Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-11-02

battery and two brigades of infantry
10 roconuoitre in force the encmy's main
postion to the north and if the oppor-
tunitv should offer to capture the MI
behind Faruuhar's farm, which had
on lie previous day, been held in
strength bv the enemy. In connection
with this advance, Il column consist
ing of the Tenth mountain artillery
four and a half companies OF the
GlouceSters and six companies OF tne
ROYAL Irish Fusiliers, the whole undel
Lieut.. Col. Charlton and Maj. Adye'
deputy assistant adjutant general, was
despatched at II p. M. on the 29th' 10
march by night up Bells Sprult and
seize Nicholson's Mex, or some othel
position near 'Nicholson's Mex, thus
turning the cncmy's right flank. The
main advance was successfully carried
out, the objective Of the attack being
found evacuated and an artillery duel
between our field batteries and the en-
emys guns of position and Maxims, Is
understood to have caused a heavy
loss to the enemy.
FORCED A SHOW DOWN.
The reconnaissance forced the enc
my to fully disclose his position anu
after a strong counter attack on our
right. the infantry brigade and caval-
nv having been repulsed, the troops
were slowly withdrawn to camp, pick
cts being left on observation. Late in
the engagement the naval contingent
under Capt Lambton, Of II. NJ. 3
Powerful came into action and sllenc-
cd, with their extremely accurate ure'
the enemy's guns of position
"The circumstances which attended
the movements of Lieut.. Col. Garlic
toms column are not yet fully known
hut from reports received, the column
appears to have carried out the night
march unmolested until within two
miles of Nicholsons Mex. AT this
point two boulders rolled from the hill
and a few rifle shots stampeded the IN
fantry ammunition mules The stam-
pede spread to the battery mules, when
broke from their leaders and got away
with practically the whole Of the gun
equipment and the greater portion OF
the regimental small arm ammunition
The reserve was similarly lost.
SEIZED A HILL.
'"rhe infantry battalions however
fixed bayoncts and, accompanied by
the personnel of the artillery, seized d
hill on the left of the road two miles
from the Mex, with but little opposi-
ton. There they remained unmoested
till dawn, the time being occupied in
organizing the defense OF the hill ano
constructing stone sangers and walls
as cover from fire. At dawn Skin
mishng attack on our position was
commenced by the enemy, but made nc
way until $3.50 A. NJ, when strong re-
Inducements enabled them to rush tC
the attack with great energy. Theil
fire became very searching and two
companies of the Gloucesters in an adj
vanced position, were ordered to fa'
back. The enemy then pressed to snort
range, the losses on our side becoming
very numerous.
"At 3 p. NJ. our ammunition was
practically exhausted the position was
captured ant# the survivors of the col
umn fell into the enemys hand. The
enemy treated our wounded with hui
manity, General Joubert at once de-
spatching n letter TO me, offering a safe
conduct to doctors and ambulances Il
remove the wounded. A medical Oil
GER and parties to render first aid &c
the wounded We're despatched to the
scene of action from Ladysmith las
night and the ambulance at dawn this
! morning.