The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-16

central brigade. Gen. Hart was to at
tack the left drift, Gen. Hlyard, the
right road, and Gen. LittletOn was to
take the center and to support either.
Early in the day l saw that Gen. Hart
would not be able to force a passage
and directed him to withdraw. He
had. however, attacked with great gal
lantry and his leading battalion, the
COnnaught rangers, fear, suffered a
great deal. Col. Igbrooke was seriously
I then ordered Gen. Hilyard to ad-
vance, which he did and his leading
regiment. the East Surrey, occupied
Colenso station and the house near the
bridge AT that moment heard that
the whole artillery [ had sent to sup
port the attack-the Fourteenth and
Sfxty-sixth field batteries and six ma
val u FOUNDER quick firers, under Col.
Long had advanced close to the river
in Longs desire to be within effective
range. It proved to be full Of the en-
emy who suddenly opened a CALLING fire
at close range. killing all their horses
and the gunners We're compelled to
stand to their guns Some of the wagon
teams got shelter for troops in a dOnga
and desperate efforts We're being made
to bring out the field guns.
The fire, however, was too severe
and only two We're saved by Captain
SchOfeld and some drivers whose
names [ VIII furnish.
Another most gallant attempt with
three teams was made by an officer
whose name I viii obtain. OF the Is
horses, 13 were killed and as several
drivers were wounded. I would not al
low another attempt as it seemed that
they would be a shell mark, sacrificing
Il1e to gallant attempt to force the
passage Unsupported by artillery. I
directed the troops to withdraw, which
they did in good order.
Throughout the day a considerable
force of the enemy was pressing on my
right flank. but was kept back by
mounted men under Lord DundOnald
and part of Gen. Bartons brigade The
Ia I'M far cn11 hot
on the troops, whose conduct was ex-
cellent- We have abandoned ten guns
and lost by shell fire one. The losses in
Gen HartS brigade, ara fear very
heavy, although the proportion of Sc
Verely WOunded.I hope is not large The
Fourteenth and Sixty-sixth field bat
teries also suffered severe losses. We
have retired to our camp al ChieYeIy.''
PANIC ON CHANGE
London, Dec 16-The news of the de-
feat Of General Butler at TugeIa river
caused monetary panic on the stock
exchange here today, where there was
intense excitement in all departments
Immediately after the opening. jobbers
started realizing and all prices opened
from to 6 points below the closing
prices of yesterday, consols being down
a Rand mines were heaViIy affected
starting at 50 as against yesterday
evenings closing price of 3S2. De Beers
opened at 231s, as against q; Charter
eds at 3, as against 31a, and GOIddelds
at 57s. as against SIG.
Americans We're very fiat and We're
freely offered by local and continental
holders at prices which they found diff
dculty in obtaining. Foreigners moved
in sympathy with the other securities.
Partisan stocks, however, held their
own comparatively well.
After the first rush the market stead
led somewhat, still SPECTATORS We're re
luctant to engage in fresh commit
ments, conhning themselves to the clos
ing of open accounts.
The market views of the situation are
Of the most serious character, both po-
ntically and monetarily, the latter
mainly because fresh defeat of the
ply of South African gold. Two unim-
portant failures were announced early
in the day.
HEAPS OF DEAD.
Pretoria, Wednesday, Dec. 13.-An Of
fetal dispatch from the Nodder River
says:
The Beers captured a great quantity