Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-23
FIGHTING NEAR GLENCOE.
Continued from page ID

wall running parallel with the ridge
| a bout 600 yards from the summit
This position was gained under cover
| of some magnificent shooting by oul
artilIeryrnen, who placed shells at point.
where the Beers We're massed with amaz
ing accuracy, compelling them to retire.
"But not for long. On again the deter
mined enemy would come. only to b,
beaten back by the excellent shooting oil
the 18th and 69th Batteries under Majo'
Dawkins and Major King.
AT 1l.45 \. NJ the firing had almos'
ceased and our infantry We're over the
wall in Il twinkling ana rushing toward
the plateau at the base of the top or sec
ondary ridge. The defence made by the
Beers was most determined, the enemy
again and again pouring a long fusilade
fire into the British ranks which was
holly returned in we'll directed VoileyS by
the slowly advancing Dublin Fusiliers
and Kings Royal Rifles.
"A large body of Beers, driven from
Smiths hill took refuge in a cattle kraa'.
intending cross fire. The 18th Batttfy
opened fire. however, and poured IN sun
a hail Of bullets as caused them to speeu
lily shift their position. IL,
Thus far the emmy have displayed " !
doubted courage, perhaps unequaiied ~
the best European troops. lhtH MAJ iha
stood up to our artillery nre Win ~, M
greatest determination. ana thch on
lana ridge, standing clear out on me ShS
line they still appeared unbeditn ~ IL
faint. The battle had now raSeu ui2 HMM
Wntn lnt tJtn lSdllSIN We
timber up ana advance. Inc pdt'tis iii
lOped into Il new position III 'i"i .
form and was in action nj the front /" d
moment. :
SO effective was the apparent result %!
this close range firing that the l3th Ear .
terry was at once ordercu VI anu -
two rounds from each pattery. PGrlTt'
silence reigned over the enemy li''it'
broken only by the whirring 81 the Man
inns, served BY the Dublin Fusilttrs WhH
had secured an excellent position 10 inc
ant a AN
the Beers had taken up position on
hin IN the right of the road Leading TO
Waima c0lliery but the 18th Battery soon
opened fire on them ana compelled thFhl
..Nennwhile the two infantry battalions
continued 10 climb the nil, ana az l.30 T.
MI after hours Of desperate lighting,
the position was carried, the Beers nay
ing DrtcipitatelN evacuated the hill.
.'ThuS what had commenced with a bat -
tie at Dundee ended in a glorious victory
for British arms at what must be known
III the battle of Talana Hi.
Just as the Kings Royal Rifles and
the Dublin FusiiierS gained the hill tor
the mounted infantry could be seen work
ing around the left flank.
The mounted infantry could he seen
working around the left flank of the Boo:
position and actually getting in their
rear. without any attempt on the part ~
the enemy 70 check the movement while
the bulk of the mounted volunteers, wei!
hidden in the plantation to the right,
were ready to fan upon the retreatin1s
enemy in that direction when the moment
came.
FINALLY our batteries ceased their
murderous fire and the infantry charged
up the rock heights still separating them
from the enemy and reached the SUBMITS
Of both peaks of Smiths hill and of the
Mex between them without a check or
halt.
..It was gallant work on both sides and
scores Of men fell within a distance Of
couple of hundred yards, but the sltua
ton soon became too hot for the Beers,
who broke and fled for their horses which
they had left at the foot of the hills on
the northwest. There. however, thtE
were received with a fusilddt from tht
Hussars who had captured or stampede
The enemy sWerved in the lines Of re-
treat Some surrendered there ana then
others made for Hating Sprult. Will
some moved toward LandmanS Drift.
All who fled were closely pursued by our
cavalry and field battery.
1t seems pretty clear that when tn
main fight was dra wing TO close. part
Of the DannhauSer contingent under
Commandment Erasmus. came upon tht
ground as wen as a detachment from a
Free State contingent. which had made a
forced march from Nasch on tne south I'm.
The chief portion OF the Free state
troons however remained. IL appears. IN
a strong position at RiggarSberS whence
If will he necessary to diSlodge them, ii
they should wait Tor our attack. Which'
IN the circumstances, Is not thought prop
able.
..All the Hussar suuadrons except one
have returned. and the Whereabouts o.
that one is known, 50 that there Is no
caIIs4. for anxiety. Severe punishment
has been inflicted upon the rrtrcdtinS
Beers.