Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-11
B0ERS WIN GREAT VICTORY
Drive Back Gatacre's Force of Su-
perior Numbers After Infict-
ing Heavy Defeat.

Copyright, 1892, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, Dec. 10.-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram. 1.-The Post
Says:
The good news which comes today from
Ladysmith is more than counterbalanced
by the very serious reverse encountered at
Stormburg by Gatacre. The Beers in the
latter movement offered no opposition till
our men reached tho impregnable position
which they were defending, when they
opened a hot and unexpected fire.
The engagement began at AIS a. M Sun
aay and lasted till when, after an artil-
lery duel, our men withdrew and marched
back to Molteno.
So ran the first dispatch, giving merely an
Impression Of a fruitIess adventure and
leaving us utterly unprepared for the bare
figures of our loss which came in the second
report All the advces that have so far
reached us makes the fight at Stormburg
take rank after Nicholson Mex as the most
serious reverse of the war We dent yet
know its full proportions. but judging from
what we have the worst must remain be.
hind. Already the list of missing is close
TO 600. In the Second Northumberland Fus-
ileera six officers arc reported missing.
There are no details as to the First Dorset
shire regiment, OF whose presence with
Gatacre we learn for the first time that 306
men arc reported missing and there are no
details to officers 1t is impossible, here
fore, to avoid the conclusion that we don't
know tho full extent of the reverse. The
moral of this unfortunate affair is that we
have been trying to press home on the gov
emment tho fact that men are wanted. Men
must be sent, cavalry and horse artillery
most especially, unless in sheer parsimony
VIC are to throw away a corner of the EN-
pire,
How the Battle Was Fought
Copyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, Dec. 10.-(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram According to
the reports of spies the number OF Beers was
$500 while Gatacre's force was probably
27OO men, all told. He moved from Molteno
upon stormburg. Reports of natives and
few scouts led him to believe that the Boer
position could be easily surprised.
The first sign of battle was hot, effective
fire delivered upon the line of Dublin Fusil-
iers, who were in advance. 1t proved so
effective that the Irlshmen sought shelter
behind a kopje on the left, They appeared
well covered for time and were followed
into shelter by the Northumberland Fusil-
iers.
The artillery last mentioned had scarcely
taken ground, perhaps half mile from the
Boer firing line when it was discovered that
the whole force was exposed to the fire OF
the enemy9 guns from hill that enabled
them to enfilade the British lines. Here a
few guns of the British artillery saved the
situation, for under their rapid fire Gatacre's
men were enabled to withdraw in good order
out of range,
The action at this time had become gem
eral, but all at long range, while the entire
British line halted and from cover were at
to snipe the enemy. 1t was learned
that a large commando OF mounted Beers
was moving from the north with the inten-
tlon to cut off the entire brigade. The North
cumberland and Irish regiments started at
once to engage them but We're promptly
checked by a heavy fire from machine guns.
Then it appears the commanding officers
decided that a complete retreat was neces-
sary and the return march to Molteno was |