Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-04-26

Roberts has now spread net with
some 10000 or more men and $50 guns,
covering the whole western semicircle
around Wepener, while General Ham
ilton has occupied the water works
practically without opposition. The
Seventh division under General Tucker,
assisted by naval guns, has made a
demonstration from Karee siding, the
Beers showing some opposition. At the
same time brigade moved out from
Glen to take a position on the range of
hills at Gennaadenale, north of the
Modder. The waterworks were found
unchanged, with the exception of the
removal of the sliding valves of the
pumping engines. The Beers now can
only escape without risking an en-
counter northward to Ladybrand, and
the chance OF successful outcome of
the plans of Lord Roberts depends on
whether the British troops can reach
Thaba N'Chu and Ladybrand before
the retreating commanders from De-
wetsdorp and Wepener.
Beers May Escape.
All the correspondents say that the
roads are in bad condition, and if the
Beers are well informed of the British
plans, as they hitherto have been, they
are likely to again escape.
1t is now within three weeks of the
date predicted for the British occupa.
ton of Pretoria, and although the pres
ent operations, as suggested in some
quarters, may be the beginning of the
main advance, it is not certain that they
will not entail further halt at Bloem.
fontein.
Roberts Sends Reports of Operations.
LONDON, April 25.-The war office is
sued the following from Lord Roberts:
'BLoEMFoNTEIN, April 24.-Generals
Brabant and Hart yesterday turned the
position occupied by the enemy, who
tried to prevent their moving north
ward, and got into heliograph commu.
nlcation with Colonel Dalgety, com
mandant OF the besieged garrison at
Wepener, who reported all well. Gen
eral Brabant has three, wounded, one
missing. Three were wounded on the
previous day. The Border regiment
had seven wounded. At II p. IN. yes
terday Brabant and Hart were eight
miles south of Wepener The Eleventh
division under General Pole Carew and
General French's two brigades of cav
airy reached Tweede Celuk Yesterday
afternoon without having met serious
opposition. Heliograph communication
has been established with General Run
die. A patrol Of the Seventh dragons
under Lieutenant Jenkins reported
missing yesterday has rejoined General
French's camp, with the exception of
Corporal Taylor and Private Cook, who
are believed to be wounded and prison
ers. Mounted infantry yesterday under
Gen. Hamilton occupied the water works
at sannas post. AS the enemy are hold.
ing the neighboring hills in some
strength the Ninth division, consisting
OF General Smith Dorrien's and Gen.
eral McDonald's brigades, has been dis
patched to support Hamilton. General
Maxwell's brigade, formerly General
Chermside's, OF the Seventh division.
has moved eastward and seized the
hills covering the wagon bridge oyS.
the Modder river at Kranzekraal, an
important communication, much used
by the Beers during the last three
weeks Our only casualty was Private
Brun, New South Wales mounted rifles.
taken prisoner"
An official list of the British losses at
Wepener from April 8 to IS shows:
Killed, three officers and 1S men;
wounded. ID officers and Sc men.