NORTHERN FRONTIER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2389, 14 December 1899, Page 24

NORTHERN FRONTIER.

-" CAPETOWN, December 6. - The Boers have abandoned the town of Arundel.

Twelve hundred Boers have, occupied the" town of. Dordrecht, where there are many disloyal Dutch.

December 8.

General Gatacre reports that the spread of the rebellion at the northern portion of Cape Colony considerably .hampers the movements of his force. The West Australian contingent, who have been doing night picket duty on the Orange River station, have joined General" Gatacre, along 'with two batteries b'f-.artil* lery and the other reinforcements that have been sent forward. • „ December 9. - Major-general French has occupied the townships of Rosmead and - Bradock, ' in Cape Colonjf. . ■? Vine New Zealand contingent covered the detrainment of three trains of cavalry sent to occupy Arundel. ■ „• December 11. 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 Stormberg, 'the junction of the branch railway connecting the t 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 Hank. 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 9th Northumberlands and the- Irish Itiries were sent to -intercept them, but suffered heavily from the fife -of- the 'machine guns; • The enemy were underestimated, and oc» cupied an impregnable position. The in» fantry were unable to assail the' Boer^, while the enemy's two . 40-pounders harassed the -retreat. The Northumberlands and Irish . Rifles behaved splendidly, but it is feared the losses are heavy. Two hundred and ninety, of the Irish Rifles and 306 of the Northumberlands are .missing. General Gatacre" telegraphs his regret at the serious reverse, and says Jie »was misled as to the enemy's position by the guides. He found them on impracticable ground. ' ... With reference to General Gat&cre'p defeat, it is known that two men Vere killed, *and nine officers and 16 men wounded, while nine officers are included amongst the missing. The retreat was followed for three hours by the artillery. The. British were betrayed while" in fours after a fatiguing march. A gun had to be abandoned. . It is feared the disaster will intensify the Cape disloyalty. The New Zealanders -.and New South' Wales forces made a reconnaissance , from Naauwpoort, drew , the ,enemy's ' fire, and killed five Boers. .* ,> - „ The British at Arundel "found the enemy' in strength seven miles to the northwards '