The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-18
BY A BOER FORCE AFTER SEVERE
FIGHTING NEAR PRETORIA
A STRONG POSITION CAPTURED
Northumberland Fusiliers Fea
surrender-Heavy British osses
General Clement Forced to Retreat.
Other British Posts Attacked-A
Battle In Progress Between Forces
of Knox and eve

London, December 14.-Lord Kitch-
ener reports that after severe fighting
at Nooitgedacht, General Clements
force were compelled to retire by
Commandment deLarey with a force of
$500 men. Four British officers were
killed. The other casualties were not
reported. Lord Kitchener . official dis
patch to h war office is as follows:
Pretoria. December Is.
Clements force at Nooitgedacht on
the Magaliesburg was attacked at
dawn today by deLarey, reinforced by
Beyers commando from Warmbath,
making a force estimated at $500.
Though the first attack was repulsed,
the Beers managed to get atop of the
Magailesburg, which was held by four
companies of the Northumberland Flu
siliers, and were thus able to command
Clements camp. He retired On HEX
poort, and o up a position on a hill
in the center Of the valley. The casual
ties have not been completely reported
but h fighting was very severe, n I
deeply regret that Colonel Uegge, of
the Twentieth Hussars. and Captains
MacBean, Murdoch and Atkins were
killed. Reinforcements have left here"
Lord Kitchener also reports that the
Beers made an attack and were re-
pulsed at Lichtenburg. and that Gen
eral Jetmer was killed. Attacks upon
Bethlehem and Vrede Were also re-
pulsed the Beers losing 10 killed and
IA wounded. Vreyhed was attacked
December 11th. Shipping continued
hen the Message was dispatched.
The scene Of the fight is ominously
close to Preorfa. NooItgedacht is only
twenty-five miles northwest of Pretoria
Ia + 49,
operating with the British column at
Reddersburg, has stopped General de-
Wet and hat a battle is proceeding.
The report adds that man of General
eWet'S followers have been captured.
The e at the war office today
recall those witnessed in the early
stages Of the war. A constant stream
of excited, and anxious people filled the
Hobbies. The absence of the names of
any of the officers of the Northumber-
land Fusiliers in General Kitchener's
dispatch leads to the foreboding that
the four companies of the fusiliers men,
toned are in the hands of the Beers.
The "a officials evidently expect a
heavy casualty list, but they are hope
does not mention the capture of the
Northumberland, that a great catas-
trophe has been escaped.
Orders were issued at Aldershot,
Malta and other military centers to dis
| patch all the available mounted infan-
try to South Africa.
Standerton, Transvaal, December Is.
General Louis Botha is reported to be
twenty miles from here with 1,5W men
and one gun. He has called a meeting
of the burghers for Saturday.
Lourenzo> Marques, December IA
The British troops at Koonatipoort are
standing at arms in the expectancy OF
an attack by a Boer force of 1,500,
which is in that vicinity. 1t is believ-
ed to be the intention of this force to
make a dash upon the town. The sit
uation is regarded as serious. A force
of $50 infantry, a squadron of cavalry
and two guns were dispatched to the
frontier today.
Johannesburg. December IA. The
BATTLE still continues in the hills a few
miles from Krugersdorp. Genera
Clements has asked for achievements
and mounted men, under Genera
French, have already gone. There havt
been many casualties on both sides. +
is estimated that the Beers number q
500.