Iron County register., 1900-05-10
Lord Roberts Evidently Losing Nc
Time in Pressing the Re-
tiring Beers.
APPARENTLY MOVING IN FULL FORCE.
The British Have q Rough Country
to Traverse and Are Likely 10 be
Considerably Harrassed Before
They Capture Their Next Objec-
tive.

| Carew's division. Headquarters anu
| Wavell's brigade, of the seventh divi-
sion, are two miles in the rear. Max
wells brigade, of the same division, is
+he same distance to our right.
BivouackinG NeoF the River Vet.
''The enemy are in considerable
strength on the opposite bank of the
river. Our guns engaged theirs for
some three hours without our being
able TO force passage of the river,
but, shortly before dusk the mounted
infantry, under Gen. Hutton, turned
the cnemy's right, and in a very dash
ing manner, pushed across the river
under heavy shell and musketry fire.
I'VE are now bivouacking for the
night within three miles of Vet river.
Our casualties, L hope, are not numer.
GUS.
The Enemy Fled.
Hamilton was in action yesterday,
and succeeded in preventing a junction
of two Boer forces by a well-executed
movement by some of the Household
cavalry, the Twelfth lancers aud
Kitchener's horse, who charged body
of the enemy, and inflicted serious
loss. The enemy fed, leaving their
dead on the field and their wounded
to be attended by our doctors.
''McDonald's Highland brigade dis
lodged the enemy on the right flank,
under cover of the naval guns, in
which operation the Black Watch dis
ting guished themselves, and were very
skilfully led.
IL
ins to difficult drift over the Kleinoet
river.
Barton's Brigade Heavily Engaged.
Hunter reports that Barton's bri-
gade was heavily engaged this morn
ing two miles north of Rooidan. The
enemy's position was quite four miles
long, and strongly held. He states
that our men marched magnifcently.
anG carried ridge after ridge in grand
style.
Casualties in this force, in Hamil-
toms and Hunters, will be reported as
soon as possible.
"Capt. Miller, who was taken prison.
er near Thaba N'Chu, has been sent to
Rundle's camp by the enemy, with a
severe wound in the abdomen.
BrutaIIy Treated by the Beers.
'Brabant reports that one sergeant
and three men were captured, on May
2, while on patrol, and that one OF
them, who had been brutally ill-treat-
ed and left for dead by the Beers, was
found the following day.
Lieut.. Lilley, Victoria mounted
rifles, reported missing, was found 1T
Brandfort dangerously wounded, and
has been most carefully attended by
the Netherlands ambulance"
The Fight at the Vet River.
Yesterday the British, after a long
march, encountered the Beers holding
Vet river with six guns, two being of
Ions range. An artillery duel ensued.
Meanwhile Gen. Hutton, after a sharp
engagement, crossed the river on the
left just before sunset. The Beers re-
treated during the night.
An Artillery Duel.
Gen. Pole-Carew started, yesterday,
on a 19-mile march. He first came into
contact with Beers holding the river at
i D. m. The British soon had two bat
teries in action, and later they added
two naval nine-pounders, two AZ and
hVc-lnch siege guns.
''The Beers fired with great ac-
curacy, and the duel continued una
bated with terrible din, until sunset,
and even later there was desultory fir
ing. 1t was marvellous that nobody on
the British side was injured.
Forced the Beers to Fall Back.
Gen. Hutton started early to find the |
drift west. When this was discovered |
it proved to be strongly held and pro-
tected by two guns. The British speed |
ily engaged the Beers, who enfiladed |
the dismounted firing line with a |
Maxim, but Gen. Hutton pushed for
ward his own pom pom and gallop- |
ing Maxim, and forced the Beers 10 |
eave the river bed.
The encounter was terribly hot. |
Later the whole British force crossed |
the river, threatening the Boer right.
The Beers must have received about |
the same time news of Gen. Hamil-
toms occupation of Winburg.
Brilliant Capture by Australians.
About sunset a detachment of 90
Australians, who had crept unseen to-
ward the river bed, found themselves
near a kopje occupied by the Beers.
After firing they fixed bayonets, and
charged, capturing the koLje. All
Vas done on their own initiative.
The Whole Boer Force Had Fled.
Thus night fell. Early this morn,
Eg it was discovered that whole Boer
.orce had fed. Gen. Hutton, during
he night, had got two squadrons to
blow up the line near Swaldsel.
The British discovered, yesterday,
1t every hundred yards along the rail-
way concealed small packets of high
explosives. The Beers had destroyed
lere and Brandfort, but in every case
[ was impossible to make q detour.
The Beers appear to be fighting with
much less spirit. 1t is reported they
re commanded by Gen. Lucas Meyer
Barton Driving the Beers.
Warrenton, Sunday, May 6.-Yester-
lay Gen. Barton drove from two to
hree thousand Beers from hilly po-
ition at Rooidan, where they awaited
hem. They retreated after stiff fight
ng, leaving a number of dead on the
ield. The British casualties were
light. Gen. Barton is still pursuing
Vindsorton and Klipdam have been
vacuated.
Gen. Paget's brigade is attacking the
soer position at Warrenton. The en-
,agement yesterday was severe, last.
ng from a. M till p. m.