Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-01-02
DREW A HEAVY FIRE.
British Artillery Make ReconnoIs-
sance at Modder River.

sance at Modder River.
Modder River, Dec. pa reconnois-
sance by the British this morning drew
out a heavy artillery fire than has been
experienced since the Beers occupied Ma
gersfontein. The British had deter
mined to destroy a house on the bank of
the river that the Beers were using as IL
shelter from which their sharpshooters
picked off incautious British soldiers
At dawn the twelve-pounders and the
4.7-inch lyddite gun, with three wagons,
escorted by the Twelfth lancers, moved
out to attack the BOer lines in front OF
the kopjes.
AS soon as the British were seen by the
Beers they opened fire upon them. There
was Il party Of Beers stationed twenty
yards from the well near Changers cot
tage. 4 detachment Of 1ancers attacked
them, but they scattered unframed.
Four Boer 6 uns Engaged.
The Beers worked another gun FROM
the railway track to the north. Alto
sefher they had four guns, besides two
Quickhrers. These guns were mostly
mounted beyond the crest of the kopje.
The heaviest fire was directed against
the lancerS.
The object of the reconnaissance was
successfully carried out, tine house on
the bank being blown UP, creating Il
great dust. The Beers fired few shots
afterward, but the British made no re-
ply. Four Of the horses Of the Iancer%
were hit by she'll. Nome of the men
was hurt.
The enemy have brought their renches
4 thousand yards nearer the British lines
since the repulse Of the English at Ma
gersfontein. The reconnaissance estab-
lished the fact that they have not adj
yanced many OF their guns. Their dis
appearing gun is nearest the British
lines.
Boer Losses at Maeersfontein.
Cane Town. Dec. 28.-Col. Beesard.
commanding the Canadian contingent Of
troops, is to join the staff of Gen. Butler
all the members of which are prOceeding
to Natal, indicating that Gen. Buffers
sphere will shortly be confined to Natal
\ man named Green. q former ser
geant- major of the British balloon de-
partment, is among the Boer prisoners
captured at Magersfontein. Green, who
deserted from Aldershot in 1893, admitted
that he had been some time in the Serv-
ice of the Beers and had instructed them
in trenching He. says there were $4,000
Beers at MagersfOntein. p 900 Of whom
were engaged the day of the battle. The
Boer losses, he also asserts. were very
heavy. the trenches being full of dead
Green further declares that if the at
have yielded. He says the Boer horses
have to be taken TO the Modder river. as
water is SO scarce at Magersfontein.
Beers Attack Methuen.
London, Dec. 2S.-The war office has
received the following from Cape Town.
dated Wednesday,. December y:
Methuen reports, as follows: At $50 yes
tefday evening the Beers on the south side
of MagersfOntein; opened. very heavy fire
for some time. This morning the naval bri
gade fired at the enemy at the west part of
Magersfontein. The cavalry brigade is re-
c0anOitering in a. northeasterly direction.
Aieut Masters has made an extended re-
connoissance westward and northward Of
Enslein and reports all well. The farmers
were glad to see our men: They were suf-
fering from want OF food | have eStAb-
lisIed Il market here, where l can purchase
fresh milk and vegetables, selling to the
farmers tea and other articles which they
cannot otherwise purchase.
Gsatacre and French report no change in
the situation. Baden Powell reports all
we'll December r.