The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-31
HOT BATTLE
AT LADYSM|TH
General Whites. Force Attacks
General Joubsrt's Army.
BURGHERS WERE PUSHED BACK
After Fight Lasting Several Hours BTl'lsn
Returned 10 CantonmanlS.
BRITISH LOSS BETWEEN 80 AND 100.
Boar Casualties Believed 10 Have eesn MUCH
Hssyl.r Ths Naval Brigade hriV'd lurIrg
The fight ana Did Good Work.
After Fight Lasting Several Hours bIl'ISn
Returned 10 Canionmanls.
BRITISH LOSS BETWEEN 80 AND 100.

London. oct. 31.-The war once neIe
has received a dispatch which says ue"'
White has fought an engagement pre-
sumably with Gen. Jouberts iorce'
which was pushed back after seVerai
hours hghting. The British lost ABOUT
100 men and the Boer losses were much
greater. The Beers were in larger num-
bers ana had better artillery
Gen. Whites dispatch, which was
dated 80 d. m. yesterday, read:
Il employed all the troops here eX-
eept the obligatory garrison before the
works. l sent mountain battery the
Roval Irish Fusiliers and the Glouces-
4ers 10 take UP a position on the hills to
clear nv left flank. The force moved
al II yesterday evening. and during
some night firing the battery mules
stampeded with some of the guns,
(which, however, l hope TO recover.
These two battalions have not yet re-
turned, but are expected this evening
BOERS PUSHED BACK.
II detailed TWO brigade divisions of
field artillery and five battalions of in
fandry, aided by cavalry, under Gen.
French. TO attack position upon which
the enemy yesterday mounted guns. We
found the position evacuated, but our
force was attacked with considerable
yigor by what | believe was Gen. Jou-
bert's troops. They had many guns and
showed in great numbers. our troops
were all in action and we pushed the
enemy back several miles, but did not
4 Ia. lai,. ~
losses are estimated at between so and
100. but those of the enemy must nave
been much greater, the fire of our guns
appearing very effective.
After being in action several hours
withdrew the troops and they re-
turned to theircantonments. The enemy
are in greater numbers and their guns
range further than our field guns.
II now have some naval guns which
have temporarily silenced, and / hope
will permanently dominate, the best
guns with which ne has been bombar l.
ing the town at a range of over 5000
yards"
THE NAVAL BRIGADE.
Ladysmith. oct. 3l.--The naval bril-
gade arrived here yesterday morning
at half-past 9. and has just commenced
firing with quick-firing guns. with great
prec sion. The Boer 40-pounders, which
had again begun 20 shell the town. were
temporarily disabled at the third and
fifth shots
Brisk firing is in progress on the right
and left flanks.
The advance was made at dawn, with
the object OF shelling the Beers from the
position where yesterday they had
mounted a number of guns. ON reach
ing the spot. however, il was found they
had evacuated the position.
The British continued to advance and
the movement developed into a recon
noissance in force. The enemy were
posted ON a range of hills having a
frontage of about 16 miles.
The British force was disposed In the
following order: on the right three
regiments Of cavalry. four batteries OF
the Royal Field artillery and five bat
Aalions of infantry: in the center. thre,
batteries Of the Royal Field artillery,
two regiments OF cavalry and four in
fantry battaions: on the left, the Royal
Irish Fusillers. the Worcestershire