The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-04

way of Noormburg. The dispatch adds
that big developments are expected to-
morrow.
A dispatch from Naauwpoort, Cape Col
ony, dated Jan. 3, says: There was brisk
fighting to-day in the hills around Coles
burg. The Beers stubbornly resisted the
British at every point. but gradually re-
treated. The British held the extreme po-
sitions to the south and east, overlooking
the town. The hills around Colesburg are
numerous. not in ranges, but in groups.
| making it very difficult to hunt the Beers
| out. Sixteen wounded have arrived at Ar
undel."
Advices from Sterkstroem, Cape Colony.
dated Jan. 3, say: 1.-THE Beers attacked
Molteno this morning. A brisk action is
! now in progress" Nothing further has
been heard from Molteno. So far as known
there is only a small force there.
| Another dispatch from Sterkstroem an
nounces that Swanelef, the Boer comman-
dant at Stormberg, has died of his wounds.
A special dispatch from Rensburg, dated
Jan 2, says a supply train without loco
| motive was set in motion within the Brit
| ish lines near Colesburg, and proceeded so
| near the Boer position that 1t was impossi-
bic to recover IL, and the British guns
therefore destroyed the trucks. 1t is sus-
pected this was the act of a traitor.
| The supply train. says another dispatch
! from Rensberg, ran into a broken culvert
and was wrecked. The Beers began loot
| Ing It, and another Rensberg train was
dispatched to the scene in an effort to re-
| cover the provisions The Beers opened
Il q
ing 1t, forcing the second train to retreat
after several Of the natives had been killed
| The total British casualties about Coles
burg III two days were six men killed and
| twelve wounded The latest advices from
that district tend to modify the estimate
OF General French's success. The predicted
occupation of Colesburg had not been ac-
complished last evening while the Beers
guns, announced to have been silenced
We're still active. The War Office this morn
ing issued dispatch received from General
French under yesterdays date. saying his
i position was the same as on the previous
day, that with small reinforcements he
| could dislodge the Beers from Colesburg,
and in the meantime he continued maneu-
| vering.
4
| of gaining inside news from South Africa.
a representative of the Associated Press
learns that Colonel Pitchers occupation of
Douglass is regarded as merely the first
step of General Methuen's carefully ma
tured plans to outfiank the Beers. Ac-
cording to this authority it is probable
Colonel Pitcher, in conjunction with Gen.
eral Barington's force on the Modder river.
will proceed to the rear Of those intrench-
ments which now prevent General Methu-
| en- from proceeding to Kimberley. Colonel
Pilcner has only about forty miles to travel
| before he can achieve this end, and If this
| understanding is correct an attack by
General Methuen and a determined effort
| to relieve kimberley may be expected any
day.
| The correspondent of the Associated
Press with the flying column says: '"The
immediate result of Colonel Pitchers sue
cess is the entire dispersal Of the rebels,
vino. have been governing the country for
the past six weeks. After sunnyside was
captured the Torontos occupied the laager
for the night. and Joined the main body the
Following morning. bringing the whole of
the Boer tents. wagons and loot, and leav-
| ING tnO OOrHWdllS III garrison at Sunny
| SIDE The British force then started for
| Douglass. the Torontos bringing up the
rear in wagons In the afternoon the
troops entered the town unopposed and
amid extraordinary scenes. The inhabi-
tants were overjoyed and crowded about
the soldiers, shaking hands with them.
and when they learned that their deliverers
were Canadians and Australians the en-
deafening cheers as the troops traversed
the main street, and it was almost impos-
sible for them to make progress. the
crowds being so eager to shake hands with
the colonials. 1t appears that the Land
lrost and all the mounted rebels evacuated
the place on the previous night The un-
mounted rebels are reported to be in
trenched In the vicinity. Quantities of am
munition We're captured and DESTROYED.
A dispatch from Modder river fntimates
that the Sunnyside prisoners will not be
treated as prisoners of war. but as British
subjects, caught in open rebellion At the
Modder river camp the conduct of the Co.
lonials is greatly admired, and all are de.
lighted that they have struck the first blow
:. on the western frontier since the battle
OF Magersfontein. 1t is believed the relic,
OF kuruman will quickly follow
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