Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-14
LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENTS DISASTER.
Terrible Fighting Costs British Many Ksn-
Beers Employing Armed Natives.

Pretoria, July 12.-Col Mahon, rein
| forced by Gen. French's brigade. yes
| terday, took all the positions held by
| the Beers in the neighborhood of Reit-
fontein. A number of Boer dead were
found. The British casualties were
! thrilling
Details are now at hand regarding
the disaster to the Lincolnshire Reg
iment on Wednesday, 1t appears that
five companies were ordered, Tuesday,
to proceed and hold the pass through
MagaIesburg in the neighborhood of
DaspOortfort. They arrived at the pass
in the afternoon, where three compan-
| les with two guns took uD position
and camped for the night, leaving two
companies in plain south of the pass.
The eastern hill was rugged, rocky and
inaccessible, but further east apparent
ly apprOachable from the main ridge.
At daybreak, yesterday, the Beers
appeared on the eastern kOpje and
opened a heavy fire. Confusion ensued.
The colonel ordered the men to take
up a position on a kopje west of the
gap. From this point a hot fire en-
sued, during the entire day. Two guns
placed in advance Of the main body
We're captured after a stout resistance
Nearly every man was killed or
wounded.
"A Maxim gun was brought into
action, early in the day. The fire was
too hot and the men We're finally forced
TO retire. sergeant aided by seven
volunteers saved the gun. There was
a continuous fire all along the line, the
Lincolnshire Regiment men vigorously
replying.
About o'clock in the afternoon. the
Beers appeared to the left Of the posi-
ton occupied by the British. An Off
Ger and II men attempted to charge
them Fourteen men We're killed or
wounded as the result of the charge
Three companies were practically sur
rounded. but they kept up a steady fire
unwaveringly until their ammunition
had been expended.
The latest arrival from the scene
states that the moment of his escape
the men We're taking a good position
under cover and with fixed bayonets
We're awaiting the approach of the
Beers
1t is understood upon good authority
that the Beers have employed armed
natives. Two of the natives leaped
from the cover when a small party
from the Lincolnshire Regiment appear
ed and demanded their surrender A
soldier stepped forward and shot both
of the natives dead. one officer who
succeeded in making his escape had an
encounter with an armed native
1t is feared that the losses of the
British We're numerous. About 80 of
the British soldiers struggled back in
to camp. today According to all ac-
counts great force is being assembled
to prevent further progress of the
Beers.
London, July 14.-Lord Roberts has
sent nothing further concerning the
Nitrars Mex affair. Pretoria dis
patches, however. show that the Lin
lost half of their officers. in
Guiding Col. Roberts, who was wound
Ad and taken prisoner. Stragglers con-
tinue to arrive at the camp. but few
further details can be gathered The
British fought stubbornly until night
fall, when the cavalry turned their
horses loose. The Boer report of the
places the British casual
ties at 200.
In the Derdepoort affair, mentioned
in Lord Roberts dispatch. men in the
front rank of the Beers wore khaki
uniforms and helmets and the dra-
5oons passed them unsuspectingly
under the impression that they were
The mistake was not dis
covered until the Beers opened a heavy
ire when the Dragons We're within |
90 yards
British prisoners who have escaped |
o Kroonstadt report that Gen. De !
Vets force Of 10000 men with 10 guns, |
Expelled from Bethlehem by Gen.
Clements and Gen. Paget, have taken
Up strong position Is miles to the |
'outhward in the hills around Reteif |
<ek. President Steyn is reported to be |
With them.
Another case of the Beers wearing
ihaki is reported to have happened at
-ndley, June 26. when they surprised
picket of % men of the Yorkshire
light Infantry. Is of whom were killed
I wounded
Witpoort. Transvaal, July 13.-Gen
-lerys column. which has moved
asterly, is now camped here. During
he march the mounted infantry en-
aged 200 Beers. Smelling a ridge occu-
led by the burghers. 1t is Anticipated
hat this movement will clear the coun-
ry from Standerton to Heidelburg, as
he troops found but one remaining
lager. from which the Beers hurriedly
etired.
MAINE PENSIONS.