Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-10-26
A BRITISH VICTORY.
Elandslaagte Stormed and the Boer
Forces Routed.
THE COMMENTS OF THE DAILY NEWS
The Battle at EIandslaagte May Bring the
War to Speedy observation-disclosures
ley Inyested-The Queens Sym
Pathy-Dundee SheIIed.


Ladysmith, Oct. 23.-Realizing that
the first attack on Glencoe w as part
of general combined attack by three
columns and that the situation was still
serious so long as the Beers held the
railway at Elandslaagte, severing
communication between Ladysmith
and Dundee, Sir George Stewart
White on Friday resolved to give bat
tie with a view of recapturing E1and-
slaagte. On the morning of that date
all the mounted troops here, supported
by two battalions of infantry and two
batteries of artillery reconnOitered
some II miles along the Newcastle
road. On approaching within three
miles or so of theAbreak in the rail-
way line, our men saw the BOer out
posts falling back, apparently in no
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 Fri
day night. Gen. White determined to
advance in force on Elandsl aagte at an
early hour the following morning, it
was imperative to dis1o dye the Beers
from Elandslaagte, as we had learned
that the Orange Free State burghers
on the slopes of the Drakenberg, from
Tintwa and other western passes, to
cooperate with those already posted
at Elandslaagte.
1t was computed that there were
about 1900 Beers. with big guns and
MaXims covering their front and occu-
plying well chosen position at the
base of hill some little distance south
of Elandslaagte. On both TANKS were
strong kopjes, on which were three big
guns strongly posted and commanding
a wide sweep on all sides, leaving an
opening for retreat. A British armOred
train, supported by two train loads of
infantry, Immediately on approaching
the enemy's position, was shelled by
the Beers. Our artillery was at once
brought up and drove the Beers from
their guns.
Then the Devonshire regiment, half
the Gordon Highlanders, half the Man
chester regiment, and the Imperial
light horse advanced on the positi on
and stormed the enemy's front. With
ringing, roaring cheers, the whole of
our force hurled itself forw ard like an
avalanche and swept over the kopjes,
bayoneting the broken enemy in all
directions.
The Beers were overwhelmed and
astounded. They paused, then re-
treated, then raised the white flag and
surrendered. Two or three hundred
broke and ran, pursued by the Fifth
lancers, who charged through and
through them. It was quite dark by
this time but the slaughter must have
been great. The best estim ates place
it at certainly over 400 killed.
THE DAILY NEWS COMMENTS.
London, Oct. 23.-The Daily News
says:
1t is not at all likely that the two victories
will fight on and our army of occupation must
be hurried forward The appalling loss of off,
GERS and men we have sustained shows clearly
that we have stiff work before u.s. The army corps
will have ample work to do The second Brit
ish victory, that at Elandslaagte in which the
British losses, though heavy, were not out of
proper ton to its Importance, may be regarded
as having completely demOraliZed the we'll laid
but ineffectively executed plans of the Beers. In
the opinion of military critics, it will tend to
bring the war to speedy conclusion.
There is no longer, however, any apprehen-
sion OF even the expected initial success of the
Beers. The two victories already gained by, tho
British must have completely disillusioned them
of the idea they had gained through the Majuba
affair and, looking to the statements already cir
culated that President Kruger him self was op-
posed to sending the ultimatum there is Specu-
lation in some quarters that the Beers may now
sue for peace.
KIMBERLEY INVESTED.
Kim berley, Oct. 23.-This is the sixth
day of Kim berley's investment by the
enemy. An armored train went out
Saturday and found the Beers still in
the direction of Spytfontein. Their
position is believed to be strong.
Assistant Commissioner Scott shot
himself at Seluc. heartbro5en at his
inability to defend Vryburg, whose in
habitants are disloyal and treacherous
THE QUEENS SYMPATHY.
London, Oct. 23.-The secretary of
state for war, the marquis of Lans-
downe, has received the following mes
sage from the queen, dated at Balmoral
| castle:
Ny heart bleeds for these dreadful losses
again to-day. 1t is great success, but fear
very dearly bought Would you convey nv
warmeSt and heartfelt sympathy with the near
relatives of the fallen and wounded and my adj
miration OF the conduct of those they have lost
" RI
GEN. CRONJE MAY PERHAPS RETIRE.
Cape Town, Oct. est is believed
that the explosion of dynamite at Ma
feking, so cleverly arranged by Col.
Baden-PoweI, resulted in very large
loss to the Beers, so that it is quite
probable that Gen. Cronje will not re-
sumo the attack and will perhaps re-
tire altogether.
THE BOERs SMELLING DUNDEE.
Cape Town, Oct. ga dispatch has
ar&ved announcing that the Beers are
Smelling Dundee, east of Glencoe, at
long range, but that their fire is inef-
fective.