The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-11-30
ACOMPLETEVICTORY
The Beers Made a Brave Stand. BIZ,
Were Driven Out.
DETAILS OF THE BELMONT BATTLE,
Pursued For Five Miles By The Brit.
isf Cavalry, They Shot Down rleu
Under The White Flag.

Belmont, Cape Colony. by Cable
The entire western division moved OF
the Orange river Tuesday. and biou-
acked at Witteputs. Two commands
al mounted infantry ana a detachment
Of lancers were sent TO mold Thomas
farm Their pickets prevented the Bo-
crs from advancing. The Beers fred
cannon and the British artillery srrlv-
cd on the seen. and silenced the Boers'
fire. At o'clock In the morning the
Guards Brigade moved steadily for
ward TO a hill few miles east of Bel.
mont station. The Scots and Grena-
diers advanced TO within 50 yards OF
the base, when the Beers poured in a
scathing fire, staggering the Guards
momentariy. but quickly recovering,
they returned a deadly hail into the
Beers. The duel was continued for
half an hour. When the artillery COM
menCcd the Beers evacuated their front
position and the Scots Guards rushed
the hill with the bayonet and amid
lusty cheers.
The Ninth Brigade then moved for
ward in extended order, and the Beers
started q terrible cross fire from the
surrounding hills. The Coldstreams.
supported by the Scots, Grenadicrs.
Northumberlands and NoTthamptons,
stormed the second position in the face
of 4 constant and effective Boer fire.
The Ninth Brigade then advanced. the
artillery, in the meantime, maintain
ing excellent practice. The British in
fantry never wavered and when tre-
mendous cheer notified them of the
charge. the Beers fled and succeeded In
gaining a range of hills in the rear, in
spite of the Lancers' flank movement.
The infantry again gallantly faced the
fire and the naval brigade came into
action for the first time at range OF
500 yards. The infantry was we'll
supported by the artillery. and the Bo-
ers. unable to withstand the death
dealing volleys, retired. and were agail.
forced to abandon some minor posi-
tons. The British cavalry charged
the Beers and pursued them for five
miles. Possession was taken OF the
Roer laager, and the Boer stores were
destroyed.
A special dispatch received at Lon
don from Belmont. says that General
Methuen's forces numbered 1000 men
and that of the Beers 5000 men. The
engagement was really series of bat
ties during which the Beers were con
stantly CARRYING OH their dead ana
wounded. The War Office at London
has issued the following advices from
Cape Town:
General Methuen further reports
that the wounded are doing well. There
are over so prisoners, including Ger
man Commandaut and six field cornets
Nineteen OF these prisoners are wound
ed We arc unable 10 estimate tAt
Boer losses The prisoners say that
Thursdays attack was a surprise, ano
that is is the only beating they have
had. A large amount of correspond
ence has been secured. The ReSeryistS
are doing WE'LL. Colonel Pole-Care"
replaces Featherstonhaugh in COM
mand of the Ninth Brigade
The Beers hoisted white flag over
their second position, whereupor Lieu
tenant Wflloughby. of the Coldstreau
Guards. stood up and was immediate
" shot down. The Beers twice repeat
cd the same tactics.
The London Daily Mail publishe;
the following dispatch from Belmont
describing the battle: The Boer'
held a position which British troops
would have held almost against any
force. The British victory is com
ple;e. My estimate of the Boer loss i:
500 killed and $50 wounded. Mr.
Knight. correspondent of the Londor
Morning Post, was wounded. The Bo
or prisoners are ignorant. dirty ant
wretched. They say that half theil
comman, tired of the war. will refuse
further service.