The Holly chieftain., 1900-02-23
BOERS NOW RUNNING.
ROBERTS. MEN CHASING THEM.
British Tseties Have Proven s.scsssful-
Kitchessr Il Aftsr cronjs-Besss Lose
storss-Bullsr Again Attaclu.

kat1Son Iootsoe AAvs FOven D00cooeful-
Kischessr Il Aftsr cronjs-Bosss Lose
storss-Bulise Again Attaclxs.
London, Feb. 19.-The News pub
fishes the following dispatch, dated
Sunday morning February 18th, from
Modder river:
"Our sudden appearances seems to
have astounded the enemy and thrown
them into n panic. All their positions
were hurriedly evacuated and the big
guns at Magersfontein and Kimberley
were left behind.
General Cronje moved his transport,
consisting Of many hundred wagons,
along a bank of kopjes north Of the
Modder river, toward Koffyfontein. It
ing to weariness had to stop. There
upon our artillery opened upon It. The
main body of the Boer force kept up a
running fight the whole day, vainly
trying to escape.
Each time their advance guard
sought to move of our mounted infan-
try galloped around and checked them.
We never attempted to stop their main
movement, contenting ourselves with
trying to check them.
Their position at Koffyfontein is
said to be very strong. They entertain
wholesome dread Of 10000 cavalry
moving more quickly than they do
themselves. We hope to be in Bloem-
fontein shortly"
The News has another dispatch from
the Modder river military camp, dated
Sunday, which says:
"At dawn Friday the Beers were OBJ
served moving wagons along the
kopjes toward Koffyfontein. Our
mounted infantry was sent out from
Kip Drift, but was driven back, and
the enemy's wagons passed.
General Knox's Twelfth brigade,
however, quickly attacked the enemy's
main body and severe fighting went on
all day over line which was much
extended. The enemy, making des-
perate attempt finally escaped, owing
to the serpentine bend of the river
The mounted infantry suffered from
the trying fanking movement. Out
force has now been reinforced"
Every detail received proves how ad.
mirably Lord Roberts plans were con-
ceived and were succeeding. But for
the unexpected delay at Dekiels Drift,
which was almost impossible for wag-
ons, the whole Boer army would have
been surrounded. The delay of one day
there gave them their chance for a
hasty retreat.
London. Feb. 17.-Generals Kitchener
and Kelly-Kenny are fighting the rear
Of General Cronje's force, somewhere
between Jacobsdal and Bloemfonteln.
General French is fighting a Boer
force to the north of Kimberley.
Part Of the Kimberley garrison and
the troops under Sir Horton MacDon-
aid are fighting Beers between Modder
river and Kimberley, near Spyfontein.
The general force left at Rensberg is
fighting horde of Beers, who are
swarming down in the heights about
COlesberg.
General Gatacre is fighting Beers at
MoltenO
BOer position at Vaal KrantZ and is
said to have recrossed the Tugela IN a
fourth attempt to relieve Ladysmith.
Such is the situation to-day in South
Africa. There is fighting along the en-
tire line. Such appears to be Lord
Roberts plan of action-keep the Beers
busy everywhere.
Specials from Ladysmith report an
CnL llOfcihclL Oh lAC PuEt VI Lue
Beers toward the Free State, pre-
sumably with the object of assisting
General Cronje. The news that Gen
eral Butler is attempting another cross
ing of the Tugela east of Colenso, af-
ter the capture of Hlandwane hill,
therefore gives great satisfaction. Bull
ler's losses SO far have been about
twenty in wounded. His entire army
with the exception of General Hart's
brigade, Is engaged in the operation.
General Kelly-Kenny's brigade on
Friday captured seventy-eight wagons
laden with stores, two wagons of
Mauser rifles, eight boxes of shells,
ten barrels of explosives and large
quantity of stores, all belonging to
Cronje's lager which was still being
shelled by our artillery when Kitchen
er dispatched his messenger.
General Roberts reports the British
casualties during the fighting at Ja-
cobsdal as follows: One killed. four
teen wounded and three missing.
That the Beers are making the most
Of their opportunity in Central Cape
Colony is evident from the loss of two
companies of the Wiltshire regiment,
the annihilation of company of Aus
tralians and the reported capture of q
train of supplies.
Jacobsdahl, Orange Free State, Feb.
18.-Lord Roberts combinations for the
movement of the corps dovetailed with
precision, although obstacles that had
not been foreseen had to be overcome.
The execution of his design began at
3-a. M, Sunday. General French rode
into Kimberley Thursday afternoon,
just when he was due according to the
field marshals time table, having in
four and half days, marched ninety
miles with artillery, and having fought
two smalI enra ppmpnfS