Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1899 — SLAUGHTER AT NODDER RIVER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SLAUGHTER AT NODDER RIVER

Terrific Briti*h-Boer Battle Near Kimberley Lasts Ten Honrs. The supreme test of strength between the Boers and British in western Cape Oolbny occurred Tuesday, when Gen. Lord Methuen’s column, advancing to relieve Kimberley, was opposed by the main Boer force at the Modder river, twenty-five miles south or Kimberley. The action commenced with the artillery, mounted infantry and the guards on the right and the Ninth brigade on the left. Methuen’s force attacked the Boer position with a widely extended formation supported by artillery. Gen. Methuen found himself in front of the whole Boer force, comprising 8,000 men, with two large guns, four Krupps and other pieces. The naval brigade rendered grout assistance from the railway. . After desperate, hard lighting, lasting ten hours, the Britons, without food or water, under a burning sun, made the enemy quit his position. That the slaughter was enormous cannot be doubted. Gen. Methuen himself was wounded and Col. Nortkcott and Lieut. Col. Stopford are among the dead. In the shert space of seven days Gen. Lord Methuen, with n British force of 7,000 men, marched fifty-three miles and fought three important battles on the western border of the Orange Free State. In each of these engagements the British were victorious, but at a cost that is very severe to so small a body of combatants. From the outset the Boers have compel!-

ed the British to take the initiative and storm strong positions defended by modern artillery and by troops whose desperute valor equals that of the attacking army. The advantage gained by the burghers through their early declaration of war is now manifest. It has enabled them to fight when and where they choose, while the British, instead of massing their troops at the seaeoast for a general advance, have been forced to dispatch weak divisions to the relief of the various beleaguered garrisons. So far the British have carried out their plan of campaign, but at enormous cost. Every inch of their way has been disputed by an active, resolute foe, wary, skillful and acquainted with every kopje and vantage ground in the scene of operations. The battle of Modder river, which lasted ten hours, is described by the British commander as “one of the hardest lights in the annals of the British army.” Such desperate contests -are certain in the long run to tell upon the Boers, who, however brave, cannot hold out forever against the grim determination of the invaders and their great reserves of strength. Ite-enforcemeuts are Doing hurried from the Cape. Strengthened by these fresh accessions <Jf horse, foot and artillery, Gen. Methuen soon will be in a better position to follow up his costly successes.

BRITISH DISPATCH RIDER.