New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-01
BRITISH SKIES CLEARING.
Brr1EF IN LONDON THAT LORD METH
UEN'S VICTORY AT THE MODDER
RIVER WAS A REAL ONE.
lBY CABLE TO The TRIBuNE.]


Iondon Dec l. ! a. m.-Unlike the Tugela
snd Nodder rivers. the current of war news
v.as not in flood yesterday. From Natal came
vsgra renorts that shots had been exchanged
With Roer scouts near Frere, where the British
force was rassed and that the enemy was re-
treating north of the Tugela. To this Reuter-
added a Joke 10 the effect that General Jouoert
was hurrying back In an omnibus drawn by SIX
horses to meet Baden Powell. This was sup
plemented toward midnight by an official dis
patch from General Butler with a message
from Ladysmith. brought by telegraph oper-
ssor tfat 10 attempt had been made by the
Roers since November TO attack the garrison
IN force. and that the total casualties during the
siege UP to Sunday night were eight killed and
loss than hundred wounded. While the con-
dition Of the garrison is reported to be unex-
nActedlv favorable ii is suspected by the mill
tary writer's for the press that General Butler
has had private information that the ammuni-
ton was low. and that the relief column is hur-
rying forward on that account.
TONS OF METAL THROWN INTO LADY
SMITH.
T. is also surn1ised that Butler was anxious
IN send a column to Ladysmith with the least
possible resistance that he relaxed the censor
ship on the Orange River, and proclaimed Lord
Methuen's advance upon Kimberley In order 10
induce the Free State to draw off its commands
from Natal and dispatch them across the coun-
try to the western frontier. George Lynch, who
has been at Ladysmith during the siege, indl-
rectly confirms this theory by dispatch to
THE Echo" He estimated that the Beers eX-
pended two tons Of metal before they killed a
man in the garrison, and refers to the damage
done TO the churches in the town. but does not
al lF frip laQygmltn
artillery. although he describes the facility with
which the eneny's attacks had been repulsed
After the military writer's had been puzzling
for thirtv-six hours over the problem whether
General Methuen's battle was fought on the
north or south or both banks OF Modder River,
and the Ministers the staff at the War ONCE
and the general public had been in state OF
suspense over Methuens strangely phrased bull
letin. that comm nder's partial casualty lists OF
officers we're received last evening. AS these
were dated Modder River. II clear that the
column had not retreated, but was holding its
ground The names Of officers Of the 1st Argyle
and Sutherland Highlanders was also proof that
the column had been reinforced by at least one
battalion before the battle A report was cur
rent about midnight that the column had re-
sumed its march and heading for klmDer-
ley Even II this premature, the announce
ment Of the list Of casualties among the ofncers
Of two brgades was not nearly so heavy as the
public had been led 10 expect from the ominous
bulletin concerning the ten hours desperate
lighting unequalled in recent military annals
THOSE WHO FELL AT THE MODDER'
General Methuen, after delivering a fine OLD
time address to his army before the battle was
himself under fire. and received bullet "ouhu
IN 'he thigh. 1t was slight wound Whch ths
trained athlete was inclined TO disregard allo-
gether. at least until Kimberley could DC
reached The members Of the staff were IN the
thick OF the fight Lieutenant Colonel North-
colt. OF the Ieinster regiment who was serving
as deputy adjutant general was killed. lie
was campaigner Of Irish birth and Of fine
executive ability Count Gleichen. the Queens
grandnephew, was severely wounded. lie Is d
son Of Prince Victor Of Hohenlohe, ana nVes a'
81 James's Palace when in London, ana ~
often seen al the Marlborough and 81. James
clubs He Joined the Grenadier Guards elgh-
teen years ago, and he was fighting win theil
as major when wounded. During the last Iour
years he has been in the Intelligence Division
OF the War Office but has had mucn miiltary
experience in the Nile expedition, in Morocco,
the Soudan and Abyssinia, and has written sew
eral books He is an enthusiastic Guardsman
and sportsman, and one Of the most cohsplcu-
Gus figures in the Guards Brigade. Lieutenant
Lyon. Of the same battalion, who was slightly
wounded, g Lord Beauchamp's brother' anu
heir presumptive 10 the earldom his sis'e' 10
lady in waiting 10 the Duchess OF YORK.
Among the killed was Lieutenant No'ohe'
Stopford OF the I'd Coldstreams. well known
hgure in London society Among the wouhoeo
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