The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-09 00:00:00

THE BOER WAR.

The Gazette 'of last night contains the following
dispatch from Sir IL G. Smith,-,dated the 30th of August.
It supplies the details of a complete victory obtained over
the Boers at a place called Bloem Pleats. Immediately
after intelligence of this important event reached the Cape,
a Government notice was issued, setting forth more
briefly than the subjoined dispatch does the history of
the conflict :
Camp " Bethany," two marches from
Bloem Fontein, Aug. 30.
My Lord,—ln continuation of my dispatch to your
Lordship of the 23d instant, reporting that, by means of
that most perfect and inimitable invention, the caout-
chouc pontoon float, I had established myself on the
right bank of the deep and rapid Orange River, 200 yards
in width, with four companies of the Cape Mounted
Rifles, three 6 pounders, two companies of the Rifle
Brigade, and two companies of the 45th Regiment, I have
now the honour to state, that the detachment of the 91st
Regiment having arrived on the 25th instant was imme-
diately carried over, with the exception of fifty men.
These, with 20 of the Cape Corps, were posted on the
left bank of the river in charge of a boat and :a halser,
which, for the purpose of securing my communication, I
bad succeeded in passing across the stream.
I marched on the morning of the 27th instant, pro-
vided with 30 days' commissariat supplies, to Philip-
polis ; and on the following day to a bivouac, at a stream
near " Vister's Hock." Up to this period no positive
information had reached me as to the spot at which the
rebels proposed to make a stand, although rumour re-
presented that they would probably do so at a place
called " Bloem Plaate," on the Kroom Elem Bok River,
a celebrated position for the interruption of a march.
Early yesterday morning I received intelligence, much
to be relied on, that such was their positive intention;
and on my march on this position, in order of battle,
shephegl informed me that he had seen ma
during the night, and that he believed the wholeny fires
rebel
force was there strongly posted, numbering about 1,000
men. I was soon sufficiently near to reconnoitre their
position, of which, from my previous journey through
the country, I had some knowledge;
prepared for the attack, and scarcely herli troops were
the advanced
party of reconnoissance,:accompamed by myself, arrived
within shot,] when the rebels sprang up, like the men
of Roderick Dhu, from behind bushes and rocks,
every height was in an instant covered with them, and
they opened a well directed and very destructive fire.
The position chosen was a succession of ridges of hills
on either side of a stream, called the Kroom Elem Bok,
strongly undulating, and covered with large stones and
bush, most favourable for defence. Its advance was
formedsby a lower range, the hills on the opposite bank
of the river being much higher, and consequently en
potence and in support.
The Cape Rifles, in advance, being by no means cal-
culated, from being mounted, to stem this torrent of
musketry, were ordered back, and three guns opened a
rapid and well directed fire upon the points where the
rebels appeared to be the most numerous. The Rifle
Brigade, supported by the two companies of the 45th
Regiment, were directed to attack their left flank, so as
to turn it, and the detachment of the 91st Regiment was
held in reserve in the rear of the guns. A more rapid,
fierce, and Well directed fire than that kept up by the
rebels I have never seen maintained, and for some time
they manfully held their ground, when a rush of the
Rifle Brigade upon their left flank, of the 45th upon
their left centre, and of the 91st, whom I now brought
into action, upon their right centre, carried everything
before it, and gallantly dislodged the rebels. Mean-
while a fierce and determined conflict was going on be-
tween the Cape Mounted Rifles and the right of the
rebels, who descended the hills far in their direction for
the double purpose of tnrning my left flank and insu-
lating our baggage and commissariat stores, which were
collected on the plain below.
I have seldom seen a sharper skirmish, the rebels ad-
vancing most rapidly and successfully into the plain until
their impetuosity exposed their left to the fire of one of
the guns, by which they were checked, and the gallant
Hottentots, nobly headed by their officers, then drove
them back pell-mell into the hills. During this time the
victory on our right had rapidly progressed, the rebels in
about three-quarters of an hour having been driven from
their position on our side of the river, the higher ground
upon the opposite bank of which they most obstinately
endeavoured to hold. The gallant efforts of our infantry
along their centre and on thir left were, however, soon
crowned with success; and at the same moment their
right was driven by the Cape Corps across our front, by
passing which they alone could gain the road leading
over the neck of a range of hills by which they must
retire. They were thus exposed to the fire of two of
our guns posted on the hill first carried by the Rifle
Brigade and 45th Regiment, and from which they suf-
fered greatly.
At this time Lieut.-Colonel Buller, of the Rifle Bri-
gade, who, with much judgment, gallantry, and ability,
showed great knowledge of his profession in tho com-
mencement of the attack, was, by vigorously endeavour-
ing to intercept the retreat of the rebels, I deeply regret
to say, very severely, though I hope not dangerously,
wounded above the knee, the same shot killing his horse;
and I was thas deprived of his services at a moment
when they were much required.
'the rebels, thus driven at every point from the posi-
tion, endeavoured to make a final stand at the neck in
the high ridge of hills behind it previously alluded to,
and which they successfully maintained against the
Cape Mounted Rifles, and a body of about 250 Griquas,
who this morning joined me under their faithful chiefs,
Waterboer and Adam Kok.
The guns and infantry were, hewever, advancing as
rapidly as the heat of the day would permit, sn4 the
neck, the last hold of the rebels, was wrested from them.
One of' the most severe skirmishes ever, I believe,
witnessed, thus terminatt-d in the complete success of her
Majesty's troops, aided by the best intentions on the
part of the Griqua chiefs, whose conduct merits my per-
fect approbation.
A conflict of this nature, in a position so formidable,
cannot be attended with complete success without con-
siderable loss. The rebels left dead upon the field forty-
nine men, twelve having been killed with one cannon
shot; and their wounded is, of course, in proportion.
A great number of arms were thrown away, and many
horses taken. The Boer never fights without his horse,
from which he usually dismounts to fire over the saddle;
and consequently, when vigorously pressed, he has not
time to remount. The loss on our side has, I truly re-
gret to say, been also considerable, viz., one officer mor-
tally, and six severely wounded; and eight men killed,
and thirty-nine wounded.
The gallant conduct of every officer and soldier calls
for my warmest encomium; and renders it my impera-
tive duty to impress upon your Lordship the merits of
the troops, as desei ving her Majesty's consideration. In
doing so I beg leave to point out to your Lordship the
difficulties of the service in which I have been engaged,
owing to the necessity of passing the Orange River, and
the immense distance in this wild country, of one point
from another ; and likewise to assure your Lordship,
that the nature of the rebel position was such as to call
forth, not only judgment, but personal gallantry, on the
part of the different officers who, I therefore venture to
hope, may be deemed to merit her Majesty's gracious
favour.
Lieptenant-Colonel Buller has very fully evinced his
talent for command, and his gallantry in the performance
of his duty. This officer's exertion, and that of Major
Butiiwith, in superintending and effecting the passage of
the Orange River, wa as laborious as instrumental in
its important object. -Major Sidney Beckwith, of the
Ripe Brigade, a nephew of the late veteran of that name.
and of such Rine renown, greatly distinguished himself
in command of the Infantry, and has succeeded Colonel

Buller in the command of the troops. To Captain Blen
kinsopp, commanding the detachment of the 45th Regi.
went; to Lieutenant Pennington, commanding the de.
tachment of the 91st Regiment; and to Lieutenant
Dyneley, commanding the Royal Artillery, an officer el

great promise, tho service is greatly inde-hted; and of
Captain Armstrong, in command of the Cape Mounted
Rifles, I cannot speak in terms of too great praise. In
fact, every officer and soldier performed the arduous and
gallant duty demanded of him, in avenging the insult
and indignity thrust upon him her Majesty's authority,
as previously reported to your Lordship in detail. Major
Warden, the British Resident, was with me; and by his
exertions was most useful in his civil as well as his mili-
tary capacity.
The only officers of my personal staff with me are my
Emma secretary, Major Garvock, and my Aide-de-
%Amp, Lieut. Holdich. The former, who also acted as
my Adjutant-General d Quarter Late- General, is an
officer who was eeverlenlyh wounded under my conimand
upon the Sutlej; and should feel it a favour personally
conferred upon myaelf, some mark of her Majesty's
gracious approbation zeare conferred upon him. The
latter was my Aide-de-Bor
of the Sutlej, and severely
wounded at &brawl.
these officers were of the
greatest use to me, I do mew.
Lordshipy,
ni,nomf
the
difficult and hazardous duty; your
Rifle Brigade, Field-Adjutant ofwthaBeFietit. Gi
Dr. Hall, deputy inspector-general
tunately came up with me from Cape Trapitals,lfodri;
not imagine I should have such occasion forwr.? f"
and the wounded, under his able care, haveTZvices
n ro-
sided for as I could desire. I have been obligt-c
ho
ever, to leave some of them at a farmhouse near the field.
of action. In other countries, where distances are mode-
sate, communications are generally simple; here nothing
can be accomplished under a ride of from 20 to 30 miles,
through a country abandoned by its inhabitants; and
the difficulty attending the prosecution of war under
such circumstances exceeds belief, requiring all the
energy of experience.
As everything must be carried with the army, a train
of 150 commissariat waggons has beennecessary ; and for
the arrangements connected with this department the
serriee and the troops are much indebted to Deputy-
Itseistant Commissary-General Green.
I must not omit to bring to your Lordship's :notice
Mr. Richard Southey, my secretary, as her Majesty's
High Commissioner. This gentleman's activity, in his
direct position, is most meritorious; but his exertions
to the passage of the Orange River, and his endeavours
to obtain information respecting the rebels, have been of
the greatesa utility. His courage was conspicuous also in
the field.
Nd prisoners were taken, for none of the rebels would
yield. Captain Armstrong was treacherously wounded
by a man to whom he offered quarter, and this was not
the only instance of its being refused.
I followed up the success obtained until dark, and
again marched two hours before daylight this morning,
with the efficient portion of my troops, in the hope of
overtaking the rebels, and capturing their train
of waggons, said to be 95 in number; after, however,
3 long march to this abandoned missionary station, de-
stroyed and gutted by the rebels, I have seen nothing
but tired and wounded horses left upon the road, the
spoor or track of the insurgents being visible in every
direction, as if they had fled in dismay. A Boer has just
been brought into my camp, who describes them as har-
ing hurried off in twos and threes, and that their cause
bkregarded as hopeless:
I 'hal reach Blom Rontein on the 2d proximo, by