The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-06-14
BRITISH DISASTER.
Eattalion of Derbyshire Regiment
Killed, Wounded Prisoners,
Except Six Privates.
COL. DOUGLASS AMONG Tile DEAD.
Bocrs Held Positions Cutting OF the
English Forces North Of KrOOn-
stad From Reinforcements,
Gen. Neshuen's Division We -rss 80
or June.

London, June 12.-Lieut. Gen. Sin
Frederick FOrestier-Walker. in com.
mand OF the lines of communication
In South Africa, reports that in the
disaster TO the British troops, June g
at ROOdeval. where the Beers cut
Lord Roberts line of communications.
the 4th battalion of the Dcrbyshire
regiment were all killed, wounded or
made prisoners, except six enlisted
men. Two officers and Is men were
killed and officers and 70 men were
wounded, many Of them severely.
The Beers returned the wounded
to the British. The officers killed
were Lieut.. Col Baird-Douglas and
Lieut.. Hawley.
The wounded include Col. Wilkins
and Lieut.. blanchard, of the Cana
dian infantry.
Gen. Forcstier-Walkcr's dispatch is
us follows:
Cape Town, June 10 (Sunday).-
The following telegram has been re-
ccivcd from Charles Knox: Kroon-
stad-The following casualties, re-
ported from Rodcvaal, June Z. re-
ccived from Stonham. commanding
the Imperial yeomanry hospital,
dated Rhcnoster River. June $. re-
ccived here by flag of truce June 10:
"'The 4th battalion of the Derby
shire regiment (thc Sherwood Fores-
tiers, killed: Lieut.. Col Baird
douglas and Lieut.. IIawley and IS
of the rank and file. Wounded, Col.
Wilkinson, Capt. Bailey, Lieuts. Hall
and Blanchard, and SO of the rank
and file; the Shropshire light infan-
try, one; Cape Pioneer railroad regi-
mcnt, seven; ammunition park, Royal
marines and imperial tclcgraphcrs.
one each; post office corps, one.
'Stonham reports that many were
severely wounded and the remaining
of the 4th Derbyshirc and details of
prisoners, except six Of the rank and
file. are in his camp. All the wound
ed are in his camp, lately occupied by
the 4th Dcrbyshire. Inquiries are
1t is inferred that the Beers cap
tured over 500 men, and as late as
June 10 held positions cutting off the
British forces north Of KrOonstad
from reinforccments.
The news that the shutting off of
Lord Roberts communication with
the outer world was accompanied by
such a serious loss comes like bolt
from comparatively clear sky. In
London, until the news came, it was
thought that destruction of the rail
road was accomplished by Free
Staters, who were avoiding, rather
than annihilating, the British de-
achmcnts stationed at the point at
ackcd. Nor are Gen. ForestierWal |
,er's vague statements regarding Me-
huen and the situation at Heilbron |
oOked upon as reassuring. The Beers !
Ippear to be in sufficient strength to |
separate all the British
orces north and south of line
tretching some 50 miles between
ioodeval and Hebron. Methuen's
march upon the latter place seems
omewhat in the nature of move
nent for the relief of Colville. The
nly British officer left at RoOdeval
ppears to be the doctor in charge
f the hospital, which is full Of
Wounded.
What has happened to the troops
north Of Roodeval is still
matter for conjecture.
All in all Mondays dispatches re-
cal that the situation is far more
crious than anyone imagined.