The record-union., 1899-12-14
Gen. Meihuen Attacks a Strong
Position Of the Beers,
But Was Forced to Retire Before the Ter
rifle Fire Of the Enemy.
Telegraphs That His Army Suffered
Great Loss, and Fell Back on
Modder River, Where It Is Now
in Security-General Wauchope
Killed in the Engagement.


Killed in the Engagement.
LONDON, Dec. 13.-The War Office
has received the following dispatch
from General Methuen, dated Tuesday,
December 18th:
Our artillery shelled a very strong
position held by the enemy in long,
high kopje from 4 until dusk Sunday.
1t rained hard last night.
THE Highland Brigade attacked at
daybreak on Monday the south end
of the kopje. The attack was prop
erly timed, but failed. The guards
were ordered to protect the Highlands
right and rear. The cavalry and
mounted infantry, with howitzer ar
tillery battery, attacked the enemy on
the left, and the guards on the right,
supported by field artillery and how
1tzer artillery. They shelled the posi-
ton from daybreak, and at 1:15 1 sent
the Gordons to support the Highland
Brigade. The troops held their own
in front of the enemy's entertainments
until dusk, the position extending, in
Guiding the kopje, for a distance of six
miles to the Modder River. To-day I
am holding my position and entrench-
ing myself had to face at least 12,-
GOO men. Our loss was great
General Forester Walker, telegraph
ing from Cape Town at $50 .. m, to-
day, sends the following dispatch from
Lord Methuen, dated Modder River,
Tuesday, December 18th, 80 p. M:
AS the Beers occupied their trenches
strongly this morning, retired in per-
feet order here, where I am in secur-
ity.
L have gathered from some of the
prisoners and from our men with the
ambulances, who talked with the
Beers that the enemy's losses We're ter
rible, some crops being completely
wiped out The Beers have been most
kind to my wounded
BRITISH SHOWED GREAT BRAY
cry
NORTH OF MODDER RIVER, Mon
day. Dec. 11.-Early yesterday evening
the Guards of the Highland Brigade
moved from the Modder River camp,
marching in the night, in a northeast
erly direction
The objective of the Highlanders was
the eastern spur of the Boer position.
the guards following the bank of the
river, while the Yorkshire Light In
fantty moved along the riverside. Just
before daybreak the Highlanders ar
rived within 200 yards of the Boer en-
trenchments at the foot of the hill. A
number of Beers were in the vicinity.
The British We're still marching quar-
ter column, in close order, when they
met terrible fire from the TANKS. and
We're forced to retire with heavy loss.
The troops reformed under the shell
Ter OF some rising ground, and gauantly
held their position Later the Cor
dons arrived, and the troops gradually
worked their way until within 300
yards of the Boer position, displaying
the greatest gallantry. In the mean
while, a naval gun at the Modder how
ltzer batteries, and the Horse Artillery
opened a terrific fire, enfilading the
trenches, and searching every portion
OF the Boer position. The Boer guns
We're entirely silent
In the meanwhile the Beers on the
open ground directly in front. moved
with. the object of making a flank at
tack. But this was frustrated by the
guards and artillery. The Beers re-
commenced Smelling in the evening but
no damage was done. The British slept
on their position. 1t is expected that
there will be a renewal of the fighting
tomorrow. The losses on both sides
were heavy.
The British casualties included the
Marquis of Winchester, Major of the
Second Battalion Coldstream Guards,
who was killed, and Colonel Downham
of the First Battalion Gordon High
landers, who was MORALLY wounded.
When the Highlanders met the muir
derous point-blank fire of the Beers
about 200 We're moved down. The
Black Watch Regiment, on reforming
was able to muster only 160 men. The
Beers lost heavily in the trenches, and
also in the wire ENHANCEMENT when
they came into the open in an attempt
to make flank attack upon the Brit
ish.
The terrific British artillery fire
evoked no response except from the
Boer rifles until nearly o'clock in the
afternoon, when the Gordon Highland
ers formed to renew the attack on the
entrenched kopje. They advanced with
the utmost gallantry to attack the
Beers, close to the place where lay their
dead and wounded comrades of the
Highland Brigade.
The enemy opened with a heavy
shrapnel fire as the British advanced
and it was found physically impossible
to take the Boer trenches. The British
got within 200 yards. but could not