Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-08

course, meant that he was preparing
for a stubborn defense. 1t is estimated
that after the fight Of Monday, the
general had left about 10000 effective
men, and it is calculated that he ha:
provisions sufficient to last about Two
months. The latest dispatches sale
that the Beers were bombarding the
town and that the British were an
swering each shot with about three
As to whether the Beers can take the
town by assault is a question. Militia
nv experts in London profess to believe
that nothing Of the kind will be at
tempted; but the public is no longer
disposed. to attach a great deal o.
Importance to the opinions of these
experts.
The British war Office admits that
the Beers have taken Calenso, small
town south of Ladysmith, and thi:
means that they have possession oi
the railroad to The sea at an important
bridge, the destruction of which will
break off communication for some
time to come. Colenso is not of espe'
cial importance to the British. The
garrison abandoned it without fight.
This was because it is surrounded by
hills from which it could be quickly
reduced by artillery. The possession
by the Beers of the bridge over the
Tugela river, however, is of very great
importance.
1t is reported that strong detach-
ments of Beers that had been sent 10
look after the Zulus have completed
their work. and are returning to Jou-
bert's army around Ladysmith. This,
of course, renders less probable the
possibility of General White being
able to break through the Gordon by
which he is surrounded.
1t develops that the original inten-
ton of General Butler was to invade
the Trausvaal through the Orange
Free State, with Cape Town, East
London and Port Elizabeth as passes ;
but the quick movements of the Beers
seems to have complicated these ar
rapgements. Dispatches say that Or
ange Free State troops have Invaded
Cape Colony. A majority of the
whites of Cape Colony are Beers, and
they are expected 10 precipitate civil
war which, of itself. will be sufficient
to occupy large portion of general
Buffers army.
There seems to be feeling in Eng
land that General Butler cannot afford
TO do anything now before he goes to
General White. Even if he should be
successful in his campaign through the
Orange Free State to the Transvaal ,
he could not reach White by that route
under TWO months, and by that time
White would be starved into surrender.
If he goes as we'll to the relief of Gen.
eral White, he will have all he can do
with the forces at his command to
raise the siege, and there is feeling
that Notwithstanding the large army
that has been raised for service in
South Africa, it is only about half as
large as will be necessary.
Since the foregoing, later news, pub
lished in the papers of Monday and
Tuesday, has been received. Some Of it
is by carrier pigeon from Ladysmilh,
and some of it has been communicated
in various other ways.
The total losses of the Irish Fusiliers
and Worcestershire regiment at Lang s
Neck are now estimated at less than
400 men, of which 343 were captured.
The correspondent of the London Dali
ly Mail says that the Beers are very
kind to the British prisoners. Many
of the Beers wanted the embroidered
belts worn by the prisoners to keep as
souvenirs of the victory. In some
cases the belts were turned over with
out a word. In other cases the Brit
ish explained that they had their
monthly pay in their belts and the
Beers refused TO take their money or
allow them to be robbed. The only
attempt at robbery was by German
soldier, and the Beers made him give
back his loot. The Beers spent the
afternoon after the battle singing
psalms Of victory.
A dispatch published yesterday ac-
counts for the strict censorship by a
change in the plans of General Butler.
He is now reported to be arranging to
land 10000 troops at Durham as soon
as possible for the relief Of General
White at Ladysmith.
1t is reported that the negroes oi
Basutoland, in the northern part oi
Cape Colony, have become very rest
less at the operations Of the Orange
Free State troops, and that their head
chief has asked the British authorities
TO give him permission TO 20 against
the Beers with 10000 men.
The British public has grown very
serious over the reverses the British
have sustained in South Africa. The
enthusiasm Of few weeks ago is de-
scribed as having been changed 10
grim determination. While there Is a
common feeling that Great Britain has
already paid larger price than was
expected altogether in the achieve
ment Of her ends in South Africa, still
it is generally recognized that under
no circumstances can the British afford
to be beaten. 1t would he too serious
a blow to the prestige of The Empire