The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-17

Eerts that a battle has taken place be-
tween General Sir George Stewart
white. commanding the forces in Ma
tai. and the Beers, who entered Natal
by way of Van Reenan's pass. Gen.
eral White, The Scotman say is very
~sanguine Of the success of the British
movement.
The foregoing report is considered to
be correct, as late last night the war
office had news of a British
from Ladysmbth and was hourly ex-
pecting further Intelligence.
"A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph
from it's correspondent at Ladysmith,
dated at noon on Friday, says: "A
strong mobile column under General
Sir George Stewart White, accompanied
by General Sir Archibald Hunter, pro-
ceeded before daybreak this morning
toward Acton Homes for the urpos
of accommodating. General Whites
object vas to observe what was going
on. and also to test the MOBILITY and
efficiency of his forces. Az the men
are well, and the weather. is now fine"
According ito dispatches from Lady
smith to The Standard, and to Tine
Daily Telegraph dated Thursday, heavy
storms have begun and forage is
scarce on the veldt. Therefore nothing
is expected ito happen for g few days,
unless the Beers, who were reported
to be advancing, should threaten the
British line of defense drawn . from
Glencoe junction to Ladysmith. In
this case, according to The dispatches,
no apprehension is felt as ito the re-
suit. General White has twelve guns
and the Beers eleven.
MAFEKING ATTACKED.
The Daily Mails Cape Town CORE
s%pondent, telegraphing Friday evening
saws: Il learn on good Authority that
the Beers are attacking Mafeklng'
They are reported to have already SUI
fered repulses. 1t is generally admit
ted that Vryburg cannot stand a strong
Boer attack"
AN ARMORED TRAIN CAPTURED.
Londo October 13.-The Evening
News publishes the following dlspatch
from Cape Town: A armored tram
has been destroyed south OF MateklnS.
Fifteen British troops were killed. Inc
Beers shelled the wreckage after the
train was derailed."
An official dispatch received at the,
Colonial office says: "Ihe armoreu
train was destroyed near Kraipan sta
ton while on the way to Mafeking with
guns" This disposes of the fear that
many women and children were lnVolV-
ed in the disaster.
The Beers, with artillery, according
to a dispatch just received from
S%tanderton, broke camp at S~andsprultt
. yesterda ? morning, moving in the ol-
rection of Natal. The war office has
received the following dispatch from
the general commanding h cape
forces:
Cape Town, October 13, lao p. m.
armored train from Mafeklng,
escorting two 7-pounder guns sent from
here to Mafeking, was attacked last
night ait Kraipan. Apparently a rail
had been removed. The train lett the
track, and the Beers fired into it with
artillery for a half hour and captured
it Telegraphic communication with
Mafeking is interrupted at kra1pan.
The women and children have been
sent to Cape Town. The guns referred
to belonged to the colony. They are
light and of old pattern. We have no
details as to casualties"
Cape Town, October 13.-The entire
crew of the armored train with the
exception of the engine driver, were
made prisoners by the Beers.
Lorenzo, Marquee, October 13.-Ten
thousand Kaffirs from the Rand ave
been brought here by train and are
IOW eICdIIlp6u dDOul SlA ~ OulolNN
the town. Steamers are being charter
ed to take them to the Limpopo dis
trict.
Durham. October 13.-The first and
second battalions of the Manchester
regiment, under Lieutenant Colonies
Curran and Ridley, have arrived at
Ladysmith.
KRUGER'S APPEAL TO AFRIKAN-
DERS.
Pretoria, October IL, via Lorenzo,
Marques, October 13.-An official mani
festo has just been addressed to Afri-
Handlers throughout South Africa, ap-
pealing to them to resist 1.-The unjust
demands of Great Britain" and accus-
inS Lord Salisbury, Mr Chamberlain
and Sir Alfred Miner of treachery. It
blames the queen for condoning that
it describes as Mr.. Chamberlain's
criminal policy, and declares that the
clear desire and object of Great Britain
are to deprive the Transvaal of indie
pendence on account of the gold mines
of the Rand"
London, October ia dispatch from
Paris late this afternoon says: "The
Beers, with twelve guns, are preparing
to assault Mafeking."
V~rysburg, October 13-The train from
Mafeking with 800 women and children
9 passed Vrysburg on the way TO Kim
berley. All on board were well.
London, October 13.-Advices from
johannesburg report the commander
ing by the Transvaal government of
another $50 ounces of gold.
AN AMERICAN ILL-TREATED.
Cape Town, October 12.-(Delayed in
AN American citizen
has sworn to an affidavit before the
American consul here in which he
states that he has been subjected by
burghers- of the Free State to great ILL
treatment His limbs bear marks show
ing the effects of the treatment he has
received
Pretoria, October 12.-(Delayed in
transmission .)-There is no further news
from General Cronje's western COM
mando. Commandment General Jou-
bert's commando is now at Volksrust.
Several Cape Colonists have been
sworn in as burghers. The town is
quiet. Postal communication with the
surrounding colonies has been suspend
ed, but that between the Transvaal and
the Orange Free State is maintained
THE MINES TO BE CARED FOR.