New-York tribune., 1899-12-23
HOW LIEUTENANT ROBERTS FELL.
HIT BY A SHELL WHILE TRYING TO SAVE
THE LOST CANNON.

rondon Dec 23-Belated South African dis
matches throw no light upon the present situa-
tion at the seat Of war There is no conflrma-
ton of the report that Ladysmith could hold out
several weeks longer. and it is feared that this
was circulated by the Beers for their own pur-
poses
II is hoped that Winston Churchill, having ar
rived safely at Deagoa Bay, will soon be heard
from regarding conditions in the TransVaal, as
he must have obtained important information
A Cape Town dispatch dated December IL, re-
ports that Commandant Diedericks. Of the Boer
forces was killed in a recent engagement but
M details are given. Advices from Naauwpoort
describe everything quiet there, and the only
fresh news from Arundel concerns the weather
which is excessively hot
oThe Daily Telegraph" has a special from
Cheveley. dated December 16, which tells how
Lieutenant Roberts, son Of Lord Roberts. fell
at Tugela River. II says:
The horses Of the 14th and Goth Batteries
had been killed, and Lieutenant ROBERTS, zap
tain Schoheld and Captain Congreve or the
Rifles attempted with gunner volunteers to drag
out the guns. Captain Schofeld succeeded,
helped by a corporal and some men. Lieutenant
Roberts was hit badly by shell. captain Con-
greve was struck repeatedly and wounded
slightly After awhile Captain Congreve Cap
tain Foster and Major Baptie brought Lieuten-
where he lay hidden from the enemy's terrible
fire.
Fourteen gunners, fourteen men Of the Devon
shire Regiment and - men were with
Colonel Bullock When the retirement was
ordered these men, with isolated parties Of
Devonshires. Scots Fusiliers and some OF the
Queens own were cut off and captured. Many
fought until late in the afternoon. part Of the
Irishmen running the gantlet Of the Boer
Mausers from hiding places along the river
bank
At p. m. forty Beers approached the ten
abandoned guns. On espying Colonel Bullock,
Captain Congreve and the others in the raVine,
they called upon the British TO surrender Colonel
Bullock declined, and threatened TO shoot, al
though his party had only fourteen rites. the
Beers retired from the guns and parley ensued.
Then a hundred Beers rode up TO within few
yards Of the party, but Colonel Bullock swore
he would not be prisoner, whereupon Boer
knocked him down with his rifle butt.
Afterward the enemy gave our wounded water
and cordials. Then, having taken all their arms.
ammunition and field glasses, they let them re-
turn by ambulances Colonel Bullock, Colo
mel Hunt. Major Walter and Captain Goodwin
were taken prisoners. The Scots Fusiliers lost
nearly two companies captured
A dispatch to THE Daily Mail" from Chieve-
ley. dated December H. estimates the casualties
in General Buffers repulse as 1.15O including
$50 missing. 1t announces that "a portion OF
the British troops have returned TO Frere."
A correspondent OF The Associated Press at
Moddor River under date of December II. de-
scrbng the changes in the art of warfare, says:
II would be almost impossible to take such a
position as Magersfontein by assault The
modern battle, owing 10 the length Of rifle range,
will last six days. where formerly II would only
have lasted few hours.
The Boer trenches which are rather like un-
derground dwellings. always provide a safe
means Of retreat. They are very wide and
deep, and casemated at intervals allowing
the concentration Of defenders at any given
noint without danger to themselves
The British here are anxious that the Beers
sbould attack them and the belief is prevalent
,bat treachery is largely responsible for the
Underestimate placed upon the Boer forces by
the cavalry scouts
The Ch!eveley correspondent Of THE Stand