Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-04
LIE WAR IN AFRICA.
Gen. French Drives the Beers from
Colesburg.
TIE COMMANDMENT At LADYSNlTH.
1t Ia Being continued by the BOers, but
1t. Intensity Has Kelaxed-The hat
lie At COieaburg-kumOra offs
Dutch Rising.

ItHNu w hii'ihS 'iiN bCSi" - YIN
Colesborg has shot welcome ray OF
light through the gloom of the cam
paIgn in South Africa. Everywhere it
is commented upon as an example OF
sound tactics and as an illustration OF
what may be done when the right
methods are employed with the Beers.
At Modder river the Beers appear
to be modifying somewhat their line
of defense. Gen. Buffers scouts have
discovered a Boer camp established
in the vicinity of Springfield, south
west of Colenso, by Free State
commando. A similar movement has
been made at Modder river. A large
force of Beers, it is reported, has
formed IA new lager about 10 miles
down the stream at Kameelhoek.
Photograph reports from Lady
smith show that all was well on De-
cember 81. The bombardment was
being continued, but its intensity
had relaxed. An official dispatch
from Ladysmith confirms the report,
cabled yesterday, that several officers
of the Devonshire regiment were Sc
yerely wounded by the explosion Of
Boer shell in the mess tent.
Lord WolseIey, replying to corre-
spondent who had asked for informa-
ton regarding the British artillery,
wrote: Our field artillery is at least
as good MS any field artillery in Eu-
rope
The Daily Mail publishes the fol-
lowing dispatch from Cape Town;
"Ninety-fve per cent. of the Bechu-
ana farmers in the Vryburg district
joined the Beers, helping them to
loot the stores throughout the coun.
try north of the Orange river They
also undertook to invest Mafeking
while Gen. Cronje's men went south
to meet Lord Methuen. The govern
ment of Bechuanaland is being adj
ministered as If the Dutch had been
in possession for ages"
The battle ut Colesborg.
London, Jan. 2.-The Daily Mail
has the following dispatch dated Jan.
from Rensburg: Yesterday after
noon a big force of cavalry and in
fantry, with ten guns, under the per-
sonal command of Gen. French, NOV
ing by detour, occupied some hills
three miles from Colesburg, where
the Beers were in strength, confident
in the natural aid afforded them by
the hills around. The enemy's posi-
ton extended six miles around the
entire village. At daybreak our ar
tillery opened the battle. The Beers
were taken by surprise, but replied
An artillery duel was
maintained for two hours. Then a
Boer hotchkiss collapsed and was
abandoned. We captured it. A Boer
big gun was silenced, but this and
other Boer guns were withdrawn to
the northward, whittier we are har-
assing the Boer retreat by a dam
aging shell fire. Colesborg is in our
hands and the few remaining loyal
lists are jubilant. We have captured
many wagons and considerable
quantity of stores"
Gen. Buffers Difficulties Increasing.
London, Jan. 1.-The Standards
correspondent at Frere camp, tele-
graphing on Jan. I, says: "sir
Charles Warren's division is now
nearly complete. Its headquarters
will be at Estcourt. 1t is rumored
here that the guns which were cap
tured from Gen. Butler at Colenso
have been mounted in the hills com
manding the drift over Tugela river
at Springfield. The Beers, 1t appears
captured $40 rounds of shrapnel when
they took the guns. Gen. Buffers
difficulties have been UNNECESSARILY
increased by the enforced delay since
the last engagement. He now has
before him series of walled and
fortified hills, running 10 miles along
the line of the Tugela. These are
swarming with the enemy, posted In
positions of great strength and
bristing with guns; while the rivel
in front is full flood. The coming bat
tie will certainly be the stiffest and
probably the most momentous, OF the
entire campaign"
Rumors OF Dutch Rising.
Care Town. Jan. 2.-Ugly rumor:
are in circulation OF u DuIcn rising