The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-16

fered Heavy Reverse in His
March Toward Observation-Disclosures
Disaster to British Arms Since the
Indian Mutiny-Caused Great De-
preston in LOndOn-War Office
VIII Send Additional Forces to
South Africa.
London. Dec. 16. 12:47 a. m.-The war
Office has received a dispatch announcing
that Gen. Butler has met with a serious
reverse, losing eleven guns.
Gen Butler was attempting to cross the
Tusela river. Finding it impossible to
effect his object, he ordered a retirement
in order to avoid greater losses.
He left eleven guns behind.
The following is the text of Gen. Bull
er's dispatch, announcing his reverse:
Butler to Lansdowne: Chievely Camp,
Dec. Is, $40 p. m. 1 regret to report
serious reverse.
Il moved in full strength from our camp
near Chievely at o'clock this morning
There are two fordable places in the
Tugela river, and it was my intention to
force a passage through at one of them.
They are about two miles apart.
MY intention was to force one or the
other with one brigade, supported by
central brigade. Gen. Hart was to at
tack the left drift, Gen. Hildyard, the
right road and Gen. Lyttleton was to take
the center and to support the other.
hangers Suffered Greatly.
Early in the day I saw that Gen. Hart
would not be able to force a passage and
directed him to withdraw. He had,
however, attacked with great galIantry
and his leading battalion, the Connaught
Rangers, 1 fear suffered a great deal. Col.
1. c. Brooks was seriously wounded.
u then ordered Gen. Hildyard to ad-
vance, which he did, and his leading reg
iment, the East Surrey, occupied Colenso
station, and the houses near the bridge.
At that moment heard that the whole
artillery l had sent to support the attack
the Fourteenth and Sixty-sixth field bat
teries, and six naval twelve-pounder
Quick-frers-under Col. Long. had ad-
Nanced close to the river in Longs desire
TO be within effective range.
1t proved to be full of the enemy who
suddenly opened a CALLING fire at close
range, killing all their horses and the gum
ners We're compelled to stand to their
guns
Heroic Work of WagOners.
Some of the wagon teams got shelter
Tor roops in a donga, and desperate efforts
We're made TO bring out the field guns.
The fire, however, was too severe and
only two were saved by Capt. Schofeld and
some drivers whose names 1 will fur
n.sh
Another most gallant attempt with
three teams was made by an officer whose
name VIII obla,n. OF the eigh; cen horses,
'hlrleen we're killed, and as several drivers
were wounded, would not allow another
euempt as it seemed that they would be
d smell mark, sacrificing life to a gallant
attempt TO force the passage.
Unsupported by artillery, directed the
troops to withdraw, which they did in
good order
throughout the day a considerable
ioice OF the enemy was pressing on my
hsh' flank, but was kept back by mount
ca men under Lord Dundonald and part
- 'el' cartons brig ade.
The day was intensely hot and most
uyins on the troops, whose conduct was
excellent.
We have abandoned ten guns and lost
by shell fire one.
Inc losses in Gen. Hart's brigade are.
lear, heavy, although the progortion of
severely wounded is, hope, not large.
I.o EQ1Irfapntl
'"''rles also suffered severe losses. We
nave retired to our camp at Chievely"
Worst Since Indian Mutiny.
london Dec l6, 1870 a. m.-The news
" 1en' Buffers reverse was received so
mat morning newspaper comment to-
Is confined to perfunctory expressions
eAIeme regret and disappointment and
~ ~ 'he necessity for calmness and redou-
u Efforts 10 retrieve the position.
me latest check is regarded as the most
''ous event in Great Britains military
since the Indian mutiny.
me Standard says:
oeo Buffers dispatch is deplorable
1N'Ns 1t is the now familiar story OF
n '','aled Beers and of British troops |
a'0lins up blindly almost 70 the very
E @1es of the enemys rifles. 1t cannot |
;. uouoled that the moral effect will be |
ssrayate our difficulties over the whole |
's'a Of operations.
n, "e country has discovered with an
h f1''e and surprise that subduing Boer
IS about the hardest work we |
"a M uttered upon since the Indian mutiny |
N Al, Mmandants have shown themselves
~ give our generals useful. but ex-
n I've. lessons IN modern tactics"
ae Tines says.