The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-13
BOERS ACTIVE IN natal
They Are Hampered by the Trans-
port Of Heavy Siege Guns.
THE sKIRMIsH NEAR BELMONT.

In a Fight at Kenilworth the British
Had Only One Major OF Cape Police
| Wounded, While the Beers Carried
or Six Dead From One spot.
| London. Nov. 13.-This mornings
news from the seat of war in South
Africa continues fairly satisfactory.
I There are signs OF greatly increased
Boer activity in Natal and along the
western frontier. All the dispatches
tend to show that the British are hold
ing out ably. Colonel Baden-Powel
reports that all was well at Mafeking
on Nov. g. Ladysmith's latest date
is Nov. 9. While nothing adverse ia
heard from the latter point, and con-
fldence is felt In General Whites abii-
ity-previous experience having shown
that the Boer artillery is not very ef-
fective--it is beginning to be proved
that the acquisition of artillery. which
has destroyed the former mobility OF
the Boer forces. has also failed to give
them any comu 'nsating advantage.
On the contrary. the reverse is the
case. 1t is held here that. II the Boers
had not been hampered by the trans
port of heavy guns and their rescue
from tight places. General Joubert
might ere this have been In Pietermar-
itzburg. Unless the Boer heavy ar
tillery justifies itself by reducing Lady
smith, it will again hamper him in the
eventual retreat from Natal when
General Butler sends the relieving
force. 1t is believed that the BOer
retreat will be over the Brakensberg
range into the Zoutpansberg district.
where every preparation for provision-
ing and maintaining the Beers is said
to have been made for the last stand.
and where 1t will be difficult to dis
lodge them. Already 1t is rumored
that they are in straits for food around
Ladysmith and may, therefore, be
Obliged to abandon the siege.
The war office this morning issued
the following official dispatch from
Cape Town, dated Sunday, Nov. IL.
noon. ,,
Colonel Cough at Orange River, re-
ports that during the reconnaissance
of Is miles to point nine miles west
of Belmont. on Nov. 10, the off1cers
of the patrol first came on Boer po-
sition taken upon great semi-circular B
ridge, standing out into a plateau.
They endeavored to make the Beers
develop their strength by demonstrate
ing with two squadrons of the Ninth
Iancers and field battery on the
left wing. with one and one half COM
panies of mounted infantry on the
right wing, and with artillery in the
middle of the plateau out of the in.
fantry fire
The enemy began by firing at our
cavalry from a gun at the north end.
As the cavalry. in open order. began to
circle around them, the hills seemed
full of sharpshooters. The mounted
infantry endeavored to outflank the \
enemys left in order to discover the
lager, coming under heavy and un-
expected fire from few skirmishers.
Our guns fred several apparently ef-
rective shots, but the enemy did not
having withdrawn with the
The enemy did not fire on
IN ambulance. Colonel Cough with
lrew his force after demonstration
asting three hours and returned to n
camp the same afternoon near Orange q
River.
The war office issues the following
dispatch from General Sir Redvers
Butler, dated Cape Town, Nov. II.
0:40 p. M:
Colonel Kekewich British COM
nander at Kimberley reports that the
nemy were very active on Nov 4.
principally with the object Of driving
fl cattle. The Orange Free State
roops retired rapidly before Colonel
'urner. without firing.
At 1890 the Transvaal troops ad-
anced on Kenilworth. Major Speak
nan, with a squadron of Kimberley
light Horse, was hiding in the bush
nd gave the enemy warm reception.
The Beers retired firing. Colonel
turner reinforced Major Peakman and
t 12:40 p. m. the enemy opened fire
nth one piece of artillery at nearly
900 Yards range. Two guns Of the
diamond field artillery were then sent
n support Of Colonel Turner, but the
nemy's guns had ceased firing after
he fifth round. Consequently our
uns did not come into action.
Our casualties in the Kenilworth
Engagement were limited to Major
.yleff. of the cape police. who was
'ounded in the neck He is expected
, recover. The Beers carried off six
cad from one spot, probably killed
y our Maxim. The total Boer loss
'as probably heavy. ,--