The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-08
HOW SCOTT.TURNER DIED
The Brave Soldier Was Leading His Men to
an Attack.
SIMULTANEOUS BATTLES ARE EXPECTED
Gen. BuIler starts in the East ana
Mcti,ucn In the West, TO Relieve
Lndysmith and Kimberley.


publishes dispatch from Julian Ralph
at Modder river. who says: THE KIM
bcrley people are troubled by the necessi-
" OF feeding 10000 Basutos in the dia-
mond fields whom the Beers refuse to
allow to depart and who, should they fail
to get enough meat, would become dis
contented and restless. On the night OF
the battle at Modder river, Kimberley,
missing the accustomed signals from here,
was in great anxiety, fearing that we had
been defeated The fact was that we did
not use our searchlight for fear the Boer
guns would wreck the apparatus. Five
hundred and thirty Beers were killed or
wounded in the battle here. That num-
Der has already been accounted for and
the enemy's losses were probably much
heavier"
| special dispatch from Kimberley dated
Wednesday, November 80, says AS
result of signals from the relief force to
the south and of certain movements on
the part of the Beers. Colonel kekewich
determined 10 make sortie with view
of keeping large force of Beers EN-
ployed here. Yesterday afternoon a
portion of the garrison. with artillery I'M
der Major Scott Turner. advanced south
west toward the Boer positions and cap
tured Carter's farm, which completed the
line it was intended to hold in view OF
Lord Methuens early appearance. Major
Scott Turner then turned his attention
10 the Boer lager, which was captured
in fine style in spite OF the enemy's heavy
.
tured or destroyed. Finally the British
stormed the ridge and captured three re
doubts after severe fighting. In leading
the men who were storming the fourth re-
doubt. Major Scott Turner and Lieuten-
ant Wright We're killed. 1t is alleged that
they We're struck by explosive bullets. The
oath OF Major Scott Turner compelled
the British to retire upon Carter's farm,
the whole affair having lasted four hours"
London, December s. a. m.-Genera
Buffers arrival at Frere IS held to indicate
that all the preparations for an advance
10 the relief of Ladysmith are complete
and that stirring news will soon he re-
ceived The fact that Lord Methuen is
announced as resuming his command at
almost the same moment is interpreted in
some quarters to mean that battles will
be simultaneously in Natal and at Spytz-
fontein. 1t appears doubtful whether Gen
eral Methuen's force is yet ready for what
will evidently be very heavy encolnte r.
The construction of the temporary Bird e
across Modder river has entailed enoc-
nous labor; and even now the structure
is liable to be washed away should heavy
storm come, General Methuen has Lcan
to tic nil
consequence Of the sanitary condition OF
the stream, due to the presence OF the
bodies of dead Beers AS the railroad
bridge was completely destroyed he was
compelled TO leave a considerable. force TO
protect his communications
special correspondent sends the inter-
esting information regarding Boer tactics
that Commandant General Jouhert has
given general orders to reserve fire until
the British are within close range of 400
yards, AT Modder river the Free State
burghers became nervous and opened FIRE
prematurely, thus revealing their position
and frustrated the Boer plans.
The Morning Post publishes an article
warming the British public that the dis
illusionment already experienced respe t.
ing the Boer force in Natal is likely to be
repeated on the western border" 1t says
that men are wanted everywhere and asks
why the splendid body OF Royal Marines
is now being employed in sweeping fflors
and washing paint in England, and Is not
sent out to handle the naval guns instead
of the hurriedly trained men. unfamiliar
with these weapons. who have gone"
The government has decided to dispatch
to South Africa at the earliest POSSIBLE
moment cavalry brigade of about 1000
men,
Baron Loeb formerly governor OF Cape
Colony and British high commissioner to
South Africa. ecturing in London last
evening related some OF his experience
with President Kruger. He said the re-
marks of the Transvaal president years
ago showed that he contemplated just the (
state OF affairs which had now arisen. Mr. /
Kruger even expressed a desire to have
seaport and said the Transvaal hoped t,
have navy some day The Times, com
menting on Lord Loch's "reminiscences /
says they prove Zip to the hilt the Dutch /
ambition for Dutch supremacy in South /
Africa.