The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-15
Botba Becomes Troublesome.

Botha Becomes Troublesome.
A lengthy dispatch forwarded to the
war Office by Major General Knox
from Kroonstad, presumably sent
there by messenger, reads as follows:
"Kroonstad, June Five have been
requested to forward to you from Lord
Roberts the following dispatch from
the Pretoria resdency at sos a. m. to-
day: Pretoria, June 12.-Pretoria and
johannesburg are perfectly quiet and
several of the inhabitants have ex-
pressed gratitude for the peace and
order which prevail After surrender
ing the city Botha retired to a place
about fifteen miles east on the Middle
burg road. He had small force at
first, but, during the last few days,
his numbers increased, and his being
so near the town kept up the excite
ment in the country, prevented the
burghers from laying down their arms,
and interfered with the collection Of
supplies.
Necessary to Attack.
"It therefore became necessary to
attack him. This / did yesterday. He
held a strong position, practically I'M
assailable in front, which enabled him
to place the main portion Of his troops
on his TANKS. which he knew from
former experience were his vulnerable
parts. I sent French with Porter's and
Dixion's cavalry brigade and Hutton's
Mounted infantry round by our left
and Ian Hamilton, with Broadwood's
and Gordon's cavalry brigade, Ridley's
Mounted infantry and Bruce Hamil-
toms infantry brigade round by our
right. Both columns met with great
opposition. At about o'clock in the
afternoon I saw two Of Hamilton's In
fantry battalions advancing to what
appeared to be the key Of the enemy's
defence, on their left flank. This was
almost gained before dark, and or
dered the force to bivouac on the
ground they had won. Pole-Carew,
with his division occupied our center.
Advanced to support Hamilton.
GAS l have explained, he could not
attack, but he gradually advanced so
as to support Ian Hamilton and when
1 left the field he was on the line held
by the enemy's outposts In the morn
ing. l hurried back to get news of
Methuen's movement. On hearing that
the Free Staters had taken advantage
of our crossing the Vaal to interrupt
our line of communication l sent
Kitchener with such troops as I could
then spare to Vredefort with orders
to push south and communicate with
Methuen, who, | know, had a very
compact force In the vicinity of He'll
bron. also dispatched special mes
senger to Methuen, instructing him to
push on at all speed to the main line
Of railway. These two officers met at
| Vredefort Road station in the evening
| of June 10. They marched yesterday
| to Rhenoster river, where Methuen
| gained a complete victory over Dewet
| and took possession Of his camp and
scattered his troops in all directions
| He and Kitchener marched today to-
wards Kroonstad.
Need Have No Apprehension.
"'Her majesty's government need
have no apprehension as to the secur
| ity Of the army in South Africa. The
enemy gained a slight success, which
was unfortunate. but which will bt
remedied very shortly and 1t will not
| take long to repair the damage done
| to the railway. AS these diversions are
| all In existence, l am now able tC
hold the line between this and Rhenos
| ter in strength. Methuen will arrange
to guard 1t onward as he advances
| Hunter should be at Poatchefstroon
today. He will then move on Johan
| nesburg. We have communicated will
| Butler. who will, no doubt, soon make
the presence Of his force in the fielt
/, felt. Our losses yesterday were not
| trust, serious, but / deplore thu
death Of that gallant soldier, the Ear