Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-12-21

London, Dece. l6.-12.47 a. m.--The
war office has received a dispatch an
nouncing that Gen. Butler has met
with a serious reverse, losing ten guns,
Gen Butler was attempting to cross
Tugela river and finding it impossible
to effect his object, he ordered retire
ment in order to avoid greater losses,
Butler on the Disaster.
London, Dec 16 Following is the
text of Gen. Buffers dispatch an
nouncing his reverse: / regret to re-
port serious reverse. | moved in full
strength from our camp near Chieve
ley at 4 this morning. There were two
fordable places in Tugela river and IL
was my intention to force passage
through one of them. They are about
two miles apart. My intention was to
force one or the other with one bril-
gade, supported by the central bril-
gade. Gen. Hart was to attack the
left drift Gen. Hiliyard to take the
right road and Gen, Lytueton was to
take the center and support either.
Early in the day | saw Gen, Hart
would not be able to force the passage
and directed him to withdraw, He
had, however, attacked with great gal
lantry, his leading battalion. the Con
naught rangers, | fear suffering a
great deal. Gen. lngbrooke was ser
iously wounded. | then ordered Gen.
Hildyard to advance which he did.
His leading regiment, the east Surrey
occupied Colenso station and houses
near the bridge. Attthat moment l
heard that the whole artillery | had
sent to support the attack had adj
vanced close TO the river to be within
effective range. 1t proved to be full
of the enemy, who suddenly opened n
CALLING fire at close range, killing all
their horses and the gunners wert
compelled 10 stand to their guns.
Some of the-wagon teams got shelter
for the troops and desperate efforts
were being made te-bfing out the
field guns The fire however, was too
severe only two were saved by Captain
Schoheld, and some drivers. ANOTHER
most gallant attempt with three teams
was made. OF IS horses IL were killed
and as several drivers were wounded
would not allow another attempt as it
seemed they would be she'll mark,
sacrificing life to a gallant attempt to
force passage unsupported by artil-
leryg | directed the troops TO withdraw
which they did In good order,
throughout the day a consdera bic
force of the enemy was pressing on my
right flank but was Kept back by
mounted men under Lord Dundonald,
part OF Gen Barton's brigade. The
day WAS intensely hot and most trying
on the troops whose conduct was eX
ceuent We have abandoned ten guns
The losses in Gen. Hunts brigade are
fear heavy,
Butler Too Was Trapped.
London. Der. l6. The news OF Gen
Buffers reverse was received 50 late
that the morning newspapers com
nen,s are confined to pertunctory ex-
messlons OF extreme regret and disap-
pointment and OF the necessity OF calm
ness aud redoubled efforts to retrieve
the position This latest check is re-
garded as che most serious event in
British military history since the In
dian mutny The Standard says
'"ghe country has discovered with an
noyance aud surprise that subduing
the buer farmers is about the hardest
work We have euLeped upou since the
Indian mutiuy. Their commandants
itlave shown themselves able 10 give
our generals useful bur expensive les
sons in modern tactics The Times
says Since the days Of Indian mutt
ny the nation has not been confronted
with such q painful. anxious situation
Plainly Gen Buffers advance is paral-
yged for the moment as completely as
lyord Methuens and Gen Gatacre's.'
The depression over the defeat Of Great
Britain's trusted and idolized COM
mander Is al the greater as during the
Hast Is hours. there have been reports
~ the relief of r.aiysnth. The reac-
ltiOh i all the c.ore pronounced on
$40. .,t,v. - &. h,-a 81 -