The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-31

I1erS and the GlOucesterS- The Scheme
was well devised, but failed in execu-
ton, owing to the fact that the Boer
position, which formed our objective
was evacuated.
Our artillery quickly reduced the vol
uIne of the enemy's fire, but the attack
delivered on our right flank was the
principal one, and the column was COM
PEELED to change. The Boer attack had
been silenced for time. and our in
fantry advanced, covered by cavalry
The enemy began to develop a heavy
counter attack and as they were in
great numerical superiority Gen. White
gave orders for the infantry to be
gradually withdrawn.
The movement was carried out with
great steadiness and deliberation, un-
der cover of our guns, which made eX-
cellent practice.
Some shells were thrown into the
town from the enemy's 40 Founders at a
range of over 5000 yards, but no dam
age was done.
The engagement lasted several hours
and resulted, on our side, in casualties
estimated at from so to 100. The Boer
losses must have largely exceeded this
total.
The attack was admirably delivered
by our right and the Beers were fairly
driven out of one of their strongholds
near LOmbardskops. 1t was not posi-
BILE, however, to push the success much
farther. AS beyond that point lay
long, broken ridge. affOrding every kind
of natural cover. OF this the enemy
took the fullest advantage.
Our shells failed to tiislodge the Beers
and as our infantry moved forward in
extended order they came under a
heavy and we'll directed rifle fire, the
effect of which was soon apparent. Gen.
White, who was with the center, see
ing that the troops on the right were
somewhat pressed sent to their assist
ance the whole center column, with the
exception of the DevOnshire regiment.
The battle had then lasted four hours
during which the artillery fire on both
sides had been almost incessant. The
naval brigade, which landed at Dur
ban, had arrived on the scene toward
the end of the fight and Immediately
brought their heavy guns into play.
The practice was magnificent. At the
fourth shot the enenly's forty Founders
had been knocked out of action.
Throughout the engagement the
Beers hold their ground with courage
and tenacity, and, considering the in
tensity of our artillery fire, they must
have suffered severely.
THE RETREAT.
London Oct 31.-The correspondent
of the Times at Ladysmith says:
1.-The action seemed to be proceeding
most satisfactory when at 7:15 a. m,
the enemy in large numbers with field
guns, maximS and thirty seven mllH-
metre guns began to develop a heavy
attack on Colonel GrimwoOds infantry.
The cavalry brigade had moved up on
our right, holding the parallel ridge over
against Colonel GrimWOOd'S position
and practically acting as infantry. In
the meantime our batteries kept down
the siege gun fire upon Ladysmith with
shrapnel.
cat 9 O'Clock there seemed to be a
lu1l as our reserves moved up, but sud
denly the engagement re-Opened as the
enemy on our right brought further ar
tillery to bear. Colonel Grimwood, who
with the three advance battalions had
held the ridge for five hours, suddenly
fell back across the open upon our guns
THE Fifty third battery pluckily
pushed forward to cover this withdraw
al Several casualties occurred at this
phase. The Fifty-third battery held
on against a cross fire of rifles and
quick firing guns until the infantry was
clear. The teams of the two guns were
damaged and the battery eventually re
tired, made up teams being sent to eX-
tricate the two guns. The cavalry, re
naming unsupported, were forced to
fall back also
Then began a general retirement on
Ladysmith. The guns which had been
covering the DevOnShire regiment,
stoutly covered the final withdrawal
The enemy did not press. but showed
themselves on their position in great
numbers, only to find that the naval
brigade from the Powerful had arrived
Two quick firing guns were at once
placed in position under cover of re-
doubt and in five rounds they silenced
the enemy's forty FOUNDER.
THE troops We're back on Ladysmith
by O'Clock in the afternoon. The cas-
ualties caused by the enemy's artillery
We're not severe. The mountain battery
on the left reported that it had suffered
through a stampede of mules.
Our artillery, cavalry, mounted in
fantry and volunteer cavalry behaved
Splendidly in difficult circumstances
DR.. Jameson and Sir John WillOughby
arrived today and were spectators of
the action"
BRITISH ARE ASTONISHED.
London, Oct 31.-Yesterday's engage
ment at Ladysmith, which, despite the
rather heavy losses, must be regarded
rather as an extended reconnaissance
or skiImiSh rather than a battle, seems
to make little change in the actual po-
sition. tits disappointing to the British
public, as again revealing tactical skill
of an unexpectedly high order on the
side of the Beers. In addition to the
possession of a number of heavy guns,
the transport of which causes wonder
ment here, they have avaiIabl marvel
Gus ability Unless commanded by
skfllful European officers, it is hardly
considered probable that Boer farmers
would have assumed a feigned position
as they evidently did, in front of the
right column. with the intention of re-
treating from it to their real line of de-
fense and of inducing the British to
attack over a fire swept zone.
The special dispatches describing the
enga cement again fail to confirm Cen
era1 Whites official account that the
Beers were pushed back several miles.
When it is considered that the censor
ship is very severe. the only conclusion
that can be arrived at is that the ac-
ton was extremely inconclusive.
The fighting began with a frontal at
tack on the main Boer position, which
| how ever, was found evacuated. The
enemy, having retired. made a change
| of front and developed a heavy attack
| on Colonel Grimwood's brigade
To meet this, the British artillery.
which had been shelling the evacuated
position, also changed front.
! Grfmwood's brigade was promptly re-
inforced but soon was obliged to fall
| back rapidIy. with consequences which