Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-02-22
THE AFRICAN WAR.

On Friday the British War office
posted no news, but it was known that
Lord Roberts and his army were ad-
vancing into the Orange Free State,
near the line of the Modder river.
The Beers We're active all along their
lines, and big battle was looked for.
On Saturday the English papers pub
lished the news of the relief of hlmber-
ly. Gen. Roberts move into the Or
ange Free State caused the Beers to
abandon their lines along the ModdeI
river and Gen Frenchs cavalry divis-
ion entered Kimberly Thursday night
and followed the Beers next day.
Gen. Roberts last dispatch from
JacobsdaIe on the Modder, that day
read as follows.
Il have good reason to believe the
Magersfontein trenches have been
abandoned and that the Beers are en-
deavoring to escape. Gen. French Is
securing the country north of Kimberly.
One of Gen. Kelly-Kenny's brigades of
infantry is in pursuit of large Boer
convoy moving towards Bloemfontein. .
Gen. French now holds both the
Modder and Riet rivers between the
Beers at Magersfontein and their base
at Bloemfoutein. Throughout the
march the Free State farms were respect
ed. but their owners almost invariably
fed, taking their effects The health
of the troops is excellent, but sickness
is prevalent among the horses and a
plentiful supply of remounts will be re-
quired.
From Jacobsdal, under date of Thurs
day, come these details of the British
advance:
"Jacobsdal is now in possession of the
British. Yesterday small cavalry
patrol entered the place and found II
full of wounded, including several
British from Rensburg. The place was
only occupied by small force, which
fell back before the patrol, after a series
of small skirmishes 4 battery Of ar
tillery shelled the environ and drove
out the last of the Beers. Early this
morning large force Of Beers from
Colesberg, with 10 guns, attacked a
convoy of 200 wagons at the Rlet river,
shelling vigorously and doing damage.
But strong reinforcements have been
sent hence and it is hoped they Will
bring in the whole convoy in safety.
French's division seized three drifts
ON the Modder river. At the third drift
the Beers were fairly strongly entrench-
IL. Il
drove them off. Today he moved
rapidly in the direction of Kimberley
The Beers have left Alexandersfontein
which the British now occupy. Gen.
Roberts is in excellent health and
spirits. The hardships and rapid
marching appear to agree with the
whole army"
On Saturday Cronje's army was re-
ported to be retreating towards Bloem-
fontein with Kitchner's cavalry pursu-
ing, and they had captured Boer con
voy or supply train of wagons, but on
the other hand the Beers captured an
English supply train at Riet river, and
were threatening the railroad to the
south of Kimberley.
In Natal Butler recrossed the Tugela
last week, and there was fighting daily.
Wounded men were arriving at Durham
and were being sent aboard the hospital
ships.
On Monday Gen. Cronje's army was
retreating eastward towards Bloelnfon-
tein, with the English divisions follow
ing. London was elated, and Parlia-
ment voted S65, 000 900, to strengthen
the army.
From Natal Gen. Butler reported the
capture of an important position and a
supply train by flank movement.
The Beers were expecting big battle
on the Tugela.
On Tuesday the Beers seemed to be
evacuating all their positions in Eng
lish territory, and to be concentrating
for the defense of their own.
Gen Roberts army was pressing on
steadily towards Bloemifontein, and
Cronje was retreating, his rear guard
being constantly engaged.
The Beers seemed to be leaving their
positions around Ladysmith. and Bull
iers army was in Colenso, but 1t was
not known were the Beers would con
centraIe