The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-14
Driven Back By Lord Rob.
erts on all Points.

London, March 9, 4.15a m.-The
boers appear to have made no staud
whatever. except that while 10 retreat
they twice repulsed General Freuch's
cavalry with rife fire The enemy
probably got away with their entire
force General French is still follow
ing them and keeping between them
and 'Bloemfontein.
The evacuation of the northern
districts of Cape Colony is now com.
plete. The British are 10 possession Of
the railroad crossings
Col Baden Powell at Mafekiue seems
to be 10 grave need Of outside help.
Other wise he would not allow the
correspondents to send oat iuform nation
respecting the distress of the garrison.
A readjustment of some of the
higher commands is taking place.
General White is to 90 to Storm berg to
take supreme Dom mand Of General
Gssscre's division and the British
Tenth division, now 10 process Of
formation. which will be uoder the
immediate command Of Gsueral Hunter,
Sir George Whites chief Of staff
The Daily News makes The following
editorial announcement 1T was
rumored 10 London yesterday-snd We
have some reason for believing the
rumor to be oorrect-that the, two
republics made informal and Unofficial
o'srtures of peace on the preceding
DAY.
''Unfortunately the conditions we're
OF such character as to preclude the
possibility of leading to any result
Terms which might have been gladly
accepted before the war, 10 order to
avert it. are impossible after the war
with all the sacrifices it has entailed :"
WEDNESDAYS OPERATIONS.
Osfontein. March 7 Lord Roberts
movement today again thoroughly sur.
prised. outwit,ed and outmau % oe vred
the Beers. who led almos. without
firing q shot The plan Of battle was
as follows: General Colville's division
extended along tho north bank /;
General Tucker held the centre reserve
and the Guards brigade ba. the centre
advanced. General Kelly Keuny's
division was ordered to make huge
6snkiog movement on the, Beers left,
following General French, who was
instructed to move southeast until
opposite the Boer flank aud then to
swing around the rear.
Every movement was admirably
executed and entirely successful. The
Beers were surprised as was evident
from the state Of the deserted CAMPS
Twice the British cavalry were almost
in position to charge but they admit
that they were foiled by the u.auoeu
vriug of the Beers
"When last seen General French
was pursuing the enemy vigorously
lie was between them and Bloem fon :
tein, about IL miles from the right
wing
General Coville merely demon.
strated agaius, high mcuotaiu
occupied by the Trausvaai troops who
are uow fleeing. 10 consequence of the
flight Of the Free Sts,ers south Of the
river It is impossible at present to
give the Boer nnmbers. but it is
estimated that they reach Ia. 1000, all of
whom are DOW 10 fight
The Ninth Lanoers attempted to get
close to the Boers' right, with the
object of charging, but the Beers camo
out 10 great force aud the Lancer
we're compelled to retire A battery
was then sent forward to hold the
enemy 10 check, while the Grahams
town volunteers and company of
mounted infantry. supported BY another
battery, engaged the Beers on their
right flank
The Beers fred she'll, falling short,
however, and they made a stubborn
defense on the kopja on our right,
eoiladiDg the battery and killing lS Of
the battery horses The mounted
Infantry gradually repelIed the Boars
and the battery then took position and
expelled them feom their lager 10
confusion.
The Beers held strong position on
the north bank Of the river but the
flight from the southern back com.
PEELED them to retreat They showed
great adroitness 10 getting away the
wagons and displayed a bold front
while the rest Of the force was busy 10
spanning.
General French's division consisted
OF three brigados OF cavalry, two of
mounted Infantry and seven horse
batteries
PRESIDENT KRUGER'S SPEECH
Pretoria, March 6 "A special dis
patch from BIOemfontein says that