The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-11-29
BRITISH CARRY AEMrS HEIGHTS.
A STUBBORN RESISTANCE.
Thirly.0ne Beers We're Killed and Foriy.Eiehi
Wounded Naval Brigade Assists
In the Assault


fee posted the following dispatch, dated
Cape Town, from Gen. Forestier-Wal-
ker:
Lord Mcthuen reports that he NOV
ed yesterday Saturday. at $3.50 a. m.
corps, the naval brigade, the mounted
corps the naval bridgade and two bat
teries, the guards following with the
baggage. Near Gras Pan (about 10
miles north of Belmont, on the railway
line to Kimberley $500 Beers with six
guns and two machine guns, opposed
him. The action began at a. M. Our
batteries fired shrapnel very accurately
till the heights seemed clear. Then the
naval brigade and infantry advanced to
the assault. The fighting was desperate
until 10 a. m, when the heights were
carried. The Beers retrcated on the
line, where the Ninth laucers were plac-
ed TO intercept them The result was
not known at the time OF tclegraphng.
The artillery took immediate advantage
of the cnemy's retirement.
Early in the action 500 Beers attack
ed our rear guard. The brigade met this
and also protected the f1anks. The ma
val brigade acted with the greatest gal
lantry and suffered heavily, but no par
ticulars are yet known.
The enemy showed the greatest stub
borness and must have suffered greatly.
Twenty were buried. 1t is known that
81 were killed and 4S wounded. More
than so horses were found dead IN one
place. One battery fired 500 rounds.
Five thousand British left Estcourt
Wednesday afternoon for reconnais-
sance. They surprised the Beers al
Willow Grange Thursday morning and
occupied the Boer position, bayoneting
eighty of the enemy.
At daybreak the Beers opened with
quick -firers. The British artillery was
unable to reach the Beers. and the
British position, therefore, became un-
tenable and was evacuated. Subse-
quently the artillery was brought into
action and the Beers fell back. Their
object having been attained the Brit
ish returned to Estcourt.
A dispatch to the London Times from
Mooi river gives the British casualties
in the Willow Grange affair as three
killed and forty-four wounded.
This Is the first news of such heavy
loss, and If correct. suggests repeti-
tion of Gen. White unfortunate action
of October 30.
The Pietermaritzburg correspondent
of the Daily Mail describing the same
sortie says: THE British surprised the
Beers, carried their position. captured
all their equipment and returned TO
Estcourt in safety. Gen. Hildyard was
very well satisfied with their work"
The London Daily News has the fol-
lowing from PietermaritZburg, under
Wednesdays date: Your correspond
ent managed to escape from the Mooi
river district yesterday before the ar
rival of 5000 Beers, who are looting
in all directions. The Natal Beers en-
couraged by the success of the Trans
vaalers. join in the looting.
The main body of the Beers made a
rapid march from Ulundi. southwest
of Estcourt. to a point near Fort Not
tingham, south of the railway, In
single day. They are within 40 miles
of Pietermaritzburg at the farthest,
and II is said that they intend to at
tack the town.
The situation in Cape Colony is be-
coming serious. and 1t Is believed mar
tial law will have to be declared to pre-
serve peace and order.
Transvaal emissaries are swarmng
in Cape Town and the country districts
and drastic measures will soon be
necessary. The sympathizers of the
Beers are openly denouncing the Eng
lish, and leading Afrikander boldly
said: "The official records can only tell
lies"
Sir Charles Miner is rarely seen in
public, and the government house is
already under guard. 1t is currently
reported that n member of the Cape
parliament has Joined the Beers in the
field. A mysterious message was sent
few days since by Premier Schreiner
to President Steyn, of the Orange Free
State, with the approval of Sir Charles
Miner, but the messenger was stopped
by the Beers at Burghersdorp.
Callers at the United States embassy
in London Wednesday were informed
hat ha
able to forward messages or secure in
formation regarding the British prison.
ers, President Kruger having refused
the request to permit Consul Macrum
to transmit a list of British prisoners.
Though Mr.. Macrum apparently still
remains the nominal agent of Great
Britain, he is practically deprived OF
all powers pertaining to the position.
1t Is understood President Kruger OBJ
jected to Mr.. Macrurn on the grounds
that the United States claims to neu-
trality were prejudiced by her evident
friendship for Great Britain. All COM
munications to the British prisoners
now go through the ordinary military
channels, which render their ultimate
delivery doubtful and certainly slow.
The British government so far has not
taken any steps to ameliorate the pre-
sent condition of the prisoners.
The secretary of war In London has
received the following dispatch through
Gen. Forestier-W Walker, from Gen.
Methuen, dated Belmont, November
23:
Attacked the enemy at daybreak
this morning. He was in a strong po-
sition. Three ridges We're carried In
succession. the last attack being pre-
pared for by shrapnel. Infantry be-
haved splendidly and received support
from the naval brigade and artillery.
NH
skill. Had ! attacked later i should
have had far heavier loss.
Our victory was complete. Have
taken 40 prisoners. Am burying a
good number of the Beers. but the
greater part OF the enemy's killed and
wounded were removed by their COM
rades. Have captured large number
of horses and cows, and destroyed a