The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-08
MAY BE TWO GREAT BATTLES.
EVENTS ARE SHAPING FOR THEM
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

,nrch to KimberIey-Fear That
PROVISIONS May Give Out-Maj.
Scoft-Turner's Death.
London. Dec. 5, a. m.-Gen. Buffers ar
r,v5i at Frere is held to indicate that all
The Preparations for an advance TO the re-
Baf of Ladysmith are complete, and that
stirring news will soon be received.
The nct that Lord Methuen is announc-
Cd as resuming his command at almost the
same moment is Interpreted in some quar-
ters 10 mean that battles will be fought
simult taneously in Natal and at Spytfon.
tein. It appears doubtful, however, wheth.
er Gen. Methuens force is yet ready fof
what will eventually be a heavy encoun-
Ter
The construction of the temporary
bridge across Modder river has entailed
enormous labor; and even now the struct-
ure is liable to be washed away should a
heavy storm come.
Gen. Methuen has been obliged to move
hs camp a mile north, in consequence of
the uns3nitary state of the stream, due
to the presence of the bodies of dead Beers.
As the railway bridge was completely de-
sroyed he was compelled to leave a con-
siderable force to protect his communlca-
tons.
A special correspondent sends the inter-
eslng Information regarding Boer tactics
that Commandant General Joubert has
given general orders to reserve fire until
the British are within the close range of
400 yards, At the Modder river battle the
Free state burghers became nervous,
opened fire prematurely, thus revealing
their position, and frustrating the Boer
plans
The government has decided to dispatch
to South Africa al the earliest possible
moment a cavalry brigade of about 1000
men.
Kimberley Is Worried.
The Daily Mail publishes a dispatch
from Julian Ralph, at Mojder river who
says
"The Kimberley people are troubled by
the necessity of feeding 10,000 Basutos IN
the diamond fields whom the Beers refuse
to allow to depart. and who should they
fail to get enough meat would become dis
con,ened and reckless.
"On the NIGHT of the battle of Modder
river, kimberley, missing the accustomed
signals ir-m here, was in great anxiety
fearing that we had been defeated. The
fact was that We did not use our search
lsats for fear the Beers guns would
wreck the apparatus.
Five hundred and thirty Beers were
killed or wounded in the battle here. That
number has already been accounted for;
and the enemys losses were probably
much heavier"
The Kimberley Fight.
A special dispatch from Kimberley
GATED Wednesday, Nov. %, says:
As a result Of signals from the relief
Iofee to the south and of certain move
Wehls on he part of the Beers, Col Kek-
e"lch determined to make a sortie with a
view OF keeping a large force of Poe-s
employed here
Yesterday afternoon a portion of the
garrison with artillery under Mai Cha
nlef and mounted troops under Mai
oco'l Iurner advanced southwest toward
tue boels positions and captured Carter's
laIm which completed the line it was in
,euued TO hold in view of Lord Methuen's
early approach.
Mai. ScOtt-Turncr Killed.
Mai Scott-Turner then turned his at
Whuon to the Boer laager, which he cap
.uie0 IN fine style, in spite of the enemy's
HSaly nre' All the camp equipment was
,Sp'uIeo or destroyed. Finally the Brit
isH Slorned the ridge and captured three
'eloup-s after severe fighting.
a. III le'dlnS the men who were stomng
yH' Iouith redoubt Maj. Scott-Turner and
lieut. Wright were killed 1t is alleged
ua' Iley were struck by explosive bull
@ ~ me death of Maj. Scott-Turner
.oulpeNed the British to retire upon Car
fo,.s arm the whole affair having lasted
Iour hours"
VIII BE Great Fight.
London. Dec. IA special dispatch from
Modder river says everything points to
ae iact mat great engagement will be
'gusAt at Spytfontein
Ae boers are massing on the hills there
oa vigorously building stone defenses,
ton are digging rifle pits in every direc-
vl.i iae Boer redoubts on Lazaretto ridge
o, kimberley, are also being extend
- ana strengthened, showing that the
sb1ris vi the intentions of the Beers to
,ba.UoA the attempt to stem Cen Me-
advance are unfounded.
tue frtish have shifted their camp a
sols NlHlred yards away from the battle
4 Tsu ana are settling down for a week
r. are some cases of fever among the
,r Much depends on Gen. Gatacre's
aute There is undoubtedly a large
| hlg"iIaton Of Beers ahead Of Gen Me-
Mos, M,1 Practically the whole of their
Iv ILSN.s L6 forces have joined the Kimber-
IN Official Account
ouelal account of the sortie at Kim
4 rs. Nov 28, when the British casual
m, abled yesterday occurred. SAYS
p.5ue lush deme nstrsted towards VIM
to,t" Ne range The enemys guns were
4 Tnp.el rom the ridge at Suitzkcp
bs 1'u siding. Mai. Scott-Turner, with
Hest .ed troops attacked the enemys
bdoot Dh, capturing a lager and three
mad me enemy, IN a fourth redouht,
/ sa,'t,. Eluotorn resistance, WREN Mai
b.oS luiuer was killed The British cap
many Qbp1Io Nd
so-fs" 3Aeiis anu cestroyed other
. Co H. Stme dispatch gives reports from
he r ch, dated Dec. ard 4. show
4 arrrJ n3 rs were increasing in numbers |
Tsa Tiu Kimberley.
prt VT advan-e IN The northeastern
sss m .pe Colony is becoming remark |
Boer Va. cal farme's are fioclxing TO the
4 tstsoo.'- ayers the towns people. in many
A ee-y we coming the invaders with |
Tbs 'U.nonsiration of JOY.
ceeds d"i 'Ii .Aa on Of Brit sh territory pro
have r, The reported Beer successes |
aasut.o"s' ."''e great impression among the