The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-18
BOERS' BLOOD FLOWS FREELY
Three Hundred of Them Were Killed in a
Battle at Mafeking.
THE BRITISH LOSE ONLY EIGHTEEN
Dispatches Say that the Thunder of the Fighting Around
Mafekng Was Heard All Day--Bates of the Beers
With an Armored Train at this Point and With
Another Near Spytfonten are Reported
The War Office Hears Moth
ing of Any Importance.

London, Oct. ia special dispatch
from Cape Town says that three hundred
Beers and eighteen British have been
killed in a battle at Mafeking.
Colonel Baden-Powell made a sortie
from Mafeking in force and attacked
the Beers who were investing the town.
After fierce fighting the British car
ried the day.
BOERS THRICE REPULSED.
Cape Town, Oct 17.-Aliwal North,
Cape Coloney, is now isolated.
From Colesburg come persistent reiter-
ations of the report that the Beers have
attacked Mafeking, being thrice repulsed
with heavy losses. From other towns on
the border similar reports are received.
Small pox has broken out here among
the natives from johannesburg. Eight
cases have been discovered.
ATTACK ON ARMORED TRAIN.
London, Oct. IA special dispatch
from Pretoria, dated October 18th, by
way of Delagoa Bay, says:
"A cyclist dispatch was received from
Ottoshoep, near Malmani, at six this
evening, asserting that heavy fighting
had been in progress all day long north
OF Mafeking The British troops on
board an armored train acted as a cover
ing force to military engineers engaged
in repairing the tracks. A Maxim on
tile train kept up a continuous fire.
Conspicuous bravery was displayed
on both sides: but it soon became APP
parent that the rifles of the burghers
were ineffective against an armored
train The latter, however, was once
forced to retreat before particularly
strong assault; but it soon returned,
accompanied by British mounted con-
tingent, and the fighting was renewed
6ercely.
Fighting still continues. the Beers
holding their positions well. A dozen
Beers were killed or wounded; but the
British casualties cannot be ascertained.
Heavy firing can be heard south of
Mafeking. where General Cronje's com
Inand is operating.
s "A corps of experienced continental
engineers, former officers, has left Pre-
toria for the southwestern borders, es-
corted by a command of picked Boer
shots. 1t is probably intended for large
dynamiting operations.
"a big engagement is expected short
" in the vicinity of Ladysmith. The
forces of Commandant Pietyys are en-
camped on mountain overlooking
Dundee, from which point they will be
able to observe the movement of the
British troops"
THE FIGHTING CONTINUES.
Pretoria, Oct 10TH delayed in
Tranmission)-Fur dispatches re-
ceiyed by the Government say that
fighting continues north of Mafeking.
The British, after the second engage
ment retired in the direction of the
town; but they renewed the attack
shortly afterwards, two burghers being
killed and three wounded.
The commando engaged was handicap
ped owing to the want of heavy artillery,
which was subsequently obtained from
General Cronje.
PROBABLY A BOER FEINT.
Iadysmith. Natal. Oct. 17.-The
threatened ASSAULT upon Glencoe is be-
lieyed to be feint III the hope of weak
ening the garrison here and exposing
the town to an attack from the west
ward.
The Beers are resting, preparatory, 1t
seems, to completing their enclrcling
movement for the expected attack upon
Dundee.
They cannot advance much further
without coming into contact with Brit
ish cavalry who screen the position.
Nevertheless the situation is such that
little fighting is expected in the near
future in this section apart from desul-
tory outpost skirmishes.
All the women and children have left
Dundee.
NO NEWS OF IMPORTANCE.
London. Oct 1.-THE War Office
issued the following bulletin regarding
the situation in South Africa at Z o'clock
this evening:
NO news of any Importance has been
received since yesterdays notice"
RELEASE ALL PRISONERS.
Pretoria. Oct. 14.-(Delayed in Trans
mission)-The executive council have
decided to release adj burghers under
going years Imprisonment or less
All other prisoners who are in the same
category will be sent across the border.
KILLED IN ATTACKING TRAIN.
Kimberley, Oct 17.-An armored
train. while accommodating near Spyt-
fontein. engaged the Beers, killing five
and wounding seven.
The British had no losses.