THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 38

THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING

CHE FINAL ROUT OF THE BOERS.

A VIGOROUS ARTILLERY DUEL.

tELIEF FORCE ENTERS THE TOWN.

FRANTIC ENTHUSIASM.

MAHON AND PLUMER' S RECEPTION.

{Telegraphed by the Special Correspondent ■ of -the Cape Times.) Mafeking, May 17. Beleaguered Mafeking is a free city once more, "the siege having been raised at 5 this morning by the combined forces of Mahon and Plumer, who met at Madibi's, twenty miles west of the town. The column engaged tho enemy on Tuesday at 1 p.m., nine miles 'from the village, where the Boers occupied a. position commanding our only water, and attempted tc enfilade the convoy by occupying all the surrounding heights. Mahon was not taken by surprise, as the Brers expected, \his scouts having watched the dust clouds for a considerable time. Squadron after squadron quickly galloped to the top of the hilV supported by the R.H.A. guns, Canadian 'Artillery, Maxims, and pom-ponw, and opened fire at 2000 yards. Tho enemy replied vigorously with artillery, Yiekers-Maxims, and Mausers, and fought -pluckily for upwards of an hour, but after that time commenced to give way, and ■were pursued by our men, who poured into the retreating ranks a decimating fire. The IBoer artillery practice was the feature of_the engagement, one shell smashing a R.B.A. limber, and seriously wounding Lieutenant Grey. The men nevertheless stood pluckily to the guns, which were also well served, the pom-poms doing much moral and effectual d?mage. The Boers, when driven back on the west eice, commenced a rearguard action. The latter, under command of Peakman, hold them at a sufficient distance to ci.able the con,,voy to reach it-s destination without the loss nf a singles animal. As a 7-pounder was being conveyed in a Scotch cart to &u""orl the rearguard a shell buret underneath the cart, upsetting the gun, but nobody was hurt. ' The enemy retired to the eastern front of Mafeking. now occupying the trenches there, and' at the present moment are being attacked by the local forces, supported by our ariillery. ■Considering the immense track of ground co 'ered by our troops in the engagement, the fca-ualties were comparatively slight. After being fourteen hours in the saddle, "the troops had three hours' rest, and then the inarch to Mafeking was commenced, the first to enter being a squadron of Cape Police and the Diamondfields Horse, who were enthusiastically greeted by the local men, who had remained up all night. Men and animals stood Jie arduous journey remarkably well, ,only trifling cases of sickness occurring on the march. ■' Last night, when the ambulance was collecting the wounded some distance from our lines, the Boers, in defiance of the convention, seized it and the injured men. ' At mid-day addresses were presented to Brigadier Mahon and Colonel Plumer by the townspeople on the Market square, where a large concourse of people had gathered to witness the return of the troops, engaged in this morning's fight. These officers had an immense reception. At the conclusion of their briet soldier-like reply, they were accorded hearty cheers. Enthusiastic cheers were also given for the Queen, and BadenLowell . came in for a. well-merited share of oublic feeling, testifying to the appreciation

in which he is held by Mafekingites. The troops were greeted with a running fire of cheers all along the route, which was partially lined by the Town Guard, white and black, alike endeavouring to vie with each other in rendering this tribute of admiration.

The Boer? were driven out of all the trenches this morning, and the town is now clear of the enemy, who courd not withstand the withering fire of our guns, and fled in all directions. Seven dead bodies were found in the trenches, and two prisoners were taken. Quite an army of correspondents is gathered here, every important paper being represented.