The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-12-14
Gen. Gatacre's Forces 2 600 Men,
Met the Enemy in the Vicin-
ity of StOrmberg.
ENGAGEMENT LASTED THREE HOURS.
The British Troops Found That the
Beers Position Was Impregnable
and Marched Towa d MOltenO.
In the Battle n sharp Artillery Duel
Took Plnce--;t Was Impossible
for the british Infantry to
Get At the Beers.

Molteno. Cape Colony, Dec. IL
Gen. Gatacre left putter' Kraal by
train for Molteno, and then proceed
ed by forced march L. miles toward
Stormberg. He had 1000 men. includ-
ing the Northumberland Fusileers, the
Royal Irish Rifles and two batteries
of field artillery.
The British were unmolested by the
Beers until the Boer position was
reached, when a hot fire was unex-
pectedly opened upon the advancing
column. y
The engagement began at AIS a. m.
At a. m, after sharp artillery du-
ell. the British retired. They are now
marching toward Molteno. Gen. Cat
acre found the eneny's position i'm
pregnable. 1t was impossible for the
British infantry to get at the Beers.
Frere Camp. Natal, Dec. 11.-Helio-
graphic communication with Lady
smith continues daily. Gen. Schalk-
Burger and commandant Louis Botha
are i'm command of the Boer forces in
vesting Ladysmith. Their horses are
said to be in poor condition. A heavy
report was heard in the direction of
Colenso Sunday. The sound was fol-
lowed by big cloud of smoke. The
supposition is that the enemy had
blown up the highway bridge.
The Transvaal government has de-
cided to consider Mr.. Winston Church
ill, who was captured November 1S,
between Estcourt and Chively, a COM
batant officer and to retain him as
prisoner. Mr.. Churchill has applied
to Gen. Butler with view of getting
an exchange.
This has been quiet day here. The
health of the troops is excellent.
Molteno, Cape Colony, Sunday, Dec.
10.-Gen. Gatacre's movements may
be termed reconnaissance in force.
It's object was to ascertain the
strength of the position of the Beers
who were strongly entrenched along
the Stormberg range. He left Put
ters kraal shortly after noon Satur-
day with fighting force slightly over
1900 men.
Leaving Molteno at last evening
he made memorable all night march
over the rocks and veldt. There was
no sound except steady tramp, and
there were no distinguishing lights,
the bright moon having gone down
about half past eleven.
London, Dec. lit is hardly too
much to regard Gen. Gatacre's re-
pulse near Stormberg as the most Sc
rious defeat British arms have yet
sustained in the whole campaign. Al
ready the official advices show that
two men were killed, nine offers and
II men were wounded, nine officers
and 500 men missing. But it is evil
dent that the worst is not yet known.
The proportion of wounded and kill
ed is so small, when compared with
the missing-who are undoubtedly
prisoners in the hands of the Roers-
that the supplementary list of casu-
alities is awaited with serious mis-
givings.
1t is also feared that there were Sc
rious losses of guns and equipment.
The British troops who recently oc-
cupied Arundel are advancing. They
have had several skirmishes but no
casualties. Three miles north of
Arundel they found the Beers 1000
strong.
The Pretoria reports of renewed
fighting at Modder river originated
from the fact that the British, with
a team of 32 oxen hauled naval gun
to the top of high ridge north OF
Modder river town, whence they fired
lyddite shells.