Iron County register., 1899-11-30
ANOTHER DESPERATE BATTLE.
Lord Mefhuen Again Engages the
Beers Opposing His March to the
Relief of Kimberly.

London, Nov. 26.-This afternoon the
war office posted the following dis
patch, dated Cape Town, 1920 p. II.
to-day, from Gen. Forester Walker:
Opposed by q Body of Beers.
''Lord Methuen reports that he
moved yesterday Saturday at $3.50 a.
m, with the Ninth brigade, the mount
ed corps, the naval brigade and two
batteries, the guards following with
the baggage. Near Gras Pan (about
ten miles north of Belmont, on the rail-
way line to Kimberly 1850 Beers with
six guns and two machine guns, OPP
posed him. The action began at 8.
a. M.
The Fighting Was Desperate.
Our batteries fired shrapnel very ac-
curately till the heights seemed clear.
Then the naval brigade and infantry
advanced to the assault. The fighting
was desperate until 10 a. m, when the
heights were carried. The Beers re-
treated on the line, where the Ninth
lancers were placed to intercept them.
The result was not known at the time
of telegraphing. The artillery took
immediate advantage of the enemy's
retirement.
Gallantry of the Naval Brigade.
early in the action 400 Beers at
tackled our rear guard. The brigade Of
guards met this and also protected the
afnks. The naval brigade acted with
the greatest gallantry and suffered
heavily, but no particulars are yet
known.
Enemy Suffered Greatly.
The enemy showed the greatest stub
bornness and must have suffered
greatly. Twenty were buried. 1t is
known that 81 were killed and Is
wounded. More than so horses were
found dead in one place. One battery
fred 500 rounds.
Honorable Mention
'sOur force must halt one day at
Gras Pan to rest and replenish am
munition. The force worked splendid
ly and is prepared to overcome many
difficulties. The naval brigade, the
Royal marines, the light infantry and
the first battalion of the North Lam
cashire regiment especially distin-
guished themselves.
Result of Thursday's Fight.
Regarding Thursdays fight 81 Beers
killed are accounted for. Sixty-four
wagons were burned, large quantity
of powder, $4,000 rounds of ammuni-
tion and $50 shells were blown np.
Commandant Albrecht (chief of the
Orange Free State artillery, com.
manded the Boer artillery. Gen.
Rclewy was in chief command"
Mashed Some of the Beers Big Guns.
Durham, Saturday, Nov. 25.-Advices
from Mooi river say that Kaffir,
brought in Saturday, who was i'm
pressed at Johannesburg and allotted
to Gen. Joubert as a servant, asserts
that Gen. Joubert and four sons, with
a commando, are coming south. The
Kaffir estimates the Boer strength at
from 1000 to 5000 men. According to
his story the British smashed one or
two of the enemy's big guns at Lady
smith.
There was heavy thunderstorm at
Mooi river Saturday night. All is
quiet there, and two guns for the naval
brigade have arrived.
Didn't Wait for the Charge.
Cape Town, Nov. 25.-On the arrival
of the Belmont wounded, with the
Boer prisoners taken in that engage
ment, most of the wounded will be
lodged in Beaufort hospital, where 125
beds have been prepared.
One of the prisoners who was wound
ed in the Orange river engagement, on
being asked what he thought of the
British bayonet charge, answered:
Almighty. Do you think l waited
for that?''
A Reconnaissance I'm Force.
Durham, Nov. 26, noon-Advices
from Mooi river announce a recon-
naissance in force, with the troops still
out.
A Rebuke to the Beers.
Cape Town, Nov. 27.-The Cape Ar
gus says: Lord Methuen's letter to
the Boer commandant warned him that
the British commander would not rec
ognize anything but flag of truce,
adding: To place a white bandker-
chief on rife and to take advantage
of your enemy is a cowardly action,
which neither you nor L can counte-
nance"
In Communication With Kimberly.
London, Nov. 27.-A further dispatch
from Cape Town, dated Saturday, says:
'The officers. non-commissioned Off
GERS and men in the hospital at Nyn-
berg are doing well, except a driver
and a gunner, both Of whom are seri-
orsly i'll. Two privates have died OF
preume MIA. The Belmont wounded are
due here tomorrow by the ambulance
train. Lord Methuen is in photographic
communication with Kimberly
Sir Redvers Butler.
Durham, Nov. 26.-Sir Redvers Butler
looking the pink of health, arrived
here last evening and Immediately pro-
ceeded up the country in the COVER
nor's car. He was enthusiastically
cheered by the people.
Beers Occupy Stormberg.
Cape Town, Nov. 27.-The Beers oc-
cupied Stormberg, Cape Colony, Sun
day morning.
Communication Restored.