BRITAIN & THE TRANSVAAL

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11785, 7 October 1901, Page 2

BRITAIN & THE TRANSVAAL

THE FORT ITALIA AND PROSPECT FIGHTS. HEAVY BOER LOSSES. A SPLENDID DEFENCE. United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. Received October 0. 4.30 p.m. London, October 5 —Four thousand Boers attacked the forts at Italia and Prospect. The British, after the fighting, buried 332 Boers. The enemy at Fort Italia fought with dogged desperation, i&peatedly charging the trenches. The enemy's fire early in the figM damaged the two 15-poundera and a Maxim. Lord Kitchener, in congratulating Major Chapman, who wan in command at Italia, said that but for the defenders fine Bt«>nd the result would have been disastrous. Of the outpost which made such a brave resistance *at Italia Mountain, 14 escaped and 37 were captured. The latter were released after carrying the Boer wounded to Babanango. A body of volunteers and scouts, near I Helpmaak .r, had a collision with a vanguard of 150 Boers. Three hundred and fifty of the enemy looted a few head of cattle at Pietpotgietersdrift, and 203 attacked a mission station at Bothabella, neai Middleburg, Avith a view of obtaining provisions. They were repulsed. Major-General Stephenson has succeeded Beatson in command of the columns operating in southern Cape Colony. Lieutenant Bell (Western Australia) and Farrier-Major Hardham (a New Zealander) are mentioned for conspicuous self-sacrificing act 3of bravery at Brakpan and Naauwpoort respectively, and ha^e been awarded Victoria -Crosses. A NEWSPAPER SUGGESTION. KRUGKR'S STATE OF HEALTH. BPJTISH CASUALTIES IN SEPTEMBER. Received October 7, 8-36 a.m. London, October 6.— The Spectator suggests that Lord Roberts should be sent to finish the war. and .that Lord Kitchener should bo appoiuted temporary Commander -in - Chief, or Roberts's chief of htaff. Wolmarans declares that Mr Kruger is slowly growing weaker, and that his mental condition is unsatisfactory. The military have commandeered all waggons and trek oxen in ihe Lower Tugela and Umvoti district. All. suspected Dnchmen have been removed from the district. Natives defended the Bokobella mission station until relieved. '. Kruitzinger's force made three attempts to cross the Orange- River, -but was repulsed owing to the efficiency of the blockhouse system. The British casualties in September numbered 73 officers and 10 12 men killed and wounded and missing; 1986 invalided Home; and 143 died of disease. SMALL PARTIES OF BOERS CAPTURED. BRITISH LOSSES DURING THE WAR. Received October 7, 8.49 a.m. London, October 6.— Theron is at Colonia and Scheeper's •ommando at Caletzdorp. Colonel Munro defeated Myberg at Barkley East, killing eleven. Major Cole captured twenty-two men of M»rai9' commando at Wepener. , , The constabulary captured seventeen of Nuiwhondt's commando at Retrusbnrg, including Adjutant Scheeper, and Field Cornet Valderwalt. The total British casualties during the war number 75,562. Of 824 officers and 16,648 men who died in South Africa 10,550 died of disease. Out of 57,470 invalided home the great majority have recovered and rejoined their regiments.