The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-12-11
B0BRS BIG VICTORY. :
General 0asasss's Amy Rspalssd
Near Stormberg. .....
SIX HUNDRED TAKEN PRISONERS.

While the List Of KILLED aad Wound.
ed, According to British Reports, 10
SMALL, II II Believed Later Reports
VIII Largely Increase Casualties.
London. Dec. lit Is hardly too
much to regard General Gatacre's re-
pulse near Stormberg as the most seri-
GUS defeat British arms have yet sus-
tanned in the whole campaign. Al
ready the oflcial advices show that
two men were killed, nine oficers and
II men were wounded and nine Of
ilcers and 500 men are missing. But
1t is evident that the worst is not yet
known. The proportion of wounded
and killed Is SO small, when compared
with the missing-who are undOubted-
ly prisoners in the hands of the Beers
that the supplementary list of casu-
allies 10 awaited with serious misgiv-
ings, as 1t IL believed 1t will largely
increase the casualties. 1t is also
feared that there were serious losses
Of guns and equipment.
General Gatacre left Putters Kraal
by train for Molteno. and then pro-
ceeded by forced march IL miles to-
ward Stormberg. He had 1000 men,
including the Northumberland Fusil-
iers, the Royal Irish Rifles and two
batteries of field artillery.
The British were unmOlested by the
Beers until the Boer position was
reached, when a hot fire was unex-
pectedly opened upon the advancing
column.
The engagement began at 4: Is a. m.
At a. m, after "a sharp artillery
duel, the British retired. They are
now marching toward Molteno. Cen
eral Gatacre found the enemy's posi-
ton impregnahle. 1t was impossible
for. the British infantry to get at the
Beers.
The column had arrived safely with
in a couple of miles Of its destination,
the only incidents of the march being
an occasional sudden call of halt"
under the belief that the Beers were
near. Suddenly terrific fire OPEN
ed simultaneously on the British front
and right flank. The Royal Irish
Rifles, which formed the advance,
sought shelter behind neighboring
kopje and were speedily joined by the
remainder of the column. 1t was soon
found, however, that this position also
was covered by Boer guns, which were
more powerful than had been sup
posed. The troops, therefore, sought
a safer position about half mile
away, two batteries In the meantime
engaging the Beers and covering the
troops in their withdrawal.
The action now became general at
long range and detachment of
mounted infantry moved northward,
with view of getting on the enemy's
right flank. Suddenly strong COM
mando was seen moving from the
north and the Royal Irish Rifles and
the Northumberland regiment were
sent out to meet it.
1t was soon discovered, however,
that the Beers had machine guns well
placed, and the British we're compelled
to face terrible fire.
Finding it impossible to hold the
position in the face of an enemy ap-
parently superior in positions, num-
bers and artillery, the British retired
on Molteno, the Beers following up
the retirement closely and bringing
two big guns to bear on the retiring
column.
The Times publishes the following
dispatch from Molteno: General Cat
acre attempted to assault the Boer po-
sition at Stormberg at dawn today
Sunday. The guides led us wrong,
and we were surprised while In tours
and after a very trying night march.
Our retirement was effected In ex-
celIent order, there being no hurry,
even at the most critical time. The
Northumberland and Irish Rifles be-
haved as il on review day. fear our
losses are heavy. One Of our guns we
had to abandon.
A special dispatch from LadysL \
by way of Frere, says: Gene
Brocklehurst, with cavalry and ar 4 \
lery, reconnoitered in the direction
Pepworth Hill with a view of cuttil 4
off the Boer retreat, but he found til
position still strongly held. The
Eighteenth Hussars, pushing forward,
drew furious fire and suffered heav-
lily, losing four killed and II wounded.
We captured four Boer cannon"
General Schalk-Burger and Com
mandant Louis Botha are in command
of the Boer forces investing Lady
smith. Their horses are said to be in
poor condition.
A heavy report was heard in the
direction OF Colenso yesterday. The
sound was followed by big cloud of
smoke. The supposition is that the
enemy had blown up the highway
bridge.
The Transvaal government has de-
cided to consider Mr.. Winston Church.
i'll, who was captured Nov. Is between
Estcourt and Chieveley, a combatant
officer, and to retain him as prisoner
Mr.. Churchill has applied to General
Butler with view of getting an ex-
change.
North of Modder River town the
British fred lyddite shells on the Boer
position, where the enemy was ap-
parently constructing an emplacement
for 40-pounder. The lyddite shells
appeared to do immense damage The
Beers retired, but the incident is in
teresting as showing that the Beers
ORC etiu In ppe;tiop o,,ita cInsa IN