The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-09
HANILT0N'S FORCE
FACING The B0EkS
Both Sides Awaiting Arrival
of Reinforcements.
DISPOSITION OF BRITISH
Lines So Arranged as to Bring Large
Force In Contact With the Enemy
Beers Hold Strong Positions the
Relief of Mafeking.

Beers Hold Strong Positions-To the
Relief of Mafeking.
LONDON, -4ay 2.-The following dis
patch has been sent by LORD Roberts to
the war Office from Bloemfontein:
ssThe Beers made very persistent at
tacks around Thaba N'Chu Saturday
and Sunday. But the position which
the right (Rundle's) division holds IS
very strong and he had the assistance OF
Gordon's and Dickson's brigades, the
cavalry under French and Smith-Dor-
rien's infantry brigade and a body OF
mounted infantry under Ian Hamilton.
Pole -Carew's division has returned IRON
Dewet's dorp.'' !.
Lord Roberts also cabled additional
casualties sustained during the fighting
of April II around Thaba N'Chu, con-
sisting Of Lieutenant Grady and two en-
listed men killed and one officer and
three enlisted men wounded.
Neither the commander-ln-chlefn nor
the correspondents dispatches throw
any light upon the plans being made to
oust the Beers from Thaba N'Chu VI
cinity and how long before definite
move is made to assert British suprem-
acy is only surmise. In the mean
time, the Beers are remarkably aggres-
sive, and especially in view OF the large
forces opposing them A speclai dis
patch from Thuba N'Chu says they
made daring attempt to cut Oft a Br1t-
ish convoy which got into broken ground
between Thaba N'Chu and Dewet's
dorp, opening fire from the adjacent
hills. In the nick Of time, General Bra
bacon, with strong force Of yeomanry,
returning from Wepener, arrived on the
scene and extricateo the convoy.
The same dispatch describes the dlspo-
sition of the forces at Thaba Menu as
follows:
General Rumble is covering the adj
yanced camp, facing the Beers position
to the east, where they are strongly en-
trenched-
General Ian Hamilton and General
Smith-Dorrien occupy strong positions
on the road to the north.
Another dispatch says company un-
der General Hamilton located the Beers
to the north and an artillery duel oc-
CURED without result.
There was much artillery firing with
out much casualties. It is hardly likely
that the forces will face each other III
very large numbers until reinforcements
arrive. as both sides seem to be waiting
for troops.
Stringent measures are being adopted
to prevent the Boer gaerrillas from Sc
curing supplies from other centers.
At the conclusion Of General Sir
GEORGE Whites visit to Windsor today
Oueen Victoria decorated the defender
Of Iadysmitn with the cross and star OF
the Victorian order.
Her majesty and the soldier had a
long conference. 1t is learned that the
queen was more angry than for years
over the publication Of the Spion kop
dispatches.
A significant item Of importance has
been received from Cape Town. 1t IS
asserted on good authority that General
Hunter has been sent to Kimberley to
command strong column intended for
the relief of Nlafeking. 1t will also in
ciude Barton's brigade, which has lately
been brought around from Natal. and a
strong contingent of horses and guns
A dispatch from Mafeking, dated
April 20, says:
Beers have been busy for several days
blowing up the railway southwark.
There was little firing during the past
week.
Fever is rife, but otherwise the health
of the garrison is good and all are well.