The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-23
BOERS DEFEATED AGAIN.
Concluded from First Page,

but the return fire did little damage. The
enemy kept up an incessant shooting, but
our shrapnel began to tell its tale, with the
result that the Boer fire visibly slackened.
From a ceaseless rattle the rifle fire dwin-
died to struggling shots.
"A corporal of the Dublin Fusileers was
carried past me TO the rear on a stretcher.
Major Davidson, of the Irish Fusileers, was
shot through both legs. and Color Sergeant
Anderson, of the Dublin Fusileers, was
brought in wounded in the right shoulder.
1.-The artillery in front was Smelling the
hill and the Kings Royal Rifles. on the
right front, were busy with the Maxims,
making the Beers anxious about their po-
sition. Their artillery had been silenced by
the splendid service of ours.
Meanwhile a squadron of the Eighteenth
Hussars and a mounted company of the
Dublin Fusileers were creeping around on
the enemy's left flank, while another squad
ron of the Hussars and a mounted COM
pany Of the Kings Royal Rifles dep.oyed
to the right flank at the cornfelds.
A COSTLY MANEUvER.
THE artillery continued to play on
Smiths hill with a range Of nearly 5000
yards. Under its cover the Dublin Fusileers
and the Kings Royal Rifles pressed for
ward. 1t was in the execution of this
maneuver that the casualties to our infan-
try occurred, several men being killed or
wounded.
THE firing now eased off on our side and
only a solitary shot was returned now and
then. General Symons, taking advantage
of this lull, rode forward with his staff in
front of the guns, taking cover at the rear
of the plantation, near the base of the hill.
All this time our infantry, in extended
formation, had gradually pressed forward,
watching the Beers from the rear of the
artillery and massing on the extreme left
Of the hill. 1 saw three shells in succession
cut some to pieces and drive others away.
The Boer fire was becoming hot. but the
first battalion of the Kings Royal Rifles
and the Irish Fusileers. led respectively by
Colonel Cunning and Colonel Carlton, con-
tinued to mount the hill. Gradually they
extended along the ridge, and at 10 o'clock.
after four n a half hours Of artillery fir
ing to screen them. they managed to reach
a wall, running parallel with the ridge,
about COO yards from the summit. This po-
sition was gained under cover Of some mag
nifcent shooting by our artillerymen, who
placed shells at points where the Beers were
massed with amazing accuracy. compelling
them to retire. but not for long. On again
the determined enemy would come, only TO
be beaten back again by the excellent
shooting of the Thirteenth and Sixty-ninth
Batteries under Major Dawkins and Major
King.
AT 11:45 a. m. the firing had almost
ceased, and cur infantry were over the wall
in a twinkling and rushing toward the plat
eau at the base of the top or secondary
ridge. The defense made by the Beers was
most determined. the enemy again and
again pouring a long fusillade fire into the
British ranks, which was holly returned I'm
well-directed volleys by the slowly advanc-
ing Dublin Fusileers and Kings Royal
Rifles.
ROUTED FROM A CATTLE KRAAL.
"A large body of Beers. driven from
Smiths hill. took refuge in a cattle kraal.
intending a cross fire. The Thirteenth Bat
terry opened fire. however. and poured in
such a hail OF bullets as caused them speed
lily TO shift their position.
Thus far the enemy nave displayed I'M
doubted courage. perhaps u~nequaled by the
best European troops. They had stood up
to our scattering artillery fire with the
greatest determination and then. on Talana
ridge. standing clearly out on the sky line
they still appeared unbeaten and defiant.
The battle had now ragged six and a half
hours, when the Sixty-ninth Battery was
ordered to timber up and advance. The bat
terry galioped into a new position In splendid
form and was in action at the front in a
moment.
so effective was the apparent result of
this close range firing that the Thirteenth
Battery was at once ordered up, and after
two rounds from each battery, perfect
silence reigned over the enemy's front.
broken only by the whirring OF the Maxims.
served by the Dublin Fusileers. who had se-