The state herald., 1900-02-23
BOERs NOW RUNNING.
ROBERTS MEN CHASING THEM.
British Tactics Have Proven successful-
Kitchener II After Cronje-Boers Lose
stores-Buller Again Attacks

Sunday morning, February 18th, from
MOdder river:
"Our sudden appearances seems to
have astounded the enemy and thrown
them Into a panic. All their positions
were hurriedly evacuated and the big
guns at Magersfontein and Kimberley
were left behind.
General CrOnje moved his transport,
consisting of many hundred wagons,
along bank of kopjes north of the
Modder river, toward KOffyfontein. 1t
got past our mounted infantry, but ow
Ing to wearlness had to stop. There
upon our artillery opened upon 1t. The
main body of the Boer force kept up u
running fight the whole day, vainly
trying to escape.
Each time their advance guard
sought to move off our mounted infan-
try galloped around and checked them.
We never attempted to stop their main
movement, cOntenting ourselves with
trying to check them.
'"Their position at Koffyfontein is
said to be very strong. They entertain
wholesome dread of 10000 cavalry
moving more quickly than they do
fonteln shortly"
L he .>tWs liitS uHOtitT uiSputth HUN
the Modder river military camp, dated
Sunday, which says:
"At dawn Friday the Beers were OBJ
served moving wagons along the
kopjes toward KOffyfontein. Our
mounted infantry was sent out from
Kip Drift, but was driven back, and
the enemy's wagons passed.
General KnOX's Twelfth brigade,
however, quickly attacked the enemy's
main body and severe fighting went on
all day over Il line which was much
extended. The enemy, making n des-
pcrate attempt finally escaped, owing
to the serpentine bend of the river.
The mounted infantry suffered from
the tying fianking movement. Our
force has now been reinforced"
Every detail received proves how ad-
mirably Lord Roberts plans were con-
ceived and were succeeding. But for
the unexpected delay at Dekiels Drift,
which was almost impossible for wag-
ons. the whole Boer army would have
been surrounded. The delay of one day
there gave them their chance for a
hasty retreat.
London, Feb. IT, Generals Kitchener
of General Cronje's force, somewhere
between Jacobsdal and Bloemfontein.
General French is fighting Boer
force to the north of Kimberley.
Part Of the Kimberley garrison and
the troops under Sir Horton MacDon-
aid are fighting Beers between Modder
river and Kimberley. near Spyfontein.
The general force left at Rensberg is
fighting horde OF Beers, who are
swarming down in the heights about
Colesberg.
General Gatacrc is fighting Beers at
Molteno.
General Butler is bombarding the
Boer position at Vaal Krantz and Is
said to have recrossed the Tugela in a
fourth attempt TO relieve Ladysmith.
Such is the situation to-day in South
Africa. There is fighting along the en-
tire line. Such appears to be Lord
Roberts plan Of action-keep the Beers
busy everywhere.
Specials from Ladysmith report an
apparent movement on the part OF the
Beers toward the Free State. pre-
sumably with the object of assisting
General Cronje. The news that Gen
eral Butler Is attempting another cross
Ing Of the Tugela east OF Colenso, af-
ter the capture Of Hlandwane hill,
therefore gives great satisfaction. Bull
ler's losses SO far have been about
twenty In wounded. His entire army
with the exception Of General Hart's
brigade, IL engaged In the operation.
General Kelly-Kcnny's brigade on
Friday captured seventy-eight wagons
laden with stores, two wagons Of
-ts .t.,hs 90 at. ..ll
ten barrels OF explosives and large
Cronjc's laager. which was still being
shelled by our artillery when Kitchen
er dispatched his messenger.
General Roberts reports the British
casualties during the fighting Mt ia
CO bsdal ns follows: One killed, four
teen wounded and three missing.
That the Beers are making the most
OF their opportunity In Central Cape
Colony Is evident from the loss OF two
companies of the Wiltshire regiment.
the nnnihilation OF Il company OF Aus
trallans and the reported capture OF
train OF supplies.
Jacobsdahl. Orange Free State. Feb.
lS.-Lord Roberts combinations for the
InbNtitut VI tHt 'bIl'N tVN'tuhtu WIN
precision. although obstacles that Ind
not been foresecn had TO be overcome.
The execution OF his design began at
3 n. m, Sunday. General French rode
into Kimberley Thursday afternoon.
Just when he was due according to the
field marshars time table. having In
four and n half days, marched ninety
miles with artillery. mud having fought
two small engagements.
The relief of Kimberley was accom-.
plishcd with the loss Of only fifty men.
Twenty thousand Infantry made
splendid march under u sub-tropIcal
sun and through dust stos.m. 10 hold
the positions which General French
took.
Lord Kitchener was with General
fuckers division. In consequence OF
his transport arrangement. the four d.
visions moving over the sandy vcldt
were fed and wntercd. II is hardly
possible TO appreciate adequately the
mathematical precision with which ev.
cry part OF the transport department
has worked. marching through the day.
toiling almost siceplcssly through the
night. victuallng the army and evolving
every hour results from seeming chnos.
Everybody did what was expected OF
him checrfully. though enduring fright.
ful fnilgucs. Few slept more than
three hours. The bnttnflons. hour nf.
ter hour. toiied through the heavy sand
uncomplnlnlngly. nnd when now md
then n man fell out Of the ranks cx-
hausicd. he would rcjoIn his company
tut,p oft.r hn hul Vn.tal kn,nn ara,