artillery: — Five 7-pounders, one 10-pounder, two Krupp 12-pounders, and one Krupp 96pounder.

The attack by Boers on October 25 was on all sides of Mafeking, their riflemen coming in tvery close. A, B, and C Squadrons of the Protectorate Regiment were engaged, the two former closing up to the Boers and getting them on the run again. Mines were exploded and sent the Boers galloping off in all directions, and the general consensus of opinion is that the Boers have lost heavily and got a severe repulse. The town is now thoroughly in a slate of defence. A lot of " rabbit holes " have "been excavated, into which the men dive ■when the smoke of the big gun is seen, only to reappear a moment later with a smile after the shell has fallen.

Many individual acts of bravery are to be recorded," parties of men running from shelter to bring in. wounded, under heavy fire as a matter of course. Colonel Baden-Powell is in danger of hero-worship, for the whole place is swearing by him, his '• bonhomie " having fairly captivated everybody. Cannon Kopje is defended by Colonel Walford and his fine troop of 8.5.A.P., undoubtedly a position of honour for any soldier.

THE BOER BIG GUNS. HOPETOWN, November 3. The big gun by which Cronjc oxpecled to be able to demolish Mafeking has proved (I learn "•*** Transvaal Bourceg) anything but r-buc-

cess. It weighs 20,0001b, and had to be drawn by 16 oxen and 20 mules. The tremendous recoil threw the gun out of gear every time it was fired, and after using it for two days, the Boers have now given it up. One shot struck the town and set fire to Weil's I store, which was burnt.

A LETTER FROM JOHANNESBURG. CAPETOWN, November 3. Mrs Raynes, who is at present in Capetown, has just received a letter from her husband, Mr T. Raynes, civil engineer, and manager of the Johannesburg Waterworks, dated Johannesburg, October 27. The letter was sent by a native runner to the border, and the f ollowing is an extract therefrom : — "The Government are treating us splendidly —in fact, we seem to be their first consideration. The arrangements in Johannesburg are Eerfect, and the regulations deserve nothing ut the highest praise. Everything for the management of the town and people is simply admirable. There is very little destruction of property. I am afraid I cannot say the same for the private houses, which are mostly j inhabited by Boer families. We have' been made special constables for the protection of the waterworks, with myself as sergeant in command. We have to watch the waterworks all night in watches of four hours each, and every consideration is shown to us."