The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-27
Lieut. Wilson, all of the Monarch, have pro-
ceeded to join the naval brigade with Lord
NEWS FROM ESTCOURT.

Nov. %, and describing the engagement at
Willow Grange, says: General HildyardS
plans were to attack Beacon hill and the
hill beyond with the bayonet. Both were
occupied by the Beers in force. with in
trenchments. and with four guns in posi-
tion on Beacon hill, which is about one
hundred and fifty feet high. a column un-
der the command of General Hildyard
marched FIVE miles over undulating ground.
and then began the steady work of climbing
the height. The naval gun and a battery
of field artillery were dragged by sheer
strength and with the greatest difficulty
over the valdt and up an almost inacces-
sibfe eminence. The Beers retired on the
off side Of Beacon hill. while the British
were climbing the near side. At this mo-
ment terrific thunderstorm burst. continu-
ing for hours At O'Clock the weather
cleared and a few artillery and rifle ex-
changes closed the days operations, dark
ness falling and the prospect being very
dismal. The heavy rain was renewed, but
when the storm had spent itself the Brit
ish march was resumed. until after several
hours of dangerous and tedious work.
climbing the hills and crossing swollen
rivulets, the advanced pickets of the Beers
morning.
The West Yorkshires were moving
stealthily along and were within bayonet
striking distance, when a nervous private
fired his rife. This warned the Beers and
they fed. The Yorkshires charged as best
they could. clearing the Beers from the
final position. just at daybreak, with three
ringing cheers. The Beers rallied and at
the bugle sounded the charge and the Brit
ish responded with cheers the enemy fled
and the position was won. The Beers left
heaps Of guns, ammunition, rifles and blank
ets as we'll as thirty horses. The British
took several prisoners.
''The object of the reconnaissance. which
was to prevent the enemy taking up certain
positions which overlook East Estcourt
raving been attained. the column gradually
retired to camp, while the artillery and
some infantry held Beacon hill. The Brit
ish losses are estimated at eight killed and
forty-two wounded"
Special dispatches from Pietermaritzburg
announce the arrival of General Butler
there He met with splendid reception.
Railway communication between Est
court and Mooi river has been restored by
Lord Dundonald's force, and the Mooi river
column entered Estcourt to-day Sunday,
the Estcourt column Immediately starting
the advance toward colenso.
a dispatch from Estcourt, dated Sunday,
says: 1.-The Mooi river column has Joined
General Hildyard's forces and is bivouack-
ing this morning at Frere. about midway
between Estcourt and Colenso."
THE SITUATION SUMMARIZED.
Nov. q, a. m.-No further news respect
ing Lord Methuen's advance has been re-
ceived and the absence of official details
regarding his losses creates the greatest
suspense and especially since the publica-
ton of the heavy sacrifices endured by the
Natal brigade. No alarm, however, is felt
as to his position, despite the evidence that
the Beers intend to contest every foot Of
the way. 1t was known that in the abb
sence of sufficient cavalry he would be COM
PEELED to advance slowly and he has pref
erence for night or early dawn attacks.
which events seem to have justified, the
Beers being decidedly adverse to darkness
for their operations. The fact that in the
Gras Pan action one British battery fired
500 rounds proves the desperate nature of
the fight and there little doubt that the
casualties were heavy. 1t is now known that
gagement.
Meanwhile the news from Natal Is dis
tinctly more hopeful from the British point
of view. The details are rather vague, but
it seems certain that the Beers are retiring,
that railway communication is being re-
opened and that the British relief forces are
joining hands This. taken with General
Buffers arrival at Pietermaritzburg, is ex-
20 olya hr;c
soon. General Hildyards reconnaissance is
praised as a work of very great difficulty,
admirably executed.
The troopship Medic arrived at Cape Town
yesterday with the Australian contingents
Saturday, bringing three batteries of ar
tillery. The Servia, with troops, has left
Cape Town for Durham, and the transports
Mohawk and Manchester have arrived at
Durham. The utmost activity prevails in
getting war necessaries ready for the front.
Five thousand men worked all day yester-
day (Sunday) at Woolwich Arsenal, pre-
pairing stores. The arsenal employees, now
numbering nineteen thousand, have been
warned that they need not expect holidays
at Christmastide.
Among minor items of news is a rurnor
that President Kruger is suffering with
Brights disease and that his condition is
giving rise to anxiety.
Five hundred Beers attacked Kuruman.
in Bechuanaland, Nov. 13. The fighting lasted
almost continuously for six days and nights.
but the Roers were finally beaten off with
loss Of thirty killed and twenty-eight
wounded. The British lost one killed and
one wounded. The Beers suddenly disap-
peared. for some reason unknown to the
British.
Despite the brighter outlook to-day, the
Times. in its review of the situation, voices
The anxiety felt and says: THE activity
the Beers display at points separated by
hundreds OF miles, their ability to invest
several towns, their readiness TO offer bat.
tie at Belmont and again at Gras Pan
their Widespread operations south of Orange
river and their bold and offensive action in
Natal seem to indicate numbers far i'm ex-
cess OF our estimates. II is clear that the
military requirements were at first greatly
underestimated and that the Sixth Division
ought Immediately 10 be prepared for EN-.
barketion."
This. coming from the hitherto optimistic
Times. is significant.
Bulletin from Col. Crabbc.
LONDON. Nov. 26.-At Wellington bar
racks, London, the following telegram un-
Ger evening date. was posted from Colonel
Craooe, of the Grenadier Guards, respect
ing the fight at Belmont: "The Grenadiers
the right and the ScofS C.,arSs -, A.