The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-11
eATACRE'S CRUSHING DEFEAT.
poERs CAPTURED 500 OF HIS MEN
AT sTORMBERG.

KILLED, But He Was Driven Back,
and Many Prisoners Were Taken.
vbis Is the Worst Reverse the
pritish Have Yet Suffered-British
R.treated Before the Beers Ter
rife Fire.
,4olteno. Cape Colony, Sunday. Dec. 10
Con Catacre left Putter's Kraal by train
for Mol lleno and then proceeded by forced
,,ar7b twelve miles toward Stormberg.
He rad 2OOO men including the North
umberland Fusilleers, the Royal Irish
Rides, and two batteries of field artillery.
The British were unmolested by the
Po,rs until the Boer position was reached,
when hot fire was Unexpectedly opened
,,pln The advancing column.
The engagement began at AIS a. m. At
a. m., after sharp artillery duel, the
british retired. They are now matching
toward Molteno.
Gen. Gatacre found the enemy's position
impreguable. 1t was impossible for the
British Infantry to get at the Beers.
Gen. Gatacre's movement may be term
Cd a. reconnaissance in force. It's object
was to ascertait1J -stfshgth of the posi-
ton Of the Beers, who were strongly en-
trenched along the Stormberg range.
He left Putter's Kraal shortly after noon
Yesterday with a fighting force slightly
over 1900 men.
Leaving Molteno at 8 o'clock last evening
he made a memorable night march over
the rocks and veldt. There was no sound
except a steady tramp and there were no
distinguishing lights, the bright moon hav-
ing gone down about 1870 o'clock.
The column arrived safely within a cou-
pie Of miles of its destination, the only
Incidents of the march being an occa-
sional sudden call of HALT? under the
belief that the Beers were near.
Beers Fire Was Terrific.
Suddenly a terrific fire opened stimuli
taneously on the British front and right
flank
The Royal Irish Rifles, which formed
the advance, sought shelter behind a
neighboring kopje, and were speedily join
ed by the remainder of the column.
It was soon found. however, that this
position also was covered by Boer guns,
which were more powerful than had been
supposed. The troops, therefore, sought a
safer position about half mile away, two
batteries in the meantime engaging the
Beers and covering the troops in their
Withdrawal
The action now became general at long
range and a detachment of mounted in
fantry moved northward with a view of
using a Calling gun on the enemy's right
flank
Suddenly a strong commando was seen
moving from the north and the Royal
Irish Rifles and the Northumberland reg
iment were sent ont to meet it.
IL was soon discovered, however, that
the Beers had machine guns well placed,
and the British were compelled to face
terrible fire.
Finding it impossible to hold the position
IN the face of an enemy apparently supe-
for In position, numbers and artillery, the
British retired on Molteuo, the Beers fol-
lowing up the retirement closely and
bringing two big guns to bear on the re-
uring column
1t is believed here that the British cas-
ualtles were not serious.
Met Serious Reverses.
!, London, Dec. 1.-THE war office pub
lsnes the following dispatch from Gen.
Fofester-Walker at Cape Town:
1alacre reports deeply regret to in
form You that met with a serious reverse
IN the attack on Stormberg.
was misled as TO the enemys posi-
ground.
Casualties, as far as known at the
-. Second Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
wounded: Lieut.. Col. Eagar, Mai Sea-
Ioh capt Bell, Capt. Kelly, Lieut.. Steph-
0s Lieut. Barnardston.
suIoik Regiment-Wounded: Second
Lieutenant Maynard, twelve men. Miss
Tis. capt Weir, Lieut.. Christie Second
Lieutenant Rodney, 29O men.
Eehty-teurth Field Battery-Severely
%0IHoed: Lieut.. Lewis, three men; slight
N wounded, two men.
o oe'ehty-seventh Field Battery-Killed:
onS gunner; wounded Maj. Perclval.
Nolthumberland Fusilleers = Missing,
10" stevens Capt. Fletcher, Capt Nor
Isg' second Lieutenant Wake, Second
ror rorU'eHant Coulson, Lieut. Radcliffe; SO5
IN otnmlssioned officers and men,
private. iNiiieN' O"e
nr.5 9e remainder Of my casualties will be
'eu as soon as ascertained."
Position of the Enemy.
,,a aHe war office has received the follow
r,5. mS Dispatch from Cape Town dated Sat
|uay night:
d,.,.e me position of the enemy in Stormberg
,.t el last night was as follows:
,o,h. Slormberg, six laagers; at Dord-
~ IN 700 men, twenty-three miles south
VI Slerkestroom, 22O men.
iaJ Elliot reports that Dalgetty, with
cole' ute has gone toward Dordrecht, to
T@.o.perate with Gatacre.
4 va he railway bridge at Modder river
Bat yompleted Dec. Z. Methuen reports
nj ~, ne made demonstration up the line
& N, NE railway at daylight TODAY with ar
usr y The enemy did not respond Meth
irta u receiving the remainder of his re-
gsb1S inents and supplies. He has estab-
4 pr,ril ,,I oet taehed posts on his lines of COM
@aieking reports all wen on Nov. S0."