Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-12-13
Methuen Repulsed and Entrench
Inc Himself Believed Beers
VIII Take Offensive.
GENERAL wANcHoPE KILLED
Butler Has Commenced Advance
In Dire ctlon of Colenso-Boer
Loss Sunday, was Light.

London, Dec. 13-General Methuen,
as expected, followed up his artillery
attack with a general assault on the
Boer positions Monday, and his re-
port shows the anxiety of the pub
lie regarding the result, occassioned
by the eominous silence of the war Of
fee was amply justified. The High
landers 1t is believed must have
stormed the Boer position more than
once. while the fact that the Guards
were ordered to support the High
landers' rear looks as II the Boers
may even have flanked their attackers
One report says that Gen. CronJe at
tackled the British. The only compen-
sation the British have been able to
discover in the disheartening story
is in General Methuens statement
that he maintains his position close to
the Beers, arousing the hope that he
will retrieve the situation The papers
are abusing government for its Com
placent optimism" and inability to
grasp the strenth of the opposition it
has to overcome in South Africa.
London, Dec. 13-The war Office has
received the following dispatch from
General Methuen, dated December 12:
Our artillery shelled very strong po-
hxr nt,n1 i'm .0nQ
High Kopje, from four until dusk,
Sunday. 1t rained hard last night.
The Highland brigade attacked at
daybreak Monday, the south end OF
Kopje. The attack was properly
timed but failed. The guards were
ordered to protect the Highlands
right and rear The cavalry and
mounted infantry, with Howitzer ar
tillery battery, attacked the enemy
on the left and the guards on the
right supported by field artillery and
Howitzer artillery They shelled the
Boer position from daybreak and at
1:15 | sent Gordon to support the
Highlands brigade. The troops held
their own in front of the enemy's en-
trenchments until dusk, the position
extending. including Kopje, dis
tance of six miles to Modder River
Today | am holding my position and
entrenching myself. | had to face at
least 10000 men. Our loss was great.
Considerable significance attaches
to Methuen's statement that he is
entrenching himself indicating a
fear that the Beers may adopt the
offensive and attack him. The grav-
ity of the situation from a British
point Of view can hardly be over es-
timated Methuen's long lines OF
communication to Deaar are most vul-
nerable. Should they be cut Methuen
will find himself in very tight place
If only from the lack of supplies.
News of the British reverse had a
bad effect on the stock exchange
where there was a general relapse
The latest advices from General
Gatacre show no anxiety is felt for the
safety of his remaining troops who
have been withdrawn to a good posi-
tion along the railroad south of Mol
teno.
London, Dec. 13-Boers decline tc
furnish the names of killed or woun
ded at Stormberg. They say they
buried the dead and are sending the
prisoners to Bloemfontein. The Boel
loss Sunday is reported to have beer
four killed and nine wounded Prob
ably this is correct IS no real attacl
was made by General Gatacres' troops
who were completely surprised while
in the column. The British appar
emily simply rushed up the neares
hill without orders or knowing wherl
the enemy was. They were so ex
hausted that they were unable to ac
complish anything.
London, Dec. 13-The war Office re
ceived the following from Genera
Forester Walker: Cape Town, Tues
day-Methuen wires that Genera
Wauchope was killed yesterday. Majo
General Andrew C. Wauchope, c. B
c. NJ c., entered the army in 1867
served in the Ashanti war, Egyptian
war, Soudan expedition and Nile ez
pedition.
London, Dec. 13-Buller's advanc
in the direction of Colenso seems az
tually to have commenced. Militar
attaches have left Cape Town to joi
Butler. via Durham.
Pretoria, Dec. 11-KimberIy is sti
quiet.
London, Dec. 13.--General Meth,
un's report from Modder River show
he met serious check Monday an
suffered great losses.
London. Dec. 13-A dispatch frol
Frere Camp dated December +, say
"This morning union brigade COZ
sisting of English. Scottish, Irish an
Welsh Fusiliers under General Ba
ton, with several naval guns advance
and took up strong position thre
miles from Colenso meeting nc opp
:ition.
Pretoria, Dec 1s.-An Official r
port says: A battle at Modder Riv,
began yesterday with cannon irin
heavy lighting proceeding from 81;
O'Clock in the morning until 81:
o'clock with cannon. maxims and
fes. The bombardment began
z:so, and fighting stiIl continues.
ballon has just arisen above The Br
Ish positions where It remained L