The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-16
Over 5000 Fresh British Troops Land
ed at Durham and Probably IN the
Way to Relieve White.
HARD FIGHTING At MAFEKING
DETAILS OF THE FIRST ATTEMPT 40
CAPTURE THE TOWN.
Gallant Sortfe by Capt. Fitzclarence
Many Beers Bayoneted-Cronje
Repulsed with Heavy Loss.

LONDON, Nov. 16, a. m.-The most in
teresting and in fact the only news of the
war now comes from the western frontier.
the accounts of Colonel Baden-Powell's $
brilliant exploits at Mafeking forming quite
lively and encouraging reading. Trench
work is quite novel in Boer tactics and
some curiosity is evinced as to who may
be directing it and as to what is still to
be shown. Nevertheless. both at Mafeking
and Kimberley conditions seem altogether
favorable.
So far as Natal is concerned the Briton
must possess his soul in patience and trust
to General Butler Belated dispatches from
Ladysmith, dated Nov. I. tell of a languid
bombardment and of a native rumor that
the Basutos are on the warpath, which is
supposed, according TO one correspondent
to have had the effect of inducing some of
the Orange Free State troops to abandon
the siege and TO return to their own terri
slackness OF the attempts on Ladysmith
defenses. Another correspondent says it is
reported that in the attack upon the Free
State forces at Dewdorp the Beers had
300 killed and wounded.
If the reports that the Free State burgh-
ers are tired of the affair. and are going
home. should prove true the fact would be
most important, as their retirement would
probably compel General Joubert TO with
draw northward. The statement that the
Beers are intrenched SO closely to Lady,
smith is held in some quarters to indicate
that they are running short Of ammunition
for guns.
All OF General Buffers arrangements for
the advance from Durham, it is rumored.
are practically completed, and news OF 1t
may be expected In a few days. The War
Office has received several dispatches deal
ing with military details, but 1t is not like
ly that these will be published The where
abouts of General Butler is not publicly
known here. but ne is believed to be up
country somewhere. Colonel Plumer, 1T Is
thought. has abandoned the attempt to re-
lieve Mafeking.
ARRIVAL. OF TROOPS.
It was officially announced yesterday aft
ernoon that the British transport Goorka,
with the First Brigade staff, the Third Bat
TALON of Grenadiers and a detachment OF
the Royal Engineers: the transport Manila,
with .he Second Devonshires, and the trans
port Somadic, with their mounts. had ar
rived at Cape Town. The transport Britain
MIA with the Royal Irish Volunteers, has
sailed from Cape Town for East London.
The troop ship Hawarden Castle. with the
second battalion of the Royal Irish Fusii-
iers, has arrived at Durham, bringing the
number OF reinforcements that have landed
there up to 5227. Five other troop ships are
now en- route from Cape Town to Durham.
The total reinforcements that have arrived
IN South Africa since Friday are 1900 men
chiefly infantry, nearly 1900 horses and
mules. three batteries OF field artillery and
a number Of quick-firing Maxim guns. The
fact that the Britannia proceeded for East
Lcndon Is taken to mean that General Bull
Ter Is satisfied that the troops which have
already landed are now on the way TO
Durham will be sufficient to carry out his
plans for the relief OF Ladysmith.
The Admiralty has engaged the fast
steamers Gaul, Norman, Donne Castle and
Avondale Castle TO embark the greater part
OF the nth division of ten thousand troops
at Southampton for the Cape.
A dispatch received at Cape Town from
Pretoria, under date of Thursday, Nov. g.
says the report received there from Lady
smith said heavy cannonading started at
daybreak and tnat some of the Boer forces
were within 100 yards OF the British when
the cannonading ceased and rifle fire COM
menced.. The Pretoria dispatch also an
nounced that all was quiet at Maseking and
Kimberley
A Paris paper to-day gleefully announces
the fall and capture of Ladysmith. but re-
ports from this source no longer cause a
ripple of excitement. Nevertheless there
Will be considerable anxiety here until the
War Office or some independent version OF
the latest developments at Ladysmith is
known
Gen. Lord Paul Methuen, of the First Dl-
vision. accompanied by his stan, left Cape
Town for the north by train last Friday
BoERS DEFEATED.
The Times publishes the following dis
patch from Buluwayo, dated Thursday.
Nov. 3: '"The Beers attacked the Bechuana
chief, Khama. at Selika kop. on our side
OF Crocodile river, yesterday. and were re-
pulsed. Khama is confident and is working
heartily with US. lie is supported by one
hundred men from here. Chief Linchwe
who was at first loyal, is thought to be
wavering."
dispatch TO the Daily Mail dated al
Kimberley Friday. Nov. 10. by way of Cap,
Town. reports an exchange OF artillery witt
the Boers that morning, no damage being
done TO the town. Subsequently an ar.
mored train went toward Dronfield. where
IL was fired upon by the Beers. after whict
It returned TO Kimberley in safety
The possible revolt OF the Basuto chief
Joer. who. II has been announced may join
the Beers. Is attributed to tribal jealousy.
Thara has haen a long faa1d hofunor, ,n1