Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-20
AN ENGLISH ACCOUNT
or the Unsuccessful Boer Attacks on the
Town of Lad ysmith.

DSr o. he L lultS Ol NATAL publishes
the following, dated Wednesday, No
vember 10Th. from its special CORE
spondent at Ladysmith:
The enemy made a determined at
tack On Thursday, November 9Th. APP
parently all the Boer forces participa-
ted. Their artillery opened at p. NJ,
pouring in smells thick and fast upon
the British positions, although with
no great effect They adopted the I'M
usual tactics of advancing under cover
OF their guns to position on the ridges
and kopjes adjacent to those occupied
by the British troops, on the left of our
camp.
Continuing their advance, the Beers
crept up, using every available bit OF
cover. Our infantry opened with a
steady, warm and accurate fire, which
beat back the enemy Notwithstanding
display of tenacity of purpose equal
to their desperate stands on previous
occasions. The Boer attack was most
elaborate on all sides of the town.
'The main attack, however, was
made between the Free State and New
Castle railway lines by column COM
posed chiefly of johannesburg volun-
Rifles corps made a splendid defense.
The Beers were repulsed, but soon raj
lied and returned to the attack Again
the British fire, which was very hot,
forced them to retire. They had made
a deep trench in front of the British
lines and while withdrawing from their
horses, they left this unguarded,
whepeupon the Kings Rifles, advanc-
ing at double quick, occupied the
trench.
''This smart movement was not seen
by the enemy, who soon returned with
the horses. Carefully reserving their
fire, the Kings Rifles allowed the Beers
to advance almost to the edge of the
trench, and then poured volley after
volley into the astounded Beers, who
turned and fed from an awful hail of
bullets, boiling across the open, where
the artillery of the British poured in a
terrible and effective shell fire. The en-
envy lost heavily.
Meanwhile another section of the
Beers had brought mortar into action,
firing heavy shells. Our guns, concen-
trating upon it, soon silenced this weap-
on, the enemy's artillerymen fleeing
headlong. The Beers then advanced in
force with a view of repairing the NOR
tar, but our artillery shelled and scat
tered them right and left. The fighting
was all over at II o'clock.
Promptly at noon, Gen. White Or
dered salute of twenty-one guns in
honor of the birthday of the Prince of
Wales. AS the cannon doomed cheer
after cheer rang out from the troops
and a scene of enthusiasm probably
without parallel in history followed
"At Caesars camp, which protects the
town on the southwest, the Manchester
regiment held the position. Descend
ing under cover of the British guns for
some distance on the farther side of the
hill, they detected several hundred
Beers hiding in the ditch, out of the way
of the British shells. They poured vol
ley after volley into the enemy, scat
tering them and inficting heavy loss.
"The Beers were driven back at every
point with loss estimated at 800 men.
Nothing important occurred until Tues
day, November 14th when a strong
force, chiefly cavalry and artillery, re-
connoitering, came upon the enemy
near the Colenso road and drove them
pack TO their main positions. Our she'll
fire was most effective and is believed
to have inflicted considerable damage.
Our own loss was one man.
THAT same day Boer shell killed a
trooper of the Natal mounted rifles
who was sleeping in his tent All our
men are well and in good spirits.
1t is reported that the lyddite is terri
flying the Beers, who have to be driven
to their positions by revolvers pointed
at their heads.
"Ladysmith is able to hold out for
months. On the other hand, it is re-
ported that dysentery is working havoc
in the enemy's camp"
HAVE NO GERMAN OFFICERS.
LOURENZO MARQUEE, Saturday,
November 1S.-The following dispatch
has been received here from Pretoria,
dated Thursday, November 18th:
"The statement that the Boer artil-