The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-11-08
Reverses in South Africa Partly
Spoil London's Reception to
Duke of Cornwall.
DISASTER TO COL. BENsON's COLUMN.
Rear Guard Attacked by Beers Near
bethel, Eastern Transvaa1, and
Several Officers Killed, and Two
Guns Captured Fifty-FOur Men
Killed and 100 Wounded,

passed, on their return from Ine1r
world tour, through the crowded
streets of London, were intermingled
with the shrill cries of the newsboys
shouting: Terrible disaster in South
Africa" Beneath the jubilation on the
safe arrival of the heir apparent, there
existed keen undercurrent of grief
and anger over the defeat of COL Ben
sons column. Of the thousands who
lined the route from Victoria station
to Marlborough house, many were per-
sonally concerned in the 236 British
casualties incurred in this latest re-
verse, and while the duke and duchess
were welcomed back with great hearth
ness, the crowds could not shut their
eyes to the hooking contrast between
the pageant and the serious news of the
morning.
Disaster Near Bethel.
London, Nov 4.-Lord Kitchener
has reported to the war Office disas-
ter to the British near Bethel, east
ern Transvaal, in which two guns
were lost, several officers were killed
or wounded and 81 men were killed
and 100 wounded.
The following is the text of Lord
Kitchener's dispatch, dated Pretoria,
November 1:
II have just heard of a severe attack
made on the rear guard of Col Benson's
column when about 20 miles northwest of
Bethel, near Brokenlaagte, during thick
mist. The strength of the enemy is re-
ported to have been a thousand. They
1N11fi
is uncertain whether they were able to re-
move them. I fear our casualties were
heavy. Col. Benson was wounded, but
not severely. A relieving column will
reach him this morning"
Later Lord Kitchener telegraphed
as follows:
"Col. Barter, who marched from the Con-
stabulary line yesterday, reached Benson's
column early this morning Friday) I'M
opposed. He reports that Col. Benson died
of his wounds. The other casualties are
the following: Killed-Col. E. Guinness,
Maj. F. D. Murray, Capt. M w. Lindsay
and f. T. Thorould, Lieuts. E. V. I. Brooks
and r. E. Shepherd and Second Lieut.. A.
j. Corlett. Died of his wounds: Capt.
Eyre Loud"
Lord Kitchener then gives the
names of thirteen other officers who
were wounded, most of them severe
ly, and announces that "a noncom-
missioned officers and men were
killed and 160 wounded, adding that
four of the latter have since died of
their wounds. The dispatch then
says
ST assume that the two guns have been
recovered and the enemy has withdrawn,
but I have no further details. I deeply
regret the loss of Col Benson and the other
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. The fighting was at very close quar-
tiers and maintained with determination
by both sides. The enemy suffered heavily,
but have not yet received reliable esti-
mate. The Beers retired east"
The Dead Colonel.
Col. Benson had been for some time
operating in the vicinity of Bethel,
which is northeast of Standerton. He
surprised a Boer laager October %
near Trichardsfontein, taking 81 pris-
oners. Three days later, according
to Lord Kitchener's report at the time,
after long night march, the COM
mandoes under Grobelaar and Eras-
mus Heavily attacked Benson's rear
guard and TANKS at Yzirvarkfontein,
but were easily driven away"
Whether this was the attack which
resulted so disastrously, or whether
the Beers who had been repulsed
took advantage of the mist to renew
the attack is still unexplained. Lord
Kitchener does not give the date of
the Bethel engagement,
Death List Increased
London, Nov. 4.-Lord Kitchener re-
ports that three additional officers
were killed and that two more were
wounded during the attack recently
made on the rear guard of Col. Ben
sons column, near Brakenlaagte, east
ern Transvaal.
Beers Captured.
London, Nov. A dispatch from
Lord Kitchener, dated Pretoria, re-
ceived here Friday, says Col Keke-
witch, during a night surprise of Van
Albert's lager, northeast of Rusten-
burg (about 60 miles west of Pre-
toria), captured rs Beers.
s'Boys" Their Theme.
Pittsburg, Pa, Nov. 4.-Saturday's
session of the federal convention of
the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip
was devoted to discussion of "The
Boys" and Boys Club Work" The