The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-31

London, Oct. 30.-The War Office has
received dispatch which says General
White has fought AN engagement pre-
sumably with General Joubert's force,
which was pushed back after several
hours fighting. The British lost about
100 men, and the Boer losses We're much
greater. The Beers were in larger num-
bers and had better artillery.
Ladysmith, Oct. 3O.-11:50 a. M
Firing commenced at $40 this morning,
the Beers shelling Ladysmith with forty
Founders.
After seven shots the British guns sue
ceeded in silencing the Boer fire.
A force of Beers is now advancing
ON the British left flank.
Ladysmith. Oct. 30.-12:50 D. m.-The
naval brigade arrived this morning at
$50 O'clock and has just commenced
firing with six quick firing guns with
great precision. The Boer forty-pound-
ers, which had again begun to shell the
town, were temporarily disabled at the
third and fifth shots. Brisk firing is in
progress on the right and left fianks.
WHITE ATTACKED BY JOUBERT.
London, Oct. 30.-A War Office dis
patch from Cape Town dated October
26th says:
..1An armored train under Llewellyn
got within 1000 yards of the Boer
laager, three miles south of Crocodile
Poort. The Beers had driven in their
horses on the approach of the train.
Three Maxim belts were discharged into
the Beers, who must have had consider
able loss. They returned ten shots with
no effect. Colonel Plumer's outpost has
had several skirmishes on the Crocodile
river"
From later advices it was learned that
the Llewellyn train returned to Mochudl,
one hundred miles north of Mafeking.
Llewelyn reports all quiet.
General Whites dispatch which was
dated 4:30 p. m. today, reads:
Il employed all the troops here except
the obligatory garrison before the works.
/ sent mountain battery the Royal
Irish Fusiliers and the Gloucesters to
take up position on the hills to clear
my left flank. The force moved at IL
yesterday evening, and during some
night firing the battery mules stampeded
with some of the guns, which, however,
] hope to recover. These two battalions
have not yet returned, but are expected
this evening.
Il detailed two brigade divisions of
field artillery and five battalions of in
fantry, aided by cavalry, under General
French, to attack position upon which
the enemy yesterday mounted guns
We found this position evacuated, but
our force was attacked with considerable
vigor, by what | believe were General
Joubert's troops. They had many guns
and showed in great numbers. Our
troops We're all in action, and we pushed
the enemy back several miles, but did
not succeed in reaching his laager. Our
losses are estimated at between 80 and
100, but those of the enemy must have
been much greater, the fire of our guns
appearing very effective.
After being in action several hours l.
withdrew the troops and they returned
unmolested to their cantonments. The
enemy are in great numbers and their
guns range further than our field guns.
Il now have some naval guns which
have temporarily silenced and, / hope,
will permanently dominate the enemy $
best gums, with which he has been bonn
harding the town at range Of over
5000 yards
BOERS MASS ON THE BORDER.
London, Oct 30.-The latest news
from the western border has apparently
treasured the British authorities az TO
the ability of Mafeking and Kimberley
TO withstand assaults.
A dispatch from Fort Tuli, forwarded
during the evening of October 24th, an
nounces that Blackburn's force, in the
skirmish of Rhodes Drift, killed II
Beers. A Kaffir spy reported that many
more Beers were lying in the drift dy-
ing. Blackburn died of his wounds on
returning to Fort Tuli. Scouts there re-
port that the Beers are concentrating
strongly on the Rhodesian border with
Maxms.
BAYONET ATTACK REPULISED.
Lourenzo Marques, Delagoa Bay, Oct.
30.-A dispatch received here today from
Pretoria, under date of October 2Sth,
says General Cronje, the Boer comman-
der, announced there that the British
garrison at Mafeking made a bayonet
attack on Commandant Louwslaager,
near Grandstand, but We're repulsed,
leaving six dead ON the field, and it was
believed that many of the attacking
Marty were wounded. The dispatch adds