Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-23
1t is Admitted that English Artillery Could
Not Get the Range
STORM INTERRUPTS THE OPERATIONS
Beers Blow Up a Culvert, Cutting OFF the
Railway to Estoourt,
CLOSING IN ON PIETERMARlT zBURG
Proximity of General Joubcrt's Adj
vnncinE Army Causes Change In
British Plans at Durham, Their
Bnse of Supplies.

Copyright. 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
MooI RIVER. Nov. $50 p. m.-(New
York World Cablegram-Special Telegram
AT 80 p. m. the Beers opened fire sudden
ly with howitzer5 at four miles range, having
planted their guns from position on Hen
derson's farm The shooting appeared to be
accurate. The shells from the howitzers
landed in the British camp, but did no dam
age. The British artillery took up a posi-
tion overlooking the Boer camp. but could
not get the range. They opened fire upon a
party of 200 Beers advancing under cover
of the howitzers, who retired at once. The
action was not pushed to a conclusion, be-
cause a thunderstorm interrupted the
operations which lasted until dark. The
British casualties were three wounded 1t
is expected that the attack will be resumed
tomorrow.
Boers Blow Up Culvert.
Copyright, 1899, by Press Publishing Coz
MOOI RIVER, Nov. 22.-9:25 a. m.-(New "
York World Cablegram-Special Telegram }
Beers to the number of 5000 or 1000 with
heavy guns are occupying a strong position
at Mitcheson. About two miles north of
Highlands Session they are reported to have
blown up culvert, cutting off the railway
to Estcourt. They fired two shells at the
British patrol OF Thorneycrofts cavalry,
while returning here yesterday afternoon.
Among the farms looted in the neighbor-
hood is Simmonds stud farm, where 300
horses, valued at 915O0O were seized.
All is quiet here today, also at Estcourt
so far, but preparations are being made to
meet any attack.
Free Statcrs Marching West.
DURHAM, Nov. 22.-About 5000 Free State
soldiers with guns are marching from the
west by way OF Fort Nottingham.
Threatening Pietermnritzburs.
DURHAM, Nov. 90, 10 p. m.-owing to the
proximity of tho Beers to Pietermaritzburg,
it has been necessary to alter the defenses
OF Durham. Estcourt is still silent. All ac-
counts point conclusively to a determined
rush OF the Beers toward Pietermaritzburg
with very large force. Seven thousand
men, with guns, are reported twenty five
under the personal command of General
Joubert.
Tcday's engagement at Mooi river found
tho British almost entirely on the de-
fensve correspondent of the Natal Ad-
vogtiser said Boer shell fell within a few
yards OF the detachment of their infantry
and that the shells did little or no damage,
and the firing continued for half an hour
at intervals of from three to five minutes.
According to this account the British troops
prepared with the utmost promptitude and
advanced under cover, wherever possible.
The British artillery was in position behind
the hotel where General Barton and his staff
were being accommodated. Major Thorney-
crofts mounted infantry moved to cover
on tho ridge on the eneny's left flank. A
Devonshire regiment and the Royal Welsh
Fusileers occupied the trench There was
but little fire. the correspondent said, but
the enemy possessed at least one howitzer
with a range of five mileS, and several six
Founders
Situation In Natal Alarming.
LONDON, Nov. 23.--5 a. m.-Although it
is known that the situation in Natal is
becoming sufficiently alarming nothing can
be learned TO allay public anxiety or the
curiosity felt regarding tie disposition of
the reinforcements recently landed at Dur
ban. The War office dispatches are con-
fined to a mere recital of few casualties
at Mooi river, which confirm the reports
OF skirmishes there, but give no details as
to how the engagements happened. The
special correspondents are only permitted
to describe General Barton's camp at Mooi
river vaguely as large" or ample"
One correspondent says Il at 1000 Beers
are within twenty-five miles of Howick
Falls. near Pietermaritzburg, and that the
inhabitants are fleeing to the capital. Evil
IDENTIFY considerable force of the enemy
is now within thirty or forty miles OF
pietermarttzburg, but 1t is officially an
nounced from there that no anxiety pre-
walls, the garrison numbering 1000 men,
with six guns. General Joubert's plan, ap-
parently, Is a daring attempt to defeat the
British relieving column from Durham in
dosdl, while still attempting the reduction
Of Ladysmith.
serious attack on Mooi river camp is
now hourly expected with the object of de-
stroying the bridge at Weston. Should this
be accomplished the Beers would be free to
turn their attention to Estcourt, while II it
failed, the enemy would retire again on
Weenen and rejoin the investing forces
around Ladysmth.
The Beers report that General HiIliard's
messenger, asking General White for as
sistance. was captured. caused uneasiness,
but 1t is argued that II General Hllliard had
not been strong enough he would have been
maritzburg Therefore small credence is
given the story. Nothing is known regard
ing the food supplies OF the garrisons thus
isolated,
1t is believed that Estcourt is we'll pro-
visiored, but there is less confidence in the
case of Mool river There is no further
news from the western frontier, except the
list q casualties, showing that one trooper
was killed and nine were wounded at Kim
berley on November l6 and confirming the
accounts of the sortie previously repol ed
from Boer sources.
II was announced from Paris that Co iJnel
Villebolse Maruil. a French officer, has ac-
cer.ed the pest OF chief Of s.aff TO General
Joubert, in succession to Colonel Schiel.
the German officer who was wounded and
taken prisoner at Elandslaagte.
From the same source II is report ID THAI
two Russian oflcers-LieutenaD Colonel