The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-19
Methuen's Army Now Available for Service
in Conjunction with Lord Roberts.
Some Lively Work Around Dordrecht, with Uniform
British Successes-Activity of Beers Around
Ladysmith-Rumor About CrOne.

LONDON. Feb. 19, 4:5O a. NIT is now
escaped. Every detail received, however,
proves how admirably Lord Robertss plans
for the unexpected delay at Dekiers drift.
which was almost impossible for wagons.
the whole Boer force would have been sur
rounded. The delay of one day there gave
them their chance for a hasty retreat. All
the other movements of Lord Roberts were
executed exactly to time. Apparently Gen.
eral Cronje is retreating with the main
army. and even If he escapes altogether,
he will probably lose all his baggage.
There is still something doubtful about
the capture Of the British convoy. Accord
ing to Daily Mail correspondent with the
convoy-which consisted of two hundred
wagons. each loaded with six thousand
pounds of rations and forage and each
drawn by sixteen oxen-it was quite un-
expectedly attacked by commando sup
posed to come from Colesberg The escort.
consisting of eighty of the Gordon High
landers, forty men of the army service
corps and a few of Kitcheners horse.
maintained defense until the arrival of
reinforcements. sustaining insignificant
casualties.
The Standards correspondent at Jacobs
dal telegraphing Thursday, Feb. Is, says:
"An attack was made yesterday on the
rear guard of our main body by force of
1.4O0 Beers who We're hurried up from
Colesberg. They succeeded in capturing
some OF our wagons. but Lord Roberts did
not delay his march to retake these. There
were few casualties on our side.
''The last of our supply columns arrived
from Honeynest kloof to-day. having met
with no opposition on the way"
ASSISTANCE FOR CRoNJE.
Specials from Ladysmith report an ap-
parent movement on the part of the Beers
toward the Free State. presumably with the
object or assisting General Cronje The
another crossing OF the Tugela, east of
Colenso, after the capture of Hlandwane
hin. therefore gives great satisfaction.
Buffers losses so far have been about
twenty wounded. His entire army. with
the exception Of General Harris brigade, is
engaged ir the operation.
1t is announced that the channel SQUAD
ron. instead Of going to Gibraltar, has
been ordered to remain in British waters
until March.
dispatch to the Times from Naauw-
poort, describing the retirement to Arun-
del. draws attention TO the devotion of
twenty men Of the Victoria Mounted Rifles,
who were caught in a trap and died to a
man, lighting to the last.
The Daily News publishes the following
dispatch. dated Sunday morning, Feb. IS,
from Modder river:
''Our sudden appearance seems to have
astounded the enemy and thrown them into
q panic All their positions were hurriedly
evacuated, and the big guns at Magersfon-
tein and Kimberley were left behind Cen
eraI CronJe moved his transport, consist
ing of many hundred wagons. along bank
OF kopJes north of the Modder river toward
AtAAy Auuttui. II SUI past Jul iHOulllcu
fantry. but owing WEAKNESS had to stop.
Thereupon our artillery opened up on IT..
The main body of the Boer force kept up
a running fight the whole day. vainly try
ing TO escape. Each time their advance
guard sought to move OF our mounted in
fantry galloped around and checked them.
We never attempted to stop their main
movement, contenting ourselves with try
ing 10 check them. Their position at Koffy-
fontein Is said 10 be very strong. They
entertain q wholesome dread Of ten thou
sand cavalry moving more quickly thar
they do themselves. We hope 10 be in
Bioemfontein shortly"
The Daily News has another dispatch
from the Modder river military camp.
dated Sunday morning. which says:
"At dawn Friday the Beers were OBJ
served moving wagons along the kopjes to-
ward Koffyfontein. Our mounted infantry
vas sent out from Kip drift. but was
driven back and the enemys wagons
passed General Knox's Twelfth Brigade.
however, quickly attacked the enemy IS
main body and severe lighting went on all
day. over line which was very extended.