Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-14
DeWET WHIPPED.
Methuen and Kitchener Win
Battle at Rhenoster River.
Boer Camp Captured, Beers Scatter
ed and Communication Restored.
Lord Roberts Again Heard from Alter Weeks
Silence.

London. June 12.-211 p. Mater
weeks silence Lord Roberts has been
heard from, his line Of communications
having been practically restored by
means of a complete victory gained by
Generals Methuen and Kitchener over
Gen. DeWet, at the Rhenoster river,
yesterday June IL. The Boer camp
was captured and the burghers, il Is
added, were scattered in all directions
Lord Roberts on being notified of
the cutting of his. line of communica-
tons. sent Gen. Kitchener in all haste
to join Gen. Methuen.
June II, Lord Roberts attacked Gen.
Botha, who was in strong force Is
miles southeast of Pretoria. After
strenuous opposition, the British forces
gained considerable ground. but Gen
Botha. when Lord Roberts left the
field. was still indicated.
All is quiet at Pretoria and Johannes
burg and Lord Roberts says the gov
crnment need have no apprehension
about the security of the army in
South Africa, as it will not take long
to remedy the reverses and repair the
railroad.
\ lengthy dispatch forwarded to the
office Of Major General Knox, from
Kroonstal. presumably sent there by
messenger, read as follows:
'Kroonstad. June Eve have been
requested to forward you from Lord
Roberts the following dispatch from
the Pretoria presidency, at sos a. NJ.
today:
Pretoria. June 12-Pretoria and
Johannesburg are perfectly quiet and
several Of the inhabitants have eX-
pressed gratitude for the peace and Or
der which prevail
After surrounding the city. Botha
retired to a place about i miles east
On the Middleburg road. He had a
small force at first, but during the last
few days. his numbers increased and
his being 50 near the town kept up the
excitement in the country, prevented
the burehers from laying down their
arms ana interfered with the collection
Of supplies. 1t. therefore, became nee
essary to attack him. This l did, yes
terday. He held very strong posi-
ton, practically unassailable in front.
which enabled him to place the main
portion Of his troops on his TANKS.
which he knew from former exper-
fence We're his vulnerable parts. / sent
French with Porter's and Dixons cav
airy brigades and Hutton's Mounted
Infantry round by our left and Ian
Hamilton, with Broadwood and Cor
dJns Cavalry Brigade, Ridley's Mount
"a InfIntry and Bruce Hamilton's In
fantry Brigade, round by our right.
Both columns met with great oppOs-
ton.
AT about in the afternoon, saw
two of Hamilton's Infantry Battalions
advancing to what appeared to be the
key Of the encmys defence. on their
loft flank This was almost gained be
fore dark. and | ordered the force to
bivouac on the ground they had won.
'Po'e-Carew with his division. occu-
pied our centre. AS | have explained,
h could not attack. but he gradually
advanced SO as to support Ian Halnil-
ton, and when l left the field he was
on the line held by the enemy's out
posts, in the morning.
I hurried back to get news Of
Methuen's movement On hearing that
the Free Staters had taken advantage
of our crossing the Vaal to interrupt
out line Of communication sent IEitch-
cner with such troops as ] could then
spare to Nredefort with orders to push
south ana communicate with Methuen,
who. | knew. had a very compact force
in the vicinity Of Hebron. | also dis
patched special messenger to
McthuCn. inStruCtinC him to push on at
all speed To the main line Of railway.
These two officers met at Vredefort
road station in the evening Of June 10
They marched. yesterday. to Rhenos-
ter river. where Methuen gained
complete victory over DeWct and took
posse ssion Of his camp and scattered
his troops in all directions. He and
Kitchener marched. today. towards
kroonstad.
Her Majesty's government need
have no apprehension as to the secur-
ity the army in South Africa. The en-
envy gained a slight success. which was
but which will be RENE
died very shortly and it will not take
long to repair the damage done to the
As these diversions are all in
existence | am now able to hold the
line between this and Rhenoster In
strength. Methuen will arrange to
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