The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-18


ing their way through the thorn-bush
and reaching the foot of the slope at half
past two. The alarm was raised By our
sentriss; but before the full extent Of the
dan ger could be realized, the outlying
dangers had been rushed and their
slain.
"On hearing the firing. the two com-
paniss OF the Gordon Hiehlanders went
10 the assistance Of the Manohestsrs. ~
first 10 WAS thought that the Beers were
on the southern slops.
where they had already secured footing
ON the plateau. Here, however, their sd-
vance was chscked by the steady volleys
Of our infantry and the deadly frs OF an
automatic gun.
Lieut. Hunt Grubbe went to SEQ II
any aid were nesdsd by the TROOPS sta
,ionsd ON the ridge near the town. He
was not aware that the enemy had al
ready captured the brsastworks and
called ont to the sergeant. He received
the reply: Here an, cir. and then he
suddenly disappeared from sight.
"Capt. Carnegie, suspeoting . ruse.
ordered the Gordons to fire volley and
to charge. The enemy thereupon foil
back precepit stely, lesving behind them
the officer whom they had captured with
30 much presence Of mind. The lisuten-
ant was quite unhurt.
"It was now evident that the camp
was being assailed on the left flank and
on the front. BY day break reinforcs-
meuts Of Gordon HighlaDders and OF the
rifle brigade had been hurried up TO
the fighting line. Lieut.. Col Dick Gun
nygbam who was leading the Cord ans out
Of camp fell, mortally wounded. being
hit By q stray bullet while still close
to. the town. The SD battery of held. .artil-
lery, under Major Abby. crossed the
KIpio river and sheiled the ridge and re-
verse slope OF the front position, where
the enemy were lying among the thorn
bushes.
"The shrapnsl, which fiew over our
heads, did terrible execution. 1t sffeo-
tually held the Beers in check and rem
dered 10 I'm mpossible for them to send rein
to their men through the
ravine.
"The enemy fought throughout with
the most stubborn courage. being evil
IDENTIFY determined to take the CAMP or die
In the attempt. Their six inoh gun on
Umbulwann mountain and It's smaller
satellites threw more than hundred
shells at A bdy's battery and at the troops
on the hill. Our troops, however, were
net less gallant and resolved, and the
enemy was pressed back step by step
until at length those who were left, broke
and fed In utter disorder.
"a terrific storm of rain and hail
By peais OF thunder had
burst over the camp daring the lighting.
This served to swell the stream into
raging torrents. In their efforts to es-
rape numbers OF ths enemy flung them
selves into the current snd were swept
away. The strl ggle in this part Of the
feld Wac now ended and the finale WAS
q terrific fusilade all along the line.
Meanwhile . more exciting contest
was in progress In the direction Of Wagon
Hill. At 3 O'Clock stormins party,
furnished by the Harrismith commando
crept slowly and cautiously along
onga in the valley which divides our
posts from their camp. A few we'll aimed
ride shots killed our piokets. Taking
ad vantage of every inch of cover. the
Beers then gradually reached the crest of
the heights. Here body of light horse
was posted, but they were forced to retire
before the advances Of the Free Staters,
there being no breastworks for defense,
on the western shoulder of the hill. With
little to impede their progress the enemy
soon came to an emplaoement, where
they surprised working parties OF the
Gordon Highlanders and the 10th rides.
"Lieut. Uigby Jones OF the Royal Engi.
neers, collecting a handful Of men. made
= gallant effort to hold the position; but
was driven back and the enemy got pos
ssssion Of the summit. Even then, how
ever, the Fres Staters were afraid tt ven-
ure far or to face the heavy fre from the
Here 1t was that Lieut.. Nc
Naughton and 80 OF the Gordons were
captured, although not until every man
among them had been wounded.
"At 8 O'Clock. Col. Edwards with two
,quadrons OF light horse, arrived upon
The scene, and the 2lst battery of the
Royal flsld artillery under Major Biswits
,ams into action. preventing the storm
ing party being reinforced from the Bosr
camp
At the same moment the 18th Hussars
and the fifth lsnoers checked the move
ment from the Spruit on our right flank.
our position at this point
had become critical. Our men had re-
tired for cover behind the northern slope
while the enemy had made their way
In to the pass dividing them from the
hill. Major Bowen rallied few Of the
rifles. but fell while leading them TO the
charge, His example was at once fol-
lowed by Lieut.. Tod, but the latter IN ct
The same fate.
"Ths enemy were making good tn
footing they had secured In the emplaos-
ment when Major Miller Walnut calling
the scattered Gordons together. charged
In aud drove them back. Having thus