The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-10-27
BOERSTWICEROUTED
Stubborn Fight at Glands
laagte With Heavy Loss.
A TRAySVAAL GENERAL KILLED.
British Force Under General French
Carries the Enemy's Position, Cap
lures the Camp and Many Pris-
oners-Boers Attack Glencoe.

LONDON, Oct 23.--The war Office
publishes the following dispatch to the
secretary of state for war, the Marquis
of Lansdowne, from the general COM
mandng in Natal, Sir George Stewart
White, regarding the engagement Satur-
day at Elandslaagte, between Glencoe
and Ladysmith, when the British under
General French routed the Transvaal
forces under General Jan II. NJ. Kock,
second in command in the Transvaal
army, who was himself wounded and
captured and has since died:
in the action at Elandslaagte yester-
day the troops engaged were the follow
ing: Cavalry-Fifth lancers, a squadron
of the Fifth Dragon guards, the Impe-
rial Light horse and two squadrons of
Natal carbneers. Artillery-Twenty-
first field battery, Fol y-second field bat
terry and the Natal field battery. Infan-
try-The Devonshire regiment, half
battalion of the Gordon Highlanders and
the Manchester regiment. The whole
force was under General French, with
Colonel Ian Hamilton commanding the
infantry.
Il was present in person from $3.50 p.
m. to 6:30 p. M, but did not assume di
lttllOu VI luc uSul, NhlNh was iNII III biAS
hands of General French. Although de-
sultory fighting took place earlier in the
day, while re-enforcementG sent out later
on ascertaining the enemys strength
were arriving from Ladysmith, the real
action did not begin until $3.50 p. IN. At
that hour the Beers held Il position of
very exceptional strength, consisting of
a rock hill about mile and half south
. nlel
''At $3.50 p. m. our guns took a position
on a ridge 400 yards from the Beers,
whose guns at once opened fire. This
fire was generally well directed, but
somewhat high. Contrary to previous
experience, their shells burst well.
'The Imperial Light Horse moved to-
ward the left of the enemy's position and
two squadrons of the Fifth lancers to-
ward his right. During the artillery duel
mounted Beers pushed out from their left
and engaged the Imperial Light Horse.
In few minutes the enemy's guns ceas-
ed firing, and our artillery was turned on
the mounted Beers who opposed the I'm
perial Light Horse, who at once fell
back. After the artillery preparations
our infantry advanced to the attack, sup
ported by our guns in the second position.
while the Manchester regiment and the
Gordon Highlanders turned his left flank.
THE Boer guns, although often tempo
rarily silenced, invariably opened fire
again on the slightest opportunity and
were served with great courage.
After severe fighting our infantry car
ried the position. At $3.50 p. m. this was
accomplished, the enemy standing his
ground to the last with courage and te-
nacity. The Fifth lancers and a squad
ron of the Fifth Dragon guards charged |
thrice through the retreating Beers in the |
dark, doing considerable execution.
I'VE captured the Boer camp, with
tents, wagons, horses and also two guns.
The Boer losses We're very considerable, |
including q number of wounded and nm
wounded prisoners. Among the former
are General Jan Kock and Pet Joubert |
nephew of Commandant General Jou-
bert
''One goods train, with supplies for
Glencoe camp, and nine English prison
ers were recovered. Our loss regret to
say, was heavy. 1t is roughly computed
at $50 killed and wounded.
''The collection of the wounded over a
large area in the dark and the arrange
ments for sending them in have thus far
occupied our time and attention. A full
list will go to you later.
Our wounded and those of the enemy |
are now arriving by trains. Besides
Beers we have many Hollanders, Ger
mans and prisoners of mixed nationali-
ties. The behavior of our troops and the |
colonial forces was admirable"
The latest dispatches received do not
indicate any general incurslon of Beers
s,.N.
Orange river everything seems to be
quiet From Colesburg, Cape Colony, it
is reported that all the available burgh-
ers of the Orange Free State have been
sent north and west.