Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-03
HEAVY BRITISH LOSS.
WHOLE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES
AT THE MODDER, 43s.
CLERY'S WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN.
II IL Thought That General May
Turn Up on Flank or in Rear OF
Joubert-Papcr Famine Due to
Enormous Sale of Newspapers.

LONDON. December 2.-As surmised,
the British dead and wounded at the
hard-fought battle OF the Modder river
number hundreds. Up to o'clock this
afternoon only the bare to-day. i3S. Of
which number % were killed. had been
given out
The meagre official dispatch giving a
list Of the British casualties at the Mod
der river and announcing the bare fact
that Lord Methuen is still there. await
ing endorsements. is only supplemented
by a brief special message from Cape
Town tonight, stating that the Beers
destroyed the bridge over the Modder
river before the battle, and arc now con-
centrating at spytfontein. where the Anal
battle before Kimberley is relieved Is
expected to take place.
METHUEN MAY NOT HAVE CROSSED
Tho censor has apparently stopped all
press messages from the front relating
to the battle, which IS not regarded as
favorable indication. AS to the material
results OF Lord Methuen's engagement, it
IS not yet clear whether Lord Methuen's
force actually crossed the Modder river,
or is still awaiting the rebuilding OK the
bridge before the artillery and cavalry
! can cross In any case, the railway must
be carried over the bridge bofCro tho In
dispensable big naval guns can pass, as
Lord Methuens last message showed that
they were worked on trucks alonS the
railroad.
1t is a significant fact that Lord
Methuen's cablegram makes no mention
Of the Boer loss. which, therefore, IL as
sumed 10 be small.
DUTCH JOINING BOERs.
4 dispatch from Cape Town this eve
ming says Lord Alethuens advance I'M
doubtedly is beginning 70 affect tho Boer
| strategy, and probably explains the with
drawaI from Mool river. The Continued
presence Of commandos IN Cape Colony
/ tends 70 confirm the opinion that the
/ Beers are making desperate efforts to re-
/ cruit their forces from the Dutch resi-
dents
While it IS impossible 10 obtain exact
statistics. it IS absolutely certain that the
! di5afIeoted Dutch have Joined the Beers
! i'm great numbers which are still increaS-
/ ing Most OF the Beers, however, are
young men, General Buffers message
| clearly indicating that the punishment
for disloyalty had deferred the holders
Of farms from Joining the Beers, through
fear Of contscation OF their property.
THE L.ADYSBIrH RELIEF.
The latest news from Natal indicates
that tho bulk OF the Ladysmith relief
force has arrived at Frere, though there
IL considerable conjecture as 10 tho
WHEREABOUTS Of General Clery. whose
movements have not been chronicled re-
! Gently.
1t is surmised IN some quarters that he
may reappear IN totally unexpected
quarter. on tho flank, or in tho rear Of
| General Joubart's force, which IS sup
posed 10 DO concentrated al Grobelaar' )
Kloof, north Of the Tugela river. AS Gen
eral Hhdyard's advance guard was IN
touch with the Beers as long ago as
Tuesday last, developments should not lie
long delayed.
COLENSO BRIDGE DESTROYED.
Dundonald's mounted force, November
18th. accompanied by four guns. went III
pursuit Of a body OF Beers returning TO
Colenso. They followed the Beers 10
within two and half miles OF Colenso'
when the Beers replied 10 the BRUSH
shells with long-range guns. There were
no casualties. Colenso bridge, II IS added,
was afterwards blown up
Another detachment OF 5000 British
troops sailed tor South Africa to-day.
PAPER FAMINE.
on account OF the phenomenal sale OF
nawspa pers. Consequent upon the war, a
paper famine Is threatened. II Is report
| cd that the American supplies have iall-
/ Cd temporarily.