The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-04-27

london. April 24.-An official list of
the British losses at Wepener from
April 9Th to 18th shows: Killed 3 Of
fcers and IS men: wounded IA officers
and Sc men.
All attention is concentrated on the
interesting, though complicated, situa-
ton in the southeastern portion of the
Orange Free State, from which devel-
opments of the utmost Importance must
ensue in the near future. General
Rumble, it would seem, has found the
Beers confronting him at De Vets
dOrp in stronger force tina he cares to
engage, and so he is marking time
pending the arrival of supports. While
General Rumble is preparing TO strike
De Vets dOrp Generals Brabant and
Hart are pushing along the frontier to
Basutoland, where they will be able
to Illustrate any attack on General
Rundle's right, and General French
and Pole-Carew are fastening from
BlOemfontein to bar the Boer line of
retreat ~northward.
Meanwhile the burgher forces occu-
plying T~habanchu are in a position to
fight a delaying action, giving the Beers
at De Vets dOrp n Wepener time to
retire in case of defeat, and it seems
d NllOu6h NCllCIdI II IluSl ulSpOSc
of this Thabanchu force before he can
reach the rear OF the Boer forces OPP
posing Generals Rumble and Brabant,
otherwise his flank will be open to as
sault.
A STIFF FIGHT EXPECTED.
The Beers driven out of Leeuw kop
viii probably rally at T~habanchu where
a stiff fight may be expected. Should
the British fail in this attempt to bring
about another P~aardeberg, it must i'm
mensely effect the larger issues of the
war as it will undoubtedly lead to a
persistent repetition of the guerrilla
tactics which have been largely re-
spOnsible for the penning up of Lord
Roberts at Bloemfontein for so many
weeks.
CANADIANS IN a TIGHT PLACE.
During the course of General Alder
sons advance on Leeuw kOp the Cana
dams found themselves in a tight cor
ner Sunday near Dunkerpoort. The
mad mounted infantry, sent to re-
connoitre the Boer position approached
within 300 yards of a farm flying the
hospital flag, under cover of which the
Beers opened such a hot fire on the
Canadians that they were unable to at
tempt to retire until another force of
Canadians covered their retreat by
threatening the rear of the Boer posi-
ton.
A REPORT FROM ROBERTS.
The war office issues the following
from Lord Roberts:
"BIOemfontein, April 24.-Generals
Brabant and Hart yesterday turned the
position occupied by the enemy, who
tried to prevent their moving north
ward and got into Telegraph commu-
nication with Colonel Dalgetty, COM
mandant of the besieged garrison at
Wepener. who reported all we'll. AT l
o'clock p. m, yesterday Brabant and
Hart were eight miles south of Wepe-
ner. The Eleventh division, under
General POle-Carew, and General
French'S two brigadeS of cavalry
reached Tweedle Celuk yesterday af-
ternoOn without having met serious
opposition"
"HeliOgraph communication has been
established with General Rumble. A
patrol of the Seventh dragons, under
Lieutenant Jenkins which was reported
missing yesterday, has rejoined Gener-
al French's camp with the exception
of Corporal Taylor and Private Cook
who are believed to be wounded and
prisoners.
Mounted infantry yesterday under
General JellitOn occupied the water
works at Sannas-Post. AS the enemy
are holding the ~neighboring hills in
strength the Ninth division, consisting
of General -Dorrien's and Gener-
al MacDOnaId's brigades has been de-
spatched to support Hamilton.
General MaXwelrs brigade, formerly
General Chermside's of the Seventh dl-
vision, yesterday 10 eastward and
seized the hills covering the wagon
bridge over the Modder river at kranz
kraal an important communication
much used by the Beers during the last
three weeks. Our only casualty was
Private Brum, New South Wales
mounted rifles, taken prisoner"
LISTING CAPE COLONY REBELS
Cape Town, April 24.-The authori-
ties have already listed the names OF
1900 alleged rebels in Cape Colony and
Natal.
4 CONSIGNMENT of thousands of boots
shirts. cloths and packages, of tobacco
will be despatched from here tomorrow
to the United States consul at Pretoria
Adelbert Hay. for distribution among
the British soldiers held as prisoners
by the Beers.
FIGHTING AT WEPENER CON
TINUED.
Preoria. April 23.-An official bulletin
issued here today says: The federal
continue their fighting at Wepener anC
have captured a herd of General Bra
bant's cattle and horses.
General De Vets losses at De Wet.
dorp was one man killed and six mel
wounded. Twenty British were cap
tured. besides the killed and wounded
The British appear to be retiring be
yOnd De VETS corp
STUBBORN RETREAT OF BRITISH
''Cronje reports that with a stron!
commando, he attacked the British
the of Boshof. A heavy engage
ment oIIowed and the English wer
driven from kopje to kopje. The fed
erals displayed great courage and res
olution and spiritedly chased the en-
envy in the direction of BoShof. OnI
two burghers were wounded. The Brit
ish lost fifteen men killed and left thre
wounded and eight prisoners in tn
hands of the b~urghers.
CNote.-The Cronje referred to Is un
douhtadIv Commandant Cronje, tn
second SON of the famous Boer geners
now a prisoner On the island OF ;
Helena-l
THE ATTACK ON DALGETIi.
Maseru.- B~asutoland, TUESDAY, apr
24.-The Beers severely attacked CoIs
mel DaIgetty's northern position, la
ing Bokpoort ridge, at 1 o'clock IN