The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-23
STORY FROM LADYSMITH.
Another Account of the Capture of
EIandsIaagte.

|
| LADYSMITH, Oct. 22-Realizing that
| the first attack on Glencoe was the first
| move of a general combined attack by
| three columns, and that the situation was
| still serious so long as the Beers held the
| railway at Elandslaagte severing COM
| munication between Ladysmith and Dun
| dee, Sir George Stewart White on Friday
| resolvd to give battle with a view of
| recapturing Elandslaagte
| On the morning of that day all the
mounted troops here, supported by two
battalions Of infantry and two batteries
| of artillery reconnoitred some twelve
miles along the Newcastle road, an open
| rolling country, very suitable for cavalry
operations, although the going was heavy
after the recent rains.
| After approaching within three miles or
so of the break in the railway line our
| men saw the Boer outposts falling back,
| apparently in no great force. We cap
| tured four, who had mistaken our men
| for Beers until we were too near for
them to get away. Then our men re-
| turned, and, late Friday night, Gen.
| White determined to advance in force on
I Elapdslaagte at an early hour the follow
l. ing morning, for 1T was imperative tosdfs-
| lodge the Beers from Elandslaagte as we
had learned that the Orange Free State
! burghers were descending from their
| positions the slopes of the. DralSenberg,
! from Tintwa and other Western passes,
to Cooperate with those already posted
! at Elandslaagte.a 4 *
At an early hour our forces moved out
| by road and rail. 1t was computed that
| there were about 200 Beers with big
! guns and MaXims covering their front,
and occupying well chosen position at
| the base of a hill, some little distance
! south Of Elandslaagte. On both TANKS
were strong kopjes on which were three
big guns, strongly posted and command
! ing a wide sweep on all sides, leaving an
| opening for retreat.
| A British arn1ored train, supported by
! two train loads Of infantry, Immediately
| on approaching the enemy's position was
| shelled by the Beers. Our artillery was
| at once brought up, and drove the Beers
| from their guns, making a series Of bril-
| liant dashes into the valley and up the
| successive heights to get nearer the Boer
main position Thrice were the Boer bat
| teries on the way silenced by our artil-
| Jery, although the Beers fought with
| great pluck and determination, returning
| each time our guns moved, and raining
| shrapneIl and Maxim bullets against our
|. advance. "a gfsa ssss
I At 4 o'clock tremendous artillery, duel
| was in progress Two i3oer guns, spien-
| didly served. were stll5bornly fought for
| two hours and quarter, While mounted
4
| with our men on fhe left and on the
| right. Then, at 6:i5 p. H., the ;DevonSliro
| regiment, half the Gordon highlanders,
| half the Manchester regiment and the
| Imperial light horse advanced on the posi-
| ton and stormetl the cnemy5 front. A
| bayonet charge was sounded as the roar
| of the artillery on both sides suddenly
| ceased and our men, the Devons Tires
| leading made Il superb dash against the
| fire. Twice We're they checked by he
| terrible fusilade. Once the advance cuiv-
| cred for a moment, but then with linging.
roaring cheers, the Whole of our force
| hurled itself forward ike an avalanche
| and swept over the kopies. bayoEeting
! the broken enemy In all directions. The
| Beers were overwhelmed and astounded.
| They paused, then retreated, then raised
| the white flag and surrendered Two or
thre hundred broke and ran, pursued by
| the Fifth lancerS, who charged through
and through them.
It was quite dark by this time, but. the
slaughter must have been great. The
| Gordon highlanderSs say the stormlng of
Dargai Ridge was mere childs play COM
pared with this attack The f;oer less
must have been very heavy. The best
estimates place fdt at cert;inly over 400
| killed. One Of the, captured Beers told
me that if he had known English soldiers
| could shoot and be Shot as our men did
| he would not have BEEN there. A second
/ Boer said he asawei1 as the other Beers
! knew they weresGgRtinS for lost cause.
/ Yet 81 third expressed surprise that he had
to shoot at men wearing khalis. He
was terribly detected. He had been told
| to shoot men wearing red coats and white
| cellars and he saw none. His impression
seemed to be that the men who fought
against him were not Englishmen. A
heavy rain, as heavy as any this season.
| fell Immediately, after the battle, making
piteous scene on the battlefield, where
many were lying wounded.
| Cominandant De Mslien, of Johannes
! berg, vas taken prisoner. 1t IS reported
that Pet Joubert, who was wounded and
! captured, has succumbed to his wounds.
A bugler boy. only fourteen years of
/ age shot three burghers with his own
hand. On returning, after the fighting,
he was carried shoulder high around the
camp.
Capt. Bender testifies as to the stub
bornncsS and courage of the Beers, bit
this tribute requires some qualification
as it is learned today that as the Gordon
hghlanders were bringing in The wound
| ed last night sharp fire was opened on
them by some Boer PAL ties in hiding. Our
losses, in the nature of the engagement,
are regarded as light.
Shipyvrecked Sailors.
BOSTON, Oct 1.-The steamer Phila-
delphia arrived today from Liverpool with
| fl,a Tot nd