The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-02-15
EARLY AFRICAN WAR NEWS
DUNDONALD'S CATALRY HAS Il
SLIGHT FIGHT NEAR Springfield.

SLIGHT FIGHT NEAR SPRINGFIELD.
Two Officers and Ten Nj len Wounded II d
an Officer and Six Men Cnptured-Des-
patches from Lord Roberts-A Crossin q
atReit River Seized by Gen, French's
Cavalry.
London, Feb. 14.--The only war news
of any kind this morning was an Off
cial dispatch from General Butler at
Chieveley announcing a reconnaissance
at Springfield, resulting in no gain of
ground On either side, but causing the
wounding of Captain Hamilton Russell,
Lieutenant Churchill and ten men.
Lieutenant Pilkington and six men
were captured.
The dispatch contains detailed ac-
counts of what appear to be unimpor-
ant operations They only tend TO
throw light on the situation by proving
that the Beers are actively following
General Buffers every move, 1t reads
as follows:
"The commanding officer at Spring.
field reports this morning that a squad
ron of the First Dragons moving to
the outpost line covering the right flank
of the camp met party of Beers near
F'ustenberg. The Beers, reaching the
crest of hill, opened heavy fire on
the squadron, which retired. He sent
out supports and the Beers retired
The dispatch then gives the casualties
lry 1aI tj,,,,a Fol
lows:
"Dundonald, with 700 mounted men,
field battery, and the First Royal Welsh
Fusiliers, February -, reconnoitered
the high ground which the enemy has
been in the habit of visiting. The en-
envy evacuated it with the loss of two
men, after slight resistance. When the
force retired on the completion of the
reconnaissance the enemy returned in
considerable number and kept up a
heavy rifle fire, wounding slightly
Lieutenant G.. Churchill of the South
African Light Horse. Five men are
missing"
1t is thought possible that Lieutenant
Churchill reported to be slightly wound
ed is Winston Churchill's brother, John,
who was recently given commission
in the South African Light Horse, and
who Joined General Buffers command.
1t is not clear who wrote the dispatch
as Generals Lyttleton Hildyard, War
rem and other generals are believed to
be in the nighborhood of Springfield.
The following dispatch was received
at the war office from General Roberts,
at 1928 D. M:
"Reit River, Tuesday, February 13.-
Colonel Hannay, in command of brig
ade of mounted infantry, marching from
Orange River to Ramah, had slight |
engagement February IL Sunday with |
the Beers holding the hills and threat
ening his right flank. With detach-
ment of his force Colonel Hannay de- |
tanned the enemy, while he pushed his
baggage and main body through to
Ramah. The object of the march was
successfully carried out. Four men |
were killed, twenty-five wounded, and
thirteen are missing.
Monday, February ~, the cavalry
division under General French seized
the crossing of the Reit River at De-
kills Drift, on the east bank of which
the Sixth and Seventh divisions are now
The casualties were two
killed., ana captain MdJenule
of the Rifle Brigade wounded. He has
since died. One trooper was wounded.
1.-THE general commanding at Rensburg
reports that on Monday, February -,
he was attacked in force by the Beers.
Lieutenant Cunningham of the Worces-
ter regiment was wounded and has
since died. There were other casual
ties"
dispatch from Mafekfhg says the
garrison there can hold out until June.