The record-union., 1899-12-16

ing the last forty-eight hours, there
had been reports Of the relief Of Lady
smith Yesterday the War Office al
lowed It to be understood that the posi-
ton of affairs in Natal was entirely
satisfactory. The reaction is all the
more pronounced on this account.
The gloomy information came too late
to reach the service clubs. and only a
few journalists and stragglers were
waiting at the War Office. It had
hardly been realized until now, even
after the experience of the week, that
General Butler could fail. Virtually
nothing had been allowed to leak
through regarding his preparations, but
the public waited patiently, in the con-
fident belief that he was taking such
time and precautions as would insure
success.
No Independent reports of the ef
gagement have yet been allowed CO
come through, but General Buffers own
dispatch tells the sad tale in sufficient
outline to show that the British have
been entrapped again by the astute
Beers. 1t was not anticipated that
General Butler would make a frontal
attack No criticisms of his move
ments are made, however, since ap-
parently he suffered a repulse rather
than a defeat, and did not push the
middle, so as to save a useless sacrifice
of life. 1t is expected that he will re-
new the attack shortly.
Immediately on receiving the news,
the War Office decided to mobilize still
another division, and to replace the
losses of artillery. The necessary re-
Inducements will be hurried off as
speedily as possible.
Fifteen transports are due to arrive
at Cape Town between December 18th
and January Sth, With about $4,000
troops of all arms. but unless General
Butler is able to renew the attack.
which is exceedingly doubtful the
British Generals will be compelled for
another fortnight or more to remain on
the defensive.
The latest dispatches indicate the
continued bombardment of Ladysmith,
whose position is now perilous.
Major General Sir Herbert Charles
Chormside has been appointed to COM
mand the Fourteenth Brigaoe in the
Seventh Division.
The list of casualties among the nom
commissioned officers and men in the
fight at Magersfontein, just ISSUED.
shows So killed, 253 wounded (21 Sc
verely) and rs missing. This, however,
is apparently not a complete list.
BOERS REFUSED,
PRETORIA, Dec lit is officially
announced that Motopo, west of Mafe-
king, was bombarded December 18th.
Sharp fighting occurred. The Beers at
tackled British post at Mafeking dur
ing the night of December 10th. After
severe fighting the Beers were repulsed
and retired to Suyman's Fort
FIGHTING RENEWED AT MODDER
RIVER.
PRETORIA, Dec. 12-The following
official announcement has been made:
General Cronje reports that yester-
day there was desultory fighting till q,
when heavy cannon fire was resumed.
THE Scandinavians stormed diff
cult position, but it became untenable,
and they suffered severely. 1 was un-
able to send help.e The British were in
Overwhelming force, but must have had
at least 2,cU0 men put out Of action,
either in killed or wounded"
Another official report from Captain
Finnhart says:
There are no signs of surrender.
The Burghers are fighting with con-
spicuous bravery and maintaining their
positions under heavy British fire. Our
cannon were of very little use. The
British were greatly assisted by bal
looms. Twenty-four ambulances were
working backward and forward be-
tween the fighting line and the enemy's
camp. Our loss is not definitely known.
I estimate it at 100 killed and wound
ed
A telegraph operator at the Modder
River wires:
Gun and Maxim firing has been
proceeding since 80 this morning. At
10 cannonading was proceeding, and at
2 the fighting was reported to be very
severe. The Boer force along the river
bank was bang heavily attacked, and
is receiving assistance from the other
Boer forces"
1t is not known whether the operator
refers to the fighting of Monday or to
renewed fighting Tuesday.
LONDON, Dec. ia special dis
patch from the Modder River says the
firing reported by a telegraph operator
was a resumption of the fighting be-
tween General Methuen's forces and
those of the Beers.
BOERS FORCED TO RETREAT
LONDON, Dec 15-The War Office
has received the following dispatch
from the officer commanding at Orange
River, Thursday, December 14th:
Yesterday part of the mounted in
fantry under Captain Bradshaw and
the Yorkshire and Lancashire's guides,
under Lieutenant McFarlane, patrolled
in the direction of Ramah and zoutspan
Drift. about ten miles east of the Or
ange River to reconnoiter and report
the strength of the enemy reported to
be holding the drift. The mounted in
fantry found a strong detachment of
the enemy at the drift, and a sharp en-
gagement ensued. The enemy ulti-
mately retreated to Goemansberg Cap
tain Bradshaw and three men were
killed; Lieutenant Gregson of the East
Kents and seven men were wounded
The Beers had five men killed and sew
eral men wounded.''
The War Office has a dispatch from
Colonel Kekewich, dated Kimberley,
Sunday, December 10th, saying:
THE Beers have reattacked Kurr
man, and have again been repulsed by
loyalists and Bechuanas.''
The Kimberley forces made a demon
ST. alton northward December 9th, and
DIRE 100 Beers and three guns Fight
ing nsued for several hours. The Brit