The Portland daily press., 1900-01-27
FROM ENGLISH GENERALS.
Number of Interesting Dispatches Pub
Iished by Gazette.

London, Jsnuary 26.-The Gazette to-
day publishes q number OF dispatches
from General Butler to the war office. en-
closing reports from Generals White
Hildyard, Msthusn and other generals re-
gartiing their various operations, but con-
tanning nothing later than the record OF
occurrences to the middle of December.
A despatch from General White dated
November 2, says:
az was SO greatly impressed w.t. the
exposed position Of the garrison OF Glen
oos that determined October IL 20 with
draw from there and concentrate all chs
troops at Ladysmith. But the governor
represented that this step would involve
such grave political results that 1 deter
mined to accept the military risk Oh hoid-
ing Dundee, as the lesser OF two evils.
GENERAL white then proceeds to describe
the subsequent attack by four thousand
Boers of w HON about five hundred were
killed or wounded three of their guns be-
inc lett discounted at Talana Hill, but,
bs adds. there was no opportunity OF
br,no,np ,nem eff. He also describes how
tho Boers were seen streaming away in
bod,es II from fifty to one hundred on
vh,>< the British artillery could have in
flked great loss. But, the Beers dis
played a white flag and the British re-
Trained from firing.
After describing the desperate fighting
at Elandslaagte, eliminating in the bit
ter. protraoted fighting before the capture
of the Beers final position, the general
continues:
At length the guns reached us and the
captured eud Of the ridge was gained.
from which the whole Of the enemy's
camp, full OF tents and horssmen, was
fully exposed to view at fixed range. A
white flag was shown In the centre of the
camp and Colonel Hamilton ordered
"cease fire." and some of the British
moved In the direction of the camp. For
Then a shot was heard, followed by
deadly tire from a nearby kopje. The
British momentarily, fell back, but
charged and reoaptured the position.
Gen. Methusn reports similar white
flag incidents. .-s1-
General Butler commenting on the &C
ton at Zoutpans drift. December Is. says;
"I suppose the British officers will learn
the value of scouting In time; but In
spite OF all one can say, our men seemed
to blunder into the middle of the enemy.
"when heard of the disaster to Longs
artillery. 1 belle ved the six naval guns
had shared the same fate and l decided
immedil tsly that 1t was impossible to
foros this passage without guns, Long
was dangerously wounded and was IN
able to obtain explanations. 1 had per-
sonaIly instructed him where to go into
action and with the naval guns only, but
Long advanced so fast that he left the in
fantry escort and naval brigade behind.
I believe that but for the failure Of the
artillery we would have carried the CROSS
ing"
General Butler recon mended the Vio-
toria Cross for Captains Congrave and
Reid. Lieut.. Roberts and Corporal Nurse,
all 10 connection with the attempts to
save the guns.
Gen. Msthuen In o despatch dated De-
cembsr I, with references to the battle of
Modder river oonfesses that he believed
the force In his front was only fighting a
retiring action. He had no idea that
eight thousand Bosrs had been brought
from Spytfontein to oppose his advance.
Commenting upon the difficulty Of CON-
vsying orders, General Metheun says;
"The truth Is that no one can be on
horseback with safety within two
thousand yards of the ensiny, and he adj
mits that he himself, most of the day,
was In positions where he had no right to
be, because. unlsss he went to the front,
he could not sac how the fight was pro-
guessing.
Gen. Msthusn draws special attention
to the services Of Col. Paget OF the Scots
guards IN his action In leading his men
In the face Of Furnishing fire, during