Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-09

AL WHITE CONFERRING BY
HELIOGRAPH - LADY WILSON
EXCHANGED FOR A BOER LADY
PRETORIA, December 6.-Fighting
commenced near Modder river at 6
o'clock this morning.
LONDON, December 9.-According
to a special dispatch from Lourenso
MARQUEE the Modder river battle is de-
scribed by Boer correspondent with
Gen. Cronje as zone of the fiercest the
Beers ever experienced"
The correspondent goes on to say:
Gen. Cronjes wing sustained al
most solely the fearful attack OF the
British right throughout the day. The
Transvaalers tenaciously held their po-
sition until seven in the evening, when
the Free State burghers were forced
to retire by the heavy British shell
fire. Gen. Cronje then retired under
cover of darkenss, after facing the con-
centrated fire of all the British bat
teries.
1.-The Beers freely acknowledge the
herculean assaults Of the British and
the death-dispensing fire of the attack
ing infantry, but they held their posi-
ton for thirteen hours against the flow
er of the British army, replying solely
with their Mausers and maintaining
an uninterrupted rife fire. The Boer
artillery was silenced early in the bat
tie through the overwhelming number
of the British artillery
LONDON, December 8.--While moth
ing in the latest messages from the
British camp at Modder river indicated
an immediate advance, it appears that
Pretoria has news that fighting was
resumed Wednesday. 1t is not shown,
however, whether Gen. Methuen has adj
vanced on the new position taken up
by the Beers or has merely engaged
in reconnaissance in force.
Reports were again current at Or
ange river Tuesday, December 5, that
Mafeking has been relieved. 1t is
known through disatches from Magal-
apye's that preparations were complet-
ed there to advance in force November
Is from Rodesia, for the purpose of re-
pairing the railroad line and restoring
communication with Col. Baden-Powell.
The Beers, however, were strongly en-
trenched near Gaberones, midway be-
tween Magalapye and Mafeking.
Reinforcements are rapidly arriving
at Sterkstroom, to strengthen Gen.
Gatacre, including the much-needed ar
tillery. The authorities expect speedy
news that Gen. Gatacre has taken the
offensive, thus diverting a portion of
the Orange Free State forces now OBJ
structing the advance of Gen. Methuen.
A detachment of Cape police had
skirmish with the Beers Thursday, De-
sember 7, near Indwe, while Gen.
French reports important reconnoiter-
ingS Wednesday, December 6, from
Naaupoort, showing preparations to at
tempt the recapture of some of the
British towns occupied by the burgh-
ers.
A war Office dispatch from Gen. Bull
Ter confirms the statement that hello
graphic communication has been estab-
lished with Ladysmith, and that Gen.
Butler and Gen, White had been con-
ferring as to their future movements
The latest advices from Frere camp
show that the bombardment of Lady
smith was continued Thursday, De-
cember Z. A pneumatic dynamite gun
on Umbulwana hill commenced the
work.
The Tugela river is low.
Free Skaters are reported to be loot
ing Action homes on the way back to
the Free State border.
According to a special dispatch from
Pretoria, Gen. Jcubert recently propos-
ed an exchange of prisoners. especially
Lady Sarah Wilson, for a Boer lady.
taken prisoner at Mafeking. Lady Will
son is an aunt of Winston Churchill
and the wife of c. C. Wilson, of the
Royal Horse Guards This was the
first definite news that she was a pris-
oner. Lady Wilson had been acting in
the double capacity of newspaper cor
respondent and Red Cross nurse, and
there had been much anxiety about her.
When last heard from, Lady Wilson
had left Mafeking on horseback with
her maid as her sole companion. She
was reported to have reached Setlagoli.
LONDON, December 9.-Some inter
ssting light is thrown ON the position
Of affairs along the western frontier
by dispatch issued by a Boer agency
asst evening in Berlin The dispatch
says: 'Commandant Prins Loos's force
IS near Jacobsdal, between Modder riv-
sr and Riet river Gen Cronje is still
IN the north bank of Modder river, his
rear being protected by fortified posi-
tons at Spytfontein The hills between
Modder river and Spytfontein and those
between Jacobsdal and Riet river are