The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-11-20
REGENT FIGHTING TLADYSMITH,
Terrible Defeat for BOers Nov. 9-Their
 Loss Estimated at 500 Men.

Durban, Natal. Saturday, Nov. 1S.- | The Times of Natal publishes the fol- | lowing dated Wednesday, November 15, from it's special correspondent at Ladysmth: "The enemy made a de- termined attack on Thursday, Novem-
 Der 9. Apparently all the Boer forces
 participated. Their artillery opened at 4 a. m., pouring in shells thick and fast upon the British positions, al- though with nof great effect. They
 adopted the unusual tactics of advanc-
 ing under cover of their guns to posi-
 tions on the ridges and kopjes adjacent
 to those occupied by the British troops
 on the left of our camp.
 Continuing their advance, the Boers
 crept up, using every available bit of
 cover. Our infantry opened with a steady, warm and accurate fire, which
 beat back the enemy, notwithstanding 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. The main attack, however, was made be-
 tween the Free State and Newcastle railway lines by a column composed chiefly of Johannesburg volunteers. A brigade of the Kings Royal Rifle corps made a splendid defence. The Boers were repulsed, but soon rallied and re- turned to the attack and 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 for their horses, they left this unguarded, whereupon the Kings Rifles, advancing at double quick, occupied the trench.
 This smart movement was not seen by the enemy, who soon returned with the horses Carefully reserving their fire, the Kings Rifles allowed the Boers to advance almost to the edge of the trench and then poured volley after volley into the astounded Boers, who turned and fled from an awful hail of bullets, bolting across the open, where the artillery of the British poured in terrible and effective shell fire. The enemy lost heavily. Meanwhile an- other section of the Boers had brought a mortar into action, firing heavy shells. Our guns, concentrating upon 1t, soon sienced this weapon, the enemy's fleeing headlong. The Boers then advanced in force with view of repairing the mortar, but our artillery shelled and scattered them right and left. The fighting was all over at Il o'clock.
 Promptly at noon General White a salute of twenty-one guns in honor of the birthday of the Prince of Wales. As the cannon boomed, cheer after cheer rang out from the troops and a scene of enthusiasm, probably without parallel in history, followed.
 "At Caesars camp, which protects the town on the southwest, the Man chester regiment held the position De- under cover of the British guns for some distance on the further side of the hill they detected several hundred Boers hiding in the ditch out of the way of the British shells They poured volley after volley into the en- emy, scattering them widely and in- ficting heavy loss. The Boers were driven back at every point, with loss
 
 tant occurred after this until Tuesday. 14 when a strong force, chiefly cavalry and artillery, recon uoitering, came upon the enemy near the Colenso road and drove them back to their main positions. Our shell fire | was most effective and is believed to | nave inflicted considerable damage. Our ] lwn lass was one man. That same day | l Boer shell killed a trooper of the l Natal Mounted Rifles, who was sleep ng in his tent All our men are fit, ' we'll and in good spirits It is reported l hat the lyddite is terrifying the Boers, who have to be driven to their gun positions by revolvers pointed at their | reads. Ladysmith is able to hold out | or months. On the other hand, it is re- ,orted that dysentery is making havoc | Il the enemy's camp"