The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-09
Latter Is Only Eleven Thousand
Strong, but VIII Probably he As
sisted by Kimberley Garrison.
BRUSH WITH PRINs Loo's MEN
FOURTEEN ENGLISHMEN WOUNDED
IN THE ENGAGEMENT.
General Butler and General White
Conferring by Heliograph Over the
Proposed Relief of Ladysmith.

LONDON, Dec. "a dispatch from Frere
camp, Natal dated yesterday, says: "The
trestle bridge is finished and the trains
are now traversing it."
General Forester Walker has sen. follow
ing dispatches at o'clock last Fr,day)
evening to the War Office from Cape Town:
Telegraph and railway communication
to Modder river mas been reopened. A bat
terry OF field artillery and a battalion Of
infantry were dispatched from Modder
river against Commandant Prins Loo's
force OF 1000 Beers, with one gun, who had
destroyed the railway Our losses were
fourteen wounded.
Belmont has been strengthened by in
fantry and two guns. and a cavalry regi-
ment and troops from Naauwpoort occu-
pied Arundel Thursday.
The enemys forces near General Cat
acre are reported as follows: At Dordrecht,
500, marching from jamestown to Dord-
rect. strength unknown: at Molteno. 400.
Lord Methuen reports casualties Dec. 6
on patrol duty as follows: Missing, Lieut..
Triestram and four men of the Twelfth
Lancers; wounded, four men,"
Some interesting light is thrown on the
position of affairs along the western from
tier by dispatch issued by Boer agency
last evening in Berlin. The dispatch says:
'Commandant Prins Loo's force is near
Jacobsdal, between Modder river and Riet
river. General Cronje is still on the north
bank OF Modder river, his rear being pro-
tected by fortified positions at Spytfontein.
The hill between Modder river and Spyt-
fontein and those between Jacobsdal and
Riet river are occupied by Beers. Com
mandant Delerey's force is stationed be-
tween Gras Pan and Honey Nest kloof.''
THE OPPOSING FORCES.
II this Berlin dispatch be correct. and it
1t especially significant when judged in
connection with General Forester-Walker's
advices TO the War Ofnce-there must be
some 1900 Beers around Lord Methuen.
who is believed TO have 1000 men. Kim
berley. however. possessing an armored
train. can materially assist Methuen by
harassing the Beers from the rear.
Lord Methuen's restoration of the rail-
way. while relieving a load of anxiety here
accentuates the dangers still threatening
his force II is gathered from the brief Of
hcial dispatch that Commandant Prins
Loos contingent was taken between
forces acting from Belmont and southwark
from Modder river. 1t is quite possible,
however. that reinforcements were sent to
Belmont merely as a precautionary meas
ure.
There Is little other news of Importance.
Reports continue TO come from Ladysmith
that dissension exists among the Beers,
and especially that the Orange Free State
troops are discontented. There are also all
kinds of rumors OF movements of COM
mandoes from place TO place, but the fact
Is that little is known here regarding the
actual position OF the Boer forces. More
over, the rumors of a collapse OF Boer
spirit have been heard so often not to
cause much satisfaction now
n War Office dispatch from General Bull
Ter confirms the statement that helio-
graphic communication has been fully es-
tablished with Ladysmith. and that Gen.
eral Butler and General White have been
conferring as to their future movements.
The latest advices from Frere Camp
show that the bombardment of Ladysmith
was continued Thursday, Dec Z. A pneu-
matte dynamite gun on Umbulwana hill
commenced the work.
The total British casualties at Ladysmith
since Nov. I. are five officers and twenty
six men killed and fifteen officers and l9O
men wounded with three missing The
Boer force is still around in large num-
bers, but all within the town are well and
cheerful.
The following dispatch. dated Dec. z, has
been received at Pretoria from the head
Boer leader near Ladysmith: ''The British
are advancing on Colenso. but last night
passed without an attack There was a
desultory cannonade this morning, the ma
val guns In Ladysmith replying vigorously
to our fire.
1t Is announced at Cape Town that Ma
5or Elliott. commanding in the native ter
ritories OF Criquland East. Is arming the
natives by imperial authority. with a view
OF assisting the defensive forces.
The troopship Columbian has arrived at
Cape Town with portion of the troops
landed from the troopship Ismore when
the latter went ashore in ST. Helena bay
$
BOER STORY OF A BATTLE