The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-12

Stormberg and Burghersdorp, which
the Beers destroyed on retiring.
Commandant Swanepoi, who COM
manded the Boer forces at Stormberg,
has been replaced by a Scotchman
named Robertson.
THE ARTILLERY PREVENTED A
4 WORSE DISASTER.
LONDON. Dec 11.-Later details re-
garding the disaster to General Cat
acres column show that but for the
magnificent work of the British artlll-
cry the disaster would have been FAR
more extensive. as the incessant Boer
fire, in the midst of the repulsed IN
fantry, ultimately led to disorder, which
only escaped developing into rout
through the batteries Of artillery occu-
plying successive positions, covering the
retreat thus drawing portion of the
Beers CALLING fire.
Apparently, the British were set an
impossible task, and were treacherous-
ly guided. After a trying march ana
being under arms sixteen hours, they
attacked the wrong part of the Boer
position where the hill was impreg-
nable, and the Burghers were estimated
to number 5000 men instead Of 2,5OO,
as the spies reported.
There is little in the story to miti-
gate the intensive humiliation caused
by the episode, which was almost an
exact counterpart of the battle Of Mich
olsen's Mex.
The War Office was besieged with
anxious relatives and the successive
editions of the newspapers were eagerly
nd
persistent in pleading for inforamtion,
but the authorities either do not pos
sess any or are not prepared to publish
it at present.
The affair has caused the most de-
pressing influence everywhere, not ex-
cepting the Stock Exchange, where
consols were at the lowest price IN
many years, and South African securl-
ties slumped not so much on account
of the military reverse, which is re-
trievable, but owing to the profound
Apprehension as to its political effect
No great surprise would now be telt
LII General Gatacre's reverse resulted in
Cape Colnoy becoming af1ame from
end to end.
The afternoon newspapers, like the
morning papers, withhold the a9p)r-
tionment of blame until they are fur
Their acquainted with the facts. and
take the reverse philosophically.
The 'sPall Mall Gazette" remarks:
1.-THE countrys calm will again sur
prise the continent. If the blow is
more serious than it appears, neither
the Crown nor the Ministry vii be in
danger of even a single seditiouS vii l.
flying howl in the street. We have con-
fidence in those who are fighting for
us, and in their directors"
The Queen has sent her Private Sec
rotary, Sir Arthur Blgge, specially from
Windsor Castle, to CLEAN full details at
the War Office for Her Majesty resp ect-
ing General Gatacre's reverse.
BOER GUNS SILENCED.
MODDER RIVER Cape Colony.
Sunday evening, Dec. 10.-The naval
47-inch gun again took up position
north of the camp this afternoon, while
the Howitzer battery was posted south
east on the left of the Beers. Both
opened a hot fire with lyddite shells
and shrapnel, to which the Beers sharp
Iy replied with a dozen guns thus I'M
masking their position, which was the
object of the British maneuver. After
an hours firing, the Boer guns were ST.
fenced The Howitzers searched the
| trenches, and then threw shell after
shell upon the hills, the explosion of
| the lyddite causing the whole ground
| over an extensive area to rise in the
air in dense, brown clouds. A Boer
| long gun was dismantled.
| 1t now appears that the Beers intend
that the next fight is to take place at
Magersfontein. Apparently Spytfon-
tein is not defended. or the Beers are
unwilling to unmask their position
there as the replies to the British ar
tillery We're all from guns at Mayors
! fontein.