The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-12-13
A GREAT DEFEAT.
British Troops Meet with a Re-
verse Near Stormberg.
Gen. Gataere's Force Of 1000 Troops
Il Attacked BY the Beers, Loses
Largely and Il Forced 20 Re-
treat Other War News.

Q o'clock last night, from Cape Town:
Telegraph and railway communica-
ton to Modder river has been re-
opened. A battery Of field artillery
and battalion of infantry were sent
from Modder river against Gen. Loos
force Of 1000 Beers, who had de-
stroyed the railway. Our losses were
IA wounded. Belmont has been
strengthened by infantry and two
guns and cavalry regiment and
troops from Naauwpoort occupied
Arundel on Thursday"
Some interesting light is thrown on
the position of affairs along the west
ern frontier by dispatch issued by a
Boer agency last evening in Berlin.
The dispatch says: Commandant
Loos' force is near Jacobsdal, between
Modder river and Riet river. Gen.
Cronje is still on the north bank of
Modder river, his rear being protected
by fortified positions at Spytfontein.
The hills between Modder river and
Spytfontein and those between Jacobs
dal and Riet river are occupied by
Beers. Commandant Delarey's force
is stationed between Gras Pan and
Honeynest kloof.
If this Berlin dispatch be correct,
and it is significant when judged in
connection with Gen. Walkers advices
to the war Office, there must be 10000
Beers around Gen. Methuen, who is
believed to have 1000 men. Kmber-
ly, however, possessing an armored
train, can assist Methuen by harras-
sing the Beers from the rear.
Molteno, Cape Colony, Dec. 11.-Gen.
Gatacre left Putter'S kraal by train
for Molteno and then proceeded by
forced march IL miles toward Storm
berg. He had 1000 men, including
the Northumberland fusileers, the
Irish rifles and two batteries of field
artillery.
The British were unmolested by the
Beers until the Boer position was
reached, when hot fire was unexpect-
edly opened upon the advancing col.
umn. The engagement began at Ais
a. m. At a. M, after a sharp artil-
lery duel, the British retired. They
are now marching toward Molteno.
Gen. Gatacre found the enemy's posi-
, ton impregnable. 1t was impossible
for the British infantry to get at the
Beers.
Gen. Gatacre's movement may be
termed a reconnaissance in force. Its
object was to ascertain the strength
of the position of the Beers, who were
strongly intrenched along the StorDa-
berg range. He left Putter's kraaI
shortly after noon on Saturday with
fighting force of slightly over 1000
men. Leaving Molteno at o O'Clock
last Saturday evening, he made
memorable night march over the rocks
and veldt. There was no sound ex-
cept steady stramp and there were
no distinguishing lights, the bright
moon having gone down. The column
arrived safely within couple of miles
of its destination, the only incidents
of the march being an occasional sud-
den call of halt under the belief that
the Beers were near.
Suddenly terrific fire opened stimuli
taneously on the British front and
right flank. The Irish rifles, which
formed the advance, sought shelter
behind neighboring kopje and were
speedily joined by the remainder OF
the column. 1t was soon found, how
ever, that this position also was COW
cred by Boer guns, which were more
powerful than had been supposed. The
| troops, therefore, sought a safer po
sition 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 infantry
moved northward with a view of get
ting on the enemy's flank. Suddenly
a strong command was seen moving
from the north and the Irish rifles and
the Northumberland regiment were
sent out to meet it. 1t was soon dis
covered, however, that the Beers had
machine guns well placed. and the
British were compelled to face ter.
rible fire. Finding it impossible to
hold the position in the face Of an
enemy apparently superior in position,
numbers and artillery, the British re.
tired on Molteno, the Beers following
up the retirement closely and bring
ing two guns to bear on the retiring
column.
London, Dec 11.-It is hardly toe
much TO regard Gen. Gatacre's repulse
near Stormberg as the most serious
defeat British arms have yet sustained
in the whole campaign. Already the
official advices show that two Juen
were killed, nine officers and II men
wounded and nine officers and SOC men
missing. But it is evident that the
worst is not yet known. The proper.
ton of wounded and killed is so small,
when compared with the missing. wbO
are undoubtedly prisoners in the hands
of the Beers, that the supplementary
list of casualties is awaited with seri-
Gus misgivings. 1t is also feared tEat
there were serious losses of guns and
equipment.
The lyddite shells appeared to dc
immense damage. The Beers retired
but the incident is interesting as
showing that the Beers are still in pO-
sition quite close to MOdder river.
Postmaster Murdered and Robbed.
New York, Dec. 6.-Postmaster and
Express Agent ii. b. Fellows, Of Sears
dale, on the line of the Harlem rail
road, died Tuesday from pistol shot
wound inflicted by an unknown assas
ain. The motive for the murder wal
robbery. A satchel containing ex
press money and the receipts OF the