Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-23

LONDON, October 22.-The war Of
flee this afternoon published the fol-
lowing dispatch to the Secretary OF
State for War. the Marquis Of Lans-
downe, from the general commanding
in Natal, Sir George Stewart White,
regarding the engagement yesterday at
Elandslaagte, between Glencoe and
Ladysmith, when the British under Gen.
French routed the Transyaal forces I'M
der General Jan H. N. Kock, second in
command in the Transvaal army, who
was himself wounded and captured and
has since died:
white, Commander in Natal, to the
Secretary of State for War
"Qiled Ladysmith, October %, 1875
a. m.)
"In the action at Elandslaagte yes
terday the troops engaged were the fol-
lowing:
Cavalry, Fifth lancers, squadron of
the Fifth Dragon guards, the Imperial
light horse and two squadrons of Natal
carbineers; artillery, Twenty-first field
battery, Forty-second field battery and
the Natal field battery; infantry. the
Devonshire regiment, half a battalion
of the Gordon Highlanders and the
Manchester regiment. The whole force
was under General French, with Col.
Ton uaD,;Ifou oororo q n dino tho infantry
81 was present in person from $3.50
to $50 p. M, but did not assume direc-
ton of the fight, which was left in the
hands of Gen. French. Although de-
sultory fighting took place earlier in
the day, while reinforcements, sent out
later on ascertaining the enemy S
strength, were arriving from Lady
smith,
THE REAL ACTION
did not begin until $50 p. m. At that
hour the Beers held position of very
exceptional strength, consisting of a
rock hill about mile and half south
east Of Elandslaagte Station.
At $3.50 p. m. our guns took a posi-
tion On ridge, 4,100 yards from the
Beers, whose guns at once opened fire.
This fire was generally we'll directed,
bnt somewhat high. Contrary to pre-
vious experiences their shells burst
we'll
THE Imperial light horse moved to-
wards the left Of the enemy's position,
and two squadrons of the Fifth lancers
toward its right. During the artillery
duel, mounted Beers pushed out from
their left and engaged the Imperial light
horse. In a few minutes the enemv's
guns ceased firing and our artillery
was turned on the mounted Beers, who
opposed the Imperial light horse. The
latter at once fell back After the ar
tillery preparations our infantry adj
vanced to the attack, supported by our
guns in the second position. The De-
vonshires held the enemy in front while
the Manchester regiment and the Cor
don 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 severe fighting our infantry car
ried the position At $50 p. m. this
was accomplished. the enemy standing
his ground to the last with courage and
tenacity. The Fifth laneers and a
\suuadron of the Fifth dragon guards
Nharged three times through the re-
tAeating Beers in the dark. doing con-
siderable execution.
1--WE captured the Boer camp, with
fehts, wagons, horses and also two
gums. The Boer losses were very con-
sidefable, including number Of wound
ed and unwounded prisoners. Among
the fdrmer are Gen. Jan Kock and Pet
JoubeAt, nephew Of Commanding Cen
eral JoIAbert.
Zone &oods train, with supplies for
Glencoe lamp and nine English pris-
oners weAe recovered. Our loss, I re-
gret to SAY, was heavy. 1t is roughly
computed lat one hundred and fifty
killed and wounded.
"The collection Of the wounded over
a large area in the dark, and arrange
ments for Sending them in, have thus
far occupied our time and attention. A
full list with go to you later
"Our wounded and those of the en-
emv are now arriving by trains Be
sides Beers, we have many Hollanders
Germans and prisoners of mixed nation
alities. The behavior OF our troops and
Of the colonial forces was admirable. .
GENERAL KOCK DEAD.
CAPE TOWN, October %, 9 p. M
The Boer commander at the battle OF
Elandslaagte, Gen. Jan H. NJ. Kock,
who was taken prisoner, has died OF
his wounds.
Dispatches received 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 with their won't
ed bravery. They seized every oppor-
tuity of coming into action, and ran to
serve their guns whenever they could
get a chance.
The British wounded are now being
taken to Ladysmith. Every care and
attention are also being given to the
Boer wounded, who are being dispatch
ed down the country
ANOTHER FIGHT ON.
GLENCOE CAMP, Natal, October %
Heavy firing is now in progress to
the northwest of this camp.
LONDON, October 22.-According to
a special dispatch from Glencoe Camp,
the British cavalry, while pursuing the
defeated Beers, were engaged by a
strong force of the enemy on the North
Road. Firing is now in progress.
CAPE TOWN, October 22.--18 D. m.
Iii il renorted here from Glencoe thar