Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-01-04
TIE T2ANSVAAL WAR;
General French Captures Coles
berg, but Seems Hemmed In.
OoLoN1ALs IN THE FIGHTING

Troops From Australia and Canada
Acquit emseIves CreditabIy--Gen-
eraI French Calls For Reinforce
ments-Isadysmfth still BOmbarded.
London, Jan. 4.-There is a complete
absence of anything new from the seat
of war. The report of Boer attack
upon Molteno is not yet confirmed
Apparently General French holds
nothing within five miles of Colesburg
Junction His request for reinforce
ments dispels any present hope that
he will be able to seize one OF the
crossings of the Orange river.
1t is probable that when Lord Rob
erts arrives General French will be
ordered to quit his present unsupport-
ed position and to concentrate his
command to Deaar or Orange River
AS the Daily Telegraph says, General
French seems to be in the position OF
a man having a tiger cat in trap and
unable to kill it for want of a stick.
Since Commandant General Joubert's
return to the front the cannonade OF
Ladysmith by the Beers has been
much liyelier. Between Dec. Is and
Dec. % four shells killed one officer
and 10 men and wounded - officers
and II men.
The war office acknowledges the in
feriority of the regular artillery by au-
thorizing the equipments of the new
battery attached to the London volun-
teers corps with Vickers and Maxims
some of which the Beers use. and by
- n q
quick firers built Immediately. The
officers and men of the new battery
will be supplied from the Honorable
Artillery company.
Eight additional militia regiments
have been called out. Seven of these
will serve in ireland, replacing the reg
ulars sent TO South Africa.
All parts of England and Scotland
report lively volunteering, a leading
feature being the great sums raised
by private subscription for volunteer
equipment Some of the counties have
given sums as high as 100000. 1t is
computed that the provinces have al
ready raised nearly 100000, while
London is raising 100000 for the city
corps.
A dispatch from Rensberg, Cape Col
ony, on Monday told of the victory OF
General French over the Beers at
Colesberg. After a night march Gen
era1 French's army made mastery
flank movement, took the enemy by
surprise, and after a short, sharp bat
tie, put the Beers to flight and occupied
Colesberg. The British captured many
wagons and a considerable quantity OF
stores, with but slight loss, while the
Beers suffered heavily.
On Tuesday Colonel Pitcher and the
Queensland regiment. aided by the To
ronto company, made brilliant raid,
captured the Boer lager at Sunnyside
and afterward occupied Douglass. Dur
ing the advance the Boer fire sud
denly ceased. Thirty-fi,e Beers hoist
ed a white flag and surrendered. A
portion of the Torontos moved across
the front of the guns and entered the
lager. The Beers had fed. Fourteen
tents, three wagons, a great store of
rifles, ammunition, forage, saddles and
camp equipment and numerous incrim-
mating papers were captured. The
Australians behaved with great cool
ness, laughing and chatting even at the
moment of greatest peril. The Toron-
tos stood the CALLING fire with admir-
able patience, never wasting shot.
The Beers lost six killed and II
wounded The British casualties were
two privates killed and Lieutenant
Adie wounded.