The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-26

III tdIilDs WLICn was
pitched to the left of the position taken
UP by the Union brigade, was shifted
from that point this morning to Chic
veley. The wounded are being entrain-
ed for PietermaTitzburg. Most of the
wounds are in the arms or legs. DR..
Treves is operating on the wounded.
Sir William MacMormack attended at
the railway platform and several assis-
tant surgeons are giving every atten-
ton ,
London, December ga war office
despatch from Pietermaritzburg, Natal
gives a list of casualties Monday, Dec
ember 18th, of seven men killed and
fourteen wounded, all non-commission-
ed officers and men. The names of the
regiments concerned Indicate a hither-
to unrecorded sortie from Ladysmtth
on that date.
Lady Randolph Churchill has receiv-
ed a cablegram from her son, Winston
Churchill, who was captured by the
Beers in Natal and taken to Pretoria,
and whose escape from there was an
nounced December 18th, saying he had
arrived safely at Delagoa bay.
THE SITUATION AT KIMBERLEY.
"a despatch from Cape Town, dated
Sunday, December 18th says that
Genera Metheun's primary object in
crossing the Modder river appears to
have been to establish search light
communication with Kimberley, which
is believed to be still on full rations.
The water in the mines is plentiful.
On the other hand, in spite of their
uaua. tactics, it is considered possible
that the Beers nave been compelled to
assume the offensive, the commander
having arranged for the disposition of
the forces and anticipating difficulty
in maintaining food supplies in the
present positions. Moreover, it is said
there is a growing desire mo the
Free Staters to return home, which is
testified to ON many sides and may tend
to precipitate an action on the part of
the Boer commands.
In spite of the delay of General
Metheun in advancing, he is regarded
as largely the master of the situation,
and his entrenched position is believed
to be unassailable. In the event Of the
Beers attacking Kimberly General
Metheun would he enabled to make
a counter move with his artillery and
cavalry. Consequently, such a Move
ment on the part of the Beers, it is
said, is not contemplated. 1t is APP
parent, therefore, that to make haste
slowly is the truest policy at present.
In accordance with General Metheun's
dictum, the army should not advance
faster than the slowest ox-wagons.
London, December %, 4:45 a. m.-Be-
lated South African dispatches throw
no light upon the present situation at
the seat of war. There is no cOnfir-
nation of the report that Ladysmith
could hold out several weeks longer,
and It is feared that this was circu-
1@-AI h. +I@. nVr fnr +hnIr avn mn ~
poses.
The Daily Telegraph has a special
from Chfeveley, dated December 10th,
which tells how Lieutenant Roberts
fell at Tugela river. It says:
THE horses of the Fourteenth and
Sixteenth batteries had been killed and
Lieutenant Roberts, Captain. Schoe-
field and Captain Congreve, of the
Rifles, attempted with gunner volun-
teers ito drag out the guns. Captain
Schoefeld succeeded, helped by a cor
poraI and some men. Lieutenant Rob-
erts was hit by a shell. Captain Con-
grove was struck and slight
ly. After a while Captain Congreve,
Captain Foster and Major Baptie
brought Lieutenant Roberts from the
open to a little ravine where he lay
hidden from the enemy's terrible fire.
Fourteen gunners and fourteen men of
the Devonshire regiment were with
Colonel Bullock. When the retire
ment was ordered these men with lso-
lated parties of Devonshires and Sclts
fusiliers, together with some or the
Queens were cut off and captured.
Many fought Until late in the after
noon, a party of fishermen running the
auntle of Boer Mausers from hiding
places along the river bank.
AT 5 O'Clock p. m. forty Beers APP
preached the abandoned guns. ON spy
ing Colonel Bullock, Captain CongreVe
on1 tho nthnrC in uhP TaVlne, called
upon the British to surrender. Colonel
Bullock declined and threatened TO
shoot, although his parity had only
fourteen rifles. The Beers retired from
the guns and a parley ensued. Inen
100 Beers rode UP to within a few yards
of tine party, but Colonel Bullock swore
he would not be made prisoner, where
upon a Boer knocked him down Win
a rifle butt. Afterward the enemy gave
our wounded water and cordials.
Then, having taken all their arms,
ammunition and field glasses, they let
them return by our ambulances. Colo
mel Bullock, Colonel Hunt, Major wal
ter and Captain GOODWIN were taken
prisoners. The Scots fusiliers lost
nearly two companies captured:
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Chieyeley. dated December 18th, estl-
ma1tas Ithe casualties in General Bull
ler's repulse as 1850, including $50
missing. 1t Gun that "a portion
of the British troops have returned u
Frere."
A correspondent of the Associated
Press at Modder River. under GATE Oh
December 18th, describing the changes
in the art of warfare, says: 1T woulo
be almost impossible to take sun a
position as Magersfontein by assault
The modern battle, owing 10 the lensoH
of rifle range, will last six days, Wnere
formerly it would only have lasted d
few hours"
Trse ALIENS Foot-Ease in 1onr Gloves