The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-09

good tidings is nevertheless tinged by
certain anxiety lest General White should
again make some fatal miscalculation in
volving o repetition OF the Nicholsons
| Mex disaster. Her majesty does not share
| this anxiety and apparently Is sanguine
of his ability to pull through successfully.
1t is asserted that she has written TO Lady
White expressing sympathy with her hus-
band in the trials and difficulties he IL
now experiencing and assuring Lady White
of her nndiminshed confidence In hor
husband generalship. The purport OF this
letter has been cabled 10 General White
by the Marquis of Lansdowne.
The most interesting news last night
was a dispatch from Estcourt announcing
the departure of a strong force of mounted
troops and artillery for destination not
given In the advices. Another message
announces the arrival at Estcourt and Pie
tcrmaritzburg within the last few days OF
reinforcements from Durham and that $500
troops are assembled ready for an advance
10 Coenso when the opportune moment
arrives. The latter dispatch throws light
upon the former, and the force which left
vsstcourt doubtless re-occupied Colenso
and possibly Is now advancing cautiously
up the railway toward Ladysmith. General
Whites sortie OF Friday. almost to the
hLrks Of the Tugela river, encouraging us
Commando, IN the hope of joining With
him.
General Joubert the latest advices would
indicate, drew In his horns after Fridays
engagement and has since withdrawn the
southern Boer contingents, leaving only
outposts on the line from Ladysmith TO
Colenso The Beers who occupied Coz
Ienso about the middle OF last week retired
without damaging Bulwer bridge over the
Tugela river on the railway as far as the
village OF Nelthrope. seven miles sontn
OF Ladysmith Evidently they nurse tho
hope of eventually using beth IN tneir
descent on Pietermaritzburg. Meanwhile
the British are also using both. as they
have already done, IN running up an arm
ored train, which may at the present mo-
ment be covering the advance OF the Est
court force.
At Estcourt and Pietermaritzburg tns
defensive works have been greatly
strengthened in the last FEW days and they
are now believed capable OF holding their
own against any Boer force which Gen
eral Jonbert would at the present june
ture risk sending against either towr'
Both are likely to be strengthened before
the week is out by further naval forcy
and even by the Hrst detachment OF GEN
eral Buffers army corps None OF tns
TROOPS have arrived The one which u v
dicted might reach Capetown at the
earliest Monday is as yet unannounced ana
even when II does arrive there II VIII nave
three days steaming to reach Durban ~
many as six transports with 4oOD troops
were expected to be In capetowp harnor
by this time. but the war office last night
issued a statement TO the effect thai the
only arrivals at Capetown were the sur
matra from Durham, With wounded; the
Southern Cross from Gibraltar. with mules
and the collier Wenvoe. Of course y y
possible that dispatch boats have been
sent to meet the troopshlps either witu
instructions to proceed direct 70 purball,
and in that event the war ofnce etatement
that not ono has arrived ~ Capetowh
would be literally accurate, even tropgp
several should be half way between eepe-
town and Durbah. ~. I. Il .... "A X
The situation Locke Mlqeter q e A<<! IA
king. where the Rners 9re eppeEe924 ~
heartened q The untxeetee4
large body of their eofoA AeYl4k ~ 1! 4