LORD METHUEN'S DISASTER.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11245, 10 April 1902, Page 6

LORD METHUEN'S DISASTER.

DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING.

A STUBBORN ENGAGEMENT.

(Per R.M.S. Yentnra, at Auckland.)

SAN FRANCISCO, March 20.

A desspattlb from Loodrxn, dated March 16th., says: The War Office has received the following communication from Kitchener at Pretoria—"Lord Methueu sent to mc a dictated despatch by a staff officer, by which it appears that the particulars previously given are inaccurate. ■•Tbe rear screen of mounted troops rushed and overwhelmed at dxvo. There waa a gap of a mile between the ox and mule convoys. The mounted support to tie rear of the screen, which Lord Methuen immediately reinforced by all the available mounted troops, and a section of the 38th Battery, maintaaied themselves for an hour during" which the convoys vera closing up without disorder. Meantime two hundred infantry were being disposed to meet the attack, which was outflanking the left of Uie rwar guard.

"The Boers pressed the attack 'hard, and the mounted troops were attempting to fall back, when the infantry got completely out of hand, carrying away with them en route the bulk of the mounted troops.

"Two guns were thus left unprotected, but continued in action until every man, except Lieutenant Nesham, was wounded. Lieutenant Nesham was called upon to surrender, and upon refusing was shot.

"Lord Methuen with tiro hundred of the Northumberland Fusiliers, then found himself isolated, but he htld on for three liours. During this period, the remaining-infantry, namely one hundred of the Lancashires, frith some forty mounted men, mostly Cape poiice, who liad occupied the kraal near the waggons, also continued to hold out against the repeated attacks of the Boers.

"Uy this time Metbuen was wounded, and the casualties were exceedingly heavy among his men. The ammunition was mostly expended, and surrender was made. The party in the kraal still held out, and dild not surrender until two guns and a pom-pom were brought to bear upon them, making their position untenable. It is confirmed that most of the Boers wore our khaki uniforms, and many also onr badges. Even at ckese quarters they could not be distinguished from the British.

"It is clear that the infantry fought well, and the artillery kept up the traditions of their regiment. In addition to the membars of the Cape Police already mentioned, a few parties of Imperial Yeomanry and ths Cape Police continued to hold their ground after the panic had swept the bulk of the mounted troops off the field." It appears that Lord Methuen was shot while attempting to bring up the mounted troops, and that his horse was killed. After the surrender General De la Hey rode up and treated Lord Methuen with the greatest courtesy and consideration. He ordered his return to Klerksdarp under the care of bis own nephew and a medical officer.

Th» correspondent of tie "Daily Mafl" pays a tribute to General De la Eey's humanity, and describes him as a "brilliant tighter and barn leader, who brings no bitterness nor racial feeling to-his task, and who sternly represses any exoesses on the paxt of the burghers."