The Forrest City times., 1899-11-03
LATEST FROM GEN. NH|IE.
The Commander of the British Forces in Natal Tells the Story
 of Ladysmith.
TIE CAPTURED COLUMN LOST NO HONOR,

Their Pack Train Carrying Their
 Reserve Ammunition. Through .
 stnmpedc-Fought TiIIThcir Cart
 ridges Were Exhaustsd.
 lcndon. Nov. 2.-The British war ot- fee has made public dispatch re- ceiyed from Gen. White, describing the operations of Monday. IL was as fellows:
 The story of Ladysmith.
 Ladysmith. Oct. 31, 7:5o ?. m.-- Took out from Ladysmith [ brigade of mounted troops, two brigade divi- tions of the Royal artillery, the Natal field battery. and two brigades of in- fautry, to rcconnoiter in force the enemy's main position to the north nnd if the opportunity should offer to capture the hill behind Farquahar's farm. which had, on the previous da.,, been held in strength by the enemy.
 The Ill-Fated Column.
 In connection with this advance, a column, consisting of the Tenth noun tain artillery. four half companies .f the Gioucesters. and six companies of the Royal Irish fusileers, the whole under Lieut.-Col. Carleton and Mai. Adye, deputy assistant adjutant gen eral. was dispatched, at II p. m., on the 29th, to march by night up Bells spruit. and seize Nicholson's Nek, or home position near Nicholson's Nek, hus turning the nemy's right flank.
 The Main Advance.
 The main advance was successfully carried out. the objective of the at hack being evacuated, and an artillery duel between our field batteries and the enemy's guns of the position and Naxims is understood to have caused heavy loss to the enemy. The recon. naissance forced the enemy to fully disclose his position and, after strong ccunter-attack on our right the in- fantry brigade and cavalry had been repulsed, the troops were slowly with ircwn to camp. pckets being left on observation. Late in the engagement the naval contingent, under Capt Lambton of H. NJ. $. Powerful, came into action and si1enced, with their ev- tremely accurate fire, the enemy's guns of position.
 Cleaned From Reports.
 The circumstances which attended The movements of Lieut.-Col. Carle- Ions column are not yet fully known but from reports received, the col hmn appears to have carried out tha night march ummolested. until within hwo miles of Nicholson's Nek. At this point two powders rolled from the hill, and few rife shots stampeded the infantry ammunition mules. The ltampede spread to the battery mules, which broke loose from their leaders, and got away with practically the whole of the gun equipment and the greater portion of the regimental mGll-6rm ammunition.
 The reserve was similarly lost.
 They Fixed Bayonets.
 The infantry battalions, howeve., hxea bayonets and. accompanied by the personnel of the artillery. seized hill on the left of the road. two mile, from the Nek. with but little opposi- lion. There they remained unmolest- sd till dawn, the time being occupied h organizing the defense of the hill and constructing stone sangars and walks as cover from fire. At dawn a skrmishing attack on our position was comenced by the enemy, but made no way until 9:30 a. m.. when strong endorsements enabled them to rush so the attack with great energy
 Under a Searching Fire ! Their fire became very searching, and two companies of the Gloucesters, In an advanced position, were ordered to fall back. The enemy then pressed to short range, the losses on our side becoming very numerous.
 At D. m. our ammunition was practically exhausted, the position was Captured, and the survivors of the col 0mr fell into the enemy's hands.
 Wounded Humnnely Treated.
 The enemy treated our wounded with humanity. Gen. Joubert at once dispatching letter to me. offering a safe conduct to doctors and abulances Co remove the wounded. A medical officer and parties to render first aid 10 the wounded were dispatched to the kcene of action from Ladysmith last night, and the ambulance at dawn thls nc rning.
 The want of success for the col umn was due to the misfortune of the mules stampeding, and the consequent loss of the guns and small arm am- nunition reserve.
 The official list of casualties and prisoners will be reported shortly. The latter are understood to have been sent by rail to Pretoria
 The security of Ladysmith is in nc way affected.