The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-09
AN ADVANCE TO COLENSO
PROBABLY ALREADY RIEOCCU
PIED BY THE BRITISH.
GEN. JOUBERT HAS DRAWN IN HIS HORNS
At Estcourt and Piete'maritzburg the Defences
Have Been Greatly Strengthened and
tits Believed They Can Hold
Out Till Help Arrives.

London, Nov. S-To the eyes of mill
tary experts the darkest page of the
war is now being written. But even
that is illuminated with bright passages.
such as General Whites victorious
sorties. If he can keep the British flag
flying over Ladysmith until he is re-
lieved, the campaign viii turn fresh
page, and with the advance OF Sir Red
vers Buffers force, the British public
is promised more cheerful reading
The most interesting news tonight is
a dispatch from Estcourt announcing the
departure of u strong force Of mounted
troops and artillery for a destination
not given in the advices. Another mes
sage announces the arrival at EstcourU
and Pietermaritzburg within the last
few days of reinforcements from Dur
ban and that $500 troops are assem-
bled, ready for an advance to Colenso,
when the oppOrtune moment arrives.
The latter dispatch throws light upon
the former, and the force which left
Estcourt Monday has doubtless reoccu-
pied Colenso and possibly is now adj
yancing cautiously up the railroad to-
ward Ladysmith, General Whites sortie
Of Friday, almost to the banks of the
Tugela River encouraging its command
vr in the hope of joining hands with
him.
General Joubert the latest advices
would Indicate, drew i'm his horns after
Fridays engagement, and has since with
drawn the southern Boer cGnthngents,
leaving only outposts on the line from
Ladysmith to Colenso. The Beers who
occupied Colenso about the maddle Of
last week retired without damaging Bull
wer bridge over the Tugela River or the
railroad as far north as the village of
Nelthorpe, seven miles south of Lady
smith. Evidently they nurse a hcoe of
eventually utilizing both in their descent
on PietermaritzDurg Meanwhile the
British are also able to use both, as they
have already dome, i'm running up an ar
mored train which may at the present
moment be covering the advance Of the
Estcouut force
At Estcort and Pietcrmaritzburg the
defensive works have been greatly
strengthened within the last few days,
and they are now believed capable of
holding their own against amy Boer force
which General Jolrbert would at the
present juncture risk sending against
either town. Both are likely to be
strengthened before the week is out by
further naval force and even by the
first detachment of General Buffers
army corps.
None of the troopships have arrived
The ONE which it was predicted might
reach Capt Town at the earliest ON Mon
day Is at yet unannOunced, and even
when it does arrive there, it will have
three days steaming to reach Durham.
As many as six transports with 4,500
troops are expected to be in Cape Town
haIbor by this time, but the War Office
last evening issued a statement to the
effect that the only arrivals at Cape
Town were the Sumatra, from Durham,
with wounded, the Southern Gross, from
Gibraltar, with mules, and the collier
WenvOe.
The situation looks brighter at Mafe-
king, where the Beers are apparently
at the unexpected resist
ance, Il large body of their force having
been detached to the south to assist in
the investment of Kimberley, around
which the Gordon is drawing tighter.
Evidently the Beers intend to make
effort to capture Kimberley
and their arch-enemy Cecil Rhodes.
The reported departure of a Boer con-
tingent from Pretoria, with German ar
tillery gunners, moving in a southerly
direction, is taken to mean cooperation
in the invasion of northern portions of
Cape Colony, an undertaking, which
thus far has not progressed very rapidly
Reports of a treacherous use of the
white flag by the Beers, coming from
native sources, are not received with
complete credulity, but at the same time,
their reiteration is making an unfavora-
bic impression.
GUNS BOOM NEAR COLENSO.
Estcourt. Natal, Monday, November
j-1O:45 a. m.-The Natal field artillery
left camp today escorted by troops of
the Imperial Light Horse, Carbineers
and Natal police. The destination of the
force is unknown.
Firing was heard this morning in the
direction of Colenso, from which it is
believed the Beers have resumed the
of Ladysmith.
ARMORED TRAIN RETURNS.
Escourt. Natal, Sunday, Nov. 5.-5:20
+. M.-Brigader-G General Wolfe Murray
has received important dispatches from
Ladysmith by runner, but their con-
tents have not yet been divulged. The