The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1899-11-03
SHELLED THE TOWN
The Beers Opened Fire on
Ladysmith.
ENGAGEMENT OF SEVERAL HOURS
Casualties Of the British Estimated at
From 80 to 1OO-Boer Losses
Probably Greater.

Ladysmith, Nov. 1.-Firing COM
menced at A. NJ this morning, the
Beers shelling Ladysmith with 40
FOUNDERS. After seven shots the British
gunners succeeded in silencing the Boer
force. A force of Beers is now advanc-
ing on the British left flank.
The advance was made at dawn with
the object of shelling the Beers from
the position where yesterday they had
mounted a number of guns. On reach
ing the spot, however, it was found
that they had evacuated the position.
The British continued to advance and
the movement developed into recon-
noissance in force. The enemy were
posted ON range of hills, having a
frontage of about 16 miles.
The British force was disposed in the
following order: On the right the
regiments of cavalry, four batteries OF
the Royal field artillery and five bat
talions of infantry; in the center three
battalions of the Royal field artillery,
two regiments of cavalry and four in-
fantry battalions, and on the left the
Royal Irish fusiliers, the Gloucester
shire regiment, and the Tenth noun
tain battery.
This force had been detailed to guard
our left flank at late hour last night.
General Whites plan of operations
was that, as the movement developed,
the force constituting our center, which
was disposed under cover OF a kopje
about three miles from the town,
should throw itself upon the enemy,
while the left flank was being held by
the fusiliers and the Gloucesters.
The scheme was we'll devised, but
failed in execution, owing to the fact
that the Boer position, which formed
our objective, was evacuated. Our ar
tillery quickly reduced the volume OF
the enemy's fire, but the attack deliv-
cred ON our right flank was the princi-
pal one and the column was compelled
to change. The Boer attack had been
silenced for time, and our infantry
advanced, covered by cavalry.
The enemy now began to develop
heavy counter-attack and as they were
In great numerical superiority, General
White gave orders for the infantry to
be gradually withdrawn. The move
ment was carried out with great stead
iness and delibeIation, under cover of
our guns, which made excellent prac-
tice.
Some shells were thrown into the
town from the enemy's 40-pounders, at
a range of over 5000 yards, but no
damage was done. The engagement
lasted several hours, and resulted, on
our side, in casualties estimated at
from 80 to 100. The Boer losses must
have largey exceeded this total.
The attack was admirably delivered
by our right, and the Beers were fairly
driven out of one of their strongholds
near Lombardskop. 1t was not possi-
BILE, however, to push the success much
further, as beyond that point lay q
long, broken bridge, affording every
kind of natural cover. OF this the en-
emy took the fullest advantage.
Our shells failed to dislodge the
Beers, and as our infantry moved
forward in extended order, they came
under a heavy and well-directed rifle
fire, the effect of which was apparent.
General White. who was with the
center, seeing that the troops on the
right were somewhat pressed, sent to
their assistance the whole center coll
umn, with the exception of the Devon
shire regiment.
The battle had then lasted four
hours, during which the artillery fire
on both sides had been almost inces-
SAINT.
The naval brigade, which landed at
Durham. had arrived on the scene
toward the end of the fight, and imme-
diately brought their heavy guns into
play. Their practice was magnificent.
At the fourth shot the enemy's 40
Founders had been knocked out of ac-
tion.
The town is now freed from appre-
tensions Of bonn bardment.
Throughout the engagement the
Beers held their ground with courage
and tenacity, and, considering the in
tensity of our artillery fire, they must
have suffered severely.