Barry Herald

WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. PfilTlSff REVERSE AT COLESBEEG. 600 MEN MISSING. GATACRE MISLED BY GUIDES. SUCCESSFUL SORTIE FROM LADYSMITH. BOER POSITION CAPTURED AND GUNS DESTROYED. LORD METHUEN CLEARING THE WESTERN BORDER. MAFEKING AND KIMBERLEY ALL WELL." The most important items of Monday morning's flews from the seat of war were those of a reverse to General Gatacre and a success at Ladysmith. In a telegram received by General Foresfeier»Walter at Cape Town and forwarded by him to the War Office, General Gatacre says he regrets to report that be met with a serious reverse in an attack-on Sunday morning at Stormberg. He was misled to the enemy's position by guides, and found impracticable ground. A second telegram says MuU several hundred officers and men are sitsing. The Times special correspondent at Mol- toao says the guides led our men wrong, and they were surprised while in fours after a very trying ttight march. A retirement was effected in excellent order, there being no hurry. At the most critical time the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers and the 2nd fioyal Irish Rifles behaved as if on a field day. Our correspondent adds that he fear our losses are heavy and that one gun was abandoned. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. The following telegrams from the General, Cape Town, dated December 10, have been received at the War Office: {1) Following from Gatacre this morning: Deeply regret to inform you that I have met with serious reverse in attack this morning on Storm-< kg. I was misled to enemy's position by guides, and found impracticable ground. (2) With reference to my telegram of this morn- jog, casualties so far as is known at present are: 2ND ROYAL FRISK RIFLES. OFFICERS, Killed: None. jI Wounded: Lieutenant-Colonel Eager, Major Seton, Captain Bell, Captain Kelly, Lieutenant Stephens, Lieutenant Barnard Stone (Suffolk Regi- ment), Second Lieutenant Maynard. Missing: Captain Weir, Lieutenant Christie, Second Lieutenant Rodney. AND PIL8. Killed: None. Wounded: 12. Missing: 290. 2ND BOYAL BERKSHIRE (MOUNTED ISFAHTRT). Killed No. 4956 Private Wells. 74TH FIELD BATTSKT. Severely wounded: Lieutenant Lewie and three enn. Slightly wounded: One man. Wounded: Gunner Wallace. 77TH FIELD BATTBRT. Major Perceval, slightly wounded. Gunner Jfaonde, killed. 2ND NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, OFFICERS. Missing: Major Stevens (1), Captain Fletcher, Captain Morley, Second-Lieutenant Wake, Second Lieutenant Coulson, Lieutenant Radcliffe (Dorset Begiment); 306 non-commissioned officers and men also missing. The following telegram from the General, Cape Town, is dated Cape Town, December 9, 8.30 p.m.: Position enemy Stormberg district last night- Stormberg, six laagers; Dordrecht, 800 men; 33 miles to the south of Sterkstrom, 220 men. Major Elliott reported Dalgetty with force has gone towards Dordrecht to co-operate with Gatacre. GENERAL GATACRE'S ADVANCE. With the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Boyal Irish Rifles, and Itwo batteries Royal Field Artillery, General Gatacre (says the Morning Post military editor) left Putters Kraal by train for Molteno. Arrived there, the troops detrained and made a forced march of 12 miles against the enemy's poei- tion above Stormberg. The Boers offered, no opposition till our men had reached the impregnable position which the; were defending. Then they o peoed a hot and unexpected Ire. The engagement began at 4.15 a.m. on Sunday, and lasted till seven, when, after an artillery duel, oar men withdrew and marched back to Molteno. So ran the first despatch, giving merely the im- pression of a fruitless adventurer and. leaving U8 atterly unprepared for the bare figures of pur loss— all that have so far reached us—which make the fight at Stormberg take rank, after Nicholson's Nek, as the most serious reverse of the war. The list of the missing is close on 600, and in one battalion, the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, six officers are reported missing, and there are nodetaila is to the men. Of the 1st Dorset, on the other hand, 306 men were reported missing, and there were no detailsu to officers. It was impossible, therefore, to avoid the conclusion that the full extent of the reverse had not been given. j FEATURES OF THE FIGHTING. The most extraordinary feature of the account (as the Morning Post points out) is the proportions of the various casualties. There are. so far as reported, only one officer killed, eight wounded, and nine missing, while of the non-commissioned officers and men there are two killed, 17 wounded, and 596 missing. ANALYSIS OF THE LOSS. The heaviest losers have, been the 1st Dorset with 306, and the 1st Suffolk with 302, and it is curious that the latter battalion was one of those sent out to replace the force captured at Nicholson's Nek. Of the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles we have only learnt that six officers are wounded, but there must, of | eourse, be more casualties. As to the rest of the force engaged, the loss of the 2nd Berkshire and of the two batteries, 74th and 77th, may be only as reported, since the batteries were pretty certainly in rear of the Infantry and less likely to be ambushed, and the Berkahires were Mounted Infantry and better able to get clear. I MORE MEN WANTED. < The moral of this unfortunate affairs (the Morning tost concludes) is the moral we have been trying, in and out of season, to press home on Government. Han are wanted, and men must be sent; Cavalry and Horse Artillery most especially, unless in sheer parsimony we are to throw away a corner of the Empire. SUCCESSFUL SORTIE FROM LADYSMITH. The following telegram from Sir Redvers Buller has been received at the War Office: FREES CAMP, December 9, 4.5 p.m. The following message received from Sir George White to-day: Last night I sent General Hunter with 500 Natal Volunteers under Royston and 100 Imperial Light Horse under Edwards to surprise Gun Hill., The enterprise was admirably carried put, and was. entirely successful, the hill being captured and a 6in. gun and a 4'7in. howitzer destroyed with guncotton by Captain Fowke and Lieutenant Turner, R.E., and Maxim was captured and brought to Ladysmith* Gnr lose, one man killed; Major Henderson, 1st 4treyll and Sutherland Highlanders, wounded. At the same time Colonel Knox seized hill, and sne squadron 19th Hu&sars rode roond Peppworth gill, burning kraals and cutting Boer telegraph lines. So casualties. General White's report, aa above given, is con- flrmed by a Boer despatch from the headquarters before Ladysmith to Lorenzo Marques, stating that the British ha-re stormed and carried the kopje on ^Lombard a Kop, putting one big Crusot and one howitzer out or action, and capturing a small Maxim. From Natal there is no other news of importance, mcvpt that on Sunday afternoon a heavy explosion was seen to take place at Colenso, the Boers having probably b'own up the waggon bridge. Ladysmith has proved that the siege (the Morning JPesi holds) has had no depressing âce on its garrison. Saturday's sortie waatt1 ita own little way as brilliant an affair as can fall to the lot ef a beleaguered force. In conjunction with every other attempt of the kind which has taken Place, it has proved night to be the time Boers gas be attacked to the best advantage. The result is not surprising. Effective 80/~ the Boer has shown himself) proved so definitely that the qualities of b- •rdination and vigilance which come from discip ine do not come without it. Excellent as a sharp8"00 er and, with certain limitations, in a defensive position, the Boer evidently cannot be relied on to assault works which are held with any determination, and I has most indifferent ideas as to patrol and picket duty at night. The same qualities and defects have been observed previously in forces of similar composi- tion, excellent for guerilla warfare, but not to be i depended on for the more hum-drum work which the ¡ protection of a front in contact with the enemy or the o-sigenciea of seige operations demand. The absence of these qualities was strikingly evidenced by the latest and most successful sortie from Lady- Smith. General Hunter, with 500 of the NatalJ Carbiniers and 100 of the Natal Light Horse, left the camp at nine on Friday night by a dash at the guns which have of. late kept Ladysmith more lively than wal desired. At half-past two the base of the hill on which the guns were posted was reached, and the climb began. A quarter of the way up a Boer picket challenged the party, and either his shot on receiving no answer, or the shot which replied to his challenge, roused the other defenders of the hill, for the rest of the ascent, about a third of a mile, was made under a dropping fire. CAPTURE OF THE GUNS. The Carabiniers swept round the crest on the right, while the Light Horse made straight for the big Creusot gun which has been dropping hundred pound shells for the last month into Ladysmith. We had come within a hundred yards before the enemy awoke, in both senses probably, to the serious- ness of their position, and fired a volley which was indifferently effective. They heard, after the sound of their own rifles, the click of the bayonet handles on the rifles of their spponeats, and the sound sent them packing. They knew what was the next act in that drama, and found they could not wait to see it. Comrades of theirs had been bored before by the same kind of business. So they left, but their guns remained, being creatures of fixed habits, and not easily removed. These paid the penalty for their immobility, for Captain Fowke and Lieutenant Turner, of the Sappers, placing guncotton in a position of which they had had no experience, blew out their future usefulness to the enemy, and the men of the Light Horse rendered them still more ridiculous by carry- ing off their breech blocks. The calibre of the guns should be taken as ap- proximations, for there we believe, no Continental gun of 6in., none certainly bearing the names of Krupp, Creusot, or Canet. Krupp, however, makes two 4'7 cast-steel breechloaders, and Schneider Canet three quick-firers of the same calibre. The Morning Post correspondent mentions, as well, the destruction of a 12-pounder, to which Sir George White does not refer. A maxim also was captured and carried back to Ladysmith. Meanwhile, no doubt to distract the enemy's attention, Colonel Knox, with a squadron of the 19th Hussars, rode round Pep- worth Hill burning the enemy's kraals and cutting their telegraph lines. And so the night's work was wound up, and the spirit of Ladysmith is reported to have risen wonderfully as the result of it; at which no one will be surprised. LORD METHUEN'S COLUMN. Early on Sunday evening the War Office announced that the following telegram had been received at the Cape from the Orange River Station: Railway culvert blown up this morning near Graspan, telegraph also cut. Guides report heard heavy firing of guns to north. Later on, the following further telegram from the General Officer Commanding at Cape Town was re- ceived by the War Office With reference to my previous telegram, Belmont was stregthened by infantry and two guns and a cavalry regiment. A battery field artillery and a bat- talion of infantry were despatched from Modder River and drove off Prinsloo's commando of 1000 Boers with one gun, who had destroyed railway. Our losses 14 wounded. One killed and one wounded Boer picked up near Enslin. Telegraph and railway communication to Modder River re-opened. Methuen reports following casualties on patrol duty, December 6: Missing: 12th Lancers: Lieutenant Tristram and four men. Rimington's Guides Two men. Wounded: 12th Lancers One man. Rimington's Guides: One man. Miles sending four guns Howitzer Battery to Methuen when rail open. Marconi apparatus is still at De Aar. A telegram has been received at the War Office from the General at Cape Town, dated December 9, which says: Railway bridge at Modder completed December 7. Methuen reports he made demonstration up line of railway at daylight to-day with one cavalry regi- ment, battery Horse Artillery, and battalion of infantry and naval 4*7 quick-firing gun, which made beautiful practice. Enemy did not reply. "Methuen is receiving remainder of reinforce- ments and supplies, and has established detached posts on his lines of communications. Mafeking re- ported aU well on November 30." WOUNDED DOING WELL. The Times special correspondent at Modder River, writing on December 6. says the wounded are doing well all down the line. The Free State burghers are greatly discouraged and are reported to be willing to fight once more only. President Steyn's unpopu- larity is growing in the Free State and among the Dutch. Writing later on the same day the Times correspondent says- that a force of 1000 Free State Boers attacked our line of communications at Enslin. Two companies of the Northamptonshire Regiment defended the position for several hours, till they were reinforced by the 12 Lancers, Seaforth Highlanders, and a battery. The enemy then fled, and were chased by the cavalry. Our casualties were only five men wounded. The Boers destroyed two culverts and tore up 300 yards of the permanent way, but the damage was at once repaired. There are indications of a serious outbreak of typhoid among the Boers at Spytfontein. On December 8 the Times corre- spondent reported that the Boers are still busy intrenching at Spytfontein, and next day telegraphed that firing was opened at 4.30 thatmorningwitha4-7in. naval gun at 6800 yards range, on the line of northern kopjes which were crowded with Boers. The execu- tion with the Lyddite shells was apparently great, though the distance prevented the British from seeing more than a great commotion among the enemy holding the crest. A Reuter despatch says the area of destruction of the shells was enormous, and the emplacement the Boers were constructing was apparently destroyed. A Pretoria telegram of Saturday says advices had been received there of fighting early that morning in the vicinity of Schlotz Nek, southward of Spytfontein, the British attacking Cronje's force there. Fighting is also reported on the other side of Spytfontein in the direction of Kimberley, and it is presumed that the garrison of that town has had another sortie. The limes Cape Town correspondent, telegraphing on Saturday, says it is rumoured that the Boers attacked Kimberley on Friday night of last week getting to very close quarters, but were eventually repulsed with heavy loss. FIGHTING AT MAFEKING. Some interesting particulars are furnished by the Times special correspondent.at Mafeking respecting fighting at Mafeking from November 27 to Novem- ber 30. An intended sortie in force on November 28, was thwarted, spies in the town having conveyed in- telligence of it to the enemy; but the Boers were driven out of an advanced position, and their big gnn was silenced. Reinforcements continue to be pushed northward from Cape Town to General Gatacre and Lord Methuen. THE LATE MAJOR SCOTT TURNER. The following telegram has been receive d at the War Office from Sir Redvers Buller: FABR. CAMP, Dec. 8. Will you express to relations of Major Scott Turner, Royal Highlanders, the regret of the whole force out here at the loss of so good an officer ? "DETAINED AT BLOEMFONTEIN." CAM Town, Dec. 8. The following are reported by Orange Free State Government to be detained as prisoners at Bloem- fontein: 9th Lancers.—Two men. Royal Engineers.—Two men. Cape Police.—Inspector E. M. Blyth and 19 men. Diamond Fields Force.—Six men. Kimberley Town Guard.—One man. Duke of York's Mounted Infantry.—One Man. December 9. Orange Free State President reports following in Orange Free State hospitals: 12th Lancers.—Lieutenant M. Tristram, severely wounded, but not dangerously; 3469 Pvivate W. Lambert, severely wounded; 4378 Private Thomp- son, severely wounded. "MARGATE BANDS" AT FRERE. The completion of the bridge and the prospect which it implies of a forward movement have sent a thrill of excitement throughout the Frere camp. Nothing can exceed the spirit and enthusiasm of the troops. The men have had a good time is camp (says a Reuters despatch). The banks of the BUauwkrans Spruit are spoken of as Margateund.. goring these last few days they have been thronged from morning till night with crowds of soldier Dathers in the gayest of spirits. KIMBERLEY AND ENSLIN CASUALTIES, m following telegrams from the General, Cape Town, have been received at the War Office v n • Town, Dec. 10, 12.29 p.m. Following casualties reported from Kimberley Bombardment of November n; Wounded J. C. Stumkie. Sortie from Kimberley, November 16: KIMBERLEY LIGUT HOISRI. Killed: Trooper Goodall Severely wounded: Troopers Clarke and W. G. Roster. Slightly wounded: Major Peakman, Lieutenant Smith; troopers D. Parsons, S. N. Lampbell, and J. Orr. DIAMOND FIELD HORSE. Slightly wounded H. M. Luttman Johnson, C. R. Lester. 3.15 P.M. Following casualties reported at attack on Enslin, December 7: WOUNDED. 12TJI LANCEBS. Slightly wounded Lieutenant G. C. de C. Wright; 3653 Private T. Parkinson. 21fD NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT. Dangerously wounded 3076 Private Smith, 3084 Private Bird.; severely wounded 5417 Private Paul, :;027 Sergeant Mellitt, 2816 Private Newbury; slightly wounded: 402.3 Corporal Merritt. 4740 Private Taylor, 4491 Private Francis, 3391 Private McCarthy, 4503 Lance-Corporal Arnold, 5346 Lance- Corporal Jourdan. RIMINGTON's GUIDES. Severely wounded Trooper Fryer. Missing Rimington's Guides Troopers L. Muri- son, Matthews, and Dearden. REJECTED ADDRESSES. Public interest in the fate of Mr. Lynch, the war aorrespondent who recently disappeared into the eu'/gkcit of the Boer lines, and has been seen no more, will be quickened by the account. which the Bail). Graphic representative at Ladysmith gives of the manner of his disappearance. It seems that Mr Lynch, athirst for news from without, con- ceited the idea of exchanging papers with the Boers. For that purpose he armed himself with 50 copies of the Ladysmith Lyre, and devised a costume de circonstance. consisting of white umbrella, a bottle of whisky, and a grey horse dyed khaki colour on one side. Thui equipped and lDonnted-a spectacle to have given points to Don Quixote on Rosinante—Mr. Lynch sallied forth in the direction of Pepworth-hill, in spite of the fact that the authorities had refused him permission. One would like to have heard the comments of the Boers on this singular ambas- sador. Unfortunately nobody knows what they said or did when they perceived him. That they shot him is, we trust, unlikely in the extreme that they annexed the white umbrella, the khaki-coloured charger, and the Ladysmith Lyrt is highly probable; that they drank the whisky may be taken for granted. Anyhow they did not send him back with the exchanges he wanted. Thereby they missed (the Daily Graphic says) what would have been a rare opportunity if the Boers had only been blessed with a saving sense of humour, for they might have paid for the Ladysmith Lyre with the Standard and Diggers Nøws, in which case exchange would certainly have been no robbery. THE BOER PRISONERS. The Boer prisoners taken at the battle of Elands- laagte had a particularly rough time of it on their voyage round to Simons Town in the Patiala. On arrival in Simons Bay they were at once transferred to the Penelope, which has been fitted up to receive them. The Penelope has ]ong since lost her engines, and has only the stumps of her masts standing, though she still bears in her hull the marks of the shell which struck her during the bombardment of Alexandria. Crowds of visitors go to see them on Thursday, which is the visiting day. The prisoners themselves contradict the absurd reports which have recently been spread regarding ill- treatment on board their prison snip, which, by the way, when the whole Army Corps has been landed, will not keep them much longer, as the officers, at least, have been promised by Sir Redvers Buller that he will release them on parole, a privilege which will in all likelihood be extended to such of the burghers as have friends who will be responsible for°their safe-keeping. Captain Schiel, who was shot through the leg at Elandslaagte, is now able to get about with the aid of a crutch. He is a middle-aged, well- set-up man, with iron grey hair, and a determined mien. He speaks English fluently, and in conver- sation gives one the impression of beiag socially a genial and good-natured soldier of fortune. As to that affair with the Zulus in 1879, he denies explicitly that he is the man concerned in that matter, or that the British Government ever set a price of £1000 npon his head. Captain Schiel de- clares that he has never done anything of which an officer need be ashamed, and he feels acutely the fact that, at a time when he is wounded and a pri- soner, attacks should have been made upon him in the papers in connection with the matter. As to the war and its issue, he is not to be drawn into hazardmg a prophecy. A shrug of the shoulders expresses his opinion as to the ultimate result, but as far as Elandslaagte is concerned, he pays a high tribute to the behaviour of the British infantry in general, and to the Gordon Higlanders in par- ticular, whose charge up the hill is described as a magnificent piece of work. On artillery practice Captain Schiel speaks with very considerable experi- ence, and he expresses his high admiration of the manner in which our men handled their guns and the excellent practice they made. The artillery attack on Elandslaagte appears to have been a most telling one. The Boers, of course, also had their guns in position, but such was the precision of our artillery fire that it was a matter of impossibility for their artillerists to stick to the guns, while the British artillery was so cleverly posted as to make it equally a matter of impossibility for the Transvaal gunners to bring their pieces to bear on them. FIRING ON THE HOSPITAL. A bearer corps about 2000 strong is being formed at Pietermaritzburg and Durban to assist the regular ambulance corps. The railway department is busy making stretchers. Despatches received at Durban from Ladysmith confirm the intelligence that the Boers have been firing on Ladysmith Town Hall. Sir George White sent a message to the Boer com- mander, informing him that the building was used as a hospital. General Joubert replied that the British had no right to use any building in the town as a hospital, as a neutral camp had been set aside: for that purpose. LETTERS FROM GUARDSMEN. Writing from the Orange River on November 20, a private in the 1st Coldstream Guards says I have not seen any lighting yet, but I suppose we soon shall. The Boers are camped about 10 miles from here on the other side of the river. I believe Lord Methuen starts a general advance to- morrow with 15,000. of us. We are trying to get to Kimberley, which is 70 miles in front, but we have to shift these Boers before we can advance, so we shall soon be having some fun. I was put on guard the first night here over prisoners. We have one Boer and eight Kaffirs. I let the Boer share my blanket. He is a poor specimen of a soldier, only 17 years old. The soles are off his boots. We have also got eight Englishmen in camp. They own property at Kim. berley. They are going to try and work their way there with as. Kruger has made them sign a paper ltating that they will remain neutral on both aides. Cecil Rhodea's brother is also in camp. He tries to signal at night to Kimberley by means of the search- light. There was a skirmish here the other day, and a colonel and lieutenant were killed. They were buried in camp. The Boers, who seem to be turning up at every point, blew a railway bridge up yesterday about 100 miles in our rear, so my company had to go back with some guns to clear them out. I don't know how they got on, as we left them there. We h&e the armoured train ready to go up and repair the line, which is torn up 10 miles from here. If we can manage that I don't think we shall he long in getting to Kimberley, and once there we shall go ahead much faster." A letter written by a Scots Guardsman from Orange River, November 18, and received on Satur- day in London, runs aa followa: "We boarded the train immediately after our arrival at Cape Ton, about 11 a.m., on the 14th, and reached this place at 10 a.m. on the 16th. W. stopped at Worcester and had tea. White people filled the station, and the cheering on our departure • waa simply terrific, and it was the same all the way along. The Boers have a way of picking off the officers, but all of ours have wot their swords and the shining parts of their accoutrements to the base of operations, and will take the field with rifles same as us. Our buff has all been smered with mud, and this afternoon all the visible parts of the bayonets have been painted brown. (Lord Methuen does not mean to make U8 a mark for tbe Boers if he can help it. I had a bathe in the river to-day, the first for three days, and managed to wash my last pair of socks. We do a short field day before sunrise, but during the day we have to keep in the shade as much as pos- sible. After sundown we have a march out. This is just to keep the troops in trim. The Boers are in laager about eight miles from here, and we expect to engage them in a day or two. If I survive I will write again and tell you what it feels like being under fire for the first time. The weather is sweltering hot, and we are 15 in one tent. Of these 10 are now writing to catch the maiL Papers are at a premium." THE STORMBERG REBUFF. The Times special correspondent at Molteno sends, under Sunday's date, some further details with re- spect to the reverse to General Gatacre's force which attacked the Boer position at Stormberg. He say. that the total number of men engaged on our side was in all about 2500. Owing to srrors of the guides and other accidents,O the attack was delivered against the wrong part of the position, where the tUU 1fae quite impregnahlei The troops were obliged to retire, which they did iii id mi ruble order; but, being fatigued by a long night j march and subjected to a constant shell fire from the heights, they afterwards got into disorder. The artillery occupied successive positions by batteries throughout the retirement, averting a disaster. A Pretoria telegram states that 672 prisoners were ;aken at Stormberg. FREE STATERS AND BOERS. The Times special correspondent at Modder River, telegraphing on Sunday, says that Lord Methuen's advance has been marked by the gradual elimination of the Free State Boers from the opposing force. Cronje has assumed the reins, and there have pro- bably been great desertions of Free Staters, amply counterbalanced by Transvaal reinforcements. All the indications point to the cooling of the Free State's ardour on discovering that the representations of the certainty of an easy defeat of the British were untrue. Spytfontein will be the last stand made by the Free State, and there consequently the hardest fight is expected. Our artillery was engaged on Sunday in shelling the Magersfontein kopjes at the eastern end of Spytfontein range. A naval 4'7in. gaa made excellent practice at 7000 yards on the left of the Boer position, while a howitzer battery operated on the right. Both lyddite and common shell were used, and the effects of the lyddite are again described as extraordinary. The enemy returned the fire at three or four points, but ineffectually. CRONJE ON THE MODDER. From Pretoria it is reported that there was fight- ing on Sunday night at Modder River, that Cronje maintained his position, and took 50 British pri- soners. KIMBERLEY QUIET. News received at Modder River from Kimberley to December 7 is to the effect that the enemy are very quiet. Lord Methuen's impending attack has evi- dently diverted their attention from the town. DISLOYAL CAPE DUTCH. The Times special correspondent at Cape Town refers to the scarcely veiled disloyalty of the Dutch organ Ons Land, but says the position of the Cape Government, between the hammer of Sir Alfred Milner and the anvil of their own followers, is very difficult, and must be taken into consideration in judging their conduct throughout the crisis. Mr Hofmeyr has expressed an opinion in conversation that after the war annexation was the most probable, and certainly the most honest, course. HOW ARUNDEL WAS OCCUPIED. Colonel Porter, with the 6th Dragoon Guards and Mounted Infantry, arrived at Arundel on the 7th inst. (according to a Reuter message from that place of the following day's date) from Naauwpoort. The force alighted four miles from the town and advanced across the plain, half the Dragoons on the left flank, the remainder on the right, and the Mounted Infantry in the centre, slightly to the rear. The Boers who occupied the adjacent hills, on observing cavalry about to out- flank them, retired to a second position on a ridge about three miles to the north. Our advance patrol located this position before nightfall. At day- break Colonel Porter sent forward four companies of Mounted Infantry, who occupied a hill 2^ miles north of Arundel. A troop of Dragoons meanwhile reconnoitred the town, which they found evacuated; by the Boers. The advance was then resumed in the same order as on the previous evening, the Mounted Infantry, consisting of New Zealanders and Australians, being again in the centre. Maaiboschlaagte was reached about eight o'clock, and here the enemy were discovered on the hills traversing Rensburg's Farm. We could see them placing a large gun in position, over 100 men dragging it up the hill. As we had no artillery, this prevented the continuation of the flanking movement on the left. The dragoons, on the right, crossed the open plain and outflanked the enemy. They were three miles in advance of the remainder of the force. The enemy opened with rifle fire, which was in- effectual, and then brought two guns into action on our right. The New South Wales Lancers re- inforced the first line in the afternoon, and were soon under fire. They sustained the only casuality of the day, a horse being killed. The enemy had previously gauged the range by means of a gate, and they dropped shells there whenever our troops passed. The whole force was under fire for hours, and it is surprising that we had no casualties to re- cord. The operations were entirely successful. They Consisted merely of a reconnaissance to locate and discover the strength of the enemy, who numbered 2000. The Telegraph Section maintained constant communication with the base of operations, though frequently under fire. DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF LYDDITE. The British howitzer battery and a 4'7 inch naval gun opened fire on the enemy's positions on Sunday, drawing the fire of 12 Boer guns, and completely un- masking their positions. Lyddite was used with terribly destructive effect. It is believed that the enemy's big guns are completely outranged by our howitzers and naval gun. General Pole-Carew watched the operations of the howitzers and naval gun. A brisk fire was opened by the naval gun, followed shortly afterwards by the howitzers. Both used Lyddite, with shrapnel and common shell. After an hour's interval, the Boer guns were one by one silenced. The howitzers then thoroughlysearchedthetrencheswhicharebeing constructed facing south, They were completely enffladed. Afterwards the howitzers turned their attention to the kopjes, and shell after shell burst along the ridges. The effect of the lyddite was mag- nificent, the whole ground within the area of destruc- tion being thrown, in a brown cloud, into the air. The naval gun also made grand practice, and it is believed dismantled a long gun. The Boers did not reply to it, although they possess a 40-pounder. G Battery Horse Artillery moved out in a north-easterly direction, but as far M it was pos- sible to see, did not engage the enemy. I am waiting (says Reuter's correspondent) in the neighbourhood of the naval gun, and it is impossible to see whether the howitier gunners have sustained any casualties. Not a single Boer even attempted to fire at the naval gun, themagpificent range and terrible effect of which place us at a great advantage. It is now certain that Magersfontein is the Boer position. Spytfontein is apparently not held at all, or the Boers are unwilling to unmask their position in that direction. As I send this despatch off, the howitzers are still enfiladlog the Boer trenches. SCOTS GREYS HORSES DYED. The 37th Field Battery and 32 truck loads sf stores have been landed at Cape Town and despatched to De Aar. A company of the Cape Garrison Artillery has been converted into a mountain battery. The guns have arrived, and the battery will leave for the front shortly. The horses of the Scots Greys at Mainland Camp have been dyed khaki colour. HIS HELMET SHOT OFF. Sergeant Arthur Harrington, 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps (ODO of three brothers at the front) sends his father a long account of the fight at Talana Hill. Many men had narrow escapes," he writes, "one in my company actually having the top of his helmet carried away without, his being injured. W. were now about 1600 yards from the hit!, which in shape strongly resembled a piano if yon imagine a steep slope from keyboard to ground, and found that a kopje or rounded hill to our right was also crowded with Boers. When all was ready the order came. The Dublin Fusiliers will advance supported by the Rifles.

IMPERIAL TJSLEGRAPHS, Sir E. Sassoon, M.P., on Monday delivered an address to a meeting in Liverpool, convened by the local Chamber of Commerce, on Imperial Tele- graphic Communication, in which he complained of the onerous tariff-charges of the cable companies, which, in view of the phenomenal increase of the traffic, he held to be wholly antiquated and in- tolerable. He submitted for consideration a scheme for the development of overland tele- graph lines which would greatly reduce the cost of telegraphic communication, especially to rnda and the Far East. A resolution was after- wards passed 8uppor*n8 the action which the Imperial Telegraph Committee «f the House of Commons proposes to take with the view of placing electrical communication between the United Kingdom, India, and the British colonics and de- pendencies on a footing commensurate with the greatly altered conditions of inter-Imperial relations. It was also resolved that copies of the resolution should be addressed to members of the Ministry, with a request that an early day be set apart for the discussion of the subject in Parliament.

A LOVER of Babiel" writes to the Daily Kewi that he has long wished to see in every Board school playground a light, and airy four-roomed cottage creche, to which no doubt many poor mothers, who are, by stress of circumstances, forced to earn a liv- ing for their children and themselves, would be only glad to send, or bring, their babies to be cared for during the day. AH girts over twelve years of age might be sent one day a week into the creche to be taught the proper care of these babies; before they enter they should pass an examination in the simple duties of a nurse; the way to make the diffe- rent food for babies, and a few hygienic rules. There might be two married ladies in each neighbourhood in charge of the creche, with two young ladies under; them, so that the superintendence should not be irk- some. It would be a great advantage to young; ladies about to enter married life to take six or 12 months' work of superintending the little schoolgirls who would act as nurses. In;eyery, district it would be easy to find a doctor willing to attend the crechs. A small charge would have to be made for each child, 1' lay, 4d., the creche to find the food.

DEATH OF LORD PENZANCE. We regret to learn that Lord Penzance died On Saturday night at his residence, Eashing Park, near Godalming, after an illness of considerable lengths Lord Penzance (first Baron) was born in London, July 12,1816, and was the fourth son of the late Mr. Edward Archer Wilde, and nephew of the late Lord Truro. He received his education at Winchester College, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1838, and M.A. in 1842, was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1839, and devoted his attention to mercantile and marine law, and went the Northern Circuit. He was appointed junior counsel to the Excise and Customs in 1840, Queen's Counsel in 1855, counsel to the Duchy of Lancaster in 1859, and a Baron of the Exchequer ih April, 1860, when he received the honour of knighthood. In 1863 he succeeded Sir Cresswell Cresswell as Judge of the Court of Probate, and Judge Ordinary of the Divorce Court, appointments which he retained until 1872, when he resigned owing to ill-health. He was sworn a Privy Coun- cillor in July, 1864, created a peer of the United Kingdom April 6, 1869, after which time he sat as a member of the Final Court of Appeal in the House of Lords; and in June, 1875, was appointed judge under the Public Worship Regalation Act (Dean of Arches), and judge of the Provincial Courts of Can- terbury and York. He unsuccessfully contested Leicester in the Radical interest in 1852, and Peter- borough in 1857. The late peer was a member of the Commission appointed to consider the feasibility of forming a digest of the Common Law, which he had shortly before advocated in an address delivered at the meet- ing of the Social Science Congress at York, and was also a member of the Commission of the Marriage Laws, a member of the Judicature Commission, and took a leading part in opposing the changes which aimed at a fusion of Law and Equity, and which were afterwards carried out in the destruction of the old Common Law Courts. Lord Penzance was also a member of the Ecclesiastical Courts Commission. Upon the abolition of purchase in the army he was a member of a Commission appointed to con- sider the claims of certain of the purchase officers, and shortly afterwards he was appointed chairman < of the Commission on Retirement and Promotion in the Army, and prepared the report which was after- wards in part carried out by Royal Warrant. He was chairman of the Commission appointed to re- port on the condition of Wellington College, and was also chairman and drew the report of the Com- mission which sat to inquire into the practices of the Stock Exchange. When Mr. Peel was elected Speaker of the House of Commons he took bis place as chairman of a Departmental Committee appointed by the War Officer to consider the position of Engineer officers in India. He took a leading part, in conjunction with the late Lord Redesdale, in opposing the abolition of the judicial functions of the House of Lords, aa opposition which resulted in Lord Cairns withdrawing the bill brought into the House of Lords for that purpose.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT LEEDS. An express train was in collision at Leeds on Mon- day night. Two passengers were killed, while two other persons received injuries. The accident occurred at the Wortley Junction in Canal-street, New Wortley, a suburb of Leeds. It appears that the 5.22 Midland express from Leeds to Carnforth was passing the junction when a waggon of a mineral train running on the up line from Leeds to Bradford jumped the cross-over points and came violently into collision with the passing passenger express. Mr. Gill, of Oakworth, near Keighley, who occupied a compartment in the front portion of the express, was instantly killed, but, strangely enough, his fellow-traveller, a Mr. Soppitt, of Leeds, was unin- jured. The passengers at first reported injured, all of whom sat in the front carriage, were Albert Wall- bank, 19, of Main-street, Bingley, fractured skull, not expected to recover; Percy Gill, 21, Highfield- lane, Bingley, compound fracture of leg and broken nose; and Leonard Wilkinson, 14, errand boy, Elder-street, Bingley, compound fracture of the leg. Both lines were blocked for a considerable time. Information was received at St. Pancras Railway Station in the course of the evening that two persons had been killed, so that it would appear that one of the injured persons subsequently died.

ICE FATALITY. Robert Scruton, aged 15, while testing the ice on a pond at Keighley on Monday morning, fell through, and was drowned. A companion named Isaac Miller was also immersed, but managed to get out of the water, though unable to rescue Scruton.

CONDEMNING GENERAL GATACRE. Lord Durham, speaking at his Christmas fat stock sale at Bowes House on Monday, said the news that had been received about the reverse to General Gatacre was, to his mind, about the most gracious event in the whole history of the war. He was not one to kick those in misfortune, but he must say, and he said it deliberately, that he did not think General Gatacre should have had a command in South Africa. He was a very distinguished man, and a very brave man, brave almost to rashness but in the Soudan General Gatacre seriously overworked his troops, because of forced marches, outpost duty, and double piquet duty, when hundreds of miles away from any possible enemy. He worked his men so hard in that campaign that, had it lasted much longer, the men would have been unfit for service. That was not his (Lord Durham's) opinion, but what he had gathered from officers who served in the Soudan campaign. He knew for a fact that some of the War Office people were as well aware as he was what was the opinion of the officers who served under him there. He wished distinctly to state that the War Office was to blame for that disaster. General Gatacre blamed the guides, but would a boy of 13 or 14 have been so foolish as to trust in guides who had proved themselves lying and deceitful men. He was sorry to make that attack, but the country had shown such patience and such calmness during the war that it was right that they should express their opinion to those who were responsible for its conduct. The War Office should give them a proper explanation. His lordship's remarks were loudly cheered.

ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. When the steamer Darius reached Australia from Ceylon last month, the officers had a stirring tale to relate. On the outward journey to Calcutta, when far from any land, the tail shaft of the vessel broke, and she became unmanageable. In order, if possible, to get assistance, Mr. In- stone, the second officer, with two passengers and five Lascars, left in one of the Bhip's "boats for Padang, & port on the Sumatran coast, 650 miles away. For 12 days the little company aboard the boat battled with adverse gales and dead calms, squalls of rain, and tropical heat. First their rudder smashed. Then various leaks started in the boat, which the: crew managed to patch up with soap and a few screws. Finally, after much misery and anxiety, they sighted a steamer bound west. She passed close to them. She must have seen the ensign flown upside-down and their other signals of distress, yet she took no notice. Two days later, however, with the aid of a blue light, they attracted the attention of the Dutch steametl Reael, after being for some time in unpleasant proximity to a 20ft. sea-monster. The party were teken to Calcutta, and, by a curious coincidence, ar- rived there the vt'ry day the Darius was towed in. The captain had handled his disabled ship in such a masterly fashion that only 17 of the 457 horses on board, destined for the Indian Government, were lost. <

THE world's loss of sailing vessels during the first half of this year amounted to 92 ships, of 51,19], tons; of this number the Uttited Kingdom Supplied 10, cf 0109 tons. AN amusing story cotres from the Cape. The station master at a junction on the way to De Aluw"4 notified of a goods train arriving. It came, and disgorged not goods but armed Marines. Later on steamed up an armoured train with Bluejackets and two heavy guns. covered with a tarpaulin, and ironic cally labelled Fruit." ARJiJQUIEM MASS for the repose of the soul of tb, late Right Rev. Dr. John Butt, late Bishop of Sonthwark, was celebrated in St. George's Cathedral Southwark, a few days ago. BIn ROBERT. RTEID, M.P., for his ser~:ces is connection with the Venezuelan Commission, has been appointed an ordinary member of the First Class c the Order of St. Michael and St. George. THE recently published statement that Mr. Archi- bald Forbes, the well-known war correspondent, was lying in a critical state is incorrect. Mr. Forbes has been in poor but not critical health for two or three years. THE November tea outturn in Assam and Cachar was normal, but in Sylhet, Terai, and Dooars it was poor. THE total area under wheat in Great Britain this year is about a hundred thousand acres less than it was last. Wmtll visiting his wife,in Westminster Hospital, Arthur Benefiela, of Temple Ewell, Dover fell dead by her hedside.

CURRENT SPORT. Peter Latham, the professional champion of the world at both racquets and tennis, and who is about to visit America for touring purposes, played an ex- hibition match at Queen's Club on Saturday with his colleague, W. Hawes. Latham endeavoured to con- cede seven aces start in each game, and great as was the concession, he won the first two games by 15 to nine and 15 to 12. However, he palpably tired after- wards, and in the third game he Only scored eight, while in the fourth and fifth he only made one and two aces respectively. Thus, Hawes won those games with scores of 15 to eight, 15 to one, and 15 to two. The sixth game produced a fine struggle, Hawes reaching 14, or game ball," to 10. Then the champion made it 14 all, and brought about a set to three, but Hawes won at 14 3 to 14, and so secured the rubber at four games to two. In the last match of the West of England Division of the Rugby county on Saturday Devon beat Somer- set by three tries to nothing, a victory that gives to Devon the championship of the West, and the right to meet the winners of the South-Eastern group. Saturday's success of the Devonians-the game was played at Devonport-was in no way unexpected by those who had seen their forward work when they beat Gloucester. The competition in other divisions is Toot nearly in such an advanced state. Kent, the East Midlands, and Hampshire have still to settle the supremacy in the South-Eastern Division, and in the north things are somewhat disorganised by post- poned fixtures. Lancashire and Northumberland, at Newcastle on Saturday, gave up their match at one try all owing to the hard ground. Blackheath were badly beaten on the Rectory Field by three goals and a try to nothing by Cardiff in a Rugby club match. The Cardiff forwards were quick to make the most of their opponents' short- comings, and did a lot of fine dribbling, while the threequarters and halves put in several superb pieces of passing and running. Cardiff are now quite a young lot of players, but the men are apparently well versed in the methods of the Welsh game. Win- field, the full back, who placed the three goals, is a fine kick, and his general form was brilliant. Moseley beat Richmond by one goal to one try. Lennox beat Old Leysians by two goals to one. Old Merchant Taylors beat St. Bartholomew's Hospital by one try to one. R.I.E.C. beat Rosslyn Park by one goal and three tries to one goal and one try. London Scottish beat the Harlequins by two tries to none. Kensington beat M&rlborough Nomads by two tries to one. Croydon beat Guy's Hospital by two tries to one. Portsmouth beat Berkshire Wanderers by one goal and three tries to one trv. London Irish beat Ealing by one try to none. Rugby beat Cheltenham by three tries to none. Old Edwardians beat Bedford by one goal one try to one try. Newport beat Glouester by one goal one try to none. Swansea beat Neath by two goals one try to one goal. Leicester beat Coventry by one goal one try to one goal. Liverpool beat Birkenhead Park by two goals three tries to two tries. Northampton beat Lansdowne by one goal three tries to one goal one try. The Sheffield United eleven, with nearly half their Erogramme completed, are yet unbeaten in the First ^vision of Association Football League Champion- ship competition, a fact that in itself emphasies the excellence of their football. Their play on Saturday at Bramall-lane was particularly good, and Stoke were beaten bv one goal to none. True, the majority was the smallest possible, but Stoke are always a difficult side to beat, because of their great defence which is traditional with Stoke elevens. The course of Saturday's results went to strengthen the position of Sheffield United at the head of the League, for Aston Villa could do no more than draw with Notts Forest in a hard game at Birmingham. And so the United have again a lead of four points over Aston Villa. The latter's most dangerous opponents for the second position have been Sunderland; but Sun- derland were unexpectedly beaten at Manchester, and the loss of two points loft them still six behind the Villa with three matches in hand. Bury are doing remarkably well, and their fine win against Everton gives them an excellent record for fourth place. Preston North End and Notts County show little signs of improvement. The success of home clubs on Saturday was much less marked than usual, for three visiting sides won and there was one drawn game. Neither Glossop nor Newcastle United had a match, so that the programme was reduced to eight matches. Judging from the big crowds gathered on the various grounds the public iHterest in the League is as keen as ever. Only two games were played in the Second Division of the League on Saturday, Barnsley and New Brighton Tower drawing at one goal each, and Middlesbrough beating Loughborough at Middles- brough by three goals to nil, results which do not affect the positions of the leading clubs. The following matches in the Southern League competition were decided on Saturday Tottenham Hotspur v. Bristol City.—An exciting game at Tottenham was drawn, each side scoring twice. Brighton United v. Chatham.This game was drawn at Brighton, one all. Sheppey United v. Bristol Rovers.—The Rovers won at Sheerness by three goals to one. New Brompton v. Swindon.-Played at New Brompton, the home club winning by four goals co two. Saturday's fixtures in the Final Round of the Qualifying Competition resulted as under: Millwall beat Thames Ironworks by two goals to one, at Canning Town. Reading beat Chesham by seven goals to one, at Reading. Portsmouth beat Bedminster by two goals to one, at Bristol. Luton drew with Queen's Park Rangers (one all), at Luton. Small Heath drew with Walsall (no score), at Small Heath. Willington Athletic drew with Jarrow (no score), at Willington. Leicester Fosse beat Hucknall Portland by six goals to none, at Leicester. Grimsby beat Chesterfield by three goals to two, at Grimsby. Stalybridge Rovers beat Burslem by one goal to none, at Burslem. Cborley beat Southport Central by three goals to one, at Southport. Saturday last was fixed for' the decision of the final round of the qualifying competitions for the Amateur Cup. Chief results Chesliunt beat Old Weymouthians by three goals to one, at Cheshunt. West Croydon beat West Norwood by three goals to none, at Croydon. Wycombe Wanderers beat Reading Amateurs by: three goals to none, at Reading. Horsham beat Eastbourne by one goal to none, ati Eastbourne. Colchester, a bye; Norwich C.E.Y.M.S. scratched. The Cup Challenge Committee of the Union des Yachts Franca is have met to consider the proposal submitted by the Royal Temple Yach Club to hold, the races for the Coupe de France at Ramsgate in; July next. After fully discussing the matter it was decided to consult with the Duc Decazes. who is building the French challenger, before finally agree- ing to accept or reject the proposed of the Royal Temple Yacht Club. The Due Decazes is said to be anxious to thoroughly satisfy himself that a suitable course can be had at Ramsgate before a final answer is forwarded. A decision may be expected in the course of a few days. The Duke of Rutland's Hounds met at Piper Hole in very frosty weather. An uneventful morning was succeeded by a brilliant gallop oyer a lovely country from Hose Thorns, hounds racing across to Sher» brooke's Covert, and thence away, with Upper Broughton on the left, and subsequently the Curate's Gorse on the right, to Widmerpool New Inn. where the fox was headed. Turning right-handed hounds dipped down into the vale again, and were ultimately stopped at dusk close to L pper Broughton. They hunted their fox in first-rate style, after giving over racing him. In spite of the hard frost Mr. Selby Lowndes wap able to keep his tryst at Bradwell-common on Saturday, amongst those who ventured there being the Earl of Essex and Lady Edith Villiers: Lady Sybil Primrose and the Hon. Neil Primrose, Hon. R. and Mrs. Craven, Mr. and Mrs. Hatfeild Harter, Mr. Tanrell Holland, and Mr. P. C. Lovett. Linford Wood held foxes, and the early portion of the day was spent in the Wolvertoh district, the pack eventually killing near Two Mile. Another for was bolted from a drain close by, and hounds rail fast by Loughton and Shenley to Oak- hill Wood, getting away again at the Calverton and the Chase, and sweeping on to Lady Carrington's Corse and Calverington's Upper Weald.

A NKW YORK hotel is said to a a machine that wA*he*- and- dries -.1000-idiishas in an hour. Two persons attend to it.