, 1881-03-23

A -r-4
eoemy had been, as we afterwards learned,
Very strongly reinforcing bis fighting line.
In preparation for an assault ; and shortly
after one O'Clock a terrific fire suddenly
broke forth from the right lower slopes Of
all along been HEAVIEST. "
A tremendous rush was simultaneously
made by the enemy.
Our advanced line was at once nearly
all shot or driven back upon oar maid
position.
This position may be described as an ob-
long basin on the top of the hill. It was
about two hundred yards long by fifty
broad.
Our whole force nov lined the rim of
the basin, and fixed ~bayonets to fepel the
assai!ants.
The Beers with shouts of triumph swarmed
up!the sides of the hill and made several d d.
perate attempts to carry the position with
a rush !; each time, however, they wsre
driven back with the bayonet.
After each charge the firing, which
nearly ceased during the tmel6c, broke out
with renewed violence and tie air above us
seemed alive with bullets.
10 LIOOpS tW tIClt Ouby well @uU
steadily, and trying as was the occasion,
fought with great GOODNESS, encouraged by
the officers.
At last the Beers, who had gathered
near the edge of the slope, made a tremen-
dous rush at a point beyond that at which
they had before been attacking, and where
the numbers of thu defenders were compar.
atively small
They burst through the defenders. pour.
ed in over the edge OF the basin, and our
position was lost.
The main line of our defenders, theft
flank turned, and taken in reverse. MAIDS
a rush along the plateau to endeavour to
form and rally, but it was useless.
With fierce shouts and o storm of bullets
the Beers poured in. There was q wild
rush with the Beers close behind !; the roar
of fire, the wbistling of the bullets, the
yells of the enemy, made up a din which
seemed internal. All round, men were
falling g; there was no resistance, no halt-it
was a fight for life. At this moment I
was knocked down by the rush and tram
pied on, and when came to my senses the
Beers were firing over me at the retreat
ing troops who were moving down the hill.
Upon trying to rise I was taken prisoner.
and led away. On the hill / found the
body of General Colley shot through tha
head. / also saw Captain Singleton. Of the
92nd, severely wounded Lieutenant
Hamilton, 92nd, slightly ; DIR. Lanton, So
vegely; Captain Morris, severely; and Mi!lar
also severely. Captain Maude was killed;
Lieutenant Macdonald, of the 92nd, was 4
prisoner.
What others were killed, wounded, or
taken prisoner | cannot as yet say, but fear
that our loss both in officers and men is
very severe.
Many are still missing, but probably
some may turn UP during the night, having
hid themselves 10 the brushwood On tho
hills till the darkness fell.
After a conversation with the Bosr
General I induced him to grant me a pasa
to come into the camp and bring out
succour for the wounded. They were
lying both on the plateau and everywhere
on the descent OF the hill.
The Beers were very civil. They took.
1t was true, a few articles | had about me-;
but no troops in the world could on the
whole, have behaved better as victors.
Talking with me they ascribed their
victories not to their arms or bravery, but
to the righteousness of their cause,
As to the completeness Of their victory.