Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-04
A u,.y, Gnu Trained on Lady n''h

mines are lalu.
A Heavy Gnu Trained on Lady rn'h
Chlevcly Camp. Natal, Wednesday,
Dec. e1.-A neayy Boer gan ON Eal-
whana hill nrrd steadily upon Lady
smith throughout the morning
Ladysmth did not respond. The en-
emy having been again detected at
tempting to improve the'r trenches
facing Gen. Butler, the British heavy
guns opened upon them and the
Beers scampcred back inio the hills
The British patrols sighted the en-
envy in force on the extreme left.
Nine Beers we're killed in skirmish
that followed and six Boer wagons
were captured.
London, Dee. 30.-'rhe latest special
dispatches from Chieyely camp hint
darkly at some important movement
as imminent. This is interpreted,
with some misgivings, to mean that
Gen. Butler contemplates renewal
Of his attempt to relieve Ladysmlth.
il Is reported by the same dispatches
that the Beers have now retired to
the north bank OF the Tugela, being
afraid that the swollen river may bar
their retreat, They are also moving
their laagers nearer Ladysmith, prob
ably with the intention OF putting
further pressure on the garrison,
which now seems to be suffering
pretty heavily from bombardment.
1t is difficult, however, to conceive
that Gen. Butler would make an
other frontal attack, especially now
tina, the river is rising, and an addi-
tional indication that this is not his
purpose is the fact that he has re-
moved his headquarters back to
Frere. The Boer movement north
ward from the Iugela is quite in
keeping with the encmy's Usual plan
OF securing "A safe line OF retreat.
II is known that further artillery
is due to arrive for Gen. Butler, but
the belief here is that his forces even
then will be too weak. He may, how
ever. be animated b. desire to &C.
compIish something before the ar
rival of Lord Roberts and to satisfy
the keelm,ess of his men to retrieve
their defeat.
hosra Pour In > Heavy Fire.
Kimberley, Dec. %, vim Modder
River, Dec, N. Before dawn to-day
detachment OF the mounted forces
with artillery and light infantry,
moved ont in n westerly direction.
Boer artillery from Kamperdam
opened fire at Otto's kopie, Kimber-
ley fort replying with 20 shells. The
British force reconnoitered outposts
along Lazaretto ridge, the Boer pa.
trolls retreating Having accomplished
this and having discovered Boer rein.
forcements approaching from VIM
bledon ridge, Col. Chamier. with the
Royal artillery, exchanged dozen
shells as soon as the guns could be
limbcred up. Some 500 Beers poured
in a heavy fire from their earth
works, the British finally retiring
with the loss of one horse The move
ment showed that the Beers were
still keeping their guns in the vicin-
ity of Kimberley and are able to sum-
mon achievements rapidly.
Report q British Attack.
Pretoria, by way of Lourenzo Mar
ques, Dee. 2s.--Commandant Snyman
reports as follows from Moopo; "On
Monday morning the enemy from
Mafeking, attacked one OF our forts
in force with cannon, Maxims and ar
mored train and so persistently that
there was fighting right on the walls
of the fort. but we have retained
our fort. The British loss is reported
as So" The other commandos report.
"All quiet with the exception of the
usual bombardment OF l.adysmith.
A Figh. with Kafhrs.
Pretoria, Dee. 20, by way OF Louren-
70 Marques, Dec, 2S.--Commandant
Hwart reports from the lager at
Alowyn's kop, near Zeorust, that he
had an engagement on Friday, De-
cember ~. with Kailirs in the neigh
borhood of Derderpoort The Kafiirs
occupied u strongly fortified ridge and
were well-prepared for emergencies.
After heavy fighting the burghers
captured the Katiir position, losing
three killed and five wounded,
Ladysmith's Garrison Makes . Sortis.
London, Dec. 3O.-The Times pub
fishes the following dispatch from
Chievely Camp, dated December "a;
"Parties OF Beers approached to-day
within three miles of Chievely camp,
threatening our watering parties,
who were compelled to go some two
miles, owing to the scarcity Of water.
IL is reported that the Ladysmith gar
rison made a sortie on Thursday and
captured q hill"
FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION.