Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-23
resolved to give battle

>--
whfte, resolved to give battle
with vie fecapturing Elandslaagte.
on the mctning of that day all the
mounted troops here, supported by the two
battalions Of infantry and two batteries OF
artillery, reconnoitered some twelve miles
along the Newcastle road an open. rolling
country, very suitable for cavalry operations.
although the going was heavy after the re-
cent rains.
On approaching within three miles or SO
OF the break in the railway line, our men
saw the Boer outposts falling back, appar
emily in great force. We captured four,
who had mistaken our men for Beers until
we were too near for them to get away
Then our men returned and late Friday
night General White determined to advance
in force on Elandslaagte at an early hour
the following morning. 1t was imperative to
dslodge the Beers from Elandslaagte az
we had learned that the Orange Free State
burghers were descending from their po-
sitions on the slopes of the Drakenberg
from Tintwa and other western passes to
cooperate with the Beers already posted at
Elandslaagte,
At an early hour our forces moved out by
road and rail. 1t was computed that there
were about 1900 Beers, with big guns and
Maxims, covering their front and occupying
a well-chosen position at the base of hill
some little distance south Of Elandslaagte.
On both flanks were strong Kopjes on
which were three big guns strongly posted
and commanding wide sweep on all sides,
leaving an opening for retreat.
a British armored train, supported by
two trainloads of infantry, Immediately on
approaching the enemy's position, was
sheiled by the Beers. Our artillery was at
once brought up and drove the Beers from
their guns, making a series OF brilliant
dashes into the valley and UP the successive
heights to get nearer the Boer main posi-
tion. These were the Boer batteries on the
way silenced by our artillery, although tho
Beers fought with great pluck and deter,
mination, returning each time our guns
moved and raining shrapnel and Maxim
bullets against our advance
Artillery Duel.
At o'clock tremendous artillery duel
was in progress Two Boer guns, splendidly
placed, we're stubbornly fought for two hours
deavored to come into contact with men on
the left and on the right.
| Then at 6;15 p. m. the Devonshire regi-
ment. half the Gordon Highanders, half the
| Manchester regiment and the Imperial Light
/ Horse advanced on the position and stormed
the enemy's front. A bayonet charge was
| sounded as the roar of artillery on both sides
suddenly ceased and our men, the Devon
shires leading, made a superb dash against
the main body Of the Boers undaunted by
! facing fearful fire. Twice were they
| checked by the terrible fusillade. Once the
advance quivered for a moment, but then
with ringing, roaring cheers, the whole ot
our force hurled itself forward like ar
avalanche and swept over the Kopjes bay.
onetting the broken enemy in all direc.
! tions
The Beers were overwhelmed and
| astounded. They paused, then retreated
then raised the white flag and surrendered
Two or three hundred broke and ran, pur.
sued by the Fifth Lancers, who charged
| through and through them
1t was quite dark by this time but thu
, siYnghter mEst esallsar. s,re,f m sS'rs--'
don Highlanders say the etorming Of Darga
ridge was mere child's play compared will
this attack. The Boer loss must have beel
very heavy. The best estimates place it a
certainly over 400 killed. One of the cap
tured Beers told me that If he had know
English soldiers could shoot as our men dit
he would never have come. Another Boe
said he knew he was fighting for a los
cause. Yet a third expressed surprise tha
he had to shoot at men wearing khaki. II
was terribly detected. He had been told t.
shoot at men with red coats and white col
. lars and he saw none. His impression
seemed to be that the men who Tough
against him were not Englishmen.
Capture Three Bocr Flags.
heavy sain, heavier than any l hav
ever seen, fell Immediately after the battle
! making a piteous scene on the battlefield
where many wounded were lying.
The Devonshlre regiment captured thre
Boer flags. Commandant de Meellion c
johannesburg was taken prisoner, 1t is re
ported that Piet Joubert who was wounde
and captured, has succumbed to his wounds
A bugler boy OF the Fifth Lancers, onl
IA years of age, shot three Beers with hi
revolver On returning after the fight h
, was carried shoulder high around the camI
, Everybody testifies to the splendid fghtin
and stubborn bravery of the Beers, but th
, tribute requires some qualification, as hay
learned today that, while the Gordon Higf
} landers were bringing in the wounded la'
, night, sharp fire was opened upon thel
5 by some Boer parties in hiding. Our losse
: considering the desperate nature of the er
gagement, are regarded as light.