The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-27
FIGHTING IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Kimberley relief column under Gen.
methuen again came In contact with the Beers
on Saturday at place called Graspans. and
carried their positions after stubborn light,
In which both sides lost heavily. The Boer
force which appears to have been composed OF
Transyaal and Free State commandos. IL esti-
mated to have been about $500 strong. with
artillery the whole under the command OF the
Transvnal General, Deerrayo. The brunt OF
the fighting on the British aide was
done by the Ninth Brigade. the artil-
lery. and naval brigade. the cavalry per-
forming the usual thanking attack on the
retreatng Beers, who. however. seem
to have again carried their ARTILLERY OF tho
Held. Full details OF the lossks on both sides
have yet to be received. but the severity OF the
action lie shown In the fact that the British
column had to retard its march for day in or
der to give the men rest and replenish the
supplies and ammunition. One point OF inter-
est on this occasion is that the Beers during
one phase OF the action assumed the otfen-
sive. attacking tho British on one oftheir TANKS.
In defending which tho naval brigade lost heav-
lily. No indication Ia given OF the exact To-
caiity OF the light. but II does not appear to
have been at a very great distance from the
first battlefield OF Wednesday. near Belmont.
From the description given in Gen. Methuen's
despatch to the British War ONCE OF the Boer
resistance. II Ia evident that they mean to
dispute his advance step by step: while
the silence as to his own losses while
speaking OF those OF tho Beers seems
to indicate considerable loss on the British
side. The delay caused Is naturally giving
much anxiety In London. especially as regards
Ma'eking which there now appears little hope
OF saving. There Ia even a fear that should
General Methuen reach Kimberley. It might
nn1 hA 20 t.n l..N- Ia In
which General White IL in Ladysmith. tho
rising in Cape Colony having been so timed az
to secure that result.
An Interesting piece OF news comes from
Rhodesia which seems to have been un-
reported On Nov. body OF Rhodesan
Horse from Fort Tuli. having come In contact
with the Beers north OF the Crocodile River.
was obliged to retire to Camp Spreckley. which
was afterward sheled by the Beers. who cap
turcd all the horses and mules belonging to
the squadron.
Full details OF the numbers OF British prison.
ers In the hands Of the Beers are given up to
Nov. Is. including those captured between
Estcourt and Colenso on that day. They COM
prise 80 officers and 1.237 men. together with
62 others. described as political prisoners
The total British losses. according to official
statements up to the same date. since the
opening OF the campaign Oh Oct 10. are nut
down at 222 killed. ssl wounded and 1876
missing. making the total loss from all
causes. 2.779 II will be noticed that
there Ia a considerable discrepancy between
the numbers Of prisoners with the Beers. and
those reported to be missing. the difference
being 400. A yet no account has been oh.
tanned IA to their fato or whereabouts and
there isa good denl Of anxiety at the British
War Office about them.
The Beers In Natal. according to tho latest
uNSp1tphps. 70 al ne frpD ba
Mooi RIVER northward. This has already
been toreshadowed. and the movement will
probably continue until they have reached the
line OF the Tugela River. whore they may be
expected TO make definite stand