The silver star., 1899-12-15
GATACRE DEFEATED
LED INTO a TRAP BY soERs.
Hs Attacks Big Force and Only Escapes
Aftses Hot Fight Having Lost 900

Molteno, Dec. 1O.-1 p. m.-Genernl
Gatacre, commanding the army in Cen
tial Cape Colony, In his first battle met
with a serious defeat early this morn
ing, after an all-night march, that for
time looked line complete annihila-
ton. A large part of his army, how
ever, by heroic efforts, managed to ex-
tricate itself from the ambush into
which the column had fallen, and re-
treated rapidly and in some confusion
to the main camp at Molteno, inter los
ing over GOO officers and men captured.
1t Is feared great number We're left
dead and wounded on the field
The willy Beers led the British into n
neat trap by furnishing General Gata-
ere and spies with information that
enemy's camp Mt Stormbcrg could be
easily taken by surprise and captured.
He was told that the Beers there num-
bered only $500 and that they We're in
weak position. General Gatacre de-
termined to make an early morning
march with strong column and strike
rapid and decisive blow.
The troops chosen for this undertake
ing We're the Second Royal Irish Rifles,
the Second Northumberland Fusilliers,
the Kings Shropshires, the Second
Royal Berkshires, acting as mounted
infantry. and field batteries "a and a.
We marched out smartly. but eau
tiously, from Putterskraal. and got
within two miles OF Stormbcrg without
the slightest indication of Beers. But
In this hot-bed of Boer sympathy there
are hundreds of colonists ready to give
information OF every British move to
the enemy.
Our forces were proceeding cautious
" n n
bullets from behind low ridges to the
front and on the right TANKS. The re-
ception was too warm to withstand,
and the Irishmen leading General Cat
acre quickly sought shelter behind n
kopje. fortunately near. The other
troops did the same. But even this
shelter was untenable. being covered
by numerous Boer cannon, which We're
more powerful than supposed, and the
Beers shelled us out of the position.
The mounted infantry were some dis
tance Off, but by hard riding and n
long detour they succeeded in Joining
the main body behind. and the British
again retreated. this time 10 n second
kopje. but still we were poorly covered
from a rain of rifle fire. and the big
Boer guns threw shells unpleasantly
around us.
OuT Heiu DltttTleS sWuDE lltO lllle
and did splendid work keeping the
Beers Off while we sought n better po-
sition half mile away. Here We found
good shelter. and the infantry quickly
got into position and opened fire at
long range. while the mounted infantry
were sent out TO try to get the Beers
right flank up.
This time we suffered little loss, but
n new danger suddealy appeared
The Beers who ambushed were In
front, and on our right flank. But now
there came down from the north n
strong command, all mounted, who
menaced the British left flank. General
Gatacre sent the Irish and Northum-
berland regiments to meet them, and
the result was a disastrous defeat.
They dashed straight into the dead
| ly fire OF n number of machine guns,
which the Beers had placed in n con-
ccaled position. 1t was evident that we
were caught In n nasty position. and
| the Irishmen and Northunberlands got
back as best they could, each with 800
men gone, many Of whom were cap
! tured.
How many were killed aud wounded
we do not know.
| The disclosure of such a strong force
at Stormberg was quite unexpected.