The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-20

or two, is seemingly in full retreat
from Lord Roberts. moving northward.
General French, with the cavalry, sim
ply stayed over night in Kimberley and
then pushed on TO get in touch with
the retiring enemy A long Boer wag-
on train is moving toward BIoemfon-
tein. followed presumably by a large
force of British infantry. In their
hasty departure, the Beers lost guam
titles of supplies and ammunition.
Military opinion here is that Lord
Roberts will not push far after the
Beers Immediately because of transport
problems and the need OF the rest for
the troops. He has to feed 1900 per-
sons in his army and the whole Kim
berley population. He nus rebuild
the railway from MOdder River town
to Kimberley and revictual the latter.
General French lost a few men only
in action, but the forced marches and
neat have probably made many i'll.
Numbers Of remOunts must be pro-
vided.
Lord Roberts has wrought a genu-
inc preliminary success and the i'm
preston is that he has done enough for
the present. He will need to prepare
for another strike.
Al over England tonight there AVE
Ill u ND-AO JO-- 80 $500
theatre and public meeting, around the
railway stations and in the streets
there have been expressions of gladnesS
and j~ubilatiOn over the news. The
are editorially rejoicing.
In the house of commons last even
ing ii was rumOred Gener Butler had
again crossed Tugela river.
Head Laager, ner Ladysmith, Wed
nesday, February 1.-THE British from
ChieveIrey have been bombarding the
BOer forces at BlaauW krdntZ east OF
CoIensO since Yesterday afternoon, the
bOmbardment continuing throughout
the night. The Beers responded with
rifle fire. Particulars are lacking. All
is quiet rot Ladysmith.
ROBERTS AT JACOBSDAL.
London, February 1.-THE war office
has just issued the following from Lord
Roberts. dated ~JacObsdal, February
18th 7.45 d. m: Much grati4ied on ar
rival here to find admirable hospital
arrangements made by the German
ambulance corps under DrS. kdettner
and Hildebrand. who with their STATS,
have shown the creates kindness to
our wounded as they have to the Boer
wounded. Some of our nave
been here since December. Some were
brought in yesterday.
Outside JacObsdal, o. F. s., Thurs
day, February 15.-The road
lIodder river and Jacobsdal is now
open. The distance is only nine miles.
The road is available for sending rein
fOrcements and supplies.
When the Beers evacuated JacoDSdal
they were obliged to pass over a ridge
where they afforded a splendid mark
for the British guns which
shTapnel upon the ~retreating enemy
The convoy which was attacked at
~ Riet river had been countermanded,
but the order did not arrive in time and
tho axraTIGnca WAS a EerV warm one.
although The Boers did little material
damage.
As General French. with the
strengthened division pushed onward
towarr I.-1herley he found the beleag-
hin Beers deserving their position at
Observation-Disclosures, h u allowing a
portion of the Kimberley garrison TO
occupy and entrench the place.
FRENCH REACHES KIMBERLEY.
London, February 16. ,9:15 a. m.-The
war office that General
French reached Kimberley Thursday
evening. Following is Lord Roberts
message to the war office from Jacobs
DIAL. February 16: French with a
force of artillery, cavalry n mounted
infantry reached Kimberley this even
ing, Thursday"
EVACUATION OF RENSBURG.
Arundel. Wednesday,. February IA
General Clements withdrew from Rens-
berg during the night, his rear guard
arriving at Arund early this MORN
ing. The Beers promptly followed, re-
occupying their old position IN the
Taaibosch hills, whence they have been
Smelling the British cavalry patrols,
but Intellectually. The British guns
returned the fire making fairly aecu-
rate practice.
BOERS ABOUT KIMBERLEY DIS
PERSED.
London, February 16.. IA p. m.-The
war office makes public a dispatch
fronl Field Marshal Lord Roberts dat
ed ~Jacobsdal, February 10, saying:
The following from General French
was received this morning:
Il have completely dispersed the enc
my from the southern side of kimber-
ley. from Acknowledgement to CLIP
hantSfOntein. and am now going to oc-
cupy their ground Have captured the
enemy's iaager and store depot supplies
Of ammunition. about ~
OF all rank wounded. Kimberley is
cheerful n well"
General Roberts also sent the follow
ing dispatch dated Jacobsdal. Febru>
airy Is: Il have good reason to believe
the MageTSfOntein trenches have been
abandoned and hat the Beers are en-
deavoTing to ecape. General French
is securing the country north of Kim
berIey. One of General KeIly-Kenny's
DIlSdtl - VI q - AZ dISul vi
a large Boer convoy moving towards
BIoomfontein."
BOERS CLAIM A VICTORY.
Pretoria, February 16.-The Trans
vaai government has made public tn,
following official dispatch:
Yesterday at Rendeval drift, in tn,
neighborhood of ~JacObsdal, the fedora
troops were engaged in a severe fghr
with 1000 British, who were trying Il
roach KimharI2V- COmmandant De
larey continued the engagement unit
this morning, the federal casualties be
ing five wounded.
After another two hours OF hart
fighting. it is reported that the British
retired, leaving Colonel Henry danger
ously wounded. Colonel Henry, VIII
his servant. was taken to JacobSoal-
An official from Colesberg says tina
fighting was resumed on Tuesday. FeD
ruary 18th. and that the British ma
sixty killed and wounded and lost e1gh
ty captured. The federal forces ha'
no casualties during the 6ghtiQg.'