The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1899-12-15

586 Killed, 2,O27 Wounded and
1877 Missing or Prisoners.
London, Dec. 13.-Later details re-
gardiEg the disaster to Gen. Gatacre's
column show that but for the magnifi-
cent work of the British artillery the
disaster would have been far more eX-
tensive. as the incesSent Boer shell fire
in the midst Of the repulsed infantry
ultimately led to disorder, which only
escaped developing into a rout through
the artillery's occupying successive po-
sitions, covering the retreat, thus
drawing a portion of the Beers CALLING
fire. Apparently the British were set
an impossible task, and We're treacher-
ously guided After a trying march,
and being under arms sixteen hours.
they attacked the wrong part of the
Boer position. where the hill was i'm
pregnable, and the burghers were esti-
mated to number 5000 men instead Of
$500 as the spies had reported.
Were Taken Prisoners.
Pretoria. Dec. 13.-Six hundred and
seventy-two British prisoners Were
taken at Stormberg. The Beers cap
tured the British guns in the engage
ment with Gen. Gatacre's force at
Stormberg.
The sorties at Kimberley last Satur-
day was an attempt to take the Boer
position at Kamperdam and to secure
the water works. All the British shots
fell short.
In the fighting at NIodder River Gen.
Cronje maintained his position and
captured fifty British soldiers.
Details are expected from the Boer
outposts in the direction of Modder
River. There is a report that the
British are advancing on the place and
heavy fighting is anticipated.
Censor Holds Back News.
London, Dec. 13.-No further news
has been received to sooth the mystery
overhanging Gen. Gatacre's retreat
from Stormberg. He has not yet for
warded the promised additional mes
sage, ard the censorship has prevent
ed the correspondents from explaining
The matter.
Stormberg is described as stronger
position than Laing's Mex. The only
road winds through lofty hills and
flanking is impossible. Colesburg is
also said to be an almost impregnable
position; and as no trpos are available
to reinforce the columns acting in
those directions, it becomes evident
that Gen. Gatacre's misfortune 81 error
will delay the invasion of the Free
State perhaps some weeks.
It now seems certain that the Sew
enth division, which is being mobilized
at Aldershot. will also be sent to South
Africa. No news has yet been re-
ceived confirming the Boer disposal of
the fifty prisoners at Modder River
from Lord Methuen's column
1t is lust two months since the
Trarsvaal proclamation WAS delivered.
Nine engagements have been fought
and the British have lost 566 killed,
2.O27 wounded and 1877 missing or
prisoners.
The war office has issued n note that
after Jan. / a deduction will be made
from the pay of soldiers serving in
South Africa in the case of privates, 4
pence day for wives and a penny for
each child; in the case of sergeants, 3
pence for wives and pence for each
child, These sums have been paid thus
far by the government. The order in
dicates a belief that the campaign will
be long one.
1t is announced from Cape Town
that the Beers have succeeded IN re-
pairing the Leuwfontein bridge near
Stornlberg and Burghersdorp. which
the British destroyed on retiring.
Commanaant Swanpol, who COM
manded the Boer forces at Stormberg,
has been replaced by Il Scotchman
named Robertson.
Ladysmith ON Half RatiOns.
.Lourenzo Marques, Dec. 13.-Ihe fol-
lowing dispatch has been received from
the Boer laager. near Ladysmith:
sSeyeral kaffir runners from Lady
smith to Estcourt have been captured.
They received from Els to f4O for the
trip. The intercepted dispatches show
that men and horses in Ladysmith are
now on half-rations, that whisky is II
q bottle and that beer is exhausted.
Beers Fell Back.
Frere Camp. Natal. Dec. 13. - The
British cavalry reconnoitered abreast
Of Colenso and exchanged shots with
narties of Beers, who fell back across
the river The kopjes were observed
to be thickly occupied by the enemy.
The railway bridge at Colenso has
been completely destroyed by the en-
emv. Two stone piers were blown up
last night. The highway bridge is IN
tact.
HOW the French Look Mt 1t.
Paris Dec. 13. = The news of Gen.
Gatacre's reverse made an immense
imnression in Paris. Although the af-
ternoon papers predict the gravest con-
senuences in the disacected portion OF
Cane Colony, they cannot be accused
Of unseeming exultation over British
misfortunes. Most Of the journals see
in the defeat an ugly trap laid by
.Boers working in conjunction with
Dutch traitors.
Ncw Orleans at Singapore.
vx,ochinpfon Dec. 13.-The New Or