The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1899-12-15
A BRITISH DISASTER.
Gen. Gatacre's Force Suffers Sc
rious Repulse.
Six Hundred Men MissIng-Column of
Four thousand Men Utterly Routed
by Cape Colony Dutch and
Free Skaters.

MoLTENo, Cape Colony, Sunday, Dec.
1O.-Gen. Gatacre left Putter's kraal by
train for Molteno, and then proceeded
by forced march twelve miles toward
StOrmberg. He had 1000 men, includ-
ing the Northumberland Fusileers, the
Royal Irish Rifles and two batteries of
field artillery.
The British were unmolested by the
Beers until the Boer position was
reached, when a hot fire was unex-
pectedly opened upon the advancing
column.
The engagement began at 4:15 am.
At am, after a sharp artillery duel,
the British retreated. They are now
marching toward Molteno. Gen. Gatacre
found the enemy's position impreg-
nable. 1t was impossible for the British
infantry to get at the Beers.
Six Hundred Missing.
fishes the following dispatch from Cape
Town:
Gatacre reports: deeply regret to
inform you that l met with n serious
reverse in the attack on Stormberg.
was misled as to the enemy's position
by the guides and found impracticable
ground.
Casualties, so far as known, are:
Second Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Wounded: Lieut.. Eager. Maj
Seaton, Capt. Bell, Capt. Kelley, Lieut..
Stephens, Lieut.. Barnardston.
Suffolk ACKNOWLEDGMENT Sec
ond Lieut.. Maynard, twelve men. Miss
ing: Capt. w. Ruir, Lieut.. Christie,
Second Lieut.. Rodney, two hundred
and ninety men.
Seventy-fourth Field Battery Sc
verely wounded: Lieut.. Lewis, three
men. Slightly wounded: Two men.
Seventy seventh, old battery
Killed: One gunner; wounded, Maj.
Percival.
Northumberland Fusileers Miss
ing: Mai. Stevens, Capt. Fletcher, Capt.
Morley, Second Lieut.. Wake, Second
Lieut.. Coulson, Lieut.. Radcliffe. Three
hundred and six non-commissioned Of
ficers and men.
Royal Berkshire Regiment-Killed:
One private.
Gen. Gatacre's movement may be
termed a reconnaissance in force. Its
object was to ascertain the strength Of
the position of the Beers, who were
strongly entrenched along the Storm
berg range. He left Putter's Kraaj
shortly after noon yesterday with .
fighting force slightly over 1000 men
Leaving Molteno at 9 last evening, he
made a memorable night march over
the rocks and veldt. There was no
sound except a steady tramp and there
were no distinguishing lights, the
bright moon having gone down about
half past eleven.
The column arrived safely within 6
couple of miles of its destination, the
only incidents of the march being an
occasional sudden call of halt" under
belief that the Beers were near. Sud-
denly terrific fire opened simultane-
ously on the British front and right
flank. The Royal Irish Rifles, which
formed the advance, sought shelter be-
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 were more powerful
than had been supposed. The troops,
therefore sought a safer position, about
a half mile away, two batteries in the
meantime engaging the Beers and COW
ering the troops in their withdrawal.
The action now became general at
long range and a detachment of mount
ed infantry moved nOrthward with
view of turning gatling on the enemy's
right flank. Suddenly a strong COM
mando was seen moving from the north
and the Royal Irish Rifles and the
Northumberland regiment were 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
a terrible fire.
Finding it impossible to hold the pc.
sition i'm the face of an enemy apparent
ly superior in position, numbers and ar.
tillery, the British retired on Molteno,
the Beers following up the retirement
closely and bringing two big guns to
bear on the retiring column.