, 1899-12-11
DEFEATED
ATTACK INTRENCHED BOER
FORCE AT SToRMBERG
AND is REFUSED.
Casualties GOO Officers and Men Thus
Far-List Incomplete-Boers used
Artillery-Royal Irish Rifles and
Northumberland Fusiliers Suffer
Worst

London, Dec. 1.-THE Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from Mol
teno:
Gen. Gatacre attempted to assault
the Boer position at Stormberg at dawn
today Sunday. The guides led us
wrong and we were surprised while in
fours, and after a very firing night
march. Our retirement was effected in
excellent order, there being no hurry,
even at the most critical time. The
Northumberland and Irish rifles be-
haved as IL on review day. 1 fear our
losses are heavy. One Of our guns we
had to abandon"
Gen. Gatacre's movements may be
termed a reconnaissance in force. Its
object was to ascertain the strength OF
the position OF the Beers, who were
strongly entrenched along the Storm
beg range. He left Putter's Kraal
shortly after noon yesterday with a
fighting force slightly over 1000 men.
men.
Leaving Molteno at 8 last evening,
he made a memorable night march
over the rocks and veldt. There was
no sound except a steady tramp and
there were no distinguished lights, the
bright moon having gone down about
half past seven.
The column arrived safely within 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 a terrific fire opened SIM
%ultaneously on the British front and
right flank. The Royal Irish rifles.
which formed the advance, sought
shelter behind a neighboring kopje and
were speedily Joined by the remainder
of the column. 1t was soon found, how,
ever, that this position vas also COW
cred by Boer guns, which were more
powerful than had been supposed. The
troops, therefore, sought a safer posi-
ton about half a mile away, two bat
teries in the meantime engaging the
Beers and covering the troops in their
withdrawal.
The action now became general at
range, and a detachment of mount
ed infantry moved northward with a
view of gatling on the enemy's right
flank. Suddenly q strong commando
was seen moving from the north and
the Royal Irish rifles and the North
cumberland regiment were sent out to
meet 1t.
1t was soon discovered, however,
that the Beers had machine guns well
placed, and the British were completed
to face a terrible fire. Finding 1t i'm
possible to hold the position In the face
of an enemy apparently superior In
position, numbers and artillery, the
British retired on Moltsno, the Beers
following up the retirement closely and
bringing two big guns to bear on the
retiring column.
It is believed here that the British
casualties were not serious.
The war office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Cape Town, dated
Saturday night:
THE position Of the enemy in Storm
berg district last night was the follow
ing: At Stormberg, six laagers; at
Dordrecht, 800 men; 20 miles south OF
Sterkstrrom, 22O g
Maj. Elliott reports that Dalsetty'
with a force, has gone toward Dord-
recht to cooperate with Gatacre.
"The railway bridge at Modder river
was completed December 1.
"Methuen reports that he made a
demonstration up the line of the rail-
way at daylight today with artillery
"The enemy did not respond. Me-
thuen is receiving the remainder of his
achievements and supplies. He has
established detached posts on his line
of communication.
"Mafeking reports all well November
80"