Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-13
Sc }IOUS CHECK
TO BRITISH ARMS
General Methuen's Column Fights 10 Hours,
and Then the Commander Reports Hold
ing His Own, but Losses Heavy.

are sending the prisoners 10 Bloemfon-
tein
The Boer loss on Sunday Is reported
60 have been four killed and nine
wounded. Probably this Is correct, as
no genuine attack was made By Gen.
Gatacre's troops, who were completely
surprised while In column. The British
apparently simply rushed Up the near
est hill, without orders or knowing where
the enemy was. IL also appears that
the British were so exhausted that they
were unable 10 accomplish anything.
They had been on the move since a.
m. sunday travelling by train IN open
trucks IN the broiling sun, 90 Molteno.
After an hours rest they proceeded on
an hours march over the most difficult
and unknown country.
Gen. Buffers advance IN the direction
OF Colenso seems 10 have actually COM
menced. The military attaches have
left Capetown 20 join Gen. Butler. via
Durham,
Gen. White reports under date Of
Tuesday Dec ~. that there are thirty
two cases OF cnreric fever at Lady
smlth.
There are renewed reports OF a cabi-
net crisis at Capetown, where IL Is said
Gov. Miner Is about to act, in conse-
quence OF the disclosures involving the
mlnlstry's loyalty
The White Star line steamer Majestic
sails from Liverpool today for South
Africa with 1900 troops on board.
The White Star line steamer Cymrlc
has been chartered for use as a trans
port.
The war office at London received the
following message from Gen. Forester
Walker:
"Cap,town, Tuesday. Dec. 12.-No fur.
Their details from Methuen."
"Gatacre Is moving from Bushmans
Hook 20 Sterkstroem today.
THE magistrate al Sterkstroem wires
that the situation there mas slightly
Improved. Many of the missing have
turned up.
French reports that a detachment of
cavalry with two guns Of horse artil-
lery, reconnoitered the Beers position
at Quitfontein and Nalkopf, eight miles
mort Of Arundel. They shelled a farm
and drove the enemy from Vaalkopf.
The Boer loss was one killed and sew
eral wounded. Our casualties nil"
As the DAY progressed and the drib-
lets OF infOrmatlons leaked out. the
extreme gravity Of Gen. Methuen's po-
sition was more fully recognized aud
the possibility Of his isolation created
no small alarm In military circles
u was thought In some quarters that
he ought to retrace his steps 20 Orange
river before his lines OF communica-
ton were severed.
Gen WauchoDes death was much
deplored. He rendered notable service
az the battle OF Omdurman. for which
he was thanked by both houses Of par
lament.
A pathetic incident was that Gen.
Wauchope's wife was among the in
qurers at the war Office few minutes
before the telegram announcing his
death was posted
The stock exchange today closed
grave and anxious.
There was considerable nervousness
as TO the outcome Of the settlement
and there were rumors of failures. Con-
suls were weak and Kafsirs we're more
depressed than at any time during the
present year
There was little excitement notice.
able at the war Office but AT the hotels
there was considerable gloomy forebod-
Ing that the brief announcement that
"FF NNAAANl ntl dlIlNtQ at MOlltF
river indicated that Gen. Methuens
losses were more severe than reported.
North OF Modder River, Monday. Dec.
n.-Early yesterday evening the guards
OF the Highland brigade moved from
the Modder river camp, marching In
the night, In a northeasterly direction.
The objective OF the Hlghlanders was
the eastern spur Of the Boer position.
the guards followed the bank OF the
river while the Yorkshire light lnfan-
try moved along the river side.
Just before daybreak the Hlghlanders
arrived within 200 yards OF the Boer
entertainments, a the foot Of a Hill.
a number Of Beers were in the vicin-
ity The Britlshers were still march,
ing quarter column, In close order.
when they met terrible fire from the
TANKS and were forced 10 retire with
heavy loss
The troops reformed under the shell
ter Of some rising ground, and CALAMITY
held their position.
Later. the Gordons arrived, and the
troops gradually worked their way un-
iii within 800 yards OF the Boer posi-
ton, displaying the greatest gallantry.
In the meanwhile naval gun az the
Modder river and two howitzer batter
Zee and the horse artillery opened a
terrific fire. enhladng the trenches,
and searching every portion Of the
Boer position.
The Boer guns were entirely silenced.
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