New-York tribune., 1900-01-03
CAMP AND STORES TAKEN.
COLONEL PITCHER DEFEATS BOER
FORCE NEAR BELMONT-TORONTO
TROOPS IN ACTION

1ROOfS IN ACIlON
London, Jan. 2-The War Office has received
the following from Cape Town. under to-day's
date:
Colonel Pitcher reports. through the officer
commanding at the Orange River:
/ have completely defeated hostile command
at Sunnyside aager this day, January /, taking
the laager and forty prisoners besides the killed
and wounded. Our casualties are two prlvates
killed and Lieutenant Adie wounded. Am en-
camped at Dover Farm, twenty miles northwest
of Belmont and ten from Sunnyside
Belmont Cape Colony Jan. "A dispatch
from Dover Farm, dated January l. says:
A mounted force consisting of one hundred
Canadians of the Toronto company and two
hundred Queensanders, commanded by Colonel
Richards; two guns and horse battery under
Major De Rougemont, forty mounted infantry
under Lieutenant Ryan, and two hundred of the
Cornwall Light Infantry, the whole commanded
by Colonel Pitcher left Belmont yesterday at
noon on n march westward covering twenty
miles before sunset. The force encamped at
Cooks Farm, where the troops were welcomed
enthusiastically. At o'clock this morning the
force approached a spot where laager of the
Beers reported. Colonel Pitcher ap-
preaching the position. which a line of
strong kopjes detached Major De Rougemont
with the guns, TOrontos and mounted infantry
to work toward the right, making a turning
movement himself with the QueenslanderS
toward the south position. The manRuvre was
a complete success The British shells the
first indication of the presence of the troops
The Beers left their laager and opened fire. but
the Queensanders completing the movement
the iaager captured, with forty prisoners
The British casualties were two men killed
three wounded and one missing The whole force
worked admirably. The two men killed belonged
to the Queensland contingent.
COLONIAL TROOPS IN ACTION.
Another dispatch from Dover Farm. dated
January l. says:
The colonial troops who have been longing to
be allowed to meet the Beers have at last had
an opportunity to do so, and scored a brilliant
success. The raid conducted by Colonel Pitcher
was difficult owing to the fact that the move
ments of the troops were Immediately COM
municated to the Beers by natives. In order
to prevent this. Colonel Pitcher in making his
forced march from Belmont, left a British
trooper at every farmhouse. with instructions
not to allow the natives to leave their huts, the
patrols calling the names of the natives hourly
in order to prevent their escape.
In the manRuVre at Cooks Farm Colonel
Pitcher sent mounted patrols east. One of
these, consisting Of four men, commanded by
Lieutenant Adie. suddenly encountered four
teen Beers. who opened fire The lieutenant
was severely wounded. and Private Butler gave
up his horse in order TO carry the lieutenant
out of ranges
Another private. whose horse had boted
pluckiIv returned render assistance. He was
wounded in the leg and his horse was killed
ACCURACY OF GUN FIRE.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Ryan who had worked
right of the enemy was clear. whereupon Major
De Rougemont ordered the guns TO trot. They
arrived within / 800 yards Of the laager. unlim-
bered and planted nVe shfHs In as many MIN
utes within the laager
Immediately the enemy could be seen stream
ing over the ,opie. They were completely sur
prised. but quickly opened a well directed nre
double quick into action. The order was received
with great satisfaction The company rushed