Iron County register., 1899-11-09
A BoER CAMP CAPTURED.
Bester's Hill. Near Ladysmith,
Was Captured.


from Ladysmith, describing Thurs
days fighting, says:
''The artillery duel atdawn, Iii which
the Beers guns were silenced, was in
tended to occupy the Beers and to en-
able Sir George Stewart White TO
achieve his purpose-the capture of the
Boer camp behind Besters hill.
For this purpose the lancers, hus-
sars, Natal carbineers and Natal bor-
der rifles started under Gen. French at
sunrise, and got within striking dis
tance before the enemy was aware of
their presence. A field battery was also
sent, and it secured a good position,
commanding the enemy's camp, which
was a large one, laagered with army
wagons and other vehicles.
'Besters hill was well fortified and
provided with good guns. At nine
o'clock the British opened fire, the
Beers replying with spirit, but bad
aim.
''The British quickly sent 42-pound
shell into camp, inflicting terrible loss
and spreading panic among the enemy.
Our cavalry then stormed the position,
the Beers fleeing precipitately, leaving
many dead and wounded, as well as
the whole camp and equipment in the
hands of the British. Their success
will upset the plans of the Orange Free
State commanders and possibly will
prevent them giving the British fur
ther trouble from the west"
Successful sortie.
London, Nov. 6.-The war office is
sued the following at 11:4O p. m. yes
terday:
Butler to the Secretary of State for
War-Cape Town, November S, $40 p.
m.-The commandant at Durham sends
the following, received from Lady
smith by pigeon post, dated November
3:
yesterday Gen. French went out
with cavalry and field artillery, and ef-
fectively shelled the Boer laager, with
out loss on our side.
"Lieut. Egerton, of the Powerful, is
dead. Gen. Joubert sent in Maj. C. S.
Kincaid, of the Royal Irish fusiliers,
and nine wounded prisoners. Eight
Beers were sent out in exchange, no
others being fit to travel.
''Col. Brecklehurst. with cavalry,
field artillery, the Imperial light horse
and the Natal mounted volunteers, was
engaged to-day with the enemy to the
southwest of Ladysmith. The fighting
lasted several hours. Our loss was very
small.
''The bombardment of Ladysmith
continued yesterday and to-day, many
Boer shells being pitched into the
town.
''Our troops are in good health and
spirits, and the wounded are doing
we'll"
I think that Gen. French's name is
given by mistake for Brecklehurst's."
Arrival of New South Wales Lancers.
Cape Town, Nov. 2.aOelayed in
transmission) The British transport
Nineveh arrived to-day from England,
bringing the New South Wales lancers
from Aldershot. The lancers on land
ing were enthusiastically welcomed by
the municipal authorities and popu-
lace.
The presence of the lancers was
eagerly seized upon at once as afford
ing the people of Cape Colony an>op-
portunity of showing their gratitude
for the help rendered by sister col
ony.
The news of the losses at Iadysmith
caused an unmistakable depression,
especially when coupled with the fact
that the Beers invaded the colony al
most simultaneously.
The Dutch of the colony are showing
themselves loyal to the British govern
ment, and so far as has been ascer-
tanned few of them have joined the
Beers.
The Boer prisoners have arrived at
Simons Town, near Cape Town, where
they are well treated.