Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-18


Modder River, Cape Colony, Jan. H.
There was a demonstration in force.
under General Methuen yesterday. a
division being engaged, with the object
of ascertainng the strength and dis
position OF the Boer force and also in
order TO try to draw the Beers from
Kimberley. where, lately. they have
been active. The British discovered
he Beers in great force and being re-
Enforced from the direction of Jucobs-
dial.
at 4:30 the artillery opened fire. the
shells dropping in tho Boer cntrench-
ments with great precision. The at
tack was directed against the Bocr left.
The firing continued until sunset.
mostly with artillery, although the
Guards, on the right, fired some long
range vollcys. The Beers reserved their
fire until the British were returning to
camp in tho darkness. when six shells
followed them. There We're no casual
ties among the British troops.
MONDAYS FIGHT.
London. Jan. 17.-The War Office has
received the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts. dated Cape Town, jan
uary l6, evening:
ION the 18th the Beers made n de-
tcrmincd attack upon French's adj
vanccd post, held by the New Zealand
Mounted Rifles and a detachment of
III" First Yorkshres.
The Beers were repulscd, having
twenty killed. Their wounded estimat-
ed not less than fifty. The attack was
preceded by Il long range fire from one
gun.
otherwise tho situation is unchang-
ed"
a SIDE ISSUE ONLY.
General French's success, consoling
to the British. is recognized as being
only Il SIDE issue. The country is crate
full to learn that the British losses in
this engagement were only six men
killed and five wounded
The news that two transports. with
troops, have been ordered from Cane
Town to Port Elizabeth. indicates that
substantial reinforcements arc OH their
way 10 General French.
a DAYS FIRING
Rcnsburg, Cape Colony, Tuesday,
Ian. 16--Thc Beers opened an artillery
duel this morning, using n captured
British ffteen-pounder which the Brit
ish gunncrs ultimately silenced The
British kept us a searching fire all day
long on the I'oer kopjos. and also drag.
gcd up another gun to the summit of
Coles Kop.
BULLER'S PROGRESS.
London. Jan. 1S,--'rhc Daily Mail has
the following, dated yesterday, from
Pietermaritzburg:
News has been received that General
Butler is making satisfactory prog
rcss."
GENERAL GATACRE's WARNING.
Sterksstrom. Wednesday, Jan H.
General Gatacre has warned the Boer
commandment that il the women are not
removed they must take their chance
of being shot in the event Of an at
tack. He has protested against allow
ing the wives and daughters of the
Boer soldiers TO reside in or near the
camp.
All quiet here.
THE ASSAULT ON LADYsMITH.
London, Jan. 1s.-The first detailed
report of the assault on Ladysmith is
given in Il dispatch from there, pub
lished to-day by the Standard 1t is
dated I.adysmith, January 9Th via
Frere, January nth, and makes the
first mention OF the capture OF the
Highanders. II shows the garrison
was surprised and several times the
situation was critical. Every one of
thirty Gordon Hishlanders who sur
rendered was wounded. The dispatch
follows:
The enemy to-day made deter
mined effort to capture two positions
Caesars Camp and Wagon HILL The
latter is lofty eminence to the south
west. possession of which would have
brought them within rifle range of the
town. Caesars Camp was held nv Tho
first battalion Of The Manchester regi-
ment.
The position was separated from
that OF the Beers by rocky ravinc.
IN the morning darkness the Hedel-
berg commando evaded our plckets
anu reached the foot of the slone at
half paste. Before the danger could
be realized the outlying sangars had
been rushed and their defenders slain.
on hearing the firing two companies
Of the Gordon I5ighlanders went to the