The state herald., 1902-03-14
BoERs GET METHUEN
BRITISH GENERAL HEAVILY DE.
FEATED AND CAPTURED.
Delarey Inflicts One Of the Most Sc.
we're Blows Of the War.

WV otoWs OI INC war.
London, March 1O.-It was an.
nounced today that General Lord
Methuen and four guns had been can
turcd by the Beers commanded by Gen
eral Delarey.
General Methuen was wounded in
the thigh. Three British officers and
thirty-eight men Were killed. Five
British officers and seventy-two men
were wounded. One British officer
and 200 men are missing.
The fight occurred before dawn
March 18th, between Winburg and Lich-
tenburg. Orange River colony. The
British force numbered 100 men, The
Boers captured all the British baggage.
General Methuen Is retained us pris.
oner.
The killed include Lieutcnants G. II.
Nenning and 4. Il. w. Nesham of the
Royal artillery, who were both killed
while serving their guns with case
shot.
The news came like thunderbolt to
London. The extra editions of the
evening papers giving an account of
the disaster were eagerly bought up.
Their readers hurried through the
streets with anxious faces, and bitter
remarks were passed on the subject
| or the governments declaration that
the war In South Africa was over. The
news came too late to affect business
OH the Stock Exchange but excited
curb dealings quickly followed the
closing, in which South Africans
slumped heavily.
The news caused great excitement In
the mine market. Throckmorton street
was thronged with South African oper-
ators, eagerly inquiring for details of
the British defeat and watching the eff
feet of the announcement. Shares
were offered freely at first, but by q
O'Clock the excitement had abated and
the curb tone hardened.
| The news was received in the House of
Commons amid great excitement. The
reading of Lord Kitchener's telegram
by the war secretary, Mr.. Brodrlck.
was listened to in deep silence, which
was broken by loud Irish cheers. In
stanly there We're cries of shame,
shame" from the government benches.
Then the Irish members seemed 10
'think better Of their outbreak and sud.
denly subsded. The subsequent refer
ences To General Mctlluen were re-
cclved with cheers.
As Lord Kitchener announced that
Major Paris had surrendered and also
telegraphed that he had reached Kraai-
pan with the remainder of the men, |.
may be inferred That the Beers subse.
quently released the major and his
companions.
| Lord Roberts, who announced the
British disaster In the House os Lords,
said that General Mctluen FOR nearly
two years had carried on his work with
zeal, intelligence and great pcrsever-
ance, adding that the general was be-
loved of his men and no work was too
dangerous nor difficult for them or
General Mcthuen.
General Methucn commanded the col.
umn sent TO relieve Kimberley In the
latter part Of 1889 and while on that
service fought the Beers M Belmont.
Graspan, the MUddcr river aud Ma.
gersfonteln. AT the battle of Graspan
the Beers were under the command OF
General Delnrcy, who is General
Methucn's captor now.
After General Mctlucn's defeat at
Magersfontein II was reported that he
had shown signs OF breaking down al
most Immediately he took command
OF his division. His handling OF the
troops aroused the most violent crlti.
cism, which was only stllled by the re-
lief OF Kimberley, when the question
OF his health and ability seemed to he
dropped. Since that time General
Mcthuen has rendered efficient service
and several notable successes over the
Beers stand TO his credit.
Dclarcy, who has proved himself the
most able Of the Boer generals, has
within fortnight gained second de
cislve victory.
His first victory was the capture Of
Nondonop's convoy. when the British
casualties In killed, wounded and pris.
oners toinled Gi2.