The record-union., 1899-10-15
Numerous Pitched Battles Occurring Be-
tween British and Beers.
As Te1egraphic Communication is
Cut Off and the Stories From
That Section Are of kafhr
Origin, the Reports Are Re-
garded With Suspicion.

it to the fullest extent, as, according
to dispatches, the shooting mnst have
been almost continuous along the bor-
der of the Boer republic, while pitched
battles have occurred or are occurring
at various points in Natal and British
Bechuanaland. Most Of these reports.
however, remain unconfrmed-
AS Mafeking is cut off Geographically
the stories from that point are gener-
ALLY of Kaffir origin, and must he re-
garded with suspicion.
While there is every probability that
General Cronje's Dig commando has
begun the assault on Mafeking, reliable
details will be still awaited.
Further details are ut hand regard
ing the destruction Of ,he aTmored train
at Kraaipan. They show that Captain
Nesbitt, who was in command, was
warned at Maribogo that the Beers held
the line. He replied that he was bound
to proceed.
Nearing Kraalpan. the train dashed
into a culvert that had been blown up
by the Beers, who We're lying in wait
for the train. The Boer artillery imme-
diately opened IRE and a desperate
fight ensued, lasting four hours, with
the odds greatly against the British.
The precise details axe uncertain 1t
seems that a police patrol, attracted
by the firing approached within about
1000 yards of l[raaipan, saw the train
ditched, with the Boer artillery still
pounding at it, but noticed no response.
The Beers seemed afraid to approach
until the wreck was complete and the
police patrol feared, as there We're no
signs of life near the train, that the
entire force had perished in a desperate
attempt to get the train back 10 Ma
feking, where they knew il was anx-
iously awaited with its load Of guns
and ammunition.
It is reported that the Peers lost
heavily. hut there is no means of veri-
flying this. Two miles of rails were
torn up.
There is no authoritative confirlna-
tion of the report that battle has been
fought in Natal by Sir George Stewart
White and the Orange Free State
troops, although there is no Question
that the Boays have crossed the frontier
at several points. They are sad to
have eighteen guns, hut if, as reported,
the engagement began before the Beers
had formed q .aager ana thrown up
earthworks, the British cavalry and ar
of the fighting.
It is already reported that the Brit
ish have gained great victory, as p
600 Beers We're killed ana ihe British
loss was very Slight, hut this may be
without foundation, as another report
has been published u the effect that
Lord Rothschild was in receh ot Lews
of a great British victory. but when the
taI fof
toned him regarding the alleged re-
port, he replied: Il am sorry that L
have not received anything of the sort
The probability seems TO be that
there has not been any fighting as yet
in Natal.
The Exchange Telegraph Company
has received a dispatch from Capetown,
dated this morning, saying that the
Beers have blown up another armored
train, carrying telegraph operators
from Mafeking.
The Beers it is reported, have seized
the railway station north of Fourteen
Streams, between Vryburg and Kim
berly Fighting is still continuing in
the neighborhood.
According to the dispatches from the
front, the Beers have made several at
tacks upon Mafeking, all of which
have been repulsed.
In connection with the rumored at
tack upon Mafeking, a disquieting re-
port comes from Pretoria to the effect
that the Rustenburg and Marico COM
mandos have crossed the border and
entered the Rooigrond territory be-
tween Lichtenburg and Mafeking,
blowing up the bridge over the Malop-
s,E
dynamite and the track. AS Mafeking
depends upon Rooigrond for its water
supply, the significance of this move
is evident.
A dispatch from Pretoria, dated Octo-
Der 14th, says: General Koch wires
from the Natal border that his COM
mando has occupied Botchas Pass and
also captured the railway station.
The latest reports from Vryburg say
that the armored train that was de-
stroyed at Kraaipan contained in ad-
dition to Nesbitt's force, number of
workmen and six residents of Marigogo.
south of Mafeking, who on hearing of
the Boer advance took refuge in the
train.
The following dispatch from Lady
smith has been received at the War
Office:
''Sir George Stewart White went in
the direction of Van Reenan's Pass at
a. m. F'riday), but failed to draw
the Beers to the pass. He returned to
Ladysmith, where he is now. No en-
gagement occurred"
General Sir Redvers Butler, who will
have the chief command in South
Africa, accompanied by his staff left
Waterloo Station this afternoon for
Southampton to go on board the Dunot-
tar Castle.
His departure was the occasion for
/Lnother patriotic demonstration. Gen
eral Butler arrived at the station at
1:45 q. m. With great difficulty his
carriage forced its way through the
crowds that blocked every approach.
The people swarmed everywhere and
gave the station the appearance Of a
veritable bee hive