The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-05


LONDON, Dec. 4-The Daily chroni-
c,e publishes the following dispatch,
dated Wednesday, November 18th,
morning, from its correspondent at
Modder River Camp:
THE severest engagement our col
umns has yet had. and probably the
seyerest Of the whole campaign, was
fought yesterday on the banks Of the
Modder river. The battle was waged
dercely for nearly fourteen hours.
THE enemy occupied strongly en-
trenched position, their front extending
Ave miles along the bank Of the stream
They we're well supplied with artillery
and fought desperately.
Our force consisted of the second
battalion Of the coldstream guards. the
arst battalion of the Scots guards, the
third battalion of the GrenadIersand the
first battalion Of the Northumberland
fusilIers, the second battalion Of the
Yorkshire light infantry (the Kings
own, part of the first battalion of the
Loyal North Lancashire regiment, the
Ninth lancers, the Mounted infantry.
three batteries of field artillery and the
first battalion Of the Argyll and suther-
land Highlanders princess Louise 81.
The latter reinforced US from gem
eraI wauchope's brigade and arrived
lust in time for the fight. The battle
started at daybreak, our guns Smelling
the Beers left. The enemy replied with
artillery, HotchlSIss and Maxims, and
the artillery duel lasted some hours.
Then there was brief lull in the enc
my's operations, of which the general
Immediately took advantage. Our In
fantry advanced across the plain to-
wards the river in two brigades. The
Guards, on the right, were met by an
awful hail OF bullets from the enemy's
sharpshdoters. posted close to the river
on the opposite bank. Ours had no
cover whatever, and were simply now
ed down. 1t seemed impossible to live
through the terrible fire. but the brave
fellows did not retreat an inch.
The Bosr fire was horribly accurate;
and they must have numbered at least
10000.
The Scots guards advanced 600 yards
before they were fired on. Then they
had to lie down to escape the deadly
fusilade which lasted without intermls-
sion. throughout the day.
The Hlghianders made several at
,eapts TO force passage of The river.
but they we're exposed to such muir
derous enfIading fire that they had to
retire after they had suffered terribly.
subsequently a party of the guards
got over and held their own for hours
against vastly superior force.
The general opinion of the stan is
that there had never been such sus-
tanned fire in the annals of the British
army as that which our troops had to
face yesterday. Our men fell in dozens
while trying to rush.
Among tie. heroic deeds, one Of the
most conspicuous was that Of Lieuten-
ant Colonel codrington, of the Cold
stream Guards, Captain sellpeIn, Of the
Queensland contingent, and a dozen
members Of the Coldstream guards. who
jumped into the river and swan nearly
to the other side in the face of steady
fire, but who were forced to retire and,
Joining hands swan back, two of their
number being nearly drowned In the re-
treat.
The British guns kept up heavy fire
all day; and fearful havoc was wrought
on the Boer positions, the enemy being
forced to fly from their entertainments
Night put an end to the terrible blood
she'd The infantry brigade was dread
fully cut up.
THE Beers retreated at night, taking
their guns with them, and we are nov
occupying their positions. The enemy's
loss was tremendous.
All the news from Natal emphasizes
the difficulties before General Cloy
There Is growing belief that some del
icate hanklng operation has been en-
trusted to some tactIclan while General
HIldyard carries out the direct front
demonstration.
The latest advIces from Ladysmlth
dated Saturday. November %, say the
Smelling of that place was continued.
1t also appears that General schalk-
burger. commanding the Beers. sent a
message suggesting that all the wound.
ed be sent to a neutral camp. and that
General White peremptorIly refused
when, 1t Is added, the Beers deliberate
" shelled the hospital
All accounts agree that the Roel
shells were much more damaging than
previously. A number Of clviians and
police were killed or wounded while the
Liverpool and Gloucester battalion LOST
eleven mcl November "a,
The siege OF LndysmIth was Their
growing stronger. The Beers were es-
tmated to number from 10000 to 15,OOt
men The health OF the British garrl'
son was good.
The Boer force at Colenso is estI-
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