A NIGHT ATTACK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8056, 3 November 1897, Page 2

A NIGHT ATTACK.

Sir Bimlon Blood reports from Nawagai that the Hadda mollah attacked his camp at midnight on the 19th and 20th September. Some 150 of the enemy, chiefly swordsmen, wore in the h'rst line, and about 1000 in the second line. The first line crept up unperceived to within about 30 or 40 yards of the parapet held by the Queen's Regiment, and began firing ; but being met' by steady volleys dispersed in a few minutes, after trying other faces of the camp in a halfhearted way. The tribesmen then turned their attention, with much shouting, to the picquet held by the Khan of Nagawai's men, on the low hills a mile to the west. After half an hour's sniping at this picquet they made oil. Our casualties were one man of the Queen's Regiment killed, and one wounded. The enemy left no dead or wounded on the ground. On the following night another attack was made in force, the Hadda mollah having been joined by the Safi mollahs and a contingent of Shiuwaiis from Afghan territory. The total strength was estimated at 3000. The attack is described as being rather welt carried out tactically, regular rushes being made, covered by rifle fire. It began about i) p.m., and firing contiuuod till 1 a.m. Constant rushes were made from all directions more or less simultaneously. The troops behaved with the utmost steadiness, and the fire discipline was perfect. The safety of the camp was never for a moment in doubt, though individual tribesmen advanced to within 10 yards of tho parapet, oorpsos boing afterwards found at that distance. The enemy must have suffered heavily, as they came under a crossfire, and our men could see them plainly as they stood up. No 1 British Mountain Battery fired four star shells very successfully. The whole affair is considered most satisfactory, as proving thu steadiness of the troops. General Blood had been warned 'at 8 p.m. by tho Political Otiicer thai the attack was intended, so everything was ready when the enemy appeared. The mountain battery was of the greatest value, firing shrapnel as well as star .shells.