The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-15
Four Companies of Fusi1icrs Prob
Army SheIicd out of Its Position.
PRETORIA EVEN MENAcED
AND KooMATIPooRT THREATENED
BY A COMMANDO OF RAIDERS.
Gen. Knox Reported to Have stopped
De Wet and to BE Engaged I'm
BattIe-Anxiety in London.

LONDON, Dec. 15.-British arms have
suffered another reverse in South Africa,
the full extent of which is not known. Lord
Kitchener reported yesterday that General
Clements had been shelled out Of Nooitge-
dacht after Iosing four officers. The num-
Der of men killed is unknown. 1t is also
reared that four companies of the North
cumberland Fusiliers were taken prisoners.
advices, has caused a wave of disappoint-
ment to sweep over the country 1t was
not expected the Beers could raise such
forces as are now operating against the
British at various points and even threat
ening Pretoria itself. 1t is feared the
meager official dispatches do not tell the
full story of disaster. Under date of Pre-
xoria, Dec. ls. Lord Kitchener. commander
5n-chief of the British forces in South
Africa. reports to the War Office as fol-
lows:
elements force at Nooitgedacht was at
tackled at dawn to-day by Delarey, REIN
bath. making a force estimated at 2,50o
Though the nrst attack was repulsed, the
Beers managed TO get atop OF the hills,
which were neld by -FOUR companies OF the
Northumberland tusiiiers, and We're thus
able to command Clements camp. He re-
tired on Hekpoort and took up a position
on hill in me center OF the valley. The
casualties have not been completely re-
ported, but the tgnting was very severe,
aud L deply regret that Colonel Legge, or
the Twentieth aussars, and Captains Mac
tasln lRd o.
inforcements have left here"
Lord Kitchener also reports that the
Beers made an attack and We're repulsed
at Licntenburg and that General Letmer
was killed. Attacks upon Bethlehem and
yried were also repulsed. the Beers losing
ten killed and fourteen wounded. Vriehied
was attacked Dec. IL. Sniping continued
until the message was dispatched.
The scenes at the War Office yesterday
recalled those witnessed in the early
stages of the war. A constant stream of
excited people filled the Hobbies, all seek
ing details of the disaster. The absence
of the names of any of the officers Of The
Northumberland Fusiiers in General
kitchener's dispatch leads to the forebod-
ing that the four companies OF the Fu-
siliers mentioned are in the hands o. the
1oOeTS- Inc w ar OIllCe Oulcl31S evidently
expect heavy casualty list, but they are
hopeful from the fact that the dispatch
does not mention the capture OF the
Northumberiands, that such a great ca
tastrophe has been escaped. Others were
issued at Aldershot, Malta and other mill
tary centers to dispatch all the available
mounted infantry to South Africa.
1t is reported that General knox, operat-
ing with the British column at Redders-
burg. has stopped General De Wet. and
that = battle is proceeding The report
adds that many OF General De Vets fol-
lowers have been captured.
Advices from Lourenzo Marques say:
s'The British troops at Koomatipoort are
standing to arms in the expectancy of an
attack by Boer force of 1900, which Is
tn that vicinity. IL is believed TO be the
intention OF this force to make dash upon
the town. The situation is regarded as
serious A force OF 80 Portuguese in
fantry. squadron OF cavalry and two guns
were dispatched 10 the frontier to-day"
Gen. Louis Botha is reported to be twenty
miles from Standerdton, with 15OO men
and one gun. lie has called meeting of
the burghers for Sunday.