Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-10-27
A. CRUSHING DEFEAT.
Boer Forces Again Badly Whipped
by Britons.
A Fierce Battle Mt Elnndslnngte-Vic-
tory of the Successful Troops Is
Dearly Dought-Gen. kock,
Boer Commander, Killed.

London, Oct. 23.-The war Office pub
fishes the following dispatch to the
secretary of state for war, the marquis
of Lansdowne, from the general COM
manding in Natal, Sir George Stewart
White, regarding the engagement Sat
urday at Elandslaagte, between Glen
coe and Ladysmith, when the British,
under Gen. French, routed the Trans
vaal forces under Gen. Jan II. NJ. Kock,
second in command in the Transvaal
army, who was himself wounded and
captured and has since died:
THE whole force was under Gen. French,
with Col. Ian Hamilton commanding the
infantry. l was present in person from $3.50
p. IN. to $3.50 p. m, but did not assume direc-
ton of the fight which was left in the
hands of Gen. French. Although desultory
fighting took place earlier in the day, while
reenforcements, sent out later on ascer-
tanning the enemy's strength, were arriv-
ing from Ladysmith, the real action did not
begin until 1880 p. m. At that hour the
Beers held position of very exceptional
strength. consisting of a rock hill about
mile and half southeast of Elandslaagte
station.
AT $3.50 p. m. our guns took a position on
q ridge 4,100 yards from the Beers, whose
guns at once opened fire. This fire was
generally well directed, but somewhat
nigh. Thus, contrary to previous expert
ences, their shells burst we'll The i'm
perial light horse moved towards the left
of the enemy's position, and two squadrons
of the Fifth lancers toward his right. Dur
ing the artillery duel mounted Beers
pushed out from their left and engaged the
imperial light horse. In a few minutes the
enemy's guns ceased firing. and our artil-
lery was turned on the mounted Beers, who
opposed the imperial light horse. The lat
ter at once fell back. After the artillery
preparations our infantry advanced to the
attack, supported by our guns in the Sec
ond position. The Devonshires held the
enemy in front while the Manchester regi-
ment and the Gordon 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 Sc
we're fighting our infantry carried the po-
sition. At $3.50 p. m. this was accomplished.
the enemy standing his ground to the last
with courage and tenacity. The Fifth
lancers and squadron of the Fifth dragoon
guards charged three times through the
retreating Beers in the dark, doing consd-
cradle execution.
"We captured the Boer camp, with tents,
wagons, horses and also two guns The
Boer losses were very considerable, includ-
prisoners. Among the former are Gen.
Jan Kock and Piet Joubert nephew of
Commandant General Joubert. One goods
train, with supplies for Glencoe camp, and
nine English prisoners were recovered.
"our loss, 1 regret to say, was heavy. 1t
is roughly computed at $50 killed and
wounded. The collection of the wounded
over large area in the dark and the ar
rangementS for sending them in have thus
far occupied our time and attention. full
list will go to you later. Our wounded and
those of the enemy are now arriving by
| trains. Besides Beers, we have many Hol-
landers, Germans, and prisoners of mixed
nationalities. The behavior of our troops
and of the colonial forces was admirable.
A Brilliant Feat of Arms.
Cape Town, Oct. 23.-Dispatches re-
ceived from the front regarding the
capture of Elandslaagte show it to have
been brilliant feat of arms. The Beers
were strongly entrenched and fought
with their wonted bravery. They seized
every opportunity of coming into ac-
tion and ran to serve their guns when
ever they could get chance.
The news of Gen. French's victory at
Elandslaagte caused great enthusiasm.
The newspapers were quickly on the
streets with special editions and the
people left the churches in order to get
the details of the fighting.
The Boer loss must have been very
heavy. The best estimates place it at
over 400 killed.
Sorrow of the Queen.
London, Oct. 23.-The secretary of
state for war, the marquis of Lans-
downe, has received the following mes
sage from the queen, dated Sunday at
Balmoral castle:
my heart beeds for these dreadful
losses again to-day. 1t is great success
but, fear, very dearly bought. Would
| you convey my warmest and heartfelt
| sympathy with the near relatives of the
fallen and wounded, and my admiration OF
| the conduct of those they have lost.
"V. r. l."
Dundee Under Fire.
Cape Town, Oct. ga dispatch has
just arrived announcing that the Beers
are shelling Dundee, east of Glencoe, at
long range, but that their fire is inef-
fective.
More Trouble at Glencoe.
Cape Town, Oct. 23.-It is now def
initely known that Glencoe was at
tackled Saturday by the Boer main
northern column. Our forces are in
trenched in a good position. The stu
alton there is not yet fully cleared up.
According to the special dispatch
from Glencoe camp, the British cavalry
while pursuing the defeated Beers,
were engaged by strong force of the
enemy on the north road. Firing is
now in progress.
Won at n Fearful Cost.
London, Oct. %. - The war Office an,
nounces in the fighting between Glen.
coe and Dundee, in Natal, 81 non-com
missioned officers and men were killed
and ISL wounded,
The list of officers killed and wound
ed strikingly shows that, although the
British victory was complete, it was
bought at heavy price.
Iowa Troops Arrive.