New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-25
LORD JfETHUE,N',S VICTORY,
BOERS SAID TO HAVE HAD FIVE HUN
DRED KILLED AT BELMONT.


London. Nov. 25-"The Daily Mali publishes
the following dispatch from Belmont, describing
the battle:
The Beers held a position which British troops
would hold against almost any force. The Brit
,sh victory is complete. My estimate Of the Boer
losses is 500 killed and $50 wounded. Mr.
Knight correspondent of THE London Morning
Post" was wounded. The Boer prisoners are
ignorant, dirty and wretched. They say that
half their commands, tired Of the war, VIII re-
fuse further service.
The whole force Of the fearful fight was borne
by the infantry who were obliged to cLmD oOo
feet straight into terrific stream OF missiles
The 9th Lancers pursued the enemy with
great yigor, but the Beers, well mounted ana
familiar with the hills melted before them POS
sibly, however victory would have been
more decisive had possessed more cavalry
Thus far the special dispatches describing the
battle OF Belmont bear a sterotyped character
proving that The hand of the censor had been
at work upon them. They are too incoherent to
enable the reader to form an accurate idea Of
the battle 10 place proper estimate upon
the value OF the victory. All the accounts agree
respecting the splendid lighting qualities ex-
hbted on both sides. Nothing could have ex-
ceeded the steady courage and pluck of the
British infantry in the face OF terrific fire, while
the Boer guns were splendidly served. the gun
ners standing to them with dogged determina-
ton, exposing themselves until the very last
moment, and only becoming wild and inaccurate
in their aim during the final deadly charge Of
the British infantry.
All admit however, that the victory could not
be properly followed up and utilized, owing to
the want Of sufficient cavalry. The pursuit Of
the defeated enemy by the 9TH Lancers was
evidently not very effective; and. curiously
enough while all the correspondents report the
capture Of Boer guns. Lord Methuen's own re-
port omts any mention Of such an achievement
One statement says: THE remnant Of the
Boer army sought to escape toward the Orange
Free State territory"
AS all the evidence tends to show that the
enemy's retirement was orderly he will doubt
less soon be heard Of elsewhere.
The correspondent of THE Times" at Belmont
says
After the battle the laager was burned and
the ammunition destroyed. Cavalry and mount
ed infantry on both 1anks pursued the enemy,
but were unable to overtake the retreatng
Beers who got away with their transport. The
Boer rout was complete. and their losses are
believed to equal They used some DUN
dunn bullets Everything was in their favor IL
is rumored that there have been some threats
TO assassinate recalctrant burghers who are
tired Of war and deserting.
After the battle Of Belmont. Lord Methuen,
addressing his troops, said:
Comrades: I congratulate you on the com
plete success achieved by you this morning The
ground over which we had to fight presents ex-
ceptional difficulties, and we had as an enemy
one who is a past master in the tactics OF noun
tain infantry. With troops such as you a COM
mander can have no fear of the result There
&c q cad side to all this; and you and are think
irq as much Of those who have died for the
honor Of their country and Of those who are
suffering as we are thinking Of our victory.
on the whole It almost seems safe TO assume
that the Boer guns not captured The
striking proof afforded of the excellent materiai
General Methuen has in his brigades is now
aver n matter of great satisfaction in London.
There is an ufCohlli ihc" i"iOi '' "
spondence seized in the Boer camp contains EVIL
dence OF reasonable communications Detweeh
the Boers and the Dutch colonists.
The position OF Mafeking is beginning 70 pe
regarded with anxiety, in view OF the lmpossi-
b,litv Of Lord Methuen being able to relieve the
town for some time TO come.
Throngs OF people were waiting at the war
once last evening until late hour for the lists
of those killed wounded or missing in the battle
~ Belmont. but nothing was published In addi-
t,on 70 General Methuen's first dispatch. GEN.
Continued third page.