The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-24
SUFFERED SEVERE LOSSES
Beers S 2 Ugly Entrenched and
= Eight With Skill
MA 9 EGAIN THEIR POSITION
British Generals Considerably Disguised
Over the Situation-Every Advan-
cling Column Is Met by Heavy
Force of Joubert's Army.

London November 24.-5 a. m-Before
been relieved, there comes of a great bat.
tie at Belmont. This has happened sooner
than was expected.
Only the official account is yet to hand,
but so far as can be gathered the fight
ing appears to have been almost repeti-
ton of the battle of Elandslaagte.
dispatch of the previous day estimated
that the Beers in that vicinity numbered
1000 and they had five guns, and judging
from the absence of any statement to tho
contrary in THE official report, dt is believed
that the Brbish are slightly superior in
numbers to the enemy.
The Beers had chosen a position with
their customary skill and were strongly en-
trenched. The British were obliged to carry
three ridges in succession. Apparently the
guards bore the brunt In carrying the last
ridge by a bayonet charge after it's de-
Tenders had been shaken with shrapnel.
Nothing Is said as to whether positions
so gained were held. and the destruction
contrary was the case.
WHii0 OtIerdl Metneun can De cOnSratus
lated upon brilliant victory, it was
gained at heavy loss of officers and men.
The diary of events at Mafeking up to
November 10 has arrived. 1t gives little
that is new At that date Colonel Baden-
Powell had no idea of being relieved for
fortnight or perhaps for month. Both
Mafeking and Kimberley however, seem
to be quiet.
Later details regarding the Arundel re-
connolssance say the Beers were engaged
in destroying the railway. One account
says that after the retirement an am
bulance train with doctors was sent OUT
from Naauwpoort. If this were SO, the
British casualties must have exceeded
three.
Situation in Natal
The situation in Natal remains obscure
Fighting is reported at both Estcourt and
Ladysmith. 1t was at first reported that
heavy firing had been heard In the direc-
tion of Willow Grange, leading to a belief
that General Hildyard had made a sortie.
Later dispatches announce that General
White SORTED from Ladysm and inflicted
demoralizing defeat upon the Beers. !.
1t would be premature to give full cred
ence to either report. What is quite certain
is that Ladysmith, Estcourt and Mooi river
stations are all Isolated and the Beers seem
able after detaching enough troops to hold
three British forces aggregating 1900 men
to push on toward Pietermaritzburg with
some 1000 men. y
disquieting feature of the whole COM
pagn Is the fact that all the advancing
generals report meeting the Beers in force.
In view of the brilliant success of General
Joubert in partially paralyzing the relieving
columns, the question is being asked, what
would have happened had he at the outset
of the way, instead of sitting down before
Ladysmth pushed to Pitermaritzburg.
Dutch Are Rising
General Gatacre reports that the Dutch
are rising, increasing public anxiety as 1t
tends to confirm rumors that have long been
current.
special dispatch from Durham an
nounces that more big naval guns were
landed Wednesday and hurried to the front.
Prince Christian Victor left Moii river
camp before it was invested bearing dis
patches to Pietermaritzburg.
Late last evening 1t was asserted at AL
dershot that the sixth division now in pro-
cess of mobilization will actually be re-
qured for active service. 1t is also re-
ported that another brigade of horse ar
tilery will be mobilized.