Pictures of the War.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XXII, 25 November 1899, Page 960

Pictures of the War.

Among our illustrations this week ore four full page engravings of scenes in the present campaign in South Africa. All are from s-.k* lelns specially taken for the "Graphic.” The clearing of the ridge of Dundee Hill by the King’s Royal Rifles and Irish Fusiliers at the battle of Glencoe was one of the most brilliant of feats. Our readers are already familiar with what details of the battle eame to hand by the Gothic. The troops, it will lie remembered, after four and a half hours’ fighting managed to reach the protection of a. wall t>oo yards from the top of the hill. The position was gained imder cover of the magnificent shooting of the artillery. which poured shells into every place where the Boers massed, with amazing accuracy, compelling them to retire. At a quarter to twelve firing had almost ceased, and the infantry, taking advantage of the lull, were over the wall in the twinkling of an eye, and speedily rushed the plateau. The defence made by the Beers was most determined. They kept up a fusilade which was splendidly iej turned. A large party came out of position, and extended on our right flank, but. the artillery shifted th'.in quickly. so far. had displayed nndoritited conirage, perhaps not equalled by the best European troo|>s. They stood up to a, withering artillery fire with great determination. and appeared yet unbeaten and defiant. Tire battle raged for six hours amd a half with unabated vigour, except during the lull. Aft:r the opening of the magn.ifie;-nt artillery fire at elose quarters, backed by the advancing infantry, the Boers were at last compelled to retreat after eight hours’ hard fighting, and th? position was won. The Boers had pre cipitately tied. AVhat had commenced with the battle of Dundee had ended in a. glorious victory which must be known as the battle of Ta.la.na Hill. The attack on the train is thus related by our special correspondent. On Oelobei 19th the ma.il train arrived at Glencoe after a very exciting journey from Elands Laagte. While the train was standing at the station, and most, of the passengers were walking aliout the platform, a cry was raised of .“The Boers are on us." and then a rush was made for the train. The driver jumped on the engine, ami put on full steam. Bullets came whistling down as the train drew out of the station, a resident of Elands Dangle narrowly escaping white he was getting into a carriage. Another shot penetrated the look-out window on the engine, and there are several bullet marks on the boiler. The shots indeed were all aimed at the engine, with the evident, intention, either of hitting the driver or penetrating some vita! part of the locomotive, and thus bringing it to a standstill. In all between 20 and 30 shots were fired at the train ere it got out of range. The Boers galloped after it. firing, but with full steam on, and the stoker heaping on coal for all he was worth, the train was soon at a safe distance. None of the passengers or officials on the train were hit, but the engine bore distinct evidence of having been the target of Mauser bullets. Several passengers, who were loitering about the station, failed to get into the train.

The picture illustrating the fight around the Kaffir kraal depicts an incident in the defence of Mafeking. On October 14th the armoured train which runs around the town hotly engaged a party of mounted Boers about 1000 yards away, 'four miles north of the place. A large hurt, to the rear of the train was threatened, when suddenly Captain Fitz Clarence, D Squadron of the Protectorate Regiment, dashed up in extended order. A Kaffir kraal was rushed finely, amd the open veldt was soon the scene of volley firing art 900 yards. This began to try the skill of the Boers, and bullets commenced to whiz overhead, pieces of thatch rising on the natives' huts, where the wounded were receiving attention. We were three miles N.E. of Mafeking. and a mile from the railway, says the despatch. Then men of the Protectorate Regiment. under Captain Fitz Clarence, who was exposing himself fearlessly, encouraging his followers, responded gimely. the men firing as if on the ranges. The

horsts stood beautifully behind a Kaffir kraal. Our firing being 30.1 yards distant, the Boers’ leaders could l»e seen wildly galloping about a thousand yards ahead of their men, who occupied a nicely-sheltered position in the thick bush. Our jto.-ition was on open veldt without bush. At 7,30 as the Boer file sl.ack.ned considerably, suddenly the horizon began to thicken with Dutchmen. A participator in the fight says: About eight o'clock Captain FitzClarcnce was hotly engaged and the wounded began to count up. I deemed it advisable to inform Col. Powell of the state of affairs, and I rode into Mafeking and told Colonel Bad, nPowell that I knew he wajited C'apt. Firt'-Clarene? to draw out. I then exchanged horses and went back to Captain FitzClairdnce’s position. The bullets were dropping like hail on to the improvised hospital, but we were lucky. 1 again rode to Colonel BadenPowell, and told him what. I could see. for the Boers were beginning to swarm from the eastward. Luckily he got. a native boy and sent him to Dixon’s Hotel with messages. Immediately Captain Lord Bentinck's two guns got into action, and sent well directed shells in the direction of the Boers. Captain Fitz Clarence was still firing away at the Boers, who, evidently finding his pertinacity tco much, gradually drew off. and by eleven o’clock thev were silenced.