Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-04-28
BATTLE REPORTED
NEAR DEWETSDORP
Engagement in Progress Between
Beers and the Wepener
Relief Force.
CASUALTIES ARE VERY LIGHT
so Fatalities OH thc English Side
Two Men Severely Wounded
aud Seven Slightly 80 Re.
port From Roberts.

Bloemfontein, April 23.-Continuing
their march on Friday, Generals
-hermside and Rumble came into con-
tact with the Beers near Dewets-
iorp at noon. Fighting continued UNI
til dark and was principally carried
on by artillery, which temporarily
;ilenced two of the Boer guns. she
British command the hills for miles
around the Beers, who are reported 10
hold strong positions, but are prop
ably retiring. The casualties on the
British side were slight. Most of them
occurred among the yeomanry and
mounted infantry. The fire was at
hng range. None of the British
troops were killed.
Gocrs Reinforced.
Maseru, B~asutoland, April 21.-The
Beers around Wepener have been re-
inforced and are now stronger thah
ever. Firing of cannon and rifles was
heard today in the direction OF De-
wctsdorp. Heavy fighting Is hourly
expected. Two large Boer forces left
the vicinity of Wepener this morn
ing, one going in the direction OF
Dewetsdorp, the other towards HouN-
Vile. The Beers are excited and JUDI
liant i'm consequence Of Steyn's asser-
ton that foreign intervention is GER
tain, and that il is only necessary to
continue the struggle Il short time.
General De Wet and Olivier are insplr-
inc the burghcrs with in1ammatorN
patriotic speeches. Several houses are
filled with Boer wounded and others
have beer sem To Ladybrand. Field
Cornet Bouwer, who surrendered TO
the British and afterwards re1olned
the Free Staters, has been arrested by
the Beers. His wife offered 5000 bail,
but was refused.
Rcport From Roberts.
London, April 23.-General Roberts
| cables as follows:
"Blocmfontcin, April 23.-Rundle's
force came in contact with the enemy
Yesterday four miles southwest OF
Dewetsdorp. They occupied a strong
position covering another position,
which enabled Rumble to drive the
| enemy off and occupy the high ground
| the enemy had been holding. Rumble
| advanced this morning and is now en-
gasing the enemy. Our casualties
Yesterday were two men severely
wounded and Lieutenant OConner and
seven men slightly wounded
It~corganizing the Free state.
As governor of the Free State Major
General Prcttyman is organizing q
corDs of mounted police and dividing
the country into sections TO be adj
ministercd by commissions, probably
army officers. Lieutenant Colone
Girarourd, director Of railroads, Is
forming a railroad corps, with a pros
pcct of permanent employment. Many
Colonials have joined.
The transport Portugal, with SO'
troops from Lisbon, has arrived al
LourenZo Marquee. The presence o
these rcinforccmcntS will make For
tugal feel easier regarding the proteS'
against the British use of Beira.
From Ladysmith comes news thai
firing was heard during the morning
i'm the direction of Sundays river. L
was maintained for about an hour
Shining and Boer activity is reportct
at the Kip dam.
Women in Mems Clothing.
\ letter from n nurse in the hos
pitaI at Cape Town says the medica
officers for sanitary reasons forced
number of prisoners TO battle In tn
river behind the hospital. Two o
them absolutely refused % strip, am
when forced to do so it was foun'
they were women in mems clothes
The writer adds:
"Ouitc a number of dead on tn
~hattlcfclds have been found to b
women similarly disguised, and wors
than all, it often has been thes
women who have been guilty of afro
cities such as killing the wounded"