The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-21
THE PLAN OF OPERATION
JOubert Vsg tempt to Prevent
Eng5g orces Joining.
REPORT IGHT NEAR MAFEKlNG
kcf
nahar alton of Tr0nns at GannfOxUn IA
Debarkation of Troops at Capetown -
Progressing Satisfactorily
Queens Generals Mediate
aThree-fold Advance

Estcourt, November 20.-4:45 p. m)-Ma-
jor Betheun's patrol has located the enemy
on the northwest about ten miles off. Tho
Beers would not be drawn out
Fighting is reported at Mooi river The
Beers are doing more looting than fght-
ing and all their parties south of Lady,
smith are foraging the farms.
A dispatch from Ladysmith tells of bril-
liant British victories with comparatively
slight loss on our side and heavy slaughter
of the enemy. Ladysmith is full of wound
ed and captured Beers. 1t is reported that
In the fighting on November Q the Beers
dost 800 killed and 500 captured. The Beers
are trying to influence and conciliate the
Natal Kaffirs.
London, November 21-5 a. m.-The re-
ports of heavy fighting at Ladysnith last
Wednesday have not been confirmed. On
she contrary, the most reliable advices from
Estcourt Indicate that there was nothing
more than a desultory cannonading. Prob.
ably the rumor of serious engagement
grew out of tn fact that the Beers threw
a few harmless shells last Tuesday night,
leading to the supposltion that an attack
was imminent. Nothing, however happened
Wednesday.
Beyond the fact that the Beers are daily
receiving fresh reinforcements and SUPPLIES
there is practically nothing new from the
front.
The Boer invasion of Cape Colony contin-
ues steadily and rapidly. There are 1900
Beers ait Colesburg, and news has reached
East London that Lady Grey, near Ailwal-
ror,h, has been deserted by the British and
is now in the hands of tthe enemy.
Two Unsuccessful Attacks
Pretoria dispatch announces the arrival
there among the British of Major Haidane,
Lieutenant B. Richie and Lieutenant Hall
wey. 1t also declares that the British on
Sunday made two unsuccessful attempts to
Ioust THE Rustenburg commando from a
position near MafeNfng and THAT severe
fighting took place.
From Delagoa Bay come reports of the
arrival of more officers and artillerymen,
who have volunteered to serve with the
Transvaal forces. The war office asserts
that all news received from South Africa
has been published with the. exception of
demands for the removal of stores, war
firmed rumor that more troops have been
ordered from India to the Cape.
The plan of operation on both sides Is
slowly unfolding itself. General Joubert is
evidently moving south to prevent, if possi-
ble the junction of the British relieving
force with the forces at Estcourt and Lady,
smith, while the Orange river border the
Beers are believed to be concentrating at
onlr at.f to ner D,,11.. .u,e
vance. 1t is said 5000 Beers have already
laagered at Donkerpoort.
Three-Fo!d Advance
The English plan seems to be a three-fold
advance: From Durham ITO Ladysmith, from
the Orange river to Kimberley and from
East London by way of Queenstown to
Burgherdorp.
General Butler has wired the command
ing officer ait Queenstown announcing the
dispatch of General Gatacre, with the First
battalion OF the Seventh brigade at East
London 1Llis was the place from which il
was originally intended tGlat General Cat
acres column should start. Thus 1t is pos-
STOLE that General Buffers first plans have
suffered less mobilization that some have
supposed.
1t is believed that General Methuer has
his headquarters at Capetown. As Kimber-
ley is supposed to be the objective of Gem
eral Methuen, many military critics are of
the opinion that Cis advance will NOT be
toward Kimberley but across the Orange
Free State in order ITO secure complete con-
troll of the Orange river.
The debarkation of troops at Capefown
is proceeding in the most satisfactory man,
ner One thousand eight hundred and fifty
railway carriages have been collected there
for the conveyance CT troops northward
and there is talk OF suspendlng the SUBJ
u,oan traffic so as to accelerate military
work.
EMBALMED BEEF