The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-09
Unconfirmed Report that Joubert Has
Resumed the Bombardment OF
Ladysmith with Big Guns.
BOER ACCOUNT OF A FIGHT
STAMPEDE OF BATTERY MULES IN
THE NICHOLSON MEX BATTLE.
situation Mt Mafeking-The People
D0dging shells-Gen. French to
Invade the Free State.

LONDON. Nov. s.-In the eyes of British
military experts the darkest page of the
South African war is now being written.
But even that is Illuminated with bright
passages, such as General Writes victor
ious sorties. If he can keep the British flag
flying over Ladysmith until he is relieved
the campaign will turn a fresh page. and
with the advance OF Sir Redvers Buffers
cheerful reading. This feeling Of relief.
inspired by recent good tidings. is neverthe-
less tinged by certain anxiety lest GEN.
eral White should again make some fatal
miscalculation involving repetition of the
Nicholson's Mex disaster.
Her Majesty does not share this anxiety,
and apparently is sanguine OF his ability 10
pull through successfully. 1t is asserted
that she has written to Lady White. exc
pressing sympathy with her husband In
the trials and difficulties he is now ex-
periencing. and assuring Lady White Of her
own undiminished confidence in his general
ship. The purport Of this letter has been
cabled to General White by the Marquis OF
Lansdowne.
The most interesting news tonight is q
dispatch from Estcourt announcing the de-
parture Of strong force of mounted troops
and artillery for a destination not given in
the advices. Another message announces
| the arrival at Estcourt and Pietermaritz-
burg within the last few days of reinforce
| ments from Durham. and that $500 troops
are assembled. ready for an advance to
Colenso when the opportune moment ar
rives. The latter dispatch throws light
upon the former. and the force which left
Estcourt Monday has doubtless reoccupied
Colenso and possibly is now advancing cau-
tiously up the railroad toward Ladysmith,
General Whites sortie OF Friday. almost
to the banks Of Tugela river. encouraging
| its commander in the hope of joining hands
| with him.
DREW IN HIS HORNS.
General Joubert. the latest advices would
indicate, drew in his horns after Fridays
engagement. and has since Withdrawn tho
|
posts on the line from Ladysmith TO CO.
lenso The Beers who occupied Colenso
about the middle Of last week retired with
out damaging Bulwer bridge over the Tu-
gela river or the railroad as far north an
the village of Nelthrope, seven miles south
of Ladysmith. Evidently they nurse a
hope of eventually utilizing both in their
| descent on Pietermaritzburg. Meanwhile
| the British are also able to both. az
they have already done. in running up an
1 armored train which may at the present
! moment be covering the advance OF the EST
court force.
| At Estcourt and Pietermaritzburg the de-
| fensive works have been greatly strength
| ened within the last few days. and they are
now believed capable of holding their own
| against any Boer force which General Jou-
| bert would at the present jucture risk send
| ing against either town. Both are likely TO
be strengthened before the week Is out by
| further naval force, and even by the first
detachment OF General Buffers army corps.
| None of the troopships has arrived The
| one which IL was predicted might reach
Cape Town at the earliest on Monday Is
( as yet unannounced and even when IL does
arrive there II will have three days steam
ing to reach Durham. AS many six trans
ports with 4.5oo troops were expected TO
| be in Cape Town harbor by this time. but
the War Office last evening issued state
| ment 20 the effect that the only arrivals
| at Cape Town were the Sumatra. from Dur
| ban with wounded, the Southern CroSs
| from Gibraltar. with mules. and the collier
! Wenvoe. OF course IL is possible that dis
| patch boats have been sent 10 meet the
troopshins with instructions 10 proceed di-
rect to Durham. and in that event the War
| Office statement that not one has arrived at
| Cape Town would be literally accurate. even
| though several should be half way between
/ Cape Town and Durham.
BRIGHTER AT MAFEKING.
The situation looks brighter at Mafeking.
| where the Beers are apparently dishearten-
ed at the unexpected resistance. large
body OF their force having been detached
| to the south TO assist In the investment OF
| Kimberley. around which the Gordon II
| Craving tighter. Evidently the Beers in
tend to mako concentrated effort to cap