The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-02-16
JOUBERT ADVANCES.
Marching with 5000 Men to Out.
flank Gen. Butler.

flank Gen. Butler.
Doers Cross Tugela River ana Occupy
Strong Positions - Lord Roberts
Reaches Modder River En-.
gagement at Rensburg.
London, Feb. 12.--There is Durham
report that the Beers have taken the
offensive and are marching, under Jou-
bert, to cut off further retreat by Bull
Ter. The Beers are said to be moving
On two important points simultaneous
~. According to the Durham report, q
Boer column estimated at 5000 men
has crossed the Tugela and is now adj
vancing with view to outfanking Bull
Ter. Where the crossing was made is
not stated. -, - ,-.esz 81: :. T. ssxS.455s :
Command TuGela Bridges.
London, Feb. 12.-The Pietermaritz-
burg correspondent of the Daily Mail,
telegraphing yesterday, says: The
Beers have occupied Bloy's Farm, south
of the Tugela, which is under an hours
ride from Chieveley, and have turned
the homestead into hospital. On the
farm are hills commanding both bridges
over the Tugela, as well as Forts Wylie
and Molyneux. and from which view
of Bulwana and Ladysmith is obtain:
able. There is much apprehension here
regarding the Boer movements, and the
authorities are on the alert.
Not Confirmed.
London, Feb. 12.-There is no confir-
nation of the report of a sortie from
Eadysmith. The latest dispatch from
there, dated Wednesday last, reports
that all was quiet then and that instruc-
tons had been issued to beware of the
possible approach of Beers in the guise
of a British relief force. -
The general situation is much more
threatening than it seemed to be week
ago. Proofs of the terrible strength
and mobility of the Boer artillery, to-
gether with the rumor that Gen. Jou-
bert is taking the initiative with the
object of cutting Gen. Buffers. COM
munications, are in no way reassuring.
Even the most sanguine persons begin
to see that it is quite hopeless to expect
the relief of Ladysmith, while it is clear
that, if it be possible for Butler toreach
Ladysmith, it is equally impossible for
the garrison, exhausted by sickness and
privations, to cut way out.
Startling News from Kimberley.
Startling intelligence comes from
Kimberley in the Cape newspapers just
received by mail in London. 1t appears
that since January the rations at Kim
berley have been for the most part
horsefesh, so repugnant to women and
children that many refuse to eat. 1t
also appears that the death rate has
been heavy and that the privations of
the garrison have been increasing stead
lily.
The Engagement at RensburE.
Rensburg. Saturday, Feb. 1o.-The
Beers outflanked the British here Fri
day. A considerable force of the en-
envy was threatening the British COM
munications between Rensburg and
Slingersfontein ~ miles away, and
during a reconnaissance by some In
niskillings and 20 Australians from
Slingersfontein, the Beers were dis.
covered attempting to. get a gun in po-
sition to shell the British, camp. The
Australians. having come into very
close contact with the enemy, took
cover under a hill about 5000 yards
from the camp. Thereupon the Beers
took up a position with a view of pre-
venting their retirement. Some
burghers got within 200 yards of the
Australians and called upon them to
surrender. They replied by fixing
bayonets and shouting definace.
Sergt. Edwards and two men made a
dash and, galloping under hot fire:
took word that the Australians were
safe and confident of holding the en-
envy at bay and of getting out after
dark, which eventually they did. The
Inniskillings prevented the enemy
from getting their guns in position.
The Australians lost one man killed
and three wounded.
Boer Loss Quite Heavy.
Boer Head Lager, Ladysmith, Feb.
9.-It is reported from the upper Tu-
gela that in yesterdays fight, while
driving the British across the river
with heavy loss to them, the Beers had
four men killed and eight wounded. On
retaking the kopje % Beers were found
killed.
The conveys have been successfully
gotten to Slingerfontein to-day, the
British escorts having had several
brushes with parties; of from 20 to 30
Beers infesting the region. Lieut.. Col.
Page, with a section OF artillery and $50
horse, got one large convoy through by
Smelling the enemy out of the road.
In Wednesdays brush two CORE
spondents, Mr.. Hales, of the London
Daily News, and Mr.. Lambie, of the Mel
bourne Age, fell behind. Mr.. Hales.
who was slightly wounded, was cap
tured by the Beers, and Mr.. Lambie was
killed. The British took two prisoners.
Roberts at Modder River.
Modder River, Feb. 10.-Lord Roberts
is here. Upon; appearing before the
troops on Friday he was enthusiastic
ally cheered. He visited the camp of
the Highland brigade this: morning and
complimented Gen. Macdonald and his
men on the steady conduct at Koodoos-
berg drift.