The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-20

London. February $3.50 a m-Tne
war office made the usual statement
at midnight that Ii had no news but
patches from Durham. dated Saturday
evening. giving reports Of the renew
ed fighting on the Tagela, where tffe
censor stopped all kilograms. Arrivals
at Durham from the Tugeia say that
important operations are progressing
and that fighting has occurred daily
since the commencement of the weeE.
In these engagements the British
casualties have been comparatively
light.
According 70 these unconfirmed res-
ports, General Butler bad re-occupfed
Vaalkrantz and the Beers had retreat
ed in the direction Of the Free State
In the meantime. wounded officers
and men are arriving daily at Durban
and are placed aboard the four hospitas
ships there.
Dispatches from ZuIuiand received at
Durham say the country Is quietif1g
down, thanks TO the appearance OF n
vous and uncertain and have stayed
vous and uncertain and have stysd
their advance.
BULLER ATTACKS VAALKRANTX-
London, February IA dispatch to
The Evening News from Lourenxe
Marques, dated today. says that from
Boer sources IL is reported that the
British are attacking the Boer position
at VaalkrantZ and that the Beers are
still holding the position.
This report is probably Identical
with the bombardment of Blauwkraukz
announced yesterday.
CRONJES RETREAT.
Jacobsdal. via Modder River. Febru-
airy 16.-General Cronje, with 10,0op
men, is in full retreat towards Bloem-
fontein. General Kelly Kenny Is fight
ing rear guard action and harassinE
the retreat.
The Beers are reported to be leaving
Spyfontein going in a northwesterir
direction.
BOERS CAPTURE A CONVOY
Dhe Beers captured a large convoy
as result Of yesterdays (Thursdayl
fighting at Riet river. The British
casualties were comparatively slight
in view of the tremendous lombard
ment. Less than thirty men were
| wounded and but one killed
General French's division was en-
Enthusiastically welcomed at Kimberley
The officers dined at the club last eve
ming.
The news of the entry into Kimberley
has greatly cheered the troops. who
are working splendidly.
| BOER WAGON TRAIN CAPTURED
London. February IA dispatch To
| the war office from Lord Roberts saws
| that General keily-kennys brigade
| Friday captured seventy-eight wagons
| OF stores and ammunition belonging to
| General Cronje. Following Is the teacx
| of Lord Roberts dispatch
| General Kelly -Kenny's brigade CAD
| tured yesterday seventy-eight wagoox
| laden with stores, two wagons OF
| Mauser rifles. eight boxes of shells ten
| barrels of explosives and a large quad
| tty of stores, all belonging to-Generak
| Cronje's laager, which was still being
shelled by our artillery when Kitcbe-
| ner dispatched his messenger"
| BOERS ATTACK GATACRE.
A special dispatch from Sterkstroom
| dated today says the Beers with ar
| tillery. commenced an attack early this
| morning on Aolteno, near that place
| occupied by troops commanded by
| General Gatacre
FRENCH'S REAR GUARD INTER-
| CEPTED.
Pretoria, Friday, February 1s.-It
appears from further reports of yes
terday's fighting at Jacobsdal that
| 1000 British troops got through the
|
entered Kimberley. The federals inter-
| cepted the rear guard of the British
and captured great booty, many oxea
and number OF prisoners.
A DRAWN BATTLE.
London. February 18.-A special tks-
| patch from Birds river reports a drawn
| fight between Brabant's Horse and the
| Beers at Dordericht on February Is:n
| The engagement lasted eight hours,
until darkness set in. The British losz
was eight killed and four wounded
The Boer casualties are unknown. The
latter had burned the grass around the
position so that the British khaki unS-
form showed up distinctly against the
black background.
| DR.. LEYDS STILL CONFIDENT.
A special dispatch from Brussels sayr
that DR.. Leyds refused TO talk TO re-
| porters regarding affairs In South Az
rica, further than to say that his con
| fdence is still absolute and that hs
| does not fear an invasion of the Fro
State, the burghers In that republic be
ing armed and prepared to resist tn,
British.
DR.. Leyds has tslegraphed to tn
pope, asking an audience of hfs hoIt
ness. which will be accorded. IL Ii Ger
tain, however, that he will not he re
ceived by King Humbert
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DeWftr's Witch u.z1r