Methuen's Victory At Modder River. Boers 8,000 Strong Disputed His Passage to Kimberley. A STUBBORN TEN HOURS' FIGHT. Gallant Conduct of the Attacking Force----Infantry, Cavairy and Artillery: Engaged----Praise for All, but Especially the Artillery---Crossing the River Under Fire----Gen. Buller's Despatch Tells the Story----British, Onward Movement. BULLER'S DESPATCH. Victory Only Won After Ten Hours' Hard Fighting. London, Nov. 29.--The War Office has received the following despatch - from Gen. Buller : Cape Town, Tues- day, Nov. 28--Gen. Methuen re- ports: "Modder River, Tuesday, Nov. 28.--Reconnoitered at 5 a. m. enemy's position on River Modder and found them strongly entrenched 'and con- cealed. No means of outflanking; river being full. Action commenced with artillery, mounted infantry and cav: alry at 5.30. Guards on the right, Ninth Brigade on the left. Attacked position in widely extended forma- tion at 6.30, and supported by the artillery found itself in front of the whole Boer force, 8,000 strong, with two large guns, four Krupps, etc. "The Naval brigade ee great assistance from the railway "After desperate hard "fighting, which lasted ten hours, our men, without water or food, and -in the iing sun, made the enemy uit his tion. '"General Pole-Carew was success- ful in getting a small party across the river, gallantly assisted by 100 Sappers. "lL speak in terms of high praise of the conduct of all who were engaged in one of the hardest and most trying te in bee annuals of the British iy. If 1 can mention one arm par- divnterts, it is two batteries of artil- This is the engagement for which the Boers have been preparing ever eince the British advance began, and is of prime importance to the future of the war on the western border of e hostile republics. It isawhat the British people have been waiting to of with strained ears and not a little anxiety. The crisis has been reached. Gen, -- had, all told, about Modder r Riv rer is about SO miles from Kimberley. MODDER RIVER BATTLE. Britain F s Relieved by the News he Victory. London cable says: The expected Great battle of Modder River has been fought, and Gen. Methuen has added another victory to his achieve- ments of the past week. That the Boers defended their position with all their old-time gallantry is being proved by Gen. Methuen's despatch and it will probably be further testi- fied to when the British casualties shall be made known. There appears to be no° doubt that Gen. Methuen has vantage, though the d bey awaited before the full effect of is 10 HOURS' DESPERATE FIGHTING can be gauged. Presumably the bur- gher army was on the south bank of the river, but whether when tle Boers retreated they crossed the river nort or retired in an easterly direction into the Orange Free State remains unexplained. The British appear to have sur- mounted the difficulties of- crossing 'the river and to have seized for them- Selves a position on north side of the stream. This. success of ths British clears another Stage of the road to Sub tsriey, the siege of which an Cronje must have pertaliy raised in order to give battie to ethten. Ee Burghers are chderetooa to have @ atrong laager at Spitfontein, four- teen miles -- of the Modder River, 80 engagement possibly awaits he * British before they can commence the last stage of the eleven miles, from SPITFONTEIN TO KIMBERLEY, though Gen. Ng would thereby run a great risk of being caught between Gen. Methuen and Col. Kekewich, the erga h commander at Kimberley. belated h fro nivér ip peat MBOE TROOPS FOR THE FRONT. Enthusiastic scree te wie laae aie -46; wounded, 225, scenes were bei ace in London in spiteof a dense Lord Wolsey: Sade the Guards (the Blues) - farewell at Knight's Bridge Barracks. He ma a speech reminding the men of the eh military deeds of the Blues, saying he was assured they would do their utmost to add to the glory of a regiment of which they were so justly proud, and wishing them God speed, good luck, and a_ safe return. Struggling crowds lined the route to the station, incessantly singing and cheering, until the cavalry were en- trained for Southampton, to embark on board the steamer Maplemore. There was an interesting 2eremony at Windsor to-day, when the Queen inspected the men of the Grenadier Guards, who recently returned from mdurman, and conversed with the wives and families' of the soldiers who have gone to South Africa from the Windsor district. The weather was beautiful. The Queen was accompanied by Princess Henry of Battenberg and Princess Christian. ! THE QUEEN'S SYMPATHY. After an inspection of the troops Her Majesty briefly addressed Colonel Hatten, congratulating him on the splendid conduct of the Guards in South Africa, and expressed deep re- [=" © gret at the losses sustained. Queen Victoria's words were all the more earnest, inasmuch as just before her arrival at the barracks she received news of Gen. Methuen's great vic- tory, in what Mopac telegram, re- ceived at the rracks termed the "bloodiest battle of tne ventury." Col. Hatton thanked the Queen for ther kind words, and the Guards cheered repeatedly. The wives and families of ioe eo were then ite ~ fron E ROYAL CARRIAGE, and see Majesty sympathetically ad- dressed them, saying how much she felt for them, and hoping they would have good accounts of their husbands and fathers. ere had bee of any kind from Natal or to "this forenoon, since Gen. Buller's mes- sage of yesterday. The independent communications stopped ee with the announcement that "Hild- yard had been ordered to sdevnee on Colenso. Therefore there is consider- able solici tude a eg the course of events since A revised list of the "British casual- ties at Belmont shows: Officers kill- , four; wounded, 22; non-commis- sioned officers and privates killed, of which number the Guards had 35 killed and 159 wounded. Methuen's Victory. London cable: As regards the actual result of the battie, the Morn- ing Post military critic, who, it has been generally proved, has keen fore- sight, says: 'It does not seem too much to pre- sume that it was won by the British, though the despatch refrains scru a lously from referring to a victory. eneiny was forced to withdraw Mei his position, which may mean a falling back of the advance to the interior lines, or the ry aia of the bridge head defen The critic assumes oe thek there wasa bridge, 'and that the Boers at the outset were ne the southern approaches to The former +s the more piausible, since Gen. PoleCarew was crossing with the help of sappers, which would negative the hope that-the bridge was in the hands of the British. The sap- pers were undoubtedly pontooning. Compfaint is beginning to be heard against the employment of so many sailors for purely soldiers' work so far from the coast. e complaint is based on the ground that the navy cannot afford to lose men whom it takes so long to make and replace. There are also Joud complaints that more artillery and cavalry have not been furnished to General Methuen. It is argued that at.the start of his march he did not have sufficient cav. roa for pursuit and to clinch the vic- tories gained, and that branch mast now be so overworked as prac- tically worn out. waiting f before ing of the carvers oe the first Our troops must have certs Be pursue, but Pars the ate across the river assu! i 93 was fordable, their loss must have been sev Pr i The paper pr rocesds to argue that the Boers' general position possibly pointed southwest, their retirement being to the Booridciyl oe CY omments: upon the fact that thus te the Boers have been able to compel attacks by tadacuate forces upon their "the inlet posi- tions, while keeping the inifiative in their own hands, It says: "Ample numbers are our greatest need, and the decision to send out the sixth division has certa not been taken too soon. Now that disloyalty Cape Colony has to be faced, even greater efforts will have to be made. The only wise course is to turn to ac- count the somewhat bitter lessons of the last six weeks, and to employ a large factor for safety." Battle of Modder River. By an English military expert: The action fought by the Kimberley re- lief column, under General Methuen, on Tuesday, was preliminary to the passage of the rig ee River, which he reports as in full . The Boers were found pa adetes gg e on the north av four Krupp field iene in their force being said to number 8,- 000, in which would be P igctaned the commandos that were driven from Belmont and Enslin. The action be- gan on the part of 'the British hy a continuous cannonade from the field batteries and rifle fire from the in- fantry lining the south bank of the Modder River. Under cover of th fire, that lasted throughout the day, she British succeeded in getting a mall force across the stream through the exertions of the engineers, prob- ably using pontoons or the collapsible ats now in use in the British army. 'The Boers were eventually driven from their position, andthe Britishare no doubt by this time established on the north bank of the Modder, and push- ing on to Kimberley. From the river they have still some 22 miles to march before they come in touch with the Kimberley garrison, andthe Boers are said to have a strong position at Spytfontein, eleven miles beyond the Modder. ' More Troops for Methuen. A London cable says: Twelve hours' reflection upon Lord Methucn's brief despatch has only served to in- crease public anxiety and suspense. All kinds of speculation are indulged in. In the absence of any indication as to whether the Boers occupled the north or south bank of the Modder River, the best opinion inclines to the latter theory, and it is pointed out that the British must have been ut- terly exhausted if they could not fol- low up the retiring Boers and crush them as the enemy crowded over the bridge, their compulsory line of Fe- treat It is believed that Lord Methuen will be instantiy reinforced from Cape Town by two battalions of in- fantry, a detachment of cavalry, and a battery of artillery : Colonel Albrecht, wh0 is Ateaotiog the work the Boers in opposing Lord Methuen, was originally an offi- cer in the Austrian army. He entered the Free State army, and = soon brought its artillery to a high state of efficiency. He is known as an able artillerist and. strategist. Sailors' Gallant Fight. Londen cable: Additional detail of the fight at Eslin (Graspan) on Saturday were to-day reveived from the Orange River. When the Naval Brigade started there was no sign of the enemy. Shell fire had apparently driven them back, but there was a sudden and rude awakening. When the naval men were within two or three hundred ysards of the eneniy's line they were met by one blast of fire right round a kopje. The fire was 50 murderous that no troops could live in it, and the men fell back for a few moments under cover. The charge resounded, and then the men rushed to the foot of the kopje. What this run was will be realized when it is-stated that the shower of bullets striking the ground gave the appearance of a raging sandstorm. There was. an instant's pause at the foot of the kopje, and then with a wild yell the men rushed up the hill. The Boers could not stand this charge, find the few. who held their ground were killed. The majority fled, --_ the guns had heen removed, at smart trot. Every officer but two of the Naval gh oat was killed. How the Boers ite. Ghelling is regarded as a marvel by the military men here. Though the Boers suddenly retired, ae zosmag was not by any means Methuen's. force is otal har- assed by sharpshooters. CANADIANS AT THE CAPE. Sardinian Arrived a: at Its Destination . agape ondon cable: News was receiv- ed this attavenen of ie safe arrival at Cape Town to-day 2 Allan Liner rdinian with Canadian contingent, under ett Con Col. Otter, on boa: All well. The ci of Cape Town had been 'or several enemy was made to oygla | his position. w ander defences during the ter-p days for the com- 'to show them, in f > cher rers of the visible ae ha distaat Canada. _ 4 come 'tohand presentati\es. that it will provean historical] event in istory of the "Empire and . the world. oS es * eet The coitingent left Quebec on! Monday. Oct. 80th, and have there- ; fore been 29 days on the way from Sera to the Cape. The Toronto Hamiton portion of the. con- tingent ics Toronto on Veney: Nichdson's Nek Nek Disaster. London rable: Geo. W. Steevens, the war geting 2 of the Daily ' Mall, in a letter by post, describing the battl of a Nek, bears eloquent ks engetac sc! by the humanity | of the Boers. He "The Boers had thets revenge for ' Dundee ard Elands Laagte. They took it, full measure, in kindness ess. As Atkins had tended their wounded and succored ticir lit or there, so they tended and s d him here "One Gomiunsidank wished 'to send the wounded to Pretoria, but the others, more prudent as well as more humane, decided to send them back gave whole men the water out of their own bottles; they gave the wounded the blankets off their own saddles and slept themselves on the naked veldt. They were short of transport, but they were mostly arme with geet B fa they fave the captured mules for hospital pan- niers st one edgptuned Lee-Metfords for splin "4 i or was rubbing a hot sore on his head with half a crown, tal nobody' offered to take it from "Some of them asked the soldiers for their embroidered waist belts, as mementos of the y- "It's my money in it,' re- plied Tommy, and the captor said no more.' Stevens writes almost hysterically of the hoisting of the white 'flag by the Britisa officers, implying that it was done in fright. He says that in one case the British soldiers re- fused to see it and kept on firing. METHUEN TO HIS MEN, He Takes Them into His Confidence in Hie Address. London: cable says: Although tele- graph and railroad communication is open with Modder River, no further news of Gen. Methuen's movements or the big fight was given out up to 2.30 this afternoon. This is generally taken to inilicate that Gen. he ge is again on the march and that, heretofore, he will not again be ee from until he has fought another battle and gained another stage. 'That the general anticipated dogged re- sistance on his northward march is shown by the speech which he deliv- ered to his troops, Nov. 27th, after the battle of Gras Pan, reports of which have just urrived here. After reading a telegram from Governor Milner, congratulating the troops and sympathizing with the wounded, Gen. Methuen personally 'CONGRATULATED THE TROOPS on the work done, and expressed ap- preciation of the manner in which they had endured the hardships. The work, he said, was e@ most severe encountered by the British army for many a long day. They had in front of them, he added, an enemy to whom they could not afford to give a single point. Their tactics had been excellent, and. he recognized and ad- mired their courage. Continuing, Gen. Methuen said that when called upen to fight for his country, he preferred to fight a foe worthy of his steel, rather than savages, whose sole re- commendation was bravery. 'He then expressed the hope that he and his men had gained each other's confidence, and would all.do their duty to their country, as Engligh- men should. Gen. Méthuen also de- scribed as "dastardiy"" the con- _ the Boers in firing on ambu- lan agons, the shooting of a British oltiens by 2 wounded Boer, and the Boers' use of dum-dum_ but- lets. But he refused to believe that these acts were characteristic of the Boers. os gave them credit, uon- inced the contrary, oe like the British wished FIGHT FAIR AND sanity Those who are acquainted with Gen. Methuen think his terse description i! the' Battle of Modder River fore- aste "a fearful ipa bill." Cerittle attention was the flimsy fabrication Pee ioenciee the fall of Ladyemi caused it is impossible r core that, after withstanding the 80 , Gen. White, with the render of Gen. Clery's guns at Col- coming gue conv they, ion or & man waa left. The wane "of the British - suc- cesses wil pweeeels gored {ar ame. wide Byer 4 'd here to by Gen. Lord Methuen i; On Wednesday at 8 'o'clock = bpd afternoon Belmont shelled b at Fin- champs farm, and the artillery ad- anced and shelled 'a kopje occ by the hee agin S<DeUpe the cnamys and capturing Oo guns. The Boers lost , 80 men. The position was valuable, 'as the Boers occupled two kopjes a quarter of a mile apart, commanding the plain on all sides. Moreover, they controlled the water supply of Fin- champ's farm. The main column ad- vanced from the farm at 5 o'clock to- wards Belmont, and camped five miles from Kaffair's *Kop ip. At daybreak yesterday the Boers opened rifle fire at a range of 1,000 yards on the British on thie plain. The advance continued, and developed into a generat engagement. The signs the working round to three sides of position, to the south, west and ore silenced the Boers. Then the in- fantry from the centre, ig was awe between Kaffair's Kop and Belmont Kop, stormed ihe. kopie witht baraonte through a storm of The troops who made the charge were two battalions of the Grena- diers and the Northumberland 'Regi- ment. They moved to the attack through a storm of bullets, but dia no oe themselves, trusting to their yon When they. reached the top of the kop.e, they inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. The infantry lost a num- ter of men in Sovanciig x up the kopje. They captured the Boer laager with its entire conten 4 At 8 o'clock the fighting Was finished, the Boers re- treating eastward, making for a Jaager at Romdan, fourteen miles distant, the cavalry and the 9th Lancers pursuing tbem. Boers Were Plucky London cable: The Daily correspondent at Orange River that the Boers ut Belmont fought with the stubborn pluck they have shown elsewhere. Their guns were splendidly served, their gunners standing b them with dogged determination, exposing themselves until the last moment. When they were driven' from the first ridge by the Guards' bayonets, they withdrew to the second, which they contested with as much steady courage as if they had never been moved. They made a most determined stand on the third ridge. They clung to their ground with admirable p'uck, pouring a terrible fire into the British. bgichada A Requiem Mass. Rome, Noy. 29.--A requiem was celebrated in the English Catho- lic Chureh here to-day for the repose pie aoe souls of the slain in South Af- . The church was filled with Eng- tis 'and ny agree including the Am- assadors of Great Britain and the United States. ore Pope sent his blessing..It{s annotncel that Hi: Ho:!. ness is much dis y the losses ou both sides in South eon, Canadian Troops All Well. Ottawa, Nov. 30.--The Militia De- partment this afternodn received a cablegram from Lord Strathcona as follows: "Am informed ss. Sardinian well on board." Reserves Respond Well. London, Nov. 29.--Lieut.-Genera} Sir Charles 'Mansfield Clarke, it is report- ed, will be the commander of the € 6th divition. The latest-phase of the mobilization of the reserves has prov tis- factory as have former calls. Out of 9,786 men summoned, 9,553 have re- joined the colors. The War Office has received the fol- lowing despatch from Gen. Buller, dated Pietermaritzburg, Wednesday, Nov. 29th: "Mitchell, a. telegramist, has just made his way out of Lady- smith to Weenen, when he sends the following message: "On Nov. 9th we bed = rack the Boers. with great loss to the cnemz our cotal casualties were remarkably small. There were only eight men killed during the siege by shells, and 5 all the battles, only a hundred men have been killed. "T left Ladysmith the night of Nov. 25th. Since Nov. 9th no attempt has been made to attack Ladysmith in force." A Fearful Fight. The Dally Mail publishes the fol- lowing despatch from Belmont, de- aorihing the battle "The Boers held 'a eimai which British troops would hold against aj- ry most :any force. The British victory is plete. "My estimate the Boer losses 500 killed and 150 wounded. M4 who to climb tf a. terrific has reached Cape Town safely. All further serv . "The whole rank oe of the fearfal borne by ane intent ye