Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-16
CLOSING IN, ON ..LADYSMITH
Boer tAdyicesi 1Assert Their Forces
.; Are WitBins Isifteen Hundred ;;-:>
=, -. ,.,s Yards, dOf, the Town. ,..r- 2. s...

.CAPETOWN, Friday :, Noy. .1O.-A dis
patch received here from Pretoria, under
date of Thursday, November g. says the
reports received there from Ladysmith said
heavy ,cannonading started at daybreak, that
some of the Boer, forces were within 800
yards Of the British when the cannonad-
ing ceased and rifle fire commenced.
The Pretoria dispatch also announces that
all was quiet at Mafeking and Kimberley.
An undated dispatch from Mafeking, re-
ceived by runner via Magalapye, Wednes-
day, November s. says: Today all is quiet.
We have been boqnbarded pretty heavily all
week. Friday night Captain Fitz- Clarence
and Lieutenant Swinburn with squadron
of the Protectorate regiment made a
magnificent bayohet charge upon the Beers
entrenchment, driving them from their posi-
tions and bayonetting numbers of the Beers,
who must have lost very heavily. The
charge was most gallant and determined.
The party could not hold the trenches and
lost six men killed, two prisoners and nine
wounded in their retirement. We expect a
general attack tomorrow. The bombardment
has been most Intellectual. Everyone re-
mains under shell-proof cover. So far the
shells have only wounded one man.
The enemy are using one ninety -four pound
howitzer and seven other guns from seven to
fourteen Founders. The town is most cheer
full and determined to resist attack to the
utmost. The Beers are entrenched on every
side in great numbers and are pushing
gradually closer and closer to the town
fortihcations. We are well off for provisions
and water, though very tired lodging shells
and fighting. quite on civilized lines, Gen
eral Cronje has always given due notice of
q bombardment. and allowed an ambulance
party two hours on Saturday to re-
cover the bodies of six dead left in the
vicinity of the Boer trenches.
On Friday night Jan Botha, the well
known Boer commandant, told man with
the ambulance party that their loss had
been heavy and that his heart was very sore.
The wounded include Captain Fitz- Clarence
and Lieutenant Swinburn, both slightly.
In a skirmish at the outposts yesterday
one trooper was killed and nine were
" ourded.
Only, fifty-fve men OF d. squadron were
engaged in the attack, though they were as
sisted by the flanking fire of gun OF the
Cape police. The Beers made desperate
attempt to drive back the British and their
rear trenches opened a terrific fire in every
direction, the flash Of the rifles lighting up
the entire position A hail OF bullets rat
Upon completing a circuit of the Boer front
and the line of trenches, the British with
drew in independent lines OF retreat, COW
cred by flank fire from the Cape police.
The Beers continued to volley at intervals
during the night. The Boer loss is esti-
mated at 100 killed and wounded. The
Boer commander Informed an officer in
charge of a flag OF truce that be estimated
the attacking squadron at 1000 and was
not aware that the British force at Mafe-
king was so large.
The Beers We're observed from Mafekng |
buryng their dead all day long.
letter In the Times written by an OH |
GER on board the transport Nubia asserts
that l,600 rations OF salt carrion labeled
New York. 1899, had to be thrown over
board, as 1t was full of disease" adding !
They only salt down tka very worst por-
lions OF very inferior beasts and pigs
This has aroused a storm OF indignation
against the "rascally contractors and inca
pablo admiralty transport officers who al
Owed ilthy. salted brisket beef TO be fur
nished to the troops
The War Office has accepted a gift Of
TO- 900 plum puddings for the troops In
south Africa These puddings will aggre-
gate upwards OF ten tons in weight. !