The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-11-15
The War in South Africa.
THE BRITISH RECEIVE
REINFORCEMENTS.

London. Lov. S-Ip the eyes of the
military experts the darkes: page Of
the war is pow being written. But
even that ia illuminated With bright
passages, such as Gen. Whites
victorious sor,ies. If be cao keep the
British aag flying over Ladysmish uosll
he is relieved, the campaigo will turn a
fresh page, aud with the advance Of
Sir Redvers Buffers force. the British
public is promised more cheerful read
ing.
This feeling of relief Inspired by
recent good sidiogs is nevertheless
tiuged by a certain anxiety lest Gen
White should again make some fatal
uiscalculation involving repetition Of
tie Nicholson Mex disaster Her
majesty does Dot share this anxiety
add apparently is saoguine of his
ability to pull through successfully.
Il is asserted that she has written to
Lady White expressing SYM
patbv With her husband io the
trials aud difficulties he is uow expert
eucipg. aud assuring Lady White Of
ter own uodiu,oished confidence in his
geueralsbip. The purpors of this
letter hae been cabled to Gen. White
by the Marquis of Lausdowne.
The most interesting news tonight
is dispatch from Estoourt aupouOc-
ing the departure of strong force of
mounted troops and artillery for
a destination not givec iu the
advices Another message announces
the arrival at Es,cours aud Pletermar-
itzburg within the last few days Of
reinforceuents from Durham, and that
8 500 troops assembled ready for an
advance to Colenso when the opportuoe
moment arrives The latter dispatch
throws light upon the former aud the
force which left Esscours Monday has
doubtless reoccupied Coleoso aud pos.
sibly is pow advancing cautiously up
the railroad toward Lodysmith, Geu.
Whites sortie of Friday. almost to the
banks of The Tugela river encouraging
it's commander in the hope of joining
hauds With him
Gen. Joubert, the latest advices
would indicate, drew 10 his horns
after Fridays engagement and has
since Withdrawn the southern Boer
coutiogents. leaving only outposts on
the line from Ladysmith to Colenso.
The Beers who occupied Coienso about
the middle of last week retired without
damaging Bulwer bridge over the
Tugela river or the railroad as far
north as the village of Nelthorpe.
seven miles south of Ladysmith
Evidently they nurse hope of eventual
iv utilizing both 10 their descent on
Pietermari'zburg. Meanwhile the
British are also able to use both. as
they have already doue, 10 running up
ao armored train, which may at the
present moment be covering the
advance of the Estoaurt i,rce
At Estoourt and Pietermaraszburg
the defensive works have beep greatly
strengthened within the last few days
and they are now believed capable of
holding their owu against any Boer
force wbich Gen. Joubers would at the
present junctnre risk sending against
either town. Both are likely to be
strengthened before the week is out by
further naval force and even by the
first detachment of Gen Baller's army
CO Ds.
None Of the troopships have arrived.
The one which i; is predicted might
reach Cape Town at the earliest Moo-
day is as yet unannouuced, and even
when it does arrive there, it will have
three days steamiug to reach Durham
As many as six transports with 4,500
troops are expected to be 10 Cape Town
harbor by this tine, but the war Office
last evening issued q statement to the
effect that the only arrivals at Cape
Town we're the Sumatra, from Durham.
With wounded, the Southern Cross from
Gibraltar with mules aud the collier
Wenvoe
Oh course i, is possible that dispatch
boats have been sent to meet the troop
ships with instructions to proceed direct
to Durbsn. and in that event tde war
Office statement that nos ooe has arrived
at Cape Towp would be literally
accurate. even though sever"l should be
half way between Caf lowa and
Durban.
The situation looks brighter a: Mafe-
king. where the Beers are apparently
dishearsened at the unexpected resis,
acce, large body of their force having
been detached to tho south to assist in
the investment of Kimberley, around
which the Gordon is drawing tighter
u ,;1ootl, ~ Roo,c ;,to,1 % ..k