The times., 1899-11-08
RESTING ON THEIR ARMS
A Cessation Of HOStilitieS in Natal
Since Last Friday.
The Rand Police Join the Boer
Forces ut the FrOnt-Exodus of the
Farmers About Estcourt - Thirty
Six Hours Bombardment of Mafe-
king a Joke - Whites Request.

LONDON. Nov. S-A despatch from
Cape Town says it is reported that when
the news of the fight at EIandslaagte
reached Johannesburg practically the whole
Rand police, with guns from the Rand
fort, were sent to the front Twenty men
with one gun remained at the fort. A ca
blegram from Estcourt says it is rumored
that the Natal Dutchmen fought on the
side of the Beers on November ?. Many
farmers from points north of Estcourt
were reported to be entering the town.
Some of them were going toward the coast
All the iron bridges were intact up to
noon of November 4 A despatch to the
Daily Mail" from Mafeking, dated Octo-
Der 26, which came by way of Orange River
reports that during the thirty-six hours
bombardment Of the town by the Beers
only four English soldiers were wounded.
The bombardment was so futile that it
seemed to be a joke. At it's conclusion
the Beers tried to rush the town. a fearful
rife fire resulted and the Maxim guns Of
the British were used with such deadly ef
feet that the Beers broke and stampeded
in mad panic They were driven back
over mines which were exploded, scatter
ing the Beers in all directions, with great
loss.
LONDON, Nov. THE War Office today
made public a despatch from General
Butler dated Cape Town, November 7, 1855
p. m, containing the following from the
general at Estcourt, through the Governor
of Natal:
Since Friday there has been a cessation
of hostilities. A note was sent on that
day to General Joubert by General White,
asking permission for the non -cornbatants
and the sick and wounded to go south.
General Joubert refused to grant the re-
quest. but agreed to allow them TO go to
special camp four miles from Ladysmith.
The townspsople refused to accept this offer.
The sick and wounded and a few of the in
yalids moved yesterday. A few shots were
exchanged yesterday between outposts. Fri
days bombardment was heavy. Shells fell
in the hospital, and one burst in the hotel
during luncheon, but no one was injured
The only casualty in the town from the
shells up to the present time was one
Kafir killed last Wednesday.
"On Friday there was a smart action to-
ward Dewdorp, the railway station for Lady
smith. The troops under Colonel Brockel-
hurst drove the Beers back considerable
distance and disabled one gun. There was
also fighting near Bulewan. Our loss was
eight killed and about twenty wounded
Ninety eight of our wounded from Dundee
who were sent here have arrived, and are
doing we'll
"Our position here is now believed to be
entirely safe. 1t has been greatly strength
ened during the last twenty-four hours.
The people have destroyed their dwellings
and are living in bomb-proof places, and
there are plenty of good stores of all kinds
The message ends as follows: The gen
eral at Estcourt adds: This is an exact
copy of a press censored telegram brought
here by a Kaffir runner
In view OF General Buffers telegram,
the early reports OF a great British VIC
tory at Ladysmith are discredited.