The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-13
COMPLETELY SURPRISED BY GENERAL
ROBERTS MOVEMENT.
THEY MAKE NO RESISTANCE.
British Flank Those Posted South of
n Modder and They Hastily Flee.
The Other Wing Then Forced to
Abandon Its Position. After "a sharp
Contest Pursued by French Hor-
rible Condition of the Besieged in
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for Peace.

oSlOnIeln, e0neSOdE, MATCH -
Lord Roberts movement today again
thoroughly surprised. outwitted and
out the Beers, who fled
almost without firing a shot. The plan
of battle was as follows: Genera Col
ville's division extended along the north
bank; General Tucker held the enter
reserve, and the Guards brigade had
the center advance. General Kelly
Kenny's division went forward to
make a huge fianking movement on
the Boer left, following General French
who was instructed to move southeast
until opposite the Boer flank, and then
to swing around the rear.
Every movement was admirably ex-
ecuted and entirely successful. The
Beers were surprised, as was evident
from the state of the deserted camps.
Twice the British cavalry were almost
in a position to charge, out they admit
that they were foiled by the maneuver-
ing of the Beers. When last seen, Gen.
eral French was pursuing the enemy
vigorously. He was between them and
Bloemfontein, about eleven miles from
the right wing.
General Colville merely demonstrat-
| tu against the nlSn mountain occupied
by the TranSvaal troops who are now
fleeing, in consequence of the flight
of the Free Skaters south of the river.
1t is impossible at present to give the
Boer numbers, but it is estimated that
they reach IA, 900, all of whom are now
in flight.
The Ninth Lancers attempted to get
close to the Beers right, with the OBJ
ject of charging, but the Beers came
out in great force and the LancerS
were compelled to retire. A battery was
then sent forward to hold the enemy in
| check, while the Grahamstown volun-
teers and a company of mounted in
fantry. supported by another battery,
engaged the Beers on their right flank.
The Beers fired shell, falling short.
however, and they made a stubborn
defence on the kopje on our right, en-
flading the battery and killing eigh-
teen of the battery horses. The mount
ed infantry gradually repealed the
Beers and the battery then toe a po-
sition and expelled them from their
lager in confusion.
The Beers held a strong position on
the north bank of the river, but the
flight from the southern bank COMPEL
ed them to retreat. They showed great
adroltneSS in removing the wagons and
displayed a bold front while the rest
of the force was busy in-spanning.
General French's division consisted
of three brigadeS of cavalry, two of
mounted infantry and seven horse bat
terieS.
BOERS ENTRENCHING AT BIG
GARSBURG.
Ladysmith, March S.-The Beers are
report that all the Natal Dutch farm
ers have fed from the surrounding
country.
London. March S.-The Daily News
max the following editorial an
n~ouncement: 1T was rumOred in Lon
don yesterday-and We have some rea-
son for believing the rumor to be cor
rect-that the two republics made in
formal and unofficial overtures of
peace on the preceding day. Unfor-
tunately, the conditions suggested
were of such a character as to preclude
the possibility Of leading to any result.
Terms which might have been gladly
accepted before the war, in order to
avert it, are impossible after the war,
with all the sacrifices it has entailed.'
London, March S.-Lord Roberts tel
egraphed the war office today as fol-
lows:
Poplar Grove, March S.-Two bri-
gades Of cavalry, with horse artillery
n Kelly-kenny's division, marched
today ten miles eastward.
THE Beers were quite taken by SUR
prise yesterday. They moved off SC
hurriedly that they left cooked dinners
behind. We captured a Krupp gun and
several tents and wagons.
"Gatacre reports that he intends oc-
cupying Burghersdorp today.
Repairs to the railways towards
both Stormberg and ~Steynsburg are
being pushed.
Clements now occupies Norvals
pont, on the south bank of the Orange
river. The bridge was blown US March
9Th n the enemy are holding the
north bank of the river, but not. it is
believed, in any great strength"
Mafeking, February 19.-Horse meal
now composes a considerable part OF
our rationS. There is little grumbling
The first pinch of the siege is over anC
the town has settled grimly to stick il
out. What may be typhoid malaria
has broken out in the women's lager
and ~dysentery, due to the absence Of
vegetables, is rife among the garrison
We are thrown upon ou-
Such luxuries as we had are exhausted
or have been Communicated, for tht
hospitals, which are filled to overflow
ing. The children's graveyard, close t.
the women's laager, grows weekly a!
the young lives are cut short prema'
turely by shell and fever We look Will
hope deferred for relief.
The cheerfulneSS which was charac
~teristic of the early days of the siege
has almost deserted us, the men pre-
ferring to remain at their posts rath
er than move about and work up al
appetite which cannot be satisfied. TIL
natives are in the worst plight. Thos'
who are unable to obtain work are al
lowed a small handful of meal daily
Many, Drawing the danger, wande
about the town with gaunt and hun
cry faces in search of work which en-
titles them to an extra ration of meat
If they find work they are general,
, too weak to perform it.
From their advanced posts the Boer
rake the streets and the market square
1t is impossible to dodge their bul
lets. We have taken remarkable pre-
> cautions, however, n the ~casualtie:
though heavy, are not what they NIGH
have been had less able men been a
the head Of affairs.
Two hIrpdraH ond ptpofvtu.o Dorzo1