The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-12-05
KIMBERLY HARD PRESSED.
Short-New Vi@Or in Lady
smith BOmbaPGmeRe.

Ammunition Short-New Vi&0r In Lady
smith BombarGmene.
London, Dec. 4.-The later details
received from Modder river seem to
show that even the desperate courage
of the attacking force displayed NIL
day long November 2s) failed to drive
the Beers from their strong entrench-
ments, and night fell on an undecid-
ed battle. But, apparently, during
the course of the night, General
Cronje, commanding the Beers, who
are said to have numbered IL ZOO men,
decided that the struggle was hope
less, for the British found the town
and surrounding positions evacuated
when daylight broke, and the whole
British army crossed the river and
ancamped on the Boer positions.
The experts here are unanimous in
expressing the opinion that Kimber-
ly's need must be very pressing to
induce General Methuen to expose
the whole of his command to the
Boer marksmen, snugly entrenched
In semi-circle position. So deadly
was the fire zone that the Scots
Guards were compelled to leave their
maxim guns behind when they were
forced to seek less exposed grounds.
It was only after dusk that q portion
of the British troops succeeded in
crossing the river by a mill dam on
the extreme left. When night fell
the Boer artillery fire was still as Wig
orous as in the morning, but the
Boer retirement in the night saved
the British. The exhausted condi-
tion of the British troops .precl1ded
the possibility of pursuit of the en-
emy.
The conclusion of the correspond
ents that the Bsers must have suf-
fered heavily, must be confirmed
from official sources before it is ac-
cepted as a fact. In any case the
Beers retired without any sign of
disorder, carrying off their guns anu
equipment. Thus General Cronje's !
force is still in tact. The fact that !
General Methuen and Colonel Keke- |
wich are now in communication may |
cause a reconsider of the Boer COM
mander's plan to give battle at Spyt- I
fonteoin, where he might be simulta-
neosly attacked by both British |
forces.
1t is reported that Modder river
bridge has been repaired, and that
the British resumed their march to-
wards Kimberly today
The fact that the DeBeers mines
foundry is casting shells while the
garrison seldom replies to the Beers
is said to point to scarcity
of ammunition at Kimberly. partially
accounting for General Methuen's
haste. All the news from Natal en-
ohasizes the difficulties before Gem
eral Glery.
There is growing belief that some
1e.icate operations have been en-
to some tactician, while Gem
,ral Hiidyard carries out the direct
ront demonstration.
The latest advices from Ladysmith,
lated Saturday, November 25, say
he shelling of that place was con-
inued. 1t also appears that General
'chalkburgher, commanding the {
3oers, sent message suggesting
hat all the wounded be sent to a
leutral camp, and that General White
refused, when, it ia
dded, the Beers deliberately shelled
he hospital. All accounts agree that
he Boer shells were much more dam
ging than previously.
A number of civilians and police t
7ere killed or wounded, while the
liverpool and Gloucester battalliuns
ost eleven men November "a.
The seige of Ladysmith was then t
rowing stronger. The Beers we're
stimated to number from IO. 900 to =
. 1000 men. The health of the Brit
IN garrison was good.