Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-23
AS Described by Telegraph
Correspondent.
LIEUT.. ROBERTS DEATH
He Was Attempting to Get a Gun Out
of the Way When He Was Struck
by a Shell-The BOer Trenches
Are Well Defended.

London. Dec. %, 4:45 a. m.-Belated
South African dispatches throw no light
on the present situation at the seat of
war. There is no confirmation of the re-
port hat Ladysinith could hold out sew
eral weeks longer n it is feared that
this was circulated by the Beers for their
OWE purposes.
1t is hoped that Mr.. Winston Churchill
having arrived safely at Dalagoa bay,
will soon be heard from regarding cond;-
'tions in the Transvaal, as he must have
obtained important Information.
a Capetown dispatch dated Sunday, De-
cember II, reports that Commandant
Diedricks of the Boer forces was killed
i'm a reconnoiter engagement, but no de-
tails are given. Advices from Naauw-
poort describe everything as quiet there
and the only fresh news from Arundel
concerns uhe weather, which is EXCESSIVE
ly hot.
The Daily Telegraph has a special from
Chieveley dated December Is, which tells
now Lieutenant Roberts, son OF Lord
Roberts, fell at Tugela river. It says:
THE horses of the Fourteenth and Sixty
sixth batteries had been killed and Lieu
tenant Roberts, Captain Schofield and
Captain Congreve of the rifles, attempted
with gun volunteers to drag out the guns,
Captain Schoiield succeeded, helped by
a corporal and some men.
Lieutenant Roberts was hit by a shell.
Captain Congreve was struck and wound
ed slightly. After awhile. Captain Con-
greVe, Captain Foster and Major Baptie
brought Lieutenant Roberts from the
open into a little ravine where he lay hid
den from the enemy's terrible fire.
Fourteen gunners, 16 men of the De-
VoEshire regiment and - men were with
Colonel Bullock. When THE retirement
was ordered these mon with iao1atn1 nav
ties OF Devonshires and Scots fusileers,
together With some gunners, were cut off
and captured. Many fought until late
1n the afternoon, a part of the Irish run
ming the gauntlet of the Boer Mausers
from hiding places along the river bank.
'At 5 p. M. 40 Beers approached The
abandoned guns. On espying Colonel
Bullock, Captain Congreve and the others
in the ravine they called upon the Brit
ish to surrender. Colonel Bullock de-
clined and threatened to shoot, although
his party had only four rifles. The Beers
retired from the guns and a parley en-
sued.
Then 100 Beers rode up Within a, few
yards of the party, but Colonel Bullock
sWore he would not be mad a prisoner.
Whereupon a Boer knocked him down.
with his rifle butt.
"Afterward the enemy gave our wound
ed water and cordials. Then, having
taken all their arms, ammunition and
field glasses, they let them return by our
am%bulances. Colonel Bullock, Colonel
Hunt, Major Walter and Captain Good
win were taken prisoners. The Scots
fusileers lost nearly two companies of
captured"
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Chieveley dated Dec. II. estimated the
casualties in Genera Buffers repulse at
1,150, including 1872 missing. Tt announces
that a portion of the British troops have
returned to Frere."
A correspondent Of the Associated Press
at Modder river, under date of Dec. II.
describing the changes in the art of war
fare, says: ut would be impossible to
take such a position as Magersfontein by
assault. The modern battle. owing to
the length of rifle m Will last six
days, where foremrly it would only have.
LASTED a few hours.
THE fBoer trenches, which are rather
like underground dwellings than trenches
always promise safe means of retreat