Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-06-15
ROBERTS FIGHTS BOTHA.
BOBS LEAv.S THE FIELD WITH
BOTHA UNpEFEATED,
The British Commander Line Of
communication Practically Re-
stored-Methuen and Hftcheuer
Gain a Complete Victory over Gen.
erai Dewrt-AlI Quiet at Pretoria
and Johannesburg.


dispatch from Lord Roberts clearing up
the situation at Pretoria and along the
communications stands alone. Military
observers, noting that no mention Is
made of prisoners, assume that Gener-
| al Dewet got away with his forces
| practically intact.
| General Butler entered Volksrust
| Wednesday. passing through Charles
| ton and encamped near Laings Mex
| The tunnel was not much damaged.
Both ends We're blown up, but the en-
| gineers think that repairs can be effect
| ed in about four days.
The advance troops Of General Bull
ler saw the Boer rear guard, four miles
| distant yesterday. It was estimated
| that 5000 Beers were withdrawing. The
toWnspeople at Ermelo counted fifteen
guns.
Three hundred Free Staters, released
| from guarding VanReenen's Pass, have
| gone to join President Steyn's COM
mando in the Eastern part of Orange
| River Colony. General Rumble has sent
| notice to the Free Staters that, unless
they surrender by June 18th, their
farms and other possessions will bs
confscated.
President Kruger, according to a dis
patch from Lorenzo Marques, keeps a
locomotive with steam up attached to
the car in which he concentrates the
executive offices of the government
and he intends to leave Machadodorp
soon to establish the Transvaal capital
at Mel Spruit in the mountains, a fine
defensive region.
It is again reported at Lorenzo
"a ho pr;t
through Swasaland Lord Roberts, It
appears, however, countermanded the
order given to Strathconas Horse to
land on the coast and to penetrate to
the TransVaal through the Swasi coun-
try.
London, June 13.-After a weeks silence
Lord Roberts has been heard from, his
line of communica tions having been prac-
tically restored by means of a complete
victory gained by Generals Methuen and
Kitchener over General Dewet at the
Rhenoster river yesterday, June 18th. The
Boer camp was captured and the burgh-
ers, it is added, were scattered in ali di-
rections.
Lord Roberts, on being notified Of the
cutting of his line of communications
sent General Kitchener in all haste to Join
General Methuen. June 18th Lord Rob-
erts attacked General Botha, who was in
strong force, fifteen miles southeast Of
Pretoria. After strenuous opposition, the
British forces gained considerable
ground, but General Botha, when Lord
Roberts left the field, was still undefeat-
ed.
All is quiet at Pretoria and Johannes
burg, and Lord Roberts says the govern
ment need have no apprehension about
the security of the army in South Africa,
as it will not take long to remedy the
reVerses and repair the railroad.
oh I'd ed fn ha
War Office by Major-General Knox, from
Kroonstad, presumably sent there by
messenger, reads as follows:
KrOonstad, June 12-We have been ro-
quested to forward you from Lord Rob-
erts the following dispatch from the Pre-
toria presidency at sos a. m. to-day:
Pretoria. June 12-Pretoria and Johan-
nesburg are perfectly quiet and several OF
the inha bitants have expressed gratitude
for the peace and order which prevail.
After surrendering the city Botha retired
to a place about fifteen miles east on the
Middleburg road. He had q small fierce
at first, but during the last few days his
numbers increased and his being so nea,
the town kept up the excitement in t.
country. prevented the burghers fr
laying down their arms, and interfe
with the collection of supplies. 1t tt
fore became necessary to attack
This did yesterday. He held :,
strong position, practically unassaij
in front, which enabled him to plas
main portion of his troops his
which he knew from former exp.
were his vulnerable parts. I sent
with Porter's and Dixon's cav
gades and Hutton's mounte
round by our left and Ian Hs
Broadwood and Gordon's
gade round by our right.
met with great opposition.
the afternoon I saw two