The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-05-05
BRITISH PUSH
ON T0VET RIVER
Retreat OF Beers From
Brandfort Quickly Fol-
lowed Up Lord
Roberts.

| W DS Io ~ pP III thS uAi Nj IVA VI
ward of Lord Roberts army. Al
along the line the British are ad
vancing while the Beers are falling
back, either through disorganlza
ton or to take up stronger defen.
sive positions.
The War Office late tonight is
sued the following from Lord Rob-
erts, dated Brandlort, Friday,
May 6.
The mounted infantry have gone
to the Vet River. The rest OF the
force will march there tomorrow.
The railway has been repaired to
| this town.
Hunter reports very satisfact-
i DRY news that the passage OF the
Naal has been carried at Windsor
ton without opposition.
Lord Roberts also reported from
Brandfort, May 3:
1--WE occupied Brandfort to-day
without much opposition and with
out, | hope, many casualties. The
first brigade of mounted infantry
covered the left flank of the Four
teenth Brigade of the Seventh divi-
sion, and the right flank was sup
ported by the Fifteenth Brigade.
Pole-Carew S division advanced di-
1ectly on Brandfort. The Boer
army, which was under command
Of Dclarey, retired in northeast
erly direction.
The position gives the key to one
of the main roads leading to the
Drakensberg passes, which pos
sibly may be the means OF co-opera-
ton with General Butler later on,
provides an advance base OF sup
plies, etc, and at the same time
menaces the Beers now southeast
OF Blocmfontcin.
From Warrenton, fifty miles
north of Kimberley, Il dispatch
comes, dated to-day, saying that a
British 6-inch wire gun opened un-
cxpectedly on the Bocr laager on
Thursday at a distance of seven
and a half miles, throwing hum
dred-pound shells with wonderful
accuracy, and causing a hasty re.
treat of the burghcrs.
The bombardment continued to-
day at all points from howitzers
ard field guns, supported by two
companies Of the Munster Regi-
ment, the Beers being driven from
shelter and their guns being put
out of action.
The Beers have evacuated Thaba
N'Chu Hill, and are believed to be
still trekkiDg, says a dispatch
from Thaba N Chu, though one gun
has shellcd the camp indiscrimin-
ately. Scouts report that some of
the Beers retired toward Wepener.
They believe the Beers evacuated
the position during the night trek
king northwardly in three direc.
tionS.
General French left to-day. Gem
eral Rundle is in command here.
1t is expected that General Bra
bant will effect junction at any
moment.
Brandfort, May S.-We occupied
Brandiort to-day. Kitchener, start
ing for kaaree Siding. entered the
town at noon, and Roberts at dusk.
All is quiet.
Our artillery flanked the Boer
right and compelled the enemy to
withdraw. Though their position
was admirably defensive, the Beers
hurriedly fled in the direction of
Winburg, leaving their flag and
some wounded British prisoners
in tine hospital.
Hutton, commanding the First
Mounted Infantry Brigade, saw
khaki-clad members of the Irish
American Brigade among the re-
treating Bocrs, and took them for
British troops. The deception was
not discovered until they had fired
upon our men.
Thaba N'Chu. May 3.-Hamilton 3.
maintains his position. having been
REINFORCED.
Lorenzo Marques, May ALL
well at Maleking up to last Sum
day, April %. This is admitted
by the Beers themselves. Unofti-
cial reports say there are only
1900 Beers round Mafeking, and
the belief gains ground that the
siege may be raised directly if an
other attempt for relief is made.
The removal Of heavy guns is look
ed upon as significant.
Only 1000 Beers are now in Natal |
5000 having been withdrawn with
in the last two weeks.
Brandfort, May 3.-General Pole
Carew's division occupied Brand
fort at half past ? this afternoon
after slight opposition from the
Irish American commando, which
vacated as General Hutton Mount
ed Infantry Brigade advanced.