Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-12-15
General Cronie Reports Many
British Put Out Of Action
on Wednesday.
suGHERs MAlETAlN POSITION
Their Loss Estimated at 100
Killed and Wounded-Fieht
Confirmed by Tele-
graph Operator

Pretoria, Dec 15-General Cronje
reports that yesterday there was de
sultory fighting till 8, when heavy
cannon fire resumed. .Scandinavians
stormed a difficult position but it be,
came untenable and they suffered Sc
verely. 81 was unable to send help
British were overwhelming in force
but must have had at least 1000 men
put out of action, either killed OF
wounded" Another official report
from Captain Finnhart says: There
were no signs of surrender, the Bur
ghers fighting with conspicuous brav-
cry, maintaining their positions un
der heavy British fire. Our cannon
were of very little use.
1.-The British were greatly assisted
by balloons. Twenty-four ambulances
were working backward and for
ward between the fighting line ant
the enemys camp. Our loss is moi
definitely known. estimate it al
100 killed and wounded" A telegraph
operator at Modder River wires:
Gun and Maxim firing have beer
proceeding since $3.50 this morning
At 10 cannonading was proceeding
and at the fighting was reported very
severe. The Boer force along the
river bank was being heavily attacked
and is receiving assistance from
other Boer forces"
It is not known whether the opCrat
or refers to the fighting on Monday
or renewed fighting ON Tuesday.
London, Dec. 15-A special from
Modder River says the firing reported
by the telegraph operator was the re
sumption of fighting between Gen
eral Methuen's forces and the Beers.
London; Dec. 15-The war Office has
dispatch from Colonel Kekewich,
dated Kimberly, Dec. 10, saying:
Tho Beers reattacked Kuruman and
were again repulsed- by The I4ovalists
and Bechuanes.
Kimberly forces made demonstra
tion nortward on December 9, drew
500 Beers and three guns. Fighting
ensued for several hours. The Bri
tish casualties were one man killed
seven wounded. =
Pretoria, Dec. 15-It is officially an
nounced that Molopo, west of Mafe
king, was bombarded on December II
Sharp fighting occurred. The Boer
attacked the British post at N.afe
king during the night of Decembers11
After severe fighting the Beers wer
repulsed and retired to Suyman'
Fort
Frere Camp, Dec. 13-The expect
ed artillery duel between the BIRTHS
and Boer forces did not come off toda
The British bombarded the position
around Colenso but the Beers did nc
reply.
London, Dec. 15.-The war offic
has received the following disnatc
from the officer commanding q
Orange River Thursday, Decembe
"a. Yesterday part of the mouate
infantry under Captain Bradshaw
and Yorkshires and Lancashires, wit
guides under Lieutenant McFarlan
patrolied in the direction of Rama
and Zoutspan Drift, about ten nile
east Of Orange River, to reconnoite
and report the strength of the enem
reported to be holding Drift. Th
mounted infantry found a strong d.
tachment OF the enemy at Drift and
sharp engagement ensued. The el
emy ultimately retreated to Goemal
berg. Captain Bradshaw and thre
men were killed; Lieutenant. Gre
con, East Kent, and seven me
wounded, The Beers had five me
Killed, and several wounded.