The Elbert County tribune., 1899-12-14
GATACRE DEFEATED
LED MIRO A TRAP BY soEns.
he Attaoks Big Torce and Oniy -
After . Hot Fight Having LOST s'

Msa-
MoIteno. Dec. 1O.-1 p. m.-Generai
Gatacre, commanding the army 10 Gen.
tral Cape Colony, In his hrst pat1e ine'
with a serious defeat early TINS mo-
ing, after an all-night march, UNI, ~"
time looked line complete anniniia-
ton A large part of his army. how
ever. by heroic efforts, managed to e1-
tricate Itself from the ambush INTO
which the column had fallen, ana re
treated rapidly and in some CONFUSION
To the main camp at Molteno, after ios-
ing over 600 officers and men captured.
II is feared a great number were let
dead and wounded on the HELD
The willy Beers led the British Into
neat trnp by furnishing General Gath-
Gre and spies with information tnat
enemy's camp Mt Stormberg could pe
easiIy taken by surprise and captureu-
He was told that the Beers there mum
bered only $500 and that they were IN
a weak position. General Gatacre oe-
termined to make an early mornlps
march with n strong column and strlHe
a rapid and decisive blow.
The troops chosen for this unuerta
ing were the Second Royal irish hines'
the Second Northumberland Fusliiiers,
the Kings Shropshires. the SECOND
Royal Berkshfres, acting as mounted
infantry. and field batteries "a and ~
We marched out smartly, but eau
tIousiy, from Putterskraal. ana got
within two miles of Stormberg without
the slightest Indication of Beers. But
in this hot-bed Of Boer sympathy there
are hundreds OF colonists ready to give
information Of every British move 70
the enemy.
Our forces were proceeding cautious
ly, when suddenly we met a hail or
bullets from behind low ridges to the
front and on the right tanks. The re
ccption was too warm to Withstand,
and the Irishmen leading General Cat
acre quickly sought shelter behind n
kopje, fortunately near. The other
troops did the same. But even this
shelter was untenable, being covered
by numerous Boer cannon, which were
more powerful than supposed, and the
Beers shelled us out OF the position.
The mounted infantry were some dis
tance OF, but by hard riding and n
long detour they succeeded in Joining
the main body behind, and the British
again retreated, this time to second
kopje, but still we were poorly covered
from rain of rifle fire, and the big
Boer guns threw shells unplensanuy
around us.
Our field batteries swung Into line
and did splendid work keeping the
Beers of while we sought better po-
sition half n mile away. Here we found
good shelter, and the Infantry quickly
got into position and opened fire mt
long range, while the mounted infantry
were sent out to try to get the Beers
right flank up.
This time we suffered little loss, but
new danger suddenly appeared
The Beers who ambushed were In
front, and on our right flank. But now
there came down from the north a
strong command, all mounted, who
menaced the British left flank. General
Gatacre sent the Irish and Northum-
berland regiments to meet them, and
the result was a disastrous defeat.
They dashed straight into the dead
ly fire Of n number of machine guns
which the Beers had placed In con
cealed position. 1t was evident that we
were caught in nasty position, and
the Irishmen and Northumberlands got
back as best they could. each with 8Ot
imen gone, many Of whom were cap
ttired.
There was nothing now to do but re
tire, which we did as best we coulu
The Beers numbered at least 1900, had
the best ground. and plenty Of guns
while we were thirteen miles from
home. General Gatacre knew 1t wotilt
be a fight every step OF the way, but
British discipline alone saved the
army. There was no confusion, or dis
order, after we started back, and ev
cry man was in his place. The lonl
retreat was carried on in perfect order
The most serious aspect of the affail
is the effect 1t is likely to have on th'
Dutch In Cape Colony, who have beer
wnvering as to whether to throw theii
lot with the Beers. Hosts of the north
ern farmers are now likely to join th'
rebellion. The defeat is also serious
because 1t will delay the junction o.
General Gatacre with General French
Mt Naauwpoort. The plan was TO
their combined forces to relieve thu
pressure on Lord Methuen's column