The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-25
BRITISH AND BOERS.
Bloody Battle in Which Both Suf.
fered-British Victory.
The State,

Inc S5LaLo.
London. Oct. 2s.-The British victories in
Natal following each other in quick success.
sion, though ompanied by heavy losses on
the side OF the victors, bear striking testi-
mony to the valor of the vanquished Beers.
They appear 10 have fallen victims TO the
very plan which they counted on TO drive the
British into the sea. They have been beaten
in detail by counter strokes carefully consid-
cred and brilliantly carried out In the fact OF
courageous oppottion, which has done much
TO increase British respect for the burghers,
whose splendid valor and determination, II IL
universally admitted, reached the highest
level.
Elaudslaagte emphasize the splendid gallan-
try exhibited on both sides, and the superior
ity of the British in pitched battle, although
the Beers fought with the greatest tenacity to
the last, only yielding wheh further fighting
was hopeless.
An armored train with the men Of the Man
chester regiment appeared on the left at Lady
smith at day break Saturday IN support OF the
Johannesburg Imperial Light Horse and the
Natal field artillery, with the object OF re-
opening communication at Elandslaage. The
artillery took up position above the town
The Beers ran out and the British mounted
Infantry entering the place released the Eng
lish prisoners
The Beers, mum bering some !, 600 men, with
three guns, occupied a commanding position.
They poured such well-directed fire on the
British and their scouts were 30 active that
the British force steadily retired until re-en-
forcements arrived, when The mounted In,
fantry was sent TO drive the Boer scouts from
the ridge on the right.
A large force of mixed cavalry, In the mean
while, swept over the plain and up the bill on
the right Lancers we're met with heavy
fusilade, while on the left British battery
opened fire with good effect.
The British infantry who hBd debarked
from the railway train In the interim, ad-
vanced steadily over the plain and up the
| ntn hy q un IL.
ry. The Boer artillery dropped shrapnel into
the advancing columns, but the British flual-
ly scaled the hill, whence they overlook led
the broad valley, to three rocky hills forming
the Beers position, three camps being in the
centre. On the left centre the Beers had a
battery OF large guns. The smaller bills were
the station In the valley on the British left.
The latter's cavalry was on both TANKS and
q battery on the right was busy throwing
shrapnel at the Beers batteries.
The British In fantry formed for the attack
| in extended order behind the brow Of a hill,
the Devonshires left with four companies OF
the Manchesters and some Of the Gordons on
| the right.
At about p. m. the Infantry advanced
through the valley as steady as on field day
Half way down the slope they met terrific
Infantry and artillery nre. The men fell rap
idly and the wounded were carried to the
rear. But In spite OF the steady work OF tne
Beers guns and the sharpshooters concealed
behind the rocks. the increasing fire Of the
advancing British infantry gradually gained
the upper hand, and the Manchesters and
Gordons, edging toward the right, gained the
top Of the ridge, thus outflanking the enemy't
left.
At the bugles sounded the "Charge" and
the British swept ahead. The Beers fought tc
the last, only attempting TO escape when fur
lther fighting was hopeless.
In the meantime the Devonshires, proceed
ing steadily up the left, were strongly opposed
at The Boer camp, and from the thanking hilll
and carried both at the charge, with Wilc
cheers and bugle blasts.
By I O'Clock the British had gained the posi-
tion, and "cease firing" was sounded.
Three IN pounder Nordenfeidts were cap
The Boer dead and wounded along the
rocks, who were numerous. were attended Il
as far as possible In the dark.
Gen, French thanked the troops on the
field, especially mentioning Col. Ian Hamil
TOMS splendid handling OF the infantry.
The British bivouaced on the captured pos
session Saturday night.
Some estimates place the Boer losses at 5O
med, but this is perhaps exaggerated.
Col. Scott-ChlshOlm, the only British office
killed, was formerly attached to the Ninth
Lancers. He served with distinction In th'
Afghan war and organized the present Impe
rial Light Horse, a majority OF whom are ref
ugees from the rand.
The death Of Gen. Viljoen is a severe blow
to the burghers and the death OF Gen: koci
and the capture OF Gen. Pretorius will handi
leap the further movements of this column.
According to advices from Durham, Natal
1.-The Beers have entered Zululand, a large col
umn advancing toward Meloth.
The best opinions do not credit the report
that the Beers are suing for peace or tha
they are likely 10 yield at present. though
they think the Beers will probably retreat u
their line of defense In the mountain passe
OF Laing's Mex and Drakensburg, where they
have blocked the passes with great boulder
and masses Of rock blown up on either side
aud where, If they so desire, they would b,
able 10 hold out until the advance OF Maj
Gen. Cir Redve Butler through the Orange
Free State should compel them to leave TIT
Natal side and meet the invasion from th
south.
An amended list OF the British casualties a
the battle places the number Of officers killed
at five, and wounded 80, and the number o
non-commissioned officers and men Killed a
81 and wounded at It's, the total number o
casualties being 47. Ten men are missing
Among the killed Ia Col Scott-Chisholm, o
the Imperial Light Horse.