The sun., 1900-05-12
BOERS AT THABANCHU.
Ten Thousand Burghers Now Near
That Place. mann, ..s,,,
THE BATTLING AT THE ZAND
AfriISanders Had Six Guns There and
Held Their Positions Until the
British Forces Were Very
Near Them.

Near Them.
London, May 11.-So quickly has Lord
Roberts advanced that his cavalry is
only % miles from Kroonstadt, while the
main army is only IL miles behind it,
hence, in about day, the British will be
within striking distance of the Orange
Free State headquarters. The critics
differ largely i'll opinions as to whether
any determined stand will be mad" there
The presence of 10000 Beers in the
neighborhood of Thabanchu is confirmed.
They are holding line 20 miles north to
southeast of Thubanchu. A Boer patrol
was sighted Thursday at Thabapatchoa
and detachment of BraIant's horse
pursued the hGrghers, who retired after
some fighting. The Brahants then took
up position on a hill, which they are
now holding. There were fuw casualties
on the British side. The B1pr leadqual,-
ters are at Eden. More fighting is ex.
pected.
The South African Review asserts that
member Of the legislature Of Cape Col
ony offered money 10 Il man To shoot Sir
Alfred Milncr the British high commits
sioner. Aiiidarits on the subject are said
to be in the hands Of the attorney gen
eral. The Review demands the arrest of
the legislator, who is described AS a
prominent bonlSman from Piqnetberg.
Details Of the fighting near the Xand
river show that the Beers had six guns.
They held their ground until the British
We're within 800 yards of them. when
they retired owing 10 demonstrations
that were being made on their TANKS.
The I.ancashircs and Susscxes made a
charge, and one account says each reSi-
ment carried Il kopje ut the point of the
bayonet.
Report From Roberts.
The war office has received the follow
ing dispatch from Lord Roberts:
'Riet Spruit, May 10.-We have had a
successful day and have driven the enc
my from point to point. French, with
Porter's and Dickson's brigades of caval-
ry and Hutton's mounted infantry, cross
ed the Zand at yelnmenlen's kraal and
worked northeast to Maatchappy, the en-.
envy opposing them continuously.
"PoleCarew's division, Gordon's cav
airy brigade, J battery, Henry's and
Rosso's mounted infantry crossed drift
near the railway bridge. My quarters
accompanied this portion.
with the infantry we are eight miles
north Of the river. The cavalry and
mounted infantry are at Ncntersburg
road; fuckers division is at Deelfontein-
noord; Hamilton's force and Broadwood's S
cavalry are making for crossroad near
Ventersburg.
"When last heard from, Hamlton's
force had mot with stubborn resistance.
Smith-Doriien'S force was engaged in
protecting Hamilton's rear.
''The drifts are extremely difficult, and
much baggage is still to come up. We
will march at daybreall and push on MS
far rs possible i'll the direction of Kroon-
stadt
'"rhc casuaitics 50 far reported are four
killed and three wounded. Returns from
the cavalry and Hamilton have not yet
been received
&nU1ncr Account.
A special ,liSputch from Rict s'pruit,
dated May 10. describing more fully the
successful operation, says:
'f,encral lian,iten'S srout had on two
previous days asecrtained The Bocrs po-
sition and strength. On Wednesday
night the Cheshire regiment crossed the
river, ntrcnchcd themselves and prepar-
ed to hold the passage for the regiments
following them.
AT daybreali on Thursday the main
body crossed at two or three points. The
mounted infantry We're then in action
driving off the advance Beers prepara-
tory to a general forward movement. The
Bocr right first gave way, but Tucker
and Hamilton had Il tougher task on the
left. The Beers had six guns and served
them well, working with great determina-
tion, but the British worked up closer
and closer, their guns meantime firing in
cessantly.
The East Lancashire and Sussex regi-
ments by IL o'clock had worked well to
the front. The order was given, and,
like flash, the two regiments sprang
forward simultaneously. and in few
moments had secured two commanding
ridges.
"trhe advanced line was now within
1,200 yards of the Beers main trench
and the latter were already losing heart
from the demonstration on their flank
but they kept up rapid, though wild,
fire.
"At this moment the final charge was
ordered and away went the Lancashires
and the Sussex regiment again, but the
Beers could not stand, and they fairly
bolted, and the rout of the Beers along
the whole line was then complete"