Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-20
DEAD BOERS LIE IN HEAPS
Detailed Account of How General
whites Forces Are Defending
the City of Ladysmith.

DURHAM. Natal, Saturday, Nov. 1s-The
Times of Natal publishes the following,
dated Wednesday, November Is, from its
special correspondent at Ladysmith
1.-The enemy made a determined attack on
Thursday November 0. Apparently all the
Boer forces participated. Their artillery
opened at a. m, pouring in shells thick and
fast upon the British positions although
with no great effect. They adopted the un-
usual tactics of advancing under cover of
their guns to positions on the ridges and
kopjes adjacent to those occupied by the
British troops early in the investment.
Continuing their advance the Beers crept
up, using every available bit Of cover. Our
infantry opened with steady, warm and ac-
curate fire, which beat back the enemy
Notwithstanding the display of tenacity of
purpose equal to their desperate stands on
/ previous occasions The Boer attack was
most elaborate on all sides of the town.
1.-THE main attack was made, however, be-
tween the Free State and Newcastle rail-
way lines by a column composed chiefly of
johannesburg volunteers. A brigade OF
Kings Royal Rifles corps made splendid
defense. The Beers were repulsed, but soon
rallied and returned to the attack. Again
the British fire. which was very hot. forced
them to retire. They had made deep
trench In front OF the British lines and
while withdrawing from their horses they
left this unguarded, whereupon the King 8
Rifles, advancing at double e-quick, occupied
the trench.
This smart movement was not seen by
the enemy who soon returned with their
horses. Carefully reserving their fire the
Kings Rifles allowed the Beers to advance
almost to the edge OF the trench and then
poured volley after volley into the as
founded Beers, who turned and fed frcm an
awful hail of bullets. bolting across the
open, where the artillery OF the British
poured in a terrible and effective shell fire.
The enemy lost heavily, falling about in
heaps.
Meanwhile another section of the Beers
had brought mortar into action. firing
heavy shells. Our guns, concentrating upon
it, soon silenced this weapon. the enemy's
artillery men fleeing headlong. The Beers
then advanced in force with view of re-
pairing the mortar, but our artillery shelled
and scattered them right and left. The fight
ing was all over at IL o'clock.
promptly at neon General White ordered a
salute of twenty-one guns in honor of the
birthday OF the prince of Wales. AS the
cannon doomed cheer after cheer rang out
from tho troops and a scene of enthusiasm
probably without a parallel in history fol-
lowed.
'At Caesars camp, which protects the
town on the southwest, the Manchester reg
iment held the position Descending under
cover OF the British guns for some distance
on the other side of the HILL they detected
several hundred Beers hiding in the ditch
out OF the way Of the British shells. They
poured vollev after volley into the enemy,
scattering them and inhcting heavy loss.
"The Beers We're driven back at every
point, with a loss estimated at 500 men.
Nothing important occurred until Tues
day. November IA. when a strong force,
chiefly cavalry and artillery. reconnoitering,
came upon the enemy near the Colenso road
and drove them back TO their main posi-
tion. Our shell fire was most effective ard is
believed to have inflicted considerable dam
age. Our own less was one man.
''That same day Boer shell killed
trooper of the Natal mounted rifles who
was sleeping in his tent. All our men are
ft, we'll and in good spirits. 1t is reported
that the lyddite is terrifying the Beers. who
have to bo driven into their gun positions
by revolvers pointed at their heads
''Ladysmith is able to hold out for months.