Gilpin observer., 1900-06-07

Britain's victory over the Beers is
one that has scanned the hearts of the
victors with sorrow. 1t was not
achieved before the British nation had
passed through seasons of humiliation,
when even their ultimate success was
doubted 1t was not achieved without
loss of life greater. perhaps, than
among the Beers.
The war began with an ultimatum
by the South African republic. issued
on October 10. and put into enect
October H. For days before this it
had been known that such result
was inevitable. Grievances asserted
by outlanders in the Transvaal, made
an occasion for intervention by Great
Britain, had remained uncorrected.
Mediation had failed. Long negotla-
tionS, tentative on both sides, MADE
, clear differences of intention which
could not be reconciled. President
Kruger, pressed by the aggressive el7-
ment Of young Beers, finally decided to
take the initiative. President Steyn
of the Orange Free State at once an
nounced that his government would
stand or fall with its brother republic.
General Sir George Stewart White
was then commander in Natal. His
force numbered $4,000 men. most of
them at Pietermartizburg in reserve,
but 1000 at Ladysmith.
Skirmshes in Natal quickly fol-
lowed. Newcastle was occupied on the
14th. Then on the Goth came the bat
tie of Glencoe, to the north OF Lady
smith, where General Joubert was de-
feated by General William Penn Sy-
monds. This, with another victory at
Elandslaagte, where the victors lost
In killed and wounded $50, was not
sufficient to stay the Boer advance.
and soon General Yule, second In
command to General Symonds. was
forced to fall back to Join General
White at Ladysmith. leaving his su-
perior officer wounded at Glencoe, to
fall into the hands of the Beers. who
treated him well until his death few
days later. The withdrawal required
three days terrible march before
Ladysmith was reached.
Victory for Burghers.
In the meantime General White had
received re-enforcements from Pieter-
maritzburg, and he settled himself to
hold Natal for his country. The first
great battle came at Ladysmith on
the SOth of October. when the Beers
shelled the town, wounding or killing
100 British, and capturing during 6
sortie the First Gloucester regiment
and the First Battalion of Irish Fusil-
iers.
At Kimberley and at Mafeking
fighting had also been going on. Pres
ident Steyn had Issued proclamation
declaring Bechuanaland annexed to
the Orange Free State, and this had
been answered by a counter procla-
nation from Sir Alfred Miner declar-
ing the first null and void. Sir Red
vers Butler had been given the COM
mand in South Africa as soon as wal
had been declared. and with his staff
and heavy re-enforcements was on his
way thither.
Invade Capo Colony.
The fighting in the month OF Novem'
ber was marked by two characteristic
les. One was the capture by the Beers
of various points around Ladysmith
Colenso, Estcourt and others. so as tC
effectually invest General Whites
force. The other was their passage
over the line into Cape Colony in
strong forces. and the fighting with
the forces of Generals Gatacre anC
Methuen, which were working thei,
way north on the road to Kimberley
from the seaports. To all this there
was the steady rumbling accompani
mcpt OF discomfort and threatened up
rising by the Boer subjects OF Grea
Britain in Cape Colony. while tn,
Basutos and other natives were yer!
restless. When General Butler arrived
in Africa with his re-enforcements II
the middle of the month his combined
army numbered $4,000 men. Tn,
Beers seized Colesburg. Cape Colony
November II. and week later the.
occupied Stormburg. putting them
selves in front of the advancing arm
OF Gatacre, which passed through
Queenstown on its way north.
killing of wauchopc.
Methuen was marching north fur
ther to the west, and he was the frs
to come into conflict with the Boer
on a large scale. His direct obJectiv
point was Kimberley. and 1t was a
Belmont ffty-slx miles south of there
that he won his first big victory
About $50 were killed or wounded ol
each side. but the Beers fell back t
Gras ppn, where their position wa
carried st the point of the bayone
on the 25th.
Three days later came the fearfu