EXTRAORDINARY LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN METHUEN'S FORCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5059, 9 March 1900, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN METHUEN'S FORCE.

An extraordinary letter is published in the Times from an offioer who has taken part in the battles of Lord Methuea's campaign. It throws froah light on the tactics adopted at Magersfoobein, and, unpleasant reading though some of it is, reveals points which cannot be burked. The officer writes thus, on Deoember 9: " Our knowledge of the enemy and his dispositions was most faulty. Ib ie said that cavalry scouts reported to Methuon that tho ModJer River was strongly held by the enemy, bub lb»t ha simply replied that he did nob believe it. Also, that, when we approached the village the general wan jusb pointing oat to his A.D.O. the house which he intended going to as hie headquarters when the terrible fire was opened which may be said to have laid low the whole brigade. Anyhow, if th« general had known that the village was occupied, he certainly ought to have made other dispositions for attacking It; Id is certainly most disheartening this ■orb of fighting, without even seeing an enemy to fire at. If only they could arrange it (and I cannob see why they Bhould not) that we could taks up 'positions such that the enemy would have to attack up, all would be well. All we have to do ie to cub off hia supplies and sib quiet. Thus, it is supposed that he now holds a strong poßition north of us, and all his supplies come from Jaoobsdal, southwest of us. Why Bhould nob we take up a position between the two 1"