The sun., 1900-07-26
TRANSTAAL CAMP PAIGN
Lord Roberts Reports That British
Advance Is On.
B0ERS GIVE WAY BEFORE 1T.
Lines Were So Surrounded That They
Had TO Evacunte strong Posi-
tion They Had Been Hold
ing Near Rustfontein.

London, July 25.-The war Office has
received the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts:
''Vandermerwe Station, July 24.-We
made n general advance yesterday from
the position we have been holding, east
Of Pretoria, since June II. Ian Hamil-
:on, from the north, reached Rustfontein,
seven miles north of Bronkhorstspruit,
)n July %. This SO completely surround
I'd the enemy's line of retreat that they
abandoned the strong position they had
oeen occupying in front of Pole-Carew.
Stephenson's brigade advanced yesterday,
unopposed, to Glands river station. Our
right was protected by the First and
Fourth brigades of cavalry, under
French, and 1utton's mounted infantry
The fermer crossed east of Wilge river.
Railway and telegraphic communica-
tion was restored last night. In the sup
ply train, captured ut Roodeyal We're
200 Welsh fusileers, most Of whom had
been prisoners. De Vets force is con-
tinuing 10 move northeasrerly. 1t was at
Roudepoort July -, with Broadwood not
far behind, and Little's cavalry brigade
following Brentwood.
"Baden-powell reports as follows:
"'Magato Farm, July 22.-Colonels
Arey and Lushington, with 400 men,
drove LOCO Beers from very strong po-
sition and scattered them with consider
able loss. Our casualties were u killed
and 10 wounded.
1t is not clear whether the supply train
and 200 fusileers mentioned in the above
dispatch are identical with the train and
100 Cameron highlanders the capture of
which was reported by Lord Roberts in
his communication of July %.
Another Roberts Dispatch.
The following dispatch, also from Lord
Roberts, has been received at the war Of
fee:
"Bronkhorstspruit,J July 24.-We march
ed here today. This is the place where
the Ninety-fourth was attacked Dec. 20,
1880. The graves of the officers and men
are in fair preservation and will now be
put in good order. The march was un-
opposed, but French's cavalry and Hut
tons mounted infantry, making wide
detour on our right, met bodies of the
enemy. These were driven back, leaving
several dead and wounded. A good many
We're also captured. Our casualties were
one killed.
'Broadwood reports that he captured
five of De Vets wagons today. He was
waiting at Vredefolt until Little joined
him"
A press dispatch, dated Bronkhorst
spruit, July "a, says:
The Beers, having got wind of the
British advance, have evacuated all their
positions and are reported to be moving
to the northeast toward Leydenberg,
whittier President Kruger is going. A
portion of the Beers remain north of
Bushveldt, whence they attempt to inter
rupt communications on this line. The
bridges here and smaller bridges to the
west have been destroyed.
"The British force comprises two bri-
gades under General French and bri-
gade and half under General Hamilton.
1t is not likely that the advance upon
Aiddleburg will be contested.
"Ihe Beers remaining upon their farms
! state that most of the burghers are anx-
ious to bring matters to finish, but that
the foreigners are persistent.