A SEVERE BLOW TO THE BOERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9942, 19 January 1900, Page 2

A SEVERE BLOW TO THE BOERS.

HURLED DOWN HILL AT THE BAYONET POINT. MANY DROWNED IN THE SWOLLEN STREAMS. I SPLENDID SERVICE OF THE GORDONS. 30 OF THEM CAPTURED BY A TRICK. Received January 19, at 12.35 a.m. LONDON, January 18. Later details shotv that when tho captain of the Yorkshires was wounded Major Madocks ordered a charge. The Standard's Ladysmith correspondent cables that at Heidelberg a commando early on the 6th inst., succeeded in evading the British pickets, and captured an outlying sangaro near Cresar's camp. Owing to the darkness, and the Boers' tricks of replying to the shouts of tho British officers, somo confusion occurred. When daylight broke British shrapnel prevented reinforcements coming up. Ultimately the Gordon Highlanders and Chestcrs drovo the enemy out in utter disorder. Many were drowned crossing the streams which becamo suddenly swollen by a heavy thunderstorm. A Harrismith commando', simultaneously with the attack on Casar's camp, [ surprised Wagon Hiil, seired the crest, and captured, thereby 30 Gordons, after all had been wounded. Tho artillery and cavalry checked reinforccmonts at this point also. Stubborn fighting lasted all day.. At a critical period in the afternoon tho Gordons rendered splendid service by holding tho Boers in check until three companies of Devons, charging brilliantly across the open ground under a terrific fire, hurled the enemy down hill at the bayonet's point. Tho Boers admit that they rcweived tho sovercst blow of tha campaign.