Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-12-14
BRITISH ARE ROUTED
GENERAL GATAcRE MEETS q
DECISIVE DEFEAT.
Forces Compelled to Retire After
Rot Artillery Duel Near Stcrmpers-
Ted Into Trap by False 1nforina
4;or from Boer Sympathizers.

~, Gatacre. while moving out Win
Q OOO men and two batteries OF ar.niei!
rom from Pntter's kraal in the hope OF sur
,,r;s;no the Beers at Stormberg, was lniS-
iad nv his guides, and found hlmseiI III an
,,ntonable position, with the result tnat ne
1ros obliged to retire, with severe losses
mon Molteno. He reports over ooo oni-
oers and men missing, In addltlon "
small list Of killed and wounded.
A correspondent cables: The Willy
Roers led the British into trap by 1ur-
n;shing Gatacre and his spies with 1alse
;nformation that the enemy's camp at
stromberg could be easily taken by sur,
mise and captured. Gatacre was .oia
that the Beers there numbered only l,ooo
and were in a weak condition. Inc zen
eral determined to make an early morning
march with strong column ana slrihe
rapid blow. eo,,d
The troops chosen were the Second
Royal Irish rifles, the Second Nortnum-
berland Fusiliers, the Kings Shropshlres'
fhe Second Royal Berkshires acting as
mounted infantry, and field batteries NOS.
"a and II. We marched. out smartly, put
cautiously, from Putterskraal, ana got
within two miles of Stromberg without
the slightest indication OF the Where-
abouts of the Beers. Our forces were
proceeding cautiously when suddenly we
were met by hail of bullets coming from
behind the low ridges to the front ana
right flank The reception was TOO warm
to withstand, and we quickly sought smell
ter behind a kopje. The other troops ala
the same. We were pretty well covered
from the rain of rifle fire, but the big
guns threw their shells unpleasanuy
around us. Our. field batteries swung
into line and did splendid work, keeping
the Beers off while we sought a better
position half mile away. Here we found
ground shelter, and the infantry quickly
got into position and opened ire at long
range, while the mounted infantry were
sent out to try and get at the Beers right
flank.
Up to this time we had suffered but lit
tie, but a new danger suddenly appeared.
The Beers who ambushed us were III
front and on our right flank, but now
there came from the north another strong
command, all mounted, who menaced our
left flank. Gatacre sent the Irish and
Northumberland regiments to meet them,
and the result was simply disastrous, for
they dashed straight into the deadly fire
of number of machine guns, which the
Beers had slyly placed in a concealed po-
sition. 1t was evident we had caught
Tartar and were in a nasty position. The
Irishmen and Northumberland got back
as best they could, each with 300 men
gone.
There was nothing to do but retire. The
Beers numbered at least 5000. British
discipline saved the army There was no
confusion or disorder. Every man was
in his place and the retreat was carried
out in perfect order, the column being
covered by mounted infantry and artil-
lery, ready to swing into position at any
moment.
The Beers followed closely, swarming
around our TANKS, and dragged along two
forty-pounders, which they trained on us
at every opportunity. Had their gunners
been worth their salt they would have in
f1icted severe damage on us, but their aim
was wild and our casualties were surpris-
ingly few. AS we neared the Molteno
camp the Beers gave up the pursuit and
drew off.