The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-07
THEIR FORCES HAVE WITHDRAW N
FROM C0leNS0.
MORE OF NATAL ABANDONED.
The Evacuation or Coien~o n serious
Matter tn the British strong str~s-
egic Point for the Boors-It Pisccs
Them Between Lady~mIth and the
source From which Assistance Mu~<
Come-Thc Artillery Duel at Lady
smith Continued.

London, November 4-The war oGce
has issued the following announcement:
The colonial office has received infcy-
nation to the effect that the BrE n
troops have withdrawn from CuAes -
and have concentrated further scutl:
but we have no news OF any engal
ment in that neighborhood."
Colonso Ia south OF Ladysmith
Ladysmith, November 4-Aftef-no, n
via Cape Town-Four naval To-
range guns have been mounted here.
London. November 4.-Gunnery Lieu
tenant Egerton, of the British cruiser
Powerful, who was wounded by ne ex-
plosion OF a shell at the bombardment
of Ladysmfth has been promoted vo the
| rank of commander for services IN tho
field. His legs have been amputated
as a result OF his wounds. The officer
is a nephew of the Duke OF Dovonshire.
London, November 4.-The evacua-
ton OF Colenso is undoubtedly a most
serious matter for the British in Natal,
as 1t not only testifies to the complete
Investment OF Ladysmith by the Beers,
but makes the relief of General Sir
George Stewart White an extremely
| difficult operation.
Colenso is the point where the raa-
way from Ladysmith crosses the Tu-
gela river, which is now in fio0d. The
town itself is OF small Importance. 1t
| is dominated by the hills on the north
side Of the river, and so was unrenabe
IL the Beers have advanced, as rhcy
seem to have done. Moreover. only
small naval and colonial force was sta
toned at Colonso.
The seriousness of the evacuation how
ever, lies in the fact that Commandant
General Joubert, while completely in
vesting Sir George White at Ladysmith
can seize this Tugela bridge and IL he
has sufficient troops, can detach a force
and send IL southward on Pietermar-
itzburg, and, in any case, by destroying
the bridge and railway, can prevent
any relief expedition reaching Sir
George White for some time.
Military men optimistically predict
that General Joubert wiN withdraw
from Natal Immediately. s;ir Redvers
Buffers force enters the Orange Free
State, but the latter cannot be far on
his way for at least three or four
weeks, and even then General Joubert
may not decide to intercept the British
on the Free States open veldt, which
would suit the British admirably, but
he may wait until the last mDment
and then proceed by train back to
| Pretoria and take up strong defenS We
! positions on the range Of hills lying y
| front of johannesburg and Pretoria
Thus General Joubert might rema 3
| in Natal several weeks longer endeg
oring to force Sir George White In ,
| capu.ation, the destruction of the Ta-
/ gela river bridge helping him by cut
/ ting off British relief.
| Moreover another Boer force IS re-
| ported to have marched through Zulu
! land in the direction Of Durham and
already TO have reached theNatal from
/ tier. Thus II will be seen the position
| in Natal, taking into consideration "a
| possible uprising OF the dlsaffected
| Dutch, Is most disquieting and. In fact.
may be described as critical British
reinforcements in any number cannot
reach Durham before the end OF next
| week.
A special from Ladysmith dated No
vember End says:
During the night the Beers moved
| closer to the British positions and
mounted guns in fresh places. Mean
while the naval guns have been moved
/ to more favorable positions. near the
| town and commanding some Of the
/ Boer batteries.
! AT 6 O'Clock this morning, General
White ordered the bombardmenE Of the
enemy and the bluejackets opened the
baH. The Beers replied vigorously.
They fired straight and some Of the
| British were hit.
AT terrible artillery duel has been
proceeding for over three hours. SO
! far the naval guns are the only oner
| that have engaged the enemy"