The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-06-07 00:00:00

THE ATTACK UPON MOIROSI'S
MOUNTAIN.

The following extract is from a despatch of Lieutenant
Best, Commanding Artillery, C. MIL, Basutoland, to Officer
Commanding Artillery, C.M R , Ibeka
"Camp Moirosi's Mountain, April 10.

"Firing commenced on the Bth inst. at 6.15 a, in.
and was kept up till 7.45 a in., when cease firing
sounded, and the storming party was ordered to ad-
vance. The schanzes of the enemy appeared to be
cleared out, but, as soon as the storming party got
close, a heavy fire was opened on them, and they
found they were unable to advance, the first schauze
being about eight or nine feet high and loopholed. At
3.30 p.m. I was ordered to cover the return of the
troops, the wounded men and troops not getting under
cover till dark, I covered the passage down the
mountain again. It is with great regret I have to
report the undermentioned casualties amongst the
Artillery, C.M.R. Mr. Robert G. Scott, whose hand
was shattered by a common shell which he endeavoured
to throw into the schauzes of the enemy whilst exposed
to a very heavy fire. Private Morley severely bruised,
hut is rapidly recovering. Mr. ticott'a hand (right) had to
be amputated, but he is now doing well. I must bring to
your notice the case of Mr.R.G. Scott, whose bravery and
cool courage was remarked by the Honorary Secretary
of Native Affairs, the Commander General,andallother
officers. He deserves the Victoria Cross for this.
Also the conduct of the men with him was all that
could be requirad of them, they having to carry Mr.
Scott and Private Morley to a place of shelter, under
a very heavy fire, viz., Privates Oakley, Klockie,
Jenkins, and Powell. It was at the request of the
Commander General and Honorary Secretary of Native
Affairs that something might be tried to, assist the
men who were unable to advance or retire, that Mr.
Scott gallantly volunteered to try and throw a common
shell with 9sec. fuze over the schanzes, which had
ended so disastrously."
Another letter says :

"Shelled Moirosi's Mountain for two hours, and
attacked with Colonial forces, consisting of Cape
Mounted Rifles and 2nd and 3rd Yeomary Regiments.
They did not succeed in carrying positions after several
hours' fighting. Three killed and twenty-two wounded.
The enemy were strongly entrenched, and our men
were repulsed, although they fought gallantly. They
got under the schanzes, which were too high to climb,
being built on a high ledge of rock, and were bristling
with assegais. The Commandant thinking that some-
thing might be tried to assist themen under the sch auzes,
young Scott, C.M. Artillery, gallantly xolunteered to
throw a time fuse shell into the enemy's defences; and
when in the act of throwing it the shell exploded in
his hand, shattering it to pieces, and driving one of the
studs into his leg. When the shell was heard to ex-
plode we at a distance thought it had been thrown
among the enemy, and gave him a cheer. Little did
we think that he and a brother C.M.R. were the only
ones that suffered. Reid, of the Yeomanry, is killed,
and Suomn wounded through the lung. When it was
dark the wounded were carried down the mountain in
blankets, placed in tents, and carefully tended. The
hospital will be established eighteen miles off, at
Thomas's Shop, near Quithing."