Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-23
NO NEWS FROM SEAT OF WAR.
No Confirmation Of Report That
LadySmith Can Hold Out.

LONDON. December 23..-4:l5 A. NJ
Belated South African dispatches throw
no light upon the present situation at the
seat Of war. There is no confirmation
Of the report that Ladysmith could hold
out several weeks longer. and IL is feared
that this was circulated by the Beers for
their own purposes.
The Daily Telegraph has a special from
Chieveley, dated December 18th, which
tells how Lieutenant Roberts fell at
Tugela river. 1t says:
HOW ROBERTS FELL.
THE horses of The Fourteenth and Six
teenth batteries had been killed, and
Lieutenant Roberts, Captain Schoneld,
and Captain COngreve, of the Rifles, at
tempted, with gunner volunteers, 10 drag
out the guns. Captain Schoheld succeed
ed. helped by 4 corporal and some men.
Lieutenant Roberts was hit by a shell.
Captain Congreye was struck and wound
ed slightly.
After awhile, captain Congreye and
Major Baptle brought Lieutenant Ro-
borts from the open TO a little ravine.
where he lay hidden from the enemys
terrible fire. Fourteenth guuners, four
and -- men were with Colonel Bullock.
When the retirement was ordered these
men, with Isolated parties Of Devon
shires and Scotch Fusileers together
with some Of the Queens, were cut of
and captured. Many fought until late
in the afternoon, IL party Of rfiemen
running the gauntess of Bocr Mausers
from hlding-paces along tho Tugela river
bank.
BRITISH WOUNDED CAPTURED.
AT 8 F. NJ. forty Beers approached the
abandoned guns. on espyng Colonel Bull
lock, Captain C0ngreve. and the others
in the ravine, they called upon the Brit
lsh to surrender. Colonel Bullock de-
cuned and threatened to shoot, although
his party had only fourteen rifles. The
Beers retired from the guns and a parley
ensued Then q hundred Beers rode up
to within a few yards Of the party, but
Colonel Bullock swOre he would not be
made q prisoner, whereupon a Boer
Boer knocked him down with rifle
butt.
"Afterward the enemy gave our wound
ed water and cordials. Then, having
taken all their arms, ammunition, and
held-glasses, they let them return by our
ambulances Colonel Bullock. Colonel
Hunt. Major Walter, and Captain Good
wynn were taken prisoners. The Scotch
Fusieers lost nearly two companies cap
tured."
BULLER's CASUALTIES, 1i50.
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
Chieveley. dated December 18th, esti-
mates tho casualties I'm General Buffers
repulse as 1850, including J32 missing. IT
announces that "a portion of the British
troops have returned 10 trere."
4 correspondent OF the Associated Press
AT Nlodder River under date Of Deem
Der 18th. describing the changes IN the
art of warfare. says: 1T would De almost
impossible to take such position as
Magersfontein By assault The modern
hattie owing 10 the length OF the rifle
range. will last six days. where formerly
b. would only have lasted q few hours.
alETHrEN "HAsTENlNG SLOWLY"
LONDON. December PA dispatch
from Cape Town, dated sunday Deceh-
her nth. saws that General Methueh pil-
r,arv object I'm crossing the Modder River
o..,,.srs IN have been 20 establish search
LIGHT communication with kimberley
,gbich rs believed 10 be still on fun IA
tlons. The water In the mines Is piehu-
ful. s..o,,
u4re1 tactics. Il IS considered possible
that the Beers have been compelled 10
.s.urne the offensive. the commander
having arranged for the disposition oi
,be forces. and anticipating dinlchlty IN
maintaining food supplies IN the present
,oeiflons Moreover. 10 IS said there Is a
Rowing desire among the Free StateIs
~ ,atirn home. which is testified 10 on
,,,ony sides. and may tend 10 precipitate
an action on the part OF the Boer COM
mands. ...u.,- ,.,o,,,
=, sntte Of the delay OF General Me-
,b,,on I'm advancing, he IS resarueu az
-. The master Of the situation, ana
49, ortrenched position is believed 20 De
..,,,ssoilahle In the event OF the 8oeis
ot,oc,rlne Kimberley, General Methuen
,,.o,,id be enabled 10 make q couhleI-hi
Win his artillery and cavalry. Coiise,
cuentlv. such q movement on the pa. ~
| The Boers. u is said. Is not cehtennpla.v,'
II IS apparent therefore that 10 ni-- III,
haste slowly Is the rue7t poiey 70
ent. In accordance WIN uonS' - aS
,buen's aictum, the army shouiu ho' az
- faster than the slowest ox-wasons
soRTIE FROM LADYsMITH.
/ LONDON. December "A war Ohic'
, dispatch from PietermaritZDurg' Na,a'
/ gives a list OF casualties ioi 'v IN, -
| eember 18th. OF seven men hilleu az
fourteen wounded, all non-coh'i'li'S'o''''
officers and men. ,..,.s
mn, ,ames Of the regiments concerned
- hitherto unrecorded sortie from
Iadvsmith on that date
CHURCHILL AT DELAGoA.
/ LONDON. December 22.-Lady Ran
doiph Churchill has received caolesrau
| from he- son. Winston Cnutcnii, VIZ
was captured by the Beers IN -Na'el an,
LIN 70 Pretoria. and whose escape
sron there was announced December Ath
saving ne has arrived safely at Deiagoi
| bay. ..,,,,,.
CARING FOR BUILER's WOUNDED
| CHIEVEL.EY CAMP. NATAL. SUNDAY
| December 17.--The camp, when wa
nitched TO the left of the position takeI
| = "a. tho IFpfon brigade was SllftSs