The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-24
TROOPS ARE POURING IN
METHEUN'S VICTORY OVER THE
BOERS AT BELMONT.
HE REPORTS So OF HIS MEN AS KILLED
Official Diary of Events at Kimberly from No
vember 18th to November 18th. No Sc
rious Engagements Between
Those Dates.

Cape Town, Nov. 23.-( Evening. The
constant arrival of transports and the
entraining of troops for the mysterious
north are the chief incidents among the
military.
Although the authorities exercise a
strict watch over 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 the
Free Staters, yet it is the opinion of
many competent to judge that they will
NOT resist the British advance with the
same doggedness as is shown by the
Transvaalers, and, even now, many be-
licve that if plebiscite were taken it
would show a majority against war.
BOERS SHE'LL THE CAMP.
AIooi River, Natal, November 23.-10
a. m-The Boer guns began TO shell the
camp at ) O'Clock this morning. The
British artillery is in position ON high
ground to the east, west and north Of
the station. The artillery duel was con
tinued until s o'clock, when it ceased
for an hour.
The Beers recommended at . o'clock
and dropped three shells into the camp.
They are still firing at intervals with
no damage, although their aim is good.
A patrol of Thofneycroft's horse has re-
turned from the direction of Rosetta and
reports all quiet there.
TRANSPORTS AT DURHAM.
London, Nov. % The British trans
ports Pavonia and Cepalonia arrived at
Durham today with about 1900 troops,
making the total arrivals of the first d-
vision 11,600 men. Another 1000 are
expected within few days.
The Admiralty announces that the
First Dragons left Cape Town today
for Durham to reinforce General Clery,
whose advance is delayed by lack Of
cavalry.
BULLER STARTS FOR NATAL
Cape Town, Nov. 23-General Butler
has started for Natal He is expected
to return here shortly.
EVENTS AT KIMBERLEY.
London, Nov. 23.-The War Office
this evening issued dispatch from
Cape Town. which is brief official
diary of events at Kimberley from No
yember 18th to November 18th. 1t shows
that no serious engagement occurred be-
tween those dates, that the British
losses have been intinitesimal 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
Methuen, have taken up defensive posi-
tions to the south of the town.
The dispatch follows:
Kimberley, November 18th The
Beers fired four hundred shells yester-
day Our expenditure up to date is
about 200 shells
November 13th-There was a desul-
tory bombardment today, the B0er prac-
tice being Indifferent.
November 14th-The bombardment
continued today.
November 1Gsh-At daybreak our
mounted troops made "a sortie. The
morning was misty. and our scouts came
suddenly upon the Beers, who fired
wildly An artillery engagement ensued.
We had two men wounded.
November 17th.-There was another
sortie at , o'clock yesterday afternoon
FROM Bulpritein, which drove the enemy
to the edge of Alexandersfontein. Our
only casualty was a captain wounded.
1t is reported that the Beers are concen-
trating south of Kimberley and now oc-
cupy laagers ut Stagstenfontein Sta
ton and Scholtz Mex. Their camp is
practically surrounded by coppice and
the country is suitable to their tactics. F"