Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-23
RECAPTURE OF ELANDsLAAGTE.
beers Forced to Abandon Stropy
Position With Heavy Loss

Inc British war office yesterday after
noon published the following dispatch to
the secretary of state for war, the Mara,is
OF LansdoWne from the general command
ing in Natal, Sir George Stewart White. re-
earolng the engagement yesterday at
Eiandsiaagte, between Glencoe and LADY,
smith, when the British, under General
French, routed the Transvaal forces un-
der General Jan II. NJ. Koch. second in
command in the Transyaal army who was
himself wounded and captured and has
since died:
mite, commander in Natal, to the sec
rotary of state for war Filed Ladysmith
October y, 1870 am. In the action at
Elandslaagte yesterday the troops enga ged
We're the following: Cavalry, 9TH Iancers
a squadron of the 9TH Dragon Guards. the
Imperial Light Horse and two squadrons
of Natal carbineers; artillery. Dist Field
Battery, I'D Field Battery and the Natal
Field Battery; infantry, the Devonshirc
Regiment, half a battalion of the Gordon
Highlanders and the Manchester Regiment
The whole force was under General French
with Colonel Ian Hamilton commanding
the infantry.
Il was present in person from $50 p. M
to $50 pm, but did not assume direction
Of the fight, which was left in the hands
of General French. Although desuItory
relnfGrcementS. sent out later on aScer-
tanning the enemyS strength, We're arriv-
ing from L-adySmith, the real action did
not begin until $50 pm. At that hour the
Beers held position Of very exceptional
strength, consisting Of a rock hill about a
mile and half east of Elandslaagte sta
ton About $50 pm. our guns took a po-
sition on a ridge i 1o0 yards from the
Beers, whose guns at once opened fire
This fire was generally well directed, but
somewhat high. Contrary TO previous eX-
pcriences their shells burst well.
The Imperial Light Horse moved to-
.r-I Loft f VI
two squadrons of the 9TH Lancers toward
his right. During the artillery duel mount
ed Beers pushed out from their left and
engaged the Imperial Light Horse. In a
few minutes the enemy's guns ceased fir
ing, and our artillery was turned on the
mounted Beers who opposed the Imperial
Light Horse. The latter at once fell back.
After the artillery preparations our in
fantry advanced to the attack supported
by guns in the second position. The
Devonshires held the enemy in front while
the Manchester Regiment and the Gordon
Higblanders turned his left flank.
The Boer guns, although frequently
silenced, invariably opened fire again on
the slightest opportunity, and We're served
with great courage. After severe lighting
our infantry carried the position. AT $50
pm. this was accomplished, the enemy
standing his ground to the last with cour
age and tenacity. The 9Th Lancers and a
of the 9TH Dragon Guards
charged three times through the retreating
i'ocl . III INC uaih, uolliS CollSiuei "pie eAe-
cutiOn.
I'VE captured the Boer camp, with tents,
wagons, horses and also two guns. The
Boer losses were very considerable, includ-
ing a number of wounded and unwounded
prisoners. Among the former are General
Jan. H. NJ Koch and Pet Joubert, nephew
OF Commanding General Joubert One
goods train, with supplies for Glencoe
camp, and nine English prisoners were re-
covered. Our loss, l regret to say, was
heavy. 1t is roughly computed at $50
killed and wounded.
The collection of the wounded over a
large area in the dark and the arrange
ments for sending them in have thus far
occupied our time and attention. A full list
Will go to you later.
Our wounded and those of the enemy
are now arriving by trains. Besides Beers,
We have many Hollanders, Germans and
prisoners of mixed nationalities. The be-
havior of our troops and of the colonial
forces was admirable"