The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-07
THE SORTIES
PROVED SERIOUS
Mounted British Troops Meet
Warm Reception
METHEUN At MODDER RIVER
The Beers Are Firing Into
LadySmith.
FREE STATE TROOPS LEAVING
Report from Capetown That Transvaal
Govarn,oa,, D of,,-o. - D oorx,,;,o
United States Right to Inter-
fere Regarding Prisoners
FREE STATE TROOPS LEAVING |

London, December 7.-(4:90 a. m.)-Again
there is a complete lull in news from the
seat CT war. Ladysmith has established
photographic communication with Frere and
1t is reported that all was well up to Sun
day.
Advices from the Boer laager by way of
LourenZo Marques dated Thursday No
vember 80, confirms the report that the
commands nave been closing in upon Lady
smith and mounting big guns in new po-
sitions.
According to the same advices a heavy
cannonade has been maintained and gen.
eral assault has been ordered for Thursday
morning, but was countermanded at the last
moment
Modder river dispatches say that the
Beers are encamped amid the hills, half
way to Kimberley, but it is also asserted
that large body of the enemy has gone in
the direction of Jacobsdal. 1t is possible
therefore that Lord Methuen may endeavor
TO Gear his right flank as far as Jacobsdal
before continuing his advance. He is still
waiting at Modder river for stores, guns
and ammunition.
Tie sorties from Kimberley on November
25 appears to have been much more serious
than had been supposed Details are now
arriving of a reconnaissance in force by
mounted troops under Colonel Scott-Tur-
ner st dawn in the direction of a ridge near
Carlos farm. where the Beers were
strongly entrenched Finding the Boer
plckets asleep Colonel Scott-Turner pro-
ceeded along the ridge under cover and am
bushed the Boer redoubts at 5:25 a. m. in
the face of a hail of bullets.
Ho.sted White Flag
The Beers hoisted white flag and fired
at the British under its protection before
surrendering. Owing possibly to the ex-
haustion of their ammunition, the British
were unable to follow up the attack and to
seize large Boer laager, three hundred
yards ahead, especially as Boer reinforce
ments were seen approaching, and the
enemy was keeping up a heavy fire from
the shelter of the thick bush.
During the sortie an armored train re-
connoitered north and south, while a con-
siderable force of British with field guns
and MaXims advanced toward Spytzfontein,
holding the Beers in check in that direction.
Ten guns were engaged simultaneously,
and viewed from the coming tower an ar
tillery duel seemed proceeding in every di-
rectlon except toward Kenilworth, the
fusilade being terrific. At o'clock, having
force Sufnclent TO nOlQ the pOSltlOn ne
had stormed, Colonel Scott-Turner began
gradually retiring his men. He had horse
shot under him and a bullet went through
the fleshy part of his shoulder Several
men had terrible wounds.
1t is alleged That the Beers used Mar
TINS and explosive bullets, and that they
freouently fired at the British ambulance
wagons. The British captured twenty-eisht
of the enemy.
There appears to be some doubt as to
whether this was the reconnaissance in
whicn according to the announcement of
the war office, Major Scott-Turner was
killed or whether that officer met his fate
in subsequent sorte.
United states Must Not Interfere a
1t is reported from Capetown that the
Transvaal government stil1 refuses to ac-
knowledge the right of the United States
to interfere regarding prisoners in Pre-
toria insisting that Great Britain must
inquire through Commandant General Jou-
bert.
The Times prints a letter from an Ameri-
can citizen who left johannesburg because
he was liable to be impressed and who
learned that the United States consul was
unable to protect him. He complains bit
terly that the American flag was not re-
spected in Pretoria: that his passport was
not recognized, and that his position was
practically unbearable.