The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-24
Reports of Sharp Fighting at Points
Widely Apart Forwarded from Jo-
hannesburg by Kitchener.
BOTH SIDES LOST HEAVILY
KNOWN BRITISH CASUALTIES WE'RE
TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY.
Troop of Cavalry Almost Wiped Out,
Only Four Escaping Death
Wounds-MuFder of Natives.

LONDON, Dec. 23.-Lord Kitchener, in a
dispatch from johannesburg, dated Satur-
day, Dec q, sends reports of sharp fight
ing In the Orange River and Transvaal
colonies. The engagements occurred Dec.
Is, Dec. 10 and Dec. 20, at points widely
apart The casualties, far known,
aggregate about 25O, equally divided; but
heavy British losses, the totals of which
have not yet been reported, have occurred
in the Transvaal. In this last
mentioned fighting two hundred
mounted infantry in the neighborhood
of Beginderyn, were divided into parties
and were searching farms, when they were
attacked by three hundred Beers and forty
armed natives under Commandant Britt.
The Beers charged determinedly. Beyond
the fact that the British casualties were
severe, no details have been received.
Lord Kitchener also reports that during
General Dewet's attack on the British
force commanded by Generals Dartnell
and Campbell, at Langberg, Dec. is, the
Beers charged bravely and fought desper-
ately for several hours. Dewet was driven
off with the loss of twenty men. There
were twelve casualties on the side of the
British.
On Dec. 20, Botha, with 500 Beers, sur
prised Colonel Damantts advance guard
at Tafel kopje, Orange River colony. The
Beers rushed a kopje commanding the main
body and the guns, but Damantt rallied his
men and drove the enemy from the kopje.
The British casualties were heavy. Da-
mantt was dangerously wounded. Two Off
GERS and twenty men were killed and three
officers and 10 men were wounded The
loft dead is
persed. The British pursued the enemy and
captured a number of prisoners, including
Commandant Keyter. Later, the Beers, un-
der a nag of truce, asked permission 10 re-
move their dead. They admitted having
buried twenty-seVen men.
In the fight, the Beers, dressed as Brit
ish yeomen. engaged in a splendid race
with the British IN the attempt TO be first
III gaining the crest of the kopje. The Beers
gained the summit first and opened a heavy
fire the single troop of Damantt's horse,
which took part in the race for the kopje.
These troopers took advantage of all Of the
little cover available, Immediately below
the Beers, and fought untiI all but four of
them were killed or wounded. BY that
time reinforcements OF Damantts horse
came up and charged and captured the
kOpje.
In the eastern part of the Transvaal Col
only Colonel Mackenzie attacked Com
mandant smiths force of Beers at Lake
Bannagher, Dec. 20, killing six and captur-
ing sixteen of them. Commandant Smith
escaped.
a force OF Beers. during the night Of
Dec 10. attacked the British post at
Elandspruit, but they were driven off. leav-
ing eight men killed. including Comman-
dant kriese. Field Cornet Mahon. who was
wounded, and three other wounded men
were also left on the field. other wounded
Beers were carried off in blankets The
British casualties were seven men killed
and six officers and eighteen men wounded.
AS stated yesterday, a dispatch has been
received by the War Office from Lord