Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-16
THE WAR IN
SOUTH AFRICA.
Continued from Page I.

A third dispatch, dated from kemPs
Farm. May 10. says:
''Dundonald reported late last night
that he had driven the rear guard on
to the main body of the enemy near
Buralindcn. where they occupied i'll
force strong Position with three pow
erful guns. Major Cough, with the
composite regiment. manOeuvred 10 the
right round their left flank, and they
retired. Dunlonald then halted. He
was twenty-five miles from his previous
nights bivouac ana had covered nearly
forty miles during the day In n water
less country, most of the time riding
through smoke. l think his pursuit a
very fine performance. From prisoners
learn that the enemy numbered over
1000 at Helpmakaar and being now
Joined by those who left Van Jonders
Pass, they must total nearly 5000 men.
I'VE move OH Dundee to-day.
"H!ldyard reports the occupation of
Vessels Mex ard is repairing the line"
Lorenzo Marques, May 15.-Telegrp
received here report very heavy fight
Ing at MafelSing. Pretoria reports that
Mafeting has fallen and the Neither
lands Railroad Company has issued
statement that Colonel Baden Powell
mas captured Il large force of Beers.
war bulletin posted ut Pretoria
Nav II announced that the British were
advancing TO the relief of Mafeking
Mazeru. Basutoland. May ia por-
ton of Brabants Horse occupied Lady
brand to-day and another portion is
pushing OH to Clocolan
BATTLE OF RIETSPRUIT.
London. May ia report was re-
ccived last night that the British had
crossed one of the lower drifts. At 6
o'clock this morning the first cannon
shot proclaimed the opening OF the
battle. The British hosts could be seen
advancing in solid masses. Their cav
airy hung on our TANKS. Their infan-
try was less easily discerniblc in the
grass. The Sky was clouded with smoke
from the burning veldt
The fighting began at Philip Bo.ha's
position above the railway bridge Brit
ish field battery pushed across the river
and bombarded the kopjes Philip Botha
was holding so heavily that they APP
peared to be handicapped from the
bursting shrapncl. Under cover Of this
cannonade the British cavalry adj
vanced but they met with so hot q re-
ception that they had to retire.
In the meantime the British cavalry
had crossed the river, moving straight
north. General Botha threw the Stand
derton burghers. with battery OF can
non to head them OF The burghcrs
got the advantage and captured four
teen OF the British. Unfortunately, lust
at this time, about II O'clock, the CEN
ter of the burghers gave way without
cause. Upon this Philip Botha and all
the others gave way. The Standderton
ana Bethel commanders. with the Irish
brigade covered the retreat to Kroon-
stad.
Otherwise than In the retreat from
Brands fort ana the Vet river the Brit
ish pressed hard on the retreating
Burghers. All our cannon and COM
missariat were brought out, and, so far
as is known. our casualties were con-
fined 10 a dozen wounded
London, May 1.-THE War Office has
received the following from Lord
Roberts. dated kroonstad, May Is,
p. m:
Baden Powell reports, under date OF
May Z, all going well. Fever Is de-
creasins; the garrison is cheerful, and
the food will last until about June TO-"
FIGHTING AT MATEKING
London, May ia dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Lorenzo Marquee,
dated Tuesday, says:
There is now no doubt that there was
desperate fighting at Mafcking Satur-
day, but it is believed 10 have gone in
favor of the garrison. All that can be
ascertained of a reliable character fol-
lows:
Inc BoerS, using artillery, attacked
the town Saturday. Very soon the
Kaflir location was in flames, some say
as the result of shell fire. others as the
result Of trcachery. Fighting at close
quarters became general, and. in the
midst OF the confusion, the Beers gain
ed possession of the Kanr location.
from which point OF vantage they
brought guns to bear on the town at
close range.
"By an adrolt move, the garrison, de-
spite its attenuatcd numbers, succeeded
in actually surrounding the party of
Beers who. had captured the Kanir To-
cation. Severe lighting followed, but.
according to The latest reports the
Beers still hold the location, in which
they are probably surrounded.
The truth is [ believe that the Pre-
toria authorities, knowing the progress
of the relief column, gave orders to
General Snymnn to storm the place.
AS soon MS the location was in flames
Boer bulletins Of victory were flying
about everywhere TO encourage the
weak kneed Burghers. Beers who came
down here yesterday from Pretoria pro-
duced for the edihcation of ncrcdulous
Britishcrs two kilograms by officials.
one of which was signed by Snyman.
said:
II was lucky enough to CAPTURE
Baden-Powell with nine hundred this
morning"
There is no doubt about the heavy
fipbtirp tplnoro,,, f-o,,