The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-23
CRONJE SURROUNDED.
FRENCH'S FORCES BETWEEN HIS ARMY
AND BLOEMFONTEIN.
Beers thanked NEAR COLENS0
Their Lines on the Tu0ela Broken and
Their Important Positions Captured
After Severe Fighting-The Beers Re-
tire from Sterkstroom Camp Large
Forces OF Transvaal Troops Being
sent into the Free state.

Following is the Baltimore Suns
summary of the news from South Afri-
ca secured up to the time of that paper
going TO press yesterday:
The war in South Africa has now
reached the hottest stage it has yet at
tanned, with fighting all along the line.
The latest developments are as follows:
Generals Kitchener and Kelley-Ken-
ny, with about 10000 men, are pursu-
ing oward Bloemfontein General
Cronje's Boer army. estimated at from
1000 to 10000 men
From the north General French.
having accomplished the relief of Kim
berley, is moving with a force of un-
known strength to join in the pursuit.
Genera Tucker, with 10, 900 men. is
at Jacobsdal guarding the British line
of communications from attack.
Lord Methuen, with 10000 or more
men, is at Midder River station ready
to move wherever the necessities of
the case may require. He has thrown
out detached bodies to prevent, if pos
siDle, any Beers from escaping west or
north.
Southwark in Cape Colony no fur
ther progress is reported in the Boer
III III lIlON SIllSll lONdTu lie AdI.
But there has been severe fighting
with General Gatacre's troops at Dor
drecht and Molteno.
In Natal General Butler has begun a
new movement, or demonstration, aim
ing, if possible, at the relief of Lady
smith.
The Beers are attempting to cut the
British line of communication at Ems
lin, on the Cape Town railroad, TWEEN
ty-five miles south of Modder river.
Both the Beers and the British are
reported to have captured large con-
voyS.
British troops have occupied the po-
sition at Magersfontein which the
Beers vacated.
Genera French's movement has been
extremely rapid. Starting from Enslin,
he marched ninety miles by a round
abou way to Kimberley in four and a
half days, besides fighting two small
engagements.
Lord Roberts has issued a proclama-
ton to the burghers of the Orange Free
State saying that Great Britain wishes
them to understand that it bears them
no ill-wi1l and hat their government
has miSled them.
General Buffers latest move is aim
ed at Selling Mount Hlangwane and
Monte Christie, Boer positions about
four miles southeast of Colenso. AS a
Rl I'LL y " lDlS lie SSht d
column which occupied Hussar hill,
from which the Beers retired after a
feeble resistance. Soon the British
who were or the hill found themselves
under a cross fire, thus repeating the
experience of Spion kop and Vaal
kranz. At last accounts a British
movement still farther forward was
regarded as imminent.
Dispatches from Ladysmith state
that the Beers have been active there
in the last few days and ARE evident
ly making a move somewhere" DR..
Leande s. Jameson, leader of the fa-
nous raid which bears his name, is
sick with fever at Ladysmith.
(By Associated Press.)
London, February 20, 3:45 a.. MA
member of the cabinet told H. w. Lucy
tonight that the war office had receiv-
ed a telegram announcing that Cen
eral Cronje was hopelessly surrounded.
Mr.. Wynfham was beset by anxious
members of the house, but would only
reply that the governments news
vas extremely satisfactory. The sole
explanation Of the government with
holding good news is that confirma-
ton and more details are awaited.
BOERS thanked AT COLENSO.
The C%hievelrey correspondent of The
Daily News telegraphing yesterday
says: w now occupy all the hills to
the right of C%olenso, on this side of
the Tugela, including Hlangwane,
which the Beers evacuated last night
| Sunday
BOER LINES BROKEN.
Chievelrey, Monday, February 10
The Boer lines of fortresses is broken.
The British have achieved a decided
success in capturing the enemy's posi-
ton on Monte Christie. The Beers,
however, effectively executed a retreat,
removing their n and convoy
wagons. The British had
lively few casualties.
Sterkstroom Camp, Sunday, Febru-
airy 1S.-The Beers are retiring and
General Brabant's forces are now en-
tering DordSricht.
London, February 1880 p. m.-The
war office has received the following
dispatch from General Butler:
'Chievelery Camp, February 10.
Il yesterday moved around the enc
my's flank. The Queens, who had BIZ
vouacked on the northern slope of
Cingolo, crossed the mex and, support
ed by the rest Of the Second brigade,
under Hildyard, assaulted and took
the southern end of Mont Christie.
THE Fourth brigade on the left or
western slope, and the Welsh Fusiliers
supported by the rest of the Sixth
brigade. assaulted the eastern flank
of the e1emy'S position, while the Sec
ond brigade OF cavalry, on the extreme
right. watched the eastern slope Of
Monte Christie and drove back those
of the enemy attempting 20 escape
there from our artillery fire. Assaulted
by heavy artillery fire on their front
and flank n attacked on thelr FAM
and rear. the enemy made but slight
resistance and, abandoning their strong
position, were driven across the Tuge
la. 1 have taken several camps, {
~wagon-load of ammunition, Severa
wagons of stores and supplies and
few prisoners.
The weather has been intensely no
and the ground traversed was exceed
ingly difficult The troops have al
done splendidly. The work of the If
regulars, the Queens, the Scots, u
liers and the Rifle brigae was, perhaps
most noticeable, while the experience
Of the artillery and nava guns an
the steadiness of the gunnerS, undel
at times, very accurate fire, was re
markable. The accurate fire of the ma
val guns was of great assistance. Gu