The National tribune., 1899-11-23

n great grandson of President lack
Taylor, and grandson of Jefferson Davis
ating against the British east of Estcourt
and threatening its rear. In the western
field Gen. Cronje is in front of Mafeking
and Gen. Vessels is still besieging KIM
berley.
An armored train carrying half com
pany of Durham volunteers and hall
company of the Dublin Fusileers steamed
to Chievley Nov. 10. On its return it was
shelied by the artillery of the Beers. placed
in four positions. Two trucks in front OF
the engine left the rails, topping over.
While the train was thus helpless the Dur
bans and Dublins faced the Beers in skIr-
mishing order, and the Beers poured shot
and shell into the crippled train. The
derailed cars We're with great difficulty
removed, and the line was cleared, when
the engine and tender steamed back: Ihe
fight was very hot one. The BRUSH
rode into a deliberately laid trap. Inc
Beers declined TO give any information 10
the Red Cross people as to the names of
either the killed or injured, referring the
inqurers to the Pretoria press for all
information All that they would disclose
was the fact that three of the British were
dead and nine wounded. About 100 are
missing, minority being killed and wound
ed; whether the Boer statement is true can
not, of course, be said. A large batch oi
prisoners will swell the list now at Pretoria,
already nearly 1,300.h
Advices pay testimony to the ceaseiess
activity of the burghers on the Free state
frontier and their determination to cut off
relief for Ladysmith, and, if possible, to
isolate or capture Rstcourt. A number
of Boer commanders from the east ana
west are converging on EStcourt and the
railroad just south OF that place.
The fact that the Beers have penetrated
southwark from Colenso to Chievley shows,
.1pi, hot f1,nyr nrn a
proper strategical plan to impede the ad-
vance of the British relieving force. Even
with the strong relief column now hurrylng
up from Durham, the British will have
tough job to pierce the BOer forces thrown
across the roads to Ladysmith, while cross
in the face of the Boer artillery and rifle
fire from the northern ridges commanding
the rivers will probably prove one oil the
stlffest enterprises OF the war.
There has been a good deal of fighting
outside the town and heavy shelllng OF
Ladysmith by the Beers. Ladysmlth Is
still holding out.
1t is now definitely known, although
there has been no official announcement TO
that effect, that the British authorities
have imposed three days delay on all tele-
grams allowed to come through from South
Africa. AS matter OF fact, most OF the
messages offered for transmission are per
emptorily refused by the censor. 1t IS
stated that this action has been taken be-
cause, early in the campaign, when the
correspondents and others were allowed
considerable liberty, apparently innocent
messages conveyed secret information.
There is now block on the cable, but
kilograms passed by the censors are prompt
ly forwarded.
A dispatch received on Tuesday last,
dated Nov. 10, states that the arrival OF
a relief column at Estcourt has completely
modified the plans of the enemy, and Gen.
Joubert has moved to the south. in an
effort TO prevent the junction of the two
British forces.
Lieut.. Churchill was known by Tues
days dispatches TO he slightly wounded
and prisoner, and it was stated that 30
prisoners had arrived at Pretoria from the
armored train disaster.