The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-03-03
BULLER At LADYSMITH.
He Meets General White Amid
Scenes of Enthusiasm,
ORONJE ON A BRITISH wARsHIP,

The Surrendered Bocr General Oh
Board the Second. Class Cruiser Do
ris-Lora Roberts Faces the Re-
formed Boer Army at Osfoatein.
London, March "A dispatch from
Ladysmith. dated Thursday, says:
General Butler. accompanied by his
staff, arrived here at H.: 40 today. He
entered the town unnoticed, as more
cavalry was coming in during the
morning. The news of his arrival
soon spread, however, and General
White and his staff at once went to re-
ceive him. The two generals met
and General Butler had an immense
reception.
1t is understood that the Beers are
in full flight towards the Free State
and a flying column of LadYsmith
troops are pursuing them.
The war office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch from General Butler,
dated Ladysmith. March 2, $50 p. M:
II find the defeat of the Beers more
complete than | had dared to antici-
pate. This whole district ia COM
pletely clear of them, and except at the
top of Van Roenen Pass, where sew
eral wagons are visible, l can find no
trace of them. Their last train left
Modder Spruit station about l o'clock
yesterday, and they then blew up the
bridge. They packed their wagons six
days ago, removing them to the north
of Ladysmith, so that we had no
chance Of intercepting them, but they
have left vast quantities of ammuni-
tion of all sorts, herds. grass, camp
and individual necessaries. They have
got away with all their guns except
two."
1t is impossible to depict the enthusi-
asm of the beleaguered garrison when
Lord Dundonald's 800 men reached the
town. Cheer upon cheer ran from post
to post and staff officers, civilians and
soldiers focked to greet them. At the
ford of the Kip river women with
children In their arms tearfully press
ed forward to grasp the hands Of the
gallant band. General White and his
staff met the troops In the center Of
tho town. He was cheered with heart
felt enthusiasm. He addressed the
civilians and thanked them and the
garrison for their magnificent support.
The siege started with $4,000 troops,
1000 civilians and 1000 natives. Be-
tween casualties and sickness 5000
soldiers passed through the hospital.
1t is impossible to over emphasize the
privations of the sick. Since the mid
die of January man once down was
practically lost. The reduced rations
of the soldiers Just suff'ced for their
subsistence. Daily thirty odd horses
and mules were slaughtered and con-
verted into soup and sausages. From
Jan. Is to now there have been over
200 deaths from disease alone.
General Cronie and his party arrived
at Simonstown yesterday, says Cape t
Town dispatch. General Cronie was
received by General Sir Frederick
Forestier-Walkcr and a representative
OF Sir Alfred Miner, the governor Of :
Cape Colony. The captured Boer gen. !,
eral was Immediately escorted on
board the British second class cruiser
Doris. There was no demonstration.
Lord Roberts at Osfontein, six or
eisM miles from Paardeberg, faces the
reformed Beer army, from 5000 to 5000 4
strong. This may be merely corps
observation, ready to retire on pre-
pared positions. Doubtless it is re-
ceiving accretions from the late he
siegers Of Ladysmith and from other
points. Whatever the force may be,
Lord Roberts has ample troops to cope
with It. /
Lord Roberts has surprised observers
by the excellence Of his transport dur
ing the first advance, and he Is likely
to do so again. although military men
here think he must wait for some days
before going much farther. The Beers,
will use this delay for all
II Is worth. pulling their resources to-
gether
DR.. Leyds gives out the opinion that
the British entry of Bloemfontein Is
daily expected. as Commandants Dewet
and Delarey had been instructed to re-
ard the advance of Lord Roberts only
lntil the concentration under General
'ouhert had been ACCOMPLISHED.
No adequate explanation is yet made
" the $4,000 reiaforcements that are
preparing for Lord Roberts. Such ex-
as are advanced tentatively
'uggest either that the cape Dutch
lave become more restive or that the
imperial government has a hint o.
oreign suggestions as to the futu'
tatns Of the allied republics.
Lord Roberts wires to the war Off, I
rom Osfontein, under date of Mare
!: II have just returned from payin
a hurried visit. W"
much gratified at finding the snthusi
sm among the Kimberley people re.
arding the care of the sick am
All the public buildings had
cen converted into hospitals and al
be men had been made most com.
,rtable. l was struck with the friend.
! manner In which tho wounded Boer,
nd our men chatted together upon the
experiences Of the campaign. It de-
GIFTED me to see our soldiers sharir"