The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-15
A GREAT ENGLISH
VICTORY RUMORED
But the Rumor Seems With
out Foundation.
SLAUGHTER OF BOERS
NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION
CAN BE HAD.
SIR REDyERs BULLlR OFF FOR THE FRONT
Unsuccessful Attacks Upon Mafeking. Bridge
Reported Blown Up. No Collision of
Sir George Stewart White
With the Beers.


London, Oct. 14.--Further details are
at hand regarding the destruction of the
armored train at Kraaipan. These
show that Captain Nesbitt, who was in
command of the train, was warned at
Maribogo that the Beers held the line.
He replied that he was bound to proceed
Nearing Kraaipan the train dashed in
to culvert that had been blown up by
the Beers, who were lying in wait for
the train. The Boer artillery imme-
diately opened fire and a desperate fight
appears to have ensued, lasting four
hours, with the odds greatly against the
British. The precise details are uncer-
tain.
1t seems, however, that police patrol,
attracted by the firing, approached with
in about two thousand yards of Kraai-
pan, saw the train ditched with the Boer
artillery still pounding at it, but noticed
no response. The Beers seemed afraid
to approach until the wreck was COM
plete. The police patrol feared, us there
was no sign of life near the strain, that
IL
perate attempt to get the train back to
Mafeking, where they knew it was
anxiously awaited with its load of guns
and ammunition.
1t is reported that the Beers lost heavi-
~. but there is no means of verifying
this Two miles of rails were torn up.
There is no authoritative con-
firmation of the report that a
battle has been fought III Natal be-
tween General Sir George Stewart
White and the Orange Free State
troops, although there is no question
that the Beers have crossed the from
tier at several points. They are said
to have eighteen guns: but If, as is re-
ported, the engagement began before
the Beers had formed a lager and
thrown up earthworks, the British cav
airy and artillery are liable to have
had the best of the fighting.
1t is even already reported that the
British have gained great victory: that
two thousand Beers were killed, and
that the British loss was very slight;
but this may be without foundation, as
another report has been published to the
effect that Lord Rothschild was in re-
ceipt of news OF a great British victory,
but when the Associated Press repre-
sentative questioned him regarding the
alleged dispatch he replied: Il am sorry
that / have not received anything of the
sort"
REPORTS.
London, October 14-In connection
with the rumOred attack upon Mafeking
a disquieting report comes from Preto-
ria to the effect that the Rustenburg
and Marico commanders have crossed
the border and entered the Rooigrond
territory between Lichtenburg and MAIZE
king, blowing up the bridge over the
Maloppo River, and destroying train
load of dynamite and the track.
As Mafeking depends on Roogrond
for its water supply, the Significance of
this move is evident.
The Beers, it is reported, have seized
the railway station north of Fourteen
Streams, between Vryburg and Kimber-
ley. Fighting is still continuing in the
neighborhood.
According to dispatches from the front
the Beers have made several attacks
upon Mafeking, all of which have been
repulsed.
The Exchange Telegraph Company has
received a dispatch from Cape Town
dated this morning saying that the Beers
have blown up another armored train,
carrying telegraph operators from Mafe-
king.
The following dispatch from Lady
smith has been received at the War
Office today:
General Sir George Stewart White
went in the direction of Van Reenens
Pass at 3 O'Clock a. III. Yesterday Fri-
day., burt failed to draw the Beers TO the
pass. He returned to Ladysmitll, where
he now Is. No engagement occurred
A dispatch from Pretoria, dated Octo-
Der 18th. says:
General Koch wires from the Natal
border that his commando has occupied
Bothas Pass, and also captured the rail
way station
ATTACK on THE ARMORED
TRAIN.
Vryburg, Bechuanaland, October 12.-
delayed in Transmission Am armored
train, which left here today with fifteen
men. two Nordenfeldt's unmounted and
a repairing party. was engaged by the
enemy from IL O'clock this morning to
3 This afternoon. The attempt to repair
the line and communicate with MAIZE
king was not successful. Firing was
very brisk on both sides. During the
opening of the engagement, artillery fire