THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 50, 14 December 1899, Page 20

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

With the exception of that received on Tuesday morning, the war news of the week has been meagre and unimportant. News received here on Tuesday reported another serious British reverse. General Gatacre, with a force of 3000, including the 2nd Northumberland, the 2nd Irish Rifles, 800 mounted infantry and the 74th and 77th Batteries of Artillery, marched on Saturday night from Molteno with a view of surprising 2500 Boers at Stoimberg, the junction of the branch railway connecting the East London and Port Elizabeth railways. When within two miles of Stormberg he encountered the enemy, who opened a sudden fire on the front and right flank. The British sought cover behind a kopje, but, being still within range, they shifted thence, the batteries covering the retreat. Boer reinforcements appeared, and the Northumberlands and the Irish Rifles were sent to intercept them, but suffered heavily from the fire of the machine guns. The enemy were underestimated and occupied an impregnable position. The infantry were unable to assail the Boera, while the enemy's two 40-poundera harassed the retreat. The Northumberlands and Irish Rifles behaved splendidly, but it is feared the losses are heavy. General Gatacre telegraphs his regret at the serious reverse, and says he was misled as to the enemy's position by the guides He found them on impracticable ground. The British force was followed for three hours by the enemy's artillery. It is feared this disaster will intensify the Cape disloyalty. It is said that over 670 of General Gatacre's force are missing, and are supposed to be prisoners.