FIRST FIGHT NEAR KIMBER LEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 27

FIRST FIGHT NEAR KIMBER LEY.

CAPETOWN. October 27. An action occurred near Kimberley on Wednesday, October 24. Colonel Keke* wich's account is as follows: — Lieutenant-colonel Scott Turner proceeded northward with about 270 mounted men about 4 this morning. The party off-saddled at M'Farla.ne's ""at. about 8.45 a.m. They continued their journey towards Riverton road station almost at' once. . ■ Scattered parties of Boers were seen oh. the right flank. Turner took up a position,'^ at M'Farlane's. He saw 135 Boers south of his position, about 1200 yards range. Turner oDened fire, and saw the Boers falling. At 10 a.m. 200 Boers seen advancing' from north. The Boers were already in position. Turner opened fire at 1700 yards at this body. and emptied several saddles. The enemy now moved to a sand heap, and opened fire on Turner's force at 2000 yards range, which fire was returned. Tur,; ncr .endeavoured- to cut off the Boers advancing against Murray at 2 p.m., but was met by a heavy magazine fire from a dam-wall not previously noticed, about 600 yards from, his left flank. At 11 a.m. I ordered Lieutenant-colonel Murray to nroceed north with 150 men o£ the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment by a train which had been kept ready. The armoured train was already in support of Turner's force. At 11.56 a.m. Murray left Kimberley, ann at the same time two guns, two Maxims; with an escort of 70 mounted men, advanced by road, towards M'Farlane'a. Murray's force proceeded direct to Tur« ner's position, and six miles from here tha fold of ground hid the train from view. At 1.10 p.m. I saw our two Runs suddenly, come into action against the Boers on hills norUi-oa6_t of them in a very unfavourable position in low ground. ' Their artillery fire was very brisk. ' I at once ordered a second train to be held in readiness. About 1.30 p.m. it was noticed through tha smoke of the guns that Murray's train had returned, and his men were in support of the guns. At 2 p.m. the second train was forwarded** with 70 of the Kimberley Regiment and additional ammunition for the guns. Two coaches were also sent" on the train to bring back the wounded. The Loyal North Lancaghires behaved mosfs gallantly, and cleared the Boers out of the kopjes. Colonel Scott Turner .cannot be too hiahly

commended for the part he took in to-day's engagement.

-Commandant Botha (of tho Boshof commando) and many Boerß were killed.

-The estimated strength of the Boer force engaged to-day is 700 men. No guns. Our succesa will have a very good effect in this neighbourhood. Tfie Boers twice* attempted to make a treacherous use of tho- white flag.

The body of Commandant Botha (of Boshaf), the Boer leader, was found. He was shot with a Lee-Metford bullet through the right breast.

A Cape policeman had a narrow escape. His hat was perforated twice, and there were two bullet hole 3in his coat. He was unicathed.