The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-11-09

lIAuUii, by Sdple.-l Ee war OIlCS |
has received a dispatch from General
White, commanding the British forces
az Ladysmith, reporting that tic Royal
Irish Fusileers, No. 10 Mountain Bat
terry and the Gloucestershise Rcsi-
nent. were surrounded in the hills by
the Beers and, after losing heavily,
were obliged to captuiate. General
White says that the casualties Gave |
not yet been ascertGined. 1t il report |
ed that 1000 British were captured. |
London, by Cable.-The British |
War Office has made public a dispatch |,
received from General White, describ- |
ing the operations of Monday. 1t was
as follows:
'Ladysfith. Oct. 81, $50 p n.
II took out from Ladysmith a bril-
gade of mounted troops, two brigade
divisions of Royal Artillery, the Natal
Field Battery and two brigades Of in
fantry, to reconnoitre in force the en-
emy's main position to the north and.
if the opportunity should offer. to
capture the hill behind FarQuhar's
farm, which had on the previous day
been held in strength by the enemy.
| In connection with this advance a col-
umn consisting of the Tenth Mountain
/, Artillery, four and half companies
| Of the Gioucesters and six companies
Of the Royal Irish Fusleers, Lieuten-
ant Colonel Shelton and Major Adyc,
deputy assistant adjutant general. was
dispatched at II p. m. On the 29th 10
march by night up Bells Spruit and
seize Nicholson's Mex, or some posi-
ION near Nicholscn's Mex, thus turn
ing the enemy's right flank. The
main advance was successfully car
ried out, the objective point Of the at
tack being found evacuated and an ar
tillery duel between our field batter
les and the enemy's guns occurred,
and 1t is understood to have caused
heavy loss to the enemy. The recon-
aoisance forced the enemy to fully
disclose his position and, after a
strong counter attack on our right,
the infantry brigade and cavalry hav-
ing been repulsed, the troops were
lowly withdrawn to camp, pickets
being left on observation. Late in the
Engagement the naval contingent un-
, Ter Captain Lambeton, Of H NJ. S.
Powerful, came into action and silenc-
ed, with their extremely accurate
ire, the enemy's guns of position.
"The circumstances which attended
The movements of Lieutenant Colcn2l
:, ! Cartoons column are not yet fully
( known, but from reports received the
0 column appears to have carried out
the night march unmolested until
within two miles of Nicholson's Mex
At this point two boulders rolled from
the hill and a few rife shots stamped
t ed the infantry ammunition mules
d The stampede spread to the battery
d mules, which broke loose from theil
leaders and got away with PRACTICAL.
y I the whole of the gun equipment ant
v the greater portion of the regimenta
small arm ammunition. The reserv'
r was similarly lost. The infantry bat
Is talions. however, fixed bayonets, an
r accompanied by the personel OF tn
d artillery, seized hill on the left o
4 road two miles from the Mex, wit
ii but little opposition. There they re
O. mained unmolested until dawn, tn
es time being occupied in organizing tn
defence of the hill and constructin
to stone sangers and walls as cover froI
=. fire. At dawn skirmishing attac
b. on our position was commenced
the enemy, but made no way unit
$50 a. m, when strong re-enforce
ne ments enabled ther. to rush to the al
r tack with great energy. Their fire bt
~ came very searching and two comps
st nies of the Gloucesters in an advan'
ed position, were ordered to fall bacl
at The enemy then pressed to sho
so range, the losses on our side becomin
n very numerous.
he "At 3 p. m. our ammunition W;
ot practically exhausted, the positic
he was captured and several OF the co
umn fell into the hands of the en-
my. The enemy treated our wound'
~ with humanity, General Joubert
~ once dispatching letter to me, offe
az ing safe conduct to doctors and ar
a o. balances to remove the wounded.
medical officer and parties to rend
- first aid to the wounded were dl
az az patched to the scene of action fro
. Ladysmith last night, and the amb
3. lance at dawn this morning. T
- want Of success of the column W
20 due to the misfortune of the mul
~ stampeding and the consequent 10
of the guns and small arm ammuI
-, -, ton reserve The official list Of ca
- ualties and prisoners will he report
- shortly. The latter are understood
&c. have been sent by rail to Pretor
,n Security Of Ladysmith is NO way
m fected."
M The gloom caused by the British d
W. aster at Ladysmith, was In a meas,
re- relieved by this story giving an
gh. count of the heroic stand made by
era decimated battalions until their ],
1gs cartridges were gone. Inc brit
al nerve was momentarily shaken
les General Whites use OF the VIC
"capitulate' in his first telegram.
now that 1t is known that the Glouc
ny ters and Fusileers fought agail
ast overwhelming odds, and upheld
be- best traditions of the British arr
his the tension has been relieved, sil
18th there is no longer ground to DIRT
ing that the loss of life to men was
companied by dishonor.
A Hopeful Report.