The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-01-05
COLESBERG ENGAGEMENTS.
Heavy Fighting Near the Wrecked
Supply Train.

spe, iaI cable to The Republic. New York Herald
a-d London Daily Mail. Reproduction Pro
hbi-ed.
RensburE. Cape Colony. Wednesday,.
Jan. 3-oCopyiight. 1890. by James Gordon
Bennett l--.W-e set fire last night to the
trucks Of the wrecked train and their con-
tents and they are still blazing. The New
South Wales LanCsrs performed the duty
under heavy shell and rife fire. 10 which
We replied. This lasted until midday. the
Beers trying 10 loot the burning trucks. but
being compelled by our shell fire to retire.
Shrapnel burst right among them several
times, and must have done considerable
damage. many riderless horses rushing
about the vcldt. Some OF the enemy took
shelter in the StatiOn-house. but were
sh.llcd out. The survivors galloped away.
The Beers were seen to gallOp "A gun
through one CT the passes. As they did 50
our artillery opened fire on them. The
gun has not yet been heard to fire. and we
presume its escort were shot
We have the enemy partially surrounded.
His lines os communication are cut off and
the roads and bridges are held. This
counts for the strenuous efforts which the
enemy made to loot the wrecked food
trucks.
The Berkshires have been re-enforced by
the s:uffoks and hold the central position.
In which desultory firing is still proceeding.
The Second Cavalry Brigade. consisting
of a battery Of the Royal Horse Artillery.
under Major Burton the Inniskilllngs and
the Tenth HCssars. commands the extreme
left, the whole being under Colonel Fisher.
The First Cavalry Brigade consisting OF
one battery OF the Royal Horse Artillery.
under Sir John Jarvis: the New Zealanders.
mounted infantry and carbineers the whole
being under Colonel Porter. is on the ex-
treme right.
Major General Rrabazon is in command
Of the whole Of this force. Wha: much
want Is more guns Of a larger caliher. If
We had them We could DO much damage.
The peculiar division Of cavalry, infantry
and guns VIII b. noticed.
FRESCHs CASUALTIES.
Eensbers. Jan. 4.-The casualties TO
General French's force up to the afternoon
Of January were Ave men killed and
twenty-foGr wounded.
y detachment Of twenty-five New ZeH-
landcrs had q. narrow escape. While ad-
vanCinE on Colesherg they were directed to
occupy kopje, but met with a hot recep-
tion from a concealed force Cf the Beers.
Another body nf British troops. seeing
their danger. doubled TO the rescue OF the
New Zealanders. and their retreat was sue
cessfuily accomplished under the cover OF
the guns on the hills westward.
'oleskop IS now the principal scene OF the
fighting.
The destroyed British train included
22.6o rati"ns, and supply OF rum.
RE-ENFORCENENTs FOR FRENCH.
Orange River. Cape Colony, Jan. 3.-Re-
endorsements Of infantry and artillery
have been dispatched to General French
from De Aar
FIGHTING INCESSANT-
London. Jan. 4-Thsre Is great satisfss-
tion here at the news that De Aar has
been able to send General French re-"n-
fQrcem-nis of guns and infantry. Of which
he srems to hs 20 much il, need.
The fight in the hills is incessant. The
latest trlsgrams say General French has
almost surrounded t'olcsbGrS. but that the
Beers are Stiifiy defending all their posi-
tious close {" the town. preventing the
British from capturing it.
: dispatch from Rensberg this morning
says the heavy artillery duel recOmmeacei
at daVbreak