The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-11
met A HOT FIRE.
British We're Surprised by Beers at
Daybreak.
A BATTLE AT ONCE OCCURRED
Which Resulted in Heavy Loss to the
Troops.
MACHINE GUNS WERE WELL PLACED.
We're ~, . cumberland Fusi-
lettSrsss. M, .sssssts,sas 'aes
I'm
CATACRE WAS MARCHING UN ,MBtRG
MACHINE GUNS WERE WELL PLACED.
CATACRE WAS MARCHING uN ,MBtRG
But the TrnmsyaaI Forces Were Pre-
pared to stop the AdNnncc-iirit-
ish Forced to Retire.

Moteno, Cape Colony, Sunday, December
10.--General Gatacre left Putterskraal by
train for Molteno and then proceeded by
forced march twelve miles toward Storm
berg He had 1000 men including the Nor
cumberland Fusileers, the Royal Irish
Rifles and two batteries OF field artillery.
The British were unmolested by the
Beers until the Boer position was reached;
hot fight was Unexpectedly opened upon
began at AIS a. IN. At I a. M, after
sharp artillery duel, the British retreated.
They are now marching toward Molteno.
General Gatacre found the enemy's position
impregnabe. 1t was Impossible for the
British infantry to get at the Beers.
iolteno, December 10. $3.50 p.m.-General
Gatacre's movement may be termed a
reconnaissance in force Its object vac
TO ascertain the strength of the position or
the Beers who were strongly entrenched
along the Stormberg range. He left Put
,erskraal shortly after noon Yesterday with
a lighting force slightly over 1000 men.
made a memorable n'ghtm arch over the
rocks and veldt There was no sound ex-
cept i steady tramp and there were no
distinguishing lights the bright moon hav-
ing gone down about 1880 o'clock. INC
column arrived within couple Of miles
of It's destination the only incidents OF
the march being an occasional sudden call
OF "hall" under belief that the Beers were
near. Suddenly a terrific fire opened SIM
Iultaneousy on the British front and right
flank The Royal Irish Rifles. which form
ed the advance sought shelter behind
neighboring kopje and were speedily join
ed by the remainder OF the column II
was soon found, however, that this posi-
ton also was covered by Boer guns. which
were more powerful than had been sup
posed. The troops therefore. sought a
safer position about half mile away
two batteries in the meantime engaging
the Beers and covering the troops in their
withdrawal The action now became gen
eral at long range and detachment OF
mounted infantry moved northward witt
view of turning a Calling on the eneme''
right flank. Suddenly a strong commando
was seen moving from the north and th'
Royal Irish Rifles and the Northumberland
regiment were sent out TO meet 1t. 1
was soon discovered that the Beers hat
machine guns we'll placed and the British
we're compelled to face terrible hre
Finding it impossible to hold the posi-
ton in the face of an enemy APPARENT,
superior in position, numbers and ar
tillery, the British retired on Mol
teno, the Beers following up tn
retirement closely and bringing tw
big guns to bear on the retirin
, column.
! 1t is believed here that the British cast
allies were not serious.
London, December 1.-THE Times pui
Q fishes the following dispatch from Mo
! teno: General Gatacre attempted to a
sault the Boer position at Stormberg
, daybreak today Sunday The guides Il
us wrong and we were surprised while
quarters and after a very trying mig
march. Our retirement was effected
excellent order, there being no hurry eyt
. at the most critical time. The No
thumberlands and Irish Rifles behaved
If on review day. fear our losses a
! heavy One OF our guns we had
abandon
London, December 1.-THE war Off
= has received the following dispatch fro
Lcapetown. dated Saturday night:
1.-The position of the enemy in storr
= berg last night was the following;
stormberg six laagers; at Dordrecht
men: twenty-thre miles south OF ster
strom 200 men. Major Elliott reports tn
Dalgetty, with force, has gone iowa
pordrecht to cooperate with Gatacre.
1.-The railway bridge at Modder riv
was completed December Z. Methuen l
ports that he made demonstration up t