The record-union., 1899-10-22
The Engagement Between KrugafS
Forces and the British
Was in Duration Many H)urS Before the
Queens Army Won.
While the British Victory Was
Complete, It Was Brought
About at Heavy Price, They
Suffering a Heavy Loss at the
Hands of the Beers.

LONDON, Oct. y. The early dis
patches regarding yesterdays battle
conveyed the impression that the whole
affair was over in a couple OF hours,
the British artillery silencing the Boer
guns and infantry, and then simply
charging over the hill.
According TO the latest advices, how
ever, the attic lasted eight hours, ana
nearly seven hours elapsed before The
last Beer gun was put out of action.
The irish Fusileers and Kings Rifles
meanwhile had advanced to the assault
and were shooting their way up the
HILL driving the Beers back from
shelter to shelter until the final rush
Of the British carried them to the sum-
nit.
a curious fact was that several times
a lull occurred in firing on both sides,
the British infantry apparently taking
breathing space in the stiff climb, ana
the Beers also holding back their fire.
The magnificent practice of the Brit
ish guns was an immense help, and
the success of the assault was greatly
due thereto. Once the British bayonets
showed on top of Koptje the Beers re-
treated, and when on reaching the 9TH
er side they found a British battery
and cavalry outflanking them the re-
treat became a rout. The British guns
followed. and unlimbering from time to
time threw shells into the flying foe.
Heavy rain began falling during the
afternoon, which naturally impeded
artillery operations.
1t was a coincidence that yesterday
was the anniversary of a similar feat
of British arms in India, when the
Gordon Highlanders stormed the
nights.
The list of casualties issued by the
War Office to-day shows that in the
battle between Glencoe and Dundee
yesterday one Colonel. three Captains
and five British Lieutenants were
killed, and one General, one Colonel,
three Majors, six Captains and nine
Lieutenants We're wounded General
Symons' wounds are considered mortal
The list Of officers killed and wounded
shows that while the British victory
was complete, it was bought al a heavy
price. This heavy loss among officers
was due to the valiant conduct n
sticking to the traditions Of the British
army and refusing to use cover, Of
ing the storming Of the Boer position
In the rank and file the Hussars had
seven wounded: artillery, one killed and
three wounded; Leicestershire Regi-
ment. one wounded; Kings Rifles,
eleven killed and sixty-eight wounded;
Irish Fusileers. fourteen killed and
thirty wounded.
The outlook publishes a dispatch
from Cape Town, dated yesterday. al
leging that the Beers are not likely to
make any further considerable often
sive movement The correspondent
says: They are utterly demoralized,
and the men refuse to take risks. They
are growing to distrust the aged JOu-
bert The artillery is badly handled,
and the administrative department is
revealing marked defects"
General Symons was one of the few
who escaped on that memorable Janu-
airy morning at Isandula when nearly
the whole of his regiment the gallant
Twenty-fourth, perished. Thus there is
tragical completeness in his victory
near the scene of the massacre.
The operations thus far seem to show
that the Orange Free State Beers have
a strong disinclination to fight at close
quarters. This was anticipated. The
Trausvaal BOer is a rough farmer, ac-
customed to live in the open air, and
TO bivouac The Free State Burghers
live in a comfortable brick house, and
are much more civilized. 1t would also
appear. as was predicted. that only the
younger Burghers of the Free State
b have responded to the call to arms.
There is considerable speculation re-
garding the numerous naval move
ments. The officers of the channel
squadron which is under orders to pro
ceed to Gibraltar next Tuesday be-
1ieve it is going there for guard duty,
as the garrison at the Rock is weak
at present, according 10 the Outlook.
1t is reported that President Kruger
has issued letters OF marque to French
privateers to prey upon British trans
ports on the way TO the Cape Al
though France is officially friendly
there is no guarantee that cupidity will
not tempt private owners To lit ont
ships This is said to explain the dis
patch Of the British first-class protect
ed cruisers Diadem and Niobe very
fast vessels. to Las Palmas. which i;
an admirable place of observation.
The War Office announces that in the
fighting yesterday between Glencot
and Dundee, Natal. thirty-one non
commissioned officers and men were
killed and 151 wounded A later dis
patch from Sir George Stewart White
says Sir William Symons is brighter
to-day
A dispatch fx1n Cape Town an
nounces that the British force Will
field guns landed yesterday at Simons
town. and took the train for the north
The exact destination is not revealed.
The paramount chief Of the Basutos
according to a dispatch from Cap'
Town, has asked permission to as
semble other Basuto chiefs with a view
Of inviting them to pledge loyalty t.
[the Queen This is assumed to be
forerunner Of the Basuto movement
and the Orange Free State Burgheri
near the Basuto border are said TO b,
in a state of CONSERVATION.
REPORT FROM GENERAL HUNTET
LONDON. Oct. 22.-At . o'clock thi
morning the War Office posted the fol