The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-10-23
DEATH OF A
BOER LEADER
In an Engagement With the British
Troops at Elandslaagte.
THE BoBRs FOUGHT CALAMITY

But the Combined Efforts OF British
Cavalry aud Artillery Resulted In
Crushing Defeat For the Transvaal
Defenders--Ge Generai whites Report,
London, oct 23.-The war Office yes
terday published the following dis
patch to the secretary Of state for war;
the Marquis of Lansdowne. from the
general commanding in Natal Sir
George Stewart White, regarding the
engagement Saturday at Elandslaagte,
between Glencoe and Ladysmith when
the British, under General French
routed the Transvaal forces under Cen
eral Jan II. NJ. Kock. second in COM
mand in the Transvaal army, who was
himself wounded and captured and has
since died
THE whole force was under General
French, with Colonel Ian Hamilton
commanding the infantry. I was pres
ent In person from 80 D. m to 8: 80
p. m. but did not assume direction of
the fight, which was left in the hands
of General French. Although desul-
tory fighting took place earlier in the
day. while reinforcements, sent out
later on ascertaining the enemy's
strength, were arriving from Lady
smith, the real action did not begin
until $3.50 p. m. At that hour the
Beers held a position of very excep-
tional strength, consisting of a rock
hill about a mile and a half south
east of Elandslaagte Station.
AT 1880 p. m. our guns took a po-
sition on a ridge 4,100 yards from the
Beers, whose guns at once opened fire.
This fire was generally well directed
but somewhat high. Contrary to pre-
yious experiences, their shells burst
well.
The Imperial Light Horse moved
towards the left of the enemy's posi-
tlon, and two squadrons of the Fifth
Lancers toward his right. During the
artillery duel mounted Beers pushed
out from the left and engaged the
Light Horse. In a few minutes the
enemys guns ceased firing and our ar
tillery was turned on the mounted
Beers, who opposed the Light Horse.
The latter at once fell back. After the
artillery preparations our infantry ad-
vanced to the attack, supported by our
guns, in the second position. The
Devonshire regiment held the enemy
in front. while the Manchester regi-
ment and the Gordon Highlanders
turned his left flank
"The Boer guns, although often tenn
pOrarily silenced, invariably opened
fire on the slightest opportunity and
were served with great courage. At
ter severe fighting our infantry car
ried the position. At $50 p. m. this
was accomplished, the enemy standing
his ground to the last with courage
and tenacity. The Fifth Lancers and
a squadron of the Fifth Dragon
Guards charged three times through
the retreating Beers in the dark, do
ing considerable execution.
I'VE captured the Boer camp, with
tents, wagons. horses and also two
guns. The Boer losses were very con-
siderable, including number of
wounded and unwOunded prisoners.
Among the former are General Jan
Kock and Piet Joubert, nephew of
Commandant General Joubert.
"One goods train, with supplies for
Glencoe camp, and nine English pris-
oners, were recovered. Our loss, l re-
gret to say was heavy. 1t is roughly
computed at $50 killed and wounded.
The collection of the wounded over
large area in the dark and the ar
rangements for sending them in have
thus far occupied our time and at
tention Our wounded and those of
the enemy are now arriving by trains.
Besides Beers we have many Holland
ers, Germans and prisoners of mixed
nationalities. The behavior of our
troops and of the colonial forces was
admirable"
The following additional details from
official sources are at hand regarding
the battle at Elandslaagte:
The Beers, although driven from
their guns, returned again and again
whenever an opportunity occurred. The
high ground near the left of the en-
emys position was occupied at the
commencement of the action, the Brit
ish creeping along the crest and max
ing a wide circuit.
The infantry attack was directed
against the right of the enemy's posi-
tion, the British coming quickly into
contact with the Beers, who at that
point occupied a strong footing, which
they held resolutely until flank at
tack was made by our troops, who ad-
yanced with great dash and in spite of
heavy losses. carried the main posi-
ton with a rush, just as the light was
falling
The ground traversed by our troops
was rough and stony, and the capture
of the position was a fine feat of arms
The cavalry Tapped we'll around and
inflicted severe loss on the enemy.
II was highly important to strike a
severe blow. as the Orange Free State
forces are known to be concentrated
northwest of Ladysmith in consider
able strength. The flank attack was
CALAMITY delivered by the Manchester
regiment, the Gordon Highlanders and
the Imerial Light Horse. The front
attack was done with splendid spirit
by the Devonshire regiment.
The latest dispatches do not indi-
cate any general incursion of Beers as
yet into Behuanaland. Along the Or
ange river everything seems to be
quiet. From Colesburg, Cape Colony,
it is reported that all the available
burghers of the Orange Free State have
been sent north and west.
On the other hand, a messenger from
Aliwal North reports that a large body
of Beers is advancing toward the Or
ange river. Refugees are leaving that
town in greater numbers daily The
Beers have mounted a Krupp gun on
bridge commanding the most thickly
peopled part.
Advices from Cape Town say that a
wholesome fear of rising in Basuto-