Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-12-07
HE Is A RUSHER.
Gen. Methuen's Soldiers Again De-
feat the Beers.
British Arms Achieve Brilliant Vic-
tory at Gras pan-BOth sides Suf-
fer Heavily - Great Battle
Occurs at MOdder River.

the war office posted the following dis
patch, dated Cape Town, from Gen.
Walker:
Lord Methuen reports that he moved
Saturday at $3.50 "A. III. with the Ninth
brigade; the mounted corps, the naval
brigade and two batteries, the guards
following with the baggage. Near
Gras Pan (about ten miles north of
Belmont on the railway line to Kim
berlv), 2. 400 Beers with six guns and
two machine guns opposed him. The
action began at 6 a. IN. Our batteries
fired shrapncl very accurately till the
heights seemed clear. Then the naval
brigade and infantry advanced to the
assault. The fighting was desperate
until 10 a. m, when the heights were
carried. The Beers retreated on the
| line, where the Ninth lancers were
| placed to intercept them.
THE naval brigade acted with the
greatest gallantry and suffered heav-
lily, but no particulars are yet known.
The enemy showed the greatest stub
bornness and must have suffered great
| ". Twenty were buried. 1t is known
| that 81 were killed and IS wounded.
! Mere than 30 horses were found dead
in one place
The admiralty is in receipt of the
following dispatch from Rear Admiral
Harris, dated Cape Town: Il deeply
regret to report the following casual
ties in the action at Gras Pan: Killed,
Commander Ethelston of the Power
full, Maj. Plumbe, of the Doris Capt.
- of the Monarch: wounded, Flag
Captain Prothero, of the Doris, severe
! ": Lieut.. Jones. of the Doris. The
| other casualties are not yet known.
Orange River, Nov. 29.-The British
arms have achieved a brilliant victory.
The enemy, strongly entrenched, held
range of hills commanding both sides
of the railway at Rooilaagte, near Gras
Pan. The Lancashires reconnoitered
in an armored ,train on Friday. The
| Beers shelled the train, killing two
men. Gen Metheun then advanced.
His column made detour and biv-
ouacked for the night at SwinFspan,
three miles from the Boer position At
dawn the advance began. The column
debouched on the plain eastward of
the Boer l<opies. The Boer guns open
ed fire. Two batteries of British artil-
lery posted on each side shelled the
Beers, practice being good on both
sides.
Tie Beers stuck to their positions,
firing steadily and accurately. The
duel, which constantly became hotter,
lasted three hours. The Boer shells
wounded several men of the naval
brigade. Finding it impossible to dis
place the Beers by artillery, Gen.
| Methuen resolved upon an infantry
attack. A brigade of infantry, with
the naval brigade on the right gal
lantly stormed the BOer positions III
the face of a witherinG fire, and car
ried hill after hill, the brigade under
Col. Money capturing the main posi-
ton against terrific fire, but suffer
ing severely
London, Nov. 3O.-Twelve hours re-
Election upon Lord Methuen's brief dis
patch concerning the battle of MOdder
river has only served to increase pub
lie anxiety and suspense All kinds of
speculation are INDUCED in. In the
absence of any indication as to wheth-
er the Beers occupied the north or
south bank of Modder river, the best
opinion inclines to the latter theory.
The Posts military correspondent,
|
suggests that the Beers are still on the
south side of the river and that the
bridge is in their hands. He points
out the great danger to the small
| British force which crossed on pom
| toons"
The importance attached to this pom
tooning operation is proved by the fact
that Gen. Carew. one of the only two
brigadier generals, was selected to
superintend it. Gen. Methuen's ac-
count of the battle follows:
"Modder River, Nov. 2S.--ReconnOi-
| tered at a. M, enemy's position on
Modder river and found them strongly
entrenched and concealed. No means
of outhanking, the river being full.
Action commenced with artillery,
mounted infantry and cavalry. Ninth
brigade on left, attacked position in
widely extended formation at $50 and,
supported by the artillery, found itself
in front of the whole Boer force, 5000
stron,r.
The naval brigade rendered great
assistance from the railway. After
desperate fighting, which lasted ten
hours, our men without water or food
in the burning sun, made the enemy
quit his position"
London, Dec. 1.-Beyond the report
from Estcourt that firing was heard in
the direction of Ladysmith on Mon
day. there is not shred of news of
any kind from the seat of war. A
semi-otficial statement has been issued
that Gen. Methuen's 5 wound is not seri-
ouS and that he is expected to be all
right in the course of few days 1t is
certain. however, that the wound will
prevent his being in the saddle and
there is great anxiety to know wheth-
er he will be compelled temporarily to
abandon the personal direction of af-
fairs. His next in command is Col.
Colville.
labor Leader Goes To Jail.
TT Scott, Kan, Nov. 2S.-ln the fed