The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-11


formed the advance. sought shelter be-
hind a neighboring kopje and were
speedily Joined by the remainder Of the
column. II was soon found however,
that this position was also covered by
Boer guns. which were more powerful
than had been supposed, The troops,
therefore. sought safer position about
half a mile away, two batteries in the
meantime engaging the Boets and cov-
erigg the troops IN their Withdrawal.
The action now became general at
long range ana detachment Of mounts
cd infantry moved northward with q
view Of getting on the enemy's right
nank Suddenly strong commando
was seen moving from the north, and
the Royal Irish Rides and the North
umberland regiment were sent out to
meet It. It was soon discovered, how
ever, that the Beers had machine guns
well placed. and the British were COM
pelled to face terrible Gre.
Finding Ii impossible to hold the po-
sltlonin the face OF m enemy appaF-
entls superior in position, numbers and
artillery, the British retired on Mol
teno. the Beers following up the retire
tuent closely and bringing two big guns
to bear ON the retiring column.
It is believed here that the British
casualties were not serious.
LONDON, Dec. 1.-THE war ctfice
has received the following dispatch
from Cape Town dated Sunday night:
"The position OF the enemy In Storm
berg district last night was the fol-
lowing;
"At Stormberg, six laagers' at Dord-
recht, 800 men; % miles south OF starks
Troom, 29Omen."
FRERE CAMP, Natal, Dec. 10, p.
m.-IIeliographlc Communication with
Ladysmitf continues daily. General
schaIk-B Burger aud commandant Louis
Botha are in command Of the BCer
forces investing Ladysmtth. Their
horses are said to be In poor condl-
ton.
A heavy report was heard In the de
rection of Colenso to-day. The sound
was followed by big cloud Of smoke.
The suppositlon is that the enemy has
blown up the highway bridge.
The Transvaal government has de-
cided TO consider Mr.. Winston Church
III who was captured November 15, be-
tween Estcourt and chleveleY a COM
batant officer and to retain him as a
prisoner. Mr.. Churchill has applied to
General Butler with a view Of getting
an exchange,
This has been a quiet day here. The
health Of the troops is excellent.
LONDON, Dec. 1.-THE Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from Mol
teno:
General Gatacre attempted to as
sault the Boer position at stormberg
at dawn to-day Sunday. The guides
led US wrong, and We were surprised
while in fours, and after very trying
night march our retirement was et-
-fected in excellent order. There being
no hurry even at the most critical time
the Northumberlands and Irish rifles
behaved as II on review day. fear
our losses ere heavy. one of our guns
we had to abandon"
Major Elliott reports that Dalgetty,
with force, has gone toward Dord-
recht TO cooperate with Gatacre.
"The railway bridge at Moddar river
was captured December Z. Methuea re-
ports that he made demonstration up
the lines of the railway at daylight to-
day with artillery. The enemy did not
respond. Metheun Is receiving the re-
mainder Of his reInforcements and sup
plies. He has established detached
posts on his lines Of communication.
'Mnfeking reports all well on NoVem-
ber go"