Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-08
MODDER RIVER BATTLE.
Fighting Ragged Flercely for II Hours.

Beers Withdrew at Night and Crossed
the Rivsr---Severe British Losses In
the Campaign 10 Date---I5OO English
are Prisoners.
The detailed report of the British Boer
battle at Modder River on Tuesday of last
week shows that the fight was more des-
perate than had previously been indicated.
For Ia hours the battle ragged and at night
the Beers retired across the river, the Brit
ish subsequently getting their forces over
the stream when hostilities ceased. Gal
liant charges of British infantry were made
in the face of a terrible hail of bullets
Lord Methuen's forces lost heavily, and
there was great havoc among the Beers,
who are said to have numbered II 600
1t is reported from Mafeking that Gen
Cronje has moved his commanders south
and that the siege is practically over, to the
intense JOY of the beleaguered garrison. Ev.
erything points 10 the substantial accuracy
of this piece of intelligence
The tales of Joubert's death are now
conclusively disproved. He will undoubt-
eddy conduct the coming battle in Natal
In the meantime some news has come
through from Ladysmith, showing that
while on the one hand the Beers lombard
ment was becoming severe, on the other
that one of the navy guns had once more
silenced the big Boer 40 or 100 FOUNDER.
The Beers were posted behind bend in
the river, their artillery and small-arms
fire being thus able 10 sweep the approaches
with a cross fire. Against this the British
infantry could do little, and suffered Sc
verely while il remained in the open Me.
thuen's % guns, firing 200 rounds each
during the day, so cut up the Boer trenches
that, when under cover of night British
force secured Judgment on the north bank
the BOer position become untenable and
Cronje withdrew in good order with his
guns. The British moved over the river
and occupied the Beer positions. IL is evl-
dent that the action throughout was long
range fight, the British troops not having
been able, according 10 description. to get
nearer the enemy than 500 or 600 yards,
owing to the terrific hail of bullets thrown
by the Boer magazine rifles. While the in
fantrv was compelled to remain fiat on its
face for hours unable TO retreat or advance.
the artillery won the day by hammering
the Boer intrenchments, slencing their fire
and compelling the Beers to retire under
cover Of night. That the infantry dashes
referred to in the dispatches could not have
been concerted efforts 70 rush the Boer
works in force is shown by the British cas-
ualties, which were not so heavy as was
first stated; and certainly not what they
must have been had an attempt been made
TO storm the enemy's position.
The British losses in the South African
campaign to date from all causes are put
at ALSO, and Of these 1866 are described
as missing. These figures are great Jump
from those of Nov. Is. when the losses were
officially given as 2779, out of which 1876
were set down as missing. At the same
date the Boer authorities at Pretoria ac-
knowledged TO having 1876 military and
go political prisoners on their hands, so
that with those they have captured since
there must be 1900 British officers and
soldiers now at Pretoria. That still leaves
some 400 missing not accounted for.
The reported intention of the British
government to continue pouring troops in
to South Africa until there are 10000
men in the field only shows how much they
moderated both the resources and resolu-
ton of the Beers whose prestige has been
so much enhanced by all that has occurred
since hostilities opened that it will hardly
be much impaired by the ultimate defeat
which seems inevitable, however long it
may be delayed. When that number of
British troops is assembled in South Africa
there will remain practically nothing of
the regular army in the United Kingdom,
and all reliefs for the Colonial and Indian
garrisons will be suspended. 1t may be
noted that there is no longer any talk of
sending a second contingent from India as
was at one time proposed.
The Kimberley garrison is now in direct
communication with the relief column at
the Modder River by means of search
light signals, which will enable them to act
in cooperation when the column again
moves forward. The officer commanding
in Kimberley reports the capture by a por-
ton of his command of a Boer lager to
the westward, from which it would APP
pear that the investment on that side must
have been materially weakened to reen-
force the Commands sent toward the Mod
der River.