The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-13
VICTORY FOR BOERS
DISASTER TO THE BRITISH ARMY In
THE TRANSvAAL.
Garrison at NitraPs Mex Attacked by
Superior Numbers and Forced
to Surrender.
ABOUT 200 TAKEN PRISONERS
AN UNKNOWN NUMBER KILLED AND
WOUNDED IN THE FIGHT.
Two Guns Also Captured-Enort by
the Beers to Recapture Pretoria
Consul Hay to Return.

LONDON, July 13.--Lord Roberts, dis
patch reporting still another unfortunate
occurrence throws a serious light on the
state of affairs in South Africa. There has
been some comment recently regarding the
virtual absence of progress by the i'm
mediate army under command of Lord
Roberts. but few could have been found to
believe that the scattered Beers were able
to infiict such defeat so near Pretoria.
Instead of the surrender of all of the re-
naming Beers being imminent, as recent
kilograms had limited, it seems that they
have been making concerted attempt to
surround or recapture Pretoria, with so
much success that in the region which was
supposed to be pacified and in which no
attack was expected, they succeeded in in
ficting serious defeat and capturing two
guns and some two hundred men. 1t is evil
dent that General Botha has considerable
force, seeing that he is able to press
Lord Roberts's lines at a half dozen points
around Pretoria, from the springs to the
southeast of the city, northward to Mid
dleburg and bridgeport and thence south
ward to Nitrals mex and Krugersdorp.
Lord Roberts omits to give the name of
the belief that worse remains to be told
Even If the mishap be not more grave than
his information at present implies. ii proves
that the situation is still serious and that
there is no possibility of any troops being
spared from South Africa for China, but
on the contrary 1t will still take long
time to clear the country of the Beers.
Following is the dispatch received from
Lord Roberts under date of July u:
''The enemy, having failed in their attack
upon our right rear. as mentioned in my
telegram of July 9. made a determined
attack on our right flank yesterday. and.
regret to say. succeeded in capturing
Nitrars Mex, which was garrisoned by a
squadron of the Scots Greys, with two guns
of a battery of the Royal Artillery and five
companies Of the Lincolnshire Regiment
The enemy attacked in superior numbers
at dawn, and, seizing the hills commanding
the mex. brought heavy gun fire to bear
on the small garrison. Nitral's Mex is
about eighteen miles from here. where the
road crosses the Crocodile river. 1t was
held by us in order to maintain road and
telegraphic communication with Rusten-
burg.
1.-THE fighting lasted more or less through
out the day. and Immediately on receiving
information early this morning of the en-
emy's strength, dispatched reinforcements
from here under Colonel Godfrey, of the
Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Before.
however, they reached the spot the garri-
son had been overpowered and the guns
and a great portion of the squadron of
the Greys had been captured. owing to the
horses being shot; also about ninety men
of the Lincoln Regiment. A list Of the
casualties has not been received, but
fear they are heavy.
simultaneously an attack was made on
our outposts near bridgeport. north of
the town, in which the Seventh Dragons
were engaged. The regiment was handled
with considerable skill by Lieutenant
Colonel Low. and kept the enemy in check
until they retired on their supports, anc
would probably have suffered but slight
loss had not our troops mistaken some
Beers in the bushes for our men.
Smith orrien had small engagement
with the enemy yesterday near Krugers-
dorp and inflicted heavy loss on them.
..Buller reports that the Beers who were
destroying his line of railway near Paarde-
kraal were driven off yesterday after a
short action.
Hart reports from Heidelberg that the
surrendering of Boer arms and ammunition
continues in that district"
News has reached London that Lord
Roberts has been suffering from a serious
bowel complaint, and that Lady Roberts
was hurriedly summoned from BIoem-
fontein. Lord Roberts. though now better.
Is still weak.
The War Office announces that General
Butler reports that 65s prisoners. released
by the Beers, have arrived at Ladysmith.