The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-02
SOUTH AFRICA,
DETAILS OF THE RECENT DISASTER
TO THE british.
A Fair and Overwhelming Victory for
BoeFs-Tho Matter In the HOnse Of
COmmORS-HtNtemen Of See.
EetRFy ChIIdeEH Con-
CerDinE the Affair.

LONDON, March l.-Geuersl Roberts
will have, by the time he arrives at Natal,
a force Of 1900 men,
Detailed accounts received to-day render
1t cersain that the British were driven
from speizkop, because they were fairly
beaten in the fight, The most moderate
estimate places the loss at 800 killed and
wounded; The latter lay exposed 10 the
heGVy ram from Sunday afternoon until
early monday morning, A correspondent
with General Colley's forces al Spetz.
kop, gives the following account Of the
engagement: Spetzkop is about. 3 900 yards
from the boers position. Two companies
were left at BoeE Hite, and the remainder
oil the troops tolled up the bill, which was
very. steep and difficult to ascend, on
hands and knees, It was impossible 10
have carried up even the mountain guns
Had we had these the result might have
been different, The whole force reached
the summit before daylight, and about 8
a, N. began firing. The Beers had no vi.
detts posted and were completely sur.
prised, but promptly returned fire. Our
men had little cover, although somewhat
better than at lngogo river. We estimate
the number Of Boers at Boghill at about
1900. Up TO midday their loss was certain.
y heavier than ours. General Colley was
conspicuous for Coolness and courage. He
kept up q constant communication with
the camp by signal Shortly alter noon
the Beers lire, which heretofore had aver.
aged about fifty shots per minute, in
creased to terrific volley. Our
men were unable to Withstand 1t.
They wavered and were rallied; wayered
again and ran In general confusion. The
Beers climbed to the summit OF the hill
and followed them with terrible fire as
they went down the other side.
This correspondent was captured by the
Bores, who treated him well and gave him
0 pass to return to camp. He identified
the bedy Of General CoIley on the field.
In the House Wilford Lawson asked
whether any orders were given restraining
the army In Transvaal from advancing
until the result oil the negotiations with the
Beers was known.
Childers, Secretary Of War, regretted
b inability TO make any statement re-.
garding the communications between Gen,
Colley and the Beers or instructions 10
Gen. Colley particularly, aS In consequence
Of Colley's death he Is not quite sure OF
the position Of the negotiations. Ohilders
also said that the loss Of life In the recent
engagement between Gen. Colley's forces
and the Beers had been exaggerated.
Thirty.fve officers and 893 men were en-.
gagged. Three officers were killed, nine
wounded and seven taken prisoners.
The total number OF Killed was SO;
wounded, l2l; taken prisoners or missing,
30. Besides the reiniorcements already an.
nounced, II is decided to prepare three
further infantry regiments to be shipped
from Gibraltar and Malta. He had asked
General Wood to state II he required more
transport mules and horses for cavalry and
artillery. A bs sttery Of artillery and pos.
sibly a regiment Of cavalry will be sent 10
Natal, and further volunteers from the
army OF the reserve will be invited to keep
up the strength Of the regiments already
In Natal.