The Washington times., 1901-10-04
BOER ATTACKS DESPERATE
Dashing Bravery Displayed in the
Recent Engagements.

London Believes the Battles Are the
Last Throcs of the struggle, and
Tint the War VIII Soon End-Tyyu
of the BGrSher Generals Killed
LONDON. Oct. All the accounts OF
the lighting at Fort ltala including
those from the South African correspond
ents. show that it was one of the most
striking offensive and defensive engage
monts of the war The whole British gar
rison there numbered only three hundred
men, with two 15-pounders and a Maxim
gun. An outpost of eighty men,, under
Iieutenants Kane and LEROY, occupied
the summit of the hill out OF sight OF the
main camp. which was on the slope Of the
hill
About midnight six hundred Beers
rushed the outpost. Their onslaught was
so sudden and fierce that FOR twenty
minutes only bayonets were used. over
whelning odds soon decided the posses
sion of the outpost. Lieutenant Kane
fell dead, shouting No surrender"
Lieutenant Lafroy was severely wound
ed, and the whole force was disabled.
The main camp was thus reduced to 22O
men. The Beers assailed 1t from all sides.
From about l a. m. throughout the re-
ing day the little garrison witnstood them
until : in the evening. when the outlook
seemed desperate.
The British had been without water for
many hours, the Beers having cut of
their supply, and their ammunition was
fast failing. Suddenly the Boer fire be
gan to slackea and soon after the at
tacSers withdrew, either learning that
Gen Bruce Hamilton was approach
ing. as one correspondent says. or. ac-
cording to others, al sheer despair of sue
ceeding. Their retirement opened the way
for the wounded commander to withdraw
his exhausted force, which reached
N kandhla in the morning. Among the
Boers killed were Generals Overman and
Schultz and Commandant Potgieter
According to a statement which reached
Durham from NKandhla, a British mill
tary surgeon ascended Itala in the morn
ing to attend the wounded there and was
Immediately made prisoner by the Beers,
who compelled him TO attend their wound
ed Consequently the British wounded
lay unsuccored during the day in the
brOiling sun without water
The attack on Prospect seems to have
feen only disastrous to the Beers. The !
camp was well situated for defence. and
the garrison numbered only
twenty men with one Maxim they held
of all attacks, notwithstanding the DASH !
ing bravery of the assailants The latter /
withdrew without achieving their purpose |
and their dead were piled around the fort. |
The British loss was one killed and 4
twelve wounded
The Chronicle" says it learns from a /
very high authority that a complete and |
sudden collapse of the Boer resistance |
and the consequent speedy termination /
Of the war are anticipated. II implies |
that this is the view entertained by the |
War Office.
1t adds that General Botha's and Cen /
eral Delarey's coups are regarded as a |
last desperate effort of the men. who have |
AZ last grown weary of the struggle and |
are tired of being hunted. 1t is confident !
Iy felt that the Beers are fighting their
Last fight and that the end, which will /
come with startling suddenness. is near
+ or TINS reason il is not intended 10 de-
s2atch further re-enforcements.
1t is recalled that the foregoing is not
the first prediction of the kind. and it is
only quoted on the Chronicles" unsup-
orted testimony
Cape Town, recording the fact that there
s much speculation over the visit TO Pre-
-oria of Sir Gordon Sprigg, Prime Minis
Ter OF the Cape Colony. says it is gen.
rally assumed that the country is on the
we of developments of the highest i'm
Dortance.
DURBAN. Oct. Slater details show
hat General Bothas fun force OF 1000
men made the attacks on Forts Prospect
I'D ltala. in Zululand. The British fought
nagnificentiy against Overwhelming odds
or nineteen hours. The Beers were fear
ass and fought desperately. They gained
he summit of Itala repeatedly, but were
1t was probably the news that Gen.
sruce Hamilton was approaching that
aused cessation of the lighting. The
SoeTs suffered heavily Three hundred |
nd In addition they carried OFF number
4 their Killed. They admit having three
hundred wounded In their rushes they
we're met with cold steel
Six hundred fnen, under Emmet and I
,robelaar- attacked Fort Prospect They (
lso suffered heavily. Sixty of their dead |
fere found where they had been moved | I
own by Maxim gun At Fort italia |
he British guns were put out OF action.
The Beers have never hitherto DISPLAYED !
uch reckless daring, and their defeat is
ne Of the worst they have sustained
iajor Chapman. commanding the British ,
eemed to bear charmed life General
kitchener has congratulated him.
On Saturday the Beers captured a large
'ritfsh convoy. General Hamilton pur- I
Ued them and came into action with
hem. but no details of the fighting have
cen received. though it is reported that
he Beers were again punished.
PRETORIA. Oct. 3.-Among the killed
I the engagements at Magaros Mex was
Boshoff of the Johannes
lIrg police. Colonel Kebewich was pre-
{ nted from pursuing General Delarey
'ilo attacked him few days ago owing
D the fact that many OF his horses were
illed.
The latest news from Zululand Il to the
feet that that in the recent fighting at
respect and Itala the Beers lost most
eavily. Some reports state that they
ad two hundred killed in both fights.
i.e Beers rushed the posts across open
round. thinking that they were weakly
ED. whereas they had strong garrisous.
he attacking force was the main body
T General Boths 8 army. with the gen
rad himself in command Very few {
Oers are now within the Zulu border ,
hey have mostly retreated north.
The railways are deserving of the great
II credit for their success In coping with
le tremendous traffic caused by the re- {
ant movements OF the troops and the ,
Irge number OF returning refugees from .
atal Especial efforts have been made
gently to improve the railway service {
)r the use Of the military. 6
ruE a ATTAHR ON REREIUTCu