Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-11-17
A BoER DEFEAT.
british Troops Said to Have Been
Successful In "A Long Battle
Rt Ladysmith.

London, NOV. IA SpeClal ulspdtCn
from Durham, Natal, dated Thursday,
November 0, evening says:
Native runners who have just arrived
here from the Drakensberg district re-
port that the Beers suffered a severe de-
feat at Ladysmith this morning. The Boer
guns were silenced after four hours fight
ing, during which the Boer losses were
heavy. No details have been received"
The simultaneous attacks on Lady
smith, Mafeliing and Kimberley, which
were opened Thursday, manifest full
recognition by the Beers of the fact
that every day lessons their chances of
successful onslaught on any of the
three British strongholds. Gen. Jou-
bert's chances of reaching Pietermar-
itzburg can be said to have vanished.
This already reported to be admitted
by Col. Schiel, the German officer COM
manding the Boer artillery, who is
supposed to have been largely the
author of the Boer plan of campaign
and who, in an interview, is alleged to
have said:
"The Boer intention was to have cap
tured Pietermaritzburg and then to
dictate terms. But all hope of accom-
plishing this must now be abandoned"
There is no doubt that, from the
British point of view, the general situa-
lion in Natal is rapidly improving.
Nearly 5000 troops reached South At
rica during the last AS hours, and by
the end of the week from 5000 to 1000
more will be added to the British
strength in Natal. These will probably
be pushed forward to Estcourt, bring
ing the British force there up to 10000
men and making general attack on
Ladysmith by Gen. Joubert very haz-
ardous.
Col Baden-Powell's dashing sorties at
Mafeking encouraged the hope that the
British garrisons along the western bor'
der are all able to hold out. Cecil
Rhodes is employing 5000 men, white
and black at Kimberley in roadmaking,
as a remedy for destitution.
Estcourt Natal, Thursday Evening
Nov. 9.-An armored train with a com
pany of the Royal Dublin fusileers
started at half-past one this afternoon
and reached the break in the railway
line about half a mile from ColensC
without accident. Capt. Hensley, will
several men, reconnoitered and met {
native who said the Beers We're occupy
ing the town. While the conversation
was in progress the Beers opened fir,
from Fort Wylie, but did no injury
Capt. Hensley thereupon retired on TIL,
train, after which the fusileers volleyeC
the fort. AS there was no response, tn,
presumption was that the Beers had re
treated. The armored train returne,
here safely at six o'clock. Capt. Hens
ley learned from the native that TIL
Beers were numerous on the Ladysmitl
side of Colenso. During the Afternoon
there was a cessation of the lombard
ment of Ladysmith. A heliograph wa
working from Fort Wylie.
London, Nov. IA dispatch fror
Cape Town to the war Office announce
the arrival there Monday of the troop
ship Armenian, with three batteries o
artillery and an ammunition column
and the troopship Nubia, with the Scot
guards and half battalion of til
Northamptonshire regiment. Thi
. brings the total number of reinforce
ments TO 12,SO2, of which about 600
are already on the way to Durham. TIL
; Armenian and Nubia, whose troops be
long to the First division, will probabl
also be ordered to proceed. Nine trooI
, ships, carrying 11,0OO men, are due 4
f Cape Town to-day (Tuesday).