Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-09

London, Dec. 7.-Dlspa tches from Pre-
toria justify the inference that Lady
smith. Kimberley and Mafeking were
holding out up to Saturday last. From
the same source 1t is admitted that Cen
eral Joubert has returned to the Trans
vaal ill., Schalkburgher is left in com
mand in Natal. There is no definite
news of British advance in force In
either Natal or Griqualand West. Meth
uen's cavalry struck the Beers in a
strong position on ridge six miles
north OF Modder river Thursday last,
so his way to Kimberley does not appear
to have been cleared by last weeks
fight. His advance ID reported as hay
ing been resumed this week, but con-
firmatiOn is lacking.
A dispatch from Queenstown, dated
Dec. 9, says: The Beers have become
very active in the country around
Stormberg Junction, to which General
Gatacre will make his next move. The
telegraph lines have been cut in various
places, and communication with Steyns-
burg, DOrdrocht and harrisburg has
been severed. II is believed here that
lNc boClo nave oICupItu
Firing has been heard in the direction
OF Stormberg. probably between Genera
Gatacre's vanguard and the Boer com
mando.
\ dispatch from Ladysmith, dated
Dec. 9. says: The hottest bombardment
If the siege took place last Thursday,
The Beers got new big gun in position
on Lombard's Kop. completely com
manding the town, and shelled the Brit
ish camp that day and Friday, planting
shells with great accuracy in the camp
Of the Gordon highlanders and the Man
chester regiment. where there were
many narrow escapes. On Saturday
the enerly resumed the bombardment
doing some very effective shooting. Sew
eral Of the British guns have been shat
tered by the Beers big gun.
A dispatch from the Boer laager. by
way Of Lourenzo Marques. dated Nov
80, confirms the report that the COM
mandoes have been closing In upon
Ladysmith and mounting big guns in
new positions. According to the same
advlces. a heavy cannonade has been
maintained and a general assault haG
been ordered for Thursday morning but
was countermanded at the last moment.
Modder River dispatches say that the
Beers are encamped amid the hills half
/ way to Kimberley, but 1t Is also asserted
| that large body of the enemy has gone
| to the direction Of Jacobsdale. 1t is pos
sible, therefore. that Lord Methuen may
| endeavor to clear his right flank as far
as Jacobsdale before continuing his adj
vance. He is still waiting at Modder
River for stores, guns and ammunition.
Thesortie from Kimberley on Nov. 25
appears to have been much more serious
than had been supposed. Details are
now arriving Of a reconnaissance in force
by mounted troops under Ma jOr Turner
| at dawn in the direction of a ridge near
| Carter's fam where the Beers were
strongly entrenched. Finding the Boer
pickets asleep, Major Turner proceeded
along the ridge under cover and rushe I'd
the Boer redoubts at 5:25 a. m., in the
face of hail of bullets. The British
were unable to follow up the attack and
to seize a large Boer laager, about 300
yards ahead, especially as Boer rein
forcements were seen approaching and
the enemy was keeping up heavy fire
from the shelter of thick bush.
Durlrg the sortie an armored train
reConnoitered north and south, " hile a
considerable force Of British with field
guns and Maxims advanced toward
Spytfontein, holding the Beers In check
in that direction.
Ten guns were engaged simultane.
ously. and viewed from the coming
tower and artillery duel seemed pro.
ceeding in every direction except toward
kenilwOrth, the fusillade being terrible
at 8 o'clock. Having no force sufficient
to hold the position he had stormed
Major Turner began gradually retirins
his men. He had a horse shot under
him. and a bullet went through The
l!eshy part of his shoulder. Several mer
had terrible wounds. The British los.
was 53
1t is alleged that the Beers used Mar
TINS and explosive bullets. and that the J
frequently fired at the British ambu
lance wagons. The British captured 2,
Of the enemy.
There appears to be some doubt as tt
whether this was the reconnaissance il
which, according to the announcement
Of the war office. Major Turner wa.
killed or whether that officer met hi!
fate in a subsequent sortie.
1t is reported from Cape Town that tn,
Transvaal government still refuses tt
acknowledge the right of the United
States to Interfere regarding prisoner
in Pretoria, insisting that Great Britain
mus, inquire through Commandant Gen
eral Joubert.