New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-13
SORTTES DANGEROUS WORK
NEVERTHELESS LONDON WAS CHEERED
BY THE LATEST ONE AT LADYSMITH.
fBY CABLE TO THE TRIsUNE.l

fBY TO THE TRIBUNE
London, Dec 13, l a. :n-The most cheering
news at midnight General Whites bulletin
from Ladysmith. recounting another gallant
sortle under Colonel Metcalfe. with five hundred
men Of the Rife Brigade The Beers were sur
prised again on the crest Of hill, and driven
back, and big howitzer was destroyed with
guncotton These sorties are becoming danger
ous as the Rife Brigade found to their cost.
Their retreat was blocked by the Beers, and
they had 10 fight their way through at the point
OF the bayonet Their losses were considerable
and some wounded were left behind General
Whites fighting power is evidently unaffected
by the long siege and the sorties are improving
the temper Of his men.
Englishmen arc awaiting with impatence
tdings Of victory from Coienso and Magers-
fontein. which will wipe out the disgrace OF
stormberg and give them what Mr.. Chamber
lain would describe clean slate in South
Africa The report from Pretoria Of heavy
fghtng on Sunday at Modier River, in which
General Cronje maintained his position is now
explained as a reference 10 the reconnaissance
with artillery practice. although there may
have been a skirmish during the evening. Ru-
mors from Cape Town that a battle was fought
Monday are not officially confirmed here at mid
night General Methuen's battle will be de-
ierreO several Gays IT tHe urdROOHS anu lne
howitzer battery which left Cape Town yes
terday were sent to Modder River in conse-
ouence OF his discovery Sunday that the enc
my's position was unexpectedly strong.
STILL WAITING FOR THE HOWITZERS.
Military men, while still looking for news Of
battle every hour explain that Generals Butler
and Methuen are likely to attack the enemy
simultaneously and that advance toward
Kimberley is kept back until the howitzers are
in position at Colenso. They also add that con-
centraton OF forces on both sides has gone on
steadily. and that Generals Butler and Methuen
by decisive victories will virtually end the war
or. at any rate. reduce the Dutch opposition
10 guerilla stage. They must first catch the
hare
There were only few splinters Of news from
either theatre OF war yesterday, but there were
several messages from Mafeking. one official.
showing that the enemy were shelling the town
with increased effect and the garrson's ratons
had been reduced. The Rhodesian relieving
force is still a long way off at Gaberones.
The Dutch forces have not followed up their
victory at Stormberg by attacking General Cat
acre at Molteno, and the British reverse has
rot interrupted Frenchs cautious advance
toward Colesberg, skirmishing having been re-
report Of his disastrous battle is badly written
ana leaves the mystery Of the capture OF por-
IONS Of two battaions unsolved. The unfortu
nate General has sense Of humor, or he would
nave avoided saying that the policemen too-i
The British army round some miles and landed
IN an impossible position" and that he had
sent the Irish Rifles and the Fighting 9th"
sterkstroom to recuperate Pretoria GER
amy Is not an ideal convalescents home.
"HHe he admits that distance was underesti-
so he acquits his guides of intentional error
u thereby Of deliberate treachery. While the
'Oi' Is not clear II is evident from the belated
'd'ches that. after finding himself completely
"dpped, he collected his force and had
Hs night from ridge TO ridge for nine miles
"e retreat, losing two guns. and that the ex-
n' handling of the field battery alone en-
eu 'he main body to escape. The Fusiliers
N 'ne Irish Rifles were probably captured In
'a' groups AT different points. and many or
49," were unable TO Join the column when the
,s edt was begun The number Of missing men
o"' one Fusiers is increased by sixty in Gen
"ai Gatacres report.
s'dent Steyn accounts for 4SS prisoners in
"' oispatch. and 672 in another.
UNPLEASANT FOR ENGLIsHMEN.
'e''0h have Englishmen had more unpleas-
81 81 war story 10 read and certainly never one
,.'"' was told so badly by the British general.
" remains true that. while Gatacre unfor-
o""'e IN his choice OF a policeman who did not
"o" 'he first turning on the right, he was COM
r'"ec by his feeblencss In mounted and artillery
ices 10 attack by night If he were TO have
e"y nope OF success His reverse points the
NECT SERVICE TO AKRON. o.. VIA PENN
SYLVANIA RAILROAD