The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-12-20

LONDON, Dec. 1.-THE British
forces under General Gatacre have me1
with the most serious disaster of the
campaign at Stormberg, which Gata.
ere was advancing to attack. Genera
Gatacre has been operating against the
Free State forces who invaded Cape
Colony Stormberg is located in Cape
Colony, about seventy miles from the
Orange Free State border.
LONDON, Dec. 1.-THE War Office
publishes the following dispatch from
General Forester Walker at Cape
Town:
Gatacre reports: 5" Deeply regret tC
inform you that | met with a serious
reverse in the attack on Stormberg.
was misled as to the enemy's position
by the guides and found impracticablf
ground. .
LONDON, Dec. 11.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Molteno:
General Gatacre attempted to as
sault the Boer position at Stormberg at
dawn today (Sunday) The guides leo
us wrong and we were surprised while
in fours and after a very trying might
march. Our retirement was effected in
excellent order, there being no hurry
even at the most crlMcal time. The
Northumberland and Irish Rifles be-
haved as if on review day. | fear our
losses are heavy. One of our guns we
had to abandon"
Leaving Molteno at o'clock last
evening" he made a memorable night
march over the rocks and veldt. There
was no sound except a steady tramp
and there were no distinguishing
lignCs, the bright moon having gone
down about 1870 o'clock. The column
arrived safely within a couple of miles
of it's destination, the only incidents
of the march being an occasional sud
den call of HALT under the belief
that the Beers were near.
Suddenly a terrific fire opened stimuli
taneously on the British front and
right flank The Second Royal Irish
Rifles, which formed the advance,
sought shelter behind a neighbomng
kopie and were speedily Joined by the
remainder of the column. 1t was soon
found, however, unat this position also
was covered by Boer guns, which were
more powerful than had been sup
posed. The troops, therefore. sought a
safer place about half a mile away, two
batteries in the meantime engaging
the Beers, one covering the troops in
their withdrawal.
The action now became general at
long range, and a detachment OF
mounted infantry moved northward
with a view of assaulting the enemy's
right flank Suddenly a strong COM
mando was seen moving from the
north and the Royal Irish Rifles and
Second Northumberland Regiment
were, sent out to meet dt.
1t was soon discovered. however,
that the Beers had machine guns well
placed and the British were compelled
to face a terrible fire. Finding 1t i'm
possible to hold the position in the face
of an enemy apparently superior in
position. numbers and artillery, the
British retired on Molteno, the Beers
following up the retirement closely
and bringing two big guns TO bear on
the retiring column. 1t is believed
here that the British casualties were
not serious.
LOST SEVEN HUNDRED.
PRETORIA, Dec. 11.-Six hundred
and seventy-two British prisoners
were taken at Stormberg In the
fighting at Modder river yesterday
evening. General Cronje maintained
his position and captured fifty British
soldiers.
LONDON, Dec. 11-Later details re-
garding the disaster to General Gata-
cre's column show that but for the
work of Ghe British artI-
lery the disaster would have been far
more extensive. as the incessant Boer
fire. in the midst of the repulsed in
fantry, ultimately led to disorder, |
which only escaped developing into a |
rout through the batteries Of artillery
successive positions, cover /