The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-07
FALLING BACK
FROM STRONBURG
Continued From Page One.)

ing. saws that since Magistrate Lagden's
warming that their interference with the
Rasutos would cause an uprising, the
Beers have been letting the Basutos
cross the river into BaSutoland. The
natives, however continued to complain
that they were being robbed of their saw
ings by the authorities. There is no dis
CRUISING from the natives that the British
suffered a reverse at LaIdySmIth. 1t has
been explained to the Europeans as a
mere incident of dhe war and they are
regarding it as insignificant 1t wis
Thought better that everybody should
know the TRUTH, the dispatch adds, land
not follow the Republics methods of
eoncealing reverses both from the Euro
peans and Basutos who have implicit
faith in the imperial Government. The
repRllse of the Free State forces October
9th is claimed by the Beers to have been
brilliant Boer victory, and they say
that at Elandslaagte the British fled and
that at Ladysnith the Beers retired be-
cause they had expended their ammuni-
tion The Beers also assert THAT General
White was killed and that certain dOcu
ments were found on his body.
Certain residents of Colesburg are free
" communicating with the Boer force
across the river.
BOERS TWICE DRIVEN BACK.
Estcourt. Natal, Nov. 4.-Noon-A re-
liable messenger has Just arrived from
Ladysmith. passing lhe Boo" lines dG,
ing the night. who reports that heavy
fighting occurred on Thursday around
Ladysmith The hottest engagement
xt.as, n,,. nm, ~, 4l,n
Orange Free State side of Besters The
British drove the Beers back to their
camp. The enemy suffered loss of 800
IN killed. wounded and captured. The
fighting was resumed yesterday T'riday),
the Beers firing, from Nosdwhthshana
Hill, near Pepworth's Farm. Again
they were driven back with losses on
their camp.
A large Boer force with artillery, under
John Vessels, has taken up a position
ON the left of Beacon, locating on the
Woodhouse, Picciones and Langvaracht
farms, facing Besters, and small COM
mand0 is now encamped on the south side
of Peters Station commanding the rail-
way. The Beers have torn up the Gull
verts of the railway near Pieter's Sta
ton and have burned the wooden por-
tions. No damage has yet been done at
Colenso. The houses, stores, railway
and iron bridges remain intact
The messenger said he heard the
Beers would be in Colenso today and
that the volunteers were leaving.
Much regret is felt at the unnecessary
alarm being created at Maritzburg, when
there is no need for it, The Natal naval
corps, with guns, will return to MaritZ-
burg today to reassure the inhabitants.
B0ERS HOLD COLENSO.
iEstconat. Natal, Nov. 3.-Colenso lis
now i'm the hands of the Beers. Before
the eyacumaticn was decided upon, the
enemy tried to cut off our outposts. TIE
Durban Light Infantry, under Lientan-
ant Molyneux, and a force of Dublin
FHsiliers, were sent TO the relief OF tn,
outposts and brisk fight rnsl@i Tn"
Beers were repulsed. leaving dead
Twenty Beer horses We're killed, ald
the others stampeded.
The chief motive for the withdrawal
however, was that the long range guns
of the Beers had made the position mten-
able. No order was received for re-
tirement.
BOERS Twice. 1tEPUI4SED.
Piete1naritzburg Natal. Nov. Aft
ternoon)-Ihe general commanding the
line cf communication with Aiaritzbufg
has arrived with his staff and escort.
Telegraph communication north of Est
court is entirely stopped.
The natives report that the Beers re-
ceived crushing blow at Ladysmith
Thursday. This is mot officially confirm
ed. hut it is generally believed.
later Evening-The British forces at
Ladysnith, it now appears, Were engag-
ed twice successfully ON Thursday and
ON Friday. 1t is reported that the
cavalry suffered heavily and that the
infantry did great execution with bay
onets the Gordon Highlanders carrying
the principal Boer position at the point of
the bayo1et. The Beers lost heavily in
killed and wounded, and a number sur
rendered.