Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-23
sUnconfirmed Rumor From Capetown SAYS
Kruger Wants to Surrender.
NOTMUCH CREDENCE GIVEN THE REPORT
Details Of Terrible Battle Fought
Both Armies Described Loss Very severe-Many
Of the Boer Leaders Killed, Including Gen. Kock
Gen. Pretorius Captured.

finally scaled the main Boer position
was seen across the broad valley on
three rocky hills. all strongly held with
three large guns on one. The British
cavalry on both flanks and a battery
on the right shelled the Boer guns and
the British infantry formed in extended
order behind the brow of the hill, in
Guiding the Manchesters, Devonshires
and Gordons. AT 5 p. m. the infantry
advanced half way down the slope and
met the terrific infantry and artillery
fire.
The men fell rapidly, but in spite of
the steady work of the Boer guns and
sharpshooters concealed behind the
rocks the increasing fire of the advanc-
ing British infantry gradually gained
the upper hand and the Manchesters
and Gordons, edging toward the right,
gained the top of the ridge, outnankins
the enemy's left. At 6 the bugles
sounded charge" and the British
swept ahead. The Beers fought to the
last, only attempting to escape when
further fighting was hopeless.
In the meantime the Devonshires,
pressing steadily up the left, were
strongly opposed at the Boer camp, and
from the thanking hills, but carried both
at the charge with wild cheers and bu-
gle blasts. By the British had gained
the position and cease fire" sounded.
Three twelve -pounder Nordenfelts were
captured, with quantity of munitions.
The Boer dead and wounded among the
rocks, who We're numerous. were at
tended to.
The British bivouaced on the cap
tured position Saturday night. Some
estimates place the Boer losses at 500
but this is probably exaggerated. The
death of Gen. Viljoen is severe blow
to the burghers. The death of Gen.
kock and the capture of Gen. Pretorius
Will handicap further movements of
this column. According to advices from
Durham, Natal, the Beers entered Zulu
land, large column advancing towards
Meloth. Best opinions do not credit the
reports that the Beers are suing for
peace or that they are likely to yield at
the present. They think the Beers will
probably retreat to their line of defense
in the mountain passes of Laingsnek
and Drakenburg, where they have
blocked the passes with great masses of
rock blown up on either side, where
they will be able to make a stand till
outflanked through the Orange Free
State.
BRILLIANT FEAT OF ARMS.
British Capture EIandslaagte ONLY
After Desperate Battle, killing Gen.
Kock.
London, Oct. 23.-The war office has
published the following dispatch to the
secretary of state for war, the marquis
of Lansdowne, from the general com
manding in Natal. Sir George Stewart
White. regarding the engagement Sat
urday at Elandslaagte, between Glen
coe and Ladysmith, when the British
under Gen. French routed the Trans
vaal forces under Gen. Jan H. NJ. Kock,
second in command in the Transvaal
army, who was himself wounded and
captured and has since died:
In the action at Elandslaagte yes
terday the troops engaged were the fol-
lowing:
"Cayalry-Fifth Lancers, a squadron
of the Fifth Dragon Guards, the I'm
perial Light Horse and two suuadrons
of Natal carbineers.
"Artillery-Twenty-fir Field Bat
terry. Forty-second Field Battery and
and the Natal Field Battery.
"Infantry-The Devonshire regiment.
half a battalion of the Gordon High
landers and the Manchester regiment.
The whole force was under Cen
French, with Col. Ian Hamilton COM
manding the infantry. I was present in
person from $3.50 p. m. to $50 p. M. but
did not assume direction of the fight,
which was left in the hands of Gen.
French.
Although desultory fighting took
place earlier in the day while reinforce
ments, sent out later on ascertaining
the enemy's real strength, were arriv-
ing from Ladysmith the real action did
not begin until $3.50 p. m. AT that hour
the Beers held a position OF very excep-
tional strength, consisting of a rocky
hill about mile and a half southeast
of Elandslaagte station.
AT 1880 p. m. our guns took a posi-
tion on ridge 400 yards from the Bo-
ers. whose guns at once opened fire.
This fire was generally well directed,
but somewhat high. Contrary to pre-
vious experience their shells burst we'll.
The Imperial Light Horse moved
toward the left of the enemys position
and two squadrons of the Fifth
Iancers toward his right. During the
ARTILLERY duel mounted Beers pushed
out from their left and engaged the
Imperial Light Horse. In few min
utes the enemy's guns ceased firing and
our artillery was turned on the
mounted Beers who opposed the Impe-
rial Light Horse. The latter at once
fell back.
After the artillery preparations our
infantry advanced to the attack, sup
ported by our guns in the second posi-
tion. The Devonshires held the enemy
I'm front while the Manchester regiment