New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-23
GENERAL FRENCH's BATTLE.
DARGAI WAS CHlLD'S PLAY TO THE FIGHT
ING AT ELANDSLAAGTF


GENERAL. FRENCH'S BATTLE.
DARGA1 WAS CHlLDS PLAY TO THE FIGHT
ING AT ELANDSLAAGTF
I.adysmith oct. 22-Realzing that the first
attack on Glencoe was part Of a general com
bned attack by three columns. and that the
situation was still serious so long as the Beers
held the railway at Elandslaagte. severing com
munication between Ladysmth and Dundee. Sir
George Stewart White on Friday resolved to
give battle with a View to recapturing Glands
laagie.
on the morning % that day all the mounted
troops here supported by two battalions Of in
fantry and two batteries of artillery recon
ncitred some twelve miles along the Newcastle
road. an open rolling country, very suitable FOR
cavalry operations. although the going was
heavy after the recent rains
on approaching within three miles or SO or the
break in the railway line our men saw the Boer
outposts falling back apparently in no great
force We captured four. who had mistaken our
men for Beers until were too near for them
TO get away Then our men returned and late
on Friday nieht General White determined to
advance in force on Elandsaagte at an early
hour on the following morning.
!, was imperative to dislodge the Beers from
Elandslaaete "a We had learned that the Orange
Free State burghers were descending from their
positions on the slopes OF the Drakensberg from
Tintwa and Other western passes 10 cooperate
with those already posted at Elandslaagte
At an early hour our forces moved out by road
and rail 1t was computed that there were
about twelve hundred Beers with big guns ana
Maxims covering their front, and occupying
we'll ch osen position at the base OF a sugar LOAF
hill some little distance south Of Elandsaagte.
orc
on which were three big guns strongly posted
and commanding wide sweep on all SIDES ieaN-
ing an opening for retreat
A British armored train. supported 10y two
trainloads Of infantry Immediately on APP
preaching the enemy's position was shelled 10y
the Beers Our artillery was at once brought
up and drove the Beers from their guns, making
a series Of brilliant dasbes into the valley and
up the successive heights to get nearer the BOer
main position. Thrice were the Boer batteries
on the way silenced by artillery, although
the Beers fought with great pluck and deter
mination returning each time our guns moved
and raining shrapnel and Maxim bullets against
our advance.
At 4 o'clock tremendous artillery duel was
IN progress Two BOer guns. splendidlN placed.
were stubbornly fought for two hours and a
quarter while mounted Beers endeavored to
come into contact with our men on the left and
on the right
Then. at SD T. m. the DeVonshire regiment.
half the Gordon Highlanders. half the Man
chester regiment and the Imperial Light Horse
advanced on the position and stormed the en-
emy's front. bayonet charge was sounded. as
the roar Of artillery on both sides suddenly
ceased and our men. the Devonshres leading.
made superb dash against the main body Of
the Beers. undaunted by facing fearful fire
Twice were thev checked by the terrible fusil-
lade Once the advance quivered for a moment.
but then. with ringing, roaring cheers. the whole
Of our force hurled itself forward like an ava
lanche and swept over the kopjes. bayonetng
the broken enemy in all directions.
The Beers were overwhelmed and astounded
They paused then retreated. then raised the
white flag and surrendered. Two or three hun
dred broke and ran. pursued by the 9th Lancers
who charged through and through them.
IT was quite dark by this time. but the slaugh-
ter must have been great. The Gordon High
ianders say the storming Of Dargai Ridge was
mere child's play compared with this attack
The Boer loss must have been very heavy. The
best estimates place it at certainly over four
hundred killed. one Of tho captured Beers told
me that il he had known English soldiers could
shoot as our men did he would never have come
lost cause
Yet a third expressed surprise that he had to
shoot at men wearing khaki. He was terribly
detected He had been told TO shoot at men with
red coats and white collars. and he saw none.
His impression seemed to be that the men who
fought against him were not Englishmen.
\ heavy rain. heavier than any had ever
seen fell Immediately after the battle making
piteous scene on the battlefield, whore many
wounded were lying.
The DevOnshire Regiment captured three Boer
flags Commandant he Meellion, Of Johannes
burg was taken prisoner 1t is reported that
Pct JOuhert. who vas wounded and captured,
has succumhcd to his wounds. bugler boy Of
the 9TH Lancers. only fourteen years Of age shot
three Beers with his revolver. on returning
after the night he was carried shoulder high
around the camp
Everybody tesiihes to the splendid fighting
and stubborn bravery Of the Beers, but this
\ tribute requires some qualihC alton as ! have
learned to-day that while the Gordon Highland
ers we're bringing in the wounded last night a
sharn fire was opened upon them by some BoeI
parties in hiding our losses considering the
desperate nature Of the engagement are regard
ed as light.