New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-05
SAVED BY BRITISH VALOR.
. STRATEGY PROTECTED THE EN-
POSED BATTALIONS AT MOD
nED pINEp
DER RIVER.
rsr CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

lpY CABLE TO THE TRlBINb.J
Ndon, Dec. g. a. m.-There was hardly a
mi. gleam of light from Darkest Africa" at
r.rlrht. General Buffers plan Of campaign
the Tugela is a closely guarded military
srsi which battles the ingenuity of the Keen
E military writer's in to-days Journals out
s.y are all hoping that the spirit OF strategy Is
reiing over the darkness The latest rumors
tn Ladysmith indicate that the bombardment
! hd been renewed with more vigor and there IS
10 lsls tale from Durham that papers captured
ron the enemy prove that President Kruger
lad expected 10 be on the coast dictatlng peace
.y this time
From the Modder River a series or meian-
choy Bulletins has been received by the war
Office recording the deaths among the wounded
soldiers The valorous Count Gleichen is recoV-
erng As two casualties are reported from the
No3ier River as occurring four days after the
zig battle. II is safe to conclude that Loro
Neihuen was still there on Saturday and that
there had been fresh outpost affair.
From Care Town the arrival OF portion OF
as hovitzer battery. which would have been so
sss.ul in Lord Methuen's battles. is announced.
The breaking up OF the transport Ismore is also
'F"'Ar2f WIN lNr loSS u wv
aoisss but most Of the guns have been saved
MAGNIFICENT. BUT NOT WAR.
Military comment upon the battle Of Modder
HVs', OF which several detailed accounts nave
Teen published runs in single directlon-the
Strategy Of General Methuen was not equal 10
hs valor Of the British soldiers. They were
ansd upon 20 attack semicircular position
uoc md dpfQn6P6
superior force. when their own advance was
'Hnlaoed on both sides 1t was magninceh''
Ay The critics. but not war. and Methuen's tac-
Nps ought not 20 be initiated on the Tugeia'
we competent authority lays stress upon the
.''' mat in eight out of nine severe battles
%usht during the campaign the British have
-''aohed strong positions directly in front, ana
=" seven OF them have used the bayonet French
: 'ne ohiy general who has turned the enemys
= =, 09'''On' and this was doEe toward the close OF
"sagement at Elandslaagte. General Meth
""S Hung Infantry battalions against strong
'''"S IN three battles without waiting 10
~, "'ie or attempt any turning movement
s'''ish Valor has saved the situation every
-ae even when It has required the work OF a
''e' as at Modder River. These tactics may
A. '+N'4 lilr MASSES, Dut HIIIldIS nv"
-. w hesitate 10 say that the British Infantry
artillery.
~ s 1'edIest account OF the battle is furnished
=, me Tines correspondent He describes 1t
YPehins with a feint on the extreme British
a, ana as closing al dusk after a portion OF
np,. 'ih'h Brigade had crossed the river by
,,.,.' 'H On the extreme left, while the Boer
.,.r, ''hs were heavily shelled by the British
During ten hours the entire army had
~. 1nuef hre on a line five miles long, both
suffering severely. and the Scots
y. - ios'ns Maxim gun. This correspond
-. ''a'es that night fell on an undecided vic
A.. ana thereby confirms the previous express
"at General Methuen could only claim
~ tactical advantage when he sent his bull
~" " the War Office. General CronJe, how
!. :" nae begun 70 evacuate his positions, taking
\, suns with him, and the Guards followed the
-" brigade across the river next morning.
retirement Of the Beers converted an inde-
e engagement into a victory won under
'' disadvantage by the invincible gallantry
me British soldiers
'ner accounts Of the battle deal In greater
MI with the terrible FIRE to which the Guards