Connecticut western news., 1899-12-21

Inniskillen fusileers, 8; Border regiment, 8; Connaught rangers, 2; Dublin fusil- eers, 8; Irish fusileers, 1; Horse artillery, l. Field artillery, 5; medical corps, l; Mounted infantry, 8; Natal carabineers, 2; South African Light horse. 2
 The wounded include Captains N. J. Goodwin, J. F. Radcliffe, P. U. W. Wig OTIS, Hon. St Leger Jarvis, A. J. Han cocks, w. F. Hersey, H. J. Buckley, J. H. s. Probyn, H. M. $. Lewan, J. B. R. Brush, H. D. White-Thomson, H. l.. Reed, F. A. G. Elton and w. N. Con- greve, Majors R. H. G. Heygate, A. w. Gordon and F. A. B. Racington, Colo nels l.. G. Brooke, Long and H. Hunt and Lieutenant Ponsonby of Thorney- croft's mounted infantry and Lieutenant the Hon. F. H. s. Roberts, son of Lord Roberts of Kandahar and Waterford.
 Officers taken prisoner or missing are: Field artillery, 5; Devonshire regiment, 3; Essex regiment I; Royal Scots fusil- eers, 6; Royal artillery, 8. ....
 Lieutenant the Hon. F. Fl. s. Roberts, son of Lord Roberts, was wounded and has since died.
 Roberts Ordered to Africa
 The following notice has been posted at the war office:
 "As the campaign in Natal, in the opinion of her majesty's government, is likely to require the presence and undi- yided attention of General Sir Redvers Butler, it has been decided to send Baron Roberts of Kandahar as commander in chief in South Africa, with Lord Kitch- ener as chief of staff."
 The war office has also issued the fol- lowing announcement:
 Acting upon the advice of the military authorities, her majesty's government has approved she following measure:
 "All the remaining portions of the ar my reserve, including section D, are call ed out. The seventh division, which is being mobilized, will proceed to South Africa without delay.
 "Nine battalions of militia in addition to two battalions which have already vol unteered for service at Malta and one for service in the Channel islands will be allowed to volunteer for service outside of the United Kingdom, and an equiva- lent number of militia battalions will be embodied for service at home.
 Arrangements are being made and will shortly be announced for the em- ployment in South Africa of strong contingent of carefully selected volun- teers. The patriotic offers which are be- ing received from the colonies will, so far as possible. be accepted, preference being given to offers of mounted contingents."
 Methuen Beaten Back.
 On Wednesday General Lord Methuen met with disastrous defeat in an attack upon the Boer positions at Magersfon- tein, four miles north of the Modder river. It is estimated here that Lord Methuen's forces amounted to 1000 men and per haps to more.
 The British losses at Magersfontein are S32, of which more than 7S0 were in the highland brigade. Of the officers 15 were killed and 47 wounded. while six are missing. About 5000 British were engaged, so that 10 per cent were killed or wounded. The highland brigade, with TOO men down out of a strength of 3,OO6 to $500, lost 20 per cent.
 The strategy of the Boers so far has been to operate against the communications of the British forces. With their great mobility they can do this with complete impunity. retiring on the approach of strong British force, or fighting if the force sent be weak.