NORTHERN FRONTIER. CAPETOWN, February 12.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 22

NORTHERN FRONTIER. CAPETOWN, February 12.

The British have withdrawn from Siingerstonieln to Rend«burg owing to their jastsrn fLmk being threatened by the memy. J«\ j bruaiy 14. The "JJoerS outnumber the British at

Colesberg five to one. The enemy have mounted a 40-pounder on Bastard's Nek, commanding the country for 1 - a distance of 9000 yards, and compelling all Majorgeneral Clement's outposts to retire to Rendsburg. A detachment of Victorian Mounted Rifles for some time gallantly defended a position at "Maider's Farm, inflicting' heavy loss on the Boer?. The Westralians, with detachments of the Wiltshire and Berkshire Regiments, were also hotly engaged. A shell from a howitzer struck and silenced one of the enemy's Cruesot guns. The transfer of General French's cavalry to the Modder River has encouraged the Boers to attack. February 16. The British have retired from Rendsburg to Arundel. The enemy reoccupied the Taaisbosch Hills. The Inniskilling Dragoons stopped their further "advance southwards, charging the enemy and inflicting great loss upon them. The War Office reports that the following members of Victoria's first contingent were killed at Rendsburg on- the 10th and 12th inst. :— Major G. A. Eddy, Lieutenant J. C. Roberts, Sergeant N. Grant, Corporals Armrop ('( Archer) and A. Ross, Privates Stock, Wilson, M'Kane, and Williams; also Lieutenant Powell, of the South Australian contingent. The following were wounded: — Lieutenants Gamble and Tremearne, Corporal D. M'Cauley, Privates Landorn, Williamson, Wallace, Ems, Bush, Colley, Hagon, Peters, and Edwards (the latter dangerously), and Byers (severely). The Victorians also had the following wounded and taken prisoners: — Corporal Mowley, Private Roberts (all of the Victorian Rifles). LONDON, February 14. Newspapers regret that their fruitlessness has murdered General French's successes in the Colesberg district. The enemy has placed heavy guns on Cole's Kop, in the vicinity of Colesberg. February 15. j Colonel Charles Coningham, commanding the second battalion of the Worcester Regiment, was killed during 'the recent fighting at Rendsburg. February 16. General Clements retired from Rendsburg in order to protect Naauwpoort. The Boer casualties on Monday in the engagement near Rendsburg were heavy. The Australians were greatly outnumbered, but displayed great coolness and bravery, covering the infantry's retreat. • Two companies of the Wiltshire Regiment engaged on outpost duty were intercepted. Two privates of the Victorian Rifles were wounded — Burrows severely, and Gifford slightly, — taken prisoners, and sent to Pre- j toria. ' j February 18. The fighting which took place at Rends- j burg on Monday was of the most fierce and determined character. Four thousand Boers attacked the hill occupied and defended by the Worcester Regiment. They were badly repulsed, losing at least 100 killed. The Boers, however, ultimately occupied Rendsburg. Two companies of the Wiltshire Regiment who were holding a post in the vicinity of Rendsburg were forgotten when the British retired to Arundel, and were, of course, promptly captured 'by the 1 en &my. Poirion of the two companies of the Wiltslure Resiinentj left behind when the

British retired to Arundel, have arrived at Arundel. The colonials (Cape) made a . brilliant bayonet charge at Dordrecht on Friday night. The Boers did not wait for them, but fled in the most admired disorder.