FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE COLENSO FIGHT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9941, 18 January 1900, Page 2

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE COLENSO FIGHT.

GREAT ACTS OF HEROISM. MOBART, January 17. The Papanui arrived at 1 p.m. She brought Capo filee to fhe 27th December. Further particulars of the fight at Ci'lonao showed that the Volunteers and Inegular foicos behaved admirably under trying circumstances. Tho men advanced with Jittlo cover, under a heavy fire from an entrenched invisible enemy, ivithout artillery support, notwithstanding which they exhibited tho pluck, coolness, and credit of veterans. Tliornoycroft'a troop faced a heavy crosa fire, aud lost ono officer and foui mon killed, and seven officers and 27 men wounded. A squadron of the Imperial Light Horso had a warm time. They then, dismounted, moving in extended formation across level country. They were surprised by a heavy rifle fire from an invislblo enemy, apparently four hundred yards distant. Tho men immediately fell flat on tho ground, subsequently retiring, losing ihieo men killed and seven wounded. Tho South African Light Horse, stationed two miles from Coleneo, received i baptism of fire, which they found very distressing. Two officers were wounded <md four troopers killed, and 19 wounded, and two officers and 11 men missing. Forty horses woro shot. All the officera and mon behaved grandly. AUh of heroism were reported. Lieutenant McKay, of the Carbineers, was wounded, and Troonor Young, under a heavy fire, carried him 50 yards in. imminent risk of his life. Lieutonint Ponsonby, who was ordered to lotire, remained behind with * wounded man, dressed injuries, then tried to carry him to safety. Whilst bo engaged his helmet was perforated by a bullet. Tho injured man's life was short, a bullet lodging in his stomach, causing death. Ponsonby took shelter for a time, and then passed on, receiving an arm wound. His coat was perforated. Seeing hia condition, a- Boer advanced within a short diatanco to make mire of lub viotim, but Ponaonby Bhot him dead with his revolvor Private Dowling discovered Sergeant Sheridan wounded, and carried him half-a-inilo out of danger. Lance-Cornoral Farrell mado two trips into tho field, under a hailstorm of bullete, aud brought in two wounded men, but not before dressing their wounds.