The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-11
Almost Exact Counterpart Of
Battle of NiCho|Son's Mex.
British Commander MisIed by Report of
CuldSS--The Disaster Has Caused
Feeling Of Depression.

London, Dec. 11.-Later details re-
garding the defeat of Gen. Gatacre's
column show that but for the magnl-
ficent work of the British artillery the
disaster would have been far more ex-
tensive, as the incessant Boer shell
fire in the midst OF the repulsed infan-
try ultimately led to disorder, which
only escaped developing into a rout
through the batteries of artillery oc-
cupying successive positions, covering
the retreat, thus drawing a portion of
the Beers CALLING fire. Apparently the
British were set an impossible task and
were treacherously guided. After a try
ing march Of sixteen hours they at
tackled the wrong part OF the Boer po-
sition, where the hill was impregnable
and the burghers were estimated TO
number 5000 men instead OF $500 The
spies had reported.
LIKE NICHOLSON'S MEX.
There is little in the story to mitigate
the intense humiliation occasioned by
the episode, which is almost an exact
counterpart OF the battle of Nicholson's
Mex. The war office is besieged with
anxious relatives and the successive
editions of the newspapers were eager
ly sought and scanned. Men and wo-
men were persistent in pleading for in
|. formation, but the authorities either
did not possess any, or have not pub
lished IL up TO the present. The affair
has caused the most depressing feeling
everywhere not excepting the Stock
exchange. where consols were at the
lowest price In many years. and South
African securities slumped not SO
much on account of the military re-
verse which is irretrievable. but owing
to the profound apprehension as to It's
political effect. No great surprise
verse resulted In Cape Colony becoming
afiame from end TO end.
TONE OF THE PRESS.
The afternoon newspapers. like the
morning newspapers. withhold the APP
portionment OF blame until they are
further acquainted with the facts and
take the reverse philosophically
The Pail Mall Gazette remarks: THE
country's calm will again surprise the
continent. If the blow is more serious
than it appears. neither the crown nor
the ministry will be i'm danger OF even
a single sedtous, vilifying howl I'm the
street. We have confidence i'm those
who are fghting for us and in their
directors"
GATACRE'S DEFEAT.
Early this morning the war office
published the following dispatch from
Gen. Forester Walker. dated at Cape
Town. Sunday;
"Gatacre reports: Deeply regret TO
inform you that / met with "a serious
reverse in the attack on Stormberg. /
was misled as 20 the enemy's position
by the guides. and found impracticable
ground.
ent. are:
Second battalion Royal Irish Rifles !
wounded: Iieut.-Col Eager Mai. |
Seaton. Capt. Bell. Capt Kelly, Lieut.. |
stephens. Lieut.. Barnardston.
"'Suffolk -WOunded Sec
ond Lieut.. Maynard; ~ men. Missing: |
cant. Weir. Lieut.. Christie, Second |
Lieut.. Rodney, 290 men.
Seventy fourth Field battery-Se- |
verelv wounded: Lieut.. Lewis. 3 men. |
Slightly wounded: Two men.
Seventy seventh Field battery
Killed: one gunner Wounded: Mai |
Perceval. -
ing. Mai stevens Capt. Fletcher. Capt. |
Morley, Second Lieut.. Wake, Second |
Lieut. Coulson, Lieut., Radcliffe and 300 |
non commits stoned officers and men.
"'Royal Berkshire regiment-Killed; |
one private.
"aThe remainder Of my casualties
will be wired as soon as ascertained."
POSITION IMPROBABLE.
Nolteno. Cape Colony. Dec. 11.-After
a hard battle with the Beers yesterday !
cen. Gatacre was driven back from |
Stormberg.
Gatacre's force left Putter's Kraal by 1
train for Molteuo, and then proceeded. I
Nv forced march. ~ miles toward I
Stormberg. The force comprised 5000 /
mon including the Northu ~SberlaDd /
FusiIlers the Royal Irish Rifles and |
two batteries Of field artillery.
The British were unmolested until |
sbe Roer position was reached when. |
NJ AIS a. m. hot fire was unexpect- |
edlv opened upon the advancing column |
The engagement continued until Z n.
m when after A sharp artillery duel, |
Tho british retired 20 Molteno.
Cen. Gatacre found the enemy's posi- |
tion impregnabie. and Il was impossi- |
bic for the British infantry Co get at |
the Beers.
cen. Gatacre's movement may be |
termed "A reconnaissance In force Its |
object was TO ascertain the strength OF |
the Dosition OF the Bocrs. who we're
strongly enfrcnched along the Storm
berg range. lie left Putter's Kraal |
about noon Yesterday. with a fighting
force slightly over 5000 men.
Leaving Molteno at o'clock at night
he made a memorable night march
over the rocks and veldt. There was no