The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-20
BULLEHs DErEar Ar THE IcGELA.
Boer Position Too strong md Their Force
Too Large for the British.

Too Large for the British.
Sp,t'd CAB B,Ipr;ehes 10 The suS
CHTEvELEY CAMP. Dec. 10 delayed In trans
missionl-A tattle was fought on Colenso
plata to-day between the Beers and the Brit
ish forces under Gen. Butler
Two Boer camps had been located and Gen.
Har's brigade was sent westward from Doom
Kop TO Bride Drift and ordered TO cross the
Tugela River and follow its north bank to the
bridge. Gen. Hildyard's brigade was ordered
TO advance and cross the bridge with the OBJ
iect OF capturing the korIcs on the north side
oithe river. A cavalry Or gade one thousand
strong with one battery Of artillery was sent to
the extreme right flank for the purpose OF en-
fladng the bridge.
Tho naval guns opened FIRE at 5:45 A. NJ.
There was no reply at first. Then a heavy
musketry fire opened from behind Fort wylie.
The Seventh and Fourteenth batteries under
Col Long were within 800 yards OF the Boer
rife p!'s. The Beers also opened n shell IRE
from Groblcr's kloof. The British artillery
horses were killed and ten guns were left on
the field. Col. Long. Col. Hunt and all the
other officers OF the artillery were wounded.
Gen. Harris brigade. led by a guide. ad-
yaneei on tho left towards the drift. It was
met BY shell fire from two guns and a cross
IRE from musketry and compelled to retire.
Att o'clock firing commenced on the ex-
treme right, Thorneycroit's Mounted Infantry
losing ~ in killed and wounded. A COM
pojIte regiment Of the Kings Royal Rifles,
mounted, the Imperia! Light Horse and the
Natal Carb!ncers, under command OF Col
Walters, covered the retirement. The South
African Light Horse. which was also engaged.
suffered heavy losses.
Ten. liart's brigade, supported by Gen.
Lyttleton made q second advance. but retired
again after n strong reconnaissance In which
the Beers were compelled to show their posi-
tons In the hils.whero they were entrenched In
tiers.
The entire ioros then retired to Oh ieveley.
There wcro com paratiysly few men killed. A
rough estimate places the number OF wounded
at 100
All branches OF tho British force behaved
well and showed rare GOODNESS. The whole
story can be summarized by saying that tho
B0sr position was too strong and their force
too 'argc for an attack from the front
Wherever tho bullets and shells were the
thcS"st there Gen, Butler was to DO found.
Capt, Boyco OF Gen. Clcry's staff had his horse
Killed, but escaped injury himself Major
fIi'on's horse was shot In the hind leg. Capt.
M'NHmhrn. an aide -do-camp to Gen. Clery. had
MS horse killed and a bullet went through the
CAPTAINS helmet.
D" Hughes, Gen. Buffers stan surgeon was
E"'cl. Capt, Roberts. son of Gen. Lord
hoh"Hs. was wounded. Capt. Roberts has
sine" dlod
The ConnauGht Rangers. the Dublin Fus-
'e's and the Fast Surveys suffered heavily.
NWor Stuart Wortlcy's litter bearers behaved
rN'"''ently during to-day's fighting and col
I'r'el 800 Of the wounded. While thcy were
Wp'"lng under the Rcd Cross Gag the Beers
i.eI number OF 70 lrys at them and several
OF The bearers were killed.
Inc BoHrS safe that their loss was heavy
ana that they wish they had never seen Co.
IcnsO.
The Border regiment had 3 killed and 42
wounded,
LONDON. Dec. ia despatch to the Times
rom Chiev"iy Cnmp adds little to what Ia al
ready known about Gen. Buffers fight at the
lgeIO Riycr. II says:
II" b"rrp0-itlon was an exceedingly strong
one There was line OF kopies deliberately
''F'.!ei with cntrenchnents ana emplace-
""htH' Will" our advance was without cover.
me bomhordmrnr began at : A. NJ nnl was
I"h'S I'll $50. At o'clock Gems. Hildynrd
ana Hart opened fro. Harris attack lasted till
10 O'clock
Abe men advanced in the most gallant man