Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-25
THE BATTLE OF BELMONT.
The Beers Occupied "a Strong Position and
Were Only Driven Out by Bayonet
Charges-Flag of Truce Violated.

The Beers Occupied Strong Position and
Were Only Driven Out by Bayonet
Charees-Flag of Truce Violated.
BELMONT, Cape Colony, November.
24.-10 o'clock a. m.-The entire west
ern division moved on the orange Riv-
er Tuesday and bivouacked at Witte-
puts. Two companies of mounted in
fantry and a detachment of lancers
were sent to hold Thomas farm.
Their pickets prevented the Beers from
advancing. The Beers fired cannon UNI
til the British cannon arrived on the
scene and silenced the Beers fire. AT
2 in the morning the guards and bril-
gade moved steadily forward to a hill
few miles east Of Belmont station.
The Scots and Grenadiers advanced
to within fifty yards of the base when
the Beers poured in a seathing fire,
staggering the guards momenCari Y
But, quickly recovering they returned
a deadly hail into the Beers. The duel
was continued for half an hour. When
the artillery commenced the Beers
evacuated their front position and the
Scots Guards rushed the hill with the
bayonet and amid lusty cheers.
The Ninth brigade then moved for
ward in extended order and the Beers
started terrible cross fire from the
surrounding hills. The Coldstreams
supported by the Scots, Grenadiers,
Northumberland and Northamptons
stormed the second position in the face
OF constant and effective Boer fire.
The Ninth brigade then advanced, the
artillery in the meantime maintaining
excellent practice. The British infan-
try never wavered and when a ire
mendous cheer notified them of the
charge the Beers fed and succeeded in
gaining a range of hills in the rear in
spite Of the lancers ianking movement.
The infantry again CALAMITY faced the
fire and the naval brigade came into
action for the first time at a range of
1900 yards. The infantry was well sup
ported by the artillery and the Beers,
unable to Withstand the death dealing
volleys, retired and were again forced
to abandon some minor positions. The
British cavalry charged the Beers and
pursued them for five miles.
Poss ession was taken Of the Boer
lager and the Boer stores were de-
stroyed.
The Beers hoisted a white flag over
their second position, whereupon Lieut..
Willoughby, of the Coldstream Guards,
stood up and was Immediately shot
down.
The Beers twice repeated the same
tactics.
LONDON, November 24.-The pa
thetic scenes which marked the DAYS
following the engagements between the
British and Beers at Glencoe and
Nicholson's Mex, found their counter
part at the war Office here to-day.
Gen. Methuen's message leaves q
great deal to be explained. According
to all previous facts obtainable as to
the relative strength of the forces, the
Beers must have been in a decided
minority, yet the total British loss, 220
killed, wounded and missing. proves
the effectiveness of their resistance and
amply justifes Gen. Methuen's tribute
TO the courage and skill with which
the burghers fought
A special from Belmont says that
Gen. Methuen's force numbered seven
thousand men and that the Beers had
five thousand men. The latter held an
exceedingly strong position on a series
of hills extending a dozen miles. The
engagement was really a series Of bat
ties, during which the Beers were con-
stantly carrying of their dead and
wounded.
Lieut. Blundell. of the Grendier
Guards, who was dangerously wounded
al the battle Of Belmont yesterday, has
since died OF his wounds.
CAPE TOWN. November 24.-Uncon-
firmed reports continue to arrive here
TO the effect that Gen White recent
" caught the Beers in a trap at Lady
smith, inducing detachments of the be-
leaguering force 10 venture into the
open country when sorties parties from
the British camp captured them
MOOT RIVER. Natal. November "a
An official native runner corroborates
the report that heavy firing has occur
red northward
The same runner was at Ladvsmith
last week He reiterates that heavy
fighting occurred there. The Beers, he
claims, made several attempts to cap
ture the British camp, but were replls-
ed with heavy loss