The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-11
MKTHUES SHELLS sPYTFoNrHIy.
Naval Brigade Throws Lyddite Shells Into
the Enemy's Position.
Special oasl, De,pa,eAe, to The 4

the Enemy's Position.
Special coSk De,pateAs, to The sus
MopDxR RIVER Dec. o.-7:05 A. MA bat
terry OF artillery. . squadron OF innclers and
part OF the battalion OF Argyll Highandeu
have gone south TO reinforce the rear guard,
which has had an engagement with thousand
Beers. who had returned to their old position
at Gras Pan. II Ia not known whether the
, Beers came from Griqualand or are Free
State commando.
A train consisting Of sixteen carriages came
into tho camp last evening over the com peted
bridge.
MoppER RIVER. Dec, a.-7:35 p M-A47-
inch gun from the cruiser Doris, drawn by
thirty-two oxen. started at midnight and pro-
ceeded three miles northward. A squadron Of
the Ninth Lancers and a battery OF horse ar
tillery Joined the naval force at 800 o'clock
this morning. The naval contingent consisted
OF four companies OF marines and nifty sailors.
under command OF Capt. John F. Bancroft OF
the cruiser Philomel.
They began firing at the enemy from q ridge
facing Spytfontein. They nrei fourteen
charges OF lyddite at ranges varying from
800 TO 1900 yards. One shell fell on Boer
tent. which imm ediately disappeared. Every
thing In the mme diate vicinity was wreck ed
Another OF the missiles dropped among a
bunch OF fifteen horses which we're blown to
atoms. IL IL not known Whether there wero
any Bosrs near the animals.
II Is believed that the enemy did not sec tho
gun which did the damage. II having been
painted the color OF the khaki uniforms worn
by the men. AMI smok elsss powder being used.
There was scarcely a fash when tho gun was
discharged. The blue jackets have chalksd the
name Joey Cham berlain" near the muzzle OF
their gun.
Gen. Wauchops aud the remainder OF the
Highland brigade arrived here yesterday.
Strong redoubts and trenches have been
erected around tho camp here. Modder River
Ia destined to be a permanent stronghold.
The houses on the north bank OF the river
have boon blown up and their sites cleared.
There are but few Beers at Jacobsdal. but
large forces OF tho enemy are at Spytiontein.
TO the east OF Modder River station. and at
Scholto Kop. east Of Spytfontsin.
The first lyddite shell burst over high point
10 the range Of hills. The area Of destruction
was enormous Tho whole ground appeared
to DO churned into red dust The Beers hur-
riedy left m emplacement which they were
preparing for 40-pounder The emp placement
was apparently destroyed.
LONDON, Dec. lO-A despatch from Gen.
Forrsstier- Walker. under date OF Cape Town.
Dec. 81. says:
"Methuen reports that he made demo nstra-
tons up the railway at daylight to-day with q
cavalry regiment. a battery OF horse artillery.
q battalion OF infantry and the naval 4.7-inch
guns. which made beautiful practice. The
enemy did not reply
'Methuen Ia receiving the remainder OF his
reanforcem ents ard supplies. He has estab-
lished detached posts along his line OF CON-
muncaton.
Matching reported all we'll on Nov. 30"
LONDON. Dec. 1.-THE Daily Adirs corre-
sponden at Kim berley. In despatch dated Dec.
8, says that the Beers are unausstionably
drawing OF and going south In large mum bers.
They have also shifted their big guns. prob
ably taking them to spytfontein.
Tho Daiiv NebS's correspondent at Cape
Town. in a despatch datel Dec, 7. says: "A
letter from Mafeking states that the Beers
loaded wagon with dynamite and tried TO send
It down the line to explode in the town. tick
ploded outside. shaking all the buildings, but
doing no damage. A man who was captured by
the Boers but who su bseIuently escaped. says
the Beers at first mstook him for DR.. Jameson,
the famous raid leader and said that II he had
been that person they would have dragged him
TO death behind their horses"
CAPE Town. Dec. \. IL 30 A. M.|Delayed in
issionl President StNyn has written
stating that the Orange Free State force oper-
ating against Gen, Methuen had thirty eight
medical officers. and that now only two are left.
and asking an explanation. A reply was sent
Upon occasion Masonic tooth AnniI ersary death
OF Washington the Pennsylvania Railroad will. on
Dee I'M end ,s9 RETURN ECU .on Of e.s 70 fo MH ,s
round trip goo' 20 return until Doc. 18th. Round
trip ticket. Ag,sndIia t. Richmond. s%.oo. on sale