THE CENTRAL POSITION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11697, 12 December 1899, Page 3

THE CENTRAL POSITION.

Another Severe Disaster to

British Arms

GATACRE LED INTO A TRAP.

593 MEN UNACCOUNTED FOR. Received December 12, 1.30 a.m.

Cavstowx, December 11. — MajirGeneral Sir Wm. Galajre, with a force of 3000, incluJing tho 2nd Northunaberlands, 2ad Irish Rifhs, 800 mounted infantry, and !h° 71th and 77th Batteries of artilkry, m irchod on Saturday night from Moltern, with a view of surprising 2500 Boers at Stormberg. When within two miles of Stormberg they encountered the enemy, who opened a sadden fire on \h > right and front ft ink 3 The British sought cover behind a kopje, but being still within range they shifted agwa, the batteries covering their retreat. Boer reinforcements then appeared to the north, and the Northumberlands and IruK Rifles were scut to iatercept them, but suffered a heavy fire from the machine guas. The enemy, who were under estimated, occupied an impregnable position, which the infantry were unable to assail, while the enemy's two 40-pounders harassed the retreat. Tha Northumbarland3 and Irish KirUs behaved splendidly, but it is feared their losses are heavy. Two hundred and ninety of the I hh R-fl.s and 306 of the Northumberland are missi-fg. Majjr-General Sir William Gatacre telegraphs his regret at the sericus reverse, and says was mis'ed as to the enemy's position by tha guides. He found them on impregnable grounJ.