Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-18

LONDON, october H.-Coionel Baden
Powell made a sortie from Mafeking in
force, and attacked the Beers. who were
investing the town. After fierce lighting
the British carried the day.
HEAVY FIGHTING.
LONDON, October IA special dis
patch from Pretoria, dated October 18th,
by way OF Delagoa Bay. says:
"A 'cycfist dispatch was received from
Ottoshoep, near Malmani, at o'clock
this evening. asserting that heavy fight
ing had been in progress all day long
north of Mafeking The British troops on
board an armored train acted as a covei-
ing force to military engineers engaged
in repairing the tracks. a Maxim gun on
the train kept up continuous fire.
Conspicuous bravery was displayed on
both sides; but it soon became apparent
that the rifles of the Burghers were in
effective against an armored train. The
latter, however. was once forced to re-
treat before a particularly strong as
sault: but it soon returned, accompanied
by British mounted contingent, and the
fighting was renewed fiercely.
A DOZEN Beers KILLED.
Fighting still continues, the Beers
holding their positions well. 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
mando is operating.
DYNAMITINg OPERATIONS.
"a corps of experienced Continental en-
gineers, former officers, has left Pretoria
for the southwestern border, escorted by
a command OF picked Boer shots. 1t is
probably intended FOR large dynamiting
operations
"A big engagement is expected shortly
in the vicinity of Ladysmith. The forces
Of Commandant Pietvys are encamped on
a mountain overlooking Dundee, from
which point they will be able to observe
the movements of the British troops"
BoER LOSSES HEAVY.
CAPE TOWN, October IL-Aliwal
North. Cape Colony, is now isolated.
From Colesburg come persistent reite-
rations of the report that the Beers have
attacked Mafeking, being thrice re-
pulsed, with heavy losses. From other
towns on the border similar reports are
received.
SMALLPOX AMONG NATIVES.
Smallpox has broken out here among
the natives from johannesburg. Eight
cases have been discovered.
AIAFEKING FIGHT CONFIRMED.
COLESBURG, october IL A. Mt Is
persstently reported from widely DIFF
ferent sources that large force or Beers
resolutely attacked Mafeking on Friday,
and after several hours fighting were
repulsed, with heavy loss.
BOER SHOOTING NOT so GOOD.
CAPE TOWN, October l7.-Noon.-Com-
munication with Belmont station, sixty
miles south OF Kimberley, is still open.
The fight with the armOred train from
Kimberley, IL which the Beers lost more
than they did at MaJuba I'LL, Is held TO
prove that their shooting is not as good
as IL is reputed TO be.
IL is the general belief, from items OF
intelligence received, that the Beers ac-
tually attacked Mareking and were re-
pulsed. The reports of continued fight
ing there are regarded as proving that
the Beers failed to score a success.
A LIVELY SKIRMISH.
LONDON. October 1.-THE skirmlsh
near spytfontein, says special dispatch
from Cape Town, was quite lively. Ihe
armored train, with detachment OF the
Lancashircs, approached unmolested until
within range, when the Beers opened
fire. The 4laxims were instantly set TO
work. and did great execution among the
Burghers. The latter used artillery. but
ineifeetively. The armored train return
ed 10 Kimberley unframed.
The crew Of the armOred train say the
Beers fred thirteen shells, but their aim
was wretched. and not single shot
struck the train. which then made bold
10 approach nearer and opened ire with
the Maxims.
BUTCHERS SHOOT WILDLY.
The Burghers replied with heavy rife
fire. shooting wildly. Only three or four
bullets struck the train.
Subsequently, the crew learned that
five Beers and two Boer horses were kill
ed. while several Beers and BOer horses
were wounded. Not a member Of the
British force was so much as touched.
JOUBERT AT CHARLESTOWN.
PRETORIA, October l4.-Delayed in
transmission.) -COmmandant c u { I
Joubert has established his headquarters
at Charlestown, and opened telegraphic
communication with the Transvaal by
way OF Iaing's Mex.
ANOTHER ARMORED-TRAlN FlGHI.
CAPE TOWN, October lit is report
ed here that the Beers have had an en-
gagement with another armored train
from Rhodesia.
NO NEWS OF IMPORTANCE"
LONDON, October 1.-THE War Office
issued the following bulletin regarding
the situation in South Africa at o'clock
this evening:
NO news OF any importance hao been
received since yesterdays notice
BASUTOS AGAINST FREE STATE.
LONDON. October 1.-THE Morning
Posts Ladysmith correspondent tele-
grauhs that the BasutOs have risen
against the Free State
BOERs NOT BEYOND INGAGANE.
LADYsMITH. october 7.-5 p. M.-The
foremost detachment OF the enemy's
northern column has not advanced be-
vond Ingagane, and no definite move
ment has been made from the Drakens-
burg Pass.
GERMAN AID FOR BoERs?
PORT SAID. October 1.-THE German
steamer Kaiser from Hamburg. Is dis
embarking at the entrance Of the Suez
canal 400 pieces of ammunition con-
signed 10 the Transvaal. This step is
taken In order 10 avoid seizure In the
Red Sea by British cruisers. The am
muuitlon will probably be re-embarked