The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-01-01
ENGLISH TROOPS
ARE UNFORTUNATE
Two Re soisancss Toward the
Is Position Failed,
"A ING OF SUSPENSE
No News from the Front of
Encouraging Nature.
MANY AMERICANS IN B0ER ARMY
Many of Them Arriving at Delagoa
Having Been Expelled From the
Rand for Refusing to Work
c...-~vz...zsa zTx..z-z -.
No News from the Front of
Encouraging Nature.
MANY AMERICANS IN BOER ARMY
Many of Them Arriving at Delagoa
Having Been Expelled From the
Rand for Refusing to Work


London, january LIN the absenco q
confirmation Of the reported eortie kro1
Ladysmith, that story Is discredited. No
such hopeful view can be taken as the
Boer account of the Mafeking sortie seems
designed to convey No word regarding
any such movement has yet arrived from
British success, and the feeling suspense
is deepening, It is feared Colonel Baden~
Powelrs silence that his position is becom-
ing desperate. The dispatches from the
front breathes confident spirit. which Is
by no means echoed here.
The latest Ladysmith advices show that
the Boer sheling is becoming deadly, while
sickness and ennui must also be telling
strongly upon the garrison.
The news of the spread of a rebellion
among the Dutch coonists and of the att
tempts of Beers to cut the railway at
widely different points is very disquieting
as bearing upon the safety of the extended
lines of communication.
All the correspondents are beginning to
hint of forward movement on the part
of General Butler, the danger of which Is
indicated in a dispatch to the Daily Tele-
graph from Frere, recording the unfortu-
nate failure of two "Reminiscences. In
one case the Boer lines at Colenso were to
have been bombarded by night Mounted
men drew the Boer fire, and 1T was intend-
ed that the naval guns should lombard
This, however, the latter failed to do. ow-
ing to some misunderstanding and the re-
connoitring party was compelled to fioun-
der back to camp, through the wet and
stormy night, marching in mud and water
and with the greatest discomfort.
According to the same correspondent a
similar fate awaited another reconnaissance
In the opposite direction.
1.-TWO detachments," says the dispatch,
"lost their way in the darkness. They were
unable to effect a. juncture for attack they
stumbled into water holes and were out all
night, only to return drenched and disap-
pointed in the morning.
Americans In Transvaal Rigments
1t is roughly estimated that there are
25,000 Beers between Ladysmith and Co.
lenso, some 400 being on the south side OF
Tegula river. At all points the enemy
shows ceaseless activity. "A large number
of Americans are said to be finding ti1eir
way into the Transvaal volunteer regf.
ments, being raised in Cape Colony.
1t is asserted that many Americans are
arriving at Delasoa, having been expelled
from the Rand because they refused tn
work the johannesburg mines for the gova
ernment.
The proofs of contraband traffic increases
daily. n Is alleged that European officers
arrive at De.agoa Ba every week ana
proceed to the Boer line
1t Is feared that that NBrltish reconnois-
sance north of Dordrecht, described in a
dispatch 10 the war office, may turn out
to have been rather serious affair.
A correspondent of the Associated Press
at Sterkstroom, telegraphing December 81,
says:
Captain Montmorency of the Twenty.
first Gancers, with a patrol of 12O men,
was accommodating eight miles north of
Dordrecht. He met the Beers at Labusch-
agnes nek. They opened fire and the Brit.
ish replied. The fighting continued for
six hours, when the Beers received strong
reinforcements, including cavalry. Captain
Montmorency returned and took de-
fensive position at Dordrecht. The Beers
did not pursue him. Ut is believed that
they retired on their main body. Their
losses are not known"
The queens message to the British troops
in South Africa was sent to every general.
1t ran thus:
Il wish you and all my brave soldiers
a happy Christmas. God protect and blesa
you ALL"