Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-02-15
The WAR IN AFRICA.
A British Force Oulflanked BY the
Beers at Rensburg
Beers ENTRENCHlNG At KIMBERLEY.


frying To OutuAnk Bulrr.
Rensburg, Feb. 10.--The noess out.
flanked the British here Yesterday
a considerable force of the enemy
was threatening the British commu.
nications between Rensburg and
Slingersfontein, 12 miles away, and
during reconnaissance by some
Inniskillings and 20 Australians from
Slingersfonten the Beers were dis.
covered attempting to get Il gun in po-
siton TO shell the British camp. The
Australians, having come into very
close contact with the enemy, took
cover under a hill about 5000 yards
from the camp. Thereupon the Beers
took up position with 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 a 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
Inniskillings prevented the enemy
getting their guns in position. The
Australians lost one man killed and
three wounded.
The conveys have been successfully
gotten into Singersfontein 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
tlanked us on the west, placed a gun
in position at Bastard's Mex and fired
on one of our outposts, driving off
1000 sheep.
spencer Wilkinson's Opinion.
London, Feb. i2.-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 20
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
outAanking 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. 12.-The war office has
issued the following dispatch, dated
yesterday, from the general com
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
for Kimberley, carrying
with them siX-inch gun and a quick
firing field gun. Otherwise the situa-
ton is unchanged"
Lord Roberts at MOddsr River.
Modder River, Feb. 10.-Lord Rob-
erts is here. Upon appearing before
the troops he was enthusiastically
cheered. lie visited the camp of the
Highland brigade and compliment
ed Gen. Macdonald and his men on
their steady conduct at Koo'loosberg
drift. The Iighlanders returned
last night. Before retiring they found
the bodies of 12 Beers. They be-
lieve the losses of the enemy were
heavier than those of the British,
because II is known that, in addition
to the dead Beers found, several had
been buried,
Eating Horssfesh At Kimberley.
London, Feb. 12.-Startling intelli-
gence comes from Kimberley in the
Cape newspapers just received by
mail in London. 1t appears that since
January s, the rations at Kimberley
have been for the most part horse
flesh, so repugnant to women and
children that many refuse to eat.
1t also appears that the death rate
has been heavy and that the prlva-
tons of the garrison have been in
creasing steadily.
Msgsrsfonteln shelled.
Modder River, Feb. 10.-Apparently
the Beers have brought all their big
guns from Mafeking to shell Kimber-
ley. Our naval guns shelled Magers-
fontein to-day, but the Boergunsw were
silent, 1t is supposed that the ene-
my have withdrawn their artillery.
They are blowing up the perma-
nent way beyond Morton siding.
Joubert Trying to Outfank Bulier.
Durham, Feb. Fit is rumored
here that Gen. Joubert is marching
with a column of 5000 men to out
flank Gen. Butler.