The Warwickshire Herald. — 1899-12-07 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

RECONNAISSANCE FROM FRERE. right. They were met by an The whole of the mounted force under Lord DunAWFUL HAIL OF BULLITS douald, with ti sir guns, started at five o'clock on from the enemy's sharpshooters, who were posted Tuesday morning last week in pursuit of the last close to the river on the opposite bank. Our men parties of Boers returning to Colenso. Hastening had positively no cover whatever. and were simolK *hi it flight with a few well-placed shells, says • mowed down. It seemed impossible to live throne I correspondent at Frets Camp, the force advanced to the terrible fire, but our brave fellows never within 4 miles of Coleuses, whence the enemy retreated an inch. The Boer fire was horribly replied with long range guns, most of the shells accurate. Their force must have been at least unexpectedly bursting. After continuing the and-10,000. The Scots Guards advanced six hundred lery duel for a few minutes we rethed, having yards before they were fired on. Then they had to suffered no casealties. Preparations are in progress lie down to maw the deadly fusillade which to repair Frere bridge, which has been scientifically lasted without intermission throughout the day and completely wrecked. The Coleus° railway bridge Several attempts mere made by the Highlanders to bas been blown up. force a passage across the .iiver. But the men wets Colonel Addison, secondsin-command of Bethune's exposed to such a Horse, was present at the reconnaissance. He was MURDEROUS ENFILADING rtes on the loft flank, and says that the Boers used all that they had to retire—not before they had suffered their guns. Our second shot silenced the gun posted terribly. Subsequently a party of the Guards golf near Ihe bridge, and it never opened fire again. As over, and for hours held their own against a vastly cur troops withdrew out of range, the enemy wero superior force. The general opinion among the Staff in rapid retreat, taking their waggons with them. is that there has never been such a sustained fire in the annals of the British Army as that which our troops had to face yesterday. Among many heroic deeds, one of the most conspicuous was that of Lieutenant-Colonel Codrington. of the Coldstream Guards, Captain Sellpeine (Pi, of the Queensland forces, and a doaen men of the Coldstreams, who jumped into the river and swam nearly to the other side in the face of. a steady fire. But they were forced to retire, and joining hands, swam back, two of the party being nearly drowned in the retreat. The British guns kept up a heavy fire :all day. Fearful havoc was wrought on the Boer *Arians. The enemy was forced to fly from their entreqchments. Night put an end to the terrible bloodshed. The Infantry Brigade was dreadfully cut up. Among the killed were Colonel )iorthcott, of the Staff, Lieutenant-Colonel Stopford, Coldstream Guards, and Captain Earle, of the Staff. The Boers retreated at night, taking their guns with them, and we are now occupying their positions. The enemy's loss was tremendous.  LORD mwriluEN's ADVANCR A telegram reee ved at 'he War Office from the General Commanding at Capetown, dated December let, : Methuen's flesh wound slight. Remaining at Modder River for le onstruction of bridge. Am rehiforeing bin, with Ilighlande,s and cavalry. Corps Horse Artillery, Cana,im Regiment. Australian continents. and three lattalions of infantry have moved up to the line lie Aar-Itelmont.