Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-11-17
GATHERING
KIMBERLY
Cronje Unsuccessful at Mafeklne
Directs His Efforts at +
Kimberly.
BOERS ENClRCLE LADYSMlTH
Butler Sends Further Particulars
of the Armored Train
Incident.

London, Nov. 17-Mafeking resist
ed the Beers so successfully that Cen
eral Cronje is now reported to be di
recting his efforts against Kimberly.
1t is known that a brief movemen
towards Kimberly commenced some
time ago. Everything indicates i'm
portant developments in the region
of the Orange River and along the
line at Deaar Junction, Colesburg
Burghersdorp and Aliwal North.
Pretoria, Nov. 9-The following dis
patch was received from the Boer
camp at Elandslaagte, under today's
date: "Ladysmith is completely en-
circled by the Boer forces. Our sec
ond big gun was successfully placed
in position on Bulwan Hill in front
of Ladysmith. The firing of heavy
guns commenced early this morning
with no casualties to the Burghers up
to the present. Both q photographed
from the south of Ladysmith that the
British batteries opened q heavy fire
with big guns and continuously drop.
ped shells into the works around
Ladysmith. The Pretoria force was
in tight place, having taken up a
position commanded by the British
lire which was so hot that the posi-
ton became untenable. The British
big guns, however, saved the situation
London, Nov. 1.-THE war Office
has received the following dispatch
from General Butler: Cape Town,
Nov. 16-Roceiyed from Hildyard
Pietermaritzbug telegram dated
November IS, of which the following
is tue parport: Officer commanding
troops at. Estcourt reports at
midday that the armored train left
Estcourt this morning viii compan-
of Dublin Fusileers and company of
Durham volunteers. North of Frere
they encountered q party of Beers and
began to withdraw. While retiring
some trucks were derailed. ThesDuh-
Inns turned out and advanced towards
the enemy while the rest of the train
appears to have returned without
them to Estcourt The officer com
m&nding the troops reports he was
sending mounted troops in order to
cover their Withdrawal but about 100
arae missing.
EstcouIt, Natal, Nov. 16-+Captain
Wylie in an interview regarding the
late attack on the armored train said
that sergeant Tod deserves special
mention for having surrounded him
with boulders to protect him from
rife fire when lying helpless and
wounded. Tod even lay down beside
the officer to cheer him up. When
Winston Churchill requested Captain
Wylie to call volunteers to remove
the upset trucks, bullets, it is said,
were dropping on the train like rain.
The men throughout stuck to the
work responding to the noble exam
pie set by Churchill and Lieutenant
Franklin until the line was cleared
Churchill actually left with the en-
gine but got out at the next station
and took rifle from soldier saying
he could not leave the wounded and
walked away in the direction of the
Beers.
Estcourt, Natal, Nov 16---The Red
Cross train returned but without
bringing in the dead and wounded
The Beers declined to give any infor
nation as to the names Of either the
killed or injured referring inquirers
to the Pretoria press for information
All they would disclose was that three
British were dead and nine wounded
NEAR LADYSMITH.
Pretoria, Nov. 15.-In an engage.
ment yesterday morning south o
Ladysmith, the British advanced will
thirteen guns attacking $50 0burghers o
the Transvaal. A.big gun was fired oil
the troops who retired at 3 o'clock to
Kloof near Ladysmith. The British
loss is unknown. The Beers had on
man killed and seven horses wounded
AT KIMBERLY.
Kimberly; Nov. 8, via Hope Towr
Nov. 12.-The Beers were busy yestel
day throwing up fresh earthwork'
There has been no further. bombart
ment. The DeBeers mines are-pract
cally closed Thousands of employe
are domiciled in the center of tow
being proyisioned by the mayors n
lief fund. The military authoritit
have ordered all civilians to give Il
arms and ammunition with view {
preventing irresponsibles from firin
at the Beers in contrayention to I'll
laws Of civilized warfare. Natives r.
port that the Beers cheered each she
as it was fred yesterday believing
meant the destruction of Kimberly.
Estcourts NOV. II. The. Elmel
Boer force has taken up positio
near Ennersdale, few miles north |
here. They have eight seven pounde
and two french guns. Their strengt
is 1000 men. All is quiet here ar
ready for theenemy.if it attacks
The Day In the Cabinet.
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE cabin
meeting today was unimportaut. Ge
eral satisfaction was expressed vi
the result Of Secretary Cages IN