Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-12
.GATACRE'S DEFEAT.
Number Of British Taken Pis-
oners at Stormberg 672
ANOTHER MODOER FIGHT.
Fifty More British Said 10 Have
Been Captured
HALF RATIONs AT LADYsMITH.
The Smelling OF Mafeking Continues
DaiIy-Seventh Division to Leave
England for the War-Prepara-
tions for Long Campaign.
HALF RATIONs AT LADYsMITH.
lions for Long Campaign.


retreat from Stormberg. He has not yet
forwarded the promised additional mss
sage, and the Censorship has prevented
the correspondents from explaining the
matter.
While IL appears to be generally admit
ted that General Gatacre is inclined 10
overwork his men. Lord Durham's re-
marks are considered as in rather pad
taste. Until General Gatacre has gwen
his explanation, IT Is felt that considet'
| able allowance must be made for me OK
IRENE difficulty Of getting intelligence III
q country whose Inhabitants are IN strong
sympathy with the enemy.
sTORMBERG STRONG.
storrnberg is described as a stronger
posit,on than Laing's Mex. The only road
winds through lofty hills. and thanking Is
impossible. Colesburg is also said to be
an almost impregnable position, and as
no troops ere available to reinforce the
columns acting in those directions. 1t be-
comes evident that General Gatacre's
misfortune or error will delay the inva-
sion Of the Free State perhaps some
weeks.
1t is exceedingly probable that he will
be compelled to retire on Queenstown,
and TO wait for achievements, which
can hardly reach him until Sir Charles
Warren's division arrives at the Cape.
The first attachments will sail Saturday
next. Even if General French Is not COM
PEELED 10 retreat he will be Obliged TO
pause IN his advance.
| II now seems certain that the Seventh
Division. which is being mopillized at Al
dershot will also be sent TO South Al
RIGA.
No news has yet been received con-
6r,ning the Boer report Of the capture of
fifty prisoners at Modder river from Lord
Methuens column.
BRITISH LOSSES THUS FAR
If is ust TWO months since the Trans
val ,,ltiuatllm was delivered. Nine en-
eagements have been fought, and the
/ Finish have lost 566 killed, 2,OZI wounded,
and 1877 missing or prisoners.
The War once mas issued notice that
! after January lst a deduction Will be
made from the pay Of soldiers serving in
| South Africa, in the case OF priVates
fourpence per day for wives and penny
| for each child: in the case of sergeants,
| 80
| each child. These sums have thus far
been paid by the government The or
der indicates the belief that the cam
paign will be long one.
COLENSO BRIDGE GONE.
FRERE CAMP, NATAL. December IL
| The British cavalry reconnoitered to-day
abreast of Colenso, and exchanged shots
! win parties of Boers, who fell back
across the river The kopjes were ob-
served TO be thckly occupied by the
( enemy. -,
The railway bridge at Colenso has been
completely destroyed. Two stone piers
were blown up last night. The highway
bridge is intact.
PRISONERS AT STORMBERG, 672
PRETORIA. December n.-Six hun
ared and seventy-two British prisoners
were taken at Stormberg.
In the fighting at Modder river yester'
| dav evening General Cronje maintained
! his position, and captured nlty bIiusn
soldiers.
ROER SMELLING CONTINUES.
MAFEKING. November 60, via LO-
| RENO MARQUEE, December IL
| sorties by the British armored train anc
poer sheIling of the town continue. The
| British have had but few casualties
Last evening. the Prectorate Regiment
| occunied an outpost, where the British
| Tee-NIetfords could reach the enemy
bic gun. and the result was, that th'
| effectiveness of the Boer fire was mate
| rally reduced.
Beers TAKE THREE GUNS.
PRETORIA, December II, via, 10
| RENO MARQUEE, December H.
The Beers captured three British guns II
the engagement with General Gatache,
force at Stromberg.
The sortle at Kimberley last Saturday
was an attempt to take the Boer posi-
ton at Kamperdam, and 10 secure The
water-works. All the British shots fel
short
HEAVY FIGHTING EXPECTED.
Details are expected from the Boer out
nosts I'm the direction of Modder river
There is a report that thief British are
advancine on the plain, and heavy fight
inc is Anticipated. General Prinsloo and
General Cronje command the Boer forces
| SUNDAY FIGHT AT THE MODDER
| NODDER RIVER, CAPE COLONY
| sunday Evening. December l0.-The nava
| Inch gun again took up position
| north NJ the camp this afternoon. while
the bowitzer battery was posted south
cost on the left Of the Beers. Both open
cd hot fire. with lyddite shells ant
ehrannel TO which the Beers sharply re
nIied with a dozen guns, thus unmaskin.
thrir position. which was the object Of
the British manoeuvre.
After an hours firing, the Boer guns
w.re silenced the howitzers searched the
trenches. and then threw shell after shel
mon the hills. the explosion of The
Iyddite causing the whole ground over az
extensive area to rise in the air in dense
brown clouds. A Boer long gun was dis
! mantled.
II now appears that the Bosrs inienC
that the next fight is to take place a
Maqersfontein. Apparently, SpytfonteIr
IL not defended. or the Beers are unwil
ling 10 unmask their position there q.
the replies 10 the British artillery were
ali from guns at Magersfontein.
HALE RATIONs AT LADYsMITH.
I.ORHENZO MARQUES. December H.
The following dispatch has been inter
cepted from Ladysmith:
Several Kaffir runners from Lazy
smith 10 Estcourt have been captured
They received from els 20 $40 for INT
trip. The intercepted messages SHOW ina
men and horses In Ladysmith are nov