The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-05-12
ROBERTS >
PUSHES ON.
Flying Column But a Hun.
dred Miles from
Baden-POWell.

mite dispatches from Cape Town
and Pretoria seem to justify the
belief that the relief of Mafeking
will be effected inside of sixty
hours.
A fortnight agoit was positively
stated both in Cape Town and
Bloemfontein that the only hope
Baden Powell's starving garrison
had of rescue was Carrington's col.
unm coming from the north. A
little later an equally positive state
ment was made from some sources
that relief column was about to
startfrom the south. Then came
Roberts message to Baden-Powell
to hold out until May IS. Now comes
word that a strong flying column,
composed of 5000 cavalry and IN
fantry with battery of six guns,
has passed through Vryburg on
Wednesday and was proceeding by
forced marches, night and day, in
the direction of Mafeking.
Plumer with 100 troops in good
condition is posted just outside the
beleaguered city and will join hand
with the mysterious army from
Vryburg. This with over 1000 men
and six good guns and not count
ing any assistance from Baden
Powell's garrison, which may
amount, to something after all, it
is confidently believed here that
the investing force, which is not
superior in point Of men and is less
effective in the matter of guns, will
be overcome with comparative ease.
A dispatch from Cape Town says
that Lord Roberts wires that he is
at Ventersburg; that he is continue
ously opposed, but that he is max
ing progress.
Hamllton's column met with stub
born resistance, and Smith Doriens
brigade was engaged for some
hours in protecting the rear and
flank of his force.
The only casualties reported at
present are: Killed-Rank and file,
a; wounded, 5. No returns yet re-
ceived from the cavalry nor Hamll-
ton S force.
The drifts are extremely difficult
and much bagg age has still to come
| up.
We shall however, march at
daybreall and push Oh as far as
possible in a Kroonstad direction.
The East Lancashire and Sus-
sex regiments by IL o'clock had
worked we'll to the front. The order
was given and like a flash the two
regiments sprang forward stimuli
taneously and in few moments
had secured two of the commanding
ridges.
The advanced line was now with
in twelve hundred yards OF the
Beers main trench and the latter
were already losing heart from the
demonstration on their flank, but
they kept up a'rapid, though wild,
fire.
At this moment the final charge
was ordered and away went the
Lancashires and the Sussex regi-
ment again; but the Beers could
not stand and they fairly bolted,
and the rout of the Beers along the
whole line was then complete,
Twenty Beers were taken pris-
oners. The Free Statcrs are sick
of the war.
| British forces from Thaba N'Chu
under General Rumble and Gen ral
Brabant, are reported to have ad-
vanced toward Clocolan and Plat
berg, says a Maseru dispatch.
A large command of Beers has
returned from the Koorannaberg
hills ana is in readiness to meet the
British, but the Beers are puzzled
to know by which route the British
will appear.
The Free Staters are concen.
trating strongly IN good positions
on Korannaberg Hills, lying east
ward Of the direct line from Thaba
N'Chu to Winburg. President
Steyn was with them yesterday
but is believed to have gone north
ward after telling the burgher:
Illdl lloIlsdulS VI lOlSlS uSlS MSi
pouring into Delagoa Bay to asslst
them.
The Lorenzo Marques CORES
pondent of the Daily Mail says tina
dispatch from Chrlstlania o
Wednesday says that when thu
British cavalry crossed the Vaa
last Friday they were attacked by
the Griqualanders, under Genera
Aswagon, who, after being re-en
forced, repulsed the British an
forced them back in the dlreCtio
of Taunge.
General Aswogon was killed
The other Boer casualties wer
seven wounded. The British los:
was heavy. Everything was brough
away from the laagers except
few tents left to attact the enemy
shells. Taungs is occupied b
about 5000.
London. May 1.-THE Dali
Telegraph prints the following Thu
morning:
Thabu N'Chu, May 1l,-Prer
: fell battalion held Rugues 10
: last night and pushed forward te
day, supported by Campbell's br
gade and troop Of General Bra
) tant S force.