The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-14
Armored Train Attacked by Beers
While Captain HensIey Was Recon-
noitering Beyond C0lenso.
BLUNDER At NICHOLS0N'S MEX
SURRENDER OF THE BRITISH FORCE
DUE TO A MISTAKE.
Officer Who Was I'm a Tight Place
Hoisted a White Flag-MafekinE
and Kimberley Still Holding Out.

LONDON, Nov II, 4:5O a. m.-The paucity
of news from the front still leaves the chief
interest centered in the arrival of the rein
forcements. Estcourt dispatches say that
helograph communication has been estab-
,ished with Ladysmith. but so far no news
has been received, the latest date being
Nov. 6, which shows that the occupants Of
Ladysmith had no of the outside
world since General French reached Pieter
maritzburg and that they wee puzzled at
the inactivity Of the Beers. Every one was
confident and cheerful, but all were suffer-
ing the inconvenience CT the siege, bread
selling at three shillings per loaf.
A special dispatch from Durham, Natal,
dated Thursday, Nov. 9, evening, says:
Native runners, who have just arrived
here from the Drakonsberg district, report
that the Beers suffered a severe defeat at
Ladysmith this morning. The Boer guns
were silenced after four hours fighting,
during which the Boer losses were heavy.
No details have been received" This re-
port may turn out to be correct, but. in
view OF previous experience, ii must be re-
ceived with caution. 1t appears. however.
certain that heavy fighting occurred and
that the lyddite OF the naval guns must
IL 1t reached them.
belated dispatch from Ladysmith, dated
Nov. 6, by way of Estcourt under date of
Nov. g. confirms the idea that the tempo
rary cessation of the Boer bombardment
was due TO General Joubert awaiting the
arrival Of other position guns before tack
ling the work in earnest 1t also says: "Ev-
cry one Is cheerful and confident. We can
show rigid front for weeks to come. Hith-
erto the bombardment has done little dam
age. Yesterday the Beers sent in eight
wounded from Dundee. We have been by
train to the Beers advanced post. The
Beers consider their success was due to the
justness Of their cause. They have been
guilty Of abusing the Red Cross flag. News
from the south Is scanty. number OF guns
are in position all around us. 1t was difficult
at first to locate them, they use smoke
less explosives, but balloon managed to
discover all the positions"
ARMORED TRAIN ATTACKED.
A dispatch from Estcourt. Natal. dated
Nov. 9, evening. says: IAN armored train
with a company of the Royal Dublin Fusi-
ners, started at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon
and reached the break in the railway line
about half mile from Colenso without ac-
cident. Captain Hensley, with several men,
the Beers were occupying the town. While
the conversation was in progress the Beers
opened fire from Fort Wyle. but did no in
jury. Captain Hensley thereupon retired on
the train. after which the Fusiliers volleyed
on the fort AS there was no response the
presumption was that the Beers had re-
treated The armored train returned here
safely at o'clock. Captain Hensley learned
from the native that the Beers were numer-
Gus on the Ladysmith side of Colenso Dur
ing the afternoon there was a cessation of
the bombardment of Ladysmith- A hello
graph was working from Fort Wylie.'
A dispatch from Durham, dated Nov 9,
says: lit Is understood that message was
received here from General White at Lady
smith by pigeon containing birthday con-
gratulations for the Prince OF Wales. and
was forwarded to London"
The Colonial Office yesterday gave out the
following extract from telegram received
from the governor OF Natal: Lieut.. Leth-
bridge, OF the Rifle Brigade. who was dan
gerousy wounded Nov. Z, at Ladysmith,
Lieut.. Nisbit. OF the Gloucester regiment.
and the wounded prisoners at Pretoria, are
reported by a refugee to be doing we'll"
The simultaneous attacks on Ladysmith,
Mafeking and Kimberley. which were
opened last Thursday, manifest full recog-
milton by the Beers of the fact that every
day lessons their chances of a successful
onslaught on any OF the three British
strongholds. General Joubert's chances of
reaching Pietermaritzburg can be said 10
have vanished This is already reported to
be admitted by Colonel Schiel, the German
oficer commanding the Boer artillery. who
Is supposed TO have been largely the author
OF the Boer plan of campaign, and who,
In an interview, Is alleged TO have said /:
The Boer intention was TO have captured
Pietermaritzburg and then TO dictate terms
But all hope OF accomplishing this must
now be abandoned"
SITUATION IMPROVING.
There is no doubt that from the British
point OF view the general situation in Natal
Is rapidly improving. Nearly 5000 troops
reached South Africa during the last forty
eight hours and by the end OF the week
from 5000 to 1000 more will be added TO the
British strength in Natal. These will prob
ably be pushed forward to Estcourt, bring
ing the British force there up to 10000 men,
and making general attack on Iadysmith
by General Joubert very hazardous. AS the
cavalry and artillery belonging to General
Methuen's division will not have arrived by
then. the advance from Estcourt may be de-
lay<d. But II II Is believed essential to open
communication with the beeaguered town
at the earliest possible moment General
Methuen. IL Is believed, may decide TO re-
place the regular cavalry and artillery by
the Natal and outlander mounted forces and
the naval guns. In which case. II T. claimed
IL ought TO be possible 10 occupy Colensc
and stretch out hand to General White By
Monday, though, AZ Is added the course tc