THE STORMBERG DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 295, 13 December 1899, Page 5

THE STORMBERG DISASTER.

IWMM SURPRISED BY SIX THOUSAND BOERS. BRITISH MAKE A PLUCKY FIGHT. ARTILLERY ENABLE ■AN ORDERLY RETREAT TO BE EFFECTED. THE MISSING ARE PROBABLY PRISONERS. .-•■-. —■ ». ' _ mother Successful Sortie from Ladysmith. SEW ZEALANDERS AGAIN IN ACTION. , ./:: v ~.- ;■:■. - --' V--' ■ [NiZ; Press Association.—Copyright.]

(Received- 9.1S a.m.)

LONDON, December 12.

.The Queen sent Sir Arthur Bigge, private secretary to the War Office, ;o inquire as to .the details of the reverse at Stormberg. . ; . CAPETOWN; .December 11. Additional particulars of- the terr rible disaster, at Stormberg show that General Gatacre's force was surprised iwheri within two miles of the town. The infantry behaved as coolly as if on parade. - After three hours' desperate fighting against GOOO Boers,'they succeeded in carrying an almost impregnable position, but only to find it. untenable, the location being, commanded by a fort and rifle fire from three directions. • During the retirement the incessant .shelling caused some disorder. ' The British artillery worked splendidly, and averted-ii- great disaster-. " Molteno was regained "after JO hours' hate) yyorje... ... It is feared the missing men have hc-n captured^ DURBAN, December _._._'■ Pretoria, announces that 072 British were captured at Stormberg.