Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-10-26
BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE
Beers Victims of Plan by Which They
Hoped to Drive British Into Sea.
LOSSES ON SIDE OF THE VlCTORS
Bear Striking Testimony to the
Valor of the Beers. Y
DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING SATURDAY

victories in Natal, following each other
in quick succession. though accom-
| panied by heavy losses ON the side OF
the victors, bear striking testimony to
the valor of the vanquished Beers.
They appear to have fallen victims to
the very plan which they counted on
to drive the British into the sea. They
have been beaten in detail by counter
strokes carefully add brilliantly carried
out in the face of courageous opposition,
which has done much to increase
British respect for the burghers,
whose splendid valor and determina-
tion, it is universally admitted,
reached the highest level Fuller
accounts of Saturdays battle at
Elandsaagte emphasize the splendid
| gallantry exhibited on both sides, and
the superiority of the British in a
pitched battle. although the Beers
fought with the greatest tenaoity to
the lust, only yielding when further
lighting was hopeless.
| DETAILS OF THE BATTLE.
An armored train, with the men of
| the Manchester Regiment, appeared on
the left, at Ladysmith, at. daybrealz
Saturday, in support Of the Johannes
burg Imperial Lighthouse and the
Natal Field Artillery, with the object
of reopening communication at Eland-
slaagte. The artillery took ur po-
sition above the town, and shelled the
railway station, from which the Beers
ran out, and the mounted infantry,
entering the place, released the English
prisoners. The Beers, numbering 1,600
men, with three guns, occupied a com
manding position. They poured such
a well-directed fire on the British, and
their scouts were SO active, thai the
British force steadily retired, until re-
Inducements arrived, when the mounted
infantry was sent to drive the Boer
scouts from the ridge on the right. A
large force of mixed cavalry, in the
meanwhile, swept over the plain, and
up the hill on the right. The Lancers
we're met with heavy fusilade, while
on the left British battery opened
fire with good effect. The British
infantry, which had debarked from the
railway train in the interim, advanced
steadily over the plain, and up to the
rocky ridge previously cleared by the
cavalry. The Boer artillery dropped
shrapnel into the advancing columns,
but the British finally scaled the hill,
whence they oycrlooked the broad
valley to three rocky hills forming the
Beers position, their camp heing fin
the centre. On the left centre, the
Beers had battery of three large
guns. Tho smaller hills were. also
strongly held. On the Boer right, was
the station, in valley. OH the British
| left The latter's cavalry was on both
| TANKS. and q battery on the right was
busy throwing shrapnel at the Boers'
batteries. The British infantry formed
for the attack in extended order, be-
hind the brow of hill, the Devonshires
on the left, with four companies Of the
| Manchesters and some of the Gordons
on the right AT 5 p m, the infantry
advanced through the valley as steadily
as OF field day. Half way down the
artillery fire, and the men fell rapidly.
and the wounded were carried to the
rear; but, in spite CT the steady work
of the Boer gun, and the sharpshooters
concealed behind the rocks, the in
creasing fire of the advancing British
infantry gradually gained the upper
hand, and the Manchesters and
Gordons, edging towards the right,
gained the top of the ridge, thus out
tlanking the enemy's left, At p. M. j,
the bugles sounded the 'charge,n and
the British swept ahead. The Beers
fought to the last, only attempting to
escape when further fighting was hope.
less. In the meantime, the Devon
shires, pressing steadily up the left,
were strongly opposed at the Boer
camp, and fiom the flanking hills, but
they carried both at the charge, with
wild cheers and bugle blasts. BY D.
M, the British had gained the po-
sition, and ''cease fire. was sounded.
Three 1919 FOUNDER Nordenfelds were
captured, with quantities Of munitions.
The Boer dead and wounded among the
rocks, who were numerous, were at
tended to as far as possible in the dark.
Gen. French thanked the troops on the
field, especially mentioning Ccl. |. A.
N. Hamiltoh's splendid handling of
the infantry. The British bivouacked
on the captured position Saturday
night. Some estimates place the Boer
losses al 800 men. but this is probably
exaggerated.
An official dispatch from Ladysmith,
the British headquarters . in Natal,
dated 10 u. m yesterday, gives the
following list of casualties among the
prominent Beers at the battle of
Elandslaagte: Gen. Viljoen, killed ;
NtH. hpSh, NOuudCd CuDIuTtl,
since died; Gen. Rocks son, killed !;
Col. Schiel, German officer command
ing the artillery, wounded and cap
tured; Commander Pectorius. wounded
and captured.
Col. Scott-Chishom the only British
officer killed, was formerly attached to
the Ninth Lancers. He seiyed with
distinction in the Afghan war, and
organized the present Imperial Light
horse, n majority of whom are refugees
from the rand. -
The death of Gen. Viljoen is severe
blow to the burghers, and the death of
Gen. Kock and the capture of Gen.
Pretorious will handicap the further
movements of this column.
According to advices from Durham,
Natal, the Beers have entered Zulu
land, large column advancing toward
Meloth. t
THE QUEEN DEEPLY GRIEvED.
The following will appear in today's
Court Circular:
"Balmoral, Oct. 23 The news of
the important successes at Glencoe and
Elandslaagte has been received by the
Queen with the greatest satisfaction.
While admiring the gallant conduct of
the troops, Her Majesty is most deeply
grieved to hear of the losses the VIC
tories have occasioned, and greatly de-