THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6647, 20 November 1899, Page 3

THE BATTLE OF ELANDSLAAGTE.

THE OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. OTHER ACCOUNTS. BRAVERY ON BTOH SIDES. (Received Nov. 20, 9.20 a.m.) ADELAIDE, Nov. 20. Details of the fighting at Elandslaagte, I supplied by the Wan Intelligence Department, show that General White was present, but left the command to Major-General French, while Colonel Hamilton commanded the infantry. The report states that after heavy fighting the position was carried with. ; great gallantry, the enemy resisting with great courage and tenacity until the hist. The Fifth Lancers and a squadron of the Fifth Dragoons charged thrice through the retreating Boers. BOER COURAGE. During the infantry advances, t*he Boers seized every opportunity of coming into ! action, and behaved with great courage. | They served their artillery whenever they could find an opportunity, but their guns were silenced as soon as they opened fire. THE ENEMY'S LOSSES. The Boer loss was considerable, including a large number of wounded and unwounded prisoners. The British captured two guns and the whole camp equipment and horses. The provision train previously captured by the Boers was recaptured, and nine British prisoners were recovered. BRITISH GALLANTRY. The Imperial and Colonial troops behaved with conspicuous gallantry. Other accounts state that the- Boers fought most stubbornly until the Gordons and Light Horse got rouhd on their right flank, and drove them back on their own main position. A sharp fusillade followed, which lasted for a minute. Tho Boers did not wait for the bayonet, but ran for a kopje, under a hot fire. After the battle the Boer artillery continued firing at long range, but was ineffective. BOER STATEMENTS. One Boer said that if he had known the English could shoot so well he would never have fought. Another said that he knew he was fighting for a lost cause. A third expressed surprise at having to shoot at Kharkee. He expected he was to shoot at red-coats and white collars. HARROWING SCENES. The scene on the battlefield was awful. The gropais of the badly wounded, mingled with the cries of those less injured, created a perfect babel. Amongst the captured wounded is Blingnawat, a Avell-known Boer cyclist.