Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-28
Beers RETIRING.
Being Hard Pressed by Force
Under Gen. HiIdyard.
ID British Killed and so Wounded at
Beacon Hill, Nov. %.
Butler Arrives at Pietermaritzburs- Communal.
cation Restored With Estcourt.
q EkE1.AA j

London, Nov. 27.-The war office has
received the following dispatch from
Cen. Bullock dated Pietermaritzburg
Natal, Sunday, Nov. &c:
"Hildyard, from Estcourt made
successful attack Nov %, with three
battalions, and one field battery,
naval gun and mounted troops on the
enemy occupying Beason Hill, which
dominates William Grange, and has in
terrupted his communication. AS re-
suit OF the operations, the enemy is re-
firing and the railway and telegraph
lines have been restored between Est
court and Weston. Our loss was about
IA killed and 80 wounded
"Hildyard has advanced to a position
near Frere, as he hopes to cut off the
enemy, who is believed to be retiring on
Colenso, via Weenen. Barton, from
Weston. has advanced to Estcourt
LAS soon as communication is re-
stored I will telegraph particulars. So
far as l can make out the operation
is one for which Hildyard and the
troops deserve much credit. The rail-
way is now open to F'rere'
The colonial office has received the
following dispatch from the governor
VI Natal, udltu sun
day, Nov. 20:
The Beers are retiring on Weenen.
Our troops are occupying a ridge three
miles northward of the Moo river 1t
appears that the Beers have found our
position too strong and are retiring to-
wards Ladysmith with the loot they
have collected. The river is in flood
Butler has arrived. Telegraphic COM
munication with Estcourt was restored
early this morning"
London. Nov. 2S-43O A. MA fresh
interruption in the east African cable
service at this interesting moment has
caused a cessation of war news. AS
yet the war office has not received
Lord Methuen's detailed list of casual
ties. nor is any information at hand re-
garding the whereabouts of the 9th
Lancers. who We're sent in pursuit of
the Beers from Gras Pan.
The Daily Mail says that a private
telegram announces that the Lancers
are still scouting ahead of Methuen's
advancing column; but. as he an
nounced, yesterday, that he was giving
his men days rest, this is hardly pos
sible Indeed the greatest anxiety is
fell and most especially in view of the
fact that Berlin journal. the Deutsche
Warte, which regularly prints Boer
communications, announced, yesterday,
before it could be ascertained from
British sources, that the naval brigade
lost 100 men at Gras Pas and that the
9th Lancers We're captured.
Ii is understoo that the government,
yesterday. decided to proceed immedi-
ately with the mobilization and en-
barcation of a sixth division of 10000
men under well-known lieutenant
general.
Gen. Hildyard's achievement at Bea-
con Hill is beginning to be recognized
as one Of the best things the campaign
has yet shown, as it has relieved the
tension of the situation in Natal and
has brought the relief of Ladysmith
within measurable distance. Gen.
Butler appears to be confident of Lord
Methuen's ability and is devoting all
his energy to Ladysmith.
London. Nov. 27.-Sir Thomas Upton.
m view of the fact that his steam yacht
Erin cannot be utilized by the govern
ment as hospital ship, has sent E1O.-
300 to the Princess of Wales to be used
at her discretion for the benefit of the
soldiers and sailors. The executive
committee of the American ladies' hos
pital ship fund has received an anony-
nous gift of $4,000 from the United
States together with a promise of as
much more if it should be needed
Estcourt. Sunday Nov. 26.-The rail-
road bridge at Frere, spanning a wide
stream has been destroyed by the
Beers, who are reported to be retiring
'apidly. general advance upon
'olenso has been ordered and a flying
column has left here to intercept the
8oer raiding parties. A reliable mes
enger from Ladysmith says he gath
'red from the Beers that they had
postponed a combined attack all over
he country, for today. Gen. Joubert is
expected to stoutly dispute the passage
# the Tuegla river.
Durham. Natal, Sunday. Nov. 20
he latest reports of Gen! Hildyard's
osses at the Beacon Hill engagement
how that Is men were killed and Y