Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-14
NEWS FROM ROBERTS
he Reports a Successful Reeonnais-
sance at Reit River.
GENERAL FRENCH SEIZES A CROSSING
General Butler Seems to Be Ha-
rassed by Boer Cavalry,
HIS LIST OF CASUALTIES

LONDON. February Alt is officially
announced that the British cavalry division
under Gen. French Monday. February L..
seized the crossing of the Reit river at De
kills Drift. on the east bank. on which the
9Th and 9TH divisions are camped.
The following dispatch has been received
at the war office from Gen. Roberts:
'REIT RIVER. Tuesday. February 13-
Col. Hannay. in command of brigade of
mounted infantry, marching from Orange
river to Ramah. had a slight engagement
February II Sunday with the Beers hold
ing the hills and threatening his right
Hank. With detached part of his force
Col. Hannay held the enemy in check white
he pushed his baggage and main body
through to Ramah. The object of the march
was successfully carried out. Four men
We're killed. twenty-five were wounded and
thirteen are missing"
Dispatch From Gen. Butler.
Gen Butler. at Chiaveley. announces a
reconnaissance at Springfield, resulting in
no glin Of ground ON either side. Capt.
Hamilton Russell. Lieut.. G. Churchill and
ten men We're wounded and Lieut. PiIking-
ton and six men were captured by the
Beers.
The dispatch contains detailed accounts
of what appear to he unimp: rtant opera
Tons They only tend to throw light ON the
situation by proving that the Beers are
actively following Gen. Buffers every
move.
From Field Marsnal LORD Roberts. at the
Modder river. where all eyes are turned,
there is word
a dispatch from Mafeking says the garri-
son ther" can hold out until June.
Gen. Buffers dispatch from Chieveley
dated Monday. February L. says:
The commanding officer at Springfield
reports this morning that d squadron of the
1st Dragons. moving to the outpost line
covering the right flank of the camp. met
a party of Beers near Fustenberg The
Beers, reaching the crest of a hill first
opened a heavy fire on the squadron. which
retired He sent ont supports and the
Beers retired.
Reconnaissance February Il.
{ ntinuin- the Chievc,ey dispatch SAYS:
''Dundonaid. with 100 mounted men. a field
battery and The 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers
February 12. reconnoitered the high ground
which the enemy has been in the habit OF
visiting The enemy evacuated ii with the
loss Of Two men. after slight resistance.
when the force retired on the completion
of the reconnaissance the enemy returned
in considerable numbers and kept up
heavy rifle fire. wounding slightly Lieut.
G Churchill of the South African Light
Horse. Five men are missing
1t Is not quite clear who wrote the dis
patch. as Gems Lyttleton, Hndyard War
zen and other generals believed to be
In the neiShbOrilood of Springfield.
1t 1t is thought possible that the Lieut..
Churchill reported TO be slightly wounded
is Winston ChCrchill's brother John who
was recently given a commission in the
South African Light Horse, and who Joined
Ger Buffers command.
Mon6ay. February l2.-The cavalry df-
vision under Gen. French seized the cross
ing of the Reit river at Dekil's Drift on
the east bank of which the sixth and sew
casualties were two troopers killed and
Capt. Majesndie of the Rife Brigade
wounded He has since died. One trooper
was wounded.
The general commanding at Rensburg
reports that on Monday, February u he
was attacked in force by the Beers Lieut..
Coningham of the Worcester regiment was
wounded, and has since died. There Were
other cas- palties."