Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-11

"Two hundred and ninety men.
seventy-Fourth Fourth Field Battery.
'Severely wounded:
Lieutenant Lewis.
"Three men.
''Slightly wouned:
''Two men.
seventy-seventh Field Battery.
"Killed:
"One gunner.
"Wounded:
''Major Perceval.
Northumberland FusilIiers.
"Missing:
''Major Stevens.
''Captain Fletcher.
''Captain Morley.
'Second Lieutenant Wake.
"Second Lieutenant Coulson.
Lieutenant Radcliffe.
Dorsetshire Regiment.
"Missing;
"Three hundred and six non-comInis.
stoned officers and men.
Royal Berkshire Regiment.
"Killed:
"One private.
'"The remainder Of my casualties will
be wired as soon as asc rtained.'
MoLTENo, Cape Colony, Sunday, Dec.
10.-General Gatacre left Putter's kraal
by train for Molteno and then proceeded
by forced march 12 miles toward Storm
berg. He had 1000 men, including the
Northumberland fusiliers, the Royal
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 unexpected.
ly opened upon the advancing column.
The engagement began at about Ala
q. m. At about q. M, after a sharr
artillery duel, the British retired. They
are now marching toward Molteno.
General Gatacre found the enemy's po-
sition impregnable. It was impossible
for the British infantry to get at the
Beers.
The column arrived safely within 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 terrific fire opened stimuli
taneously on the British front and
right flank. The Royal Irish Rifles,
which formed the advance, sought
shelter behind a neighboring kopje and
were speedily joined by the remainder
of the column.
1t was soon found, however. that this
position also was covered by Boer guns.
which were more powerful than had
been supposed. The troops, therefore,
sought safer position 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 view
of getting on the enemy's right flank.
Suddenly strong commando 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 posi-
ton in the face of an enemy appar-
emily superior in position, numbers and
artillery, the British retired to Molteno,
the Beers following up the retirement
closely and bringing two big guns to
bear on the retiring column.
1t was believed here that the British
casualties were not serious.
General 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 entrenched along the Storm
berg range. He left Putters kaal
shortly after noon yesterday with
fighting force slightly over 1000 men.
Leaving Molteno at 8 last evening he
made a memorable night march over
the Rocks veldt. There was no sound
except steady tramp and there were
no distinguishing lights, the bright
moon having gone down about 11:30.
LONDON, Dec. 1.-THE war Office re-
ceived the following dispatch from Cape
Town, dated Saturday night:
"The position of the enemy IN Storm
berg district last night was the follow
ing:
"At Stormberg, six laagers; at Dord-
recht, 800 men; % miles south OF Sterk-
stroom. 220 men.
"Major Elliott reports that Dalgetty,
with force, has gone toward Dordrecht
to cooperate with Gatacre.
"The railway bridge at Modder river
WIS completed Dec. z. Methuen reports
that he made demonstration up the
line of the railway at daylight today
with artillery. The enemy did not re-
spond. Methuen is receiving the re-
mainder Of his rsinforcements and sup
plies. He has established detached post
on his lines Of communication.
"Mafekiug reports all well on Nov.
3d."
LONDON, Dec. ia special dispatcn
from Ladysmith, by way of Frere, adds
to the war Office account, cabled Satur-
day, of the capture of the Boer guns
near Pepworth hill. 1t said in part:
General BrookIehurst, with cavalry
and artillery, Iecbnnoitered in the di-
rection of Pepworth hill with view Of
rutting off the Boer. retreat. but he
found the position still strongly held.
The Eighteenth Hussars, pushing for
ward, drew furious fire and suffered
heavily, losing four killed and II
wounded.D