The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-12-14
Con, CIatacre's Forces, 2 600 Men,
Met the Enemy in the Vicin-
ity of Stormberg.
edldEMNT LASTED THREE HOURS
Tho British Troops Found That the
Roer's Position Was ImpregnsbIe
and Marched Toward Molteno.
=. .he hattie n sharp Arts.iery Duel
TsoL PIaee-It Was Impossible
for the British Infantry 90
Get At the Beers.

Moltsno, Cape Colony, Dec. Ill
10, Gatacre left Putter' Kraal by
,,,in for Molteno, and then proceed
u by forced march ~ miles toward
.,ormberg. He had 1000 men, includ-
no the Northumberland Fusileers, the
royal Irish Rifles and two batteries
Of field artillery.
The British were unmolested by the
2oers until the Bocr position was
reached. when a hot fire was ,nex-
pctcdly opened upon the advancing
column.
The engagement began at 4:l5 n. M.
u7a m. after sharp artillery du-
D the British retired. They are now
marching toward Molteno. Gen. Cat
scre found the enemy's position i'm
pregnable. II was impossible for the
British infantry 10 get at the Beers.
Frere Camp, Natal, Dec. l1.-1Ielio-
graphic communication with Lady
smith continues daily. Gen. Schalk-
Burger and commnndant Louis Botha
are in command of the Boer forces in
ws.ing Ladysmith. Their horses are
said 10 be in poor condition. A heavy
report was heard in the direction of
Col.nso Sunday. The sound was fol-
lowed by big cloud of smoke. The
supposition Is that the enemy had
blown up the highway bridge.
The Transvaal government has de-
cded 10 consider Mr.. Winston Church
81. who was captured November Is.
between Estcourt and Chively, n COM
h,ant officer and TO retain him as a
prisoner. Mr.. Churchill has applied
70 Gen. Butler with a view of getting
an exchange.
This has been quiet day here. The
health of the troops is excellent.
Molteno. Cape Colony, Sunday, Dec.
l0.-Gen. Gatacre's movements may
be termed a reconnaissance in force.
It's object was to ascertain the
strength of the position OF the Beers
who were strongly cntrenched along
the Stormberg range. He left Put
,ers kraal shortly after noon Satur-
day with fighting force slightly over
1000 men.
Leaving Molteno at Q last evening
he made O memorable all night march
over the rocks and veldt. There was
no sound except steady tramp, and
there were no distinguishing lights,
The bright moon having gone down
about half past eleven.
London, Dec. lit is hardly too
much TO regard Gen. Gatacre's re-
pulse near Stormberg as the most se-
rous defeat British arms have yet
sustained in the whole campaign. Al
ready the official advices show that
Two men were killed, nine offers and
], men were wounded, nine officers
and SOC men missing. But it is evil
dent that The worst Is not yet known.
The proportion of wounded and kill
ed is so small. when compared with
the missing-who are undoubtedly
prisoners in the hands OF the Roers-
that the supplementary list OF casu-
alities is awaited with serious mis-
giyings.
II is also feared that there were Sc
nous losses of guns and equipment.
The British troops who recently oc-
cupicd Arundel are advancing. They
have had several skirmishes but no
casualties. Three miles north of
Arundel they found the Beers 1000
strong.
The Pretoria reports of renewed
fighting at Modder river originated
from the fact that the British, with
team of 80 oxen hauled a naval gun
to the top of a high ridge north OF
Nodder river town, whence they fired
lydditc shells.