The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-07
Big Guns Have Been Mounted
and an Assault Which Was
Ordered, Coun termanded.
METHUEN STILL WAITING
ne Is IN Need OF Stores, Guns and
Ammunition - Beers Captured in a
Sortie From Kimb barley-Treacherou
Fred Under the Protection of White
Flag-The Transvaal Rs:usos to Re-
cogaize Rights OF the United States

London, Dec. Z, 4:30 a. m.-Again
there is a complete lull in the war
news. Ladysmith has established hell
ographic communication with Frere,
and it is reported that all was we'll up
to Sunday. A dispatch from the Boer
laager by way Of Lorenzo Marquee,
dated Thursday, Nov. 80, confirms the
report that the commands have been
closing in upon Ladysmith and mount
ing big guns in new positions.
According to the same advices a
heavy cannonade has been maintained
and general assault had been ordered
for Thursday morning, but was coun-
termanded at the last moment.
Modder river dispatches say that the
Beers are encamped amid the hills
half way to Kimberley, but it is also
asserted that large body OF the en-
emy have gone in the direction of ia
cobsdahl. 1t is impossible, therefore,
that Lord Methuen may endeavor to
clear his right flanks as far the ia
cobsdahl before continuing his advance.
He is still awaiting at Modder river for
stores, guns and ammunition.
The sortie from Kimberley on Nov.
20 appears to have been much more
serious than had been supposed. De-
tails are now arriving of a rgconnais-
ance in force by mounted troops under
Major Scptt-Turner, at dawn, on
ridge near Carter's farm, where the
Beers were strongly intrenched. Find
ing the Boer pickets asleep, Major
Turner proceeded along the ridge
under cover and rushed the Beers at
80 a. m. in the face of hail of bull
let's. The Beers hoisted a white flag
and fired at the British under its pro-
lection before surrenderng Owing
possibly to the exhaustion of their am
munition the British We're unable to
follow up the attack and to seize
large Bcer laager about 800 yards
ahead, especially as Boer reinforce
ments were seen approaching, and the
enemy was keeping up a heavy fire
from the shelter of the thick brush.
During the sortie an armored train re-
connoitered north and SOUTH while
considerable force of British, with field
guns and MaXims, advanced toward
Spytfontein. holding the Beers in
check in that direction.
Ten guns were engaged simultaneous
ly, and. viewed from the coming tower,
an artillery duel seemed to be proceed
ing in every direction.
Several men had terrible wounds. 1t
is alleged that the Beers used Martins
and explosive. bullets and that they
frequently fired at the British ambul-
ance wagons. The British captured 2S
of the enemy.
There appears to be some doubt as to
whether this was the reconnaissance in
which, according to the announcement
of the war office, Major Scott-Turner
was killed, or whether that officer met
his fate in a subsequent sortie.
Some of the special dispatches report
that he was killed while leading the
final attack on the Boer position on
Nov. %. If this be correct. it looks like
a sortie concerted with Lord Methuen.
The Times prints a letter from an
American citizen who left Johannesburg
because he was liable to be imprisoned
and who had learned the United States
consul was unable to protect MIN. He
complains bitterly that the American
flag was not respected in Pretoria:
that his passport was not recognized
and that his position was pract' ;ally
1t is reported from Cape Town that
tn" Transvaal government still refuses
to acknowledge the right of the United
States to interfere regarding prisoners
in Pretoria, insisting that Great Britain
must inquire through Ccmmandant
General Joubert.
A dispatch from Frere camp, dated
Dec. 8, says:
THE Beers are firing into Ladysmith.
1t is rumored that 5000 Free State
.roops nave left Ladyamith. entertain
ing the sravest fears as to the safety
uf their own coll,trC'