The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-10-23

open, rolling country, very suitable to
cavalry operations, although the going
was heavy after the recent rains.
At an early hour our force moved out
by road and rail- 1t was computed that
there We're about 1900 Beers with big
guns and MaXimS covering their front
and occupying a well chosen position at
the base of a sugarloaf-sh shaped hill,
some distance south of Elanslaagte. On
both tanks We're strong kopjes, on
which We're three big guns strongly
posted and commanding a wide sweep
on all sides, leaving an opening for re-
treat.
A British armored train, supported by
two train loads of infantry, immedia te-
ly 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 series
Of brilliant dashes into the valley and
up the successive heights to get nearer
the Boer main position. Thrice were
the Boer batteries on the way silenced
by our artillery, although the Beers
fought with great pluck and determina-
ton. returning each time our guns
moved and raining shrapnel and Maxim
bullets against our advance. At
O'clock a tremendous artillery duel was
in progress. Two Boer guns splendidly
placed We're stubbornly fought for two
hours and quarter, while mounted
Beers endeavored to come into contact
with our men on the left and on the
right.
Then, at 6:15 p. M, the Devonsh1fe
regiment, half the Gordon Highlanders,
half the Manchester regiment and the
Imperial Light horse advanced on the
position and stormed the enemy's front
A bayonet charge was sounded as the
roar of artillery on both sides suddenly
ceased and our men, the Devonshires
leading, made a supreb dash against
the main body of the Beers, facing
terrible fire. Twice were they checked
by the fusilade. Once the advance quiv-
cred for moment. but that then with
ringing, rousing cheers the whole of
our force hurled itself forward like an
avalanche and swept over the kopjes,
the broken enemy in all di-
rections. The Beers We're overwhelmed
and astounded. They paused then re-
treated, then raised the white flag and
Two or three hundred
broke and ran, pursued by the Fifth
Lancers who charged through and
through them.
1t was quite dark by this time but
the slaughter must have been great |
The Gordon Highlanders say the storm
ing of Dargai Ridge was mere child's
play as compared with this attack. The
Boer loss must have been very heavy. |
The best estimates place it at about 400 |
killed One of the captured Beers told |
me that if he had known that English |
soldiers could shoot as our men did, |
hey would never have come. Another |
Boer said he knew he was fighting for |
/ lost cause. Yet a third expressed |
surprise that he had to shoot at men
wearing khakhi. He was terribly de-
ected. He had been told to shoot at
men with red coats and white collars, |
ind he saw none. His impression
seemed to be that the men who fought |
against him were not Englishmen. A
leavy rain, heavier than any l had
,ver seen. fell Immediately after the
,attle, making a piteous scene on the
where many wounded were
ying
The Devonshire men captured three
3oer flags. General De Meellion of Jo-
was taken prisoner. 1t is
eported that Piet Joubert, who was
and captured, has succumbed
0 his wounds. A bugler boy of the
'ifth Lancers only fourteen years of
ge, shot three Beers with his revolver.
IN returning here after the fight he
vas carried around the camp. Every
ody testifies to the splendid fighting
nd stubborn bravery of the Beers, but
his tribute requires some qualification
S | have learned to-day that, while the
iordon Highlanders were bringing in
he wounded last night, a sharp fire
vas opened on them by some Boer par
les in hiding. Our losses, considering
he desperate nature of the engagement,
re regarded as light.