Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-28
The BUERS ROUTED
In a Severe Battle Near
Kimberley Wednesday.
Gen. Symon's Funeral Attended By
British, But No Beers.
Volunteers for English from ManiIa-Bocrs
Stirring up Natives.

London oct. 27.-A special dispatch
frCm Cape Town, today. gives details
of the defeat of 700 Beers by the Brit
ish at Rivcrton, north Of Kimberley,
Wednesday, in which the enemy was
completely routed with heavy loss. The
British loss was three men killed and
20 men, including two officers. wounded.
This is probably the same fight,
though a different date is given, as is
referred to in the Cape Town dispatch,
in which it is said that official reports
from Kimberley, Tuesday. announced
that Col. Scott-Turner, with $40 men,
had an engagement with the Beers.
during which a detachment Of $50 men
If the Lancashire Regiment distin-
guished itself and the armored trains
did good service. The Beers We're un-
able to withstand the splendid charge
Of the Lancashires. who cleared the hill
occupied by the enemy at the point Of
the bayonet.
The Boer losses are described as very
heavy. Col. Scott Turner's force CON
sisted of the local volunteers who. with
the I.ancashres. completed the rout Of
the burghers after Murray's Artillery
had driven them out Of their entrench-
rerts. BOtha commanded the Eoshof
force The fight lasted four hours
Before the sortie Kimberley was ap-
p2rcntly in high spirits, as a dispatch
from there dated oct q. says every
one was cheerful there at that time ana
that n wedding was celebrated there
that day.
The dispatch adds: Great enthusi-
assn has been aroused here by the news
Of the British successes in Natal Sev-
eral farmers from the neighhorhood Of
Kimberley, have been noticed i'll the
ranks Of the Beers. \ letter from
Father RoTkc said Coo Beers. with 100
wagons. were laagered al Taunge All
the whites have left except the women
who sought refuge in the convent. The
Boer commandment has promised TO
protect them.
The news from the northern bordc~
indicates that the Beers are actively
trying to prevent Col. Plumer from re-
lievng Mafeking. when the absence of
news since Pretoria announced the
bombardment of the place is creating
considerable alarm.
The newspapers are making the most
of what they claim to be Significant
admissions in the supposed Boer Off
cial kilograms.
Cape Town. Oct 27.-Omcial reports
from Kimberley. dated Tuesday. Stat.
that Col Scott Turner with 30 men pro-
ccrded northWaTd To MacFarlane's farm
where they un"addied their horses. at =
o'clock 4 party OF Beers was seen on til
right flank and was quickly scattered.
Col. Scott Turner opening fire on them
and several OF the enemy being seen Ia
fall. The enemy moved t. a sand helD
ana opened fire on the British. which was
returned. Col. Scott Turner attempted 10 |
prevent the Bocrs advancing against cot |
Murray hut was met with a neavv lire |
from a dam wall GU0 feet to the left.
At II O'Clock Col. Murray ordered 10 |
men Of the Lancashire Regiment to pro |
crci to the north. IN armored train II !
already supporting Col Scott Turner AT |
mid day. Col. Murray also started, with !
two field guns and two MaXms and 40 4
mounted men. one Of the two British |
guns suddenly opened upon the Beers, !
who We're in an unfavOrable pOSiuon.
The Boer artillery fire was brisk. An
other armored train was held in readi-
ness. vt > o'clock the second train was
sent forward. with additional ammun
ton. The Lancashires behaved splcnddlv
and Col. Scott Turner highly commended |
them.
Commandant Botha and many Beers
We're killed The British loss was 8 killed
and q wounded. The engagement was A
brilliant success for the British forces 1t
is said thai the Beers twice unfairly used
4 white flag.
Botha. who was among the killed. was 4
member of the NOlksraGd and famous
Dutch fighter. He distinguished himself
rs a marksman ut Brenkhorst Spruit
when the 9ith British Regiment was
moved down. He afterwards defended a
farmhouse against the British.
When he surrendered the farmhouse
Botha was found with five wounds
bathed III blood.