Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-13
Sc 2IOUS CHECK
TO BRITISH ARMS
General Metfuens Column Fights 10 Hours,
and Then the Commander Reports Hold
ing His Own, but Losses Heavy.

are sending the prisoners TO Blocmfon-
tcin.
The Iioor iosa on sunday IL rcportod
60 have been four Killed and nine
wounded. Probably this Il correct. as
no genuine attack was made by Gen.
Gatacrc'a troops. who were completely
surprised while In column. The British
apparently eimpiy rushed up the near
cnt hli.wiihout orders or knowing where
the enemy was. II also nppoara that
the British were 90 exhausted that they
were unable TO accomplish anything.
They had been on the move since I q.
m. sunday. travelling BY train IN open
trucks IN the hruiilng sun, 10 Multcno
After an hours rosi they proceeded on
an hours march over the most difficult
and unknown country.
Gen. Bullors advance In the direction
N Colenso sccms 10 have actually COM
menced. The military attaches have
lcft capotown to Join Gen. Butler. via
Durham.
Gen. white reports under date 81
Tuesday, Dee. ~ that there are thirty
two cases OF cn-cric fever ut Lady
emlth.
There are renewed reports OF a cabl-
net crisis at capetown. where u l. said.
Gov. Miner u about to act, In cOnso-
quence OF tho disclosures Involving the
mlnistry's loyalty.
The White Star line steamer Majestic
nails from Liverpool today for South
The White Star line steamer cymrlc
has been chartered for use as q trans
port.
The war Office Mt London received the
following message from Gen. Forester
Walker
"capciown. Tuesday. DC. 1s.-No fur
Their details from Methucn."
"Gatacre " moving from Bushmnns
Hook TO Stcrkstrocm today.
THE magistrate at Sicrkstrocm wires
H.. - A. 81 A. q 49,
Improved. Many Of the missing have
turned up.
French reports that detachment OF
/ cavalry, with two guns 81 horse nttil-
lcry. fcc0nnoltcrcd the bocrH position
at ouilfonieln and Nalkopf. eight miles
mort OF Arundel. They shollod farm
ana drove tile enemy from Nanikopf.
/ The iiOer loss was one killed and scy-
cral wounded. our Casualties NIL"
"A the gay progressed and the drih-
| let's or lntormntlonr leaked out. the
extreme gravity OF Gen. Methuen's po-
sltion was more fully recognized and
! the possibility Of his isolation created
no small alarm IN military circles.
| II was thought Ia some quarters that
he ought TO fctracc his steps 20 orange
/ river before his lines Of communica-
Gen. wauchope's death was much
| deplored. lie rendered notable service
az the battle OF Omdurman. for which
he was thanked by both houses OF par
| lament.
| A pathetic Incident was that Gen.
Wauchope'a wife was among the In
! qulrerH AZ the war Office few minutes
before the telegram announcing his
death was posted
The stock exchange today closed
grave aud anxious.
There was considerable nervousness
rs 10 the outcome Of the settlement.
and there were rumOrr Of failures. Con-
Huls were weak and kafiirs mere more
depressed than at any time during the
present year
There was little excitement notice.
able at the war Office. but at the hotels
there was considerable gloomy forcbod-
Ing that the brief announcement that
800 wounded had arrived at Moddcr
river Indicated that den. Mcthucn'a
losses were more severe than reported.
North ~ Modder River, Monday. Dee
ii.-Early yesterday evening the guards
" the Highland brigade moved from
tho Moddcr river camp, marching In
the night In "a northcgatcrly direction,
The objective ~ the Hlghiandrrs was
the eastern spur ~ the Boor position
the guards followed the bank of the
river while the Yorkshire Hight infan-
try moved along the river side.
Just before daybrcak the Hlghlandera
arrived within 200 yards OF the hucr
entertainments. at the foot of "a hin.
\ number ~ lincrs were la the Nicin-
ity. The nritishers were still march
ing quarter column. In close order.
when they met "A terrible fire frum the
Hanks and were forced to retire with
heavy loss.
The troops reformed under the shell
ter ~ some rising ground, ana calamity
held their position.
Later. the Gordons arrived. and the
troops gradually worked their way TN
IN within 800 yards Of the liucr posi-
ton, displaying the greatest gallnntry.
In the meanwhile naval Eun at the
Modder river and two howltzer batter
les and the horse artillery opened a
terrific fire. ennlndlng the trenches.
and searching every portion OF the
Bocr position.