THE PRISONERS OF ELANDS LAAGTE.

Manawatu Herald, 26 October 1899, Page 2

THE PRISONERS OF ELANDS LAAGTE.

The Boers' losses at Elands Laagte are estimated at 800. The British losses were 160, Elands Laagte was a brilliant en gaxeiutsnt. The Boers occupied rooky hills, and their position was of exceptional strength. The 42nd and 21st British batteries of Artillery, and a Natal battery opened fire at 4000 yards. It was a brief duel.

The Boer shells were well directed and they exploded well. Soon, however, the enemy's guns were silenced, although they reopened fire on the slightest opportunity. The Boer guns were served with great courage. During the progress of the artillery duel mounted Boers engaged the Im perial Light Horse, but they retreated when the British guns were turned on them.

While the Devonshire Regiment attacked in front, the.Manchesterßegraent and the Gordon Highlanders,, under Colonel Hamilton, turned the left flank of the enemy, and rushed their position at nightfall in the face of a heavy fire.

The British troopa bayoneted many of the Boers, who defended with great tenacity. The 6:h Dragoons and the sth Lancers thrice charged through the retreating Boers and did great execution.

The wounded prisoners included General Kock, commander of the Boers, who ha=i since died of his wound 3, and General Joubert's nephew,

Among the numerous prisoners are Commandant Demeillion and Colonel Schiel (Commander of a German 00rp9.) Many Germans and Hollanders ai-9 among the captured. A train with nine British prisoners was captured. The transports for South Africa will ba convoyed by cruisers to beyond the Bay of Biscay. The British troops at Elands Laagte refuged shelter,, and carried he rocky height 3by a succession of t rushes.

They ceased firing when a white flag was shown by the other side. The Boers, however, poured a h^avy fire into the advancing rmn, which so enraged the British that thpy completed the taking of the blights in eharp fashion. The Gordon Highlanders declaim hat the assault was worse thaD Dirgai. The kilts worn by the Gordons offered a good mark for the Boer riflemen.

The Gordon Highlanders' casulfcies totalled 118, including four officers killed and nine wounded.

Major Samp3on, of the Imperial Light Horse, was severely wounded in the thigh. Eight other officers of the same regiment were also wounded. It is officially announced that 42 British were killed and 205 wounded it Elands Laagte, and 10 men are missing, The number of the enemy's guns captured in the storming of Impati Hill on Friday was six. The cannonade from General Joubert's northern column on Saturday was evidently intended to be preparatory to another attack. Bain and fog set in, however, and prevented the execution of the Boer general's plans. Large Boer columns are advanoing on Glencoe from the north and the west. A strong Boer commando is on the march from the direction of Mcl moth, in Zululand, The enemy show a large numerical superiority over the British. LieutenanUOolonel Yule, who is presumably leaving his wounded at Dundee, is concentrating his forces it Glencoe Junction. Dundee is still covered. Beinforcements are being sens from Maritzburg to Ladysmith.

Military critics explain LieutenantColonel Yule's movements as not a retreat, but merely a change of front in order to meet a different form of attack.

General Jbubert has informed President Kruger that CommandaDt Meyer lo3t ten killed and twenty-five wounded.

In his despatch General Jouberi blames Commandant Erasmus for Boer reverse on Friday.

Word has been received afc Capetown that Kimbsrley was safe on Sunday, the 220 d instant. The bad character given to the Boers has been ampsy justified by a treacherous act at Elands Laagfce.

Aft?r tb° Boprs hniaed the whte i\n<j Hi. E.«.«'ls Liugfuu a uuuibor of » tir-i-.s b.o "litnirsMiy fiied upon he inpenberß of the ambulance corp? who were attending the wounded. The Boer arrangements in both

battles were primitive and gave ample evidence of the want of organisation and acquaintance with military manoeuvres on their part.

The British nursed all the wounded alike, notwithstanding the brutality of some of the Boers.

Mr Cecil Rhodes commands the troops of rough riders at Kimberley. The Boers threaten Colesburg, south-west of Orange Free State, and the town is reported to be in grave danger.

The Boers are strongly posted at Springfonfceia, a township on the railway line, in the southern part of the Orange Free State.

The Lancers at Elands Laagte captured the projected Dutch Federation flag.