St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-10-25
WAR IN THE TRANSvAAL.

losses, were compelled to fall back.
The utmost anxiety Is felt for General
Yule's command. 1t Is thought possible
that his line OF retreat to Ladysmith was
cut Off If so, it Is possible that all his
force was annihilated
Ladysmith itself is now menaced. The
augmented Boer force Is evidently burn
ing to retrieve the reverses at Glencoe
and Elandslaagte.
The battalion of the Eighteenth Hus-
sars which pursued the retreating Beers
from Glencoe has never been heard from.
1t Is feared the whole troop was killed or
captured.
An amended list of the British casual
ties at the battle Of Elandslaagte places
the number Of officers killed at five and
wounded at 80, and the number OF nom
commissioned officers and men killed at
81 and wounded at It's, the total number
Of casualties being 247. Ten men are |
missing
London, Oct. 24.-The official report Of
General White, commanding the British |
forces in South Africa, states that on
Saturday the English troops, under Gen
eral French, captured the Boer position
at Elandslaagte, routed the Boer troops,
and captured General Kock, who later
died of his wounds.
General White says the British losses
were heavy, rough estimate being loo
in killed and wounded.
The following details from official
sources are at hand regarding the battle
Saturday at Elandslaagte:
The Beers, although driven from their
guns. returned again and again. when
ever an opportunity occurred. The Ligh
ground near the left of the enemy
position was occupied at the commence
ment of the action, the British ere ping
along the crest and taking wide circuit.
The infantry attack was directed
against the right of the enemy's posi-
ton, the British coming quickly into
contact with the Beers, who at that ONT
occupied a strong footing. which they
held resolutely until flank attack was
made by our troops, who advanced with
great dash and, in spite of heavy losses,
carried the main position with a rush,
just as the light was falling.
The ground traversed by the British
was rough and stony and the capture of
the position was fine feat of arms. The
cavalry Tapped we'll around and inflicted
severe loss upon the enemy.
1t was highly important to strike a
severe blow, as the Orange Free State
forces are known to be concentrated
northwest of Ladysmith in considerable
strength. The flank attack was gal
| 10 daIiuara1 hy tho ManQhlCtar rapi.
ment, the Gordon Highlanders and the
imperial light horse. The front attack
was made with splendid spirit by the
Devonshire regiment.
The wounded are being attended In the
principal church at Ladysmith, which
has been converted into hospital.
The battle at Glencoe Friday was
a brilliant success. The Beers got re-
verse which may possibly, for time, al
any rate, check all aggressive action.
The British artillery practice in thu
early part of the day decided the battle
The seizure of Dundee hill by the Boer
was a surprise for, although the pick
cts had been exchanging shots all night
= 1t was not until a shell doomed over tn
town into the camp that their presenc
was discovered. Then the shells cam
fast. The hill was positively aliv
with swarming Beers. Still the Brits
!. artillery got to work with magnificen
II energy and precision. The batterie
= from the camp took up positions to tn
- =, south of the town, and, after quartz
u of an hours magnificent firing, silence
- the guns on the hills
&c Directly the Boer guns ceased firing
g General Symons ordered the infantry
move on the position. The infantr
charge was magnificent. The way tn
r Kings Royal rifles and the Dubli
IL Fusiliers stormed the position was or
lie of the most splendid sights ever seen.
l. The firing of the Beers was not s
or deadly as might have been eXpecte
Ill from the troops occupying such an e.
S. cellent position, but the infantry 10
n heavily going mp the hill, and only Il
te consummately brilliant way in whiC
ne they were trained to fighting saved the
n from being swept away.
IN Indeed, the hill was almost inacce
ce sible to the storming party and a.
IN hesitation would have lost the day t
enemys guns, so far as the CORE
pendent could see, were all abandont
for the Beers had no time to reno
&C. them. A stream Of fugitives pour
re down the hillside into the valley, whe
at the battle went on with no abatement
ed General Symons was wounded early
do the action, and the command then
ge volved upon Major Yule.
of The enemy, as they fed were follow
ter nv the cavalry, mounted infantry q
led artillery. The direction taken was
me the eastward. At the latest reports
al cavalry had not returned.
not The final rush was made with
or umphant yell, and as the British tro
charged to close quarters the enc
turned and fed, leaving all their impe
menta and guns behind them in tt
.en- precipitate fight.
mt While this was going on, one bait
, Of of artillery the Eighteenth Hussars,
nod the mounted infantry with part OF
y III Leicester regiment, got on the enen
nm flank. and as the Beers streamed wi
% down the hill making for the main re
for they found their retreat had been
off, but they rallied for while
there was severe firing, with consit
able loss on both sides. Many Of
enemy surrendered
AVE A rough estimate places the Bri
lool' loss at ESQ killed or wounded, and tht
TO- the Beers at 800.
be-
are A Clcrgyman's Experience.
M. d. lump, D. D., Saratoga Spri
.;4os. uJt affords me great pleasui