Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-24
THE NATAL FIGHTS,
They Bear Striking Testimony
to Va|or Of the Beers,
BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE,
It Emphasizes British Superiority, But
BurSher Gallantry Also.
PROMINENT BOER CHIEFS KILLED
Gen. yiIioen and Gen. KoclS Among
Thcse-CoI. schieI and Commander
PROMINENT BOER CHIEFS KILLED.

| LONDON. October 23.-The British vic
/ tories in Natal, following each other in
\ quick succession, though accompanied
by heavy losses on the side Of the vic
| tors, bear striking testimony 10 the valor
! of the vanquished Beers. They appear to
! have fallen victims to the very plan
! which they counted on 70 arrive the Brit
ish into the see. They have been beaten
| in detail by counter-strokes. carefully
considered and brilliantly carried out
| in the face Of courageous opposition
which has done much to increase British
| respect for the Burghers. whose splendid
/ valor and determination, II is universally
! admitted, are of the highest level.
Fuller account OF Saturdays battle at
Elandslaagte emphasize the gallantry ex-
| hibited on both sides, and the super
| iority OF the British i'm a pitched battle.
although the Beers fought with the
/ greatest tenacity 10 the last. only yield
ing when further fighting was hopeless.
OPENING OF THE FIGHT.
An armored train with the men Of the
Manchester regiment appeared on the
| left at Ladysmith at daybreak. Saturday,
| in support Of the johannesburg Imperial
/ Light Horse and the Natal Field Artil-
lery. with the object of reopening com
munication at Elandslaagte. The artil-
| lery took up a position about the town
and shelled the railway station, from
/ hs fsn
mountered infantry. entering the place,
released the English prisoners.
The Beers. numbering some loo men,
with three guns. occupied a command
| ing position. They poured such a we'll
directed fire on the British, and their
scouts were so active, that the British
force steadily retired. until reinforce
ments arrived. when the mounted in
fartry was sent TO drive the Boer scouts
from the ridge on the right
BOER POSITION STRONG.
4 large force Of mixed cavalry in the
mean while swept over the plain and up
the hill on the right. The Lancers were
met with a heavy fusillade, while on the
left a British battery opened fire, with
good effect. The British infantry, who
had debarked from the railway train in
the interim, advanced steadily over the
plain and up the rocky ridge, previously
cleared by the cavalry. The Boer artll-
lerv dropped shrapnol In the advancing
columns. but the British finally sealed
the hill. whence they overlooked the
broad valley to three rocky nils forming
the Beers position three camps Delns III
The centre. On the left centre the Beers
had battery Of large guns. The smaller
hills were also strongly held on the
Boer right was the station in the valley
on the British left. The latter's cavalry
was on both hanks, and battery on the
rieht was busy throwing shrapnel at the
Boer batteries.
THE BRITISH ADVANCE.
The British infantry formed for the at
tack I'm extended order behind the prov
of a hill. the DevOnshires on the IelI
with four companies Of the Manchesters
and some Of the Gordon Highlanders on
the right. At about p. NJ. the Infantry
advanced through the valley as steadily
as on a field dav. Halfway down the
slope they met terrific infantry ana
artillery fire. The men fell rapidly ana
the wounded We're carried 70 the rear.
But i'm spite OF the steady work OF the
Poer auns and the sharpshooters con-
gpHlr0
fire of the advancing British infantry
gradually gained the upper hand. and
Mancbesters and Gordon Highlanders,
edeing toward the right gained the top
NJ the ridge. thus outfianlking the enemy
left.
At o'clock the bugles sounded the
"charce" and the British swept ahead.
The Beers fought 10 the last, only at
tempting TO escape when further nght-
ing was hopeless.
In the mean time the Devonshires'
pressing steadily upon the left, were
strongly opposed at the Boer camp ana
from the thanking hills, and carried both
at the charge, with wild cheers and bugle
blasts.
BRITISH VICTORIOUS.
BY 7 o'clock the British had gained the
position. and Cease firing was sound
ed. Three Y l-2-pounder Nordenfeldts
were captured. with munitions.
The Boer dead and wounded among the
rocks. who were numerous, were attend
ed to as far as possible in the dark.
General French thanked the troops on
the field. especially mentioning Colonel
Ian Hamilton's splendid handling Of the
infantry. The British biyouacked on the
captured position Saturday night.
BOER LOSS, 500
Some estimates place the Boer losses
al 800 men, but this is perhaps exagge-
rated.
Colonel Chisholm, the only British
officer killed, was formerly attached 10
the Ninth IAncers. He served with dis
tinction in the Afghan war, and organized
tho present Imperial Light Horse, ma
iority Of whom are refugees from the
Rand.
The death Of General Niijoen Is Sc
we're blow 20 the Burghers. and the death
of General Koch and the capture OF Cen
eral Pretorius will handicap the further
Of this column.
According 10 advices from Durham,
the Beers have entered Zululand, large
column advancing toward Meloth.
PLEAsEs THE OUTLANDERS.
CAPE TOWN. october 2S.-The capture
Of General Pen Viljoen IL a cause OF |
great satisfaction TO the Outlanders. He |
is the author Of a blasphemous and viO- |
lent pamphlst. virtually intended 10 incite |
the Dutch OF the colony 10 rebellion, and |
II Is sincerely hoped that he will be |
brought TO trial and punished as he de-
serves.
IL Is difficult 10 gauge exactly the |
amount OF feeling excited among the |
Dutch by the recent British victories. |
Their behavior. on the whole. Is excel
lent, considering the great amount oi