The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-20
BOERs PUNISHED SEVERELY.
Eight Hundred Killed and Wounded
by Defenders of Ladysmith.

by Defenders OF Ladysmith.
DURAN, Natal, Nov. 1s.-The Times. of
Natal. publishes the following. dated
Wednesday. Nov. Is. from its special cor
respondent at Ladysmith:
1.-The enemy made determined attack on
Thursday, Nov. g. Apparently all the Boer
forces participated. Their artillery opened
at a. m, pouring in shells thick and fast
on the British positions, although with no
great effect. They adopted the unusual tao
tics of advancing under cover Of their guns
to positions on the ridges and kopjes ada
cent to those occupied by the British troops,
on the left of our camp. Continuing their ad-
vance the Beers crept up, using every avail
able bit OF cover. Our infantry opened with
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.
1.-THE main attack, however, was made be-
tween the Free State and Newcastle railway
lines by a column composed chiefly of Jo
hannesburg volunteers. A brigade Of the
Kings Royal Rifles Corps made splendid
defense. The Beers were repulsed, but soon
rallied and returned to the attack. Again
the British fire, which was very hot, forced
them to retire. They had made a 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 their
horses. Carefully reserving their fire the
Kings Rifles allowed the Beers to advance
almost to the edge of the trench, and then
poured volley after volley into the astounded
Beers, who turned and fed from an awful
hail of bullets. boiling across the open,
where the artillery Of the British poured in
terrible and effective shell fire. The enemy
lost heavily.
Meanwhile another section of the Beers
had brought mortar into action, firing
heavy shells. Our guns concentrated upon
1t, soon silenced this weapon, the enemy's
artillerymen fleeing headlong. The Beers
then advanced in force, with view of re-
pairing the mortar. but artillery shelled
and scattered them right and left. The
lighting was all over at IL o'clock.
Promptly at noon General White ordered
a salute of twenty-one guns in honor of
the birthday Of the Prince of Wales. AS
the cannon doomed cheer after cheer rang
out from the troops and a scene of enthus-
iasm, probably without parallel in history,
followed.
cat Casares camp. which protects the
town on the southwest, the Manchester
regiment held the position. Descending
under cover Of the British guns for some
distance on the further side of the hill, they
detected several hundred Beers hiding in
the ditch out of the way Of the British
shells. They poured volley after volley into
the enemy, scattering them and inhicting
heavy loss. The Beers were driven back
at every point, with a loss estimated at
500 men.
Nothing important occurred until Tues
day. Nov. IA, when a strong force, chiefly
cavalry and artillery, reconnoitering, came
upon the enemy near the Colenso road and
drove them back to their main positions
Our shell fire was most effective and Is be-
lieved to have inflicted considerable dam
age. Our own loss was one man. That same
day Boer shell killed a trooper of the
Natal Mounted Rifles who was sleeping in
his tent.
"All our men are fit, well and in good
spirits.
'It Is reported that the lyddite is terrify-
ing the Beers, who have to be driven to
their gun positions by revolvers pointed at
their heads.
'Ladysmith Is able to hold out for months.
On the other hand, 1t is reported that dys-
entery is working havoc in the enemy's
camp