New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-14

ite with the Queen and the Prince of Wales.
Always a fighting man, even when he contested
Midlothian against Mr.. Gladstone, he seemed
to have a charmed hfe for he had been wounded
four times in battle, and in every instance but
one seriously At last he has fallen at the
head of the Highland Brigade. who respected
him as the natural leader and loved him with
clannish pride. Military men could hardly SPEAK
of him last night without breaking down. He
was one Of Lord Wolseley's closest friends, hav-
ing served under him in Ashanti, Egypt and
in the Nile expedition. and he was one of Kitche-
ner's heroes Of Omdurman. From his first as
sgnment to duty with the Black Watch his
career had been a constant record of gallant
exploits dashng leadership, medal winning and
promotions. His companions describe him as
one Of the cheeriest and most kind hearted OF
men, true Scotch soldier without an enemy In
the service. His wife was at the War Ofhce
yesterday inquirng anxously for news barely
half an hour before his death was announced
The War Office was crowded with anxious
swarm of visitors waiting for the full list Of
casualties which was promised for late hour.
The gravity of Lord Methuen's repulse was re-
fected in every face in the London clubs yester-
day. and in the evening panic mongers were not
wanting. but the coolest observers kept their
heads The most dsquieting report before mid
night was one relating to cannonading below
MOdder River where. 1t was stated Free
Staters were again raiding Methuens line of
communications Pretoria kilograms also report
ed a renewal Of the battle Tuesday.
THINK 1T A DRAWN BATTLE.
Military men were not disposed to criticise
General Methuen for making a frontal attack
without manpuvring and they were confident
that reinforcements, which left Cape Town that
day including the remainder Of the howitzer
battery. had reached him before night. They
were also sanguine over the ability of the forces
guarding the line Of communications TO take care
Of themselves. They considered that too much
stress had been laid upon General Methuens
words Attack failed" which he applied to the
Highland Brigade's early morning assault and
not TO the operations of the entire army They
considered that II a drawn battle with
heavy British losses. but not in any sense
disastrous repulse. They believed that the bull
dog would not only hold on. but win.
The situation in Natal is one OF utter darkness
on the eve Of a momentous battle. General Bar
TOMS Fusilier Brigade has taken up a position
within three miles OF Colenso. and is supported
bv naval guns The cavalry has been reviewed
by Lord Dundonald at Frere. force of Beers
Is reported as advancing upon Weenen with a
,,iov, IN raidine again toward the Mooi River,
but more probably 1t is designed TO head of
anv attempt Of General Butler to turn the Dutch
noeition on his right General Butler himself
remains at Frere and is surrounding himseH
with Natal levies The Beers are threatening
the officers responsible for the loss or guns III
front Of I,adysmith with trial by court martial
rjoutenant FERGUSON who was killed in the last
gallant sortie was son of a professor in the
Military College at Sandhurst. The only dis
ouieting news from the garrison relates to an
outbreak Of enteric fever and dysentery there.
General Gatacre is officially reported as with
drawing his force 10 Sterkstroom, while General
French continues his cautious advance toward
Colesberg Many missing men have turned up
since the disaster Of Stormberg, so that the num-
her of prisoners taken by the Beers will be re-
duced. possibly to $50. Many wounded were
left the veldt
SPIRIT OF DISLOYALTY PROMOTED.
The moral effect Of General Gatacre's reverse
has been distinctly bad. The spirit OF unrest
and disloyalty has been promoted among the
Dutch. and there are rumors Of Cabinet Crisis
in Cane Colony General Methuen cannot con-
vert his first repulse or drawn battle too quickly
into n victory nor can General Butler operate
too decisively in Natal for the restoration OF
british prestige What every thoughtful Eng
uehman knows in his heart is that General
RuIler and General Methuen hold the destinies
., the british realm in their keeping, for they
or. battling not only for South Africa but for
India and the security of the Empire every