New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-29
THE FIGHT At MODDER RIVER.
DETAILS GIVEN BY A SCOTTISH SERGEANT
WHO TOOK PART.
From The Scotsman.


thing gave promise of a hot day. There was
eh9tch paIaae Wolularyl az o:4o, a pecu4lar order
iPresbyterians must go washed-Church of Eng
been able 70 bring forth any reason why- The
secret. We 10 fall in at 215: half ratons.
consisting of biscuit and bully would be issued
b bae MIN minor 70 deals i At go clouds
the sky, the lightning flashed and the thunder
torrents as the Highland Brigade fell in at 2:l5
and marched silently off-the Black Watch H. l.
l. Argyls. seaforths and Gordons.
rain continued and all were soa king i was heavy
work but We did not iG t tn rne ERE
again given out and We rested. Again we We're on
column was formed, and wheeled TO our left.
The advance was STEADY ana gooa1aI was siiehI
the grave Suddenly rang out on me hIght ne
challenge OF the Boer outpost. Halt. in Engl1sn:
repeated we concluded the outpost had retired on
the main body. This aIterward proved 10 De me
case. The Beers evidently had the alarm Dut were
Ike a light from heaven the Kimberley fash
light unfortunately flashed Us, discovering
US at once the now fully alert Beers. " we're
"a fret If five battaIons Of men At once it was
discovered that we were within hundred yards OF
erected by them in front Of their trenches could be
easily seen Iney wsa a i6 descrbe the scene Wien
the Beers as if each one had had Maxim at his
In one awful heapi No officers voice could De
heard giving any commend-no one Knew ~ Tt1
- ia order u lie down. at The next instant
ss2ctfre!" The two Generals in command disputed
each others orders. Several shouted Re
tire," and the panic and stampede became genera.
Men were trauipe6 under foot, and dead ana dying
were piled everywhere in heaps, . - - 49,
ATTEMPTS were made by the N c O-'s TO form d
lighting line of any kind. and they succeeded at
last The retreat was now general, and we retlreo
some three miles passing injured ana Wounoeo on
welt for dawn At dawn the guns got into actloh
the naval Ivddite gun doing fearful damage at long
range. The Beers must have suffered teIIlply iron!
this fire. A scorcbtng day wore on, ana Ia tile az
-srnoOn ambulance wagons began TO arrive
Wsegon load after wagon load OF wounded was
taken away, and all the field service hospitals were
Phi More tents had TO be pitched. and still they
continued take them away. The sight was an
awful one, such may never be forgotten Many
reache6 Muster roll OF the brigade WAS called at
f.30 o. M the Ilth and OF all the fVe battaolls
only 1906 stood up 10 answer me can II Is
Tuesday afternoon now, and little mas been do!io
to-day The Beers safely intrenched and nave
been reinforced since Sunday. Their position Is
magnificent one. lying round mn - -, 90.
There IS q Fumor current here now 70 me eNect
that the alarm was given by the Seaforths. BY an
oversight they had been allowed 10 march on with
were charging them that two ROUNDS went or
ewing 10 carelessness doubt. The remainder
Of the brigade were then crowded together ike q
mob round q London theatre III can therefore De
easily seen what fearful slaughter there was
among the officers and men. II only remains TO be
said That another awful mistake has been made.
now be rectifed. We are all returned 20 camp-all
fhat left OF II was not a reverse, IL is not
ord The men speak IN the bitterest terms do
not speak at AFT and and ali are thoroughly
disheartened. Surely old Rrnger's prophecy is not
going to come true that the price fhat Britain IS
10 nav will Stagger humanity. II has staggered
US somewhat already. The battalion is now parad-
ing with side arms and rifles 20 attend the funeral
tilted. It a sad parade, and an object lesson In
TIA GAarness Of death