The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-11
Commander Says the British Forces
Were Led Astray I'm the Dark
ness by Treacherous Guides.
ANOTHER BRIDGE BLOWN UP
BOERs OPERATE BETWEEN LADY
SMITH AND COLENSO.
Additional Details of the Fight at
Pepworth Hill-Enect Of Gafacres
Fight ON the Cape Dutch.

LONDON, Dec 10. 4:4o p. NIT Is hardly
too much to regard General Gatacre's re-
pulse near stormberg as the most serious
defeat the British arms have yet sustained
I'm the whole campaign. Already the ad-
vices show that two men were killed, nine
officers and seventeen men were wounded
and nine officers and 596 men are missing.
But II Is evident that the worst is not
killed is so small when compared with the
missing-who are undoubtedly prisoners in
the hands of the Boers-that the supple
mentary list of casualties is awaited with
serious misgivings. 1t Is also feared there
were serious losses of guns and equipment.
The most serious aspect of the affair is
the effect the affair Is likely to have on the
Dutch In Cape Colony, who have been
wavering as to which side to throw their
lot
The disclosure Of such a strong force
at StorLlberg was quite unexpected.
OF treacherous guiues. but the result points
also to the absence of proper cavalry
scouting.
The British troops who recently occu-
pied Arundel are advancing. They have
had several skirmishes but no losses.
The Pretoria reports of renewed fighting
at Modder river originated from the fact
that the British. with a team of thirty
two oxen. hauled naval gun to the top
OF a high ridge north of Modder river
town. whence they fired Lyddite shells.
The lyddite shells fired at a range OF
800 yards appeared to do immense damage.
The Beers retired, but the incident is in
teresting as showing the Beers are still
I'm position quite close to Modder river.
The engineers report that 1t would take
two months to rebuild the iron bridge.
Lord Methuen is sull compelled to ride
about in a dog cart, as his wounds pre-
vent him going on horseback Should the
rains destroy the temporary bridge. there
is enough rolling stock on the north side
Of the river to serve Lord Methuens pur-
pose.
1t is reported that the Beers are busy
making intrenchments at Spytfontein. Sew
eral tiers of works are beginning to ap-
pear at the foot of the heights. The force
which fired on the British naval gun is
believed to form the right wing of the
enemy's main body. thrown forward for
patroliing and scouting purposes. 1t is re-
ported that the bad water at Spytfon-
TEN threatens an epidemic of typhoid.
Kimberly reports all quiet there up to
Dec. Z, and that the pressure OF the In
vestment is diminished.
A dispatch from Cape Town to the Daily
Mail dated Thursday. Dec. Z, says: News
that Chiefs Khama. Linchwe. Bathoeu and
Secheli, with their people in Bechuanaland,
have risen to attack the Beers. seriously
complicates the situation. II is probable
that the Basutos and other tribesmen will
follow their example"
The Times publishes the following dis
patch from Molteno: General Gatacre
attempted to assault the Boer position at
stormberg to-day Sunday The guides
led US wrong and we, We're surprised while
in fours. and after very trying night
march Our retirement was effected in ex-
cellent order The Northumberland and
Irish Rifles behaved as If on review day.
! fear our losses are heavy. One of our
guns we had to abandon"
dispatch from Ladysmith by way of
Frere adds TO the War Office account ca
bled Saturday OF the capture OF Boer guns
near Pepworth hill. 1t says: General
Brocklehurst, with cavalry and artillery,
reconnoitered In the direction OF the Pep
worth hill with view OF cutting of the
Boer retreat, but he found the position