The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-03-01 00:00:00

OFFICIAL DE3PATCHES.

The Press Amsociation hal been furnished by the
War Office with the following :
From Colonel Bond, sith Regiment, commanding
Mount Prospect, Natal, dated 27th 1.55 p.m. :
" List night, Sir G. P. Colley, with staff, consisting
of Lieut.-Colonel Stewart, A. M.S., and Major Fraser,
ILE., proceeds I with 20 officers ant 627 men, 58tio
Regiment, at I Battalion 60th, 92nd, and Naval
Brigade, to occupy the Majele Mountain, overlooking
the enemy's position. The Baers attacked about 7
a.m, and satisfactory reports were signalled from the
General, and telegraphed ti you up to 11 am. About
one the firing increased, and at 1.30 p.m. it was
evident from the camp that a sudden change had
occurred in the position of affairs. Great confusion
was observed on the hill, but, owing to the distance
from the camp, it was not at first possible to determine
whether the enemy or our own men were returning.
By 2.20, however, it was only too clear that we had
lost the hill, and that our men were retains under
heavy fire. I have to rep at with deepest regret that
I hear, from information I have obtained, that there
is no doubt Major-General Sir G. Colley is among the
killed, but at preseat the enemy is still in the vicinity
of the camp, and I have not obtained pertain proof.
I am now sending to the Sell of action for the purpose
of removing the wounded and burying the dead. and
will communicate full particulars as soon as possible."
"From Sir S. Wood. Pietermaritzburg, Sunday,
630 p.m.
"Colley occupied alajela Mountain last night.
Stewart and Fr. is sr, R E., 20 officers, 600 men of the
58th, 3430th, 9204, and some naval brigade were
attacked at seven, and repulsed all attacks till 2.30,
when our people were driven back, and are retreating,
lining heavily. Elhaal telegraphs from Mount Prospect
that there is no doubt Sir George is among the killed,
and Colonel Bond corroborates. I shall go back to
Newcastle to-morrow."
It may be mentioned with reference to this intelli-
gence that last Thursday General Colley made a racoon-
naiaance of the Boer's position, which was considered
extremely formidable.
Ettontroarrms, Saturday.—The Volksraad have
adopted a resolution by 22 votes to 15 expressing its
deep regret that the Government of Cape Colony,
without notice and on insufficient grounds, should have
declined to permit supplies of ammunition to be sent
to the inhabitants of the Orange Free State. The reso-
lution declared that the course pursued by the Govern-
ment of the Cape Colony is opposed to the spirit ef the
convention between England and the Free State, and
directs President Brand to request the British Govern-
ment to take steps for preventing a repetition of such
action on the part of the Cape authorities.
BOMBAY, Saturday. —According to fresh instructions,
the 14th Hussars, whose departure was countermanded
on Thursday, have now been ordered to embark for
Durban to-day.
Eighty men of the 04th Regiment left Armagh on
Saturday to embark for Natal. They were enthusi-
astically cheered.
The Union Company's steamer Durban, with troops
and seamen, arrived at Durban on Saturday. Donald
Curries steamer Lapland, with troops for Natal,
arrived at Madeira on Saturday.