The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-06-14
ENGAGEMENT NEAR PRETORIA.
ROBERTS FOUGHT BATTLE WITH
GEN. BOTHA'S ARMY.

Several oficers Were Killed In the
Fight the Result of which Is Not
Yet Known-9'irst Dispatch From
Lord Roberts Since His Communt-
tiOns We're Cattle Assures the
Government as to the Security OF
the Army.
London June IA lengthy dispatch
forwarded to the war office by Mai. Gen.
Knox. from kroonstad, presumably sent
there by messenger. reads as follows;
"Kroonstad. June Eve have been re-
ouested TO forward you from Lord Rob
erts ! the following dispatch from the
Pretoria resdency at sos a m to-day:
Pretoria, June E.-Pretoria and john
nesburg are perfectly quiet and several
OF the inhabitants have expressed graft
tude for the peace and order which pre-
vail
After surrendering the city Botha re-
tired TO a place about fifteen miles east
on the Middleburg road. He had a small
force at first. but. during the last few
days. his numbers increased and his being
so near the town kept up the excitement
in the country, prevented the burghers
from laying down their arms and inter
fered with the collection of supplies. 1t
therefore became necessary to attack him.
This l did yesterday, He held a very
strong position, practically unassailablc in
front, which enabled him 10 place the main
portion of his troops on his hanks. which
he knew from former experience were his
rahI n
Porter's and Dxon's cavalry brigades and
Hutton's Mounted Infantry round by our
left, and Ian Hamilton, with Broadwood
and Gordon's cavalry brigade, Ridleys
mounted infantry and Bruce Hamilton S
infantry brigade round by our right Both
columns met with great opposition. At
about o'clock in the afternoon l saw
two of Hamiton's infantry battalions ad-
vancing to what appeared TO he the key of
the enemy's defense. on their left flank
| This was almost gained before dark and
T ordered the force to bivouac on the
ground they had won.
Went for News of Methuen.
-" 'Pool-Carew with his division. occu-
pied our centre. AS ! have explained, he
could not attack but he gradually sd-
vanced SO as to support Hamilton. ard
when | left the field he was on the line
ing.
q hurried back TO get news ot
Methuen's movement. on herring that
the Free Staters had taken advantage OF
our crossing the Vaal 10 Interrupt Our
line of commune tion l sent kitch erer
with such troops as / could then spare to
Yer (Vredef y with orders TO push south
and communicate with Methuen, Who /
knew had 4 very compact force in fhe
vicinity of Hebron. ] also dspa tchcd a,
special messenger to Methuen, ins}ructing
him to push on al all speed 20 the main
| line OF railway. These two officers met 4
Vredefort road ststiun ~frr--the evening of
June 10. They marched yesterday 70 Rhe-
noster river where Methuen gained a
complete victory over DcWeJ and took
possession of his camp and scattered his
troops in all directions. He and Kitchener
marched to-day towards Kroonstad.
The Army In Secure.
q" Her Majesiy's government need have
no apprehension as to the security of the
army in South Africa. The enemy gained
a slight success. which was very unfortu-
nate. but which viii he remedied very
shortly. and it will not take long to repair
the damage done 10 the railway. As
these divisions are all in existence l am
row abe 10 hold the line between this and
Rhenoster in strength. Methuen will ar
range to guard it as he advances onward.
" Hunter should BE- at Potchefstroom to-
day. He will then move ON Johannes
burg.
I'VE have communicated with Butler
who will no doubt, soon make the pres
ence of his force in the field felt
" our losses yesterday, were not, l
trust, serious but ! dep,ore the death of
that gallant soldier, the Earl of Airlie
The only other casualties reported as yet
are: Seventeenth Lancers-Maj. the Hon.
Lionel Fortesque and Lieut.. the Hon. c.
Cavendsh. both killed "
Gen. Knox adds that Kroonstad is quite
cafe.