The Portland daily press., 1899-10-23

Az tnls point the boerH Docnno er-
ratio. One artillery Was firing on the
bill where the Beers were stationed In
great numbers; but the return fire did
little damage. The enemy kept up an
tncessant shooting, but our shrapnsl be-
san to tell its tale, with the result that
the Boer fire visibiy slackened. From a
ceaseless rattle the rifle fire dwindied
to struggling shots.
"a corporal OF the Dublin fusilIers was
carried past me to the rear on stretcher.
Major Davidson Of the Irish fusilier 8,
was shot through both legs and Color
Sergeant Anderson OF the Dublin fusiiiers
was brought In wounded in the right
shoulder.
"The artillery In front was shelling the
hill, making the Beers anxious about
their position. The artillery had been
silencsd by the splendid service Of our
soldiers.
Meanwhile q squadron Of the 18th
hussars and mounted company of the
Dublin fusilisrs were creeping around
on the enemy's left flank; while another
squadron OF nussars and mounted COM
psny Of the Kings Royal rifles tieployed
to tbs right flank, at ths oornfields.
"Ihe artillery continued to play on
Smiths Hill, with range Of nearly 5000
yards. Under lite cover, the Dublin fusili-
ers, and the Kings Royal Rifles pressed
forward. 1t was In the execution Of this
mapoeuvre that the casualties to our in
fantry occurrsd, several being killei and
wounded.
"The firing now ceased off on our side
and only q solitary shot was returned
now and then. Gen. Symons, taking ad.
vantage OF the lull. rode forward with his
staff in front Of the guns. taking cover
at the rear of tho plantation, near the
base OF the hill. All this time our In
fantry, in extended formation, had grad
ually pressed forward, watching the
Bosrs from the rear of the artillery and
masslng on the extreme left of the hill,
81 saw three shells in quick succession
cutgsoms to-pieoes and drive others away
The Boer tire was becoming hot but
the first battalion of the Kings ROYAL
rifles and the Irish fusiliers. led respec-
lively by Col. Cunning and Col. Carlton,
continued TO mount the hill. Gradual
ly they extended along the ridge and. at
10 o'clock after four and half hours of
artillery firing, to screen them, they
maragsd to reach a wall running paral-
lei with the ridge, about coo yards from
the summit.
"9his position was gained under cover
Of ftCann r.
who placed shells at points
where the Bosrs were masssd with amaz-
ing accuracy. compelling them to retire.
But not for long. On again the deter
mined enemy would come, only to be
beaten hack By the excellent shooting
OF the 18th and Goth batteries under Ma
jor Dawkins and Major King.
"At 1l.45 a. rli:, the firing had almost
ceased and our infAntry were over the
wall In twinkling and rushing toward
the plateau at the base OF ths top or Sec
ondary ridge. The defense made by the
Beers was most determined. the enemy
again and again pouring long fusilade
fire into the British ranks which was
hotly returned In we'll directed volleys by
the slowly advancing Dublin fusiliers
and Kings Royal rifles.
"a large body OF Boers, driven from
Smiths Hill, took refuge in cattle
krsaL intending cross fire. The 18Th
battery opened fire, however, and poured
in such q hail Of bullets as caused them
speedily to shift the position.
"Thus far, ths enemy displayed un-
doubted courage, perhaps unequalle1 by
the best European troops. They had
stood up to our artillery IRE with the
greatest determination and then on
Talana ridge, standing clear out ON the
skyline, they still appeared unbsaten
and defiant. The battle had now ragged
ak and one-half hours when the 69th
battery was ordered to limbEr up and
advance. The battery gallorei into a
new position In splendid form and was
In action at ths front In a moment. So
effective was the apparent result Of this
close range firing that the 18th battery
was at once ordered up and after two
rounds from each battery, perfect silence
reigned over tho enemy's front, broken
only by the whiriing OF the Maxims,
ssrved by the Dublin fusillers, who had
secured an excellent position to the right.
During a momentary cessation, the Beers
had taken up potion on hill to the
right of the road leading to Maima, but
the 18th battery soon opened fire on them
and compelled them to retire.
"Meanwhile the two infantry battalions
continued to climb the hill and at /. 80
p. m, after eight hours Of desperate
lighting, the position was carried, the
Beers having precIpitately evacuated
the hill. Thus what had commenced
with battle of Dundee ended in glori-
GUS victory for British arms at what
must be known as the battle of Talana
Hill.
"Just as.the Kings Royal rifles and
the dublin fusiliers gained the hill top,
the mounted infantry could be seen
working round the left flank
of the Boer position and actually getting