The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-04-13

Ladysmith, April 10.-Heavy firing
was heard early this morning in the
direction Of Sundays river. 1t contin-
ued for Il few hours. No details of the
engagement have been received.
Bethulie, Orange Free State. Mon
day, April ct is expected that the
BoeTs will endeavor TO retake and de-
stroy the bridge over the Orange river.
Consequently, extraordinary precau-
tons have been aiken. 4 force of
Beers is located twelve miles east. AS
a matter Of fact the Beers practically
again hold the Free State eastward TO
the railroad and are greatly encouraged
by their successes at Reddersburg
and kOrn Spruit.
THB Beers ATTACK BRABANT.
AiiwaI North, April 9.-An engage
ment took place today at Wepener. The
Beers Vickers-Maxim did considerable
at first, but the British gum
ners soon got the range n did great
havoc. The fighting was severe and
lasted all day long The Beers receiv-
ed a check The casualties were rath-
er heavy on both sides. Another COM
mando is advancing toward Wepener
from DeWet's drop.
N Rockville commando has gone
to WepeRer.
Alawai North. April 1O.-Heavy fight
ing was continued at Wepener this
morning. Three Boer commanders
are attacking the town.
London, April 1O.-The Beers attack
on General Brabant's force at Wepe-
ner was reSumed again at dawn to-
day. The enemy'S attack on two or
three sides on Monday lasted until 2:30
O'Clock in the afternoon. when the fir
ing ceased and it was believed that the
enemy had been beaten off, but it was
announced this morning from Aliwal
North that the fighting had again be-
gun Genera Brabant's force, num-
bering from 1000 to 5000, hold positions
in a rough country. The numerical
strength of the Beers is being rapidly
augmented. A body of 1000 Beers is
Smithfield between Wepener and
Springfontein. The defamation of
heavy guns was heard at Maseru on
Monday. Sir Godfrey Lagden. the
British resident commissioner of
BaSutoIand, has left Maseru for the
border.
The events in the southeast portion
of the Free State have caused the
eighth division, which had been order
ed to Fourteen Streams to be diverted
to SpFingfontein.
SECRET MOVEMENT OF ROBERTS
TROOPS.
Mysterious movements of troops at
bEONIf1OnIeln are proceeding. ne
newspaper correspondents are not al
lowed to telegraph their destinations
and the presumption is that Lord Rob
erts IS making dispositions to cut off
the raiding Boer forces when they
try 10 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. from the
pursuing F/columns.
The rcas Sarance of the Beers in
the coupled country has caused a re-
vival of the warlike feeling among the
Free Staters of the Fauresmith and
P%hilippofis districts. The federal
agents are busy getting details OF the
surrendered Beers, and, owing to the
British garrisOns being Withdrawn
from these districts, the British resi-
dents are uneasy n sent delegates
to SpringfOntein to ask for help. They
were told that steps for their defense
would be Immediately taken.
The Beers are reported to have VEN
tured south of the Biggardsberg and
TO be posting heavy guns our miles
north of Elandslaagte. They are also
said to have fortified the vicinity of
Vessels mex.
The war office proposes to land at
Cape Town before the end of May 90
600 horses which will be conveyed there
in twenty-three steamers sailing from
New Orleans, Buenos Ayres and Aus
traliau ports.
It Is rumored that General Butler
has obtained command of one of the
DrakenSberg passes whereby he
hopes to take the Beers in the rear. If
successful, General Butler has sufficient
troops to leave 10000 men to hold Ma
tai. While he advances by way of Har-
riSnHth, whence he would be able to
threaten the Boer positions at Bethle-
hem and KroOnstad.
HEAVY LOSS OF BRITISH HORSrS
BIoemfontein, Monday, April 9.-Re-
mounts are continually arriving but
competent authorities estimate that
the waStage of horses monthly by the
British forces in South Africa must be
calculated at not less than 5000.
PLUMBERS DEFEAT MARCH 31ST.
GabeerOns, Tuesday, April 3.-Satur-
days fight in the environs of Mafe-
fekinS was conducted, on Colonel
side, under great difficulties,
being in the proximity of the BOer
laagerS whence reinfOrcementS could
be promptly sent to the burgherS and
there was little cover available for the
British when the fight began, the plain
being but sparsely wooded and the rail
road embankment, the chief protection,
being only two feet high. The men
behaved calamity, however. and off
GERS were unexceptionally conspicuous
in the affair.
With the exception of a few rounds
fired by the British Maxim gun at
~Ramathlabama, the fire on both
sides was entirely by rifle. Half of the
British officers were more or less seri-
ou5ly WOunder.
Colonel Plumer'S wound was in his
right arm. His horse was shot. Colo
nal BOdle and Captain Rolf were
wounded. Colonel Plumer'S orderly is
missing. Sergeant Major Manning. Of
the Fifth Dragon Guards. who took
up the duties of orderly, did excellent
work. Captain Fred Crewe was sho
dead while covering the retreat of 9th.
ers. Captain MacLaren was s%everel!
wounded and Lieutenant Milligan, tn
famous Yorkshire cricketer, fatally
while tenaciously moulding an assigned
position. Lieutenant Milligan rode un
assisted to Ramathlabama. Medica
Orderly Waneford worked pluckily oil
the field which afforded little cover
CANNONADING AT FOURTEEN
STREAMS.