The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-29
NO IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS OF ANY
BRITISH COMMAND.
DISAFFECTI0N SPREADING
Among the Beers of Griquarland West.
The situation Becoming Serfous-Me-
thuen Draws che Enemy's Fire-Boers
on the British Side of Tugela River.
Mafeking Relief Force Advancing
Slowly-Christmas Cheer Among the
soldiers in the Field.

Chiveley Camp, Natal, December %.
Although the two armies were in
sight of each other, with the tempera-
ture 102 degrees in the shade, the Brit
ish today enjoyed characteristic Christ
mas cheer.
Gleenfell and Kirkwood, of the South
African light horse, left here yesterday
to inspect the patrols along the east
ern hills. Their horses returned at
night alone. Colonel Donold, of the
royal fusiliers, has had his collar bone
broken by being thrown from his horse
while on outpost duty.
Our scouts having reached Beers in
force on this side of the Tugela river,
three regiments of regulars, supported
by artillery, and all the available
mounted volunteers, under the COM
mand of Lord Dundonald, advanced.
The Beers retired across the river.
London, December 27-The war office
here has received the following dis
patch from Cape Town, dated Tuesday
December 26th:
There is no change in the situation.
Methuen reports that the enemys
force has increased and is engaged in
entrenching three and a half miles
from his outlying pickets. Methuen
reconnoitered with two squadrons of
mounted infantry for two miles along
the line and drew the fire of four guns
and two Vickers machine guns. Four
horses were hit. The queens Christ
mas message was received with enthu-
siasm.
"Gatacre is endeavoring to reopen
communication with the Indwe collier
ies'
DUTCH DISAFFECTION SPREAD
ING.
London, December N.-Dispatch1s
from MOdder river represents Dutch
disaffection in Griqualand West as
growing very serious. In some towns
the entire Dutch population has join
| ed the Beers.
1t is announced that the Beers have
raised the siege of Kurman and have
all withdrawn to Magersfontein.
The Cape Town correspondent of The
| Times, under date of December 22nd,
says: Anxiety regarding the atti-
tude of the colonial Dutch is steadily
growing. They make no effort to con-
ceal their sympathy with the two re-
publics, and the only question now is
whether if the military situation is
not changed they will keep from open
rebellion"
CANADA TROOPS TO THE FRONT.
Halifax, N. S., December PA ca
! blegram received from England today
by the military authorities here orders
| the Lienster regiment, known as the
royal Canadians, now doing duty in
this section, to sail on January 10th for
duty in South Africa.
MAFEKING RELIEF FORCE.
London, December 27-The Rhodesian
Mafeking relief force, according to a
dispatch from Mochudi, Bechuanaland
dated Saturday, December 18th, was
progressing slowly, owing to the ne
cessity of repairing the bridges, aver
aging one per mile. An intercepted
Boer mail bag, it is added, shows that
twenty Beers were killed and many
wounded during the British attack or
the Sequani laager.
THE BRITISH RETIRE.
Kimberley, Wednesday, December 20
At 2:30 O'Clock this morning detach-
ments under Colonel Peakman, with
three Maxims and three 7-pounders
under Major May, reconnoitered. Leav-
ing the entertainments, the British ad-
vanced on Toll Pan. The Boer pickets
fired and our Maxims replied, the Beers
disappearing over the ridge. Our guns
then began to shell Toll Pan at q
range of $500 yards. A Boer gun drop
ped four shells near our men. but die
no damage. AS the Beers were strong.
ly entrenched we withdrew. Theil
guns we're well placed