The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-01
Boer Artillery Si|enced by
Guns of Naval Brigade.
Gen. Whites Report on the Recent
Reverse Defeat Was the Result
Of Loss Of Ammunition.

London, Nov. lit is announced to-
day in special dispatch from Lady,
smith that the Beers again closed
around that place on Monday night,
sending shells into the British camp.
The two guns landed from the British
cruiser Powerful opened fire on the Bo-
ers at dawn Tuesday. The Beers
brought up more guns. but some of
them were silenced. 1t is added that the
Beers loss must have been heavy.
The garrison Of Ladysmith is describ-
ed as being in good spirits confident and
full Of fight. The artillery duel was still
in progress Tuesday night.
EoERs GUNS sILENCED.
Cape Town. Nov. 1.-The guns Of the
British Naval brigade have knocked the
BOer forty FOUNDER clean off its plat
form and have silenced the Boer guns
on Hepworth Hill. The Beers abandon
ed their positions.
GEN. WHITES REPORT.
london, Nov. 1.-The British war Of
flee today made public a dispatch re-
ceaved from General White describing
the operations Of Monday. 1t was as
follows:
| I.adysmtth. Oct. 81. 1850 d. nj
| took out from Ladysmith a brigade Of
mounted troops, two brigade divisions
of the Royal Artillery, the Natal Field
! Battery and 4yo brgades of infantry
10 reconnoitre I'm force the enemy's main
/ position TO the north and If the oppor-
tunity should offer the capture OF the
hill behind Farquhar's Farm, which had
| on the previous day, been held in
strength by the enemy. In connection
/ with this advance, column, C. insisting
| of the Tenth Mounted Artillery, -ouI
/ half companies of the Royal Irish Fus-
| iliers. the whole under Lieut.. Colonel
! Carlton and Major Eddy, deputy assis-
tant adjutant-general was dispatched,
at IL p. m. on the 29th to march by higI
up Bells Spruit and seize l!icholson's
! Mex or some position near Nicholson's
/ Mex. thus turning the nemy's right
/ flank.
MAIN ADVANCE SUCCESSFUL.
The main advance was successfully
I carried out, the objective Of the attack
( being found evacuated. and an artill-
! cry duel between our field batteries
and the enemy's guns in position, and
/ the MaXims are understood 10 havs
caused heavy loss 10 the enemy. The
| reconnaissance forced the enemy 10
/ fully disclose his position and after
strong counter-attack on our right the
infantry brigade and cavalry had been
| repulsed. the troops we're slowly with
| drawn to camps. pickets being left on
| observation. Later in the engagement
! the naval contingent, under Captain
Iambton OF II. NJ. s. Powerful came In
TO action and silenced. with their ex-
tremely accurate fire, the enemy's guns
! of position.
MULES STAMPEDED.
The circumstances which attended
! Tho movements of Lieut.. Col. Cartons
column arc not fully known yet, pu'
I from Teports received the column ap-
neared 10 have carried out the night
! march until within two miles OF Mich
/ olson's Mex. At this point two bould-
rrs rolled from the hill and few RI
! ne shots stampeded the infantry am
! ,,,unitfon nules The stampede spread
J 20 tbo batterv mules which broke loose
! fron their leaders and got away with
/ practically the whole Of the gun equip
/ ment. and the greater portion OF the
/ ropimental small ammunition. Ihe re-
| serve was similarly lost.
! Al dawn a skirmishing attack on our
! nosition was commenced by the enemy,
but made no way until $3.50 a. m. when
st,,ng reinforcements enabled them to
rush the attack with great energy
rheir fire became very searching and
two companies or the hl'u'tSttlH ~
an advanced position. were ordered
IN fan back. The enemy then pressed
IN short range. the lesses on our side
| becoming very numerous.
AMMUNITION EXHAUSTED.
At3p. m. our ammunition was prac-
Ncally exhausted. the position cap
/ tured and the survivors OF the column
/ fcu into enemys hands. The enemy
treated our wounded with humanity
/ cen. Joubert at once despatching n let
ter TO me- Offering a safe conduct to
doctors and ambulances 20 remove the
wounded a medical officer and par
/ ties 10 render FIRST aid 10 the wounded
were dcspatched 10 the scene OF action
| from Iadvsmlth last night and the
/ ambulance at dawn this morning.
The want OF success OF the column
was due t0 the misfortune Of the mules
] stampeding and the consequent loss
/ of the guns and small-arm ammunl-
/ tion reserve
Tho official list or casualties ana
prisaners will be reported shortly. The
! latter are understood 90 have been sen.
| bv rail 10 Pretoria. The security OF
| Iadysmith ia I'm no way anected.
| NO DfSHONOR
! The gioon, caused by the British dis
aster ~ TadysmRh was I'M measure
| relieved bv today's story giving an ac-
count of the heroic stand made by the
| decimated battalions until thelr u, ~
cartridges were gone. The BRUSH