The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-03-12
BRITISH DEFEAT IN AFRICA.
One of the Worst of the South
African War---Gen. Methuen is
a Prisoner.

/ OuV VI tHV ssOiS o. VI sgztuO Ooueh
African War---Gen. Methuen is
a Prisoner.
London, March lot was announc-
ed today that Gen. Lord Methuen and
four guns had been captured by the.
#Boers commanded by Gen. Delarey.
The news came like a thunderbolt to
| Londo extra editions Of the even
ing papers with an account Of the disas-
ter were eagerly bought up and their
readers hurried through the streets
with anxious faces and bitter remarks
were passed on the subject of the gov
|=ernment's declaration that the war in
EsSouth Africa was over. The news
icame too late to affect business on the
stock exchange, but.excited curb deal
ings quickly followed the closing in
which South Africans slumped heavily.
| The news caused excitement IN the
mine market. Throgmorton street
was thropged with South African
operators eagerly inquiring for details
of the British defeat and watching
the effect of the announcement.
Shares were offered freely at frst;;.
but by 6 O'Clock the excitemnet had
abated and the curb one hardened.
The news was received in the house.
of commons amid great excitement
The reading of Lord Kitchener's tele-
gram by the war secretary, Mr.. Brod-
rick, was listened to in deep silence
which was broken by loud Irish
cheers. Instantly there we're cries OF.
shame! shame!'' from the govern
ment benches. Then the Irish mem
bers seemedd to think better of their.
outbreak, and suddenly subside. Tne
subsequent eulogistic references to.
Gen. Methuen we're received with
cheers.
In brief, Lord Kitchener announced
that when Gen. Methuen was cap
tured, wounded, with four guns, three
British officers and SO men were kill
ed and five officers and 70 men wound
ed. In addition one officer and 200
men were reported missing.
The text of Lord Kitchener's dis
patch announcing the capture OF Gen.
Methuen is as follows:
Pretoria, Saturday, March 81
,greatly regret to have to send you
bad news Of Methuen. He was nov
ing With 900 mounted men, under
Major.Paris, and 800 infantry, four
guns and pompom, from Wynburg
to Lichtenburg, and was to meet Gren-
fell, with l,300 mounted men at Row
rainesfontein today. Yesterday morn
ing earlyshe was attacked by Deia-
rey's force between TWe-Bosch and
Palmieteknill. The Beers charged
on three sides.
Five hundred and fifty men have
come in at Maribogs and Kraaipan.
They were pursued by the Beers four
miles from the scene of the action.
They report that Methuen and Paris,
with the guns, baggage, ETC., were.
captured by the Beers. Methuen,
when last seen was a prisoner. 1 have
no details Of the casualties, and sug-
gest delaying publication till 1 can
send definite news. [ think this sud
den revival=of activity on the part of
Delarey is to draw off the troops press
ing DeWet. t.''..
In a second dispatch, dated Sunday,
March 8, Lord Kitchener says:
Paris has come in at Kraaaipan,
with the remainder Of the men. He
reports that the column was moving
in two parties. One, with the OK
wagons, left Twe-Bosch at 3 a. M.
The other, with the mule wagons,
started an hour later. Just before
dawn the Beers attacked. Before re-
enforcements could reach them the
rear guardd broke. In the meantime,
a large number of Beers galloped upon
both aanks. These at first were
checked BY the flank parties, but the |
panic and stampede Of the mules had
begun. and all the mule wagons, with
terrible mixture of mounted men,,
rushed past the OK wagons. All efforts
to check them were unavailing. Ma
jor Paris collected 20 men and occu-|
pied position mile in front of the
OK wagons, which were then halted.
After a gallant but useless defense,
the enemy rushed into the OK wagons
and Methuen was wounded IN the
thigh, Paris, being surrounded, sur
rendered at 10 a. m. Methuen is still
in the Boer camp
Then follows the number Of the
casualties, as already cabled. The.
killing includes Lieuts, G. r. Ven
ming and e. ". p. Nesham of the
Royal artillery who were killed while
serving their guns with case shots.
a certain drno clerk had heard the