The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-05-04
TRYING TO CUT
ENEMY In TWO.
Lord Roberts Pushing His
Crvalry Forward Into
the BOer Position,

dispatch shows that IN Tuesday
engagement at Houtnek, twelve
miles north of Thaba N'Chu, the
| Beers, who, it will be remembered
were led by General Botha in per.
son, dispersed in several directions
Evidently Hamilton had consider
able force at his command, and thu
brunt of the fighting was borne by
his mounted troops, but Broad
woods cavalry brigade came or
the scene OPPORTUNITY and threat.
ened the Beers rear, Bruce anl
Hamilton's infantry brigades also
arrived during the afternoon, ant
a charge by the Gordons and
Shropshires late in the day COM
pleted the Beers discontinue.
Their positions were rushed to the
traditional accompaniment of Brit.
ish cheer.
The Daily Telegraph war cor
respondent, telegraphing from
Bloemfontein later on Wednesday
night, speaks Of Broadwoods bril-
gade having reached Isabelfontein,
which is twenty-eight miles north
OF Thaba N'Chu. This information
shows that Roberts has thrust
his cavalry between the Beers at
Brandtort and those who have been
operating to the east. 1t is obvious
that Lord Roberts has now posted
his army in readiness to advance
all along the line. Hunters divi-
sion is at Kimberley, Methuen with
considerable force of Imperial
Yeomanry and Colonials is at Bosh-
of Glen, the kaaree Siding road to
Winburg is held in force, and on
the extreme right at Thaba N'Chu
and Houtnek are, at least twenty
and probably thirtysthousand men
Of all arms. The eleventh division
under Pole-Carew, marched out of
Bloemfontein Tuesday, but the des-
tination is not stated.
Brandfort, May 4.-To.day was
full of fighting, with occasional
lively skirmlshes. The Boer de-
fensive line remains intact. The
British attempt to cut off Dewet
and scatter the Boer force which
was threatening Roberts flank and
rear has been a complete failure so
far.
There was heavy fighting yester-
day along the Thaba N'Chu and
Sauna post road, the British being
slowly beaten back. Dewet coming
from the South and Grobler and
Lemmer from the North caught the
British Thaba N'Chu REINFORCE
ments in the apex, forcing their
withdrawal on Monday.
In yesterdays fighting the Beers
had the better position, but the
British were superior In numbers.
The Beers attack was begun Sum
day under Dewet, Grobler, Lemmer
and Botha. They attacked alarge
British column near Thaba N'Chu
which was trying to intercept
Dewet's retirement from Wep-
ener. The battle ragged all Sunday |
for several miles along the Bloem-
fontein road. The general result
was indecisiye, but the British
were apparently retiring in the di-
rection OF Bloemfoutein. The Beers
captured number OF prisoners.
Skirmishing along the Modder
River indicates that Roberts main
army is advancing northward.
London, May 1.-The Daily News
has the following from Thaba
N'Chu, dated Wednesday:
"In yesterdays flank movement
Captain Towse and fifty Gordon
were surrounded by
$50 Beers, who demanded their !
surrender. Captain Towse order
ed his men to fix bayonets and
charge. With a wild cheer the
Gordons rushed at the enemy and
swept them away with great
Captain Towse was
blinded in both eyes by the enemys
fire and throughout behaved most
heroically."
London. May 3.--The Times dis.
patch from kaaree Siding, May 2.
says: General Tucker is still
holding the hills here, with we'll
disposed chain of pickets. The
nearest Boer outpost is about 1000
Yards from our own.
"a native from Brandfort reports
hat the Beers are fast leaving
Iamiltons and French's fronts,
where they have been severely
handled, and moving toward Bran
ort and Mafeking.
"On May three wagons with
and big gun ammunition,
md also wagon with rifle ammu-
,ition, which were captured at
rhaba N'Chu, we're recaptured
yesterday.
The English inhabitants at Wep-
ner were all imprisoned on the ar
ival Of the Boer commando, but
we're released on the 18th.
General Brabazon arrived yes
erday with mounted infantry and
leomanry.
"A heavy gun fire was heard
orthwards yesterday morning"
London, May 4.-The War Office
las received the following report
rom Lord Roberts, under date of
'loemfontein, May 2.
General Hamilton met with con-
iderable success yesterday and
rove the enemy out of the strong
osition they had taken up at
[outnek with comparatively small
'ss to us. The Beers dispersed in
everal directions, leaving twenty
tx prisoners in our hands, includ-
1g one commandant, and sixteen
Their wounded men.