A SERIOUS REVERSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 100, 8 June 1900, Page 3

A SERIOUS REVERSE.

CAPTURE OF A BRITISH BATTALION. GREAT MARCH BY LORD METHUEN. THE ENEMY COMPLETELY ROUTED. HOPES OF RELEASE OF THE BATTALION. Received 7, 9.39 a.m. London, June 6. The Boers have captured Ooloael Spragge's Yeomanry battalion. After a brilliant march, Lieut.General Lord Methuen completely routed the Boers. Field-Marshal Lord Roberts hopes the Yeomanry will soon be released. REPORT FROM LORD ROBERTS. EULOGIES ON METHUEN'S FINE MARCH. (Received 7, 9.15 a.m.) London, June 6. Regarding Colonel Spragge's battalion of Yeomanry, whose difficulties led to Lieut-General Bundle's engagement, Lord Roberts telegraphs: —"lregret

uutu fwtnuus to report a battalion was compelled to surrender on Thursday to a very superior force. On hearing that the battalion was attacked I ordered Lieut.General Lord Methuen to hasten to its assistance. Lord Methuen rtceived the telegram at 9 o'clock on Friday morning, and marched 44 miles in 25 hours and attacked between two and three thousand Boers for five hours. A running fight was kept up, the enemy being completely routed. - I trust the Irish Yeomanry will soon be released." The newt pipers, commenting on Lord Methuen's feat, eulogise his splendid march and fine action. The seriousness of the situation arose from the menace to the communications, inasmuch as the Highlanders and Major-General Clements's Brigade had been sent to assist General Bundle. Moreover, the daring nature of Lord Boberts's main advances is rendered more conspicuous by what has transpired. Received 7,10.20 a m. London, June 6. Four hundred and sixty-four of Colonel Spragge's battalion were taken prisoners.