The age-herald., 1900-01-19

attempt Their six-irlch gun on Umbulwana mountain and it's smaller satellites threw more than a hundred shells at Abdyss bat tery and at Fhe troops on the hdll Our troops, however, were not less gallant and the enemy was pressed back step by step until at length those who were left broke and fled in disorder.
 Zens Summoned His Hosts
 "A terrific storm of rain and hail, accom- panied by peals of thunder had burst over the camp during the fighting. This served to swell the streams into raging torrents. In their efforts to escape numbers of the enemy flung themselves into the current and were swept away. The struggle in this part of the field was now ended, and the
 finale was a terrific fusilade all along the line the crash of which almost deadened the thunder above.
 "A more exciting contest was in progress in the direction of Wagon Hill. At o'clock a storming party furnished by the Har- rismfth commando crept cautiously along in a velley out from their camp. A few well directed rifle shots killed our pickets. Talk ing advantage of every inch of cover the Boers then gradually reached the crest of the nelRHt. Here d DOQy Ol HOISG Was pOSl- ed but they were forced to retire before the advance of the Free Staters, there be- ing no breastworks on the shoulder of the hin. There was Ettle to impede their progress. The enemy soon came to an em- placement, where they surprised working parties of Gordon Highlanders and the Sixtieth Rifles.
 "The cut dug by Jones of the Royal En- gineers contained a [aandful of men, who made gallant effort to save the position, but numbers were against them, and after a stubborn fight they were driven back, and ,Jne enemy got possession of the sum- init. Even then, however, une Free Staters were afraid to venture far or to face the heavy fire from the Sanger.
 At 5 o'clock Colonel Edwards, with two squadrons of light horse arrived upon the scene, and cle Twenty=ffrst battery of the Royal Field artillery, under Major Blewtt, came drJeo action, preventing the storming party being reinforced from the Boer camp. Position Became Critical At the same time the Eighteenth Hus- sars and the Fifth Lancers checked the movement from the Spruit on our right flank. Nevertheless the position at this point had become critical. Our men had retired for cover behind the northern slope, willie the enemy had made their way to the pass dividing them from the hill. Ma jor Bowen rallied a few of the Rifles, nut fell while leading them to Ithe charge. His example was followed by Lieutenant Tod at once, but the latter met the same fate
 'The enemy were making good the foot ing they had already secuted in the em- placement, when Major-General Walnut calling the scattered Gordons together charged in and drove them back. Having thus cleared the ground, he joined Leuten7 an. Digiby Jones in a. newly prepared em- placement on the western shoulder.
 "A pause ensued for a time but the Boers were not yet finally beaten. Taking ad- vantage of the storm now raging, they es- sayei to capture the position by another rush. Three of their leaders reached the parapet. but were shot down by Lieutenant Digby Jones and Lieutenant Walnut, the latter of whom also fell.
 'The renewed check effectually dscour- aged the assailants, and the deadly duel was now practically at an end. Nevertae- less, some of the parties of the braver spirits kept up a mufderous fire on our men from behind the rocks.
 The Final Blow
 ''The moment had arrived to strike the final blow, and Colonel Park quickly is- sued the necessary orders. Three compa- nes of Devonshires, led by Captain La fone and Captain Materson, made a bril- liant charge across the open under a ter rife fire and fairly hurled the enemy down the hill at tine point of the bayonet. In the course of the struggle Captain Lafone and Lieutenant Field were killed and Lieu tenant Masterson received no fewer than ten wounds.
 This was fitting close to struggle that had lasted sixteen hours, during which every rifle aud gun had been brought to bear. Our position was now secure. The attacks on the north and east had also been repulsed and the grand as- sault had failed all along the line
 ''Ttle Boers lost heavily. They admit tlae engagement was the most severe blow their arms had sustained since the opan- ing of the campaign. They were confident of their ability to capture the town, and had called upon reinforcements from Co., tenso to assist the victory. Our losses was also considerable.
 ''The garrison can now await the conn., ....- 1.-