The record-union., 1899-10-31


Confirmation of the Report
That the British Have Surren-
dered.
LONDON, Oct 31.-Yesterday's en-
gagement at Ladysmith, which, de-
spite the rather heavy losses, must
be regarded rather as an extended re-
connoissance or skirmish, than a battle,
seems to make little change in the
actual position. 1t is disappointing 10
the British public as again revealing
tactical skill of an Unexpectedly high
order on the side of the Beers. In ad-
dition to the possession of a number
of heavy guns, the transport of which
caused wonderment here, they have
available marvellous ability.
Unless commanded by skillful Euro
pean officers, it is hardly considered
probable that Boer farmers would have
assumed a feigned position, as they
evidently did, in front of the right col
umn, with the intention of retreating
from it to their real line of defense,
and of inducing the British to attack
over a fire swept zone.
engagement again fail to confirm Cen
eraI Whites account that the Beers
were pushed back several miles. When
it is considered that the censorship Is
very severe, the only conclusion that
can be arrived at is that the action was
extremely inconclusive.
The fighting began with frontal at
tack on the main Boer position, which,
however, was found evacuated. The
enemy having retired, now made a
change Of front and developed heavy
attack on Colonel Grimwood's brigade.
To meet this the British artillery,
which had been shelling the evacuated
position, also changed front.
Grimwood's brigade was promptly re-
inforced but soon was obliged to fall
back rapidly, with consequences which
might have been serious had not the
Fffty-third Field Battery pluckily COW
cred the movement at considerable loss
to itself.
It is quite certain that General White
failed to accomplish the object he in
tended, and the days proceedings are
an instructive example of the difficulty
of operations, when the enemy holds
an extended position by which he is
able to make a sudden and unexpected
development and changes of front.
Sir Redvers Butler cannot arrive at
the. scene of the fighting until the end
of this week In the meantime General
White will need all his resources to
prevent the Beers around Ladysmlth
linking their forces.
The omission of all details likely to
give a true idea of the position from
General Whites dispatch may be due
TO his reticence. but editing by War
Office officials is likely to be again
severely commented upon.
REPORTED BOER VICTORY.
BERLIN. Oct 30.-A report received
here from Holland says that the whole
British army at Ladysmfth has sur
rendered. and that the troops are now
prisoners of war.
BOERS SHELL LADYSMTTH.
LADYSMITH, Oct. 3O-11:50 a. M
Firing commenced at > a. m, the Beers
shelling Ladysmith with forty-pound-
ers. After seven shots the British
gunners succeeded in silencing the Boer
fire. A force of Beers is now advanc-
ing on the British left flank.
12:3O %. m.-The naval brigade ar
rived this morning at $3.50, and has
lust commenced firing with six quick
firing guns with great precision. The
Boer forty FOUNDERS, which had again
begun to shell the town. were tenn
porariIy disabled at the third and fifth
shots. Brisk fighting is in progress on
the right and left TANKS.
e D. m.-The advance was made at
dawn with the object of shelling the
Beers from the position where yester-
dav they had mounted number OF
guns. on reaching the spot. however
it was found that they had evacuated
the position.
The British continued to advance, and
the movement developed into re con-
noissance in force. The enemy we're
posted on a range of hills having a
frontage of about sixteen miles The
British force was disposed in the fol-
lowing order: On the right three regi-
ments of cavalry, four batteries OF
the Royal Field Artillery and five bat
talions Of infantry; in the center three
batteries of the Royal Field Artillery
two regiments of cavalry and iour in
fantry battalions, and on the left the
Royal Irish Fusileers, the Gloucester
shire Regiment and the Tenth Mount
ain Battery.
This force had been detailed to guard
our left flank at a late hour last night
General Whites plan of operation was
that as the movement developed III,
force constituting our center, Which
was disposed under cover of a kopje
about three miles from the town should
throw itself upon the enemy, while the
left flank was being held by the Fusil-
eers and the Gloucesters. The scheme
was weH devised, but failed in execu-
tion, owing to the fact that the Boel
position which formed our objective
point was evacuated.
Our artillery quickly reduced IL
volume Of the enemy's fire, but the at
tack delivered on our right flank was
the principal one, and the column was
compelled to change. The Boer at
tack had been silenced for time, anC
our infantry advanced, covered by cav
airy.
The enemy now began to develop {
heavy counter attack, and aus they were
in great numerical superiority, Genera
White gave orders for the infantry K
be gradually Withdrawn.
The movement was carried out with