The San Francisco call., 1899-12-14
MEIHUENS ARMY DRIVEN BACK
FROM MAGERSFONTFIN BY BOERS
General
Il WauchOpe Among the British Officers Slan and
Defeat Is Probably the Most Disastrous Since the
War Began in South Africa.

| ONDON Dec I3-The War Office has received the fol-
loving dispatch from General Mehuen, dated Tuesday
December p
Our artillery shelled very strong position held by the
ey IN long high kopje from until dusk Sunday 1t rained
hard last night
The Highland Brigade attacked daybreak Monday
the south end OF the kop The attack properly timed but
failed The Guards ordered protect the Hghlandes
right and The cavalry and mounted infantry. with
tzer artillery battery attacked the left and the
Guards the right supported by field artillery and howitzer
artillery They sheled the position from daybreak I5
sent the GordOns support the Highland brigade The
troops held their front OF the enemys entertainments
until dusk, the position extending including the kope for
distance of six miles the Modder River To-day am hold
ing my position and entrenchng myself had face
1900 Our loss was great
General ForeserWaker, eegraphng from Cape Town at
$3.50 p to-day following dispatch from Lord Me
huen, dated Modder River, Tuesday December z3o D. m
las the Boers occupied their trenches strongly
this morning. retired in perfect order here where
I am i'm security.
81 have gathered from some of the prisoners
and from with the ambuIanceS, who
talked with the BOers that the enemy's losses
were terrible. some corps being completely wiped
out. The Beers have been kind TO my
wounded
PRETORIA, Monday, Dec 1I.-An official report says:
"A battle at Modder River began yesterday with cannon
firing. heavy fighting proceeding from $50 in the morn
ing until 93o o'clock, with cannon MaXms and rifles
bardment began o o'clock and fighting still continues
balloon has just above the British positions where it
renamed ten minutes and descended There
during the night"
At o'clock this morning dispatch rider brought word
that all the Boer positions have been maintained forty
British prisoners had been taken AT o3o o'clock was
reported that the heavy fire had abaed The
British constantly using their balloon The fighting was still
going noon.
Kimberley is still quiet
NORTH OF MODDER RIVER Monday Dec IL
Early yesterday evening the Guards and the Highland Brigade
moved from the Modder River camp marching in the night in
noheastey direction The objective Joint OF the Highland
the spur Of the Boer position the Guards fol-
lowing the bank OF the while the Yorkshire Light Infantry
moved along the river side before davbreak the High
anders arrived within yards OF the Boer entertainments at
the foot OF hill number of Beers were in the vicinity and
the Hghanders still marching quarter column in close or
der, when they terrible fire from fanks and were
forced TO retire with heavy loss.
The troops reformed the shelter of some rising
ground and gaanty held their position Later the Goons
arrived and the troops gradually worked way until within
800 yards OF the Boer position displaying the greatest gal
lantry. In the meanwhile gun at the Modder River
howtzer batteries and the artillery opened terrific fire
enadng the trenches and searching every portion of the Boer
position The Boer guns entirely silent In the mean
with the object OF making flank But this was us
taed by the Guards and artillery The Beers recommended
sheng in the evening but damage was done The British
slept their positions 1t expected that there will be re-
neyal Of the fighting The losses on both sides
were heavy.
ORANGE RIVER Cape Colony Dec 13-Three hun
dred and twenty wounded including twenty-seven officers
have arrived here from the Modder River.