The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-01-24
BRITISH ARMY PRESSING ONWARD.
BLAZED BY BLOOD.
Route 10 .Ladysmlth Marked by Dead and
Woundcd-Three Hundred Killed Sat.
urday-Boer Losses Great

"Aftcr 10 hours of continuous and ter
rblc fire Sunday, Gen. Hart ana
Clery advanced 1000 yards. The Boers
maintained an irregular fire during the
night, but the British outposts did not
reply. This morning at daybreak the
Beers opened n stiff fire. The Brush
stood to the guns where they had slent
and the engagement was renewed Wig,
orously. The field artillery poured
shrapncl into the enemy's trenches. y
rumor that Ladysmith had been relieved
enlvcncd the British, who sent IL d
ringing chcer. This was taken ior an
advance. The first kopjc was carried at
the point OF the bayonet and the B0cFs
retreatcd to the next kople, whlch, ike
most others, was strewn with immense
boulders. surmountcd by mounds on the
summit. The British advanced SicadllV
and the Beers relaxed slightly. Inc lat
ter did not show such tenacity as pre-
viously. Their Nordcnfcldts fired at
long intervals, and their cannon hred
but seldom. Apparently the Beers were
short OF big ammunition. All DAY ~ VIC
roar OF musketry fire continued. inc
British took three Boer positic(s on the
mountain and found shelter behind the
bouldcrs."
II Is reported that the Boers, opposite
Colcnso, on finding that General buller
had outmaneuvcrcd them, crossed TO
the south OF the Tugela, and set fire to
ali the houses in the village, As the
force from Chieveley advanced the Bo-
ers retired before them to trenches on
a hill in line with Colenso. Our in
fantry advanced to the attack in skir.
mishing order, followed by supports and
reserves, our cavalry scouting on the
right close up to the river.
Every hour that Gen. Butler delays
his combined attack makes his position
stronger. Transports continue TO ar
rive at Durham and fresh troops are be-
ing sent up the line to reinforce those
in front OF Colenso. Buffers troops
north OF the Tugela number at least
$4,000 and possibly $4,000 with so guns.
His total forces, forming a great outer
curve south and west OF Ladysmlth,
probably number 10000. While Butler S
forward operations. develop rather leis-
urcly, the Beers appear to bc FULLY
aware that they must meet strenuous
assault. Balloon observers have rough
ly estimated that 10000 Bocrs are using
spade and pick in artihcially strength
ening positions which nature has rem
dered easy OF defense.
Military critics in touch with the war
office think that news that general hght-
ing has begun may be expected at any
hour 1t is not thought that ono day
fighting will settle the fate OF Lady
smith, but rather that there will be two
or three days OF continuous fighting.
The Beers are fortifying positions
north and west OF Ladysmith, doubt
less with n view OF securing a safe line
of retreat should their opposition to
Gen. Buffers advance fail. They still
surround Ladysmith in large numbers
and may be contemplating another at
tack. II is known however, that they
are greatly depressed by their heavy
losses. Prior to Saturday they were
perfectly confident OF their ability to de-
feat the garrison and to take possession
of the town.
Refugees from Swaziland. living II
the Lebombo district recently brought
news to Lourenzo Marques that the
queen OF Swaziland was dead. Hci
death, following so soon upon that %
King Runu. was looked upon with sus
picibn. According to their story, how
ever, not the queen mother, but Neco
co, Bunu's brother, was acting as heat
of the Swazi nation, and he, in conjunc
ton with Tecuba, Umbandine's ole
prime minister, was carrying on a reigr
of terror, killing off whole kraals al
over the country.
"The Swat Queen mother, since th'
death of King Bunu, has killed all tn,
chiefs who were ever in England o
Cape Town, and is now plotting witt
the Beers. The situation may fairly b'
considered grave; and it would be wei
to send regiments OF Gurkhas to Swazi
"The Delagoa bay correspondent o
the Natal Times asserts that six biz
Crcusot guns and so tons OF shells were
landed from the French steamc
Gitondc about the middle OF last montl
under the noses OF two British war
ships and were dispatched to Pretoria
causing much rejoicing at the case will
which contraband of war can run thu
blockade.
GREATEST nm RECGRD