Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-12-05

hundreds. Up to 2 o'clock this afternoon
only the bare total, 1873, of which num-
Der seventy three were killed, had been
given out. So it is impossible to deduct
from the butchers bilf' such informa-
ton regarding the nature Of the fight as
details as to losses of the different units
generally indicate.
From Gen. Forester Walkers dis
patch it is proven that all reports Of Gen.
Methuens advance after the battle of
Modder river were premature, though,
with the railroad working, he should not
be long in constructing a temporary
bridge. His enforced delay, doubtless,
will be of considerable service in giving
his hard-puShed column needful rest, and
in allowing the arrival of reinforcements,
of which he must be sorely in need, aft
er three such fights, placing hors de
combat upwards of thousand men out
of less than 1000.
Gen Forestier-W Walkers announce
ment that the Canadian marksmen and
other reinforcements have been pushed
forward to the neighborhOod of the
Orange river, to protect Gen. Methuen,s
line of communication, has relieved much
anxiety here. where it was fully expect
ed the Beers would attempt to attack
the vulnerable points CT the line of COM
munlcation.
Relief Of Ladysmith.
The latest news from Natal indicates
the bulk OF the Ladysmith relief force
has arrived at Frere, though there is
considerable conjecture as to the where
abouts of Gen. Clery, whose movements
have not been chronicled recently. 1t IS
surmiSed in some quarters that he may
reappear in Il totally unexpected quarter,
on the flank or rear of Gen. Joubert's
force, which is supposed to be cencen-
trated at Grobelaar's kloff, north OF the
Tugela river. AS Gen. Hildyard's adj
vance guard was in touch with the Beers
ments should not be long delayed.
Dundonald's mounted force, November
3D. accompanied by four guns, went III
pursuit of a body of Beers returning to
Colenso. They followed the Beers to
within two and half miles of Colenso,
shells with long-range guns. There were
no casualties. Colenso bridge, 1t is add
ed. was afterwards blown up.
Another detachment of 5000 British
troops sailed for South Africa today.
Hungry for War News.
Owing to the phenomenal sale of the
newspapers consequent upon the war a
paper famine is threatened. 1t is report
ed that the American supplies have tenn
porarily failed.
The revised list of Modder river cas-
men, is divided as follows
Ninth Lancers, l wounded; engineers, |
2 wounded; artillery, killed, % wound
ed; Second Coldstreams 10 killed, So |
wounded; Third Grenadiers, 8 killed. 3S |
wounded missing; Scots guards, 10 |
berland Fusiliers II killed, 81 wounded; |
First Northumberland, 5 wounded; Sec
end Yorkshire, 8 killed, A wounded;
First North Lancashire, 3 killed, 4 |
wounded: Argyll and Sutherland High |
landers Is killed, 95 wounded, 2 miss |
ing: First Coldstreams, 20 wounded
South African reserve, l wounded: Med |
ical corps, / wounded.
Is Retreat Cut OFF?
Berlin. Dec. 2.-The Deutsche Warte |
announces, apparently on the authority |
of DR.. Leyds, the agent of the Trans |
vaal, that Gen. Methuen is unable to |
cross the Modder river, and that his re-
treat is cut off by Commandment Delar-
rave, who is operating near kaffirs Kop. |
Lourenco Marques, Nov. 27.-Seyeral |
ambulance trains from Pretoria went in |
the direction Of the Orange Free State |
yesterday. It is evident that heavy fight
ing is expected in that neighborhood dur |
ing the coming week.
Massing on Spytfontein.
Kimberley, Nov. "A, via Cape Town,
Dec. 1.-The Beers have blown up two |
large culverts on the railway line toward |
Spytfontein.
The proximity of Gen: Methuen's re
lieving column greatly cheers the garri- |
son. It is believed the greater number
Of the Beers have gone to Spytfontein.
An armored train this afternoon made
a reconnaissance toward Dronfeld but |
the Beers fired FIVE cordite shells from |
their guns, and the train retreated The |
enemy this afternoon is firing at the res
ervoir fort from Wimbledon bridge.
An official estimate is that the Beers |
have fired 1000 shells during the bonn
bardment. Their explosive effect was
neutralized by the frequency with which |
they fell in soft, sandy ground. The
British have fired 600 shells
Cape Town. Dee. 2.-Traffic between |
East London and Stormberg is interrupt
ed, owing to the destruction of the |
Steynsburg bridge.
Situation UNCHANGED.
London, Dec. 2.-The war office has re-
ceived the following from Gen Forester
Walker:
Cape Town, Friday, Dec 1-Gen. Great,
acre reports no change in situation. Gen. |
French has made a reconnaissance from
Naauwpoort to Rosmead. The troops re- !
turned today. Gen Methuen's flesh wound |
is slight. He is remaining at Modder river
for the reconstruction of the bridge. Am |
reinforcing him with Highlanders and a /
cavalry corps. Horse artillery the Canadian I
regiment, Australian cOntlngentS and three |
battalions of infantry moved up to the De |
Aar and Belmont line.
Mafeking May Fall.
The news from Mafeking is satisfac-
tory. 1t is clear that Col. Baden-Powell |
has no idea of surrender, but still it is
beginning to be felt here that his posi- |
ton is a most anxious one. Unless the |
Beers voluntarily raise the siege it is not /
seen how the garrison can be relieved be-
fore Christmas, at the earliest.
Military officials here are limiting that |
Mafeking may possibly fall, and it is adj
mitted that it was mistaken policy that |
ever dictated the order that it be held |
Certainly Col. Baden-Powel, by his
plucky defense, has gained the highest |
encomiums at home of all leaders since
the beginning of the war.
Do Not Want Mediation.
Brussels. Dec. 2-At the Transvaal le-
cation in Brussels, presided over by DR.. |
w. j. Leyds, it was said that the Beers
and their European representatives do