The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-23

LONDON. May 2S.-Aceording to the lat
est advices from the seat of war in the
Orange Free state, Ian Hamilton reached
Heilbron Yesterday and occupied the town
after several fights with the Beers. The
hurghers, under Commandant Christopher
De Wet, are retiring before Hamilton,
whose force has suffered seyenty-fve cas-
ualties during the advance.
General Roberts has reached Honing
Spruit. and his latest official dispatches are
dated from that point AS Roberts in
fantry left Kroonstad on Monday il is be-
lieved that they are near Hamilton at
Heilbron.
Although a despatch from Honing
Spru5t says that General French has cross
ed the Rhenoster River. there is some
doubt about this as the Beers are reported
to have been strongly enrenched there
and prepared for a desperate resistance.
The latest despatch received from Cen
eral Roberts today includes an official re-
port from Baden-PoweIl on the relief of
Mafeking. and also records the successful
advance Of Ian Hamilton. 1t follows:
"Honing Spruit. May 22.-The fol-
lowing has been received from Baden
Powell dated May L:
d" 1 beg to inform you that Mafe-
king was successfully relieved today.
The northern and southern columns
Joined hands on May 10 and attacked
the enemy on May Is. After a smart
engagement the enemy was completely
defeated with loss. The British cas-
ualties were three killed and twenty
two wounded. The relieving forces
marched into MafCking at o'clock
this morning and the relief and de-
fence force combined moved out and
attacked the encmy's head laager and
shelled them out. They nearly cap
tured Snyman. took one gun, a flag,
and a large amount OF ammuuitions
stores, etc Five dead and fifteen
wounded Beers we're found. The enemy
appeared to be retiring in all direc-
tions except one commando. which
was lying low, possibly to cover the
retreat OF the remainder.
"' The tOwnspe0ple and the garrison
OF Mafeking are heartily grateful for
their relief
Ian Hamilton reached Heiibron tbs
morning, after a series Of engagements
with the Beers under Commandant
Christopher De Wet, who is retiring
before him
"Broadwood has captured fifteen
BOeT wagons.
There have been seventy-fve cas-
ualties among Hamntons men.
I'VE marched here this morning
ROBERTS"
A despatch from HeiIbron, under tOday's
date. says:
when Heilbron was occupied by the
British. General BrOadwood observed a
large Boer convoy leaving in a northwes-
terly direction. After a brilliant, stern
chase and shelling OF the Beers with POM
poms and cannon. General Broadwood out
nanked them and captured thirteen wagons
and nine prisoners. There we're no easu-
alties among the British"
Heilbron. which Gen. Ian Hamilton S
force occupied yesterday, is fifty miles
north of Kroonstad and is only thirty
miles from the Yaal River. This an
nouncement would indicate that none of
the British force are yet north Of he Wal
River.
A despatch from Cape Town says: The
Beers are reported to be preparing for {
desperate stand at Rhenoster River and
Rhenoster Kop. They are building stone
forts, blasting gun emplacements, and dig
ging trenches.
They are mounting guns. including. it /!
said, several 100-pOunder Creusots. Tn;
report that Roberts cavalry has crossed
the Vaal is not confirmed"
despatch from Honing SpTuit. dated
May % C7.30 p NJ, says: "A resident o.
this place has shown a sketch which h
claims discloses the Boer position at th,
Rhenoster wagon laager. East Of the rail
way the fighting position. or what would
naturally be the fighting position, is un-
occupied. On the west Of the railway, il
is said. there are 12.G00 Beers, with Efteer
guns. including one long Tom. The Boers
are not entrenched, but their position af-
fords natural cover. All the bridges have
been blown up.
''Commandant Vessels has rendered tho
submission of himself ard his men,"