Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-16
dated Kimberley. Sunday, December 10th,

= -
dated Kimberley. Sunday, December 10th
saying.
THE Beers have reattacked thurman
and have again been repulssd by Loyal
lists and Bechuanans. The Kimberley
forces made a demonstration northward
December 9Th. and drew 500 Beers and
three guns. Fighting ensusd for several
hours. The British casualties were one
man killed and seven wounded"
CONSIDERATION IN BRITAIN.
LONDON. December l6-4s0 A. NJ
The news of General Buffers reverse was
received so late that morning newspaper
! comment to-day Is confined TO perfume
tory expressions of extreme regret and
| disappointment, and Of the necessity for
calmness and redOubied efforts to retrieve
the position.
The latest check Is regarded as the
most serious event In Great Britain's
military history since the Indian mutiny.
The Standard says: General Buffers
dispatch IS deplorable reading. 1t Is the
| now familiar story Of concealed Beers
and OF British troops marching up blind
ly almost 10 the very mIzzes OF the
enemy's rifles. II cannot be doubted that
the moral effect will be 10 aggravate our
difficulties over the whole field OF opera
lions.
BOER GENERALSHIP.
"The country has discovered. with an
noyance and surprise, that subduing Boer
farmers Is about the hardest work we
have entered upon since the Indian mu-
tiny. Their commandants have shown
themselves able 20 give our generals USE
ful. but expensive, lessons In modern
tactics"
The Times says: "sInce the days Of
the Indian mutiny the nation has not
been confronted with 80 painful and anX-
ious a situation. Plainly, General Bul-
ler's advance is paralyzed for the mo-
ment. as completely as Lord Methuen's
and General Gatacre's.'
DEPRESSION GREAT.
The depression over tie defeat Of Great
Britain's trusted and idOlizet command
er is all the greater as. during The last
fortv-eight hours, there had been reports
OF the relief Of Ladysmith. Yesterday
the war Office allowed it 10 be under
stood that the position Of affairs in Natal
was entirely satisfactory. The reaction
is all the more pronounced on thls ac-
count.
The gloomy information came too late
70 reach the service clubs, and only a
few journalists and stragglers were walt
ING at the War Office Il has haidly
been realized until now, even after tho
experience Of the week. that General Bul-
Ter could fail. Virtually nothing had
been allowed to leak through regarding
his preparations, but the public waited
patiently. in the confident belief that ne
was taking such time and precautions a5
would ensure success.
british AGAIN ENTRAPPED.
No independent reports OF The engage
mant have yet been allowed 10 come
through. but General Buffers own dls-
patch tells the sad tale in sufficient out
line 10 snow that the British nave been
eutrapped again by the astute Beers.
II was not anticipated that General
Butler would make frontal attack. NO
criticisms Of his movements are made,
however. since apparently ne suffered
reuulse rather than defeat, ana oid nor
push the attack home, but broke 1t or IN
the middle. so as 10 save a useless sa'rl-
flee of life. II g. said that he Will renew
the attack shortly.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO BE RUSHED.
Immediately on receiving the news the
War Office decided 70 mobilize still an
other division, and 20 replace the losses
of artillery. The necessary reinforce
ments Will be hurried or as speedily as
possible.
Fifteen TRANSPORTS are due 10 arrive at
Cane Town between December 18th and
January Sth. with about i0Ot) troops or
am arms. but unless General Butler Is
able 10 renew the attack, which Is ex-
ceedinglv doubtful, the British generals
will be compelled, fol, another fortnight
or more. to remain practically on the de-
fensive.
rADYsMITHS POSITION PERlLoUS.
The latest dispatches indicate the con-
dnued bombardment Of l-adysml1h'
whose position is now perilous.
Mafor-General Sir Herbert Charles
Chermside has been appointed TO com
rnaud The Fourteenth Brigade, in the
Seventh Division.
CASUALTIES At MEGARSFONTElN.
LONDON. December 1870 y. NJ
The list of casualties among the nom
commissioned officers and men at the
fight at Megarsfontein shows % killed. laS
wounded C2l severely. and 10 missing.
This. however is apparently not a COM
plete list.
HOER REPORTS OF PRISONERS.
WASHINGTON. December l5.-Mr.
Nracrurn United states Consul at Preto-
ria has cabled the State Department
that the Transvaai Government mas IN
formed him that fun reports will be
given. through the War ONCE of the re-
public. of the name and condition Of Bril-
tish prisoners when applied for by the
British authorities.
MACRUM SAILS TOMORROW.
I.OURENZO MARQUES. December 10
Charles A. Macrum. late United States
Consul az Pretoria. viii leave for New
York Sunday. December 10th.
Mr.. W. Stanley Hollis, the United states
Consul here. Will assume the duties of
AIr. Macrums Office until the arrival Of
the latter's successor