The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-01-03
DREW A HEAVY FIRE.
British Artillery Make Reconnois-
sance at Modder River.


Modder River, Dec. 25.-A reconnois
sance by the British this morning drew
out heavy artillery fire than has been
experienced since the Beers occupied Ma
gersfontein. The British had deter
mined to destroy q house on the bank OF
the river that the Beers were using as a
shelter from which their sharpshooterS
picked off incautious British soldiers.
At dawn the twelve-pounders and the
4.7-iuch lyddite gun, with three wagons,
escorted by the Twelfth lancers, moved
out to attack the Boer lines in front Of
the koDjes.
As soon as the British were seen by the
Beers they opened fire upon them. There
was a party Of Beers stationed twenty
yards from the we'll near Granger's cot
tage. A detachment of lancers attacked
them, but they scattered unframed.
Four Boer Guns Engaged.
The Beers worked another gun from
the railway track to the north Alto
gether they had four guns, besides two
quickfirers. These guns were mostly
mounted beyond the crest of the kopje.
The heaviest fire was directed against
tht. laneers-
The object of the reconnaissance was
successfully carried out, the house OH
the bank being blown up, creating IL
great dust. The Beers fred a few shots
ply. -Four of the horses of the lancers
We're hit by a shell. Nome Of the men
was hurt. a
q The enemy have brought their trenches
thousand yards nearer the British lines
since the repulse of the English at Ma
gersfontein. The reconnaissance estab-
Iished the fact that they have not adj
vanced many of their guns Their dis
appearing, gun is nearest the British
fines.
\ Boer Losses at Magersfontein.
/ Cape Town, Dec 2S-Col. Beesard,
commanding the Canadian contingent of
troops, is to join the staff of Gen. Butler,
all the members of which are proceeding
!. to Natal, indicating that Gen. Buffers
sphere viii shortly be confined to Natal
A man named Green, a former SER
geant-major Of the British balloon de-
partment, is among the Boer prisoners
captured at Magersfontein. Green who
deserted from Aldershot in 1898, admitted
that he had been some time in the serv-
ice of the Beers and had instructed them
in trenching. He says there were $4,000
Beers at Magersfontein, q, 600 of whom
were engaged the day of the battle. The
BOer LOSSES. he also asserts, were very
heavy, the trenches being full of dead
Green further declares that if the at
have yielded. He says the Boer horses
have to be taken to the Modder river, as
water is SO scarce at Magersfontein.
Beers Attack Methuen.
London. Dec: 2S:-The war office has
received the following from Cape Town.
dated Wednesday, December u:
Methuen reports as follows: At 9:30 yes
terday evening the Boe-s ON the south side
of MRgersfOntein opened very heavy fire
for some time. This morning the naval bri
gade fired at the enemy at the west part OF
Magersfontein. The cavalry brigade is re-
connotering in nOrtheastcrly direction.
Lieut.. Masters has made an extended re
connoissance westward and nOrthwardS Of
Enslein and reports all we'll The farmers
were glad to see our men. They were suf-
fering from want of food. / have estab-
lished market here. where can purchase
fresh milk and vegetables, selling to the
farmers tea and other articles which they
cannot otherwise purchase.
Gatacre and French report no change in
the situation. Baden-POwell reports all
well December u.