The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-12-06
HODDER RIVERS
BLOODY LIST.
It Numbers 438, of Whom
Only 72 Were Killed.

London, Dec AS srrmlsed. the
dead and wounded at the hard-torght
battle of Modder river numbers
hundreds. Up to : O'Clock this
afternoon only the bare total, 43S. OF
which number 73 were killed, had
been given out
The meagre official dispatch, Civ
ing list of the British casualties at
Modder river. and announcing the
bare fact that Lord Methuen is still
there awaiting reinforcemen's, is only
supplemented by brief special mes
sage from Cape Town tonight, stating
that the Beers destroyed the bridge
over the Modder river before the
battle. and are now concentrating at
Spytfcotein. where the fua! battle
before Kimberley is relieved is ex-
pected to take place The censor
has apparently stopped all press mes.
sages from the front relating to the
battle, which is not regarded as
favorable Indication. As to the ma
,erial reeult of Lord Metheun's en-
gagement. il is not yet clear whether
Lord Methuen's force actually crossed
the Modder river, or is still! awaiting
the rebuilding of the bridge before
the artillery and cavalry can cross.
In any case the railway must be Car
ried over the bridge before the 'ndls-
2ensable big nava, guns can pass, be
cause Lord Meu:hen's last message
showed that they were worked on
trucks along the railroad.
A CHANGE OF BoER STRATEGY
1t is a significant fact that Lord
Meuthen's cablegram maks no men
tion of the Boer loss, which, there
fore. is assumed to be small
A dispatch from Cape Town this
evening says Lord Meushens ad-
vance undoubtedly is beginning to
affect the Boer strategy and probably
explains their withdrawal from Moo'
river The continued presence Of
.commaudoes in Cape Colony tends to
confirm the opinion that the Beers
are making desperate efforts to re
crnis their forces from the Dotoh res
idepts. While it is impossible to OBJ
tain exac. statistics, it is absolutely
certain that the disahected Dutch
have Joined the Beers in great nun
bers. which are still increasing Most
of the recruits. however, are young
men, Gen Buffers message, clearly
indicating the punishment for disloy
atty, having deferred the actual hold
ers of farms from joining the Beers
through fear of con6scaslon OF their
property.
CLERY's POSITION IN DOUBT.
The latest news from Natal lndi
Gates that the bulk of the Ladysm'th
relief force has arrived at Fseere,
though there is considerable coojecs
u.e as to the whereabouts OF Gen
Clery, whose movements have Got
been chronic:ed lately 1t is Sur.
missed in some quarters that be may
resppear in a totally unexpected
quarter, on the flank or rear of Gen
Jouberts force, which is supposed to
be concentrated at Grobelaar's kloof,
north Of the Tuge!a river. As Gen
Hiidyard's advance guard was IN
touch with the Beers as long ago as
Tuesday last, Developments should
Rot be so long delayed
COLENZO's BRIDGE BLOWN UP
Dupdonold's mounted force. No
vember %. accompanied by four
guns. went in pursuit of body of
Beers returning to Colepzo They
followed the Beers to within two and
a half mites of Colerzo when the
Beers replied to the British shei's
With long range guns There were
NO casualties Colenzo Bridge, it is
added. was afterwards blown up
Another detachment of 5000 Brit.
ish troopssailec fo' South Africa to
day.
Owing to the phenomenal sale Of
the newspapers consequent upcn the
war paper famine is threatened 1t
is reported that tie American sup
plies bave failed temporarily