The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-05

predk The casualties TO General french 3
force up to the afternoon CT Jan. were
five men killed and twenty-four wounded.
A detachment of twenty-five New Zealand
ers had a narrow escape. While advancing
on colesberg they were directed to occupy
a kopje. but met with hot reception from
concealed force of the Beers. Another
BODY OF troops. seeing their danger. hur-
ried TO the rescue OF the New Zealanders,
and their retreat was successfully accom-
plished under cover of the guns on the hills
westward. Coleskop Is now the principal
scene OF the fighting. The destruction of
the wrecked train included 1900 rations
and a supply of rum"
Further details of the fighting between
General Gatacre and the Beers at CIPHER
gat show that 5000 Beers, with artillery,
attacked British outpost between CIPHER
gat and Molteno. General Gatacre, with
mounted troops and field artillery moved
out in front of Sterkstroem and found the
Beers strongly posted at Coperberg.
whence they were quickly dislodged. the
Beers fleeing in the direction OF Stormberg.
The Beers used the British guns captured
Dec. 10 and shot well. but the British kept
under cover and there were no casualties
on theirsside.
The War Office has received a report
from Cape Town. dated Jan. g. reporting
the situation in General Gatacre's district
II says: "Dordrecht Is now evacuated by
Montmorency. who occupies Birdseye, on
the Indwe line. Molteno is being attacked
to-day by the enemy, who more or less
sarsrouns the police station. but who, &C
cording to reports, are being forced back
Reinforcements of mounted infantry and
field artillery have been sent by General
Gatacre. The result is not known. A COM
pany of mounted infantry under Anderson
has reconnoitered TO Prieska and ex-
changed shots with the rebel forces on the
north bank No movement of Generals
French of Methuen is reported
dispatch from Orange river. dated Jan.
3, says: There was a small skirmish near
Belmont this morning. The British fired
few shells, but the Beers did not respond.
\ detachment of about forty Beers at
tempted TO rush Klokfontein this morning.
but were beaten back by the mounted in
fantry. Possibly this force consisted of
fuSitives from Sunnyside. Reinforcements
of infantry and artillery have been dis
patched to General French from De Aar'
Advices from Belmont Cape Colony,
under date of JAN 3, say: Colonel Pitch
err IT Is officially announced. being only on
raiding expedition, and, for military
reasons. being unable to occupy Douglass
permanently. has evacuated the town.
bringing off the loyalists. He has now
returned safely TO close proximity to Bel
mont When he announced the necessity
r.f ox-1r ffncr he ~, srLo
of Douglass declared their lives were no,
worth five minutes purchase after the
troops left. Colonel Pitcher, therefore, in
vited them to accompany him to Belmont
The preparations were speedily completed
but the vehicles of the town were made
auate TO convey the refugees, so the troops
gave UP the transport wagons to the
women and children. The Canadians acted
as an escort for the refugees, carried
babies for the women and kept everybody
lively by singing as they marched pluck.
lily along in spite of sore feet, occasioned
by the heavy sand which made marching
extremely firing. The force received Gen.
eral Buffers congratulation on the sue
cess of the expedition with great satisfac-
ton
dispatch from i,aauwpoort, says: ''Ar
extraordinary occurrence took place last
night A number of trucks, loaded wi
foodstuffs. got loose and ran away from
our lines down the Colesberg declivity to.
ward the Beers at great speed. Further
down there was a broken culvert com.
manded by Boer guns, tnree trucks crossed
velous to say. Others fell over, while
Of the train attempted to rescue it. but was
shelled by the Beers, and obliged to re.
treat. train was then sent to rescue
the goods in the wrecked train escorted
by a cavalry company of the Suffolks, but
when it reached Plewnan's siding it was
subjected to a terrific shell fire from q
Hotchkiss and a big gun, and also rife
fire. The train and its escort had TO hurry
or An attempt will probably be made
TO destroy the goods. We command Nor.
valspont bridge with two guns and also
the Colesburg road bridge. The Beers have
no way of retreat except by way of Storm.
berg. Big developments are expected"
There is great satisfaction in London al
the news that De Aar has been able tc
send General French reinforcements OF
guns and infantry, of which he appears
10 be 50 much in need. The lighting IN
the hills is incessant. The latest telegram:
say General French has almost surround
ed Colesburg, but that the Beers are stiff,
defending all their positions close to the
town preventing the British from captur
ing it General Cronje is reported to hay,
been considerably disturbed at the first re
ports of the success of Colonel Pitcher.
tn.
10 help Douglass. The British at Modde,
river hope TO capture this force
An interesting fact is that Colonel Pill