Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-13
Mahon and French in Control Around
Reitfontein.
DETAILS OF WEDNESDAYS DISASTER
Only About Thirty of the British
Force Got Out.
WITH THE BOERS

PRETORIA, July 12.-Colonel Mahon, re-
inforced by General French's brigade. yes-
terday took all the positions held by the
Beers in the neighborhood of R!etfontein,
number Of Boer dead were found. Tho
British casualties were tritling
Details are now at hand regarding the
disaster to the Lincolnshire regiment on
"Wednesday. 1t appears that five companies
were ordered Tuesday to proceed and hold
the pass through Magalesburg in the
ne!shborhood Of Daspoortfort. They arrived
al the pass In the afternoon, where three
companies with two guns took up a posi-
ton and camped for the night leaving TWO
companies on a pain south of the pass,
The eastern hill was rugged. rocky and in-
accessible, but further east apparently APP
proachable from the main ridge. AT day.
break yesterday the Beers appeared on the
eastern kopje and opened a heavy fire Con-
fusion ensued. The colonel ordered the men
10 take up position a kopje west Of
the gap. From this point hot fire ensued
during the entire day. Two guns. under the
escort of the Scots Grays. placed in adj
vance of the main body. were captured az
ter a stout resistance. Nearly every man
was Killed or wounded.
Maxim Gun Brought out.
A Maxim gun was brought into action
early in the day.
The fire was too hot and the men vera
finally forced to retire. A sergeant, aided by
seven volunteers, saved the gun. There was
a continuous fire all along the line. the
Lincolnshire Regiment vigorously ep.ying.
About O'Clock in the afternoon the Beers
appeared to the left OF the position occl-
pied by the British. An officer and fifteen
men attempted to charge them Fourteen
men were killed or wounded as the result
of the charge. Three companies We're prac-
ucaliy surrounded. but they kept up a
steady fire unwaveringly until toward night-
fall. when their ammunition had been ex-
pended.
The latest arrival from the scene states
that the moment Of his escape the men
were taking a good position under cover,
and with fixed bayonets We're awaiting the
approach of the Beers. 1t is understood
upon good authority that the Beers have
employed armed natives. Two of the ma
tves leaped from cover when a small party
from the Lincolnshire Regiment stepped up
and demanded their surrender. A soldier
stepped up anu shot both of the natives
dead
officer Encounters Native.
One officer, who succeeded in making his
escape. had an encounter with an armed
native. 1t is feared that the losses of the
British were numerous. About thirty OF
the British soldiers stragged back to camp
today. According to all accounts a great
force is being assembled to prevent further
progress of the Boers
Commandant Grobler. who commanded the
federals at Nitrals Mex, had four guns.
British Disaster nt Nitrars Mex.
Lord Roberts reports to the war office,
Under date of Pretoria. JuIy l., as fol-
lows:
The enemy having failed in their at.
tack on our right rear as mentioned in
my telegram of July .. made a determined
attack upon our right flank yesterday. and.
regret 10 say, succeeded in capturing
Nitrals Mex which was garrisoued by
a squadron of the Scots Grays, with two
guns of a battery of the Royal Artillery,
and five companies of the Lincolnshire
Regiment.
The enemy attacked in superior num-
hers at dawn, and. seizing the hills con-
manding the mex. brought heavy gun
fire to bear upon the small garrison.
''NitraIs Mex is about eighteen miles
from here. near where the road crosses The
Crocodile river. Ii was held by US in order
To maintain road ana Geographic commu-
nication with Routenburg
The fighting lasted. more less,
throughout the day, and Immediately On
receiving Internationally this morning.
of the euemy's strength, l dispatched rg.n-
forcements from here under Colonel Cod
frey of the Kings own Scottish Blrderers.
Before, however. they reached the spot the
garrison had been ovcr-sowsred and the
guns and a greater portion of the squadron
of the GrayS had been captured, owing 10
the horses being shot; also about ninety
men of the Lincolnshire Regiment
"A list Of the casualties has not been res .
ceived, but l fear they are heavy.
simultaneously. an attack was made on
our outpostS near DurdepoorL north of
the town, in which the 1th Dragons were
engaged. The regiment was handled with
considerable skill by Lieutenant Colonel
Low, and kept the enemy I'm check until
they retired on their supports, and would
probably have suffered but slight loss had
not our troops mistaken some Beers in the
bushes for our men.
.'Smith-Dorrien had a successful engages
ment with the enemy yesterday near kru-
sersdorp and inflicted heavy loss on them.
'.Buller reports that the Beers who were
destroying his line Of railway near Paarde-
kraal were driven of yesterday. after O
short action.
Hart reports from Heidelberg that the
surrendering of Boer arms and ammunt-
ton continues in that district"
News has reached London that Lord
Roberts has been suffering from a serious
bowel complaint. and that Lady Roberts
was hurredy summoned from Bloemfon-
tein. Lord Roberts, though now better, is
still weak