Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-01-05
Belmont, Cape Colony, Monday, Jan.
1.-Another dispatch from Dover
l. -AAio'iiSi NiSpdtSH loii DONc
Farm, dated January 1. saws:

Farm, dated January !, says:
"The colonial troops who have been long
ing to be allowed to meet the Beers have
at last been given an opportunity to do so,
and scored a brilliant success. The raid
conducted by Col. Pitcher was very diff
ficult, owing to the fact that the move
ments of the troops were Immediately
communicated to the Beers by natives.
In order to prevent this Col. Pitcher, in
making his forced march from Belmont
left a British trooper at every farmhouse
with instructions not to allow the natives
to leave their huts, the patrols calling the
names of the natives hourly in order to
prevent their escape. In the maneuver at
Cooks Farm Col. Pitcher sent mounted pa
trolls east. One of these, consisting of four
men, commanded by Lieut.. Adie, suddenly
encountered II Beers, who opened fire. The
lieutenant was severely wounded, and Pri-
vate Butler gave up his horse in order to
carry the lieutenant out of range.
Lieut.. Ryan, who had worked magnifl-
Gently, reported that the veldt on the right
OF the enemy was clear. whereupon Maj.
De Roueemont ordered the guns to a trot.
They arrived within 1850 yards of the
lager, unlimbered and planted five shells
in as many minutes within the lager. I'M
mediately the enemy could be seen stream
ing over the kopje. They were complete
ly surprised, but quickly opened well-di-
rected fire.
"a press representative had the privilege
of carrying an order to the Toronto COM
pany at double-quick into action The or
der was received with great satisfaction.
The company rushed forward until within
a thousand yards of the enemy's position,
When 1t opened hot fire upon the kopje
and completely subdued the Boer fire.
The British artillery shelled the posi-
ton with wonderful accuracy, while Lieut..
Ryan, with mounted infantry, worked
round and completely uncovered the fire
of the Beers, WHO had been ensconced in
the bushes.
Meanwhile Col. Pitcher, with the Queens.
landers taking advantage of every cover,
made direct attack, the Australians NOV
ing slowly but surely, and only shouting
when they saw the enemy retiring under
their steady fire. The Queenslanders be-
haVed with great GOODNESS, laughing and
chatting even at the moment of grea test
peril.
During the advance the Boer fire sud-
denly ceased Thirty-five Beers hcisted a
white flag and surrendered. A portion OF
| the Iorontos moved across the front OF
| the guns and entered the laager. The Beers
had fled. Fourteen tents, three wagons. a
| great store of rifles, ammunition, forage
saddles and camp equipment and numer.
Gus discriminating papers We're captured
The Beers lost six killed and u wound.
| eo. The Torontos stood the calling fire
with admirable patience, never wasting a
| Shot
Frcnch's Successful Fight.
LONDON, Jan. 3.-The success of Gen
| french's column is at length confirmed
o1hclaily, the war office Tuesday after.
noon issuing dispatch from Cape
Town Monday. January /, as follows:
French reports at two p. IN. Tuesday
from Coleskop, by Telegraph, as fol
lows:
Leaving at Rensburg, holding the en-
envy in front, half OF the First Suffolk.
| and section of the Royal horse artillery
| started thence at five in the afternoon
| December 81, taking with me five squadron.
| OF cavalry, half of the Second Berks ant
| gu mounted infantry, infantry carried III
| wagons, and ten guns. / halted for fou,
| hours at Maidor's farm and at 3:30 thi
| morning occupied the kopje oyerlookint
and westward of Colesburg The enemy,
| outposts were taken completely by sur
| prise. AT daylight we shelled the laage
and enfiladed the right of the enemy's DO
| sition. The artillery fire in reply was yer,
hot from 15-pounder using royal labora
| tory ammunition and other guns w,
| silenced the guns on the enemy's RICH
flank. demonstrating with cavalry am
| guns to the north of Colesburg, towards
| the Junction, where a strong lager of tn,
enemy was holding a hill and a position
| southeast of Colesberg, as far as the June
| ton. Some thousands of Beers with two
guns are reported to be retiring toward,
Norvals Pont.
| "All Remington's scouts proceeded TO-
ward Achterland xestsrdap tnnraihR