The Washington weekly post., 1899-11-14
SKIRMISH AT BELMONT
British Troops Found Hills
Full Of SharpshOOters.
THEBISPATCHES FROM KIMBERLEY
An Attack on the Beers Near Tuii IL Re.
ported to Have Been successfHl-Bser.
Returned TO the Fray, bet Rain Had
Damaged Their Ammunitien-Ce Col. Turner
Has Several Combats with Hostile
Ferees-CoI. Baden-Pewell at Mafeking.

London. Nov. l3.-The war Office this
morning issued the following Official dis
patch from Cape Town, dated Sunday,
November Il, noon:
Col Cough, at Orange River, reports
that during the reconnaissance Of fifteen
miles to point nine miles west Of Bel
mont, on November 10. the officers Of the
patrol first came on a Boer position taken
upon great semi-circular ridge, siardins
out into a plateau. They endeavorsd 10
make the Beers develop their strength
BY demonstrating with two squadrons
OF the Ninth Lancers and a field battery
on the left wing. with one and one-half
companies OF mounted Infantry on the
right wing. and with artillery in the mid
die of the plateau Of the infantry fire.
The enemy began by firing at cur cav
airy from 3 gun ct the north end. As
the cavalry. in open order. began to cir
Gle around them, the hills seemed full of
sharpshooters. The mounted infantry en-
deavOred TO uutfiank the enemy's left, in
order to discover the laager, coming I'M
der heavy and unexpected fire from a
few skirmishers.
British Shots We're Effective.
"our guns fred several apparently ef-
fective shots, but the enemy did not re-
spond, having withdrawn with the wound
ed. The enemy did not fire on an am
bulance. Col Cough withdrew his force
after demonstration lasting three hours
and returned to camp the same after
noon near Orange River
THE guns and a few horses were
brought in by rail. The wounded were
sent TO Orange River by rail Immediately
after the action. The enemy's strength
appeared considerable. apparently 200.
with one gun, under David Dibe and p.
Van der Nerve"
The following has been received by the
War Office from the general command
ing at Cape Town, dated Sunday, NovenI-
Der u (afternoon):
"Col. Plumer is reported to have had a
successful engagement near Tuli, on Oc-
tober 26. The enemy renewed the attack,
but with ammunition much damaged by
rain, and finally drew off. not pressing the
attack
Maj. Hollawell wires, by way OF kuru-
man, that on October q Mafeking was
safe. The Beers have a 4-pounder
but the gun is doing little damage.
"A report has just been received that
on October 26. a Boer commando was at
PhOkWari PhOkwin0. going south. Sew
eral natives overheard these Beers de-
elaring their intention to march on the
Free State side of the frontier, in order
to intercept re-enforcements from Orange
River bridge for the north"
Activity About Kimberley.
Nov. I2.-The war Office issued the fol-
lowing dispatch this evening from Gen.
Sir Redvers Butler, dated Cape Town.
November II. 1910 p. m:
Col Kekewich British commander at
Kimberley reports that the enemy were
very active on November 4. principally
with the object of driving off cattle. The
Orange Free State troops retired rapidly
before Col Turner, without firing. At
1890 p. m. Transvaal troops advanced on
Kenilworth. Maj. Peakman, with a
squadron of the Kimberley Light Horse,
was hiding in the bush, and gave the
eLemy a warm reception. The Beers re-
tired, firing. Col. Turner Reinforced
Mai Peakman, and at 12:40 p. m. the en-
emy opened fire with one piece of artil-
lery at nearly 1000 yards range.
1.-TWO guns of the Diamond Field Artil-
lery were then sent in support of Col.
Turner, but the enemy's guns had ceased
firing after the fifth round. Consequently
our guns did not come into action. The
eRemys artillery fire was not damaging
and shooting was had.
"Our casualties in the Kenilworth en-
gagement were limited to Maj. Ayleff, of
the Cape police, who was wounded in the
neck. He is expected to recover. Later In
the day, our piekets say, the Beers car
ried off six dead from one spot, probably
killed by our Maxim The total Boer loss
was probably neavy, but had not been es-
timated by Col. Kekewich.
Walled Enclosure on Right Flank.
"About $50 p. m. Col Turner was again
In contact with new body of the enemy,
on the Schnest Drift road. From the
coming tower a large number could be
plainly seen about two miles to the north
of the Kimberley reservoir, and others
held a walled enclosure on their right
flank. Col. Turner opened with Maxim,
and two guns of the Diamond Field Ar
tillery sent in support. He came into ac-
ton at 5:47 p. m, and continued firing
until dusk
''Our further casualties there were Pri-
vate Lubbe. of the Cape police. who was
shot through the head and who died on
arriving at the hospital, and Sergt.
Watermage. of the Kimberley division Of
doing we'll.
Col. Kekewich is unable TO state the
enemy's losses. but believes these must
have heen severe. judging from the pre-
cipitate retreat of the Beers.
AT $40 D. m. the enemy opened fire with
one piece of artillery from Hampers Dam,
on Ottos KoDje. the latter being held By
the Cape police. The enemy inflicted nj
damage"
The following dispatch from Col Baden
Powell. British commander at Mafeking,
dated October %. and forwarded by Gen.
Bulier; was posted this evening by the
war Office:
"All is well here. After two DAYS she'll
. ing and heavy bombardment a body of
the enemy made general attack on three
sides OF the town. which was repulsed by
our Maxim IRE. The enemy is now draw
ing off. our casualties were slight.
Lieut.. LleweIlyn, with several armored
trains, drove off the enemy at Crocodile
Pool on "Wednesday, killing eight
The Allan Line steamer Sandman, from
Montreal and Quebec, with the Canadian
contingent for South Africa, has arrived
al st. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands
OmeiaI Cables satisfactory.
Nov 1850 a. m.-This morning news
from the seat of war in South Africa con-
tinues fairly satisfactory. The Official ca
bles are not very detailed with regard l.
the Belmont incident, which, except fo4
the loss Of Col. Keith-Falconer, was nos :
very serious affair
There are signs OF greatly increased
Boer activity in Natal and along the west
ern frontier. All the dispatches tend 10
shew that the British are holding out
ably. Col Baden-Powell reports that all
was well at Mafeking on November G.
LadySnith's latest date Is November Q.
While nothing adverse ia heard from the