The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-05

era. posted close to the river on the oppo-
site side.
MAN simply Moved Rown.
ours had no cover whatever and were
simply moved down. IT seemed impossi-
BILE to live through the terrible fire, but
the brave fellows did not retreat an inch.
The Boer fire was horribly accurate. and
they must have numbered at least 10000.
The Guards advanced coo yards before
they were fred on. Then they had to
lie down to escape the deadly fusillade,
which lasted without intermission
throughout the day.
succeeded I'm Crossing the River.
1.-THE Hishlanders made several at
tempts to force passage OF the river. but
they were opposed to such murderous
FIRE that they had to retire after they
had suffered terribly. Subsequently
party OF the Guards got over and held
their own four hours against vastly
superior force. The general opinion OF
the stan Is that there had never been
such O sustained fire In the annals of the
British army as the troops had to face
yesterday.
Instances OF Conspicuous bravery.
"Our men fell in dozens while trying
to rush the bridge. Among the many
heroic deeds, one of the most conspicuous
was that of Lieut.. Codirgton, OF the
Coldstream Guards; Capt. Sellheyn. of the
Queensland contingent, and dozen MEM
bers Of the Coldstream guards. who
Jumped into the river and swan nearly
to the other side In face OF a steady fire,
but were forced to retire. and, Joining
hands. swan back. two of their number
being nearly drowned in the retreat.
Doers Also suffered Heavily.
''The British guns kept UP heavy FIRE
all day. and fearful havoc was wrought
on the Boer positions, the enemy being
forced to fly from their intrenchments.
shed. The infantry brigade was dread
fully cut up. The Beers retreated at
night, taking their guns with them. We
are now occupying their position. The
enemy's loss was tremendous"
Beers Retreated In Good Order.
The later details received from Mod
der river show that even the desperate
all day long November ~ failed to
drive the Beers from their strong in
trenchments, and night fell on an unde-
cided battle, but apparently, during the
course OF the night Gen. Cronje, COM
mAndipg the Beers. who are said to
have numbered u.ooo men. decided that
the struggle was hopeless. for the Brit
fish found the town and surrounding po-
sitions evacuated when daylight broke
and the whole British army crossed the
river and encamped on the Boer position.
Kimberley Must BE In Sore Need.
The experts here are unanimous in ex-
pressing the opinion that Kimberley's
needs must be very pressing to induce
Gen. Methuen to expose the whole OF his
command to the Boer marksmen, snugly
intrenched in semicircle position. So
deadly was the first fire that the Scots
Guards were compelled to leave their
Maxim guns behind when they were forc-
ed to seek less exposed ground.
The Crossing of the River.
It was only after dusk that a portion
OF the British troops succeeded In cross
Ing the river by mill dam on the ex-
treme left When night fell the Boer ar
tillery fire was still as vigorous as in
the morning, but the Beers retirement
In the night saved the situation for the
British. The exhausted condition Of the
British troops precluded the possibility
OF pursuit Of the enemy.
The conclusion of the correspondents
that the Beers must have suffered heav-
lily must be confirmed s1R0m pfIlcial
sources before it is accepted as fact.
IN any case, the Beers retired without
any sign of disorder, carrying Off their
guns and equipment. Thus Cronje's
force is still intact. USE 1s
Beers Are Between Two Forces.
The fact that Gen. Methuen and Col.
communication
may cause reconsideration of the Boer
commanders plan to give battle at Spyt-
!ontein, where he might be simultaneous
~ attacked by both British forces. II
! Is reported that Modder river bridge has
\been repaired, and that the British re-
stunned their march toward Kimberley to-
day.
The fact that the De Beers mines fam.
dry is casting shells, while the garrison
seldom replies to the Beers artillery, is
said to be due to a scarcity of ammunition
az Kimberley, partially accounting for Gen.
Methuens haste.
Gen. CIery Has Many Difficulties.
Al the news from Natal emphasizes the
difhcult.es before Gen. Clery. There Is
growing belief that some delicate flank
ing operations have been intrusted to some
tactician, while Gen. Hildyafd carried out
the direct front demonstration
Beers Smelling Ladysmith.
The latest advices from Ladysmith dat
ca November Is. say the Smelling of that
place was continued. 1t also appears that
Gen. 7Schalkburgher commanding the
Boers, sent a message suggesting that all
the wounded be sent to neutral camp.
and that Gen. White peremptoriIy refused.
when, 1t is added, the Beers deliberately
shelled the hospital. ALI accounts agree
that the Boer shells were much more DAM
aging that previously, A number of civil
ians and police were killed or wounded,
while the Liverpool and Gloucestershire
battalions lost eleven men November l.
The siege OF Ladysmith was then grow
Ing stronger. The Beers were estimated to
number from 10000 to 1900 men. The
health OF the British garrison was good
The Boer force at Colenso Is estimated to
be 1900 men, with fifteen guns.
Joubert Blows Up CoIenso Bridge,
LoURENZO MARQUEE. Nov 2s.-Gen.
JOy1bprt has retired fram E,steourt aad t.