A dispatch from General Buller from the camp at Chieveley on Friday reports a serious reverse, while attempting that morning to force the passage of the Cugela River. He was obliged to abandon eleven guns and retire on Chieveley. He fears the losses are heavy.
Major-General A. Fitzroy Hart
to force a passage despite a gallant he attacked the left drift was unable attack. The Consaught Rangers were leading and suffered heavily, Colonel L. G. Brooke being wounded.
Major-General H. J. T. Hildyard advanced on the right and occupied Colenso station. Meanwhile the whole artillery division was supporting the attack and advancing close to the bed of the river which proved to be full of the enemy, who opened
all the horses, and it was impossible a galling fire at close range, killing to bring away the guns.
As it would have caused too great a sacrifice to force the passage unsupported by artillery, the troops were ordered to withdraw and returned to camp in good order. were essing the right flank, and Thoughout the day the enemy were kept back by Dundonald's mounted men, and part of Major-General G. Barton's brigade.
London, 17th December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.