The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-14
A SERIOUS BLOW.
Reverse the Worst Yet En-.
c0untered by the British.

Methuen's Reverse the Worst Yet En-
countered by the British.
LONDON, Dec. IA, 4:45 a. m.-Each i'm
portant battle seems to bring a worse re-
verse for the British. and the papers this
morning sorrowfully admit that Lord
Methuen's check at Magersfontein is the
most serious event the war has yet pro-
duced. The Morning Post says: I'VE have
had our day of humiliation appointed for
us. Let US accept it humbly and soberly
and be better and stronger for the lesson
1t has taught US. This last reverse will
make US a fresh butt of Europe. There
never was a more apt occasion to prove to
Europe what we are WORTH
The position Lord Methuen assaulted is
thus described by a correspondent: Mag
ersfontein range terminates on the east
with an abrupt saddle rock. some 150 feet
high. Boer intrenchments run around the
miles long. due east and west. The west
ern ends of the trenches follow the con-
tour of the kopjes and afford a retreat"
Julian Ralph. describing the battle In a
special dispatch to the Daily Mail. says:
1.-The Beers were intrenched at Magers-
fontein, four miles north Of Modder river.
At dawn Monday the Highlanders, advanc-
ing across the veldt, were suddenly SUBJ
jected to a murderous fire from the
trenches about 200 yards in front. The
greater part of the fearful loss of the day
was thus suffered in a single minute.
Startled and overwhelmed. the brigade re-
tired quickly, but soon rallied and retained
their position. This was on the left. On
the right the Guards brigade advanced
across the veldt against other trenches and
fought an invisible foe for fifteen hours.
At IL o'clock in the morning the Gordon
Highlanders were sent forward Tie Beers
allowed them to pass one line of trenches
and then enfiladed them. We raked the
Boer trenches with artillery throughout the
day. The lighting only ceased with night
fall"
HIGHLANDERS MOVED DOWN.
Another correspondent says: 1.-The Brit
ish casualties included the Marquis of
Winchester. major of the second battalion
of the Coldstream Guards. who was killed,
and Colonel Downham, of the first bat
talon Gordon Highlanders. who was NOR
tally wounded. When the Highlanders met
the murderous point-blank fire Of the Beers
about 200 were moved down. The Black
Watch regiment. on reforming. was able to
muster only 160 men. The Beers lost heav-
lily in the trenches and also in the wire en-
tanglements when they came into the open
in an attempt to make flank attack on
the British.
''The terrific British artillery fire provoked
no response. except from the Boer rifles.
until nearly 4 o'clock in the afternoon when
the Gordon Highlanders formed to renew
the attack on the intrencheu kopje. They
advanced with the utmost gallantry TO at
tack the Beers, close to the place where
lay tneT uead anu WOunOed cOmraueS OF
the Highland brigade. The enemy opened
with n heavy shrapnel fire as the British
advanced and 1t was found physically i'm
possible to take the Boer trenches. The
British got within zoo yards. but could not
get nearer. II was here that Colonel Down
ham fell. The Beers had had free recourse
to barbeG wire entsnglements. which
offered great obstacles even after the dam
age inflicted by the British artillery fire.
This morning CTuesday) both sides occu-
pied the positions they held before the
baltic.
THE greatest bravery was displayed by
both officers and men, The wounded in
clude Lieutenant Colonel A. F. Codrington
and Captain Stcr.ig. both OF the first bat
talon OF the Coidstream Guards
"A detachment OF Beers posted among
some thick bushes to the east maintained a
most destructive IRE on our right. With the