The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-02


Boshof, the British retiring
London, April 27 -Midnight.-The
war office publishes the following dis
patch from Lord Roberts dated Bloem-
fonteiD, April 26,h: "Gen Ian Hamil-
too yesterday drove the enemy of .
strong position at Israel's Poort by a
we'll conceived turning movement
which was admirably carried out by
Gen Ridgely commander of the second
mounted Infantry brigade and Gen
Smith Dorrien. commanding the Eigh-
teeuth brigade. These troops ara
today advancing toward Tbaba N'Chu
Our losses were slight. ouly one
vet reported-Msj Marshall, Graham.
stown Mounted Rifles, severe wouod in
the shoulder"
.5a m.-Israers Poort which is cot
marked on the maps, lies between San.
pas Post and Thaba N'Chu. Gen
hamilton has probably by this time
arrived at Thaba N'Chu as he is using
bis utmost endeavors to cut off the
Beers who are retreatipg from Dewet's
Dorp. The Boer forces at Ths6s
N'Chu are not unlikely to make a
stand to cover the escape of the conveys
from the southward. They have laagers
about ten miles apart. stretching from
Brandfort to Tbaba N'Cbu with base
camp at Samalidell station.
A report comes that small force OF
British mounted infantry had brush
with q party of Beers ten miles east
of Karee Siding. who were trying to
establish connection between Braod-
fort aud the Boer forces TO the south
ward
Gen Brataut 10 the fight With the
Beers at Wepener. bad narrow es-
cape. Gen Pole Carew's advance was
much bampered by the tardy arrival
of artillery which prevented bin from
capturing Leeuw Kop before darkness
set 10 and enabled the Beers to secure
their retreat. Apparently Lord Rob.
erts. With the commands 10 the hands
of younger generals DOW has an exceed
ingiy efficient army.
The report that the Beers had reoc
cupied Boshof proves to untrue Lord
Metbaep is still there aud Gen Hunter S
division from Natal. wbicb was suppos
ed to be going to B.oemfouteio ia
arriving at Kimberley. There is
evideoce that some important opera
tions are afoot 10 tha; district.
The Beers are showing more activity
in Natal
All the interest in the South African
var is now centered 10 the running
i fight 10 progress betweea the burgbeTs
retrestiog frou the southern portion of
the Ofacge Free State aad Gen
Freocb's horsemen apd the infantry OF
Gems Pole Carew, Cbermside sod Rau
die. But the British hope OF conclu
slve results is slim at present, the
Beers escaping unbeaten and having
accomplished an immenee amount of
damage. They cluog to their positions
as long as it was safe to do SO aud they
have pow slipped of to hold the next
commanding ridge through broken
country admirably suited for rear
guard defense Dispatches from
Aliwal North under date of Wedoes-
day. April 25, say the Beers left
Wepeper 80 hursiedly that many of the
dead we're left 10 the trencees uoouried.
Ccmmaudapt Crooje is reported to
bsve been killed. According to
advices from Bioemfonteiu. the attempt
Of the Beers at Braudfort to get in
touch With the command at Thaba
N'Cbu was frustrated by force
dispatched by Gen Tucker from Glen.
A dispatch from Pretoria reports the
arrival there of Lord Rossly as an uu.
wounded prisoner