Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-01
The War In south Africa.

British Successes Dearly WOn---Hesvy
Losses on the BOer side RlsO--.R Note
from the Government to President
Kruger.
Wonderful courage was shown by the
British troops under Gen. Methuen who
gained a victory over the Beers at Bal
mont Thursday. The British casualties
numbered 220, the list Of killed and
wounded including several officers of dis
tinction. Capt. Eager, one of the heroes of
Omdurman, was killed.
On Wednesday the Beers shelled an adj
vance body of the British. The British ar
tillery was pushed forward, and after she'll
ing bill occupied it, capturing two guns.
The Beers had 30 men killed and wounded
AT daybreak the next morning the Beers
fired from the hills on the British advance
force 1000 yards away. Other troops we're
pushed up and the engagement became
general. The British artillery finally ST.
fenced the guns of the Beers. Two battal-
ions of the Grenadier Guards and the
Northumberland regiment then stormed
the heights, advancing in the face of a fierce
fire. On reaching the summit they did
great execution with their bayonets, cap
turing the camp, with guns, equipment,
prioners, cattle and sheep. The Ninth
Lancers Cavalry and the mounted infan-
try pursued the mounted Beers.
Another despatch says the Beers held an
exceedingly strong position on a series of
hills, extending a dozen miles. They were
strongly entrenched, and their cannon
were posted strongly, and were excellently
served. The battle began at z o'clock, and
ragged for several hours. The Beers held
their positions with great stubbornness and
splendid courage. The British riflemen
forced the attack under a raking fire, and
carried position after position with superb
dash, driving the Beers with great slaugh-
ter The engagement was really series
OF battles, during which the Beers were
constantly carrying off their dead and
wounded.
Gen Methuen telegraphed after the fight
that he held over 90 prisoners, 10 of whom
were wounded. The prisoners said the at
tack was a surprise, and it was the only
beating they had had since the war began.
Correspondents with the British forces are
unable TO estimate the Boer losses.
A despatch from Pretoria says that from
President Kruger down every one is in ia
vor of fighting, aud they believe they will
succeed in annexing all the beleagured
towns. The flag Of the UNITED Republic. "
now ready, bears the Orange cross. The
Beers expect the war to last from four 70
six months, when they believe they will
possess South Africa.
1t is believed that the Beers will shortly
release Lieut. Churchill as non -combatant.
The prisoners from Mafeking and Lobatsi,
after taking the oath not to fight against
the Transvaal, were sent to Delagoa Bay.
Late arrivals from Pretoria estimate the
Boer war casualties at 1000 men, half of
whom were killed. The race course there
is being prepared for lager, in the event
OF a siege, and the guns Of the fort are
trained on it in case the prisoners attempt
10 escape.
MIR. Macrum, the United States consul at
Pretoria, has been instructed by cable to
impress upon President Kruger that, in the
view of this government, the usages of all
civilized nations sanction the ministration
of neutral representative in the interest
of the citizens and captives of one of the
parties to a war, and he must further in
insist upon performing the sacred duties
imposed by all considerations Of humanity.
This is practically en- announcement Of the
lnsistance Of our government upon the exc
cution of the trust it assumed to look after
the interests of British citizens in the South
African republics.