The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-05-28
BRITISH CLOSING
ON JOHANNESBURG
Exodus from the Transvaal
Towns Has Begun in
Earnest
HUNTER HAD HARD RACE
The Troops That Went to the Relief
of Mafeking Were in Con-
slant Touch with Large
Moving Force of
Beers.
HUNTER HAD HARD RACE

London. May 22-3:15 a. m.-Britlsh
horse:nen, according to a dispatch from
Lourenzo Marques, are now close to the
| Vaal river. within forty miles of johann
nesburg.
The migration from Pretoria has begun.
Women and children arc being sent in
trains to Machadadorp. on the way to
Lydenburg. Trains arc arriving at Lou
renzo Marques filled with passengers,
| among whom are many Germans, who
are bound for Europe.
Some details of Colonel Mahcn's MAIZE
king relief expedition are now coming
through from wayside points. 1t was one
long rush to Mafeking.
c. Il. Hands. The Daily Mail correspon-
dent, mentioned in Lord Roberts's dis
patch TO the war Office as dangerously
wounded IN the nghJ in the bush May
18th, sent his last message from VryburS.
May 9Th, by runner TO Kimberley, May
2lst He says:
The flying mounted column secretly
and swiftly organized by General Hunter.
started from Barkley and arrived here to-
night. covering l%a miles in five days. 1t
IS grand force of mounted men, imperial
ilght horse from Lady smith, the Kimber-
ley mounted corps. with royal horse ar
tillery ana rompOms and selected body
Of infantry from the FuSiier brigade. A
special equipment of light springed mule
transport completes this splendid force.
The force so equipped was enabled to
move with such rapidity that, although
this is a difficult country recurring vigil
liant scouting. the Beers were surprised
The column moved parallel with the en-
emys positions on the Vaal, at Roordam
and Fourteen Streams. actually getting
behind them without firing q shot So
close were we Sunday and Monday that
General Hunters balloon was visible and
his bOmDardment heard.
The route taken was between the Vaal
and the Hart rivers. then along the right
bank of the Dry Hart to point abreast
Of Taungs, ana thence to Pudimoe.
Roedeport and VryburS."
A correspondent with General Hunter
telegraphs as follows from Fourteen
Streams:
Colonel Mahon's relieving column left
Barkley West under secret orders May 9TH
and reached Nryburg May 18th. The
Beers marched on the right flank of the
British and q strange race followed Ma
hon pressing toward Mafekng with the
utmost speed consistent with keeping the
force in condition and the Beers hurrying
parallel in an effort to pass him and to
throw themselves across his path
THE Beers succeeded. Mahon then
turned west during the night The Beers
followed. overlook and attacked him in
the bush. but were beaten Off"
Then as Lord Roberts wired. Colonel
Mahon and Coionf Plumer united forces
at Jamasibi May lsth. and Mafelxing was
relieved three days later, under conditions
not yet known here. correspondent of
The Daily Express. says:
General Hunter devised and guided
the relief which was daringly executed by
Colonel Mahon."
Colonel Baden-Powell's hardest blow
to the besiegers was the capture of Com
mandant Sarel Eloff. President Kruger's
grandson. and his men. 1t is thus de-
scribed in a dispatch from Mafeking, May
18th:
"Eloff today fell into one of the various
traps have been left open for
months. At 4 a. m, the enemy, who had
been much strengthened during the last
few days, Tented an attack on the eastern
side of the town. while a large force,
which during the night had crept along
the river, guided by native rebels who had
chosen the craftiest detours, managed 10
enter the Baralong location. This they
burned, and the huts Of the natives were
blazing tiercely for a distance of nearly a
mile.
"Then finding that they were unopposed.
the Beers yelled Come out. you skulkers.
Today We take Matching! Suddenly. a
Boer cried. Run! Here are the rooinek'
Nearly ali fled Captain March opened
fire from the fort on each side. cutting
off and repulsing the main body of the
Dutch. but driving the vanguard of about
100 in the native location which had been
burned.
THE enemy broke into two parties. one
being penned in the stone cattle kraal
and the other hemmed in hollow behind
a kopje inside the outer defenses They
had no water and but little food.
Meanwhile strong party estimated
at 900, ran around the native location and |
reached the camp close TO the railway
There they surprised, and after sharp
fighting captured Lieutenant Colonel !
Hore. Captain Singleton and Veterinary
Surgeon Dunlop Smith, who, for time,
was penned with forty Beers in the offices |
Of the British South African protectorate. |
This position was covered by our forts.
''The Beers We're called upon to sur |
render. but they refused and the fighting |
was resumed for some hours. The Beers |
lost heavily. Finally two parties of the !
enemy surrendered. one party escaping.
The casualties are not vet fully known |
The Beers lost about $50. but our casual
ties We're under twenty.
ANGUS Hamilton. correspondent Of The |
London Times Is MISSING"