The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-03
speelal Correspondence of tha INTO

London. August 22.-General Louis
Botha has given some interesting inside
history CT tho Boer war to English Jour-
nails. Before leaving for Holland General
Botha said OF the Colenso affair; -Four
or five days before the battle of Colenso
saw from The Tugela heights that the
British wero massing in great numbers
at Chieveley and neighborhood. and be-
came convinced that heavy engagement
WAS imminent.
According to MY notion, there would
be three points OF our position assailed.
and at these three points I and the bur-
ghers commenced to thoroughly prepare
ourselves. I kept the intention foremost
that nothing should he seen by the other
side OF these defensive arrangements.
MY conjecture as to the enemys lines
of advance proved to be absolutely cor
rect and had no need to modify It as
the fight proceeded.
I'm fact SO great was the surprise that
ct the first point of conflict the Imperial
Light Horse and the British regulars
came along with their rifles slung over
their shoulders, in careless order, to with
In sixty yards of my men and guns-the
hill of Hlangwani-bcfore we opened fire.
Then. as you may imagine, the slaugh-
ter was terrific and the discontinue COM
plete. That was the British right wing.
1.-The second point of attack was at the
Bride drift. made by the British left
wing. and istant about six miles up the
river from Hlangwsni. There one of the
British generals-I don't know who
marched with a largo force. Opposing
them were The Zoutpansberg and swazi-
land commanders.
MY mxn allowed them to come within
zoe yards and chen opened fire.
1.-The British did their best to get
through, and 1 must say that I never
saw anything more magnificent than their
charges at this point. which was the
main objective and easiest of attack.
But all to no purpose. They were
driven back time after time. and though
one or two stragglers got through the
river. they were quickly taken prisoners.
The main body was repulsed.
mo fewer than five times they charged,
and I never want to see finer bravery
than I saw there.
center. near the railway line. in the at
tempt to get through the wagon road and
over the wagon bridge.
1.-THE British. first of all. moved their
guns to the right of the railway line
looking north, and fired on our near posi-
lions for some time.
Getting no response-fcr I had issued
strict orders on this point-they limbered
up and came nearer, 700 yards from the
railway bridge. The Krugersdorpers and
vryheiders who were stationed here re-
served their fire until the enemy were
quite close; but when 1t did open the ef-
feet was terrific.
Meanwhile the main body Of British
infantry was proceeding on the left side
of the railway line toward the river
There I had stationed some men on a
kopje under Oosthuizen and Kemp of
Krugersdorp. The infantry at this point
were subjected to the most merciless
fusillade. and when the plight of the guns
were seen they made desperate attempts
to get across the line to their succor. Five
times they tried, but 1t was beyond hui
man possibility to get through the hall OF
another rushed forward, but all to no
avail. I do not believe, as 1 have seen
stated, that the infantry were fred on
from their own rear ranks to urge them
forward, but did see the officers riding
up and down. toward the end. in the fu-
tile endeavor to make them charge
again. But 1t was more than human flesh
end blood could bear and eventually they
desisted Meanwhile the gunners of the
Armstrong batteries had been shot down.
and l sent Lieutenant Pohlmann with the
johannesburg police to reinforce the Kru-
gersdorpians, so as to stop any attempt to
retake the guns. In this they were sue
cessful.
THE battle ragged from daylight until
in the afternoon, when the British re-
tired and left us the field.
How did know that the struggle, long
pending would take place that day?
Easily enough. A scout came in at l
O. clock in the morning with the news that
the whole British camp was alight and
1 knew then that the attack would be
made that morning.
when day broke. and 1t was clear
enough to see. there they were deploying
into the IL &c cifreren. lines of attac's
In three divisions, their front extend
ing over six miles. I calculate that their
main division numbered 5000 men. Their
bravery was astounding. Sometimes they
, .vane,d at a vt,k. In regular crdti.
and when they were moved down those
that were left simply dropped In the grass
anil waited until the next lot came up.
They were men of pluck. and no mistake.
After Colenso the British kept quiet
for come time. Then they commenced
shifting portions of their camp up to-
ward the Little Tugela.
Eventually they made big movement
from Trere camp-first to Points Drift
and afterwards to Trichardt's Drift They
relinquished whatever intention they
might have had Of crossing at Points
Drift on the discovery that we were
strongly entrenched there.
THE British then moved further west
ward to Trichardts Drift, where they
erected a pontoon. There they crossed
the river and went on, in a Northwestern
ly direction to Acton Holmes farm,
where they struck the main road which
runs into Ladysmith over the open veldt
from the direction of divers Hook.
That night 1 was preparing to leave
the Colenso front for Pretoria on a few