The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-11

found impFacticabIe ground. Cas-
ualties, so far as known, are sent
herewith. The remainder of my
ascertained."
MOLTENO, Cape Colony Dec. 10.-Gen.
Gatacre left Putters Kraal by train for
Molteno and then proceeded by forced
march twelve miles towards Stormberg
He had 2,0O0 men, including the Northunn-
berland 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 unexpectedly
opened upon the advancing column. The
engagement began at Ais a. m. At a.
M, after sharp artillery duel. the Brit
ish retired. They are now marching to-
ward Moteno. Gen. Gatacre found the
enemy's position impregnable. 1t was
impossible for the British infantry to get
at the Beers.
ILL-FATED MOVEMENT.
Gen. Gatacre's movement may be term
ed reconnaissance in force It's object
was to ascertain the strength of the posi-
tion of the Beers, who were strongly in
trenched along the stormberg range. He
left Putter's KraaI shortly after noon
yesterday with a fighting force slightly
over 1900 men. Leaving Molteno at 8
last evening he made memorable night
march over the rocks and veldt. There
was no sound except steady tramp and
there were no distinguishing lights, the
hriu
half past II.
The column arrived safely within a
couple Of miles of its destination, the only
incidents of the march being an occa-
sional sudden call of halt under the
belief that the Beers were near Sudden
ly a terrific fire opened simultaneously
on the British front and right flank. The
Royal Irish rifles, which formed the ad-
vance, sought shelter behind a neighbor-
boring 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 sup
posed. The troops, therefore, sought a
| safer position about half mile away,
two batteries in the meantime enga gins
| the Beers and covering the troops in their
| withdrawal
ACTION GENERAL.
I The action now became general at long
range, and a detachment of mounted in
! fantry moved northward with view OF
| using Gatlings on the eneEly'S right
| flank. Suddenly a strong commando was
| seen moving from the north, and the
Royal Irish rifles and the Northumber-
| land regiment were sent out to meet it,
1t was soon discovered, however, that
the Beers had machine guns we'll placed
no 70
a terrible fire. Finding 1t Impossible to
hold the position in the face of an enemy
| apparently superior in position, numbers
| and artillery, the British retired on Mol
| teno, the Boers following up the retire
ment closely, and bringing two big guns
| to bear on the retiring column.
| 1t Is believed here that the British cas-
| ualtieS were not serious.
CRUSHING BLOW.
LONDON, Dec. lit is hardly too much
! to regard Gen. Gatacre's repulse near
| Stormberg as the most serious defeat
British arms have yet sustained in the
whole campaign. Already the official
| advices show that two men were killed
and nine officers and seventeen men were
wounded, and nine officers and 596 men
are missing. But it is evident the worst
is not yet known. The proportion of
wounded and killed is so small when COM
pared with the m1SSlnS-Who are un-
doubtedly prisoners in the hands of the
Beers, that the supplementary list of
casualties is awaited with serious misgiv-
ings.
1t is also feared there were serious
losses of guns and equipment. The most
serious aspect of the affair is the effect it
is likely to have on the Dutch in Cape
Colony, who have been wavering wheth-
er to throw their lots with the Beers.
The Dutch farmers are now likely to
Join in rebellion. Defeat is serious. 1t
will delay the junction of Gen. Gatacre
with Gen. French at Nauwpoort The
plan was for their combined forces to
relieve the pressure on Lord Methuen's
column.
The disclosure of such a strong force
about Stormberg was quite unexpected
Doubtlessly Gen. Gatacre was the victim
of treacherous guides But the move