The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-13


Sharply Criticisedin London-Gcn. Butler
silent as to His Plans - Relief Force
Marching To Msfeking From Rhodesia.
Special Cable De,patcA to The Sun.
IoSpos. Dec. 49, The sortie at Ladysmith
f. the only important war news that has been
received during the past twenty-four hours.
Gen. Sir Redvers Butler sent to the War ONCE
from Frere camp. the following. which he had
received from Gen. White:
Dec. 11.-Last night Lieut.-Col. Metcalfe
Of the Second Rife Brigade. with 500 OF his
battalion. made a sortie to capture hill and
destroy ~ howitzer mounted there. They
reached the crest OF the hill undis-
covered and drove of the enemy. The gun
was destroyed with Run-cotton by Lieut..
Jones OF the Royal Engineers. Detach-
ment returning found it's retirement barred
by Beers. but forced its way through.
using bayonets freely. Boer losses consid-
cradle. Ours. Rife Brigade. killed. Lieut. Fer
guson and ten men, wounded. Capt. Paley.
Lieut.. Davenport and forty men. Six Rihe
Brigaders who remained in charge OF
wounded were taken prisoners. Engineers,
one man killed and one wounded.
Gen, Butler continues silent as to his own
PROSPECTIVE movements. The fact that he has
not yet advanced does not excite impatience
here his judgment being unluestoned.
So much cannot be said respecting Gen.
Catacre The critics. while admitting that
errors are unavoidable and recalling those
made by the greatest commanders In
history. nevertheless condemn him as being
responsible for a grave blunder His silence
as to how no lost nearly seven hundred
men is regarded as most unsatisfac-
tory. and there is an evident dispose
ton to suspect that some humiliating story
ia being withheld either by Gen. Gataere or his
superiors The claim OF President Steyn OF the
Orange Free State that three guns and two
wagons were captured is also compared with
Gatacre's statement that he lost one gun and
a desire Is expressed to have the discrepancy
explained.
There Is no news from Gen. Lord Aethuen.
commanding the Kimberley relief column.
This is probably due to the interruption in
cable communication.
A despatch from Lorenzo Marquez. dated
Dec IL .lrefers to lighting which is doubtles IS the
same that was mentioned In Tuesdays message
The despatch. which comes from Boer source.
says that Comm andant Cronje attacked the Brit
ish who were prepared to advance towards Kim
berley. The engagement was proceeding
when the report left.
The Daily hail publishes details from its
correspondents at Ladysmith showing that al
the men who took part in the recent attack o.
the Boer position on Gun Hill were or
foot Some wore rubber-soisd shoes ant
carried no bayonets and their rides wsr,
not loaded. When they had SILENT,
mounted the rocks. passing the sleep
ns Boer pickle. they suddenly hearc
the challenge who comes thereI" n,
reply was made. and the challenge wa
repeated Then the Beers cried several time
The Redcoatsi Shooti" An oflcer OF the LGh
Horse Volunteers thereupon shouted In Dutch
The Redcoats with bayonetsl RUM
The British cheered and charged
The enemy's nre broke out II
front and rear. and the British In front though
their comrades In the rear were nring on them
Gen. Hunter ordered cease fire" to b.
sounded. and the next minute the Boer
bolted. Some thirty were surprised asleep
One OF the sereeants amid the confusion
seized Gen. Hunter by the throat crying
who the devil arc your"
The correspondent adds that a letter writer
by Boer gunner was found. IN which tn,
writer said: Mister EnGlishman Is a yer,
hard fighter, aud Ladysmith won't fall ye,
We are still strong here"
The Morning Iosrs expert. backed by a.
editorial. vehemently complains OF tn
insufficiency OF the force sent to Sou.
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