OPERATIONS IN NATAL

Colonist, Volume XLIII, Issue 9689, 19 January 1900, Page 2

OPERATIONS IN NATAL

Siege of LadysmlthEvidences of Boer Heavy LossDurban, December 15. As proving the severity of the losses sustained by the Boers on the 6th inst. at Ladysmith, the British assisted to carry 90 Boers off Waggon Hill alone. Thirty-thre c of the Natal troops were wounded on the 6th. London, January 17. The " Standard's " Ladysmith correspondent cables that the Heidelberg commando, early on the dth, succeeded in evading British pickets, and captured an outlying sangaro (?; at Csssar's camp. Owing to the darkness, and the Boers' trick of replying to the shouts of the British officers some con- ' fusion occurred, but when daylight broke the British Shrapnel prevented : reinforcements coming up, and ultimately the Gordon Highlanders and Chesters drove the enemy out in utter disorder. Many were drowned crossing the streams, which became suddenly swollen by a heavy thunderstorm.

The Harrismith commando, simultaneously with the attack on Cresars camp, surprised Wagon Hill, seized the crest and captured 30 of the Gordons after all had been wounded. The artillery and cavalry checked reinforcements at this point also, and stub- 1 born fighting lasted all . day. At a critical period in the afternoon the Gordons rendered splendid service by holding the Boers in check until three companies of the Devons, charging brilliantly across open ground under a terrific fire, hurled the enemy down the hill at the bayonets point. The Boers admit that they have received the severest blow of the campaign. With General Buller. Reported Heavy Artillery Firing Towards SpringfieldStrict Censorship of News» London, January 17. : " The Times " correspondent at the front ( wires that .very heavy artillery firing was heard on Monday in the direction of .Springfield, whence General Buller has advanced. The censorship of Press messages will be of an extreme character until General Buller notifies the result of his movements. General Buller Reports a Reconnaissance on the TugelaGeneral Buller, reporting on casualties incidentally mentions having made a reconnaissance on the Tugela at Springfield on Monday. A Dashing Movement. January 18. " The Times " correspondent with General Buller describes a dashing movement by the force under Lord Dundonald on the 10th instant. He occupied the hills above Potgietera Drift, completely surprising the Boers, and the ininf antry immediately moved to Sherman's Farm, beyond Springfield. Lytteiton's Brigade crossed the river on the 16th and yesterday opened on the Boer trenches with their howitzers. ; ! General Warren's Force yesterday crossed Trichart's Drift, five miles higher up the river, without opposition, though the Boers held a position five miles away. Smallpox in Boer CampsSmallpox has broken out in the Boer camps in Natal. (