The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-02
Map Showing the Military Operations in South Africa

some hills three miles from Colesburg,
where the Beers We're in strength, con-
fdent 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
Boer HotchkisS collapsed ana was
abandoned. We captured It A Boer
big gun was silenced, but it and the
other guns were withdrawn to the
northward, whittier we are harassing
the Beer retreat by damaging shell
fire
"Colesburg sin our hands and the few
remaining loyalists are jubilant We
have captured many wagons and a
considerable quantity of stores.
Our losses were quite slight, but the
Beers must have suffered heavily. They
may stop at Achtertang or cross the
river altogether at NorvaiFs Pont where
the bridge is still intact"
DUTCH RISING FEARED.
Cape Town, Jan. 2.-Ugly rumors are
in circulation of a Dutch rising with the
object of seizing Cape Town and the
docks and capturing the governor of
Cape ColOny-Sir Alfred Miner The
center Of the movement is said to be
Paarl, a village about thirty miles from
Cape Town where meeting of the Afri-
kander Bund was held yesterday.
A sirnilar meeting was held at Fich-
mond on December 28, and it is reported
that the members of the Bund in these
two towns are acting in concert.
The members of the Bund at willing
ton and the Dutch in Clanwilliam dis
trict are said to be armed with Maus-
ers and to be anxious to use them in
behalf of the Beers.
Although the stories of a rising are
discred1ted. the police and military are
taking ample precautions.
BULLER'S TROUBLES INCREASE.
London, Jan. 2.-The Standard CORES
ponden< at Free Camp, telegraphing
on January I, says:
Sir Charles Warren's division is now
nearly complete. It's headquarters will
be at EstcUurt- 1t is remarked here
that the guns which were captured
from Gen. Butler at Colenso have been
mounted in the hills commanding the
drift over the Tugela river at Spring
field. The Beers, it appears captured
$40 rounds of shrapnel when they took
the guns.
Gen. Buffers difficulties have been
inmeasurably increased by the enforc-
ed delay since the last engagement He
now has before him a series of walled
and fortified hills, running 16 miles
along the line of the Tugela. These are
SWarming with the enemy, posted in
positions of great strength and brist-
ling with guns; while the river in front
is in full flood. The coming battle VIII
certainly be the StiffeSt, and probably
the most mOnnentous, of the entire cam
paign."
The success of Gen. French in driving
the Beers from Colesburg has shot a
welcome ray of light through the gloom
Of the campaign in South Africa Ev-
erywhere it IS commented upon as an
example of sound tactics and as 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 nndone in the endeavor to
get the largest possible forces of cav
airy and mounted infantry to the front.
Now that Gen. French has the Beers
on the run the hope is expressed that
he will give them no rest but will har-
ass them until they have found their
way across the Orange river, which is
Il miles distant. The old wagon route
to the Free State traverses CoIesburg
and crosses the river by a fine bridge,
134O feet long It is believed that the
Beers reEreated toward NorvaIs Pont
further east. and the question is wheth-
er Gen. French will be able to secure
these two bridges before the Beers de-
str0y them.
One important effect of the success of
Gen. French is that it will probably have
a deterrent influence upon Dutch disaf-
lection. There is some disposition here
to exaggerate the Importance of small
sIkirmishes and engagements. It should
be borne in mind that Gen. French has
only 2,00o men, and so far as the inn
portant points Of campaign are con-