The sun., 1900-01-05
GEN. FRENCH REINFORCED
English Infantry and Artillery
Dispatched to Him
From De Aar.
B0ER POSITIONS ARE STRONG
Il Is Reported That the British Have
Surrounded Colesberg, But Are
Unable TO Overcome the
Stubborn Resistance or
a. the Burghers.
BOER POSITIONS ARE STRONG

Between General Gatacre and the Beers
at Cyphergat show that 5000 Beers,
with artillery, attacked a British outpost
between ryphcrgat and Molteno. Gener-
al Gatacre, with mounted troops and
field artillery, moved out in front OF
Sterkstroom and found the Beers strong
ly posted at Copcrberg, whence they
were quickly dislodged. the Beers fleeing
In the direction Of Stormberg. The Beers
used the British guns captured on Dec.
10 and shot well, but the British kept
under cover, and there were no casualties
ON their side.
There Is great satisfaction here over
the news that De Aar has been able to
send General French, near Colcsberg, re-
endorsements OF guns and infantry, Of
which he appears 10 be much in need.
The fighting in the hills Is incessant. The
latest kilograms say that General French
has almost surrounded Colesberg, but
that the Beers are sttffly defending all
their positions close TO the town. prevent
ing the British from capturing it.
A dispatch from Rensburg says that the
heavy artillery duel recommended at day
break.
The war Office has received report
from Cape Town, dated Jan. 3, reporting
the situation in General Gatacre's dis
trict. 1t says:
"sordrecht is now evacuated by Mont
morcncy, who occupies Birds Siding, on
the lndwe line.
"MoltenO Is bcin: attacked today by
the enemy. who more or less surround the
police station, but who, according to re-
ports, are being forced back Re-cnforce-
ments o. mounted infantry and field ar
tillcry have been sent ~ General Cat
acre. The result is not known.
- company Of mounted infantry under
Anderson has rcconnoitcred 10 Prieska
and exchanged shots with the rebel force
on tie north bank.
''No movement OF General Methuen OF
General III is reported
Although patches are arriving from
both General Bullcr's and General Me
thuen's headquarters, they contain little
OF Importance. Shells continue to be cx'
changed, and the patrols are busy.
Pitchers Success.
General Cronjc Is reported 10 have beer
considerably disturbed at the first reports
Of the success Of General Pitchers cxpc
dition and sent 400 burghers to helI
Douglas The British at Modder riyel
hope to capture this force.
Colonel Pitcher, it is officially announc
ed, being only on a raiding expedition anC
for military reasons being unable 10 occu
py Douglas permanently, has evacuated
the town, bringing OFF all the loyalists
He has now returned safely and is il
close proximity to Belmont.
When he announced the necessity o.
eracuating the place, the inhab abitants o.
Douglas declared that their lives wer'
not worth Eve minutes purchase afte
the troops left, Colonel Pitcher therefor,
invited themfto accompany him to Bel
mont.
The preparations were speedily com
pIefed, but the vehicles OF the town wer
xsfalJy inadequate 10 convey the refugees
so ibe troops gave up the transport waG
cas to the women and children.
u The Canadians acted as an escort /
the refugees, carried infants for the wo
men and kept everybody lively by singin
as they marched along in spite of sor
feet, occasioned by the heavy sand, whc
made marching extremely firing
The force received General Butler
congratulations on the success Of thc cx
pedition.
Enthusiasm In London.
The enrolment OF the second contin
gent OF the London Imperial volunteer
was the occasion for a scene Of popula
interest and enthusiasm. The approache
to the Guildhall were throngcd with rer
resentatiyes Of all classes, everybod
cheering and the bands playing livol
music.
The scene at the Guildhall was highl
picturesque and impressive. IL opene
with a civic procession Of the lord mayor
eheriffs and aldermen in their robes Q
Office, headed by the sword and mac
bearers. The scarlet, gray and gree
uniforms OF the various battalions file
the chamber with variegated colors. Th
contlngents comprised the Honorable Al
tillcry company and detachments froI
the other volunteer regiments.
After speech from the lord mayor, O
the conclusion OF which he read me,
n sage from the queen, each detachmeI
was sworn in separately, every ma
sskissing the book" and receiving tn
Queen's shilling from the hands OF th
lord mayor.
The famous tennis player. w. '
EaYes, and the old Oxford athlete, G. ]
Fry. are joining the British forces
South Africa.
The departure of the Seventh divisio
Of the British ~irmy for South Afrie
has begun.