Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-24
ROBERTS FOOLED.
De Wet Plays One Of Sharpest
Tricks of the War.
Cuts All Communication and Captures
100 HighIanders.
A Bold Dash by The Beers, None Too Pleasing
to England.

London. July 23.-General De Wet
has again succeeded in cutting Lord
/, berts' communications. both by rail-
way and telegraph, and captured 100 OF
the Highlanders. The story of the fed
eral commanders bold raid comes i'm
the form of telegram from General
Forster Walker, dated Cape Town.
Sunday, July %, forwarding a dispatch
from Gen. Knox, as follows:
"Kroonstadt, July 22.-Following
from Broadwood sent by dispatch; rider
to Honingspruit, wired thence to
Kroonstadt: Have followed COM
manda since July &c. Hard, sharp
fighting at PaImietfontein, July 10.
Prevented from pursuing laager by
darkness. Eight dead Beers found.
Our casualties, five killed and rs
wounded. Reach VaalkrantZ, today.
Enemy doubled back through Paarde
kraaI in darkness. Shall march, to-
morrow, to Roode Vaal station. Send
supplies for 5000 men and horses. also
any news Of the enemy's movements.
| believe the commando consists of 1000
men and four guns. and is accOmpa
MED by President Steyn and both the
De Vets
THE wire and main line Of the rail-
way north of Honinsspruit have been
cut and also the telegraph to Pretoria
via Potchefstrom. According to. my
information De Wet has crossed the
railway and going north
General Kelley Kenny telegraphs
from Bloemfontein, under date Of Sun
day. July %:
The railway has been cut north OF
Honingspruit and a supply train and
100 Highlanders captured by the en-
envy. report 2 was received, this
morning, that a large force of enemy
is moving on Honingspruit All COM
munication with Pretoria is cut off
The 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Brfgades are
following the enemy
The war office has received a telegram
from Lord Roberts, dated Pretoria Sun
day, July .. which repeats the news con-
tanned in the telegram from Gen. Fores-
tier-Walker and continues:
'Methuen continued his march after the
occupation OF Heckpoort and engaged the
enemy's rear guard at Zingsfontein, July
20. Casualties, one killed and one wound
ed. Early Saturday he again attacked
the enemy at oliphant $ Mex and COM
pletely dispersed them. inflicting heavy
loss our casualties were slight, By
these successes. Rustenberg has been re-
lieved and Methuen and Baden Powell
have Joined hands.
Hunter reports that Bruce Hamilton
secured strong position on the SpitZ-
ray. yesterday with a battery and the
cameron IiShlanders and 500 mounted
men. Our casualties were three of the
Camerons killed and Capt. Keith Hami-
ton of the Oxfords, Capt. Brown and
Lieut.. Stewart and 10 men of the Cam
erons wounded
M
from Machadodorp, dated Monday. July
%: There has been severe fighting during
the last three days and the Beers have
inflicted heavy losses upon the British at
Deudepoort. Six hundred women and
children from Pretoria, including Mes
DANES Kruger. Botha and Meyer, have
arrived at Barberton.
London. July PA blue book has been
issued containing the official correspond
encc with reference to the treatment of
rebels in South Africa. 1t contains an
interesting note by Sir Alfred Miner
British high commissioner, estimating the
number of colonists who Joined the Beers
at 10000 Mr. Chamberlain. secretary OF
state for the colonies, lays down the rule
that there should be no vindictiveness in
the treatment of rebels. but that Justice
to the loyalists is the obligation of duty
and honor.
Teh London morning papers feel COM
PEELED to recognize Gen. De Vets clever
strategy in battling all efforts to catch
him while constantly harassing the Brit
ish lines of communication. Only the
scantiest details have been allowed to
come through. Apparently when night
fall stopped the engagement with Col.
Broadwood. Gen. De Vets forces divided
into small parties, one of which cut the
railway and captured the HighlanderI.
the Beers afterwards reuniting at RheD-
lister river.
The latest advices from Pretoria an
nouncc that Gen. Stevenson's brigade has
pcGtIDlp0 E.land s river ana that Ten.
Hamilton has occupied Doom Kraal.
Letters reaching London from the Brit
ish troops in Orange River colony assert
that both men and horses are on short
supplies and out of condition for hard
work If this be true. there is little
cause for wonder at the failure to cap
ture De Wet and at the apparent par
alysis of the operations.