The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-02
BRITISH SUI FER
SEY Err; DISASTER |,
Heavy Loss Inflicted On
Benson's Column.
THAT OFFICER SLAIN
.Fifty-Four Mer Killed and One Hun
dred and Sixty Wounded.
TWO GUNS TAKEN BY BoERs'
British Rear Guard Was Attacked During
a Heavy Mist and Fighting Was Stubborn
and at Close Quarters Boars
Are Said to fiave Lost Heavily
Also-Benson Fine
officer.
TWO GUNS TAKEN BY BoERs'
cRr Associated Pros.

(By Associated Press.
LONDON. Noy.F Lord Kitchener has
reported to the War Office a disaster to
the British near Bathe, Eastern Trans
vaal, in which two guns were lost, sew
erat officers killed or wounded, and fifty
four men were killed and 16G wounded.
The following is the text OF Lord Kitch-
ener's dispatch, dated Pretoria, Noven-
Der 1st:
81 have lust heard of a severe attack
made on the rear-gUard Of Colonel. Ben
sons column, when about twenty miles
northwest of Bathel, near BrokenlaaSte,
during a thick mist
..The strength of the enemy is reported
to have been thousand. They rushed
two guns with the rear-guard, but it is
uncertain whether they We're able to re-
move them.
81 fear our casualties were heavy Col
onel Benson was wounded, but not Sc
yerely. A relieving column Will reach
him this morning.
Later Lord Kitchener teiesraphed as
follows:
..Colonel Barter who marched from the
Constabulary line yesterday, reached
Benson's column early this morning ttrl-
day) unopposed. Reports that Colonel
Benson died of his wounds.
THE KILLED.
E.The other casualties are the follow
ing: !,
D. Murray, Captains NJ W. Lindsay ano
r. r. Thorcld; Leutenants, p. v l.
Brooke and r. II, Shepperd and Second
Lieutenant A. ]. Corlett.
.Died of his wounds-Captain Eyre
Lloyd
Lord Kitchener then gives the names OF
thirteen other Office who We're Wollnt";d,
most of them severely, and announces
that fifty-four 1efi-commisslcnede oftl:e' $
and men were killed and 160 wounded.
adding tina. tour of the latter haze since
died Of ,neic wounds. The disp7'cn TIL n
says:
II assume that the guns have haen re-
covered and the enemy has Withd :aWh,
but I have no further details dee' ~
regret the loss of Colonel Be1i and me
officers and men who fell With him. IN
Benson the service loses a. most gallant
and capable officer, who invariably led
his column with marked success and Judg-
ment.
"rhe fighting was at very close quar-
ters and maintained w--h great determine
ton by both Sides. The enemy suffered
heavily but have not yet received a re-
liable estimate.
'"The Beers retired eastward.
Wachapreague, Va, Oct. 81, 1901.
Colonel Benson had been for some time
operating in the vicinity of Bathel, which
is northeast of Standerton. He surprised
a Boer laager October 22d, near Trich-
taking thirty-seven prison
ers. Three days later, according to Lord
I<itchener's report at that time. otter
long nights mach the commanders under
Grobelar and Erasmus, heavily attacked
Benson's rear-guard and tanks at Yzir-
but were easily driven away.
Whether this was the attack which re-
suited so disastrously, or whether the
Beers who had been repulsed took ad-z
yanta ge of the mist to renew the attack,
is still unexplained.
Lord Kitchener does not give the date
of the Bathel enga cement.