The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-11

hind a neighboring kopje and were
speedily Joined by the remainder of the
column 1t was soon found, however,
that this position also was covered by
BOer guns, which We're more powerful
than had been supposed. The troops,
therefore, sought a safer position about
half mile away, two batteries in the
meantime engaging the Beers and COW
ering the troops in their withdrawal
The action had become general at
long range and a detachment of mount
ed infantry moved northward with a
view of gatling on the enemy's right
flank. Suddenly a strong commando
was seen moving from the north and
! the Royal Irish rifles and the North
umberland regiment We're sent out to
meet it.
1t was soon discovered. however, that
the Beers had machine guns well placed
and the British were compelled to face
q terrible fire. Finding it impossible to
hold the position in the face of an en-
emy apparently superior in position,
numbers and artillery, the British re-
tired on MOltenO, the Beers following
up the retirement closely and bringin e
two big guns to bear on the retiring
MUST SEND MORE TROOPS.
London, Dec. 1L-Discussing the de-
feat of Gen Gatacre at Stormberg, the
quite apart from the loss of 500
fighting men the unexpected success of
the Beers viii probably cause a more
general and serious movement among
the Cape Dutch. The government must
necessarily face this by the immediate
dispatch of further troops.''
The Daily News says:
The reverse Gen. Gatacre has suffer-
ed is a sad example of the peculiar diff
Guilty of military operations in a semi
disaffected country. The enemy's spies
are everywhere and nowhere can we re-
ly confidently on any counter infOrma-
tion. Gen. Gatacre seems to have been
completely trapped. OF course he will
be Immediately refnfOrced-'
The DailV Chronicle saws.
There is only too much reason to
fear that this is the worst Illustration
we have had yet of inadequate equip
ment and insufficient scouting. How
far this disaster was due to lack of
judgment on the spot and how far to
lack of artillery is not quite clear but
the patient public can not help recall
ing that Gen. Methuens 5 victory at Mod
der river was won by artillery rein
forcement at the critical moment and
all they would like to know is how
many times this particular lesson is to
be learned"
The Standard says:
THE event is in the highest degree
depIorable. 1t viii tell against US un-
favorably in the Free State among the
colonial Dutch and even among the ma
tiVeS- great deal of evidence has
been accomplishing during the past
weeks to show how deeply the colony,
or at least the northern and western
portions of it are hOney-combed by dis
affection. Our generals have to cope
Will q it-DEl COlOAiy d. wen cS WITH NOS
tile republics and to lay their plans in
accordance with the details
NICHOLSON'S MEX REPEATED.
New York Dec. IA dispatch to
the Tribune from London says:
The British forces in South Africa
have met with signal defeat. This
sensational news was officially an
nOunced from the war office at mid
night, Gen. Gatacre admitting that he
had met with a serious reverse in an
attack yesterday morning on Storm
in NT~1-f f.lTV fT1F EvNTr n
British general says he was misled by
guides as to the Boer position, and
found ''impracticable ground" Appar-
emily, he was caught in an ambush as
his casualties as at present known, are
alarming. The numbers of dead and
wounded cannot be considered excess
sive in the circumstances but the enOr-
nous numbers reported missing sug-
gest that the enga cement must not
have been unlike NichOlsonS Mex, when
Gen. White lost so heavily
Gen. Methuens army is known to
have been heavily reinforced at Modder
river with infantry, cavalry and artil-
lery, while Gen. WauchOpes Highland
brigade has largely increased the num-
ber of bayOnets available for frontal
attack. The necessity for this costly
method of warfare has been obviated
by the presence of a full brigade of
cavalry commanded by Gen. Rabing-
ton. This brigade includes three regi-
ments of cavalry and a strong body of
provincial horse. Two powerful bat
y
ded. with mobility nearly equal to
that OF cavalry. Methuen'S army can
not number less than 1860 men, and its
manOeuVer1ng power has been increaS-
ed until there is slight justification for
froRtal attacks made without adequate
Reconnaissance and scouting. Military
men assume that he has not left Mod
der river until the section of the Howit-
zer battery with lyddite ammunition
has arrived.
Gen Buffers admirers laugh at the
ha xr~s11 rlf
passage of the river at the point where
the Beers are strongest. They assert
that he VIII MASK thai crossing UtAh
heavy artillery as soon as the HOyvit-
zers are sent up from Durham but that
the main body of the army will 90 over
higher up, after a feint has been made
lower down, and that the enemy's posi-
tion viii be turned, Ladysmith relieved
and the retreat of the Free Staters to
the mountain passes cut off. Nothing
can be simpler than strategy in a com
Portable service club without interrup-
tion from the unmannerly Beers.
NEARLY A ROUT
London, Dec. 1L-Later details re-
garding the disaster to General Cat
acres column show. that but for the
magnificent work of the British artil-
lery the disaster would have been far
more extensive, as the inceSsant Boer
shell fire in the midst of the repulsed in
fantry ultimately led to disorder which
only escaped developing into rout
through the batteries of artillery occu-
pyInE successive positions covering the
retreat, thus drawing a portion of the
Beers CALLING fire. Apparently the
British We're set an impossi Bile task and
were treacherOusly guided. After a
trying march and being under arms
sixteen hours. they attacked the u-rOner
part Of the BOer position, where the
hill was impregnable and the burghers
were estimated to number six thousand
men, instead of $500. as the spies had
reported. There is little in the story to
mitigate the intense humiliation occa-