The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-21

London, November IA dispatch
received here today from Pietermartiz-
burg, dated November IL, a y it is ru-
mored there that General Piet Joubert,
commander-in-chief Of the Boer forces,
has been killed in action.
Durham, Sunday, November 1.-THE
Times OF Natal publishes a telegram
from Lorenzo Marques saying that
General Joubert was killed in action
On Thursday, November 9TH.
London, November ia special dis
patch from Durham dated November
18th says that a member of the Natal
field force, h succeeded in travers-
ing the Boer lines with Ladysmith dis
patches, has arrived ait Pietermaritz-
burg and reports that a determined
attack was mad by the Beers on the
British garrison, which was quite pre-
pared and met the advance with such
a heavy and we'll directed fire that the
Beers were driven off, leaving many
dead.
1t is also said that British and Boer
patrols came in touch and exchanged
shots near Frere, south of Colenso.
AN ARMORED TRAIN FORCE
ROUTED.
E~stcourt, Natal, November 15.-An
armored train, having on board a half
company of the Durham volunteers and
a half company of the Dublin Fusileers
steamed to Chieveley early this norm
ing. On its raturn it was shelled by
the artillery of the Beers, placed in
four positions. Two trucks in front of
the engine left the rails, TOPPING over.
While the train was thus helpless, the
Durbans and DublinS faced the Beers
in skirmiShing order and the Beers
poured hot and she'll into the crippled
train. The deradled wagons were with
great difficulty removed and the line
was cleared, when the engine and ten
der steamed back. During this juno
ture, Lieutenant Winston Churchill, of
the Fourth huSSars and son of the late
| Lord Randolph Churchill, displayed
much courage, as also did the driver
| and fireman. 1t is feared the Dublins
| and Durbans Jared badly. A Red Cross
party has gone out.
Durham, Natal, November I6.-The
| Natal Advertiser has a dispatch from
EStcourt which says:
when part of the armored train
was overturned by the Beers tearing
up the rails, the British alighted, eX-
changing voleys with the Beers. The
| engine-driver, when the rails were re-
| placed, seeing the position was hope
| less, steamed back to Estcourt with a
few of the Dublins and fifteen OH the
Durbans. including Captain Wylie, who
was wounded, on h tender. The fate
of the remainder of the Durbans and
Dub1ins and Lieutenant Churchill is
unknown"
The Natal Murcury, describing the
| engagement says:
1.-THE enemy apparently opened fire
with a Maxim and two 9-pounders get
ting the range accurately. h fire
was so severe that telegraph wires n
posted on a kopje covered with brush
wood, and their sharpshooters were
hidden behind boulders. The Dublins
and the volunteers, fighting an unequal
battle. thrice drove the enemy back,
but the fierceness of the rifle and big
gun fire was too much for the brave
little party which were at
the outset by the ov~erturning of the
trucks, hurting several.
Lieutenant ChurchilpS bravery and
GOODNESS were magnificent.
| ed by him, the men worked like heroes
in clearing the line to enable the engine
| and tender to pass.
Later details showthat a heavy
| rain and mist compelled a cessation of
| firing. Lieutenant Churchill ravel
| carried the wounded to the tender un-
| der fire. While the Beers were de-
| %stroying the train their scouts pushed
in and exchanged shots with the Brit
| ish pickets a few miles from Estcourt.
| Tt appears that the Beers were in am
| bush. AS soon as the train had passed
I'D they emerged from cover and DIS
| lodged the sleeper bolts"
Estcourt, November 16.-Seven OF the
| Durbans have just come In maklne
twenty-three missing. Only fifteen OF
| the Dublins nave returned.
The naval ~7-pounder which was ON
| the front truck had fired three shots
| when it was shattered by the Boer ar
| tillery. The arrnored engine has many
bullet marks, and it's dome cove Is
smashed, as also is its autonomatic ex-
| haust pipe and 25-ton jack screw. The
! tender is also pitted with bullet marks.
It is rumored that Lieutenant Churchill
is a prisoner.
ANOTHER STEAMER BOARDED.
London, November 16.-According to
a special dispatch from Durham, a
British cruiser has again fired on a
vessel entering Delagoa bay and refus-
ing to reply to signals. Two blank and
one round shot were fired before she
hove-to. The vessel was hen boarded,
her papers examined and she was al
lowed to proceed.
The transport Mohawk, having the
Twelfth Lancers on board, has arrived
at Cape Town And the transport Ar
menian with three batteries of artillery.
has reached Durham
London, November ia dispatch.
from Pieterms ritzburg says a lette;
has been received there from Mr..
Lloyd, commander of agriculture,
dated Ladysmith, November Sth, as
serting that all was we'll, that the
bombardment continued daily without
damage and the residents occupied
caves during the day time.
London, November ia dispatch
from Escourt estimates the wounded
and missing OF the armored train con-
tingent ait from 100 TO $50. The missing
include Captain Haldane- It is hoped
that some escaped over the veldt and
will return to Estcourt in a few days
crnoCr,CcEIrI SALLY AT LADY.