The Portland daily press., 1899-12-20

had allowed themselves TO bs bonn barded
without condescsnding to reply with
single shot. They further, gave half al
hours opening this morning without an
exchange, when. suddenly, they belched
out a stream of fire from all their en-
trenohmsnts. bss.dss opening a fearful
oann onsde with all their quick firers.
field and siege guns, which were posted
from end to end Of their position. When
their presence and a,tual position had
been dstsrmined the British naval brig
ade commenced shellIng ali the ridges
north Of the town with marvellous accu-
raoy. At this time, ths artillery attached
TO Gen. Hart's division Was busy among
the entrsnohmsnts on the hills. on the
British left. under cover Of which the
Irish infantry brigade marched out in az
tended oFasr to cross the river aud attack.
Undou btedly aiming ~ this battery, the
Beers sent several shells near the ambu
lance train which was forced to change
its position.
While this was occurring the field Artil-
lery on the right was busy shsiiing the
ridges Of ths Bosrs lsft flank, their excel
lent prActioe attracting the attention Of
the Beers who rstaliatsd with scathing
IRE, almost dcmolishing all the suns and
stampeding the gun carriages and timber
horses.
QUEEN WRITES LORD ROBERTS.
London, December 19.-The Queen
has sent letter to Gen. Lord Roberts,
the newly appointed commander-in-
On, sympathizing with him on the
death of his gallant son and thanking
him for the great patriotism he has dis
played In putting aside his terrible pri-
vats grief In order to devote himself to
the affairs Of the nation.
PLENTY OF VOLUNTEERS.
London. December 10 The newspapers
are full Of stories, showing the unanimi-
ty with which the volunteers and yeo-
manry are responding to the oall to arms
Lord Chssham, commanding officer of
the Royal BuokinghAmshirs Ysomanry,
is TO command the forcs Of three thousand
yeomanry which he has been authorized
to organi 20 for service In South Africa.
Earl Dudley and other titled officers
will accompany nim.
The most ample recognition is given 10
the press to the great outburst Of loyalty
! n Canada, and the remarks Of Sir Will
rid Laurisr, the premier and the cabinet,
ss representatives of both the English
and French sections are specially well
coined.
WAR OFFICE WON'T SAY.
London, December I9.-Ths war Office
declines either to confirm or contradict
the report telsgraphed BY . correspondent
Of the Daily Mail that General Butler has
crosssd the Tugsla river aad that General
Msthusn's communications have bean
cut.
CANADIANS UNINJURED.
st. John. N. B., December i9.-Col.
MacLsan, commander Of the d2d Fusili-
srs here. this afternoon received a cable
gram from his son, Lieut. weldsn Mao
Lean. who is with the Canadian rsgi-
msnt In south Afrioa. The message is
dated al Belmont, December 10. and CON-
tains only two words; Gan right" read
from O code arranged By the father and
son before the regiment sailed. The
cabIsgram Indicates that the Canadian
regiment have had . brush With the
Bosrs and that meme Of the New Bruns-
wick company has besn killed or wound
cd.
TROOPS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney. ". 8. W.. December Io.-Ths
governnsnt Of this colony has decided 10
ssnd nsid hospital corps and q battery
If artiiIery 10 south Africa, In addison
70 the mounted contingent
ASoIESTs VOLUNTEER.
Lsndsn. December le.-Ninsty per
cent Of ,he msmbsrs Of the Honorabie.
Ar,iiisry company Of London have VOL
unts,ssd for ssrviss In South Afsica.
Tw6-shifds Of s0s Inns Il Csdst eslua-