The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-03-19
OUTFLANKED BY BOERS.
Lord Krciener Gives Particu-
lars OF Methuen's Defeat.
Rear Screen Of Mounted Troops Over.
whelmed at Dawn-Two Guns Left
Unprotected, But Continued In Ac.
ton Till Every Man Was Killed.
Protecting the Wagons.

London, March 17.-The war office
has received the following communi-
cation from Lord Kitchener at Pre-
toria
Lord Methuen has sent me a staff
officer with a dictated dispatch. from
which it appears that certain partic-
ulars previously given are inaccurate
The rear screen of mounted troops
was rushed and overwhelmed at dawn.
There was a gap of mile between the
OK and the mule conveys. The mount
ed supports to the rear of the screen
with General Methuen, Immediately
reinforced by all the available mount
ed troops and section of the 3Sth
battery, maintained themselves for an
hour, during which the conveys were
closing up without disorder.
In the meanwhile two hundred in.
fantry were being disposed by Lord
Methuen to resist the Boer attack,
which was outflanking the left of the
rear guard. The Beers pressed that
attack hard. and the mounted troops
attempting to fall back on the infantry,
got completely out of hand, carrying
away with them in the rout the bulk
of the mounted troops. Two guns of
the 3Sth battery were thus left unpro-
tected, but continued in action until
every man, with the exception of Lieu
tenant Nesham, was hit. Lieutenant
Nesham was called on to surrender
and upon refusing to do so was
killed.
Lord Methuen with 200 Of the
Northumberland Fusiliers and two
guns of the Fourth battery, then found
himself isolated, but held on for three
hours. During this period the remain
ing infantry. namely 100 of the Ian.
cashires, with some 40 mounted men,
mostly Cape police, who had occupied
the kraal near the wagons, also con.
tinued to hold out against the repeat
ed attacks of the Beers.
by this time Lord Methuen was
wounded and the casualties were ex.
ceedingly heavy amongst his men.
Their ammunition was mostly expenu.
ed and the surrender was made at
about $3.50 in the morning.
THE party in the kraal still held out
and did not give in till two guns and
pompon were brought to bear upon
them at about 10 o'clock. making their
position untenable.
1T is confirmed that most of the
Beers wore khaki uniforms. Many
also wore our badges. Even at close
quarters they could not be distin-
guished from our own men.
"It is clear the infantry fought well
and the artillery kept up the tradi.
tions of their regiment. In addition
to the 40 members of the Cape police
already mentioned a few parties OF
imperial yeomanry and Cape police
continued to hold their ground after
the panic had swept the bulk of the
mounted troops OFF the field"
From other dipatches it appears
that General Methuen was shot while
riding to bring up the mounted troops,
and that his horse was killed. After
the surrender General Delarey rode ,
up and treated General Methuen with
the greatest courtesy and considera-
tion. He ordered his return to Klerks-
dorp under the care of his own nep-
hew and a medical officer
According to a Klerksdorp cores |
pondent of the Daily Mail the burghers |
were so angry at this that a party |
Of them went out and brought General |
Methuen back. General Delarey, |
however, Cverruled the objection Of |
the burghers.