Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-20
B0ERS ARE NEAR LADYSMITH
Two Thousand from the Orange Free
state Are All Ready to Do
Bloody Work

Copyright, 1S99 by Press Publishing Col
LADYSMITH, British Colony of Natal,
Oct. 1S.-(New York World Cablegram-
Special Telegram.)-1 have just returned
from the camp of the British troops.
Plainly battle is expected tomorrow The
newspaper correspondents were not permit
ted to pass the pickets in the neighborhood
Of the town, so it is impossible to give par
ticulars about the movement of troops here,
although they are manlfesting the greatest
activity. 1t 10 certain that the Beers of
the Orange Free State have taken the initia-
tive in the attack 1t is reported that 1000
Orange Beers, with some artillery. arc
the enemy last evening. The Beers opened
with artillery, but are said to have retreated
on the advance of the Fifth Lancers.
Further details say that the British scouts
near Tintwa came across Boer commando
seven or eight hundred strong, which had
| advanced to a small mountain seven miles
from the foot of Tintwa pass. The Beers
opened on the cavalry with their field ar
tillery The shooting, which was at long
range, was exceedingly wild by both sides.
| The object was either to draw the British
| force away from rear line of attack or 1t
was prelude to the concentration against
Ladysmith
The Beers are we'll informed by some
|
of British troops Nor is there any doubt
that the British scouts are in touch with
the enemy. The force of Transvaal Beers
s not more than thirteen miles from this
place.
A storekeeper from Acton Homes came
here this afternoon. He reports he heard
firing in vicinity Of his store. Firing Is
also reported in the neighborhood OF Bes-
ter's farm. 1t is reported that Bester' VINO
owns one OF the largest firms In Natal, mas
been arrested for cutting telegraph wires
. hut IT Is impossible to confirm the report.
Three carbinecrs today brought In Del1aager,
t a Dutch farmer near here suspected OF being
, | q spy. | never saw man so lrlghtehen'
Several spys have been arrested near mere.
The rumor that Helpmakaar was captured
[ Yesterday Is false. The Beers have not yet
s advanced beyond Ingagnai. If Hepmakaar
should be captured it would not be by the
/ main column of Transvaal Beers but by Luz
q cas- Mayer, a subordinate commander who
s with his small command, is now probably
passing through fugitives drifting neal
Helpmakaar.
4 II Ia reported tonight from Glencoe camp
that the British troops there have been un'
:, der fire. A strong patrol OF Beers was en-
countered eight miles from the camp anc
was repulsed, the British suHering M
casualties. TWO BOUTS Oh picSSioo, ono "
, them carrying n white flag, yesterday car
= ried letter written by British magistrate
= In Newcastle to a picket outside Glencoe
~ The letter, which was delivered by permits
20 sion of General Joubert, who occupied New
-, castle yesterday, stated that all the Britis
~ | in the town were well.
=, Shortly after 1 o'clock today mixed trail
from Ladysmth TO Dundee was capture
bo about mile this side OF Elandslaagle sta
~ ton The train contained four trucks @
ot live stock for the army. 1t is reported tha
~ one imperial officer, Mitchell, the Johannes
burg Star war correspondent and one othe
Z correspondent were on the preceding trai
= containing passengers which was fred o
-. unsuccessfully. Telegraphc communicate
" north OF Elandslaagle Is cut off. There
no further information concerning the NOV
ments OF the Beers who appear to be holdin
- the position indicated in the last cable