The Van Buren press., 1899-11-04
LATEST FROM GEN. WHITE.
The Commander of the British Forces
in Natal Tells the Story
of Ladysmith.
THE CAPTURED COLUMN LOST NO HONOR.
Their Trouble Arose From Losing
Their Pack Train Carrying Their
Reserve AmmunitiOn, Through a
stnmpede-FouRhtT TIlITheir Cart
ridges Were Exhausted.


stnmpede-Fousht TiIITheir Cart
ridges Were Exhausted.
Tendon, Nov. 2.-The British war Of
fee has made public a dispatch re-
cei,ed from Gen. White, describing
the operations of Monday. 1t was as
follows:
The story of Ladysmith.
Ladysmith, Oct. 81, 1850 p. m.-~
Took out from Ladysmith { brigade
of mounted troops, two brigade diyi-
tions of the Royal artillery, the Natal
fel6 battery, and two brigades of in-
fantry, to reeonnoiter in force the
enemy's main position to the north
and if the opportunity should offer
10 capture the hill behind Farquahar's
farm which had, on the previous da},
been held in strength by the enemy
The IlI-Fated Column.
In eonection with this advance,
column, consisting of the Tenth noun
tain artillery, four half companies If
the Gloucesters, and six companies OF
the Royal Irish fusieers, the whole
under Lieut.. Col. Carleton and Maj.
Adye, deputy assistant adjutant gem
eral was dispatched, at II p. m, on
the 29th, to march by night up Bells
Spruit. and seize Nicholson's Mex, or
some position near Nieholsons Mex,
thus turning the nemy's right flank.
The Main Advance.
The main advance was successfully
carried out, the objective of the at
tack being evacuated, and an artillery
duel between our field batteries and
the enemy's guns of the position and
Maxims is understood to have caused
heavy loss to the enemy. The recon-
Nuisance forced the enemy to fully
disclose his position and after strong
counter-attack on our right, the in
fantry brigade and cavalry had been
repulsed, the troops were slowly with
drawn to camp, pickets being left on
observation. Late in the engagement
ne naval contingent, under Capt.
Lambton of II. NJ. S. Powerful, came
into action and silenced, with their ev-
tremely accurate fire, the enemy's
guns of position.
Cleaned From Reports.
The circumstances which attended
the movements of Lieut.-Col. Carle-
toms column are not yet fully known,
but from reports received, the coll
Bmn appears to have carried out thi
night march unmolested, until within
Two miles of Nicholson's Mex. At this
ha
hill and a few rife shots stampedeG
the infantry ammunition mules. The
stampede spread to the battery mules
which broke loose from their leaders,
and got away with practically this
whole of the gun equipment and the
greater portion of the regimental
imall-arm ammunition.
The reserve was similarly lost.
They Fixed BayoEets.
Tia infantry battalions, howeve!'
fixed bayonets and, accompanied by
the personnel of the artillery, seized
/ hill on the left of the road, two miles
from the Mex with but little opposi
lion. There they remained unmolest
ed till dawn, the time being occupied
In organizing the defense of the hill
and constructing stone sangars and
walks as cover from fire. At dawn q
kkirmishing attack on our position
was comenced by the enemy, but made
no way until $3.50 a. m, when strong
~inforcements enabled them to rush
to the attack with great energy.
Under a Searching Fire.
Their fire became very searching,
md two companies of the Gloucesters,
In an advanced position, were ordered
TO fall back. The enemy then pressed
10 short range, the losses on our side
becoming very numerous.
At p. IN. our ammunition was
practically exhausted, the position was
captured, and the survivors of the col
umr fell into the enemy's hands.
Wounded Humnneiy Treated.
The enemy treated our wounded
with humanity, Gen. Joubert at once
dispatching a letter to me, offering
safe conduct to doctors and abulanccs
TO remove the wounded. A medical
officer and parties to render first ald
TO the wounded were dispatched to the
scene of action from Ladysmith last
night, and the ambulance at dawn tins
morning.
The want of success for the COL
nmn was due to the misfortune OF the
mules stampeding, and the consequent
loss of the guns and small arm am
munition reserve.
The official list of casualties ana
prisoners will be reported shortly. The
latter are understood to have been sent
by rail to Pretoria.
The security of Ladysmith is In nc