South Wales Daily News

WHITE HARD PRESSED. FIERCE ATTACKS ON LADYSMITH* REPULSED AND RESUMED.! BULLER'S HEIJP DEMONSTRATION AGAINST COLENSO. (Central News Telegram.) DURBAN, Saturday Afternoon. A despatch from Frere Camp states that the Boers made an attack in force on Ladysmith on Friday, but were repulsed after fierce fighting. The attack was renewed late last night, and fighting continued until daylight. The enemy were again driven off. The bombardment was resumed to-day.

DESPATCH TO THE WAR OFFICE. The following was issued at the War Office on Saturday night:— General Buller to Secretary of State for War. tfRERE CAMP, Jan. 6th. Following telegram received from General White. :—" Jan. 6tb, 9 a.m. Enemy attacked Csesar's Camp a.t 2.45 a.m. this morning in considerable force. Enemy everywhere r8- pulsed, but fighting still continues." The Secretary of the Admiralty presents Ms compliments, and regrets to report that George Thomas, A.B., official number 183,228, of H.M.S. Terrible, has died in hospital at Estcourt of enteric fever. The War Office issued the following telegram on Sunday evening :— General Buller, to Secretary for War (received 6th January)— Frere Camp, January 6tb.-FoH.:Iwing mes- sage received 1 p.m. to-day from General White— (Begins) 6th January, 11 a.m.-Attack con. tinues, and enemy ha.s been reinforced from the south. General Boiler, to Secretary of State for War (received 7th January)— Frere Camp, Saturday.Following message received 4 p.m., from General White— (Begins) 6th January, 12.45 p.m.—Have beaten enemy off at present, bat they are still round me in great numbars, especially to the south, and I think renewed attack very probable, (Ends.) The sun has failed, so I cannot get farther in- formation from Ladysmith until to-morrow. GARRISON VERY HARD PRESSED. RUMOURED TAKING OF 400 BOER PRISONERS. (Press Association Special Telegram.) The following further telegram from General I Bailer was issued by the War Office at 10.25 p.m. "ltERE CAMP, Sunday. I received the following message from White (begins):—Saturday, 3.15 p.m. — Attack re- newed; very hard pressed (ends). I have absolutely no more news, and there is no snn. '1 There is a. camp rumour tha.t he defeated the enemy at 5 p.m., and took 400 prisoners. I sent all available troops yesterday to make a demonstration at Colenso. The trenches tSere were all occupied by the enemy." The Press Association says it is assumed that this mes3age was sent by pigeon, while the previous communications were heliographed. This message, it will be noted, took 24 hours to reach General Buller, DRIVEN OFF AT THE POINT OF THE BAYONET. (Laffan's Telegram.) FRERE CAMP, Saturday, 10.15 a.m. Major Stuart Wortley is in comma.nd of a composite battalion made up from the Rifle Brigade, the 60th Rifles, and 750 Reserve men. We could hear firing at Ladysmith from dawn till eight o'clock this morning. It was heavier than any firing that has yet been heard from there. 7.20 p.m.-General White has reported by heliograph that he defeated the Boers this morn- ing. They crept np EO close to the defending forces that the Gordon Highlanders and the Manches- ter Regiment actually drove them back at the point of the bayonet. HEAVIEST FIRE YET RECORDED. (From Our Special War Correspondent.) I FRERE CAMP, Sunday, 4.50 p.m. During the early morning engagement at Ladysmith the place was subjected to the heaviest bombardment yet recorded. The heavy siege guns on Mount Bulwan were at work, and the Boers seemed to be pouring in shells from every available height and gua. A heliograph message from Ladysmith reads, The Boers ha.ve been repulsed with heavy loss." A large force has just left Chieveley for Frere Camp, and a message from White at nine o'clock says that th enemy attacked Csasar's Camp at a quarter to three in considerable force, and the enemy was everywhere repulsed, but fighting continues. (" Times" Telegram, per Press Association). FRERE GAMP, Saturday, 9.50 a.m. This morning from three till eight the Boers bombarded Ladysmith more heavily than at any time previously during the siege. Both large and small guns were he&rd dis- tinctly. The trenches at Colenso are empty. Manyof the Boers have been seen riding rapidly northwards.

RECONNAISSANCE ON FRIDAY. A MOVE FROM CHIEVELEY. (Renter's Telegram.) FRERE CAMP, Friday. A reconnaissance in force was made to-day from Chieeley in the direction of HlangwaneMouDtain, After long range firing the force returned to (;: n. p without having drawn the enemy from their position. (Press Association Special Telegram.) FRERE CAMP, Friday, 7.20 p.m. The following force moved out of Chieveley thia forenoon towards the right front with the ob- ject of locating the enemy on the hill to the south Kji Hiangwane:— vi Hiangwane:— g £ wo 13th Hasear8»;Natal

-<t- MODDER RIVER. I t I SHELLING CRONJE'S i f LAAGER. FIRE DIRECTED FROM A 1 BALLOON. (Central News Telegram.) MODDER It TVER, Satard&v, 11.35 a.m. For two consecutive days this week there was no firing on either side, and the camp was very | qniet, the tedium being lessened, however, by iater-rsgimental football matches and athletic I sports of various kinds. Yesterday compliments were again exchanged between the Naval Brigade gunners and the Boer batteries, between the Naval Brigade gunners and the Boer batteries, The Royal Engineers have got their balloon equipment into working order, and have already I proved useful. The captiva balloon was sent up yesterday I morning, and reported by telephone the effect of I each shell fired from the naval gens. Most of t'aem fell short of the Boer laager at which they were aimed. A DUTCH ANNOUNCEMENT. BUILDING A RAILWAY ROUND MAGEK3FONTF/IN. (Laffan's Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, Saturday. The D1]h organ Ons Land ataSes that Lord MetUuen is building a railway round the Boer position at Magersfonteiu, and that material for I I the completion and extension of the lina is being hurried off to the front. STRONG ENTRENCHMENTS AT MAGERSFONTEIN. A RUSSIAN MILITARY ADVISER. (Laffan's Telegram,) CAPE TOWN, Saturday, 11.25 a.m. A German doctor who wa,g present in the Boer lines during the fighting at Magersfontein has arrived here. He states that a. Kassian military officer is with tho Boers advining them. He is paid a salary of £ 15,000 per annum, and has been promised a bonus of X250,000 if the Republic prove successful. The doctor also states that the Boers have now completed at iVIagersfontein three tiers of trenches, which are connected by means of communicating trencbes. All these trenchea afford cover to mounted men, and the Boers are also able to move their big guns from trench to trench under protection of the communicating trenches. The Boers return their losses at Magersfontein as 166 killed and wounded, and at CoJenso as 11 killed ami 16 wounded. ALL WELL AT KIMBERLEY. (From Our Special War Correspondent.) MODDER RIVER. CAMP, Friday, 5.10 p.m. The enemy ha.ve been remarkably quiet. They rarely fire a shot, and are probably husbanding ■heir ammunition for the decisive battle that must ensue when we again take the offensive. must ensue when we again take the offensive. They are very wary, ar.d never quit'the shelter of the kopjes when our cavalry are n ja.r. The Boers still occupy an immense frontage, their line of works being crescent-shaped and II almost encircling our flanks. All is well at Ivsmberley. ° Vie exchange a code message with the garrison every night with our flashlights.

PILCHER'S NIGHT MARCH. j A FINE PERFORMANCE. j s (Press Association Special Telogram.) j BELMONT, Friday, j Co £ onel Pitcher's night march from Cook's Farm was an admirable performance. I It was decided upon in consequence of infor. j mation which reached Colonel pilcher yesteiday afternoon to the effect that the Boers, in two columns, one 600 and the other 200 strong, in. | tended to effect a inaction and attack the j column. ( At 8 o'clock in the evening the order was given 1 toin-span and up saddle, and the whole force moved out quietly and noiselessly. j The night was dark, but the arrangements ? were 130 complete as to the keeping of distances that there was not the slightest hitch throughout the n:a.?(5U. A hale was allowed in the middle of the night to allow both men and horses s)me sleep. The guns and Queenslarsders formed the rear- j guard, touch being maintained by the mounted infantry. Xhe (jornwalls have marched in, having done the 22 miles in two days, besides being kept alert all uight -a most creditable performance. Two companies of the Canadians held a, pass six miles from here to prevent the enemy from attempting to cut off the force. The Press Association's correspondent adds I I have to rectify a mistake in my first telegram from Dover Farm. It was to B Company of the Queenslanders, and not to A, that the rebel prisoners^orrenderetL 1 r

.t'<l'-¡- IKURUMAN FALLS j BOER OFFICIAL ACCOUNT, j 120 PRISONERS TAKEN. (Press Association "ar Special.) PRETORIA, Thursday, via Lorenzo Marquee, Friday. Cornet V isser, in a despatch dated Kurnman, January 2nd, reports- I commenced a bombardment of the town on Monday morning, aiming at the police barracks. The figDt lasted until 6 in the evening, when the garrison surrendered, coming out from the forts and laying down their arm?. We took 120 prisouere, including Captains Bates, Dennison, Magte, and Hilliard, and eight other officers.. (Press Association War Special.) PRETORIA, Thursday (via Loren.zo Marquez, Sunday). I The following despatch, dated Kuruman, Jan. 2nd, has been received here :— I We have captured 70 natives of the Bastard tribe and Kaffirs, a number of rifles and revolvers, and ammunition. Fifteen British wounded are being attended by us with the help of the English doctor, Bearne. The horses, oxen, mealies, and flour taken from the prisoners havs been sent via. Vryburg to l/retoria." (Router's Telegram.) LORENZO MARQUEJ5, Friday. A despatch from Pretoria announces that after a. severe renewed bombardment by the Boer forces the police, who have hitherto successfully held the town of Kuruman against all attacks, finally surrendered on New Year's Day. One hundred and twenty persons, including 12 officers, were taken, besides a number of loatives and a quantity of stores and ammunition. —

MAFEKING. LOSSES IN THE SORTIE. DEATH OF CAPTAIN VERNON. (Central News Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, Friday Night, Much regret is felt throughout the Colony at the death of Captain Vernon in the sortie from Mafeking. « Captain Vernon was well known here, and was a smart and deservedly popular officer. News has been received from Mafeking stating that Lord Edward Cecil is down with fever. Captain Harry Coàdingtcn Sandford, who is amongst the killed at the sortie at Mafeking on December 25, was a member of the Shropshire family of t!mt name, residing as Sandford, near Whitechnrch He was an officer of the Indian Army, joining in 1883, but was attached to the Mounted Infantry. (Central News Telegram .) CAPE TOWN, Saturday. The news of Colonel Baden-Powell's Boxing Day sortie reached here about 6 o'clock last evening and canned a painful impression. The Boer version, published some days ago, had pre- pared the public for a. reverse, bnt it was hop-d that the casualty list would be short, as upon former occasions. All the officers killed and wounded were well known here, especially Captain Vernon, who served in Cape Town lor some time as aide-de-camp to Major-General Goodenongh when that officer was in command of the forces in South Africa. LORDS E. CECIL AND BENTINCK NOT WOUNDED. (Router's Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, Friday. Inquiries made through the War Department &t Pretoria, have elicited the information that neither Lord Edward Cecil nor Lord Charles Ben. tinck was wounded in the sortie from Mafeking on December 26th. Lord Edward Cecil Is, bm- ever, in hospital at Mafeking with fever.

AT PRETORIA. THE GUARD ON BRITISH PRISONERS. C Times Second Edition.) CAPE TOWN, Friday. Apropos of the position of foreigners in the Transvaal, a refugee who has recently arrived here from Pretoria reports that there ig a guard of 300 men over theBritish priioncre,which is now entirely composed of foreigners of various coun- tries, the burgher boys, who fit; formed the guard, having gone to the front. This indicates that the strain of the resources of the Transvaal has become very serious, some of these guards being mere children, BRITISHERS ARRESTED AND EXPELLED. (Exchange Company's Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, Saturday. The Lorenzo Marquez correspondent of the Cape Argus wires that 50 Britishers at Pretoria and Johannesburg were accused of abusing their privileges, and sent out of the country. Seven Britishers who were under permit at Zeerust have been arrested, no reason being assigned for the-ftcfc

BOER REPORTS. A SURPRISE THAT FAILED. (Press Association VS ar Special.) BOER CAMP AT COLENSO. Thursday (via Lorenzo Marquez, Friday). The British naval gins, which were quiet all yesterday, resumed vigorously this morning, com- pelling our men to play hide-and-seek in the trenches. Yesterday a thunderstorm turned the dry siaits into torrents and filled the Tngela. into torrents and filled the Tngela. Fifty English crept up a sluit towards Colenso, but several of our men swam across and drove them baciz. A large number of Lee-Metford cartridges have been found hid there when the British evacuated the place. DORDRECHT AND COLES- BERG. (Press Association War SpeciaL) LORENZO MARQUEZ, Thursday. A telegram from Pretoria says :-It is reported there that the British have been compelled to retreat from Dordrecht to their camp, eight prisoners being taken. Fighting continues round Colesberg, where the Bristish occupy some of the outside kopjes, and English bullets are dropping inside the town. ON THE WESTERN BORDER. (Press Association War Special.) LORENZO MAKQUEZ, Friday, A despatch sent from the Boer camp on the western border, near Modder Ltiver, on Thursday last, says Yesterday afternoon the British shelled the Boer position for fully one hoar. Fciur Boers were wounded, one severely. During the night heavy firing was heard iu the British camp, where there bad evidently been a false alarm." MAGERFONTEIN FIGHT. TRIBUTE TO THE HIGHLANDERS. (" Times Telegram, per Press Association.) CAPE TOWN; Saturday. An account of the battle of Magersfontein in the BJoemfoniein Express of the 22ad alt. gives some interesting details of the battle as seen from the Boer side. The Boers were fully prepared for battle that morning, and had already occupied the trenches soon after 2 o'clock. ¡ The narrator was evidently tremendously im- pressed by the bravery of tbe Highlanders. The brave Highlanders," he says, tried time a,fter time to break through our obstinate line of de- fence, but only to fall down not to rise again. One officer cams within 15 paces of our trenches. waving his bat and shouting, Now, boys, here we are,' when he fell with three bullets through his heart. Fifty payees from the trenches the Scotch regiments lav in heaps. Here and there small batches clustered together in their endeavour to find cover, and I found four tall Highlanders stretched out bshind one small ant heap. Forty poor Highlanders were brought to the rear as prisoners, looking veiy sad." The narrator also speaks enthusiastically of the heroism and coolness of the Boers under the terrible she!! fire. The heroes of the day," be says, were the Fieksburgbers," (probably a party who came out of the trenches and enfiladed I the Highlanders from the right early in the after- ¡' noon,) The way the brave Ficksburghers leapt out in a perfect hail of bombs and drove back the enemy is a deed to be celebrated by our future I poets." Describing the end of the battle, he says :— The Bun sank and the British Army was driven back. In our lines there was no exultation over the striking victory, but rather deep silence after tbe terrible experience." Another account in the same paper pnts the Boer loss at 161 dead and wounded, and the British loss at over 2,500. Three Boer prisoners have escaped from tbe transport Manila at Simon's Bay.

CALL FOR MEDIATION. SUGGESTION BY THE POPE. Paris, Saturday.-Accordiog to the Journal the Pope has charged Cardinal v aughan to offer his mediation to Great Britain in the war with the Transvaal. His Holiness, it is added, hr.s in- formed Emperor William of his intention.— Renter. I

HOFMEYR'S POLICY. HIS OPINION UNCHANGED. (Renter's Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, Friday. The Orl-S Land, the organ of the Afrikander Bond, publishes the following, which is regarded as an inspired statement Mr Hofmeyr's policy has all along been one of strict obser- vance of the London Convention by both parties with arbitration upon differences of interpretation. The outbreak of war abrogated the Convention. Nevertheless, Mr Hofmeyr's opinion is unchanged. He says that if he ha.d to choose between open annexation and sham ¡ independence, which practically though not in name, would make the Republics part and parcel I of the Empire, and thus enable the Imperial authorities to boast of magnanimity in the ayes of the world in not withdrawing independence, he would prefer the first alternative as the 1 more honest coarse." I 5. 8

DESPATCHES. THE FIGHTING BEFORE COLESBERG. ENEMY'S LOSSES SEVERE; OURS SLIGHT. The following message has been received 94 the War Office from General, Cape Town CAPE TOWN, January 5th. General French reports that ou the 4th Janu- ary his left flank, about three miles from Coles- berg to the north, was attacked by 1,000 of the enemy in the morning. A squadron of the 6th Dragoon Guards, fax- nishiiig the picket, charged effectively, bat the large number of Boers were gaining ground by opening fire with rifles and quick-firing artillery gnus. Two companies of the 2ad Rerkshires and four companies of the 1st Suffolk expeditiously assisted by the Royal Horse Artillery, attacked them. Meantime the 10th Hussars and a section of the Royal Horse Artillery on the right flank, by their combination, caused the withdrawal of many, but a few handreds held out on the kopje. Our heavy fire prepared the advance of 150 monnted infantry, who pushed on noder cover of the ground, and dismounting captured the kopje and nineteen prisoners. The enemy's loss is 50. The Boers disclosed to-day a fresh position, five miles from Colesberg to the north, with two heavy gans. The enemy's evident effort to-day was to re- open communications with Bactu. CASUALTIES. 10th -Major Harvey. Slightly wounded—Mojor Alexander. A few men bit. 6th Dragoons.—The only known casualty is dangerously wounded, Second-Lieutenant Gib- son. Three men hit. 1st Suffolk.-Two men slightly wounded. The Boers are still in force on the hills south- east of Colesbtrg. The enemy lost on the 1st of January more than fifty, including two fioid cornets, many wounded, and one gun damaged. The enemy reoecupied Dordrecht. Gatacre reports that the Boers withdrew tO Stormberg. Elsewhere no change. STOBMBEBG. FURTHER LIST OF CASUAL- TIES. The following message was issued from the War Office on Saturday evening:- From the General of Communications, Cape Town, to the Secretary of State for War. Ja.n..6. The following are additional casualties at Stormberg, Dec. 10th, 1899, to those previously reported KILLED. 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.—5294 Private W. H. Clarke, 5572 Lce.-Corpl. P. McCabe. WOUNDED. 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Kifif-s—5596 Private W. Magill, 5331 Private J Cairns, 3818 Private J. Kinley, 3905 t'rivate J. Barke, 3744 Private R. J. Brown, 5442 Private P. Shelly, 1359 l^rivptc R. Scott. 5456 Private G. Keenon, 2&84 Private H. Morrison, 3452 Private J. McGinley, 2237 Private J. Dalmll, 2791 Private G. Montgomery, 2417 Private R. Roberts, 36% Private T. Savage, 3783 Private M. E. Clare. 2ud Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.-3019 Lance-Corporal W. Casey, 2306 Private R. Mus. kett, 2717 Private C. R. Twelftree, 3924 Priv&te G. Brown, 3304 Private D. Delaney, 2403 Private D. Rumble, 4778 Private L. Bocock, 2421 Private W. Pratt, 5534 Private J. CoHinF, 3461 Private 1. H. Clark, 3036 Private J. Halligan, 3007 Private R. Kirton, 5201 Private J. Walker. 74th Battery Royal Field Artillery.-82532 Gunner E. H. Wallace, 28457 Gunner E. Hiville, 76338 Gunner R. Foulkes, 86095 Gunner T. J Beckett. Mounted Infantry (1st Rifle Brigade).-400( Private F, McGabey. WOUNDED AND PRISONERS. 2nd Northnmberland Fusiliers.—2414 Sergeans A. Richardson, 2858 Lance-Sergeant 11. Bulner, 4887 Corporal A. Hollett, 2462 Corporal H. Madg. wick, 2673 Private G. H. Mason, 401 Private J. Stott, 3923 Private G. Benson, 3003 Prvate G, Cameron, 2475 Private J. W. Stephens, 3837 Pri- vate G. HedJey, 5315 Private J. Tinline, 5015 Pri- vate T. Turnbull. 3416 Private W. Munroe, 3113 Private C. Docherty. Prisoners and wounded in hospital at Bloem- fontein 2nd Royal Irish Rifles.-3370 Colonr-Sergeant G: W. Edwards, 5405 Lance-Coporal W. Fleming, 2773 Private R. Arnold, 2684 Piva.te J. McLarnon, 2939 Private J. Kearney, 748 Private R. McNeice, 2911 Private W. Meredith. 2nd Northumberland FllR;lierR,2270 Band Sergeant J. Stoiae, 3992 Private W. Wilsou, 2795 Private E. Smith, 4662 Private J. Coatea, 3099 Private R. Foster, 2747 Private W. Taylor, 3681 Private J. Clark, 5398 Private R. Wilson, 341? Private W. Smalley, 2169 Private J. Baker, 527C Priva.te G. Mullen, 1954 Private O. Robinson 2792 Private J. Scott. 559S Private H. Perkins, since died of pnea monia. Cape Pofice.-1332 Lance-Corporal A. J. 0. Molloy, 590 Private Bruce Scott. Received telegram, Jan. 4, states Colonel Fagar, although still in a serious condition, it progressing satisfactorily. Major Welman and CaptaLin Beil are out ci danger, though recovering slowly. Corrections to casualties previously reported Killed should read 4S56 Private C. Wells, 2nd Berks Mounted Infantry, and 30144 Gunner F. Matind, 77th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. OTHER DEAD AND WOUNDED. From the General of Communications, Cspt Town, to the Secretary of State for 11.1: Jan. 5. The following casualties have occurred :— 5735 Private D. Kirby, 1st Royal MunstOl Fusiliers, wounded Dec. 31. 3756 Lance-Corporal Dennis Sheehan and 589. Private John Keily, 1st Royal Munster Fasiliers, missing from reconnoitring patrol at Belmont, Dec. 31. 3375 Lance-Sergeant F. Talbot, 2nd Royal Irish Foaiher. died of wounds at Rondesboscht .1 an. 2. Trooper Benjamin Branch, Brabant's Home died of enteric fever at Queenstown, Jan. 2. 5487 Private T, Fox, 3rd Grenadier Guards wounded on patrol duty at Modder River, Jam. 2 Sergeant Buffin, Rimington's Guides, wounded Jan. 1, has since died. DEATHS FROM ENTERIC FEVER. 1736 Private J. Brennan, 2nd ColdstreMf Guards, at Modder River, Jan. 2. 4171 Private E. Rees, 1st Welsh Regiment, ei De Aar, Jan. 3. 9375 Privates W. Potter and 9809 W. H. AAU:, down, 2nd Coldstream Guards, at Modder River. Jan. 4. 5066 Private S. Kenningley, 2nd Yorkshm Light Infwntry. at Alodder River, Jan. 5. The condition of Lieut. the Hon. G. Portmatt 10th Jitissars, remains unchanged. The Press Association says :—The above tele- gram with regard to casualties at Stormberg Ott. Dccember 10th supplies, or goes some way to- wards supplying, particulars which have been the subject of anxious inquiry at the War Office. In giving a summary of his losses at Stormberg General Gatacre promised a future list of rank and file casualties, but although the fight took place nearly a month ago the expected details had not come to hand up to yesterday morning. The fight took place on December 10th, and on the following day General Gatacre sent an add*- tion to his list of missing, which left about 600 to account for, In the despatch of December lltfe it wa.s stated that 356 were missing from one regiment ;tlone-the Northumberland Fasiliera On the 12th the magistrate of Sterkstroom re- ported that the situation had slightly improved, and ma.ny of the missing men had tarned np. This left the question of total casualties in a verj uncertain state, but on the 13th it was reported on the authority of n Press correspondent per mitted to visit the Boer camp that the enemy beA in detention 60 wounded men, 32 of the 2nd Royai Irish Rifles, 1 of the 1st Northumberland Mounted Infantry, and 27 of the 2nd Northnm- berland Fusiliers, besides which the correspon- dent, reported 10 of the 2ad Royal Irish killed ant 12 of the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers. Tht present list adds 2 to the killed, 33 to thE wounded, 37 to the wounded prisoners. Thesf are distributed as follows :—Killed—2nd iriflfc Rifles, 2. Wounded-2nd Irish Rifles, 15 2n6 Northumberland Fusiliers, 13; 74th Battery Feld Artillery, 4 and hit Rifle Brigads (mounted infantry), 1. Wounded priponers-2ad Northam: beriand Fusiliers, 14 2nd Iridh RiliPs, 7 End Northumberland Fusiliers, 14 (at Bloemfontein) and Cape Police, 2.

ATTACK ON COLENSO. GENERAL CLERY'S DIVISION ADVANCES. (Laff.an's Telegram.) FRERE CAMP, Saturday,6.45 p.m. At 2 o'clock this afternoon the whole of General Clery's division marchsd out of camp to attack Colenso. Hildyard's brigade was on the left: Barton's briga.de being on the right, with the oavalry on the extreme right. The attack was slowly developed, and at 4.30 p.m. the British field gmis advanced on the centre, and commenced shelling the Boer posi- tions on the flat land between Hlangwane Hill and Fort Wylie. About this time a heavy thunderstorm raged over the enemy's positions. At 5.30 p.m. cur troops were still advancing and had reached a, point very near to Colenso Bridge. The naval 4'7 and field guns were busily dropping sheila into the enemy's trenches on the river and the forts. The enemy had made no reply. It is a dull day and darkness is rapidly coming on.

LADYSMITH AND THE SITUATION IN NATAL. I I

NATIVE TREACHERY, ENEMY WARNED BY BEACON FIRES. (Through Laffan's Agency.) FRERE CAMP, Friday, 7.5 p.m. A native reports that two of the Boer guns have been knocked over by the fire of our naval guns. Lord Dundooald, with 200 mounted men, two gunss and a Maxim,patrolled towards Hlangwane Hill about 2 o'clock this afternoon. The Boers having fired upon one of our outposts Lord Duudonald's guns opened on them. Our naval guns soon followed, shelling the trenches, which were full of Boars. The mounted troop returned to camp covere by the field and naval guns without any I casualties. The Kaffirs in the neighbourhood evidently give the Boers assistance by lighting beacon firee when our patrols start. Tbe result is that we are never ableto-entoff the enemy. Our patrols invariably return to ca.mp tired after a disappointing day. It is noteworthy that the eheep, cattle, and goats of the Kaffirs are never looted by the Boers.

BOER AMMUNITION FOUND. ("Times Telegram, per Press Association.) FRERE CAMP, Friday, 10 p.m. Thorneycroft'a Mounted Infantry yesterday found a quantity of bandoliers containing Manser cartridges in a donga. This may indicate that some of the Boers are tired of fighting and are returning home.

NARROW ESCAPE OF GENERAL OLERY. (From Our Special War Correspondent,) FRERE CAMP, Dec. 14. General Clery narrowly escaped being shot or taken prisoner last Friday (Deo. 8). The general had gone ont on a tour of inspection in the direction of the Tugela River, and had ridden, accompanied by his galloper, alone near Colenso, which was occupied by the enemy. Suddenly ¡ the general and his attendant were fired on by at least 50 Boers at reasonable range. The fire was so hot that General Clerj and his companion were compelled to gallop for their lives. In the meanwhile Manser bullets whistled past them in most disagreeable proximity. The general was fortunate in escaping without a scratch. .4

GATAGRE'S LINE. THE BOERS IN DORDRECHT. CAPE DUTCH POLITICIANS WITH THE ENEMY. (Central News Telegram.) STB RKSTROOM, Saturday Afternoon. All has been quiet to-day. The Boers have reoccupied Dordrecht. Reports from there state that they are behaving in an exceedingly arrogant manner, and that they are indulging in wholesale loot and are recklessly destroying quantities of goods they do not need. It has been ascertained that Mr De Wet, the member of the Cape Legislative Assembly for the Wodehonse Division, and Mr Snyman, one of the Progressive candidates defeated at the last election, are with the Boers, DORDRECHT PRISONERS. (Renter's Telegram.) STERKSTROOM. Friday. Font prisonerH have been brought into camp here. They wt-re captured near Dordrecht with arms and ammunition. LADYGREY DESERTED BY THE BOERS. LEAVING FOR THE FREE STATE. (Press Association War Special.) HERSCHEL, Saturday. It is reported that Ladygrey has been prac- tically deserted by the Boers, whose families are leaving for the Free State. The enemy are entrenching themselves be- tween Ladygrey and Barkly East. ¡ to 00 s Excellent work is being done by Captain Hook's I special police corps in repressing looting. I

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-¥.r- ''¡-1' LOSS TO FRENCH. SUFFOLKS TRICKED. 70 TAKEN PRISONERS. The following telegram from the genera.1 at Cape Town to the Secretary for War, dated Cape Town, Saturday, bat received on Sunday, was issued by the -War Office on Sunday night French reports 6th January 8jttttiou much the same as yesterday, but I regret, to report that a serious accident has happened to the lst Suffolk Regiment. From news just come to hand from them I gather that, with the authority and with the knowledge of French, four companies of the 1st Suffolk advanced by night against a low hill one mile from the camp. They attacked at dawn. Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, commanding, gave orders to charge, but was at once wounded. Orders for retirement were given, it is said by the enemy, and three-quarters of the force re- trea.ted to camp. The rema-inder held their ground till over- powered by greater numbers, when they sur rendered. Seventy were taken prisoners, including seven officers. French reports that the commando which attacked on the 4th loiit 50 Killed, besides wounded and prisoners, and dispersed." 1ST ESSEX TO REPLACE THE SUFFCLRS. The War Office at 10.25 on Sunday night, issned the following Genoral, Cape Town, to Secretary of State for War E" CAPE TOWN. 7th January, 4.55 p.m. No chai)ge in situetion a-, regares Methuen and Gatacre. "Refurrbg to my telegram of 6th January, French reports 6th Jan officer sent oat to collect all wounded to north-east of Coles- berg to-day. Exa.ct list of prisoners missing not yet ascertained probably about; 70. lot Essex Regiment has b sent.to zepbce 1st Suffolk. Position of affairs—tactical and strategic— without alteration. Boer medical officer admits that it was intended to go away from Colesberg. Enemy's los3 day by oay from our fire heavy." (Through Laffan's Agency.) CAPE TOWN, Saturday, 10.5 An nnconfirmed report ia current that General French has entered Colesberg. THURSDAY'S EIGHT. OBJECT OF THE ENEMY'S ATTACK. R.ftiS! DJBURG, Thursday. (" Times Telegrams.) Tbe enemy's object in attacking our left flank this morning three mites north of Colesberg was to reopen communication with Colesberg-road Bridge, which had been cut off by the British since Monday, The Boers brought four guns and two Victors- Nordenfelt quickfirers into action. Later. The Boers opened fire from two big guns, disclosing another poHiVtoa five miles farther north. Friday. There has been no firing of consequence this morning as yet. I BOERS LONG FOR PEACE. WHAT RESNSBURG- PRISON EiliS SAY. (Through Laffan's Agency.) NA AJJ WPOORT. Friday. i One of the prisoners taken at Renaburg said in I an interview that they had surrendered not througn fear, bnt because there was no hope. With shell fire coming from three position s, and a Maxim comnianding their retreat, and their horses killed, there was no chance of escape. The artillery fire was terrible, for shells caome in all directions, He thought their defeat was due to bad general ship and delay in bringing up their guns. ¡ The prisoners expressed great admiration for the bravery of oar troops, and said that though they regretted being imprisoned they welcomed I the rest after their terribly hard time. All were anxious for peace. I some wept bitterly, u&ying they were thinking of their wives and children. They stated that they were surprised at the change in the English tactics, as they expected a frontal attack.

SITT,L SUSPICIOUS CONDUCT. ALLEGED TRAITORS IN THE COLONIAL CORPS. II (Renter's Telegram.) CAPE TOWN, Saturday. I Several men of Dutefa extraction belonging to tb a Colonial Irregular Corps have been brongbt here under arrest for suspicions conduct,

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I Carabineers, Mounted Companies of King's Royal j Rifles and Dublin Fusiliers, South African Horse, and Thorneycroft's Horse. Several shells were sent into the trenches, sup. plemented by fire from the naval guns, which came into action and prevented the enemy's 40- pounder, posted on Hlangwane, from being brought to bear on our Field Battery. The fire from our big gons was heavy. The enemy replied with long range rifle fire, and did not come into touch with our men, refus- ing to be drawn from their nest. Lord Dundonald perceiving a strong mounted force moving out far beyond the range of oar force,with the evident intention of working round our flank, directed the force to retire to Chieve- ley. The enemy's heliograph was seen to be working from a ridge north of Colenso to the camp at Um- bulwane. While the big guns were firing the natives in the valley were seen ploughing complacently.