The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-17
In A BOER TRAP.


who was wounded, on the tender. The rate
of the remainder Of the Durbans and Dub
Inns and Lieutenant Churchill is unknown.
CHURCHILL COOL AND BRAVE.
1.-THE Natal Mercury, describing the en-
says: The enemy apparently
opened fire with a Maxim and two nine
FOUNDERS getting the range accurately. The
fire was so severe that telegraph wires and
poles were destroyed. Their guns were
posted on a kopje covered with brush wood.
and their sharpshooters were hidden be-
hind powders. The Dublins and volunteers,
fighting an unequal battle, thrice drove the
enemy back, but the fierceness Of the rifle
and big-gun fire was too much for the brave
little party, which weakened at the
outset by the overturning of the trucks
hurting several. Lieutenant Churchills
bravery and GOODNESS were magnificent. En-
couraged by him. all worked like heroes in
clearing the line to enable the engine and
tender to pass
Later details show that heavy rain
and mist compelled a cessation of firing.
Lieutenant Churchill bravely carried the
wounded to the tender under fire. While
scouts pushed in and exchanged shots with
court. 1t appears the Beers were in s,n-
bush. AS soon as the train had passed up
they emerged from cover and dislodged
the sleeper polts."
Another dispatch from Estcourt, dated to-
day, says: Seven of the Durbans have just
come in, making twenty-three missing
Only fifteen Of the Dublins have returned
The Natal seven-pounder, which was In
front Of the truck, had fired three shots
when it was shattered by the Boer artillery.
The armored engine has many bullet marks
and its dome cover is smashed as also is
its automatic exhaust pipe and twenty-five
ton screw-jack. The tender is also pitted
with bullet marks. 1t is rumored that Lieut.
Churchill is a prisoner. Another armored
train on its return here reported the Beers
had blown up the line between Coenso and
Chievely. Not much damage was done, but
the rails were bent and small culvert de-
stroyed. On seeing the British patrols the
Beers retired.
FORAGING PARTY.
Every day lessons the chance of the
Beers coming farther south. Kaffirs report
that a force of 200 to 500 Beers with wagons
is going in the direction of Colenso This is
said to be the foraging party previously
sighted. The Kaffirs also report that Gen.
Whites cavalry has had an engagement
with the Beers at Bester's Station. The re-
suit is not known.
"A message from Ladysmith, just re-
ceived. gives a few details Of the occur
rences of Wednesday. Nov. 8, when the
Beers shell fire was increased during the
afternoon. 1t is asserted that they appeared
to deliberately aim at the convent on the
hill, in the center Of the town, where there
were only the sisters and wounded The
building was hit twice in spite of the
Geneva flag flying. The Beers attempted
a demonstration against the western de-
lenses, but it was never serious. The groups
appearing at long range were easily scat
tered by the fire of a machine gun.
The total British casualties during the
briskest bombardment were three men,
though some damage was done to cattle
and property. The fire of The Boer position
gun has been erratic, but probably trifie
wearing through its continued use. The
Boer positions are six to seven and eight
thousand yards distanct.
"A Kaffir from the Free State lager re-
ports that General Vessels. who COM
manded when the British force surrendered
at Nicholson's Mex. was hit during a re-
cent reconnaissance. The British garrison
cassrsd the nswA The Bosrs have sent