The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-06
Beers Accused by a Correspondent of
Using Explosive Bullets Dur
ing the Engagement.
AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE
BRAVE, BUT FUTILE, DASH.
Firing at Ladysmith and CoIensO, but
No General Observation-Disclosures
for General French.

LONDON Jan g. 450 a. m.-No decisive
operation is reported from South Africa
this morning. military activity being con-
fined to points of subsidiary Importance. In
the central theater of operations the Brit
ish, apparently, have secured no substan-
tIal gains. The only dispatch Of dramatic
interest is the narrative of useless gal
iantry at the sortie from Mafeking, where
the stormers threw themselves hopelessly
against strongly defended Boer work.
The War Office has received, through
General Forestier-Walker, at Cape Town,
the following dispatch from Colonel Baden
Powell, dated Mafeking. Dec 26:
''We attacked one of the enemy's works
this morning. endeavoring to push back the
Gordon northward. Our force consisted of
three guns. two squadrons of the Protec-
torate Regiment. one of the Bechuanaland
Rifles, armored train, etc. The enemy had
strengthened their works during the night
and doubled the garrison since yesterdays
reconnaissance. Nevertheless, our attack
was carried out and pressed home with
the greatest possible gallantry and steadi-
ness under a very hot fire. But all efforts
to gain the interior by escalade failed, the
fort being practically impregnable. Our at
tack only withdrew after six of our officers
and a large number of men had been hit.
Nothing could have exceeded the courage
and dash displayed.
'aThe general situation----rensainS un-
changed and the health and spirits of the
garrison are very satisfactory. / regret to
report the following casualties:
''Killed-Capt. r. j. Vernon, Capt. H. c.
sandford, Lieut.. III. C. Patton, eighteen
noncommissioned officers and troopers.
'sWounded-Capt. Charles Fitzclarence.
twenty-three noncommissioned officers and
troopers.
"Prisoners-Three troopers
General Forestier-walker points out that
while the dispatch gives all the names, it
fails to show that six officers were hit.
Lady Georgiana Curzon has received a
dispatch from Lady Sarah Wilson, at Ma
feking. dated Dec. 25. saying. Both WELL"
referring to herself and husband, who had
been reported as wounded.
The Daily Mail has the following dis
patch from Rensberg, dated Jan. 4: Some
Free Staters sen. a petition to President
Steyn, asking to return home. He replied
that they had crossed the border without
permission and as they had no money to
pay the damage done they must pay for 1t
with their blood
A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph from
F'rere camp. dated Friday, Jan. 5, says:
''There has been firing to-day at Lady
smith and Cole.iso. strong cavalry re-
connoissance, under Lord Dundonald, pro-
ceeded westward this morning toward
Springfield, where firing is proceeding.
There is a revival of the report that the
Beers are short of provisions. General
Buffers army is eager for the advance"
The lieutenant. sergeant and FIVE men
who were reported missing from Captain
Thornycroft's patrol. which found the en-
bridge on JAM when their presence was
discovered by the Boer scouts. having been
hotly chased. eluded the Beers and re-
turned to Camp Frere.
The restlessness OF the Zulus is increas-
ing. Many of them are on the verge OF
starvation and there have been several in
stances of looting stores. 1t is feared the
magistrates viii not be able to restrain
the warriors much longer. 1t is asserted
they are anxious to attack the Beers
dispatch TO the Daily Chronicle from
Cape Town. dated Jan. s. quotes Mr.. Web
ster Davis. assistant secretary of the De-
partment OF the Interior az Washington
as saying that although his visit to South
Africa Is entirely for his health he intends
to go to Pretoria at no matter what per-
sonal Inconvenience.
With reference to the Boer reports that
Lord Cecil and Lord Charles Bentinck were
recently wounded at Mafeking inquiries
have been made through the correspondent
OF the Associated Press at Pretoria with
the result that 1t has been ascertained
that neither took part in the sortie and
Lord Bentinck's troops were not engaged
H