New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-05
STORIES OF THE BATTLE.

TERRIFIC DUEL OF HEAVY GUNS AT
MODDER RIVER.
London. Dec 5.-The correspondent Of The As
ISOLATED Press with General Lord Methuen's
column telegraphing from Modder River last
Thursday, says:
and won. The battle conducted with un-
precedented stUbbornness on both sides. There
was one continuous roar, like the explosion Of
countless frecrackers. There was no flinching
on either side and not a moments pause.
For five hours the British batteries poured
tons of shrapnell and shells into the Boer posi-
tions. Lord Methuen had twenty-five guns, and
sach hred an average Of two hundred rounds.
The Beers had an almost equal number of guns,
Which which 1t is reported. were mostly served by
French and German artierists.
1t s believed that the Beers had occupied the
position seven weeks before and had spent the
interval in fortifying and rendering ii, as they
considered, mpregnable. They did not seem to
fear 10 expend their ammunition, and their guns
were well and smartly handled.
Owing to the bend in the river on the right
the Beers had an opportunity Of cross firing on
the British attack. The Boer Hotchkss was
directed with marvellous accuracy against a
British Maxim, killing the sergeant in charge,
woundng an officer and disabling the gun. This
occurred quite at the beginning Of the engage
ment. Whenever the Boer fire was silenced
In one direction II was Immediately reopened in
another.
Julian Ralph. describing in The Daily MALI
this morning the battle at Modder River, says:
can testify that the British never once saw
the enemy; yet they were not able TO raise
hand or foot without being riddled.
Despite all this, however, the day belonged to
the artillery The infantry never advanced two
PAGES during this day OF hell. The shells of our
twenty guns We're accurately planted in the
enemys trenches and broke the heart Of the
Beers. for, after dark. they all retreated.
THE Daily Chronicle" publishes the following
dispatch dated "Wednesday, November 20,
morning" from its correspondent at Modder
River camp
The severest engagement our column has yet
had, and probably the severest OF the whole
campaign fought yesterday on the banks
Of the Modder River The battle was waged
fiercey for nearly fourteen hours.
The enemy occupied a strongly intrenched
position their front extending five miles along
the bank Of the stream They were well sup
piled with artillery and fought desperately.
Our force consisted Of the I'd Battalion Of the
Coldstream Guards, the lst Battalion of the
Scots Guards. the Sd Battalion Of the Grenadier
Guards the lst Battalion OF the NOrthumber-
land Fusers the I'd Battalion of the York.
shire Light Infantry (the Kings OWN, part Of
the 1st Battalion Of the Loyal North Lancashire
Regiment the 9th Lancers, the mounted in
fantry three batteries OF field artillery and the
1st battalion OF the Argyll and Sutherland
Highianders princess Louises). The last named
enforced us from General Wauchope's brigade,
and arrived just in time for the fight.
The battle started at daybreak. our guns shell
ing the Beers left. The enemy replied with
artillery Hotchkss and Maxms, and the artil-
Iery duel lasted some hours. Then there was a
brief lull in the cnemy's operations. OF which
The General Immediately took advantage. Our
infantry advanced across the plain toward the
rIver IN two brigades. The Guards on the right
we're met by an awful hall of bullets from the
enemy's sharpshooters posted close TO the river
on the opposite bank. Ours had no cover what
ever and were simply moved down. II seemed
Sunossible to live through the terrible fire. but
~ brave fellows did not retreat an inch. The
Roer hre was horribly accurate, and they must
nave numbered at least ten thousand.
THE Scots Guards advanced 800 yards before
,bsv were fred on. Then they had TO lie down
o. escane the deadly fusillade which lasted with
80. tntermission throughout the day.
The Highanders made several attempts 10
,orca a massage Of the river. but they were ex-
oAA "a such a murderous enfiladng fire that
re-, bad IN retire after they had suffered terri
bI, subsequently a party OF the Guards got
onar ond held their own for hours against n
vastly superior force. .o, a., .ho, ,hara
bad never been such sustained hre IN the
annais NJ the British army as that which our
,rnons had 10 face yesterday. our men ieiI IN
DOZENS while trying 10 rush the orioge -.
Anoono t1e many heroic deeds one OF the mos
,nsnicnous was that of Lieutenant Colohel
Cndrnoton OF the Coldstream Guards captain
Continued on third pnge.