The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-28

Ouacked at WitteputS. Two companies
of moun infantry and a detachment
Of lancers were sent to hold Thomas
farm. Their pickets prevented the
Beers from advancing. The Beers
fired cannon, and the British artillery
arrived on the scene and silenced the
Beers fire. AIT 2 o'clock in the morning
the guards brigade moved steadily for
ward to a hill a few miles east of Bel
mont station. The Scots and grena-
diers advanced to within fifty yards
of the base, when the Beers poured in
a scathing fire, staggering the guards
momentarily; but, quickly recovering,
they returned a deadly hail into the
Beers. The duel was continued for half
an hour. When the artillery com
menced the Beers evacuated their
front position and the Scots guards
rushed the hill with the bayOnet and
amid lusty cheers.
The Ninth brigade then moved for
ward in extended order, and the Beers
started a terrible cross fire from the
hills. The Coldstreams, supported by
the Scots, grenadiers, N~orthumber-
lands and Northamptons, stormed the
second position in the face of a con-
oil dIlu ClICSJlN duel l1IC. liz
Ninth brigade then advanced, the ar
tillery, in the meantime, maintaining
excellent practice. The British infant
ny never wavered, and when a tremen-
dous cheer notified them of the charge,
the Beers fled and succeeded in gain
ing q range Of hills in the rear, in spite
of the lancers flanking movement. The
infantry again calamity faced the fire
and the naval brigade came into ac-
ton for the first time, at a range of
1900 yards. The infantry was we'll
supported by the artillery, and the
Beers, unable to withstand the death
dealing volleys, retired and were again
forced to abandon. some minor posi-
tions. The British cavalry charged the
Beers and pursued them for five miles.
Possession was taken of the Boer
laager and the Beers stores were de-
strOyed.
Cape Town, November 24.-From the
of General Methuen's fight with the
of General Methen's fight with the
Beers yesterday, it appears that Beers
from Fincham's farm shelled an ad-
vance body of the British Wednesday,
November 22nd, and the British artil-
lery was pushed onward and shelled
a hill which the British subsequently
occupied, capturing two guns. Vie
Boer casualties were thirty men killed
and wounded.
London, November PA special dis
patch received here from Belmont says
that General Methuen's force number
ed 1000 men, n that the Beers had
5000 men.
The engagement was really a series
of battles, during which the Beers
were constantly carrying off their dead
and wounded.
The war office today issued the fol-
lowing adVices:
Cape Town, November "a, p. m.
DCO-11 ATn+LIran f11rthnr r0nnrtC
this morning that the are
doing we'll. There are over fifty pris-
onerS, including a German
an and six field comets. Nineteen of
these prisoners are wounded. We are
unable to estimate the BOer losses.
The prisoners say that yesterdays at
tack was a surprise and that it is the
only beating they have had. A large
amount Of correspondence has been Sc
cured. The reservists are doing we'll.
Colonel Pole-CareW replaces Feather
stonhaugh in command of the Ninth
brigade"
BOERS CAUGHT IN A TRAP.
Capetown, November 24.-Unconfrm-
ed reports continue to arrive here to
the effect that General White recently
caught the Beers in a trap at Lady
smith, inducing attachments of the be-
leaguering force to venture into the
open country, when sortie parties from
the British camp captured them. 1t is
difficult, however, to believe that news
of such Importance would not have
been officially announced, and it is
held that the affair described will prob
ably turn out to be the sortie reported
from the Boer headquarters November
22nd.
Three squadrons of African light
horse have gone rthw
Late arrivals from Pretoria estimate
the Boer casualties at 1000 men, half
lof whom were killed. They also say
She race course there is being prepar-
ed for a laager, in the event of a siege
and the guns of the fort are trained
on it in case the prisoners attempt to
escape.
BOERS CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS.
From President Kruger down, every
oneIs in favor Of fighting. They believe
they will succeed in annexing all the
beleaguered towns. The flag Of the
United Republic" now ready, bears
the Orange cross. The Beers expect
the war to last from four to six
months, when they will possess South
Africa.
Commandant Albrecht and Lieuten-
ant Eloff have started with LOCO fol-
lowers TO capture Buwayo.
MAFEKING HARD-PRESSED.
M~acalapie, Cape Colony, Sunday, No
vember ia dispatch received here
from Mafeking, dated Wednesday, NO
vember 18th, say
THE garrison is cheerful, but the po-
sition is daily growing more dlftlcuIt.
The Beers are always W lnelr
entertainments closer and are ineeS-
sanity plying the British with artillery
and musketry fire. h garrison Is
living almost entirely in underground
shelters and the health of the troops IS
suffering"
CONNONADING AT MOOT STATION.
Moot River, Natal, November "a
The Beers have only sent an occasional
shell into the British camp since this
morning. The range of the British guns
is not sufficient for them to be effec-
tive.
A An Official native runner c~orroborateS
he report that heavy firing has occurr-
ed northward. The runner, who is
frhm Estcourt, says he was captured
y6py the Beers, who infest the heights
A1n4 fbnIy Cno1h