The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-08
B0ER ARMY AT SPYTF0NTEIN
AND sANGUINARY FIGHT Is En-
PECTED AT THAT PLACE.
Over Five Hundred Burghers Killed
and wounded I'm the Modder
River Engagement.


LONDON. Dec. S, a. m.-General isullei
has arrived at Frere from Pieterr.aritz-
burg This announcement is held TO indi-
cate that all the preparations for an ad-
vance To the relief of Ladysmith are COM
plete and that stirring news will soon be
received
The fact that Lord Mathuen Is announced
as resusning his command at almost the
same moment is interpreted an some quar-
ters to mean that battles will be fought
simultaneously in Natal and at Spytfontein.
II appears doubtful. however. whether
General Methuen's force Is yet ready for
what Will evidently be heavy encounter.
The construction Of the temporary bridge
across Modder river has entailed enormous
labor: aid even now the structure Is liable
to be washed away If should heavy storm
come.
General MeJhuen has been obliged TO
move his camp mile north In consequence
Of the unsanitary state OF the stream, due
to the presence OF the bodies OF dead Beers.
As the railway bridge was completely de-
stroyed. he was compelled to leave a con-
siderable force to protect his communica-
tions.
A special correspondent sends the In
teresting information regarding Boer tao
tics that Commandant General Joubert has
given general orders to reserve fire until
the British are within the close range OF
4O0 yards.
At the Modder river battle the Free State
burghers became nervous and opened fire
prematureiy. thus revealing their position
and frustrated the Boer plans.
The Daily Mail publishes a dispatch from
Julian Ralph at Modder river. who says:
"Tae Kimberley people are troubled by the
necessity of feeding 10000 Basutos in the
diamond fields whom the Beers refuse to
allow to depart and who. should they fail
to get enough meat. would become discon-
tented and restless On the night Of the
battle OF Modder river. Kimberley. missing
the accustomed signals from here. was In
great anxiety. fearing that we had been
Defeated The fact was that we did not
use our search light for fear the Boer guns
would wreck the apparatus. Five hundred
and thirty Beers were killed or wounded
In the battle here. The number has al
really been accounted for: and the enemy's
losses were probably much heavier"
KEKEwICH'S SORTIE.
A special dispatch from Kimberley. dated
"Wednesday. Nov. %. says: "As a result Of
signals from the relief force TO the south.
and or certain movements on the part Of
the Beers. Colonel Kekewicn determined to
make sortie with view OF keeping a
large force OF Beers employed here Yes
terday afternoon a portion of the garrison.
with artillery. under Major Chamier. and
mounted troops. under Major Scott-Turner
advanced southwest towards the Boer posi-
tions. and captured Carter's farm. which
completed the line Ii was intended to hold
In view OF Lord Methuen's early approach
Major Scctt-Turner then turned his atten-
ton TO the Boer laager. which he captured
In fine style In spite of the enemys heavy
IRE. All the camp equipment was captured
or destroyed. Finally the British stormed
the ridge and captured three redoubts.
after severe fighting. In leading the men
who were storming the fourth redoubt
Major Scott-Turner and Lieutenant Wright
were killed 1t Is alleged that they were
struck by explos'.e bullets. The death of
Major Scott-Turner compelled the British
TO retire upon Carter's farm. the whole af-
fair having lasted four hours"
Asdispatch from Modder river. dated Dec
I. says: "A searchlight message from Col.
kekewich. at Kimberley. says the town Is
provisioned for forty days. with forage for
thirty days. and has plentiful water sup
ply. Everything has been quiet there dur
ing the last three days. The theater and
the convent have been fitted up as hos
pitals. a number os our cattle have been
captured by the enemy"
LATEST FROM I.AnvSNrr-rrr
A dispatch from Frere Camp. Natal.
dated Dec. 6. says: "a runner from Ladv-
smith to-day reports all we'll The bonn
bardment. the messenger adds, continues.
but Is Ineffective. the Boer sh1ls only hit
ting the houses
The Tugea bridge. IL is announced at
Pretoria. is completely ruined that II
viii be a work OF great magnitude for
either belligerent TO res,ore IT. The British
fired on some Republican scouts south OF
the Tugela a few days ago. There were no
casualties
A newspaper correspondent named
Lynch. who entered the Boer lines at Lady
smith on Monday with the alleged purpose
OF exchanging newspapers has been made
Q prisoner and will be brought 10 Pretoria
The announcement is made In special
dispatch from Bloemfontein. dated Sunday.
Dec. 3. that President Steyn. OF the Orange
Free State. has Joined the Boer forces at
the Modder river. His appearance. the
dispatch adds. caused great enthusiasm
among the Beers.
The Morning Post publishes an article
warning the British public that the dis
nlusionment already experienced respecting
the Boer forces In Natal Is likely to be
repeated on the western border" II SAYS
that men are wanted everywhere and ASKS
My the splendid body OF Royal Marines