Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-18

LONDON, October IA special des-
patch from Pretoria, dated October IA,
by way of Delagoa Bay, says:
"A cyclist despatch was received from
Ottoshoep, near Malmani, at 6 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
covering force to military engineers en-
gagged in repairing the track. A Maxim
on tie train kept up continuous fire.
Conspicuous bravery was displayed
on both sides; but it soon became ap-
parent that the rifles of the burghers
were ineffective against an armored
train. The latter, however, was once
forced to retreat before a particularly
strong assault; but it soon returned,
accompanied by British mounted con-
tingent, and the fighting was renewed
tiercely.
Fighting still continues, the Beers
holding their positions well. dozen
Beers We're killed or wounded, but the
British casualties cannot be ascer-
tanned.
Heavy firing can be heard south of
Mafeking, where Gen. Cronje's COM
mando is operating.
"A corps of experienced continental
engineers, former officers, has left
Pretoria for the southwestern borders
escorted by a commando of picked Boer
shots. 1t is probably intended for
large dynamitlng operations. A big
engagement is expected shortly in the
vicinity of Ladysmitn. The forces of
Commandment Pet Vys are encamped
on mountain overlooking Dundee
from which point they will be able to
observe the movements of the British
troops"
LORENZO MARQUES, October IT,
Refugees who have just arrived here
from the Transvaal report that the
Beers have been repulsed at Mafeking,
sustaining heavy losses.
PRETORIA, October 14.-(Delayed
in transmission) Heavy fighting took
place this morning north OF Mafeking.
An armored train sent to repair the
railway line opened fire on the Boer
commando. One Burgher was killed
A second engagement followed in
which nine British were wounded.
Yesterday while Gen. Cronje's troops
We're near the broken railway bridge,
nine miles north of Mafeking, an APP
preaching train, loaded with dynamite
was fired upon and blown up. There
were no casualties on the Transvaal
side.
COL Baden Powell made a sortie
from Matching in force and attacked
the Beers, who were investing the
town.
After fierce fighting the British car
ried the day.
KIMBERLEY, October 16.-An arm
ored train while accommodating near
Spytfontoin engaged the Beers, killing
five and wounding seven.
The British had no losses.
LONDON, October 1.-THE skirmish
near Spytfontein, says a special dis
patch from Cape Town, was quite live
ly. The armored train with a de-
tatchment of Lancashires approached
unmoIested until within range. when
the Beers opened fire. The maxims
were instantly set to work and did
great execution among the Burghers.
The latter also used artillery. but in
effectively. The armored train re-
" ulludiiHSI.
The crew OF the armed train say the
Beers fired thirteen shells but their
aim was wretched and not a single
shot struck the train, which then made
bold approach nearer and opened fire
with maxims. The Burghers replied
with heavy rifles. again shooting wild
ly. Only three or four bullets struck
the train.
Subsequently the crew learned that
five Beers and two Boer horses were
killed while several Beers and horses
were wounded. Not member of the
British force was so much as touched.
CAPE TOWN, October 17.-Noon.-
Communication with Belmont Station,
sixty miles south of Kimberley, is still
open. The fight with the armored train
from Kimberley, in which the Beers
lost more men than they did at Majuba
hill, is held to prove that their shoot
ing is not so good as it is reputed TO be.
II is the general belief here from
items of intelligence received that the
Beers actually attacked Mafeking and
were repulsed. The reports of contin-
ued fighting there are regarded as prov
ing that the Beers failed to score a
success.
PRETORIA, October 15.-(Delayef
in transmission Further dispatches
received by the government say that
fighting continues north OF Mafeking-
The British, after the second engages
ment, retired toward the town, but they
resumed the attack shortly afterward.
two Burghers being killed and three
wounded.
The commando engaged was imped-
ed owing to the want OF heavy artillery,
which was subsequently obtained from
Gen. Cronje.
CAPE TOWN, October IT, 1:55 a. m
The Beers seized the telephone at Mod
der river last evening and attempted
to speak with Kimberley, hoping to
learn the disposition OF ther British
forces there. The manoeuyre was dis
covered and frustrated.
COLESBURG, October II. a. NIT
Is persistently reported from widely
different sources that a large force OF
Beers resolutteIy attacked Mafeking on
Friday and after several hours fight
ing were repuIsed with heavy loss