The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-12-16
BOERS WIN VICTORY.
Gen, Gatacre Suffers Serious Re-
verse at Their Hands.
An Enlargement mt stormberg In
Which lie Is Forced to Retire with
Loss of TWO Killed, 20 Woupdcd
and 0OJ Missing.


and 0O5 Missing.
Moltcno, Cape Colony, Sunday, Dec.
1G.-Gcn. Gatacre left Putter's kraal
by train for Molteno and then pro-
ceeded by forced march ~ miles to-
ward Stormberg. lie had 1000 men,
including the Northumberland fu-
sileers, the Royal Irish rifles and two
batteries Of field artillery. The British
were unmolested by the Eoers until
the Ioer position was reached. when a
hot fire was Unexpectedly opened up
on the advancing column. The en-
gagement began at 1915 a. IN. At seven
a. M, after sharp artillery duel, the
British retired. They are now march
ing toward Molteno. Gen. Gatacre
found the enemy's position impreg-
nable. 1t was impossible for the Brit
ish infantry to get at the Beers.
Gen. Gatacre's movement may be
termed reconnaissance in force. It's
object was to ascertain the strength
of the position of the Beers who were
strongly intrenched along the Storm
Il
shortly after noon Saturday with a
fighting force slightly over 1000 men.
Leaving Molteno at nine Saturday
evening, he made a memorable night
march over the rocks and veldt. There
was no sound except steady tramp
and there were no distinguishing
lights, the moon having gone down
abort 1880.
Roers Open Fire.
The column arrived safely within a
couple of miles of it's destination. the
only incidents of the march being an
occasional sudden call of halt" under
the belief that the Beers were near.
Suddenly terrific fire opened stimuli
taneously on the British front and
right flank. The Royal Irish rifles,
which formed the advance. sought
shelter behind n neighboring kopie
and were speedily joined by the re-
mainder of the column. 1t was soon
found, however, that this position also
was covered by Boer guns, which were
more powerful than had been sup
posed. The troops therefore sought
safer position about half Il mile away,
two batteries in the meantime engap-
ing the Beers and covering the troops
in their withdrawal
Forced to Retreat
The action now became general at
long range, and a detachment of mount
ed infantry moved northward with a
view of gating on the enemy's right
flank. Suddenly n strong commando
was seen moving from the north, and
the Royal Irish rifles and the Northum-
berland regiment were sent out to
meet ii. 1t was soon discovered how
ever, that the Beers had machine guns
well placed, and the British were COM
PEELED to face terrible fire. Finding
it impossible to hold the position in
the face of an enemy apparently SUI
perior in position, numbers and artil-
lery. the British retired on Molteno,
the Beers following up the retirement
closely and bringing two big guns to
bear on the retiring column. 1t is be-
lieved here that the British casualties
were not serious.
Gntncre Reports.
London, Dec. 1.-THE war Office
publishes the following dispatch from
Gen. Forestier-Walker at Cape Town:
'Gatacre reports: Deeply regret to in
form you that met with serious reverse
In the attack on Stormberg. was misled
as TO the enemy's position by the guides
and found impracticable ground"
Gen. Gatacre reports further that
his losses amount to two killed, a6
wounded and COS officers and men
missing.
MisIed by Guides.
London, Dec. 1.-THE Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Molteno:
Gen. Gatacre attempted to assault the
Boer position at Stormberg at dawn to-day
Sunday. The guides led us wrong. and
we were surprised while in fours and after
a very trying night march. Our retirement
was effected in excellent order there being
no hurry even at the most critical time.
The Northumberlands and Irish rifles be-
are heavy. One of our guns we had TO
abandon"
Victim of Trcachcry.
The disclosure of such strong force
ut Stormberg was quite unexpected.
Doubtless Gen. Gatacre was the victim
of treacherous guides. But the result
points also to the absence of proper
cavalry scouting.
noer Guns Captured.
London, Dec. 1.-THE war Office has
issued n dispatch from Gen. Butler,
dated at Frere Camp, Saturday after
noon, saying he had received the fol-
lowing from Gen. White:
Last night sent Gen. Hunter with 500
Natal volunteers under Roynston and 100
Of the Imperial light horse under Edwards
10 surprise a gun on a hill. The enterprise
was admirably carried out and was en-
Iirely successful. the hill being captured
and a six-inch gun and howitzer being de-
Il royed with gun COTTON hY Cnnt Enykn