The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-11
LORD ROBERTS STEADY PROGRESS
TOWARD PRETORIA.
THE BOERS FIGHT AND RETREAT
Skirmishes OF Daily Occurrence-Nar-
row Escape of General Hutton's Bri-
gade From "a Boer Trap The British
Cross the Zand General Butler Be-
gins His Forward dMovement-Cruelty
of the British Warfare Denounced.
Sortie at Mafekfne RepuIsed.

London, May 10.-4:10 a. m.-General
Hutton's mounted infantry brigade, in
Guiding the Canadians, with a part of
General French's cavalry, crossed the
Zand river Tuesday and began to work
it's way cautiously along the railway
northward in the track of the retiring
Beers.
about 5000 horsemen were probably
engaged in this advance. General Hut
ton, before he was Joined by a part
of General Frenchs force, mad sharp
fight This was on Monday, when he
reached the river and saw the Boer
conveys on the other side and pressed
forward intending to cross and capture
them. The Beers, however, opened
fire with from eight to ten guns, ford
ed the river above and below, SEEM
ingly in thousands, and sought to en-
velope the bridge. Hutton fell back
several miles, the Beers following until
other British cavalry reinforced Hut
ton. During the night the Beers re-
treated, not further contesting the
crossing.
The Boer attack on General Hutton
does not indicate any such pan1cky
conditions as have been alleged TO ex-
ist among them. Nevertheless, the
British advance rolls on steadily. Gen.
eral BroadwOod and General Bruce
Hamilton have penetrated fifteen miles
beyond Winburg. According to Boer
advices, sharp skirmishes are of daily
occurrence, and there was a brisk rifle
engagement outside Winburg on Sat
urday.
From Boer sources comes also ths
report that in a skirmish outsiGs
Mafeking May 5th, Colonel Baden
Powell was slightly worsted.
The Transvaal volksraad adopted
resolutions on Tuesday expressing in
dignation at the British for not con-
Quoting the war in a civilized manner,
for killing wounded Beers with lances,
for using armed Kaffirs, under British
officers and for ill-treating prisoners.
President Kruger, after his formal
speech on Monday, said the British
were prepared for war in 1896 as doc
tured showed, but that the Transvaal.
to avoid bloodshed, offered a seven
years franchise, and then a five years
franchise. Great Britain still de-
- manded war;" he declared, IAN
republic at length accepted the cll
lenge. Even should the British enter
the Transvaal and take Pretoria, the
Beers will still remain a free people.
Our trust is in God, and we may be
confident that he will donate the most
powerful generals
4 dispatch credited to a semi-official
source in Pretoria says: The ElrO-
pean powers have delivered a collec-
tive note to President Kruger inform
ing him that they will hold him per-
sonally responsible for the safety OF
mines, and will support England in
enforcing compensation in the event Of
their destruction
Smaldeel, Tuesday, May SIT is re-
ported that the federals are quitting
Zand river, and it is variously stated
they are retreating toward the Vaal
and are taking up their position at
Boshrand south of Kroonstad.
Large numbers of burghers have
come in and delivered up their Maus-
ers and horses to the British. They
affirm that there is bitter quarrel
between the Free Staters and the
Transvaalers, which is likely to end
in the speedy surrender of the former.
London, May 9.-Although the British
expected considerable opposition at the
difficult drift of the Zand river, the
latest advices from Smaldeel, Orange
Free State, indicate that the federals
are not yet ready to make a determin-
ed attempt to stop Lord Roberts ad-
vance. The latters frount is so wide
and overwhelming in numbers that it
help being ouSted out Of Virginia sid
ing as they were out of Smaldeel, even
if they elected to give battle. The
same considerations would probably
affect the situation at Kroonstad
hence the general belief that little real
OF the Vaal.
A dispatch from Maseru dated May
Sth says the Beers have deserted both
Iadybrand and Ficksburg in panicky
condition, owing to reports that the
British had occupied Senekal, thus
threatening their retreat to the Trans
vaal.
Cape Town, May 9.-It is reported
that General Butler is advancing or
the Biggardsberg and that the Beers
are Withdrawing.
a6AFEKING A WILDERNESS OF
ORANGE FREE STATE.
Cane Town, May 9.-It is believed
here that on the arrival OF the Brit
ish at the Vaal river, proclamation
was issued annexing the Orange Free
state to the dominion of the queen an6
demonstrating the determination OF
her majesty's forces to assert Brltisf
supremacy over the annexed territory
The Boer losses at Brandfort are nov
reported to have been much heavie
than was at first understood. Afte
the battle British patriots visited tn
farm houses in the surrounding dis
trict and all the men were taken PRS
oners, while the horses and guns Wer
removed.
Lord Roberts is thus adopting
sterner policy, with view Of prevent
ing guerrilla fighting in the rear OF TN
british. Horses are now commander
ed and farm houses where guns ar
found are destoyed, while the men ar
arrested.
ANOTHER BOER TRAP.
S1maldeel, May S.-Yesterday Gen
eral Hutton attempted to seize a Boe
convoy that was leaving the Zan
river. He advanced toward the rive