The record-union., 1899-10-18
The British and Beers Are Battling
Fiercaly in South Africa.
Rifles of the Burghers Ineffective Against
Britain's Armored Train.
A Big Engagement Expected
Shortly in the Neighborhood of
Ladysmith-Boers in Possession
of the Mountain Passes.

of the Mountain Passes.
LONDON, Oct. II. = A special dis
patch from Pretoria dated October
14th, by way of Delagoa Bay, says:
A cyclist dispatch was received from
Ottoshoef, near Malmani at q o'clock
asserting that heavy fighting had been
in progress all day long north of Mafe-
king. The British troops on board an
armored train acted as a covering force
for the engineers engaged in repairing
the track. A Maxim on the train kept
up a continuous fire.
Conspicuous bravery was displayed
on both sides, but it soon became APP
parent that the rifles of the Burghers
were ineffective against an armored
train. The latter, however, was once
forced to retreat before a particularly
strong assault, but it soon returned,
accompanied, by a British mounted con-
tingent and the fighting was renewed
fiercely.
Fighting still continues, the Beers
holding their positions we'll A dozen
Beers were killed but the British casu-
alties cannot be ascertained
Heavy firing can be heard south of
Mafeking, where General Cronje's COM
mand is operating.
A corps of experienced continental
engineers, former officers. has left Pre-
toria for the southwestern borders, es-
corted by a command of picked Boer
shots. It is probably intended for large
dynamite operations.
A big engagement is expected shortly
in the vicinity of Ladysmith. The
forces of Commandant Piet Vys are en-
camped on a mountain overlooking
Dundee, from which point they will be
able to observe the movements of the
British troops.
Colonel Baden-Powell made a sortie
from Mafeking in force and attacked
the Beers who were investing the town
After fierce fighting the British carried
| the day.
A special dispatch from Cape Town
says that 300 Beers and eighteen Brit
ish hav- Ez@ killed at Mafeking.
From Colesburg persistent reitera-
tions- come to Cape Town of the report
that the Beers have attacked Mafeking,
being thrice repulsed with heavy losses.
BOERS HOLD MOUNTAIN PASSES.
DURBAN, Oct. lit is estimated
that from II GOO to 10000 Free State
Beers are watching the passes in the
Drakonberg Range from divers Hook
to Collins Pass. They have pushed a
few men down the Berg, but hitherto
the main force has not debouched from
the actual passage, which is being in
trenched.
Commandant General Joubert is heav-
lily fortifying Laings Mex. Two Boer
spies have been arrested at Ladysmith
and handed over to the military author
tiles.
The enrolment of 1000 Uitlanders
under the Imperial Governments sane
ton is proceeding briskly at Durham
and PietermaritZburg.
Reports are persistently circulated of
breakdown in the Boer commissariat
and transport departments.
MANEUVER FRUSTRATED.
CAPE TOWN, Oct Ill 90 p. M
The Beers seized the telephone at Mod
der River last night, and attempted to
speak with Kimberley, hoping to learn
the disposition of the British forces
there. The maneuver was discovered
and frustrated.
1t is reported here that the Beers
have had an engagement with another
armored train from Rhodesia
Alwal North, Cape Colony, is now
isolated From Colesburg come per-
sistent reiterations of the report that
the Beers have attacked Mafeking
being thrice repulsed with heavy losses.
Smallpox has broken out here among
cases have been discovered.
LARGE LOSS OF LIFE REPORTED.
LONDON, Oct. IA special dis
patch from Cape Town says that 300
Beers and eighteen British have been
killed in battle at Mafeking.
HEAVY FIGHTING NORTH OF
MAFEKING.
PRETORIA, Oct. II, delayed in
transmission.) Heavy fighting took
place this morning north of Mafeking.
An armored train sent to repair the
railroad line opened fire on the Boer
commando. One Burgher was killed
and two were wounded.
/ A second engagement followed, in
which nine British We're wounded Yes
| terday while General Cronje's troops
nine miles north of Mafeking an ap-
/ preaching train loaded with dynamite
/ was fired upon and blown up. There
! were no casualties on the Transyaal
| side
| Further dispatches received by the
/ Government say that the fighting con-
tinues north of Mafeking. The British.
after the second enga cement, retired in
/ the direction of the town. but they re-
sumed the attack shortly afterwards,
| two Burghers being killed. and three
wounded. The commando engaged was
| impeded owing to the want of heavy
| artillery which was subsequently OBJ
tanned from General Cronjes
The Executive Council have decided
to release all Burghers undergoing a
years imprisonment or less. All other
prisoners who are in the same category
! will be sent across the border.
The French, German and Italian Con-
suls have issued proclamations calling
upon their respective citizens to remain
| neutral.
i Commandant General Joubert has es-
| tablished his headquarters at Charles
town and opened telegraphic communi-
cation with the Transvaal by way OF
Laing's Mex.
Guns and food stuffs found secreted