GENERAL WHITE'S BIG TACTICAL BLUNDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 278, 23 November 1899, Page 9

GENERAL WHITE'S BIG TACTICAL BLUNDER.

A ' CLEVER . SCHEME

WHICH FAILED

BRITISH MAKE A RECON•ZNAISANCE IN-FORCE.-

BOERS CLOSE ON EITHER

FLANK

DIFFICULT. CHANGE OF : FRONT RENDERED NECESSARY. -' •.

American files by the Moana contain details of the battle round Ladysmith on Monday, October 29, in.connection with which Lieut. ..Carlton's battalions were cut off.

■On October 31. the London "Daily Telegraph" had the following account of t_e Ladysmith engagement from its special.correspondent at the front:

"An indecisive reeonnaisance occurred to-day. General Sir George Stewart White advanced before daybreak with; all the available forces from ka^s.siith,. : n ? o>'iri^.'toward i Txht;aypni Two brigades were xinder Colonels lan Hamilton and Howard,- and another, with Sir General Archibald Hunter,, went toward. Bnluwan, while two regiments, guided by Major Adye, marched on our extreme left beyond the "old camp. "The Boers were, found to.: be in great force at all points. Although we have seven batteries of artillery, their fire failed entirely to crush that of the enemy until our infantiy, the Fifth Lancers,,. pluckily rode across the enemy's front, and feigned a retreat. This, however, failed to entice the enemy out, the Boers only reply? ing with a shell fire. "This flank attack so developed that Colonel Hamilton had to reinforce our right with three batteries and the Gordon Highlanders, the Devonshire regiment, and the Manchester regiment at intervals. Our artillery then changed front, and a severe artillery duel ensued, the guns generously supporting the reinforcing infantry as they advanced. "Two batteries remained in action against the twelve-pounder, and quickfirers of the naval contingent came into action. The enemy had field pieces, machine guns, and a twelve-pounder. General White in the afternoon withdrew his forces upon Ladysmith. The losses on the Boer side- were considerable.