The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-21
Victorious Advance of Gen
Roberts Great Army.

London, Feb l6, 9 Is a. m The
war Office announces that Gen French
reached Kimberley Thursday evening
Following is Lord Roberts message
to the war Office:
"Jacobsdal, Feb l6, m Frenzy
with force of artillery. cavalry anh
mounted infantry reached Kimberled
this evening. Thursday ~
London. Feb Is, Al p m-The
war Office makes public a dispatch
from Field Marshal Lord Roberts
saying:
acobsda|, Feb 16.--The follow
lug from Gen French was received
this morning:
al have completely dispersed the
enemy from the southern side of
Kimberley, from Alexapdersfontein
to Oiiphantsfontein and am now go
ing TO occupy their ground. Have
captured the enemy's laager and store
depot supplies and supplies of am
munition. Casualties about 20 Of all
ranks wounded
- Kimberley cheerful and well. >
Gen Roberts has also sent the fol
lowing dispatch
"Jacobsdal. Feb l6 i have good
reason TO believe the Magersfontein
trenches have been abandoned and
that the Beers are endeavoring to
escape Gen French is securing the
| country north of Kimberley One Of
Gen Kelly Kenny's bridgades Of in
fantry is in pursuit of large Boer
convoy moving towards Bloemfon-
tein "
London, Feb II, 4 Asa m-Gen
CroDje with start of day or two.
is seemingly in full retreat from Lord
Roberts. moving northward Gen
French, With the cavalry, simply
stayed over night in Kimberley and
then pushed on to get in touch with
the retiring enemy. A long Boer
wagon train in moving toward Bloem
fontein, followed presumably by a
large force of British infantry In
their basty departure the Beers lost
quantities of supplies and ammuni-
tion
Military opinion here is that Lord
Roberts will not push far after the
Boere Immediately because of trans
port problems aud the need of
rest for TIE troops He has to feed
10000 persons in his army and the
whole Kimberley population He
must rebuild the railway from Mod
der river towb to Kimberley and re
victual the latter
Gen French lost few men only in
action. but the forced marches and
heat have probably made many i'll
Numbers of remounts must be pro-
vided
LORD Roberts has wrought gen
uine preliminary success and the i'm
preston is that be has done enough
for the present He will need to
prepare for another strike
All over England tonight there
have been evidences of public joy
In every theatre aud public meeting,
around the railway stations and In
the streets there have been gladress
and jubilation over the news The
papers are editorially rejoicing
Those who read the news closely
see only one disturbing factor in the
Cape situation snd that is the pres
sure of the Beers toward Lord Rob
erts line of supply through DeAar
which was never more important
than now. The Beers under Com
mandants Delarey and Gobler are
making a persistent effort to pene.
trate to the railway They haye
pushed Gen Clements back to Arun
del and have outhapked him. All
are within 60 miles. or two days
march of tie Central railway. Doubt
less Lord Roberts has left forces
along the line and csn send back
more if necessary
In the Eouse Of commons last
evening it was rumored Gen Butler
had agein crossed the Tugela
OCCUPATION OF JACOBSDAh