Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-16

Two years ago on October IL, the
poers invaded British territory and be-
gan the war.
The British troops upon the spot
weak in number, were hard put to II
20 hold their own, In the west the
towns Of Mafeking and Kimberley were
at once invested by the enemy In over
whelmlng strength. In Natal Sir Z.
symons was attacked by large Boer
force at Talana on October 20, The
enemy were defeated and heavy loss
was inflicted upon them, but the Brit
,sh general was killed, The victory
was quite frutloss. as the troops had
forthwith to retreat. abandoning their
baggage and wounded
A day later at Glands Laagte, the
Yoers were again defeated and severe
ly handled, while on october "a, at
Rietfonteln, yet third action was
fought. Next day the British army In
Natal effected its concentration. but
was compelled TO offer battle at Lady
smith on October 30, against over
NIfllllHb Ah' A9'NN ~ fff'f
hight was disastrous The enemy cut
of and captured 1000 men at Nlchol-
tors Mex, and on November Isolated
Ladysmith.
on November l2 the first troops Of
the army corps landed In Natal, In
which quarter Gen. Butler had decided
to take personal charge. He divided
his force and took with him only $1,000
men for the relief of Ladysmth. AS
the magnitude of the struggle was now
becoming apparent to all NTH d.
vision had been mobilised In England
on November IL, and Sir c. Warren
placed in command of IT,
THE CAPE IN DANGER.
Meantime in Cape Colony the posi-
ton was one Of great danger. The
colony was garrlsoned by only a mere
handful of troops, and was known TO
be profoundly disaffected. bold adj
vance would Individually have carried
the Boer flag In triumph to the very
gates Of Capetown. But, for some UNI
explained reason, the Beers did not
press forward They crossed the
orangs, occupied Colesberg and Storm
berg, but then remained inactive for
s,me most critical days,
With the arrival OF the first rein
forcements at Capetown, two columns
were formed to drive back the invad-
ers. The first was placed under Lord
Methuen, and was ordered to make its
way TO Kimberley II concentrated at
De Aar, and on November Fl began
the northward advance from the Or
Ange. III equipped with mounted men,
II could do nothing but assault the sue
cessive Boer positions which barred its
route. On November % II stormed
the strong position OF Belmont, with
loss OF 2ss men, and two days later re-
peated its achievement at 0raspan,
with loss Of 1914.
MAaERsFoNrEIN.
The Beers brought Gen. Cronje down
from the siege OF Mafeklng TO oppose
II and on the 2Sth a severe encounter
took place at Modder river. in which,
with q loss Of ass men, the British sue
ceeded In dislodging the enemy. But
the Beers only retired few miles to
Magersfontein. and there waited In an
even stronger position. Lord Methuen
was reinforced by the Highland Bri-
Gade, and on the night Of December 10
sent In this brigade to assault the Boer
lines. The Highianders were within
an ace Of success. They got close 10
The enemy undiscovered. but then they
were received with a terrible fire and
lost their general. Wauchope, finally re-
ceiling In great disorder. The total cas-
ualties numbered go.
Nor was this the only disaster Of a
melancholy month. Gen. Gatacre had
advanced from Queenstown In Decem-
Der against Stormberg with small
force On the 10th he attacked the
enemy, and was completely repulsed
with the loss of 722 men and two guns.
Thus the failure OF the British In the
West could not be disguised. And now
from Natal also came disheartening In
tellisence.
DEFEAT AT coLENso.
On November is the Beers wrecked an
Rrmored train near Chieveley. and In
the next few days pushed well TO the
south OF the Tugela, raiding and loot
ing. On November 20 they were at
tackled by the British under General
Hildyard at Willow Grange, and an
indecisive action was fought, as the
result Of which the enemy retired north
20 Colenso The British under General
Butler followed and bombarded the
Boer positions at Colenso. On Deem
Der Is General Butler attacked with
out fully accommodating the terrain, and
met with a disastrous repuise, abandon
ing ten guns and losing LIPS men. He
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHANG'S OEATH MI