The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-30

Details OF the Great Battle and
Report of the Losses Sustained by
British Forces Engaged-RumOr
That Ladysmith Has Fallen Is
Again Causing Much Anxiety.
LONDON, Nov. ga special dis.
patch from Windsor says that Gen.
Methuen's dispatch to the oueen
after the battle of MOdder river
says:
"Fhe battle was the bIOOdiest Of
the century. The British HheIIetl
the enemy out of the trenches and
then charged. The result was ter
ribIe."
twelve hours reflection upon Lord
Methuen's brief dispatch has only served
to increase public anxiety and suspense
All kinds Of speculation are INDUCED in,
IN the absence Of any indication as to
whether tho Beers occupied the north
or south bank of the Modder river, the
best opinion in England inclines to the
latter theory, and it is pointed out that
the British must have been utterly ex-
hausted II they could not follow I'D the
retiring Beers and crush them as the
enemy crowded over the bridge, their
The Morning Posts military correspond
ent, who has usually shown great abiI-
ity, suggests that the Beers are still on
the south side Of the river and that the
bridge Is in their hands. He points out
the great danger to the small British
force which crossed on pontoons"
The importance attached to this pom
tooning operation is proved by the fact
that Gen. le-Carowa, one of the brigs
adler generals, was selected to superfn~
tend 1t.
No word has since arrived either frena
Lord Methuen or from Natal Speculat-
ing, therefore, Is useless. 1t Is believed
that Lord Methuen will be instantly re-
inforced from Cape Town by two bat
talions of infantry, a detachment of
cavalry and a battery Of artillery.
Col. Albrecht. who Is directing the work
of the Beers in opposition to Lord Me-
thuen, was originally an officer in the
Austrian army He entered the Free
State army, and soon brought its artil-
lery TO high point of perfection. He
is known a strategist of high order.
NO FOOD OR WATER.
The troops of Lord Methuen had 10 fight
without food or water. He is not using
timed rations. He seizes and pays for
fresh rations. He usually begins the
march about o'clock IN the morning.
Then he does his fighting and marching,
pitching his camp near the best water
supply. The evenings are given to Fest
ing Only bare necessities are allowed.
AS one correspondent puts it "the British
are fighting an omnipresent, but almost
invisible foe
Everyone is praising the magnificent
work of Lord Methuens column. With
force really inadequate he has marched
fifty-three miles and fought three battles
within seven days.
While no credence is given to the rumor
that Ladysmith has fallen, the scare
seems to impress the public with the dam
ger of what is still within the bounds Of
possibility. Such a misfortune would
probably produce a formidable revolt
among the Cape Dutch. The Daily News
says:
70 Whatever comes we must brace our
nerves to meet it. Certainly today it
looks as if we have before us a very
stern and earnest struggle before we see
our way to final victory"
The Times comments upon the fact that
thus far the Beers have been able to COM
pei attacks by inadequate forces upon
their we'll chosen positions, while keeping
the initiative in their own hands. 1t says:
Ample numbers are our greatest need,
and the decision to send out the Sixth di-
vision has certainly not been taken too
soon. Now that disOyalty in Cape
Colony has to be faced, even greater eff
course is to turn to account the some
what bitter lessons of the past six weeks
and to employ a large factor of safety
GEN. METHUEN'S REPORT
The war office has received the follow
ing dispatch from Gen. Butler:
"Cape Town, Tuesday, Nov. S.-Gen.
Methuen reports:
e" Modder River, Tuesday, Nov Is
Reconnoitered at a. m. enemy's position
on River Modder, and found them strong
ly entrenched and concealed. No means
of outflanking, the river being full. Ac-
ton commenced with artillery, mounted
infantry and cavalry at $50; guards on
right, Ninth brigade on left attacked pO-
sition widely extended formation at 6:30,
and supported by artillery, found itself
in front of the whole Boer force, 5000
strong, with two large guns, four Krupps,
etc.
&" The naval brigade rendered great
assistance from the railway.
After desperate, hard fighting, which
lasted ten hours, our men, without water
or food and in the burning sun, made
the enemy quit his position. Gen. Pole.
Carowa was successful In getting a small
party across the river gallantly assisted
by 300 sappers.
BOERS PRESSING BRITISH.
The Standard publishes the following
dispatch from Ladysmith. dated Nov. 81:
Last Saturday I had a whole satchel
of my correspondence returned to me,
showing the difficulty of communicating
with the outside world
''The Beers cannonade us almost daily,
but there have been few casualties. Ev-
identity the object of the enemy IS to eX-
haust the spirits of the British troops by
incessant harassing.
The prospect of the British advancing
from the south has caused the Beers to
renew their efforts. They are mounting
more guns and drawing the lines of in
vestment closer"
ALL WELL AT LADYSMITH.
LADYSMITH Monday, Nov. 20 (by
Messenger to Mcoi River)-All here are
we'll and cheerful The Beers are not
sheling today, and we have no fear that
they will attack the town. Our position
we have made very strong with redoubts
and breastworks, and we look forward
confidently to the ultimate result.
BRITISH SORTIE
PRETORIA. Monday, Nov. 27.-Gen.
Dutort reports that the British made a
sortie from Kimberley Sunday morning
and fired On the Beers with artillery and
infantry, in the darkness. The British
SORTED where the Bloen1hof Boer force
ctotiOna5 IN O,1y. (fba POarl side