The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-02-16
MONDAY REPORT

Rensburg, Feb. 10.-The Beers out
thanked the British here yesterday.
A considerable force of the enemy
was threatening the British commu-
nications between Rensburg and
Slingersfontein, ~ miles away, and
during "a reconnaissance by some
Inniskillings and 20 Australians from
Slingersfontein the Beers were dis
covered attempting to get gun in po-
sition to shell the British camp. The
Australians, having come into very
close contact with the enemy, took
cover under hill about 5000 yards
from the camp. Thereupon the Beers
took up position with a view of pre-
venting their retirement. Some
burghers got within 200 yards of the
Australians and called upon them to
surrender. They replied by fixing
bayonets and shouting defiance. Sergt.
Edwards and two men made dash
and, galloping under hot fire, passed
a number of hills held by the Beers,
took word that the Australians were
safe and confident of holding the
enemy at bay and of getting out after
dark, which eventually they did. The
1nniskllings prevented the enemy
getting their guns in position. The
Australians lost one man killed and
three wounded.
The conveys have been successfully
gotten into Slingersfontein to-day,
the British escorts having had several
brushes with parties of from 20 to 80
Beers infesting the region. Lieut..
Col. Page, with a section of artillery
and $50 horse, got one large convoy
through by Smelling the enemy out
of the road. The Beers also out
flanlted us on the west, placed a gun
in position at Bastard's Mex and fired
on one of our outposts, driving of
1000 sheep.
Spencer Wilkinson's Opinion.
London, Feb. 12.-Spencer Wilkin-
son in the Morning Post to-day dwells
upon the evidence of the unexpected
activity and probable numbers of the
Beers near Colesberg, where they are
not enclosed, but only half surround
ed on the south He points out that
the Boer positions cover a front of &c
miles, and infers that there must be
several thousands of the enemy on
the ground. He expresses the hope
that the rumor from Durham that a
Boer force is advancing in the hope OF
outfanking Gen. Butler is correct, for
he considers that Gen. Joubert would
thus expose himself to just the sort OF
blow it is so difficult to deliver
against the fortified positions north
of the Tugela.
Beers Constructing Trenches at Kimberley
London, Feb. 1.-THE war Office has
issued the following dispatch, dated
yesterday, from the general com
manding at Cape Town: kimberley
reports that the Boer fighting force
was apparently increased on Wednes'
day, February 7. Next day the Beers
commenced the construction OF
trenches to the east, nearly parallel
to the Glacis and 400 yards from the
premier mine. A native reported that
he accompanied some Beers who left
Mafeldng for Kimberley, carrying
with them siX-inch gun and a quick
firing field gun. Otherwise the situa
ton is Unchanged
Lord Roberts AT Modder River.
Modder River, Feb. 1O.-Lord Rob
erts is here. Upon appearing befor,
the troops he was enthusiastically
cheered He visited the camp of tn,
Highland brigade and compliment
ed Gen. Macdonald and his men or
their steady conduct at Koodoosbcra
drift. The lIighlanders returned
last night. Before retiring they founC
the bodies of II Beers. They be
lieve the losses of the enemy wer,
heavier than those of the British
because it is known that, in addition
to the dead Beers found, several haC
been buried.
Eating Horsefiesh at Kimberley.
London, Feb. 12.-Startling intelli
gence comes from Kimberley in tn,
Cape newspapers just received b.
mail in London. 1t appears that sine
January s, the rations at Kimberle.
have been for the most part horse
flesh. so repusnant to wolaen ant
children that many refuse to eat
it also appears that the death rat
has been heavy and that the priva
tions of the garrison have been in
creasing steadily.
Magersfontein Shelled.
Modder River, Feb. 10.-Apparentl,
the Beers have brought all their bil
guns from Mafeking to shell Kimber
ley. Our naval guns shelled Mayors
fontein to-day, but the Boer gunswer
silent. 1t is supposed that the enc
my have withdrawn their artillery
They are blowing up the perma
nent way beyond Morton siding
Joubert Trying to Outhank Butler.
Durham, Feb. LIT is rumore'
here that Gen. Joubert is marching
with a column of 5000 men to out
flank Gen. Butler.
TUESDAYS REPORT