The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-05-10
IS BRISK.
Lord Roberts Finds His Advance
Strongly Resisted.

London, May THE war office has
published the following dispatch from
Lord Roberts, dated Vet river, Satur-
day, May 5, 7:15 p. M:
81 marched here to-day with Pole
Carew's division. Headquarters and Wa
Wells brigade of the Seventh division, are
two miles in the rear. MaXwelPs brigade,
of the same division, is the same distance
to our right
1.-THE enemy are in considerable strength
on the opposite bank of the river. Our guns
engaged theirs for some three hours with
out being able to force passage of the
river, but shortly before dusk the mount
ed infantry, under Gen. Hutton turned the
enemy's right, and in very dashing man
ner pushed across the river under heavy
shell and musketry fire. We are now biv-
ouacking for the night within three miles of
Vet river. Our casualties, hope, are not
numerous.
Hamilton was in action yesterday, and
succeeded in preventing junction of two
Boer forces by well-executed movement
by some of the Household cavalry, the
Twelfth lancers and Kitchener's horse,
who charged body of the enemy and in
ficted serious loss. The enemy fled, leay-
ing their dead on the field and their wound
ed to be attended by our doctors.
"Macdonald's Highland brigade dislodged
the enemy on the right flank under cover of
the naval guns, In which operation the
Black Watch distinguished themselves and
Were very skillfully led
Hamilton was advancing this morning
to difficult drift over the Kleine Vet Q4it-
tie VeD river.
Hunter reports that Barton's brigade
was heavily engaged this morning two
miles north of Ruidam. The enemys posi-
ton was quite four miles long and strongly
held. He states that our men marched
magnificently and carried ridge after ridge
in grand style.
Casualties in this force, in Hamilton's
and Hunters will be reported as soon as
possible.
Capt. Miller, who was taken prisoner
near Thaba NChu, has been sent to Run
dies camp by the enemy with a severe
wound in the abdomen.
"Brabant reports that one sergeant and
three men were captured on May while on
patrol and that one Of them, who had been
brutally Ill treated and left for dead by the
Beers, was found the following day.
Lieut. Lilley, Victoria mounted rifles,
reported missing, was found at Brandfort
dangerously wounded, and has been most
carefully attended by the Netherlands am
bulance.
A Severe Engagement.
Warrenton, May 7.-Saturday Gen.
Barton drove from 1000 to 5000 Beers
from billy positions at Rooidan, where
they awaited them. They retreated
after stiff fighting, leaving a number
of dead on the field. The British cas-
ualties were slight. Gen. Barton is
still pursuing. Windsorton and Kip
dam have been evacuated. Gen.
.Paget's brigade is attacking the Boer
position at Warrenton. The engage
ment Saturday was severe and lasted
from nine in the morning until four
in the afternoon. More than once the
| British infantry were obliged to en-
gage the Beers at close quarters, and
the Beers only retired when their re-
treat was nearly cut off
Gen. role-Carew started at day
break Saturday on a 19-mile march.
He first came into contact with Beers
| holding the river at one o'clock p. m.
| The British soon had two batteries
in action. and later they added two
naval nine-pounders, two AZ and five
inch siege guns. The Beers fired with
great accuracy and the duel contin-
ued undated, with terrible din, I'M
til sunset, and even later there was
desultory firing. 1t is marvellous that
nobody on the British side was in
jured.
Gen. Hutton started early to find
the drift on the west. When this was
discovered it proved to be strongly
held and protected by two guns. The
British speedily engaged the Beers,
who enL-aded the dismounted firing
line with a maxim, but Gen. Hutton
pushed forward his own pom-pom and
a galloping maxim and forced the
Beers to leave the river bed. The en-
counter was terribly hot.
Later the whole British force crossed
the river, threatening the Boer right.
The Beers must have received abont
the same time news of Gen. Hamilton's
occupation of Winburg. About sunset
detachment of 26 Australians who
| had crept toward the river bed found
themselves near kopje occupied by
the Beers. After firing they fixed bay
onets and charged, capturing the kopje.
All was done on their own initiative.
Thus night fell. Early Sunday morn
ing it was discovered that the whole
| Boer force had fled. Gen. Hutton dur
| ing the night got two squadrons to
blow up the line near Swaldsel.
The British discovered, at every hun
dred yards along the railway, con-
concealed small packets of high ex-
plosive. The Beers had destroyed three
bridges over spruits between here
and Brandfort, but in every case it was
possible to make detour. The Beers
appear to be fighting with much less
spirit. 1t is reported that they are
commanded by Gen. Lucas Meyer. The
bridge over the Vet river is complete
! ly destroyed. Gen. Hutton captured
q Maxim and took IL prisoners.
Work of Rundle's Command.
Thaba N'Chu, May Cen. Rumble
who has been pursuing the Beers with
the Seventeenth brigade, two batteries
and contingents of the yeomanry and
mounted infantry, succeeded in reach
ing them with his artillery and forced
them to leave their positions. The
yeomanry are making long detour in
pursuit. The result is not yet known
here.
Reenforcements Needed.
London, May THE colonial Office
has received the following dispatch
from Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson,
governor and commander in chief of
Gold Coast colony, dated Kumassi,
April 81:
1.-THE situation, / regret to inform you,
has changed for the worse. On April %
a force was sent to clear the rebel forces
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