NEWS BY MAIL STEAMER.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 3130, 9 December 1899, Page 2

NEWS BY MAIL STEAMER.

THE NOCTURNAL SUPRISE. THE BIG ATTACK ON MAFEKING. Received December 9th, 0.45 a.m. Adelaide, December 9. The mail steamer brings Jileß dated Capetown, November 17th. In reference to the charge r&s£e by General Joubert against the English for firing on an ambulance, one of Joubert'a chaplains, writing to the Standard and Diggers' News, Johannesburg, says that the ambulance was not m its proper place being within the line of fire. One shot did fall near it, but the instant the British saw, it they ceased firing. The chaplain is certain that the shot was a mere accident. The Boer wounded are load m their praise of the chivalry and humanity of the British soldiers. Colonel Baden-Powell's nocturnal surprise on the Boers entrenched near Mafekingwas accomplished m magnificent style. Captain Fitzmaurice was selected to lead the enterprise. The squadron left camp when everything was still and crept Btealthily to* wards the enemy's lines. They got close up before the Boers had the slightest idea that anything was afoot. The anxious watchers at Mafeking gave ringing cheers as the gallant little band dashed forward to the Boer trenches with fixed bayonets. Then the night rang out with the shouts and yells of the contending forces. The Boer reinforcements came hurriedly forward, Captain Fitzmaurice'B whistle sounded,

and the men ran back to their own line followed by a shower of rifle shots. Th< squadron was warmly welcomed b: Colonel Powell. Cronje made his big attack on Mafe king at 4.30 a.m. on October 31st. Hii big guns began to concentrate on th< kopje held by Captain Walford'a trooj of police. When day broke the Boen were seen menacing our position, anc at 6 o'clock they opened a tremen dous fire into the kopje from botl Bides. Colonel Baden-Powell directed the town guns' support, Captain Walford whose Maxim kept up a withering fire putting the enemy's 12pr tempornri'j out of action. Under cover of their gum the Boers crept up close to the kopje, recognising that rushing taclics could alone prevail, but the Maxim mowed them down. After five hours' fighting they retreated beaten.