The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-16
.BULLER MEETS WITH A REVERSE
While CROSSING THE TUGELA
His Orders Were Disobeyed and Eleven Guns Were Lost
The Connaught Rangers Suffered Heavily.
Hart Couldn't Force the Ford.
UNDER A CALLING FIRE At CLOSE RANGE

London, Dec 16, 12:47 a. m.-The war
office has received dispatch announc-
ing that General Butler has met with
a serious reverse, losing 10 guns.
General Butler was attempting TO
cross the Tugela river Finding it inn
possible to effect his object he ordered
retirement in order to avoid greater
losses. He left IL guns behind.
The following is the text Of General
Buffers dispatch announcing his re-
verse:
"Buller to Lansdowne:
"Chievelry Camp, Dec. 15 6:20 p. M
I regret to report a serious reverse. l
moved in full strength from our camp
near Chievelry at o'clock this morn
ing. There are two fordable places i'll
the Tugela river and it was my inten-
| tion to force passage through at one
| of them. They are about two miles
! apart.
| My intention was to force one or the
other with one brigade supported by
| central brigade. General Hart was to
attack the left drift, General Hildyard
| the right road and General Littleton
was to take the center and to support
| either. Early in the day I saw that
| General Hart would not be able to
| force passage and ! desired him to
withdraw. He had however attacked
with great gallantry and his leading
battalion, the Cannaught Rangers. I
| fear, suffered a great deal Colonel I.
! G. Brooke was seriously wounded.
II then ordered General Hildyard TO
advance. which he did and his leading
regiment, the East Surrey, occupied Co.
| lenso station and the house near the
bridge. At that moment l heard that
| the whole artillery I had sent to sup
| port the attack-the 14th and 66th field
| batteries and six naval 12-pounder
| quick firers under Long--has advanced
close to the river in Longs desire to
be within effective range. II proved to
be full of the enemy, who opened
CALLING fire at close range killing all
their horses and the gunners We're COM
| PEELED to stand to their guns Some of
1 the wagon teams got shelter for troops
| in a donga and desperate efforts were
being made to bring out the field guns.
1.-The fire, however, was too severe
and only two We're saved by Captain
Scholfield and some drivers whose
names / will furnish.
Another most gallant attempt with
three teams was made by an officer
whose name 1 will obtain. OF the is
horses 13 were killed and as several
| drivers We're wounded l would not al
| low another attempt as it seemed that
| they would be a shell mark, sacrificing
! life to gallant attempt to force the
passage. Unsupported by artillery, 1
directed troops to withdraw, which they
did in good order.
Throughout the day considerable
| force of the enemy was pressing on my
right flank, but was kept back by
mounted men under Lord Dundonald
and part of General Barton's brigade.
1.-THE day was intensely hot and most
trying on the troops, whose conduct
was excellent. We have abandoned 10
guns and lost by shell fire one. The
losses in general Hunts brigade are, I
fear, very heavy, although the proper
tion of severely wounded, hope, is not
large. The 14th and Goth field batter
les also suffered severe losses. We have
retired to our camp at Chievely."