The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-12-02
THE WAR IN AFRICA.
A Ten Hours Battle at Modder River.

LONDON, Nov. 29.-News of terrible bat
tie at Modder river, fought on Tuesday, was
received here today.
Monday night General Methuen's column
found itself close to the river, confronted by a
Boer army of 5000, strongly intrenched.
Early Tuesday morning the attack began.
As there was no opportunity of outfianking
the Boer position, owing to the river, which
runs east and west, the British must have
made frontal attack They forced the Beers
to quit their positions by means of artillery
and rife fire, the retirement being probably
fastened by the fact that General Pole Carew,
doubtless late in the engagement, succeeded
in getting across the river with small force.
The combat lasted 10 hours, and was fought
under blazing sun. 1t possesses features
which will live in military history.
No pursuit of the Beers appears to have
been possible.
There is little doubt that the burghers, tax
ing away their guns, will fight again. Scholiz
Kop and SpYtfontein, places well adapted to
defense, are still between Methuen's troops
and Kimberley. The next battle must almost
inevitably take place there; but Colonel keke-
wich will probably try to attack the Beers in
the rear. An engagement should occur by
Saturday, and Kimberly, the British hope,
Nothing definite is known yet of the losses
in the Modder river battle; but, excluding
these, Lord Methuen has lost nearly 500 Off
GERS and men since he began marching to
Kimberly. Including the prisoners now IN
Pretoria, the British losses since the war be-
gan make an aggregate of at least 5000.
General Methuens march from the Orange
river is a notable achievement. In week he
has marched his column nearly 80 miles,
fought three battles aud won three victories.
The fight at Belmont was fierce enough,
with its heavy loss to the Guards. The en-
gagement at Euslin or Gras Pan had melan-
choly notoriety for the terrible execution
wrought among the Naval Brigade, but the
Modder river battle was doubtless the hardest
fought aud bloodiest of the three.
Reports OF British losses at the battle OF
Modder river, Cape Colony, which occurred
last Tuesday, were being received IN London
Wednesday.
The number of killed and wounded has not
yet been made public, but it is officially an
uounced that Gen. Lord Paul Methuen, the
British commander, has been wounded. A
bullet passed through the fleshy par, of his leg.
Among tbs killed are Stan Col. II. p.
Northcott aud Lieut.. Col. Fl. r. Stopford, OF
the Second Coldstream Guards. Major Count
Gleichen, relative of Queen Victoria. was
wounded
General Meihuen las not vet been able to
cross the river on his way to relieve the Kim
berry garrison. The Beers have wrecked the
bridge, and the British must cross on pou-
ICONS, which will be a slow process.
Reinforcements and ammunition are being
sent to General Meihuen from Cape Town,
and it is believed that he viii halt until he re
ceives them. The Beers in front Of him, 1t is
likely, will also be reinforced, and another
bloody battle is expected
General Methuen. in the speech TO has
troops after the battle OF Gas Pan, full re-
ports Of which have just been received IN Lon
don. said that the Beers tactics had been ex.
celent and tina; he recognized and admired
their courage He declared that he preferred
to fight foe worthy Of bis steel rather than
savages, whose sole recommendation WIS
bravery
Kimberly was still holding out II last ad-
vices The garrison was greatly cheercd by
the news Of the relief expedition. Maieklug
Was slso holding out.
News Of battle al the Tpgela river, Natal,
between an army OF about 2O,000 BoeFs and
the British relief expedition fer Ladysaliih
under General Clerr or General Better, Is
momentarily expected. The British viii prob
ably be able to pa, at least 5000 men IN
action.
There is no confirmation Of the report from
Boer sources that Ladysnith has already sur
rendered.