The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-14
Thousands of Transvaa1 Soldiers and
Free state Burghers Eager 90
Reach the Enemy.
ARM0RED TRAIN WRECKED
TWO CAPE COLONY GUNS AND THEIR
GUARDS CAPTURED.
Several British Soldiers Reported to
Have Been KfIIed-Rumors from
south African Points.

LONDON. Oct. 14.-An Edinburgh paper.
the Scotsman. this morning asserts that
battle has taken place between Gen. Sir
George Stewart White, commanding the
forces in Natal. and the Beers, who en-
tered Natal by way of Van Renan's pass.
sanguine OF the success of the British move
ment.
The foregoing report is considered to be
correct, as late last night the War Of
fee had news OF British advance from
Ladysmith and was hourly expecting fur
ther intelligence.
A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph from
its correspondent at Ladysmith. dated at
noon on Friday. says: "a strong mobile
column under Gen. Sir George Stewart
White. accompanied by Gen. Sir Archibald
Hunter. proceeded before daybreak this
morning toward Acton Homes for the pur-
pose OF reconnoitering. General Whites
object was to observe what was going on.
and also to test the mobility and efficiency
weather fine"
According to dispatches from Ladymith
to the Standard and the Daily Telegraph,
dated Thursday. heay storms have begun.
and forage is scarce. Nothing is expected to
happen for a few days unless the Beers.
who were reported to be advancing, should
threaten the British line Of defense drawn
from Glencoe Junction to Ladysmith. In
this case. according to the dispatches. no
apprehension Is felt as to the result. Gen.
eraI White has twelve guns and the Beers
eleven.
AN ARMY OF FRED SKATERS.
The Ladysmith correspondent of the
Times. telegraphing on Thursday, says: "a
subsequent reconnaissance shows that the
approximately 1900 men," The Times ex-
plains this disaptch as evidently referring
to previous telegram which has not yet
reached them.
The Daily Mails Cape Town correspond
ent. telegraphing Friday evening, says: IT
learn on good authority that the Beers are
attacking Mafeking. They are reported to
have already suffered several repulses. II
is generally admitted that vryburg cannot
stand a strong Boer attack"
It Is an interesting fact that Lord Ed
ward Cecil. son of the Marquis of Sails
bury. is with Colonel Baden-Howen at
Mafeking.
The Ladysmith correspondent of the Daily
News telegraphs his paper, under date of
Thursday. that IT is anticipated the enemy
will attack simultaneously Dundee. Glencoe
and Ladysmith. The defending force, he
says. includes the Natal mounted infantry
and carbineers. all remarkably smart and
workmanlike. The main Boer force of elev-
en- thousand men is at Sandspruit. The cor
respondent adds: Much discomfort exists
here owing to the presence of suspected
Boer sympathizers. The troops are kept un-
der arms and the volunteers are ordered to
sleep booted and spurred. ready for instant
call"
SAID IL DE Al NEW CASTLE.
The Daily News correspondent at Dundee.
Natal. says: Reports are circulated here
that the Beers have reached Newcastle, but
no confirmation OF either this or of the re-
ports of lighting at Mafeking and Lady
smith are yet arriving"
The Times. this morning. discussing the
situation. says: "Ia is idle to ignore the fact
that IL the Beers make a determined ad-
vance on large scale into Natal as ap-
pears TO be the case. a sustained condition
of mastery inactivity might become hope
iessiy out Of the question. We have no
means OF estimating exactly the number
Of troops at Ladysmith. Glencoe and Dun
dee. and IL we had 1t would not be expedient
to discuss the point But IL twelve thousand
Free state troops are to be reckoned in ad-