The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-19

London, December 16., 12:45 a. m.-
The war office has received a dispatch
announcing that General Butler mas
met with a serious reverse, losing ten
guns.
General Butler was attempting to
cross the Tugela river. Finding it i'm
possible to effect his object, he ordered
a retirement in order to avoid greater
losses. He left eleven, guns behind.
The following is the text of General
Buffers dispatch announcing his re-
verse:
Butler to LansdoWne; Chievely camp
December 18th, 500 p. m.:
Il regret to report q seriOu reverse.
l moved in full strength from our camp
near Chievely at 4 O'Clock this morning.
There are two fOrdable places in the
Tugela river and it was my intention
to force passage through at one OF
them. They are about two miles apart.
My intention was to force one or the
other with one brigade, supported by
a central brigade. General Hart was
to attack the left drift, Cen
eral Hildyard the right road and Gem
eral LyttletOn was to take the centre
and to support either. Early in the day
L saw that General Hart would not be
able to force a passage and [ directed
MN to withdraw. He had, however.
attacked with great g~allantry and his
leading battalion, the Connaught rang
ers, L fear, suffered a great deal. Co.
lionel l. G. Brooke was seriously wound
ed.
Il then ordered General Hildyard to
advance, which he did and his leading
regiment, the East Surrey, occupied
Colenso station and the houses near the
bridge. At that Ome I heard that
the Whole artillery I had sent to support
the attack-the Fourteenth and Sixty
sixth field batteries, and six naval r.
FOUNDER quick firing-under Colonel
Long, had advanced close to the river
in Longs desire to be within effective
range. 1t proved to be full of the
enemy who suddenly opened a CALLING
fire at close range, killing all their
horses, and the gunners were compelled
to stand to their guns. Some of the
wagon teams got shelter for troops in
a dOnga, and desperate efforts were
adopted to bring out the field guns.
The fire, however, was too severe and
only two were saved by Captain Schoe-
field and some drivers whose names I
will furnish.
Another most gallant attempt with
three teams was made by am officer,
whose name I will obtain. Of the
eighteen horses, thirteen were killed,
and as several drivers were wounded I
would not allow another attempt, as ii
seemed that they would be a she'll
mark, sacrificing life to a gallant at
tempt to force the passage. Unsup-
ported by artillery, I directed the troops
to withdraw, which they did in good
order.
Throughout the day a considerable
force of the enemy was pressing on my
right flank, but was kept back by
mounted men under Lord Dundonald
and part of General Barton's brigade.
The day was intensely hot and most
trying on the troops, whose cOnduct
was excellent. We have abandoned
ten guns and lost by shell fire one. The
losses in Genera Harris brigade are,
/ fear, heavy, although The proportion
of severely Wounded is, l hope, not
large. The Fourteenth and Sixty-sixth
field batteries also suffered severe
losses. We have retired to our camp
at Chievely."
London, December ia special dis
patch received here today from Frere
camp says that simultaneously with
the bombardment of Colenso a furious
artillery duel commenced between the
garrison of Ladysmith and the Beers
on Umbulwan hill.
A BOER REVERSE.
The war office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from the officer COM
manding at Arrange river, Thursday,
December 18th:
Yesterday part of the mounted in
fantry, under Captain Bradshaw and
the Yorkshires and Ua~ncashires guides,
under Lieutenant MacFarlane, patrol-
ed in the direction of Ramah and Zout-
SDor I~;Ht n hn1rt ttnn miles 1NoCt of the
Orange river, to re%connoitre and report
the strength of the enemy reported to
be holding the drift. The mounted in
fantry found a strong detachment of
the enemy at the drift and a sharp en-
gagement ensued. The enemy ulti-
mately retreated to Goemansberg.
Captain Bradshaw and three men We're
killed; Lieutenant Gregson, of the East
KentS. and seven men were
Tia Beers had five men killed and sew
eTal wounded"
MATHUEN REVIEWS THE FIGHT.
Pretoria, December 12.-The official
announcement has been made: Cen
eral Cronje reports that yesterday
There was desultory fighting TIL 8
o'clock, when heavy cannon fire was
resumes The Scandinavians stormed
a difficult position, but it became un-
tenGable and they suffered severely. l
was unable to send help. The British
were in overwhelming force. but must
have had at least two thousand men
put out of action, either in killed or
wounded"
Another official report from Cape
Town FInnhart a There were no
signs of surrender, the burghers fight
ing with conspicuous bravery and
maintaining their positions under
heavy British fire. Our cannon were
of very little use. The British were
greatly assisted by balloons. Twenty
fou ambulances were working PACK
ward and forward etwee The hght>
ing line and the enemy's camp. Our
loss is not definitely known. / estimate
it at 100 killed and wounded"
A telegraph operator at the Modder
river wires: Gun and Maxim nr1ng
has been proceeding since $50 O'Clock
this morning. At 10 O'Clock c~annonad-
ing was proceeding and at 2 O'Clock tine
S-Lt;or uyoc ren0rtpd TO he varv severe.