The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-29
HURLED BACK
Gen. Methuen DiSIOdges Beers
at MOdder River
After a Terrific Battle Lasting
Ten Hours.
IN A BURNING sun.
And Without Either Water or
Food.
Small Party of British Cross
the River.
IN A BURNING sun.
Hardest Fight In the Annals OF
the Army.


received the following dispatch from
Gen. Butler:
Cape Town. Tuesday, Nov. 2S.-GeneraI
Methuen reports:
"MOdder River, Tuesday Nov. Is
Reconnoitered at a. m. enemy's posi-
tiOn on river Modder and found them
strongly entrenched and concealed. No
means of outfanking, the river being
full. Action commenced with artillery.
mounted infantry and cavalry at 5:3o.
guard on right, 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 strong, with two
large guns, four Krupps, etc
The naval brigade rendered great
assistance from the railway.
After desperate hard fighting which
lasted ten hours, our men, without wa
ter or food, and in the burning sun,
made the enemy quit his position. Cen
PoIe-Carew was successful in getting
a small party across the river gallantly
assisted by 300 sappers.
I speak in terms of high praise OF
the conduct of all who were engaged in
one of the hardest and most trying
fights in the annals of the British army
If can mention one arm particularly
it is two batteries of artillery"
VALUE OF VICTORY UNCERTAIN.
London, Nov. 29.-The expected great
battle at Modder river has been fought
and Gen. Methuen has added another
victory to his achievements of the past
week That the Beers defended their
positions with all their old time gal
lantry, is amply proved by General
Methuens dispatch and it viii proba-
bly, be further testified to when the
list of British casualties is made
known There 9nDGafg to be doubt
that Gen. Methuen has gained a real
advantage though the details must be
awaited before the full effect of his ten
hours desperate fighting can be
gauged.
Presumably the Burgher army was
on the south bank of the river, but
whether when the Beers retreated they
crossed the river nOTthward or retired
in an easterly direction, into the Or
ange Free State is unknown. Possibly
the Beers had repaired the bridge, pre-
viOusly reported destroyed, and man
aged to withstand the British attack
with their rear guard while their main
body escaped over the bridge. the rear
guard destroying the bridge behind
them. The British however. appear TO
have surmounted the difficulties OF
crossing the river and to have seized
for themselves a position on the north
side of the stream. This success of
the British clears another stage of the
road to Kimberley, the siege of which
Gen. CrOnJe must have partially raised
in order to give battle to Gen. .Methueu.
There is little reason to doubt however
that the Beers viii again rally as here
tOfOre after a seemingly crushing de-
feat, unless they have lost their guns,
Of which there is no mention in the Of
fetal dispatch.
A belated dispatch from Orange river
says:
Gen. Methuen's troops are advanc-
ing under the greatest difficulties, fight
ing an omnipresent but almost invisi-
BILE foe"
A special dispatch from Windsor
says that Gen. Methuen's dispatch To
the queen after the battle of Mooi
The battle was the bIoodiest of the
century The British shelIed the enc
my out of the trenches and then charg-
ed. The result was terrible"
A BOER VERSION.
Pretoria, Nov. 27-Gen- DutOrt re
ports that the British made sortie
from Kimberley early Saturday morn
ing and fired on the Beers with artfl-
lery and infantry in the darkness. The
British SORTED where the BlOemhof
BOer force was stationed on our 0he
BOer) side there were 300 men. General
Dutort who was nine miles off hasten
ed to the assistance Of the Bloemhof
contingent with a hundred men Nine
burghers We're killed, II were wounded
and there We're some missing. The
British left on the field a private and a
sergeant
1t is reported that the British at
tempted to leave Kimberley on the
east side to assist the troops from Bel
mont.
Commandant Lubbe was slightly
wounded.
The British have repaired the dam
age to the railroad.
The Free Staters engaged with the
British were overwhelmed by numbers
and after a brave stand until the az
ternoon, we were compelled to take up
another position on the other side Of
the railroad. Delarey says il is i'm
possible to give the number Of killed
and wounded Beers, but the loss is nou
great
The Beers had four guns to the Rrit-
ish a.
The general says the Free Staters
are full OF courage. CThe latter part OF
the foregoing dispatch from the Free
Staters engaged evidently refers TO
either the battle of Belmont OF the bat
tie Of Enslin, or Gras PAM.
London, Nov. 29.-Enthusiasm mark
ed the departure today of the first de-
tachments Of the composite battalion
of the household cavalry going to South
Africa Surging masses thrOngel
liar scenes were witnessed in London in
spite of the dense fog Lord Wolsefey
bade the Horse Guards CThe Bluesb
farewell at Knights Bridge Barracks
He made speech reminding the men of
the grand military deeds of the Blues
saying he was assured they would do
their utmost to add to the glory Of a
regiment of which they were so justly
proud and wishing them God speed,
good luck and a safe return.