The record-union., 1899-10-16

reports agree that the Beers now oc-
cupy Newcastle.
Boer tents have been discovered eight
miles southeast of Kimberly. Great
clouds of dust seen ten miles to the
eastward of Kimberly this morning
seem to indicate the movement of a
large body of troops with wagons. Two
imperial officers at midday also dis
covered column of 400 Beers going
in the direction of Modder River bridge
from Johannesburg. Small parties Of
Beers, evidently on a communicating
expedition, have passed kaffr River.
There are large commandos on either
side of the railway. The Burghers say
they will have 1000 men. They prob
ably intend to join the other forces in
camp last night several miles from the
Cape Colony border.
TROOPS IN NATAL.
DURHAM, Oct. 15.-Following is the
strength and disposition of the troops
in Natal:
At Ladysmith, seven batteries, thir-
ty-two guns, 1900 infantry: at Est
court 200 volunteers, and at Colenzo
AT volunteers. These, with the force
at Pietermaritzburg, make total of
10,O coo men in Natal
Owing to the rigorous censorship
maintained, news from the front is
greatly delayed and reaches here in
disjointed dispatches. 1t is learned
from an authentic source that a large
number of troops. including cavalry,
artillery and infantry, left Ladysmith
early Friday morning with wagons, go
ing in the direction of Acton Homes,
where the Beers are reported to be en-
camped.
The Dublin Fusileers arrived from
Glencoe by train at IL O'clock and pro-
ceeded in the same direction. There
has been no engagement, the Beers re-
treating. The British troops remain at
a point ten miles from Ladysmith, with
the exception of the DuIiin Fusileers,
who returned to Glencoe, General Sir
William Symons having wired that an
attack was expected there Saturday
morning
The Beers posses Brakwal Station,
twenty-five miles west of Ladysmith,
and detachments have also been seen
by carbineers at Besters. two stations
nearer.
The carbineers retired. and the Boers
retreated in the direction of Brakwai.
The following official statement has
been published:
The general officer commanding at
Ladysmith issued forth on Friday
morning with a strong dying column
and occupied a position covering ady-
smith. He reconnoitered for the enemy
hn Sh n
They are reported to be inside the
Berg at the foot of Tintwa rass in
force, with second command at Oil
Vlers Hoek. The troops have return
ed to quarters"
1t is reported from Glencoe that. a
large commando. believed to be Free
State Beers, under Commandant Viii
joen, is at the foot of Bothas Pass. one
and half miles on the Natal side of
the border
The Transvaal flag has been hoisted
at Charlestown and Commandant Vii
5oen has sent a message to Newcastle
saying the Beers will hoist the Trans
Vaal flag there on Saturday. but that
the people need no. be afraid. as ev-
eEytnlng the Beers take will be paid
Tor. They want 20 slaughter the cat
tie Many. people are left III Newcastle.
Inc c'GG.ng women and children.
train Of wagons, FIVE or TX mics
In length, was seen descending MolIs
Mex toward Doornkop. north of WooIs-
daft
FIRING IN NETGHR0RHOOD OF
KIMBERLY.
CAPE TOWN. Oct. 15.-Tha Nodder
River station master reports that fir
ing fas been heard in the direction of
Kimberly, and the station master at
BeiE Cnt telegraphs that a force of
Roers is advancing southwark.
ftowerdew, the engine driver of Cap
'4ln Nesbltt's train, which was derail-
ed and boarded by the Soers. states
lhat If the train had returned when
Wa1h'ng was receiy "a that the Beers
heId the line, it could easily have made
It's way back to NJ arboso bat Captain
Nestitt insisted upon an endeavor be-
ing m6de to reach Mafel1iae.
When the pilot engine was derai1-
ed, said Flowerdew. I'VE spent a half
nour trying to replace it on the track
Then the Beers commenced fi,.;,o go
several men were wounded. The fir
- op III iISuC, Dlr Without
eHect The Beers were careful to CON
their fire upon the engine. So
as 10 save the armored carriage and
ammunition trucks. At dawn thew
commenced to lombard the cars. 7 es-
capped by crawling a mile and a half
on my belly in the sand. When both
We're destroyed Captain Nesbitt
eAhlolted flags of truce. but the Roars
continued their firing for another cuar-
Ter OF an hour. There is no doubt that
al the others on the train ara -rison-
ers and that the carriage and ammu-
hltlon intact fell into their hands,