The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-15
THE BRITISH DEFEATED
IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE B0ERS
FROM THEIR POSITION.
BRITISH TROOPS MOVED DOWN
By the POint-BIank Fire of the Beers.
After Terrific Smelling of the En-
emy's Entrenchments, They Charge
the Works Time and Agafn-The Fire
Is Too Severe and They are Forced to
Retire With Great Loss Fighting
for Two Days.

North of Modder River, Monday, de-
cember 11.-Early yesterday evening
the guards of the Highland brigade
moved from the Modder river camp,
marching in the night, in a northeast
erly direction. The objective of the
Highlanders was the eastern spur of
the Boer position, the guards. follow
ing the bank of the river. Just before
| daybreak the Highlanders arrived
within 200 lards of the Boer entrench-
ments at the foot of hill
Unsuspecting that the Beers were in
! the vicinity, the British were still
| marching quarter column, in close or
| der, when they met terrible fire from
| the fanks and were forced to retire
with heavy loss. The troops reformed
under the shelter of some rising ground
and gallantly held their position
Later the Gordons arrived and the
troops gradually worked their way
until within 300 yards of the Boer po-
sition, displaying the greatest gallant
| ry. In the meanwhile, a naval gun at
! the MOdder river, the HowitZer bat
teries and the horse artillery opened
terrific fire, enfilading the trenches and
| searching every portion of the Boer po-
| sition. The Boer guns were entirely
silent. In the meanwhile, the Beers,
on the open ground directly in front,
moved with the object of making
flank attack but this was frustrated
by the guards and artillery.
The Beers recommended shelling in
the evening, but no damage was done.
| silent their
| is expected that there will be a renewal
| Of the fighting tomorrow. The losses
on both sides were very heavy.
THE BRITISH MOVED DOWN.
Modder River, Tuesday, December H.
The British casualties include the
! Marquis of Winchester, major of the
| Second battalion, Coldstream guards,
who was killed, and Colonel Downham,
| of the First battalion, Gordon High
! landers, who was mortally wounded.
| When the Highlanders met the murder
Gus pOint-blank fire of the Beers about
200 were mown down. The Black
Watch regiment, ON reforming, was
able to muster only 160 men. The
Beers lost heavily in the trenches and
also in the wire entanglements when
they came into the open in an attempt
to make a flank attack on the British
The terrific British artillery fire pro-
voked no response except from the
BOer rifles until nearly 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, when the Gordon Highland
ers formed to renew the attack on the
entrenched kopje. They advanced with
the utmost gallantry to attack the
Beers, close to the place where lay
their dead and wounded comrades Of
the Highland brigade.
The enemy opened with a heavy
shrapnel fire as the British advanced,
and it was found physically impossible
to take the Boer trenches. The British
got within 200 yards, but could not get
nearer. 1t was here that Colonel
Downham fell
The Beers had had free recourse to
barbed wire entanglements, which Of
fered great obstacles. even after the
damage inflicted by the British artil-
lery fire.
This morning (Tuesday) both sides
occupied the positions they held before
the battle The greatest bravery was
displayed by both officers and men.
The wounded include Lieutenant Colo
mel A. E.. Codrington and Captain
Sterling, both Of the first battalion of
the COldStream guards.
A DESPERATE FIGHT.
A detachment of Beers, posted among
some thick bushes to the east main
tanned a most destructive fire on our
right. With the remarkable talent for
taking cover which the Boer always
displayed. they were, generally speak
, ing, virtually invisible, and, although
the enemys artillery was practically
| silenced, his rifle fire was so persis-
ent and concentrated as we'll as usu-
| ally we'll aimed that it was absolutely
. | impossible for the British infantry to
take the position by assault.
AT the first advance of the Highland
ers the BOer shooting was somewhat
high, probably owing to the darkness.
Otherwise the British losses would
have been still heavier.
METHUEN'S REPORT.
London, December 13-The war Of
flee has received the following dispatch
from General Methuen, dated Tuesday.
December II:
Our artillery shelled a very strong
position held by the enemy in long,
high kopje from o'clock until dusk
Sunday. 1t rained hard last night. The
Highland brigade attacked at daybreak
on Monday the south end of the kopje.
The attack was properly timed, but
failed. The guards were ordered to
protect the Highlands right and rear.
The cavalry and mounted infantry,
with a Howitzer artillery battery, at
tackled the enemy on the left and the
guards on the right, supported by field
artillery and Howitzer artillery. They
shelled the position from daybreak,
and at lis o'clock I sent the Gordons
to support the Highland brigade. The
troops held t&nir own in front Of the
| enemy's entertainments until dusk, the
position extending, including the kopje,
for a distance of six miles toward the
Modder river. Today I am holding my
, position and entrenching myself. / had
to face at least $4,000 men. Our loss
!, was great"
General ForeStier-Waiker, telegraph
ing from Cape Town at $3.50 o'clock to-
. doy, sends the following dispatch from
Lord Methuen, dated Modder River,
Tuesday, December 18th. 1880 p. M:
"As the Beers occupied their trenches
! strongly this morning I retired in per-