The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-22

"Dannhauser, May 1.-THE second
division has reached Dannhauser and
1 nope that my advance patrols are in
New Castle. The Fifth division is
echeloned from E~landslaagte to Glen
coe, repairing the railway. The Fourth
division is at Sunday river drift on the
old New Castle road. Several Natal
farmers are handing over their arms.
All reports agree that about 1000 Of
h enemy passed north very hurriedly
May 18th and May 18th"
Volksrust, South African Republic,
Wednesday, May 16.-The Federals
have abandoned the Biggarsberg and
it Is believed they also abandoned New
Castle this morning, though their
mounted men are still on the other side
of the border, keeping the British at
bay.
HASELL'S AMERICAN SCOUTS.
London, May ia dispatch from
Vredefortweg without date via Loren
20 Marques. May 18th says:
Some American out before leav-
ing Kroonstad Sunday morning set
fire to the goods sheds after having
had trouble with the British residents.
Tered more heavily than any other
corps during the war. In the past six
weeks out of a force of 100 strong they
have lost 81 in killed, wounded, or cap
tured. Their storming of the British
position at Tobaberg was grand. They
simply wiped out the detachment hold
ing the post and captured Captain
Cheype and six men.
1T is believed that Blanks Irish
corps. captured at Kroonstad were
ordered to retreat but remained drink
ing the rum left by the commissariat."
STIRRING EVENTS ABOUT MAIZE
KING.
Cape Town, May IA dispatch from
Lorenzo Marques dated today says
that Commandant Eloff, grandson Of
President Kruger, with a patrol enter
ed Mafeking, whereupon Colonel Bad
en-Powell opened fire on the burghers,
killing seventeen of them and taking
Eloff and ninety of his men prisoners.
Pretoria, Tuesday, May 15.-An Off
cial bulletin hat the fed
eral troops StOrmed and occupied the
forts around Mafeking on Saturday
morning. The same night the federals
were surrounded, losing so far as
known, seven killed, seventeen wound
ed and a number taken prisoners. The
British casualties are said to have
been fifteen killed or wounded. 1t is
reported that the advance guard Of
the force proceeding to the relief of
Mafeking from the south was repu1sed
yesterday.
London, May 1.-THE closing days
of the drama at Mafeking a " been
marked by intensity of dramatic in
terest, as unexpected as it is out Of
proportion with the forces engaged.
The news hat the half famished gar
rison was not only able to repel an at
tack, but to inf1ict such heavy loss in
killed and prisoners as reported in the
dispatch from Cape Town, announcing
h capture of Commandant Eloff, the
grandson of President Kruger, and
ninety men, makes Great Britain more
than ever proud of Colonel Baden
Powell's little band and increases the
national desire for their relief to a
fever pitch. Lord Roberts and his
large army at Kroonstad and General
Buffers thousands forging over the
iBiggarsberg range are almost entirely
forgotten. Every one is thinking or
talking of Mafeking and the latest ex-
ploits of it's defenders. JUNIOR con-
tinue rife that the relief of the place
has been accomplished.
There was considerable speculation
as to what Colonel Baden-Powell
would do with his ninety prisoners
and whether the victory has not so
depleted his force as to render him
open to humiliation in the event of
another attack by the superior Boer
numbers. But Lorenzo Marques al
ready hears rumors that these have
been cut off by the relieving column.