The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-16

London, February 15-4:z0 a. m.-The
British army, for the first time since
the war began, is inside the Boer from
tier. Lord Roberts, with at least 49,
COO infantry, 1000 cavalry and $50 guns,
has turned the Magersfontein lines be-
fore which the British forces have
been encamped foI ten weeks, and,
with half of his corps, he is already
operating on Free State territory
a battle has not yet been fought, but
large tactical advantages have been
gained. The relief of Kimberley is
within measurable reach, and the way
to Bloemfontein is appreciably easier
The dispatches of Lord Roberts
sketch three days work. The forward
movement began on Sunday, when Col
Onel Hannay set out with a brigade of
mounted infantry for Ramah, on the
Riet, eight miles from JacobsdaI, one
of tbc Boer supply bases
On Monday General French, with the
cavalry division, seized the crossing of
the Riet river at Dekib drift south of
JacobSdal and eighteen miles east of
Honey Nest kloOf. He skirmished with
the Beers and cleared the way for 20
600 infantry who followed across
General French has now fixed him
self on General Cronje's main line of
communications with BloemfOntein and
10000 infantry, with seventy-two guns,
are being pushed up to support him
there.
Lord Roberts dispatches wired from
inside the Free State and on the Riet
river, left him Wednesday morning
His advance had not been opposed by
the Beers in force. Their patrols melt
ed away as the British moved forward
The BOer army is likely to be felt in
day or two, and a battle is conse-
quently imminent.
AS to what forces General Cronje has
now at his disposal, and as to where
he purposes making a stand against
the Invaders no one here connected
with the war office knows anything.
The forces Immediately at the dis
pOsal of Lord Roberts are placed at
$4,000, in a general way. The incidents
at RenSburg have been seen out of all
proportion Merely skeleton lines were
maintained there, while the British
were being secretly and rapidly con-
centrated on the MOdder river. The fa-
cility with which 10000 men have al
ready been sent beyond the rail ter
4 minus shows that Lord Kitchener has
; been fully successful in organizing
transports. He is now supposed to be
down the line, sending forward more
troops and getting together more
transport. About five miles of OK and
mule wagon trains are estimated for
each division. so that Lord Kitchener,
who is reputed to have more skill than
circus manager in handling field
transports, has immense labors in
hand.
BOERS BUILD MORE ENTRENCH-
MENTS.
London. February 1.-THE Daily Tel
egraph has received the following. dat
ed Tuesday, from its special corre-
SpOndent at Frere:
'On Sunday the Beers advanced
down the Ladysmith road toward Pot
gieter's. Three hundred men on horse
back, with others, proceeded to point
where they began to construct new
rows of trenches at right angles to the
road. This was about two miles north
of the drift.
"A party of Beers also crossed the
TugeIa, now very low. about six miles
below Potgieter's drift. where they
snfped the South African Light Horse,
who repulsed them
London, February 14.-The following
dispatch has been received at the war
office, from General Roberts:
''Reft River, Tuesday, February 13-
Colonel Hannay, in command of bri-
gade of mounted infantry, marching
from Orange river to Ramah, had a
slight engagement February 11th (Sun-
day. with the Beers holding the hills
and threatening his right flank With
a detached part of his force Colonel
Hannay entertained the enemy while
he pushed his baggage and main body
through to Ramah. The object of the
march was successfully carried out.
Four men were killed. twenty-five
We're wounded and thirteen are miss
ing"
The war office has issued the fol-
lowing further message from Lord
Roberts, received this evening:
"Dekib's Drift, February 14.-Gen-
eral French left This point at 1880
o'clock yesterday morning with three
brigadee OF cavalry, horse artillery and
mounted infantry, including several
colonial coRtingents, in order to sieze
a crossing OF the Modder river, distant
about twenty-five miles. He reports
by dispatch, dated 5:35 p. m. that he
has forced a passage Of Clip drift and
occupied the hills north OF the river,
Capturing three of the enemy's laagers,
with their supplies, while General Cor
don. Of the Fifteenth Hussars, with his
brigade who had made feint at Ron
deva1 drift, four miles west, has sfezed
it and a second drift between that and
Clip drift, together with two more laa-
gers.
"GeneraI French's performance is
brilliant, considering the excessive
heat and a binding dust storm which
ragged during the latter part OF the
day. Owing to the rapidity Of his
movements, General French met with
but slight opposition and his losses
were small. Lieutenant Johnson, or
the InniskiIling dragons, is the only
officer reported severely wounded
THE Sixth division was last night
on the north bank of the Reit, at wat
ervaI drift, and is moving to support
the cavalry. The Seventh division Is
here and will go on this afternoon.