The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-02

NOT \ GREAT BATTLE
London. Jan. 2-(Tuesday-4:3 so a. NO.
The success of General French in driv-
ing the Beers from Colesberg has shot a
welcome ray of light through the gloom
Of the campaign in South Africa. Every
where it is commented upon as an ex-
ample of sound tactics and as an illus
tration Of what may be done when the
right methods are employed with the
Beers. The Government is urged to
take the lesson to heart and to see that
no stone is left unturned in the endeavor
10 get the largest possible forces Of
cavalry and mounted infantry to the
front.
Now that General French has the
Beers on the run, the hope is expressed
that he will give them no rest. but will
harrass them until they have found their
way across the Orange River which is
u miles distant. The old wagon route
TO the Free State traverses Colesberg
and crosses the river by a fine bridge.
1910 feet long. 1t is believed that the
Beers retreated toward NoryaTs Point,
further east, and the question is whether
General French will be able to- secure
these two bridges before the Beers de-
Stroy them. One important effect of the
success of General French is that it viii
probably have deterrent influence upon
Dutch d:saffection. There is some dispO-
SitiOn here to eXaggerate the Importance
of small Skirmishes and engagements.
1t should be borne in mind that General
French has only 1000 men. and so far
as the important points Of campaign are
concerned. the situation is virtually UNI
changed.
At Modder River the Beers appear to
be modifying somewhat their line of de-
Tense. General Buffers scouts have dis
covered a Boer camp established in the
vicinity of Springfield, southwest OF
C0lensO. by q Free State commando. A.
similar movement has been made ait Mod
der River. a large force of Beers, it is
reported, has formed a new laager about
Is miles down the stream at kameel-
hook
Hehograph dispatches from Ladysmith
show that all was we'll on December
31st The bOmbardment was being con-
tinued but its intensity had relaxed.
DETAILS OF THE FIGHT.
London, Jan. Tuesday. The
Daily Mail has the Following dispatch,
dated January 1St. from Rensburg:
Yesterday afternoon Il big force of
cavalry and infantry with ten guns, I'M
der the personal command of General
French. moving by detour, occupied
some hills three miles from COlesbers.
where the Beers were in strength. conii-
dent in the natural aid afforded them
by the hills around.
The enemy's position extended SIX
miles around the entire village. At day
break our artillery opened the battle.
The Beers were taken by surprise but
replied vigorously. An artillery duel
was maintained for two hours Then
Bocr Hotchkiss collapsed and was
abandoned We captured 1T. \ Bocr
big gun was silenccd, but this and the
other Boer guns were withdrawn to the
nOrthward. whittier we are harrassing
the Boer retreat by Il damaging shell
fire.
''Colesberg is in our hands and the
few remaining loyalists are jubilant. We
haye captured many wagons and con-
siderable quantity Of stores.
"Our losses were quite slight. but the
Beers must have suffered heavily. They
may stop at Achtertang or cross the
river all together at Norvelspont, whore
the bridge is still intact"
PUBLIC WITH THE Beers.
London, Jan. 2.-(Tuestlay THE lis
bon correspondents of the Standard. says:
1T is currently reported that the
speech of King Carlos in the Cortes TO-
morrow Gruesday) will refer at some
length 10 the situation iii South Africa.
but it is doubtful whether anything will
be said more friendly to England than
10 the Transvaal
'The public is with the Beers, and the
papers generally fear British designs
upon Delagoa Bay The Portuguese
Government asserts that it has done
everything TO preserve neutrality"