The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-20
SURPRISED IN THE NIGHT.

The British Retreated Under the f ire
of the Beers at Stormberg--Six
Hundred Killed, Wounded and
Missing.
Gen. Gatacre, In command of a
British force, met with serious re.
verse on Sunday morning, Dec. 10th,
In making an attack on Stormberg,
and claims that he was misled as to
the enemy's position by tho guides.
His total loss is reported at six hun
dred, including the killed, wounded
and missinS A large proportion of
officers are reported in the casualties.
Gen. Gatacre's movement may be
termed reconnaissance in force. Its
object was to ascertain the strength of
the position OF the Beers, who were
strongly entrenched along the Storm
berg range. He left Putter's kraal
shortly after noon Saturday with q
fighting force slightly over 1900 mon.
Leaving Molteno at 8 o'clock he made
memorable night march over the
rocks and veldt. There was no sound
except sturdy. tramp, and there were
no distinguishing lights, the bright
moon having gone down about half
past IL. The column arrived safely
within q couple Of miles Of its destina-
tion, the only Incidents of the march
being an occasional sudden call O
halt" under the belief that the Beers
were near.
Suddenly terrific fire opened stimuli
taneously on the British trout and right
flank. The Royal Irish Rifles, which
forced the advance, sought shelter be-
hind ncighbnring kopje and were
speedily joined by the remainder of the
yIynn L.
that this position also was covered by
Boer guns, which were moro powerful
than had been supposed. The troops,
therefore, sought safer position about
nall mile away, two batteries in the
meantime engaging the Beers, and
covering the troops In their withdraw
al. The action now became general at
long range and q detachment of mount.
ed infsntry moved northward with q
view Of cutting off the enemy's right
Hank. Suddenly a strong commando
was seen moving from the north and the
Royal Irish Rifles and the Northum-
berland regiment were sent out to
meet it.
1t was soon discovered, however, hat
the Beers had machine guns we'll
placed and the British were compelled
20 face terrible fire. Finding it i'm
possible to hold the position in face OF
an enemy apparently in superior posi-
retired on MOleno, the Beers following
up the retirement closely and bringing
two big guns to bear on the retiring
column.
1t is hardly too much to regard Gen.
Gatacre's repulse near Stormberg as
the most serious defeat British arms
nave yet sustained In the whole cam.
paign.
Already the official advices show that
two men were killed, 10 officers and II
men were wounded and 696 men are
missing. But 1t is evident that the
worst Is not known. The proportion OF
wounded and killed is 80 small, when
compared with the missing-who are
undoubtedly prisoners In the hands OF
the Boers-that the supplementary list
of casualties Is awaited with serious
misgivings. 1t is also feared that there
were serious losses OF guns and equip
ment.
Inc most serious aspect OF the affair
is the effect 1t is likely to have on the
Dutch in Cape Colony, who have been
Wavering as to whether to throw in
their lot with the Beers. Hosts of the
northern farmers are now likely to Join
the rebellion. The defeat is also seri.
Gus because 1t will delay the junction
OF Gen. Gatacre with Gen. French at
Naauwpoort. The plan was for their
com mbined forces to relieve the pressure
on Lord Methuen's column.
The disclosure of such strong force
at St0rmberg was quite unexpected.
DOUBTLESS Gen. Gatacre was the victim
OF treacherOus guides. But the result
points also to he absence OF proper
cavalry &C outs.
The British troops who recently oc-
cupied Arundel are advancing. They
have had several skirmishes but no cas-
ualties Three miles north Of Arundel
they found the Beers 1000 strong.
The Pretoria reports of renewed
fighting at Modder river originated
from the fact that the British, with q
team of 81 oxen, hauled naval gun to
the top of high ridge north OF Mod. |
der River town, whence they fired |
Lyddite shells on the Boer position at |
range OF Q, 700 yards, whore the enemy |
was apparently constructing an en-
placement for 40 FOUNDER. The Lyd- |
dite shells appeared to do immense |
damage. The Boers retired, but the |
incident Is interesting as showing that
the Beers are still In position quite
close to Modder river. The engineers
report that 1t will take two months to
'ebuild the iron bridge.
Lord Methuen is still compelled to
lido about In dog cart, as his wound
prevents him going on horseback.
should the raiDs destroy the tempo.
rary bridge, there is enough rolling
tock on the north side of the river to
erve Lord Methuen's purpose.
1t is reported that the Boers are
busy making entrenchments at Spy.
ontein. Several tiers Of works are
beginning to appear at the foot of the