The Somerset reporter., 1900-02-22
The south African War.

The war "ffice announced, Friday, that
General French reached Kimberley,
Thursday evening. Following IL Lord
Roberts message To the war office:
"Jacobsdal, Feb. 10, 2 A. NJ French
with force of artillery, cavalry and
mounted infantry reached Kimberley
/ Thursday evening"
Gen. Roberts also sent the following
dispatch;
"Jacobsdal, Feb. IL i have good
reason to believe the Magersfontein
trenches have been abandoned and that
the Beers are endeavoring to escape
zen. French is securing the country
north of Kimberley One of Gen KEEL
ly Kennys brigades of infantry is in pur-
suit of large Boer convey towards
! Bloemfontein
| General French in command of the
cavalry divisions and with strong force
of horse artillery left Modder river, Sun
day morning, for Rambam, IL miles east
of Enslin, where the whole division con
centrated. The next day he made a
rapid march to Riet river, where party
| OF Beers contested his passage at Dekiel
and Waterfall drifts. After some hours
Smelling Gen. French drove the Beers
away and crossed the river.
Tuesday, the column continued its
march to Kip and Rondaval drifts on
the Modder river, where again a short
engagement ensued, General French
Smelling the Beers vigorously and fore.
ing passage. The Beers precpitately
retired, leaving five laagers in the hands
of the British, besides a great quantity
of cattle and 2000 sheep
The rapdity of General French 4
march and the overwhelming nature of
his force enabled him in spite of the
difficulties of water transportation, to
thoroughly Uutwit and surprise the
Bocrs The British casualties were
slight.
1t appears from advices that the loot
captured by the burghers, sunday,
near Koffyfontein, included 300 head
of cattle and a number of wagons, Is
of which were loaded with provisions
intended for the relief of Kimberly. A
number of prisoners were also taken.
Heavy fighting was reported, Monday
around Kimberly, where Gen. Cr1nje
WAS said to be holding his own.
The bombardment of the Boer posi-.
ton on Hlangwana hill was continuous,
Monday, and fighting is still'proceeding,
! at q o'clock Tuesday morning. 1t is said
that the British have captured lOC
prisoners.
Lord Roberts has issued proclama-
ton to the burghers of the Orange Free
State say ing that he feels it his duty
to make known to all the burghers the
cause of the coming of the British as
well as to do all in his power to termi.
nate the devastation caused by the war;
aud that he issues the proclamation in
order that if the burgheIs continue
| fighting they may not do 30 ignorantly
but with full knowledge of their re.
sponsibility before God for the lives
lost in the campaign.
Butler is hard at work trying to make
some impression upon the Beers works
along the rugela and drove the small
force on the south bank across the
river capturing supplies and a few
prisoners.
There was continuous fighting, Mon
day from Buffers positions on Gun hill
and Hussar hill. The troops advanced
from the foime towards Monte Christie
There was heavy bombardment with
three inch guns and the one hundred
FOUNDER seige gun, supported by infau.
try, against the Boer position on Hang
wane hill which adjoins Monte Christie
and is regarded as the key to Grober's
kloof. The firing was particularly &C
tive from Hussar hill on the strong Boe1
entertainments at the extreme end OF
Hlangwane hill. These entrenchments
were strengthened with sand bags
Although the rapid march of Gen
French's division was marked by a mum
Der of conflicts his actual entry int,
Kimberley was unopposed. When the
British were still eight miles off the sig
mailing corps intercepted a helograpl
message from the beleaguered garrison
to Modder river, SAYING
1.-THE Beers are Smelling the town"
The advancing column Replied
This is General French. coming II
the relief of Kimberley"
The garrison was incredulous ant
thought the message was a Boer rust
and flashed the query
"What regiment are you?"
The reply satisfied the defenders o
Kimberley that the anxiously awaited
succor was at hand and few hour
later Gen. French, at the head of a col
umn, made triumphant entry into III,
place, the people surrounding the troop
anu Win lh0tu
Repairs To the railway have sufficient
ly advanced to enable the dispatch, Mon
day. of the first train to Kimberley
laden with coal. After that the miltar,
requirements will be the first consdera
ton; second, food stuff and then pas
sengers, the train for the last of whicl
it is anticipated will start on Wednesda
or Thursday.
The Beers have evacuated Colensu
south of the Tugela river, as Butler
capture of Hlangwane Hill rendered i
untenable.
Gen. Cronj is said to be in danger o
capture by Lord Roberts forces.
Memorial Service.
Russell Relief Corps will hold
/ IL III,