The Oskaloosa herald., 1899-10-26
Fierce Engagement Is Fought at
Elandslaagte.
THE VICTORY IS DEARLY BOUGHT
British Losses I'm Killed and wOund-
ed Number Over 100 Sorrow
of the Queen-B0ers She'll
ing Dundee.

captured and has since died.
1.-THE whole force was under Gen French,
with Col. Ian Hamilton commanding the
infantry. / was present in person from 3: 80
p. m. to $50 p. m, but did not assume direc-
ton of the fight, which was left in the
hands Of Gen. French. Although desultory
hghtinS took place earlier in the day, while
reenforcements, sent out later on ascer-
tanning the enemy's strength, were arriv-
ing from LadySmith, the real action did not
begin until $3.50 p. m. At that hour the
Beers held a position of@very exceptional
strength, consisting of rock hill about
mile and half southeast of Elandslaagte
station.
at $3.50 p m. our guns took position on
ridge AGO yards from the Beers, whose
guns at once opened fire. This fire was
orally we'll directed, but somewhat
i 81. Thus, contrary to previous expert
ences, their shells burst wei The i'm
perial light horse moved towards the left
of the enemy's position, and two squadrons
OF the Fifth lancers toward his right. Dur
ing the artillery duel mounted Beers
pushed out from their left and engaged the
imperial light horse. In few minutes the
enemy's guns ceased firing, and our artil-
lery was turned on the mounted Beers who
opposed the imperial light horse. The lat
ter at once fell back. After the artillery
Preparations our infantry advanced to the
attack, supported by our guns in the sec
ond position. The DevonshireS 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
again on the slightest opportunity, and
were served with great courage. After Sc
we're lighting our infantry carried the po-
sltlon. 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 dragoon
guards charged three times through the
retreatins Beers in the dark, doing consid-
bic execution.
I'VE captured the Boer camp with tents,
wagons, horses and also two guns. The
Boer losses were very considerable includ-
ing number of wounded and unwounded
prisoners. Among the former are Gen.
Jan kock and Piet Joubert, nephew of
COmmandant General Joubert. One goods
train, with supplies for Glencoe camp, and
nine English prisoners were recovered.
Our loss, l regret to say, was heavy. 1t
is roughly computed a. 15O killed and
wounded. The collection Of the wounded
over large area in the dark and the ar
raEgemeat5 for sending them in have thus
Tar occupied our time and attention. full
list Will go TO you later. Our wounded and
those OF the enemy are now arriving by
trans. Besides Beers We have many Hol-
landGrS, Germans, and prisoners of mixed
nauOLaiities. The behavior of our troops
and OF the colonial forces was admirable.
brilliant Feat of Arms.
Cape Town, Oct. 23.-Dispatches re-
ceived from the front regarding the
capture of Elandslaagte show it to have
been a brilliant feat of arms. The Beers
were strongly entrenched and fought
wit n -haif 'TI,,-
every opportunity of coming into ac-
ton and ran to serve their guns when
ever they could get chance.
The news of Gen. French's victory at
Elandslaagte caused great enthusiasm.
The newspapers were quickly on the
streets with special editions and the
people left the churches in order to get
the details of the fighting.
The Boer loss must Lave been very
heavy. The best estimates place it at
over 400 killed.
SORROW of the Queen.
London, Oct. 23-The secretary of
state for war, the marquis of Lans-
downP, has received the following mes
sage from the queen, dated Sunday at
Balmorai castle:
My heart bleeds for these dreadful!
losses again to-day. 1t is great success,
but, l fear, very dearly bought. Would
you convey my WarmeSt and heartfelt
sympathy with the near relatives of the
fallen and wounded and my admiration OF
the conduct of those they have lost.
". R. l."
The News in London.
n. ~ h, fn Ia
London newsboys found a ready sale
for the newspaper extras announcing
the continued victories in South Africa.
The losses in killed and wounded were
the subject of pulpit references in all
the churches, especially the Catholic
churches, owing to the disasters thai
befell the Irish fusileers. he vicinity
of the war office was crowded all day by
anxious inQuirers for the latest infor-
nation. The greatest anxiety and sus-
pense existed regarding the losses at
Elandslaagte and as to the fate of the
hussars who pursued the Beers from
Glencoe.
Typewriter copies of the reports of
Gen. Sir George Stewart White were
posted on bulletin boards or read to
| the crowds, amid much enthusiasm,
while the additions to the list of killed
| and wounded at Glencoe were received
with manifestations of personal be-
reavement. Everybody was gratitied to
read the kindly message from the
queen. and disappointed at the alb
sence Of news from Glencoe, many ar
guing that communication must be cut
| off, as otherwise there would be at least
some further intelligence as to the con-
dition of Gen. Symons, who, according
to an unconfirmed report, died Satur-
/ day of his wounds.
The latest dispatches do not indicate
Iany general incursion of Beers as yet
Into Bechuanaland. Along the Orange
river everything seems to be quiet.
Dundee Under Fire.
Cane Town. Oct. ga dispatch has
inst arrived announcing that the Beers
are Smelling Dundee, east of Glencoe, at
long range, but that their fire is Incl
| fective.
More Trouble at GIercOe.
Cane Town, Oct. 23.-It is now def
initely known that Glencoe was at
tackled Saturday by the Boer main
| northern column. Our forces are in
trenched in a good position. The stu
| alton there is not yet fully cleared up.
According TO the special dispatch
from Glencoe camp, the Births cavalry
while pursuing the defeated Beers
were engaged by strong force Of tie
| enemy on the north road. Firing Is
i now in progress.
1t is reported here from Glercoe that
| the Boer force under CommaEdant Gen
| eral Joubert has attacked, or is about
| 10 attack, the British entrenched posi-
ton at Glencoe.
| Gen. CronIe May Retire.
| Cape Town, Oct. 23.-It is believed
that the explosion of dynamite at MAZE
| king. so cleverly arranged by Col
| Baden Powell resulted in very large
loss to the Beers, so that II IS quite
| probable that Gen. Cronje viii not re
| sumo the attack, and Will perhaps re
| tire altogether.
| Powers May End War.
Paris, Oct. 23.--According TO Der
in correspondent, says the Courier a.
5oir, the great powers have agreed I
i intervene before the present war as
sumes terrible proportions, and mss
/ upon the Enforcement Of the provisions
as to arbitration in the convention
signed at The Hague.
1 WON Mt Fearful Cost.
London, Oct. %. = The war once an
nounces in the fighting between Glen
coe and Dundee, in Natal. 81 non-eon
missioned officers and men were kiile
and ISL wounded.