Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-05
tBv Telegraph to virglnlan-pno,o

London. May 5.-4O5 a. m.-The
Mounted Infantry with Lord Roberts,
among whom are the Canadians, have
picketed their horses on the south bank
of the Vet river, eighteen miles north
of Brandfort. The head of Lord
Roberts columns has thus advanced
thrty-two miles from Ilaree Siding in
two days. or fifty-three miles north of
Bloemfontcn.
Little powder was spent. The British
work was hard marching. the Beers re-
firing out OF the reach of the British
shells. The correspondent supplements
Lord Roberts plain statements with n
few details. AS General Hutton, with
the First Mounted Infantry Brigade,
drew near Brandfort, he saw a Khaki
clad body of troops ahead of him. He
was surprised. but thought they must
be British Soon, however. they opened
fire upon the British, who replied
heavily. They were the Irish American
brigade from I.ourenZo Marques, and Ii
Is reported that the Irishtlost severely
The Boer flag was flying over Brand
fort rs the British entered the town.
Several British wounded were found in
the hospital. The Boer postmaster gave
up the keys OF the public buildings to
Captain Ross.
Lord Kitchener arrived at FRANKFORT
ut noon and Lord Roberts at dusk
LONDON GREATLY CHEERED
General French's cavalry are sweep
Ing the country northward. The eS-
pcctation is that the infantry advance
VIII be continued toward Kroonstad i'm
medlately. Although no prisoners were
taken and although no hot pursuit was
attempted the news greatly cheers Lon
don. Nevertheless it has not been re-
'ceived with the fine RAPTURE that at
tended the first successes OF Lord
Roberts.
General Hunters crossing the Vaal at
Windsorton brings the relief of MAIZE
King, 1873 miles beyond, almost within a
caicu,abie interval. Ii Is now regarded
as quite possible that Mafeking may be
succored before the queens birthday.
The debate in parliament on the
Spicn Kop dispatches provided a dis
appointment to the supporters of the
Government. The ministerial papers
confess to certain amount OF incou
sistency and weakness in the state
ments OF the spokesman of the Govern
ment. On the other hand, as the STAN
dard points out, the opposition pro-
Tess 10 be we'll satisfied with the de-
bate, as they believe it has injured the
government and has rendered Lord
Lansdownc's continuance at the War
Office difficult
Wepener Is to be garrisoned With
strong force from General Chermsides
division. commanded by Lord Castle
Henry w. Lucy, writing in the Daily
news, says he has ascertained that Sir
Alfred Miners letter against ladies
VISITING South Africa was written as
the result of an intimation from Queen
Victoria.
OTHER REpOPTs
London, May 4-11:10 p. m.-The War
Office this evening issued the following
from Lord Roberts, dated Bloemfon-
tein. Friday, May A.: 1.-The mounted
Infantry have gone on to the Vet river.
The rest of the force will march there
tomorrow: The railway has been re-
paired to this.
Hunter reports very satisfactory
news, that the passage OF the Vaal has
been carried at Windsorton without OPP
position"
SMITHFIELD OCCUPIED.
Aliwal North. Cape Colony, May A.
Smithfield was occupied yesterday by
General Harris brigade. Ont OF the 1bO
Beers in the town 25 were captured and
the rest decamped
Ladybrand was recently full of Bs.er
wounded, who have now been removed
TO Ficksburg.
DFFECTUAL COMMANDMENT.
A British 6-inch wire gun opened IN
expectedly on the Boer lager yester-
day at a distance of seven and a half
miles, throwing hundred-pound shells
with wonderful accuracy, and causing
hasty retreat of the burghers. The
bombardment continued to-day at all
points by howitzers and field guns.
supported by two companies of the
Munster regiment, the Beers being
driven from shelter and their guns be-
ing put out of action.
FAILURE TO IDENTIFY.
Brabants Camp, Tuesday, May l.
(By runner to afeking)-Brabant's
division now occupies a strong posi-
ton on a range OF hills on the Lady
brand road about twenty miles from
Wepener. The troops are confronted
by large force of Beers, who recent
ly occupied Wepener and who have
now been located in the mountain
known in the Free State as Zwartla-
berg.
This morning the Borderers Horse,
under Colonel Maxwell, came in con-
tact with the Boer outposts, but re-
turned to camp after locating the en-
envy. Later r. group of five hundred
Beers was discovered marching past
the Boer position, but the British were