The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-10
The South African War.

"he' AN' w AHsH.s VI lIio lOWus
The South African War.
A British 6-inch wire gun unexpect.
edly opened on the Boer laager Thurs
day at Warrenten, Cape Colony, at
distance of 1t miles, throwing 100 pound
shells with wonderful accuracy and
causing hasty retreat of the burghers.
The bombardment continued Friday at
all points by howitzers and field guns,
supported by two companies of the
Munser regiment, the Beers being driven
from shelter and their guns being put
out of action.
News of the occupation of Brandfort
WAS issued by the war office at 10 O'Clock
Thursday morning, confirming dispatch
previously received by The Associated
Press 1t is generally considered the
most important communication received
from the front since the capture of Gen.
Cron 10 and the relief of Ladysmith.
The fact that the position gives the key
to one of the main roads leading to the
Drakensberg passes, which possibly may
be the means of co operation with Gen
Butler later on provides an advance base
of supplies, etc and at the same time
iBtHdCtS IHc DObIS DOW southeast OF
Bloemfon' elm, is obviously the reason for
the Importance attached by all hands to
the intelligence
The war Office received the following
report from Lord Roberts, under date of
Bloemfonfein, May 2: General Hamil-
ton met with considerable success yes.
terday and drove the enemy out of the
strong position they had taken up at
Houtnek, with comparatively small loss
to us The Beers dispersed in several
directions, mainly to the east aud north,
leaving twenty-six prisoners in our
hands, including one commandment and
sixteen other wounded men General
Hamilton is now In camp at Jacobsrust
as the men needed rest after fighting
seven out of the last ten days. | order
ed them to halt for today. Gen. Broad
woods brigade of cavalry arrived upon
the scene in time to afford valuable as.
sistence by threatening the enemys
rear"
In Tuesdays thanking movement at
Thaba N'Chu, Capt. Towse and so Cor.
don Highlanders were surrounded by
$50 Beers, who demanded their sur
render. apt. Towse ordered his men
to fix bayonets and charge With n
wild cheer the Gordons rushed at the
enemy and swept them away with great
slaughter. capt Towse was blinded in
both eyes by the enemy's fire and
throughout behaved most heroically"
saturday, Gen Barton drove from 2000
to 5000 Beers from the hiiy positions at
Roiden, where they awaited them
They retreated after stiff fighting leav-
ing number of dead. ,.Ihe British
casualties were slight. Gen. Barton is
still pursuing Winsorten and Klipdam
have been evacuated. Gen. Paget's
brigade is attacking the Boer position at
Wanenton.
The engagement, Saturday, was sever e
and lasted from in the morning until 4
O'Clock in the afternoon More than
once the British infantry were obliged
to engage tho Beers at close quarters
and the Beers only retired when their
retreat was nearly cut off. The British
losses were five killed and 25 wounded,
mostly Welsh fusileers. The British
took batch of prisoners including the
Swedish amhulancy which they allowed
to return. The Beers in their hurried
retreat, left 13 dead sunday Gen.
Paget made strong demonstration
against the Boer position east of the
bridge, thereby preventing Boer rein
forcements going TO assist in checking
Gen Barton S advance
Saturday, the British, after a long
march, encountered the Beers holding
Vet River, with six guns, two being Of
long range. An artillery duel ensued
Meanwhile Gen. Hutton, after a sharp
engagement, crossed the river on the
loft hafnra Tho taI
during the night and Gen Hutton cross.
ed the Vet river.
There has been a general advance all
along the line by Gen. Roberts forces
The Beers are reported to be moving
nortbward, but their immediate desti
nation is not known. The whereabouts
of the British cavalry under General
French is still a mystery, while Gen
divisions were also unaccounted for
Wednesday
A dispatch from Cape Town dated
Wednesday says: Lord Roberts phe-
nominal advance is not only utterly
demoralizing the Beers, but it is striking
terror into the rebel colonists. The
relief of Matching is expected at any
moment The British forces, however
south of Mafeking are still nearly 200
miles from their objective, which the
latest advices from Mafpking itself,
dated April %, show little anticipation
in the conditions there. The besieged
are celebrating the 200th birthday of the
siege with horse dinners and Col Baden
Powell sent a message to Lord Roberts
saying: "After 200 days of siege | de-
sire to bring to your lordshp's notice
the exceptionally good spirit of loyalty
which pervades all classes of the garri.