The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-12-01
THE BATTLE AT BrLnOHx.


Cape Town, WOW 2S.-From the lew
details which have reached here of
Gen. Methuen's fight with the Beers
Thursday it appears that Beers, from
Fincham's farm, shelled an advance
body of the British Wednesday,, No
vember %. and the British artillery
was pushed forward and sheIIed hill
which the British subsequently occu-
pied, capturing two guns. The Boer
casualties were 80 men killed and
wounded.
The Boer main column left Finch
ans farm during The afternoon and
camped five miles ahead. At day
break Thursday the Beers fred from
the hills, 1000 yards distant. on the
British advance force. Other troops
were then pushed up and the engage
ment became general. The British ar
tillery made excellent practice and ST
fenced the Boer guns Then two bat
talions of the Grenadier guards and
the Northumberland regiment stormed
the heights at the point of the bayo-
net. Crossing the fire-zone amidst
storm of lead. the guards and North
understands pushed up the incline
and reached the summit, doing great
execution with their bayonets-
and capturing the lager. with
guns, equipment prisoners. cattle and
sheep. The entire position was car
ried by eight o'clock, the cavalry. con-
sisting of the Ninth Iancers and
mounted infantry, pursuing the flying
Beers.
The Beers. it is estimated. numbered
$500 men. Their loss is unknown.
London. Nov. 25.-The BaiIy Mail pub
fishes the following dispatch from Bel
mont. describing the battle:
The Beers held position which Prit-
ish troops would hold against almost any
force. The British victory Is complete
My estimate of the Beer losses is So killed
and 80 wounded. Mr.. Knight. correspond
ent of the London Morning Post vas
wounded The Boer prisoners are ignorant.
dirty and wretched. They say that half
their commando. tired of the war will re-
fuse further service The whole force Of
the fearful fight was borne by the .nfsn-
try. who were obliged to climb So feet
straight into a terrific stream of missiles
The Ninth iancers pursued the enemy with
great vigor: but the Beers, well mounted
and familiar with the hills, melted before
them. Possibly. however. our victory
would have been even more decisive had
We possessed more cavalry
Durham, Nov. 25.-An official message
from Gen. White at I.adysmTth. dated
November %. says: Situation un-
changed. Troops well and cheerful.
The Natal Advertiser confirms the
report of fighting near Willow Grange
1t says:
Five thousand British left Estcours
Wednesday afternoon for a reconnaissance
They surprised the Beers at three O'Clock
Thursday morning and occupied the Boer
position, bayonetting 50 Of the enemy At
daybreak the Beers opened with quick
frers. The British artillery was unable
to reach the Beers. and the BRITISH, posi-
ton, therefore, became untenabie and was
evacuated Subsequently the artillery was
brought into action, and the Beers fell
back. Their object having been attained,
the British returned TO Estcourt.-
Pretoria, Nov. 25.-Through the
courtesy of the TransvaaI authorities
correspondent. in the company of
Mr.. p. G.. Grobler, under secretary of
foreign affairs, and Mr.. DeSouze. Sec
rotary of the war department.. was
enabled to visit Winston Churchill
Friday at the model school. where he
is confined with the captured officers.
Beyond slight bullet wound in the
right hand he seemed we'll and looked
hearty, although naturally chatting un-
der enforced idleness. In the course
of the interview Mr.. Churchill said:
The Beers have treated us with much
kindness. This was the case from the
outset. On the journey here great
numbers of burghers crowded to see
u.s. but there was only one who made
insulting remarks, che others eour-
teously offering us cigarettes or show
ing such marks of attention.
Mr.. Churchill said the confinement
in the model school was close and Sc
we're. but under all the conditions he
had no grounds to complain. When
asked regarding his general impress
sions he said he had had many dis
cussions with the Beers as to the
rights OF war and had been much inn
pressed by the number who could
speak English. He had found that
most of them regretted the conflict.
asserting that it had arisen as the re-
suit of Misrepresentation. So far as
he could learn. however. the spirit of
the burghers in the field. despite their
privations- was most determined. and
there was no chance of an early peace.
Il fear" said Mr.. Churchill. that the
struggle will be bloody and pro-