The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-01-04
REC0NNAISANCES.
Two Of Them Made by British
Forces Proved to Be Dis
nal Failures.
BADEN.P0WLLL'SPOSlIION DESPERATE
Correspondents Are Beginning to Hint
Ofa forward Movement on The
Part Of Gen. Butler.
Colonial Authorities Using Precnu-
tionS 90 Prevent nm Insurrec-
tion on the Part of DisIoynl
Dutch in Cnpe Colony.

Dutch in Cnpe Colony.
London, Jan 2.--In the absence Ot
confirmation OF the reported sortie
from Ladysmith that story is discred-
tied. no such hopeful view can be ta-
ken as the Boer account Of the Mafe-
king sortie seems designed to convey
No word regarding any such move
ment has yet arrived from British
sources, and the feeling of suspense
is deepening, az it is feared Col. Ba-
dcn-PoWell's silence indicates that his
position is becoming desperate.
The dispatches from the front
breathe confident spirit, which is
by no means echoed here
The latest Ladysmith advices show
that the Boer shelling is becoming
deadly. while sickness and ennui must
also be telling strongly upon the gar
rison.
The news Of spread Of the rebel
lion among the Dutch colonists, and
of the attempts OF Beers to cut the
railway at widely different points. is
very disquieting. as bearing upon the
safety of the extended lines of COM
munication.
All the correspondents are begin
ming TO hint Of forward movement
on the part Of Gen. Butler, the danger
Of which is indicated in a dispatch to
the Daily Telegraph from Frcre. re-
cOrding the unfortunate failure of
two "Reminiscences. In one case the
Bocr lines at Colenso were 10 have
been bombardcd at night. Mounted
men drew the BOer fire, and il was
intended that the naval guns should
lombard. This, however, the latter
failed to do owing 10 some misunder-
standing, and the accommodating party
was compelled 20 founder back to
camp through the wet and stormy
night, marching in mud and water,
and with the greatest discomfort.
According to the same correspond
ent, similar fate awaited another
reconnaissance III the opposite direc-
ton. 1.-TWO detachments." says the
dispatch, "lost their way in the dark
ness. They were unable to effect
junction for attack; they stumbled
into water holes and were out all
night, only TO return drenched and
disappointed in the morning"
1t is roughly estimated that there
are $4,000 Beers between Ladysmith
and Colenso. some 400 being on the
south side of the Tugela river. At all
points the enemy shows ceaseless ac-
tivity. A large number of Americans
are said to be finding their way into
the various volunteer regiments being
raised in Cape Colony.
Cape Town, Thursday, Dec. 2S.-
The colonial authorities are using |
every precaution TO prevent an in
surrection on part of disloyal Dutch
in Cape Colony and to suppress a
rising if one should occur. Every
where the British colonists are being
drilled, armed and ready to act in
their respective localities, should
AZ med Dutch colonials gather.
The theory is that the British
home-staying colonals should be
fully prepared to cope with the
Dutch colonials without the aid of
regulars.
The alertncss of the British makes
united action on the part of the
pIo-Boer residents difficult Unable
to act openly they slip away singly
or in small groups, to join the enc
my's forces. The authorities have
been informed of many centcrs of
agitation, which it is considered un-
desirable TO Particularze, but there
is nothing like concerted action un-
parent over wide districts.
The case of Mr.. Michan, solicitor
TO the DeBeers Co., who is accused
Df treason acquires increased i'm
portance as he has been transferred
from the custody OF the civil author 4
ties here TO the military authori- I
lies at De Aar. His high position {
causes the Dutch to watch his case q
kcenly. r
Parties of Beers have been oper !
iting some 20 miles south of Lord s
Nethuen's position. Beers appeared f
IN Christmas day near the railway
about 20 miles south Of De Aar. A T
'orce of the duke of Edinburgh's d
lwn Volunteers prepared to engage $
hem, but the enemy retired il
Another party fired into a British \
'atrol camp during the night of
Wednesday December 27. This was
loar Victoria road. An attempt
vas made not far from that point S
o damage the railway. One man "
vas caught in the act and shot. A v
imilar attempt was made between c
luitiersolei and Klapmute, but the v
wreckers escaped. Evil {
emily small parties of Beers or c.
hutch colonials have been trying to o
interrupt the movement of trains.
ut thus far they have been baffied
y the elaborate British patrollinp.
--- -- e'''' o''''s 81
Recruiting In Iowa for the Boe-a. !
Orange City, Ia, Jan. 2.-An entire n
egiment of soldiers is said to be en- =
QUITE from the Dutch colony in this d,
SIOUX county to ioin the Roers In L.