Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-03-22
Repulsed by General oliver Near
BethuIie. Losing Heavily
with Many Captured.
SMALL FIGHT NEAR MAFEKlNG
South African Chief Takes PART
to Help the British Near
Mafekine.
BOERs BURN UP POmEROY

London, March 22-Lord Roberts
telegraphed from BIoemfontein, under
date of March 21st So many bur-
ghers have expressed desire to sur
render under the terms of the last
proclamation that Isent some columns
In various directions to register their
names and take over their arms. "A
cavalry brigade has gone to eastward
to Thahanchu. A detachment from
Springfontein occupied Smithfield,
where some Transvaalers and wag-
on with arms and ammunition were
captured. Scots guards are at Eden
burg and Reddersburg. General
Clements brigade is marching hither
by way Of Philipopolis and Faure-
smith"
Kroonstadt, Orange Free State,
March 20, via Pretoria. March 22-
The Beers, commanded by General
Olivier, engaged the British troops
under General Gatacre, in the vicinity
of Bethulie, repulsing the British with
heavy loss, and capturing many.
Burghers are arriving here in great
numbers. General De Wet arrived
today. Desultory fighting with Col.
Plumer's column occurred near Gabe.
rones.
London, March 22-The report of
General Gatacre's defeat by the Beers
is not believed here. The last adj
vices placed Gatacre about thirty
miles north of Bethulie where the
Boer report says he was defeated
Lobatsi, March 16--The Beers un-
Mafeking towards Lobatsi. Colonel
Snyman, are advancing in force nom.
towards Lobatsi Colonel
Doodle made reconnaissance, March
ls, and found Pitsani and Pothlugo oc-
cupied by Athe Beers. He made al
demonstration on March II. and
lound the Beers in strength at a
sharp curve in the railroad. They
lad mounted e. gum on the line and
ying in wait for the construction
urain. Brisk firing. occurred few
miles south Of Lobatsi on the morn
ing of the 18th when the Beers
Maxim was freely used. Colonel Bo-
die came in touch with the Beers just
in time to prevent the camp being
surprised. The Beers attacked the
advance party, captured few boxes
of ammunition and nearly secured a
Maxim. Lieut.. Tyler was killed and
Lieut. Chapman was captured.
Col Bodle coming up put the Beers
to flight with heavy loss. The Beers
yesterday were within few miles of
Lobatsi. Yesterday afternoon the
Beers pressed closely on Col. Plumer's
main camp and kept up hot fire with
Maxim, killing one white man and
one native. They placed a Maxim
and twelve and half FOUNDER on
a hill on the east side of the line and
four thousand yards from the camp.
The British right is protected by
Chief Bathieon, who warned the
Beers not to enter his territory Col.
Plumer's present endeavor is to in
sure the safety of the railroad
north of Lobatsi, and watch well the
left flank. 1t is probable that before
the Beers trek towards Pretoria, they
will tackle the Rhodesians in force.
1t is reported that the burghers are
abandoning the environs of Mafeking.
leaving only sufficient number Of
artillerists to man the big guns.
There are none at Ramathlabam
where they were supposed to have a
base. Col Plumer's scouts were at
Ramathlabama yesterday. The usual
Mafeking dispatches are overdue, but
NO anxiety is felt on that score. Dy--
Mantle explosions ,wrecking the rail-
way, are proceeding south of Lobatsi.
Aliwal North, Cape Colony, March
22-Commandant Olivier left Smith
field two h0nrs before the british