The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-15
No Battle at Van Reenan's Pass, but
Fighting Reported Along the
Border of Cape Colony.
CAPTAIN NESBIT'S CAPTURE
DETAILS OF THE WRECK OF THE
ARMORED TRAIN AT KRAAIPAN.
Culvert Blown Up, and When the
Doomed Train Ran Into the Ditch
the Beers Shelled the Debris.

LONDON, Oct. 1.-Although the report
of battle at Van Reenan's Pass, on the
border of Natal. yesterday, did not prove
to De true. other dispatches of sufficiently
warllke nature to satisfy the most sensa-
tional. are arriving here hourly. Most Of
them. however. are belated.
The Exchange Telegraph Company re-
ceived dispatch from Cape Town, dated
this morning, saying that the Beers have
blown up another armored train carrying
telegraph operators from Mafeking.
The report that fighting has taken place at
Kraaipan has been officially confirmed at
Kimberley.
Up to noon yesterday the Beers had not
occupied New Castle. The last train left
Thursday evening with the railway, tele-
graph and police officials. Mr.. Jackson. the
magistrate, and few residents remain
there at their own desire. The Beers are
encamped at Ingogo, fifteen miles from New
Castle.
A dispatch from Pretoria, dated Oct. 13.
says: General Koch wires from the Natal
border that his command has occupied
Bothas Pass and also captured the railway
station"
Advices from Volksrust received at Pre-
toria confirm the report that Boer COM
mana mas occupied l>dlnS Nek WllnOul
casualties. The health of the burghers is
good.
The Beers, it is reported, have seized the
railway station north of Fourteen Streams.
between vryburg and Kimberley. Fighting
Is still continuing In the neighborhood. The
Beers, IL is said, have made several attacks
upon Mafeking. all OF which have been re-
pulsed. In connection with this rumor dis
quieting report comes from Pretoria to the
effect that the Rustenburg and Marico COM
mands have crossed the border and entered
the Rooigrond territory between Lichten-
burg and Mafeking. blowing up the bridge
over the Maloppo river and destroy
ing a trainload OF dynamite and
the track. AS Mafeking depends upon Roof
grond for its water supply, the significance
of this move is evident.
The following dispatch from Ladysmith
has been received at the War Office. Gen.
Sir George Stewart White went in the di-
rection OF Van Reenan's Pass at a. m. yes
terday but failed to draw the Beers to the
pass. He returned TO Ladysmith, where he
now Is. No engagement occurred" Two
armored trains now patrol the lines in the
vicinity of Ladysmith.
The transports Gaul and Hensada arrived
at Durham to-day from India. The trans
port wardha. with a contingent of Lancers.
was compelled to put back TO Durham. She
encountered a severe gale off East London.
southeast OF King Williams Town, and was
considerably damaged, losing nearly one
hundred horses.
Authentic news has reached Durham that
1900 Beers encamped on the Ingogo battle
field last evening.
The capture of the armored train on the
western border of the Transvaal is the be-
ginning OF a few anticipated reverses at
the outset of the campaign. The Boer plan
Is now unfolding itself. 1t seems to be to
strike simultaneously at different points,
with view of obtaining a strong strategic
position in Natal before the arrival Of the
British army corps. AZ all points the Brit
ish are faced by Boer forces superior at
least in number. The most dangerous posi-
tions. especially since the loss of the ar
mored train. are at Mafsking and Vryburg.
Colonel Baden-Powell. who is in command
at Mafeking. Is man Of the greatest cour-
age and energy. but he has only 1900 men.
many of them irregulars whose fis ting
capacity Is not known. although IL is be-
1ieved 10 be good. The fact that he has
moved out of Mafeking indicates some ap-
prehension, and IN all likelihood he will
have TO stand fierce assault or a pro-
General Sir George Stewart White. COM
manding In Natal is estimated TO have
about 15.o00 men. stretched in strongly en-
trenched positions from Ladysmith TO Dun
dee. He Is a man of great resource and
has the valuable assistance OF General Sir
William Penn Symons. experienced In hill
fighting In India. and of General Sir Arch
ibald Hunter. experienced in Sudan cam
paigns.
While most OF the reports from South
Africa OF fighting are unconfirmed. IL would
not be surprising 10 hear of a battle at
any time; As Mafeking is cut of tele-
graphically. the stories from that point are
generally OF Kaffir origin and must be re-
Garded with suspicion. While there is every
probability that General Cronjess big COM
mand has begun the assault on Mafeking.
reliable details must still be awaited.
As previously stated, the report of bat
tie in Natal proved 10 be untrue. but there
IS no question that the Beers have crossed
the frontier. They are said 10 have eight
cen guns. Some OF the reports current were
that the British had gained great victory:
that 1000 Beers were killed. and that the
British loss was very slight. Another re-
port was that Lord Rothschild was in re-
ceipt of news OF great British victory.
but when the Associated Press representa-
tive questioned him regarding the alleged
dispatch he replied: II am sorry that