The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-08
ESTCOURT THOUGHT SAFE
BOERS ATTrEMptI' NO ADVANCE
BEYOND COLENSo.
TEN THOUSAND MORE MEN FOR AFRICA
The Strength of the Beers Both in Number of
Men and Excellence of Artillery Ap-
parenily Complete Surprise
TO the British.

IINDU01l, NOV. S.-7EN1dently more de-
tailed reports of General Whites doings
at Ladysnlldh must be received before
the public wan be able to form clear
idea of what has happened. Reports from
various sources show tnat another impor-
tant reconnaissance or engagement oc-
CURED ON Saturday to the south of Lady
smith, and a Cape Town newspaper re-
ports that two Thousand Beers We're cap
tured there.
The Daily Telegraph publishes the fol-
lowing dispatch from Pieterma1Stzburg,
dated Saturday evening:
Since their occupation of Colenso the
Beers have attempted no further adj
vance south Estcourt rs now becoming
STRONG anu growing camp. Major
Wolfe Murray is in temporary command.
THE enemv bombarded 'Oolenso on
Thursday until sunset at THE extreme
range of his nine centimeter Irupp guns.
HConfirmatiOn has been obtained of the
report that General Scholbburger is THE
Boer commander at Vry1burg. general
Boer advance is not Thought probable.
Means have been taken to secure Plefer-
maTsltZbuTg against any possible attack
and also to relieve Iladysmlth before the
erlsny cam connie farther.
Widespread 1Tlmors, of botn Dutch
and native origin, have been current since
yesterday that during a reconnaissance
from Ladysnith northward. toward Mat
awaits Hook and Nidholscmis Mex. the
British troops engaged the enemy. LIT is
said that a Lyddite battery drove the
Beers into a valley. where the British
cavalry charged through them The
Boer losses in this engagement are sand
to have reached j, 90, the British losses
being only about l6o.
1T lis a fact that General Joubert
drew in his Ine today and that the Beers
now cnly have olltposts at Colenso. Run
ners are ibringing the names of the
Beers who were killed and wounded out
side Ladyslnith and their reports have
caused much mourning among the rela-
tiyes."
General Lord Wolseley, the Command
er-in-C Chief has written to Lady Ram
dolph Churchill. thanking her for the
EFFORTS of the American ladies m ENG
land in hitting out a hospital ship for
South african waters. He says:
Il am only too anxious to -elp You III
this matter in order ito show you how
thoroughly our army, and indeed, the
nation appreciate this evidence of the
interest American ladies take in our sick
and wounded"
THE Miaine Will said for the Cape on
November 18th, with Lady Randolph
Churchill ON board. 1t is now virtually
decided to send another division of H.
600 men to l,cqth Africa as speedily as
uosasible. For this purpose a second and
third army corps will he mobilized. The
second will consist of 10000 men OF
whom 10000 will go to Africa andi the
rest be concentrated at AiluershOt In
readiness for emergency. The third corps,
a nominal affair, WI. number 10000 men,
who will he used for garrison purposes
at home. Thus the entire British army
will virtually be m0biized, which will
be an unprecedented occurrence.
london, Nov. THE following is
the text of dispatch from General
Butler from Cape Town, dated Noyem-
Der 18th, 12:1J p. M:
''The following dispatch has been re-
ceived FROM the general commanding at
Estcourt, dated November 9th:
Since Friday there has been a ces-
sation of hostilities. a note was sent
that day to General Joubert by General
White, at the request of the mayor, ask
ing permission of the non-combatants,
sick and wounded to go south. General
Joubert refused the request, but agreed
to allow them TO go TO ii special camp
four miles from Ladysmith. The towns
people refused to accept this offer. The
sick and wounded and a few of the in
habitants were moved yesterday. a
few shots were exchanged yesterday at
the outposts Shells fell in the hospital
and one burst in hotel during lun-
cheon. No one was injured. The only
casualty in the town from the shells
thus far is a Kaffir killed. There was a
smart action Friday, toward Dewdrop.
The troops under General Brecklehurst
drove the Beers back considerable dis
lance and disabled a gun.
There was also fighting near Bull
wanna Our loss altogether is eight killed
and about twenty wounded. Ninety
eight Dundee wounded have arrived.
They were sent here Saturday. All
are doing well.
1.-The position here is now believed
to be entirely safe. 1t has been greatly
strengthened during the last twenty
four hours. The people have deserted
their dwellings and are living in bomb
proof places, safe from shell ire. There
is plenty of good stores of all kinds.
Captain Knapp and Lieutenant Bra
bant were killed in Fridays action.
THE foregoing is an exact copy Of q
press censor telegram brought here by
Kaffir runner. There is no other Off
cial news"
1t is now possible TO furnish official
details of Fridays fighting around Lady
smith. The Boer artillery fire was ac-
curate and well sustained but ineffec-
tive. The British cavalry was con-
stantly out. the investment not being
close enough To prevent this. Cavalry
and artillery under Colonel Brockle-
hurst about noon drove the enemy to-
ward Maritzburg. Our artillery shelled
three of the enemy's guns into silence
The British casualties were slight
The Beers are now Smelling the town.
Their artillery is well handled, but is