Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-31
Two Battalions, Gloucesters and Irish Fus-
leers, Are Reported Missing.
WHITE USES ALL AVAILABLE TROOPS
English Commander Reports His Loss at
About One Hundred,
NAVAL BRIGADE ARRIVES JUST IN TINE
brings Two Quick-Firing Guns from
ahc Cruiser Powerful Which Soon
Silence Heavy GUNS Used
by Beers.

ahe Cruiser Powerful which Soon
silence Heavy Guns Used
by Boers.
lCopyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, Oct. 3O.-(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram.)-The war ex-
pert officials here show considerable anxiety
concerning the outcome OF the Ladysmith
engagement. Gen. Whites report definitely
states that Of detachment sent out Sunday
night a mule battery was stampeded, the
suggestion clearly being it was captured, and
also states that the two accompanying in
fantry battalions the Gloucesters and Royal
Irish Fuslleers, are missing
These troops had been gone sixteen hours
when White sent the report and II Is greatly
feared here that these. as we'll as the mule
battery, were captured. If they had returned
at later hour White would have instantly
reported the fact to the war office
It is strongly suspected that the war Office
has news of their capture and is holding 1t
back. Apart from these probable losses the
report caused a feeling of dismay, as 1t
plainly indicates that General Whites sortie
entirely failed Of It's object
General Younghusband, so famous in the
Afghan wars half century ago, said in an
interview; "Our position at Ladysmith is
full OF danger. My opinion is that further
retreat cannot be averted. L cannot ac-
curately say what the strength Of the enemy
is. Lord Wolseley has placed it at three
Beers to every British soldier. AS far as
can see Joubert's plan is to get on to Dur
ban before our reinforcements arrive. Ii
White remains at Ladysmth Joubert will
work round to his rear with a force ca
pable of carrying everything before it to
Durham"
All special reports of the London papere
bear palpable evidences of rigorous censor
ship.
The correspondent Of the Times at Lady
smith says:
''The action seemed to be proceeding most
satisfactorily, when, at 7:15 a. m. the enemy
in large numbers, with field guns, Maxims
and thlrty-seven millimeter guns, began to
develop heavy attack on Colonel Grim
woods infantry. The cavalry brigade had
moved upon cur right, holding the parallel
ridge over against Colonel Grimwood's posi-
tion and practically acting as infantry. In
the meantime our batteries kept down the
siege gun fire upon Ladysmth with shrap-
rel.
Grilnwood Forced BACK.
"At o'clock there seemed to be lull
RS our reserves moved up, but suddenly the
engagement reopened the enemy on our
right brought further artillery to bear.
Colonel Grimwood, who, with the three ad-
vance battalions, had held the ridge for
five hours, suddenly fell back across the
open upon our guns. The Fifty-third bat
terry plucklly pushed forward to cover this
withdrawal. Severe casualties occurred al
this place. The Fiftythird battery held on
against a crossfire of rifles and quick-hrine
oil
teams of the two guns were damaged AND
the battery eventually retired, made uF
teams being sent to extricate the two guns
Cavalry remaining unsupported were iorceu
to fall back also.
.'Then began a general retirement or
Iadysmith. The guns which had been Gov
ering the Devonshire regiment stoutly Gov
cred the final withdrawal. The enemy do
not press but showed themselves on thel
postion In great numbers only to hnd ina
the naval brigade from the cruiser Powerfu
had arrived. Two quick-hring guns wer
at once placed in position under cover OF
redoubt and in five rounds they silenced tn
enemy's forty-pounder.
Tho troops were back In Ladysmith by
o'clock In the afternoon The casualties b.
the enemy's artillery were not severe. IN
mountain battery on the left reported tina
It had suffered through stampede OF mules
"Our artillery. cavalry, mounted lntantr'
and volunteer cavalry behaved splendidly II
difacult circumstances. DR.. Jameson an
Sir John Wllloughby arrived today and wer
spectators of the action
BuIIer's Arrival Reported.
LONDON, Oct. 3l.--A dispatch from Cape
town announces the arrival in Table bay c
the punottar Castle late last evening, wit
General Sir Redvers Butler and his staff
who are expected to land this morning. The
will meet with a tremendous ovation /
Capetown.
LONDON, Oct. 30-The war office here ha
received dispatch which says Genera
White has fought an engagement, presr
mably with General Joubert's force, whic
was pushed back after several hours hgh
ing The British lost about 100 men and IN
Boer losses were much greater. The BoeI
were In larger numbers and had better artil
lery,
43O today, read:
81 employed all the troops here exceI
the obligatory garrison before the work
sent a mountain battery the Royal Iris
Fusileers and the Gloucesters to take up
position on the hills to clear my left fan
The force moved at IL yesterday mornir
and during some firing the battery mul'
stampeded with some Of the guns, whic
however / hope TO recover. These tv
battalons have not returned. but are e
pected this evening.
II detailed two brigade divisions OF fe
artillery and Ave battalions of infantr
aided by cavalry, under General French.
attack a position on which the enemy ye
terday mounted guns We found this pos
tion evacuated. but our force was attack
with considerable Yigor by what i belle
were General Joubert's troops. They hi
many guns and showed in great number
Our troops were all in action and we push
the enemy back several miles. but did n
succeed in reaching his lager. Our loss
are estimated at between eighty and II
but those OF the enemy must have be
much greater, the fire of our guns appea
Ing very effective.
after being In action several hours
withdrew the troops and they returned u
molested TO their cantonments. The eneI
are in great numbers and their guns ran