Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1899 — BRITONS AGAIN MEET DISASTER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BRITONS AGAIN MEET DISASTER.

(Second Attack on the Boers at Modder Biver Is a Failure. Close upon the heels of the news of Gen. Gatacre’s disaster at Stromberg comes the startling intelligence that Gen. Methuen, commanding the Kimberley relief column, after two weeks of recuperation since the Moddcr river battle, has again met the Boers, and this time has suffered a severe repulse with heavy loss. There has been no buffer of favorable war news Jo break the shook of these two disasters coming in crushing succession. Following Saturday’s bombardment of Boer position by the naval contingent the artillery reopened fire Monday morning on the Boer trenches around the Magersfontein kopje, apparently silencing the enemy. The British' infantry then advanced. but the Boers remained in their trenches, and when the British approached they pound in a terrific rifle fire, repulsing the British with heavy losses. It is apparent that the bombardment of Saturday ami Sunday did not shake the Boors’ grip ou tlieir position, and "it ~ seems certain that they merely withdrew their guns and riflemen under cover,

while Gen. Methuen indulged in the usual artillery preliminaries Monday, and that when the British Runs were obliged to cease firing, owing to the danger of hitting the advancing troops, the Boers speedily reocenpied their trenches and overwhelmed the highlanders with a terrible fire, probably accompanying this by an attack on the British right flank and rear. Gen. Wauchope was killed in action Tuesday, Five hundred men under Col. Metcalf made a sortie from Ladysmith and the Boers were surprised. These troops were of the Second Rifle Brigade in the command of (Jen. White. After recovering from the first onslaught the Boers rallied and by strategic movements cut off the retreat of the British troops. Then followed a fierce fight. The Rifle Brigade bach to fight their way through at the point of the bayonet. The British loss was considerable, and some wonnded were left on the 'field. Additional news received from the fight places the numl>er of British killed at eleven and forty wonnded. Sis British soldiers are said to have been taken prisoners. Lieut. Ferguson was killed and Capt. Paley and Limits. Davenport and Bond were wounded.

ENGLISH BRIGADE COMMANDERS IN SOUTH AFRICA. Maj. Gen. Woodgate. Maj Gen. Cooke.