The record-union., 1899-12-05

received with consideration by the
Transvaal''
THE BRITISH FORCE NOW IN THE
FIELD.
NEW YORK, Dec. "A dispatch to
the Tribune from London says: Inc
army corps has now virtually arrived
in South Africa, only a few cavalry ana
artillery details being still af1oat or on
the rocks, with the reported stranded
transports. The entire British force
now in the field, as estimated by Col
onel Drunken, is 1880 men, with ia
guns, exclusive of naval brlgadeS,
colonial contingents and local forces,
which range between 10000 and 2o,oVo
men. The Fifth and Sixth Divisions,
which are to arrive, will increase the
strength of the army by O,OOO men,
and there are additional forces of cav
airy and artillery now afioat not IN
cluded in these figures.
The British army in South Africa has
been underestimated by nearly all
writer's for the London press. the
mounted force is now said to range
between 1900 and 1000 men, includ-
ing 5000 provincial volunteers and Cen
eral Whites cavalry. This looks like
an Overestimate made to cover the
shortcomings of the staff.
A PRESS CORRESPONDENTS
VERSION.
LONDON, Dec. 5.-The correspond
ent of the Associated Press with Gem
eral Lord Methuens column, telegraph
ing from Modder River last Thursday,
says:
THE waterloo of the campaign has
been fought and won. The battle was
conducted with unprecedented stub
bornness on both sides. There was one
continuous roar, like the explosion of
countless frecrackers. There was no
fiinching on either side, and not mo-
ment's pause.
For five hours the British batteries
poured tons of shrapnel and shells into
the Boer position. Lord Methuen had
twenty-five guns, and each fired on an
average of 200 rounds. The Beers had
an almost equal number of guns, which,
it is reported, were mostly served by
French and German artilleristS.
ut is believed that the Beers had &C.
cupied the position seven weeks be-
fore, and had spent the interval in
fortifying and rendering it as they
considered impregnable. They did not
seem to fear to spend their ammuni-
ton. and their guns were well and
smartly handled.
Owing to the bend in the river on the
right the Beers had an opportunity Of
cross firing on the British attack. A
Boer Hotchkiss was directed with mar
velous accuracy against British
Maxim, killing the Sergeant in charge,
wounding an officer and disabling the
gun. This occurred quite at the be-
ginning of the engagement. Whenever
the Boer fire was silenced in one direc-
ton it would Immediately be reOpened
in another
Owing to the terrific fire, nobody on
the plain was out of range, stretcher-
bearers found it impossible to go for
ward in the few cases they were called
upon to attend, and the wounded were
compelled, if possible, to crawl out of
the lines.
mo quarter seems to have been given
on either side. The British assert that
amid the bullets the ambulance wagons
displayed their flags promiscuousiy to
an advantage. These were repeatedly
driven back and compelled to take
refuge out of sight.
ut is alleged that the Beers used
dunn duns, and made special targets of
the horses on the plain, in the hope Of
hitting the riders. While the Argyll
Highlanders were pushing across the
river they were fired upon from house.
and several fell. Thereupon the High
landers stormed the house, and, al
though the Beers hoisted a white flag,
no attention was paid to it, and all the
Beers were shot.
1T is reported that General Cronje
with his contingent retreated toward
Langeberg at 4 O'Clock in the afternoon.
Others followed in the direction of
Jacobsdahl, and the main body of
Beers about 8 O'Clock in the evening. At
daybreak the British fired a few shells
into the village. Getting no response,
a patrol of cavalry crossed the river,
and found the enemy's camp deserted.
Dead Beers and many who were dying
were to be seen everywhere in the en-
trenchments, as we'll as numerous new
graves. Several buildings were in
smoking ruins.
Some of the Boer prisoners say that
General Cronje was in supreme COM
mand He had to whip his men to
prevent them from deserving, and des-
pite this many threw down their rifles
and fed
GENERAL IGNACIO ANDRADE.