Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-11-02
DISASTER TO THE BRITISH
Surrender Of Royal Irish PuSileer Bat
tery and GlouCestershire Regiment.
Inc CASUAL TIES NOT YET KNOWN
white Declares That He Alone
is Responsible.
|cREAT DISMAY PREVAILS IN LONDON

london. Eng, Oct. 31.-The War
ofica has received dispatch from
"s Gnn White, commanding the British
hrces al Ladysmith, reporting that the
Poyal Irish Fusileers, No. 10 mountain
h,itary and the Gloucestershire Begi-
r,0nt were surrounded in the hills by
,he Beers, and, after losing heavily,
ohliged to capitulate. Gen. White
% od1s that the casualties have not yet
bspu ascertained. The following is the
text Of tho dispatch:
"I.adysmith, Oct 30, 1913 p. M
have to report disaster to the
column sent by me to take a position
. IN hill to guard the left flank of the
Itroops. In these operations today, the
IRoyal Irish Fusileers, No. 10. mountain
battery and the Gloucester shire Regi-
ment we're surrounded in the hills, and,
after losing heavily, had to caFitulate.
The casualties have not yet been ascer-
|taincd, A man Of the Fusileeis, em-
ployed as hospital orderly, came in
hinder flag Of truce with letter from
tbe survivors of the column, who asked
for assistance to bury the dead. / fear
tbele is no doubt of the Truth OF the
report. formed plan in the carry
Ijpa out Of which tho disaster occurred,
|und am alone responsible for the
|plaD. There is no blame whatever to
ihe troops, as the position was untena-
Ible. "
MORE TROOPS TO BE SENT.
II is learned by The Associated Press
tbat the War Office has ordered a
second army corps to be in readiness to
M called out. The military officials
have not yet decided whether the con-
sunation of the plan will be necessary,
|but they are determined TO have every
timing in readiness either for a demon
strstion in Europe Of Great Britain 8
caplbilities or for sending even larger
|iorce to the scene of action. Until re-
rept Of the news Of the'Ladysmith dis
|aser, the latter course was considered
out Of the question; but now there is
no knowing what steps will be decided
upon.
The War Office has sent the follow
Ing dispatch to Gen. Butler: "Three
extra battalions of foot and one
mountain battery, with reserves, will
rayo England during the course Of 10
days, to make good the casualties. y
LouBERT's STAGGERING BLOW.
While minor ieverses were not wholly
unexpected, nothing like the stagger-
Ing blow Gen. Joubert delivered to
ten. Whites forces, yesterday, was
anticipated. The full extent of the
disaster is not yet acknowledged, IL it
Is known at the War Office. The loss
IN effective men must be appalling to a
general who is practically surrounded.
Two of the finest British regiments and
mule battery deducted from the
ladysmith garrison weaken it ABOUT
cne-ffth Of its total strength, and alter
the whole situation veiy materially in
favor of the Beers. who have again
shown themselves stern fighters and
military strategists Of no mean order.
The disaster cost the British from ]. 50(
10 1000 men and six seven pound screw
guns, and, as the Boer artillery is
already stronger than imagined, the
capture of these guns will be great
help to the Beers. Further news mus
be awaited before it is attempted to fis
tho blame where it belongs. Gen
White manfully accepts all the respcn
siDlnlN lOE tEb uiStslti, Wulun upIal
entity was at least partially due to th'
sampeding of the mules with th'
guns From the list, it will be seer
that 42 officers were made prisoners
besides newspaper correspondent, j
HYDE
The interest in the uews was univer
nl today, pervading all classes ant
Conditions Of Lnndon's populace. Th'
newspaper extras were eagerly road il
businesshouses, on the streets, and b.
vomcn in their carriages. Then Their
was rush to the War Office, which
By noon, was surrounded with piivat
carriages and hansoms, while many o
lhe humber class of people came oil
lost, all waiting and watching for tn
names they held dear.
Never was the old saw "bad new
travels quiokly' better exemrlifie'
here than today. By noon, gloom AM
bitter sorrow prevailed throughout tn
British metropolis.