The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-02
FOUGHT LIKE TRUE BRITONs.
Gen. Whites Report of the Loss Of
Some of His Brave Soldiers,

i<cNDO>, NOV. line British War Office
to-day made public dispatch received from
General White describing some of the oper-
ations of Monday. 1t follows:
'Ladysmith. Oct. 81, 7:10 p. m.-Took out
from Ladysmith a brigade of mounted
troops, two brigade divisions of Royal Ar
dllery. the Natal Field Battery and two
brigades of infantry to reconnoiter in force
the enemy's main position to the north and,
IL the opportunity should offer, to capture
the hill behind Farquhar's farm, which had
on the previous day been held in strength
by the enemy. In connection with this ad-
vance a column, consisting of the Tenth
Mountain Artillery, four half companies of
the Gloucesters and six companies of the
Royal Irish Fusileers, the whole under
Lieutenant Colonel Carlton and Major Aye,
deputy assistant adjutant general, was dis
patched at IL p. m. on the 10Th to march
by night up Bells spruit and seize Nichol-
sons Neck, or some position near Nichol-
sons Neck, thus turning the enemy's right
flank.
1.-THE main advance was successfully car
ried out. the objective of the attack being
found evacuated, and an artillery duel be-
tween our field batteries and the enemy's
guns Of position and Maxims is understood
The reconnaissance forced the enemy tc
fully disclose his position, and after a
strong counter attack on our right, the
infantry brigade and cavalry having been
repulsed, the troops were slowly with
drawn TO camp, pickets being left on obser-
walton. Late in the engagement the naval
contingent, under Captain Lambton, of
III. NJ. S. Powerful, came into action and
SilenCe6 X 70 fir
the enemy's guns of position.
1.-The circumstances which attended Lieu
tenant Cartons movement are not yet
fully known. but from reports received the
column appears to have carried out the
nights march unmolested until within two
miles of Nicholson's Mex. At this point
two powders rolled from the hill and a
few rifle shots stampeded the infantry am
munition mules. The stampede spread to
the battery mules, which broke loose from
their leaders and got away with practically
the whole of the gun equipment and the
greater portion of the regimental small am
munitIon. The reserve was similarly lost.
THE infantry battalions, however, fixed
| bayouets and, accompanied by the personnel
of the artillery seized Il hill on the left of
| the road, two miles from the Mex, with
| but little opposition. There they remained
| unmolested until dawn, the time being oc-
| cupied i'm organizing the defense of the
| hill and constructing stone sangars and
walls as cover from fire. AT dawn skirm-
ishing attack on our position was COM
| menced by the enemy, but made no head
| way until $3.50 q. M, when strong rein
| forcements enabled them TO rush to the at
tack with great energy. Their fire became
| very searching and two companies of the
| Gloucesters in an advanced position were
ordered TO fall back. The enemy then
pressed to short range, the losses our
| side becoming very numerous.
AT 3 p. m. our ammunition was practically
| exhausted. the position was captured and
! the survivors of the column fell into the
| encmy's hands. The enemy treated our
| wounded with humanity. General Joubert
| at once dispatching u letter to me Offering
/ safe conduct 10 doctors and ambulanceS
to relieve the wounded. \ medical officer
! and parties to render first aid 10 the
wounded were dispatched TO the scene OF
action from Ladysmith last night and the
| ambulance at dawn this morning.
| 1.-The want of success of the column was
due to the misfortune of the mules stamped
ing and consequent loss OF guns and small
| arm ammunition reserve.
The official list of casualties and prison.
ers will be reported shortly The latter
are understood to have been sent by rail t
| Pretoria.
1.-The security of Ladysmith is in no way
| affected"
The gloom caused by the disaster at Lady
smith was. in a measure. relieved by to
days story. giving an account of the heroic
stand made by the decimated battalions un
! I'll their last cartridges were gone. Th'
| British nerve was momentarily shaken by
| General Whites use OF the word ''capitu
late" In his first telegram. But now that I
Is known that the Gloucesters and Fusi
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