Waterbury Democrat., 1902-03-11
EXCITEMENT IN LONDON
Caused by the Capture of General
 Methuen.

Methuen.
 London. March 1.-The news of Gen Methuen's capture came like thunder bolt to London. Extra editions of the evening papers giving an account of the disaster were eagerly bought up, and their readers hurried through the streets with anxious faces, and bitter remarks were passed on the subject of the governments declaration that the war in South Africa was over.
 The news caused excitement in the mine market. Throgmorton street was thronged with South African operators eagerly inquiring for details of the British defeat and watching the effect of the announcement.
 The news was received in the house of commons amid great excitement. The reading of Lord Kitchener's tele- gram by the war secretary, MT. Brod- rick, was listened to in deep silences which was broken by loud Irish cheers Instantly there were cries of Shame, shamew from the government benches. Then the Irish members seemed tc think better of their outbreak and sud- denly stbsided. The subsequent eulo- gistic references to General Methuen were received with cheers.
 KITCHENER TELLS OF BATTLE.
 The text of Lord xitchener's dis patch announcing the capture of Gen. eral Methuen, dated Pretoria, March s is as follows: Il greatly regret to have to send you bad news of Methuen. He was moving with 900 mounted men un. der Major Paris and 300 infantry, four guns and a pompom from Wynburg to Lichtenburg and was to meet Grenfell: with 1,30O mounted men, at Roviraine'a Fontein today. Yesterday morning ear. ly he was attacked by Delarey's force between Twebosch and Palmietknill. The Boers charged on three sides.
 Hive hundred and fifty men have come in at Maribogs and Kraaipan. They were pursued by the Boers four miles from the scene of action. They report that Methuen and Paris, with the guns, baggage, etc, were captured by the Boers. Methuen when last seen was prisoner.
 q have no details of the casualties and suggest the delaying of publica- tion till I can send definite news. I think this sudden revival of activity on the part of Delarey is to draT off the troops pressing De Vet
 In a second dispatch, dated March g, Lord Kitchener says:
 Paris has come in at Kraaipan with the remainder of the men. He reports that the column was moving in two parties.
 "One, with the OK wagons, left I've bosch at 5 q. ID. The other, with the mule wagons, started an hour later. Just before dawn the Boers attacked. Before re-enforcements could reach them the rear guard broke.
 "In the meantime large number of Boers galloped up on both Hanks. These at first were checked by flank parties, but the panic and stampede of the mules had begun, and all the mule wagons with q terrible mixture of mounted men, rushed past the OK wag- ons.
 .'All efforts to check them were un-- ayailing. Major Paris collected forty men and occupied position a mile in front of the OK wagons, which were then halted After a gallant but use- less defense the enemy rushed into the OK wagons, and Methuen was wounded in the thigh. Paris, being surrounded, surrendered at 10 a. m. Methuen is still in the Boer camp"
 Then follows the number of the cas- ualties, as already cabled. The killed include Lieutenants G. R. Venning and T. P. W. Nesham of the Royal artil- T. i 1T ing their guns with case shot"
 Sections of the Fourth and Thirty eighth batteries of artillery fought with great galIantry, and 300 men com posed of the Northumberland fusileers and the Lancashires showed conspicu- ous courage in protecting the wagons and refusing to surrender until resist ance was useless.
 The force under General Delarey was almost entirely dressed i'll British uni forms This made it impossible for the infantry to distinguish between their own men and the enemy when the mounted troops were driven in on them. The enemy numbered 1,500 men. They had one 15 pounder and a pom pom.
 Delareys Celliers, Kemp, Verusso, Tromp and other commandants were present.
 General Methuen was seen by an agent of the intelligence department. He was being well cared for in his own wagon.
 Tn private telegram just received iere Lord Kitchener adds:
 "I find Methuen has fractured thigh, but he is reported to be doing Well.v