Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-03-06
THE NEXT BATTLE.
Roberts Expected to Encounter the
Beers at Osfontein.


London, March 3.-There is prospect
Of early fighting near the scenes Of Cron-
je's recent stand. A considerable Boer
force has been lowering east of Osfon-
TEN, near Paardeberg, for the last day
or two. but has not ventured to attack.
OSfOnteln, near where the Beers are
massing. supposedly under the joint COM
mand OF Botha, Delarey and Dewet, is
eight miles northeast Of Paardeberg
drift, where Cronje surrendered. There
are number of kopjes just at this spot
one CT which practically touches the Mod
der. n little farther on, also on the
Modder. the Beers have taken up a po-
sition. presumably near Makauw's drift.
with the flank resting on the river. This
position IS not only not on the direct road
to bioemfontein, but quite away from it,
Expect Battle Soon.
Hence, sooner than leave a hostile
force of considerable strength operatiny
against his line of communica tons. Lord
Roberts Is certain to bring on an engage
ment. The Beers are said to be EXPECT
ing further achievements from Jouhert
At present they have total of 1000 and
hope to have $4,000 before risking a bat
tie.
Again, it may be only detachment
from the BOer main army, with orders to
delay and hamper the British march M
on Bloemfontein while the Boer positions
are being prepared at Winburg. At the
same time it is quite possible that Gen
Dewet Is getting together the different
ends of the Transyaal and Orange Free
State forces to give the British another
serious engagement in the Modder river
district.
Beers Gather at Winburr.
The main Boer army from Natal is
said to be concentrating at Winburg, sew
enty miles northeast Of RloemfOntein.
Here the ground is favorable for defens-
ive tactics: If. however, the Beers make
leo oet 'iiD1ned stand south of this place
they " i'll virtually abandon half of the
Orange free State to the British and
Will also allow the railway line which
runs from Bloemfontein to Port Eliza
beth to fall into British hands, and thus
give Lord Roberts another valuable line
Of communication.
Finally, it is not expected that the
Beers will leave their scattered forces at
Stormberg and Labuschagne's Mex iso-
lated and IN greatest peril
Stand at BIoemfoutein.
For these reasons it is considered hard
ly probable that the Beers will abandon
Bloemfontein and the railway south of it
without an effort. If they do, the moral
effect on the Orange Free Staters, who.
according to all British reports. are AL
ready severely shaken by the event at
Paardeberg, will be serious.
The loss of BlOemfOntein itself viii MOI
be serious matter, for Bloemfontein is
only q small country town. Judged nv
English Standards on an open plain. and
not situated IN strong position.
Soldiers Share Their Food.
London, March 3.-Lord Roberts wiraS
to the war office from Osfontein. under
date of March 2, 4:15 p. M. as follows.
Il have just returned from paving Kim.
berley hurried visit I was much yrati-
fled at finding the enthusiasm among tha
Kimberley people regarding the care of
the sick and wounded All the houses
had been converted into hospitals ami
the men had been made most comforf-
able | was struck with the friendly
manner III which the wounded Beers and
our men chatted together upon tho eyne-
riences of the campaign 1t deligbted
me to see our soldiers sharing their pa
tons and biscuits with the Boer prison
ers before they commenced their march
for Modder river. Some of the poor feI
lows We're very hungry after having
been half starved in the lager"
Butler Can Find No Beers.
The war Office received the following
dispatch from Gen. Butler: "Ladysmith.
Friday, March 2, 6:30 D. nj find the
defeat of the Beers more complete than
had dared 10 anticipate. This whole
district is completely clear of them. and
except at the top of Van Reenen's pass
where several wagons are visible, I can
find no trace Of them. Their last train
left Modder Spruit station about l o'clock
yesterday, and they then blew I'D the
bridge. They packed their wagons six
days ago, moving them to the north of
Ladysmith so that we had no chance of
ntercepting them; but they have left vast
quantities of ammunition of all sorts,