The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-10
'B|:OERS ASSAULT
A GEN. BRABANT.
Three Commanders Are
FierceIy Attacking the
British Force. j

IuOuSduu COloillal troops dIC cut OIL
from communication with the other
British divisions, and apparently
surrounded by the Beers in great
numbers.
1t is realized in official and mill.
tary circles here that there is ex-
IRENE danger Of another big Brit
ish disaster. The news OF Brabant
capture would not be viewed exact
ly in the light of surprise.
The retirement OF the Irish Rifles
from Rockville to Aliwal North
leaves General Brabant's division
entirely Unsupported, and, while it
is said to occupy astrong defensive
position, tits probably powerless to
advance and unable to retreat.
The Times published the follow
ing from Wepener, dated Sunday,
April 8:
The Wepener garrison is practi-
cally isolated. However, the lines
are enormously strong and the force
is fully provisioned.
"Desultory firing between out
posts continues. a commando es-
timated at 1000 with four guns,
went into five miles from here, in
ehe direction of Dewetsdrop.
"A lieutenant of Brabant's horse
has been captured at Rockville by
Beers who had previously surrend-
cred. The landrost is also said to
have broken his oath.
klManu poarc wlc had ,1rao6 "
taken the non-combatants oath.
are reforming their old commanders.
A dispatch from Maseru, dated
Saturday, April 7, says:
General Brabants Colonials are
now mostly at Wepener. They are
splendid force. capable of great
striking power and used to cross
country riding. a squadron of
Brebant's Horse captured 40 rifles
near Wepener. His outposts are
reported to be in touch with the
Eoe-A and fight is imminent. -
President reports are being cir
4alatcd that the Beers are prepar-
ing to flank the British position at
Wepener, and thus to secure EN-.
trance into Basutoland. Such an
attempt will be resisted by the
Basutoland government, which, it
is believed, has made quiet pre-
parations. Meanwhile the ap.
proach of the armies to Basutoland
produces much excitement among
the natives, necestating the ut
Most vigilance on the part OF the
local officials.
Lieutenant General Sir Henry
Kundlc. commander OF the Eighth
division, has been ordered to KIM
tcrley on special daty.
The amazing activity Of the Beers
southeast and southwest of Blocm-
g. fontein continues, the Bocr COM
nands seemingly coming and go
ing throughout wide region as
they please, but taking good care
not TO throw themselves against
strong bodies Of the British.
The railway and telegraph are
working. Works and trenches
have been prepared in suitable
positions around Bloemlontein. The
greatest vigilance is expected.
Some the troops sleep in trenches.
Confirmation has been received
III the report that the Bocrs are in
Iaagcr in considerable force, with
gnns. at Donkersport. eighteen
miles southeast. The British scouts
report another body still closer.
The Bocr patrols have grown very
daring, vcnturing much nearer our
tents.
The Bocrs who were inasNed last
week near Ladybrand to number of
10000 after seizlng Thaba N'Chu
aud the Moddcr river water works,
broke up into strong divisions, and
they are now raiding in the south
Of the Free State, reoccupying the
small towns which were evacuated
b. the British.
Aliwal North, April 10. Heavy
lighting was continued at Wcpcner
this morning.
The result is unknown.
Three Boer commandos are at
lacking the town.
An engagement took place yes
terday at Wepencr. The Beers
Vikcrs--Maxim did considerable
execution at first, but the British
guns soon got the range and did
great havoc
The fighting was severe and
LASTED all day long. The Beers re-
cejycd a check. The casualties
were rather heavy on both sides.
Another commando is advancing
toward Wepcner from Dcwet $
Drop.
The RoNyilIe commando went to
Wepcner.
pictermaritzburg, April 10
Heavy cannonading commenced
this morning in the vicinity of
Elandslaagtc.
London, April ~. The Times"
has despatch dated Wepencr,
April !, which reports that the gar
rison there is practically isolate ed
but the British lines are enormous
ly strong and the town is fully PRO-
,isioncd.
Colonel Dalgctty is in command.
A commando of 1000 men, with
four guns, laagercd five miles from
Wcpener, in the direction OF Dewets-
drop, on Saturday.
A despatch from East London
reports great block OH the rail
wayto Boemfontein. The military
authorities will not allow even food
stuffs to pass over the line. The
dispatch adds that another hospi-
tai corps has been landed and will
70 to the front as quickly as pos
sible.