The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-06-14
ADVANCE OF BULLER
British General Captures an I'm
portant Pass.


marked on the map, but is the last de-
file to Charleston flats. The enemy were
in considerable force, with several guns
in position. The brunt of the fighting
fell upon the Second Dorsets, who carried
the position at the point of the bayonet,
and the Third cavalry brigade, who were
heavily attacked on our right from very
broken country round Iketini mountain.
hope our casualties are less than 10O
which, considering the extreme length
OF the position, is much less than | ex-
pected.
"The whole attack was directed b.
Hildyard. whose dispositions were ex-
tremely good. The artillery, Tenth brig
ade, and Third cavalry brigade did
most of the work"
Beers Defeated Near RoOdeYaI.
The war Office has received the fol-
lowing dispatch front Gen. Kelly
Kenny:
"Bloemfontein, June 12.--Our troops
from the north are at Honingspruit (south
of Roodeval, where the Beers cut the
British lines of communication, having
defeated the enemy. They will be at
America Siding tomorrow at eight a. m.
Evacuated by Beers.
London, June 13.-The war Office has
issued the following:
Butler, to the Secretary of war-"Jou-
bert's Farm June II, 5:l2 y. m.-Encamped
four miles north of Volksrust. Laings
Mex and Majuba were completely evacu-
ated by the Beers last night. Gen. Clery,
from IngOgo, is now coming over the Mex.
/ have had TO camp here for want OF wa
ter"
News Is Encouraging.
London, June 13.--Two pieces OF
news encouraging to the British in the
official dispatches are that the broken
communication of Lord Roberts are in
a fair way to be mended by the forces
moving northward and southwark and
driving off the rowing commanders, and
ttnat Sir fedivers B6ufief is at itst mus
ter of Laing's mex.
'Telegraphic communication with
Lord Roberts is expected to be re-
stored to-day, as a dispatch from
Bloemfontein, dated yesterday, says
that the railway is in British posses
sion again, and that the work of re-
pairing the line is going on rapidly,
with the abundant material ware.
housed at Bloemfontein.
From the subjoined telegram it
would appear that Gen. Hunter was in
command of the troops referred to by
Gen. Kelly-Kenny in his dispatch from
Bloemfontein:
"Bloamfontein. June 12.--Gen. Hunter Is
coming up rapidly from the northwest,
having severely defeated large COM
mando of Beers who had destroyed two
miles of railway north OF kroonstad."
A Boer Version.
The Boer government is also issuing
news cheering to its sympathizers.
The following bulletin, the Boer ver-
sion of the disaster to the Derbyshires,
was posted by President Kruger Sun
day at Machadodorp:
ION June four divisions of burghers,
commanded by Steenkamp Froneman,
Quploy, Fourie and Hell attacked the
British at RoodevaT, killed 200, took 200
prisoners and captured immense stores
of food and ammunition, Maxim gun
and 1000 lyddite shells. Some food was
taken by the Boer farmers and the rest
was burned. The English mail was taken.
The burghers attacked from the open
veldt, and gave evidence of unprecedent-
gen. Dewet's Work.
Gen. De Wet was also fighting or
June 2, whether at Roodeval or else
where is not clear, but the Boer war
office gives it out that he captured
1900 suits of clothing, blankets, gloves
boots, etc. Being unable to carry
them with him ia his rapid sweep
through the country. according to the
TransYaal war Office, he burned the
whole mass. Gen. De Wet has also re-
ported that he put,1 900 British out OF
action and destroyed property valued
at 100000. As Lord Methuen is off,
cially described as fighting on June Z
it is possible that he was engaging
Gen. De Wet.
Alleged 0fsers to End War.
According to a,dispatch to the Daily
Express from Machadodorp, dated
June 10, via Lourenz Marques, those
around President Kruger say that
Louis Botha and Delarey have been of,
fered, indirectly, 10000 year to lay
down their arms, and President Kruger
expects the same offer to be. made to
himself, President Steyn and De Wet
President Kruger believes that the
British make these offers to close the
war on the principle that il would cost
less than to fight it out.
Other Gossip.
A dispatch from Lourenzo Marques
says that $4,000 Beers are reported to
be retiring on Middleburg from various
quarters, and that, after wedding out
the faint-hearted, 10000 steadfast men
are still left.
Gen Butler was unable on Monday
to follow up the Beers from lack OF
cavalry, as well as water. The dis
patches describe him as fighting q
spirited advance over a rugged field
under prolonged rifle fire. The Beers
had two guns, which they got away
Few dead or wounded Beers were
found. 1t seems probable that the
major portion of the Beers had with.
drawn before the advance began.
Lord Methuen, Gen. Rumble and Gen
Brabant are reported TO have 1900
men and so guns engaged in inclosing
the Beers in the eastern part of Orange
river colony.
Latest Estimate of British Losses,
The war effice casualty returns Np to
June aggregate 23,664, besides roe of,
ficers and 1885 men sent home as in.
yalids, but not including the sick in
South African hospitals
n