The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-23
HERE'S ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Graphic story From Ladysmith of
the Elnndslnngte Fight.

Graphic story From Ladysmith of
the Elnndslaagte Fight.
Ladysmith, Oct. 22.-Realizing that the
first attack on Glencoe was part of a gem
eral combined attack by three columns
and that the situation was still serious so
long as the Beers held the railway at
Elandslaagte, severing communication be-
tween Ladysmith and Dundee, Sir George
Stewart White on Friday, resolved to give
battle with view of recapturng Eland-
slaagte.
1t was imperative to dislodge the Beers
from Elandslaagte, as we had learned that
the Orange Free State burghers were de-
scending from their positions on the slopes
of the Drakenberg, from Tintwa and other
western passes, to cooperate with those
already posted at Elandslaagte
AT an early hour our forces moved out
by road and rail. II was computed that
there were about 200 Beers, with Dig guns
and Maxims covering their 'front.' occupy
ing wel chosen position at he base of a
hill some little distance south of Etands-
laagte. On both tanks were strong kopics,
on which were three big guns strongly
posted and commanding a wide sweep on
all Sides leaving an opening for retreat.
A British armored train, supported by
Two trainloads of infantry, Immediately on
approaching the enemys position was
sheEed by the Beers. Our artillery YVES at
once brought up and drove the boers from
their guns, making a series of brilliant
dashes into the valley and up the success
sive nights to get nearer the Boer main
position. Thrice were the Boer batteries
on the way silenced by our artillery, al
IL
and determination, returning each time
our guns moved and raining shrapnel and
Maxim bullets against our advance.
At 4 o'clock a tremendous artillery duel
was in progress. Two Boer guns, splendidly
placed were stubbornly fought for two
hours and a quarter while mounted Beers
endeavored to come into contact with our
men on the left and on the right.
Gave Them the BayOnet.
Then, at 6:15 p. m, the Devonshire Reg
iment. half the Gordon Highlanders, half
The Manchester Regiment and the Imperial
Light Horse advanced on the position and
stormed the enemy's front. A bayonet
charge was sounded as the roar of artll-
lery on both sides suddenly ceased, and
our men. the Devonshres leading made a
superb dash against the main body of the
Beers, undaunted by facing a fearful fire.
Twice were they checked by the terrible
moment, but then, with ringing, roaring
cheers, the whole of our force hurled It.
self forward like an avalanche and swept
over the kopjes, bayoneting the broken en-
emy in all directions.
The Beers were overwhelmed and as
founded. They paused, then retreated
then raised the white flag and surren>
dered Two or three hundred broke and
ran. pursued by the Fifth Lancers, who
charged through and through them.
Beers Lost FOrr Hundred.
It was quite dark by this time, but the
slaughter must have been great. The Cor
don Highanders say the storming of Dar-
gai Ridge was mere childs play compared
with this attack. The Beers loss must
have been very heavy. The best estimates
place it a certainly over 400 killed.
One of the captured Beers told me that
if he had known English soldiers could
shoot as our men did he would never have
come. Another Boer said he knew he W 5
fighting for lost cause. Yet third ex-
pressed surprise that he had 10 shoot at
men wearing khaki He was terribly de-
jecled. He had been told to shoot at men
with red coats and white collars, and he
saw none. His impression seemed to be
that the men who fought against him were
not Euglishmen.
A heavy rain, heavier than I had ever
seen. fell Immediately after the battle
making a pteous scene on the battlelelu
where many wounded were lying.
BugIer BOY shot Four.
The Devonshire regiment captured three
Boer flags. Commandant DeMeelion of Jo-
hannesburg was taken prisoner 1t is re-
ported that Piet Joubert who was wound
ed and captured, has succumbed TO his
wounds a buSler boy of the Fifth Lam
GERS, only IA years of age, shot three Beers
with his revolver On returning after the
fight he was carried shoulder-high around
the camp.
Everybody testifes to the splendid fight
ing and stubborn bravery of the Beers
but this tribute requires some qualifca-
tion, as 1 have learned to-day that, while
the Gordon Hishlanders We're bringing in
the wounded last night a sharp fire was
opened upon them by some Boer parties
in hiding Our losses, considering the des-
perate nature Of the engagement, are re-
garded as light.