The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-28

Mooi River, Natal, November o.
The Boer guns began to shell the camp
at 5 O'Clock this morning. The British
artillery is in position on high ground
to east, west and north Of h station.
The artillery duel was continued Unit
s O'Clock, when it ceased for an hour.
The Beers then Recommended at 8
o'clock and dropped three shells into
camp. They are stfl firing ait intervals
with no damage. although their aim
is good.
Cape Town, November 24.-Generaa
Butler has started for Natal. He is
expected TO return here shortly.
Cape Town, November 22.-The con-
slant arrival of transports and the en-
training of troops for the mysterious
north are the chief incidents among the
military.
Although the authorities exercise a
strict watch yer the transmission of
news. it is permitted to say now that
they are prepared to act against the
Boer aggression in the north.
Although it is absurd to underrate
tAS A1NO = ~ l. Ia I4lO Opl1llO1
of many competent to judge that they
viii not resist the British advance with
the same dOggedneSS as is shown by
the ~Transvaalers, and, even now, many
believe that if a plebiscite were taken
it would show a majority against war.
TROOPS ARRIVING.
London, November 23.-The British
transports Pavonia and Cephalonia ars
rived at Durham today with about 5000
troops, making the total arrivals OF the
first division II, 600 men. Another 1000
are expected within a few days. The
admiralty that the First
dragons left Cape Town today for
Durham to reinforce General Clery,
whose Sadvance is delayed by lack of
cavalry.
The war office this evening issued a
dispatch from Cape Town, which is a
brief official diary of events at KIM
berley from November 18TH to Novem-
Der 18th. 1t shows that no serious en-
gagement occurred between those dates,
that the British losses have been infin-
itesimal and that the BOer losses were
probably very small. The final entry
indicates that the Beers, anticipating
the advance Of the relief column under
General Metheun, have taken UP de-
fensive positions to the south of the
town.
The report for the last day, Novem-
Der 18th, says:
There was another sorrtie at 2
O'Clock yesterday afternoon from Bull
priaein, which drove the enemy to the
edge of Acknowledgement. Our only
casualty was a captain 1t
is reported that the Beers r concen-
itrating south of Kimberley and now
occupy laagers at Stagsteinfontein
station and Scholtz mex. Their camp
ia nr4ntiP9GV surrounded nv pOnnic6
and the country is suitable to their
tactics. Had I attacked later / should
have a far heavier loss. Our victory
was complete. Have taken forty pris-
oners. An burying a good number Of
the Beers, but the greater part of the
enemy's killed and wounded were re-
moved by their comrades. Have "a
tured a large number of horses
and cows and destroyed a large guam
tity of ammunition
Orange River, November 23.-An en-
gagement was started on the other side
Cf WitteputS, just above Orange river,
this morning and the British ARTILLERY
succeeded in forcing the enemy to re-
tire. The following is the official COM
munication issued to the press respect
ing it:
ARTILLERY firing commenced at 4:45
g.. m, in the hills bearing e~ast-north-
east from Orange river at am estimated
distance of twelve miles. It ceased at
Z o'clock, the enemy retiring to the
hills ON the sky line, bearing east
northeast, at an estimated distance of
fifteen miles from here. The artillery
is firing again."
Durham, November 23.-The Natal
Times this evening says: During the
night attack on Sunday, General White
captured several Boer positions with
guns and much material"
Cape Town, November 23.-The Beers
occupied SteynsbuTg, southwest of
BurgIhersdorp on Monday. Mafeking
was safe as late as November 18th.
Orange River, November 23.-Hon.
Mr.. Logan, a member of the Cape Col
ony legislative council, who has just
returned here from Belmont, say the
British troops engaged the Boers this
side of Belmont, their artillery practice
being splendid. The British infantry
carried the kopjes at the point of the
bayonet and drove the Beers from their
positions.
London, November 23.-An official
dispatch from Sir Alfred Miner to Mr..
Chamberlain reports that thus far the
efforts of the Beers to provoke an up
rising among the Basutos, or to start
a civil war, have been unsuccessful.
The secretary of var has received the
following dispatch through General
Forestier-W Walker, from General Me-
theun, dated Belmont, November 23rd:
Attacked the enemy at daybreak
this morning. He was in a strong po-
sition. Three ridges were carried in
succession, the last attack being pre-
pared by Shrapnel. Infantry behaved
splendidly inc received support from
the naval brigade and artillery. The
enemy fought with courage and SKILL"