Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-11-06

livered staggering blow to the British
at Ladysmith. Apparently by superior
strategy the British have been led into
trap and suffered serious loss in con-
sequence, loss which may place them
at the mercy of the Beers.
portion of General Whites force
near Ladysmith were surrounded in
the hills, and, after losing heavily,
were obliged toScapitulate.
This disaster cost the British from
1900 to 1000 men and six seven-pound
screw guns, and as the Boer artillery
is already stronger than imagined, the
capture of these guns will be a great
help to the Beers.
Commander White reports as follows:
81 have to report a disaster to the
column sent by me to take a position
on hill to guard the left flank of the
troops. In these operations the Royal
Irish Fusileers, No. 10 mountain bat
terry and the Worcestershire regiment
were surrounded in the hills, and, after
losing heavily, had to capitulate. The
casualties have not yet been ascer-
tanned. A man of the Fusileers en-
ployed as a hospital orderly came in
under flag of truce with letter from
the survivors of the column, who asked
for assistance to bury the dead. 1 fear
there is no doubt of the truth of the
report.
81 formed a plan in the carrying out
of which the disaster occurred, and [
am alone responsible for the plan.
There is no blame whatever to the.
troops, as the position was untenable'r
While minor reverses were not wholly
unexpected, nothing like the stagger-
ing blow General Joubert delivered to-
General Whites forces was anticipated.
The full extent of the disaster is not
yet acknowledged, if it is known at the
war Office. The loss in effective men
must be appalling to general who is
practically surrounded. Two of the
finest British regiments and a mule
battery deducted from the Ladysmith
its total strength, and alters the whole
situation very materially in favor of
the Beers, who have again shown
themselves strong fighters and mill
tary strategists of no mean order.
Further news must be awaited before
1t is attempted to fix the blame where
It belongs. General White manfullv
accepts all the responsibility for the
disaster, which apparently was at least
partially due to the stampeding of the
n ules with the guns, From the list it
will be seen that forty-two officers
we're made prisoners, besides news
PAPER correspondent, ]. Fl. Heyde.
At the government offices no effort
vas made to conceal the feeling of dis
nay prevailing. One official is quoted
S saying:
1T is inexplicable, and am sorry to.
ay that its moral effect is inestimable.
We have lost heavily in many wars,
nd have heterogeneous almost wiped
ut but to have regiments captured,
uu ny tut DOeTS, 1T Is TERRIBLE
The throngs of visitors at the war
flee remained all day. Anxious peo-
lie practically fought their way to the
Office board. Most affecting scenes
ere witnessed. Many women were
card to gasp: THANK God, he's alive
any rate, as they found the name
some beloved one on the list of pris-
ncrs. The sidewalks were packed
18th solid masses awaiting their turn
enter.
There was continuous stream of
lllers at the war office until a late
our. everybody anxiously inquiring
garding casualties, but the war Office
,clared that nothing had been re-
lived since Sir George Whites dis
Itch communicating the capture of
70 Royal Irish Fusileers and the
worcestershire regiments. This delay
getting further intelligence is at
lbuted In part to the break down Of
e east coast cable.
An interview is published with a
'ltish officer, whose name is withheld.
1T who is described as a"well-known
neral with a distinguished record
ring the Indian mutiny,' in the
urse of which he passes severe criti-
I'M upon the conduct of the campaign:
lesterday's disaster" says the officer.
only another proof of serious blum
ring. Although Sir George White is
good regimental commander, he does
t seem to excel in strategy or the
lnagement of d big division regard
Glencoe business as another exam
! of blund ering.