The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-11-08
GEN. WHITE IN A TRAP.
Persistent Rumors Of His Surrender
Make Uncertain the conjectu-es
as TO His Fate.

are in circulation here that Gen. Sir
George Stewart White, British COM
mander in Natal, has capitulated to the
Beers.
Brussels, Nov. 6.--The Belgian news
papers continue to publish kilograms
from Amsterdam and Berlin reporting
the capture of Ladysmith, but no such
Information has been received at the
official residence of DR.. Ledys. The
members of the Transvaal agency de-
clare that the only knowledge they
have on the subject is derived from the
newspapers. They decline to divulge
the whereabouts of DR.. Leyds, but say
he is neither in Brussels nor Berlin.
London, Nov. 6.-The general belief
In London is that the Beers are now
waiting for more guns from Pretoria
before attacking Ladysmith. The fact
that Sir Redvers Butler appears to have
ordered retirement from Stromberg,
and perhaps from other places, relieves
to some extent the public mind, which,
otherwise, would have been further
alarmed. Confidence is felt in any
measures that Gen. Ruller may deem de-
sirable. The knowledge that the pigeon
post is working has also come as a relief
TO the great anxiety previously felt.
London, Nov. 6.-The war Office has
issued the following announcement:
'The colonial office has received infor-
nation to the effect that the British troops
have Withdrawn from Colenso and have
concentrated further south; but we have
no news Of any engagement In that neigh
borhood."
At six p. m. Sunday the colonial of
flee announced that no further informa-
ton had been received regarding the
retirement of the British forces from
Colenso, and that the reported rising
of the Basutos had not been confirmed.
London, Nov. 6.-News that Colenso
has been evacuated was another bitter
pill for the British public, and is arous-
ing fears that the continental state
ments of second serious defeat of
Gen. White may prove true. A signifi-
cant fact is that the war Office does not
say when Colenso was evacuated, SO
the statement which emanated Thurs
day from DR.. Leyds, the diplomatic
representative of the Transvaal, who
is located at Brussels, that the Beers
had occupied Colenso, was possibly
true. There is much apprehension that
the war Office is suppressing bad news.
Colenso, Nov. 2.-Delayed in trans
mission. )-Colenso at this hour is
threatened by the enemy. His patrols,
in advance of Boer forces 1000 strong,
but without field guns, are marching
in an easterly direction to the north of
Colenso. Shots have been exchanged
between the British and Boer patrols,
the latter being driven inward upon
the main body. The British patrols
lost one man killed and the Boer patrols
lost two. Heavy firing is now in prog
ress at Ladysmith, which the Beers are
shelling from their positions on Grob-
lerskloof hill. this side of Ladysmith.
London, Nov. GA special from
Ladysmith describing the engagement
at Bester's hill says the Beers were
completely routed and suffered heavy
loss. Their entire camp was captured.
The correspondent goes on to say:
1.-THE artillery duel at dawn. In which
the Beers guns were silenced, was In
tended to occupy the Beers and to enable
Sir George Stewart White to achieve his
chief purpose-the capture of the Boer
camp behind Bester's hill. For this pur-
pose the lanciers, hussars, Natal carbineers
and Natal border rifles started under Gen.
French at sunrise and got within striking
distance before the enemy was aware OF
their presence. A field battery was also
sent, and it secured a good position, COM
manding the enemy's camp, which was
large one, laagered with army wagons and
other vehicles Bester's hill was well for
tifed and provided with good guns. At
nine o'clock the British opened fire, the
Beers replying with spirit, but bad aim.
The British quickly sent 42-pound shell
into the camp. inflicting terrible loss and
spreading panic among the enemy. Our
cavalry then stormed the position, the
Beers fleeing precipitately, leaving many
dead and wounded, as well as the whole
camp and equipment. in the hands Of the
British. Their success will upset the plans
Of the Orange Free State commanders and
possibly will prevent them giving the Brit
ish further trouble from the west"
London, Nov. 6.-The war Office is
sued the following at 11:4O p. m. Sun
day:
''Buller, to the Secretary Of State for
War: Cape Town, Nov. 8, $40 p. m.-The
commandant at Durham sends the follow
ing, received from Ladysmith by pigeon
post, dated November 3: Yesterday Gen.
French went out with cavalry and field
artillery and effectively shelled the Boer
lager, without loss on our side. Lieut..
Egerton, of the Powerful, is dead. Gen.
Joubert sent in Mai. C. s. Klncaid, Of the
Royal irish fuslleers, and nine wounded
prisoners. Eight Beers were sent out In
exchange, no others being fit to travel.
"'Col. Brecklehurst, with cavalry. field
artillery, the imperial light horse and the
Natal mounted volunteers, was engaged
to-day with the enemy to the southwest
of Ladysmith. The fighting lasted several
hours. Our loss was very small.
The bombardment of Ladysmith con-
tinued yesterday and to-day, many Boer
shells being pitched into the town.
"'Our troops are In good health and
spirits and the wounded are doing WELL I"
Durham, Natal, Nov. 2.-(Delayed in
transmission. 1.-THE official roll call
shows that S43 members of the Glou-
cestershire regiment and of the
Royal Irish fusileers are missing as
the result of the engagement on Farqu-
har's farm. Thirty-two members
of the Gloucestershire regiment, ten
members of the Royal Irish fusileers
and two members OF the Tenth noun
tain battery were found killed. Be-
tween 20 and 100 escaped and returned
to Ladysmith, whittier $50 wounded
have been brought.