Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-09

~AASNSSAetN>A
Press. Ut is conclusive that the fight
ing around Colesburg was resumed this
morning, and the British artillery is
opening to the westward of the town.
The dispatches indicate that the attack
is developing into a general engage
ment. 80.
Rumor OF British Success.
London, Jan. 6.-By Associated
Press "A caps' Town special says it
is rumored that French has entered
Colesburg.
steamer General Released.
Berlin, Jan. 6.-CBy Associated
Press.)-A dispatch from Alden says:
The British authorities have renowned
further search of the German mail
steamer General, detained under sus-
picion of having contraband of war on
board. The, steamer will resume her
voyage ina ;fswadays.
Building q Railroad.
London, Jan. e.-By Associated
Press. )--A Cape Town special says:
Methuen is building railroad around
The Boer position at Magersfontein.
Stocks Close Weak.
London, Jan. Shy Associated
Press. )-Stocks closed weak, partly
due to stories that Russia is massing
troops on the frontier of Afghanistan.
!. The semi-official explanation of these
moves comes from st. Petersburg and
is to the effect that they merely are
{ to test the. capacity of the central
Asian railroads.
The experiment was highly success
ful as it proves that in case of neces-
sity troops from the Caucasus can
reach KushEa in eight days.
The explanation is here regarded as
entirely satisfactory, but official circles
discredit the idea that Russa's action
isin any way threatening Afghanistan.
Butler Shows Fight.
London, Jan. 6.-Rumors are current
here this morning that General Butler
has assumed the offensive and has
already started fighting on the Tugela,
and that he has been heavily Smelling
the Boer intrenchments. The reports
are not confirmed, 1t is known that
this Smelling is a necessary prelim-
mary to an attack, but it seems doubt
tul that a general movement by the
British forces has begun. s.;ss
That this reported fighting may be
an attack on the commands on the
south bank of the river is by no means
unlikely. These must be dislodged be-
fore the real attempt to force the pas
sage of the river can be commenced.
Baden-Powell Makes an Attack.
The war Office yesterday made pub
lie dispatch from General Forester
\ Walker at Cape Town, forwarding the
following dispatch from Colonel Baden
Powell: "Mafelling, Dec. 26.-We at
tackled one of the. enemy's works this
morning, endeayoring to push back
the Gordon northward. Our forces con
sisted of three guns, two sqlladrons of
the Protectorate regiment, one of the
I Bechuanaland rifles, armored train
etc. The enemy had strengthened his
works during the night and doubled
the garrison since yesterdays recon
noissance.
out aud pressed home with the great
est possible gallantry and steadiness
under a very hot fire, but all efforts
to gain the interior by escalade fail
ed, the fort being practically impreg-
nabie. sas
.0ur attack only withdrew after six
OF our officers and large number of
men had been hit. Nothing could
have exceeded the courage and dash
displayed. The general situation re-
mains unchanged and the health and
spirits of the garrison are very salts
factory.
II regret to report the following cas-
ualties: Killed Captain r. j. Vernon,
i Captain III. G. Sanford, Lieutenant Ii.
G. Patton, eighteen non-commissioned
officers and troopers.
"Wounded Captain Charles Fitz-
clarence, twenty-three non-commis-
stoned officers and troopers.
.Prisoners-Thre troopers
Red Hot From the Gun
Was the ball that hit G. b. Stead
man, of Newark, Mich, in the civil war.
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