The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-12-11
BOERS Big VICTORY.
General Gataore's Army Repulsed
Near Stormberg,
SIX HUNDRED TAKEN PRISONERS.


while the List of killed aud wound
ed, According to British Reports, Il
Small, It Is Believed Later Reports
VIII Largely Increase Casualties.
London, Dec lit is hardly too
much to regard General Gatacre's re-
pulse near Stormberg as the most seri-
Gus defeat British arms have yet sus
tanned in the whole campaign. Al
ready the official advices show that
two men were killed, nine officers and
II men were wounded and nine Of
ficers and 596 men are missing. But
It is evident that the worst is not yet
known. The proportion of wounded
and killed is so small, when compared
with the missing--who are undOubted-
ly prisoners in the hands of the Beers
that the supplementary list of casu-
alties is awaited with serious misgiv-
ings, as it is believed it will largely
increase the casualties. 1t is also
feared that there were serious losses
of guns and equipment.
General Gatacre left Putters Kraal
/ by train for Molteno, and then pro-
/ ceeded by forced march ~ miles to-
/ ward Stormberg. He had 1900 men.
including the Northumberland Fusil-
/ iers, 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.
The engagement began at Ais a. m.
At Z a. m, after a sharp artillery
duel, the British retired. They are
now marching toward Molteno. Gen
eral Gatacre found the enemy's posi-
tion impregnable. It was impossible
for the British infantry to get at the
Beers.
The column had arrived safely with
in a couple of miles of its destination,
the only incidents of the march being
an occasional sudden call of halt, "
under the belief that the Beers were
near. Suddenly a terrific fire open
ed simultaneously on the British front
and right flank. The Royal Irish
Rifles, which formed the advance,
sought shelter behind a neighboring
kopie and were speedily Joined by the
remainder of the column. tC was soon
found, however, that this position also
was covered by BoeT guns, which were
more powerful than had been sup
posed. The troops, therefore, sought
safer position about half a 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 view of getting on the enemy
right flank. Suddenly strong COM
mandO was seen moving from the
north and the Royal Irish Rifles and
the Northumberland regiment were
sent out to meet it.
, 1t was soon discovered however
that the Beers had machine guns well
placed, and the British were compelled
to face a terrible fire.
Finding it impossible to hold the
position in the face of an enemy ap-
parently superior in positions, mum.
bers and artillery, the British retired
on Molteno, the Beers following VI
the retirement closely and bringing
two big guns to bear on the retiring
column.
The Times publishes the following
dispatch from Molteno: General Cat.
acre attempted to assault the Boer po.
sition at Stormberg at dawn TO-DAY
Sunday. The guides led us wrong
and we were surprised while in fours
and after a very trying night march
Our retirement was effected in eX
cellent order, there being no hurry
even at the most critical time. Tn,
Northumberlands and Irish Rifles be
haved as if on review day l fear oul
losses are heavy. One of our guns W,
had to abandon.
A special dispatch from Ladysmith
by way of Frere, says: Genera
Brocklehurst, with cavalry and artil
lery, reconnoitered in the direction o
Pepworth Hill with view of cutting
off the Boer retreat, but he found tn,
position still strongly held. Tn,
Eighteenth Hussars, pushing forward
drew furious fire and suffered heav
fly, losing four killed and II wounded
We captured four Boer cannon"
General Schalk-Burger and Com
mandant Louis Botha are in command
of the Boer forces investing Lady
smith. Their horses are said to be il
poor condition.
A heavy report was heard in tn
direction of Colenso yesterday. Tn
sound was followed by big cloud o
smoke. The supposition is that tn
enemy had blown up the highwa,
bridge,
The Transvaal government has de
cided to consider Mr. Winston Church
Ill, who was captured Nov Is between
Estcourt and Chieveley, a combatan
officer, and to retain him as a prisoner
Mr.. Churchill has applied to Genera
Butler with a view of getting an eX
change.
North of Modder River town tn
British fred lyddite shells on the Boe
: position, where the enemy was ap
parently constructing an emplacemen
J for a 40-pounder. The lyddite shell
appeared to do immense damage. TIL
Beers retired, but the incident is in
teresting as showing that the BOeT
are still in position quite close t
Modder River.
Prevented a Tragedy.
Timely information given Mrs. Georl
Long, of New Straitsville, Ohio prevented