The evening times., 1900-05-15

LONDON, May 15--The War Office an
nounces that Dundee, Natal, has been oc-
cupied by the British forces under Cen
eraI Butler. Buffers progress since May
10 has been practically unchecked, and lie
aas taken Dundee with few casualties.
owing to the splendid leadership Of Ham
iIton. DundonaId, and Bethune. The panic
spirit that seized the Beers OF the Orange
Free State as General Roberts advanced
seems to have made itself felt in Natal,
according TO Buffers almost unopposed
advance to the town which was made IA
nous by the early engagements of the war.
Dundee is near the scene of the first
battle Of the South African war. 1t IS
near Glencoe, and the fight is often refer
red TO as the Battle of Glencoe having
taken place between the two towns.
1t was there that General SymOns was
killed, and the British force after the bat
tie retired TO Ladysmith and Joined Gen
eral White. Dundee had been in the pos
session of the Beers from that time until
evacuated as announced in an appended
despatch II is in the extreme northern
part of Natal
withdrew. supposedly 10 take up a new po-
stiOn at Laing's Mex. The destruction OF
the machinery in the collieries at Dundee
causes some uneasiness as il may fore
shadow the fate Of the costly mining prop
critics in the Transvaal toward which the
Beers are retreating.
The War Office has received several de-
spatches detailing the operations of Gen
eral Butler since his forward movement
toward Pretoria was commenced. The first
despatch transmitted by General Lord Rob-
erts says:
'KroOnstad. May 14-In accordance
with instructions TO keep the enemy
occupied at the BiggaTsberg. I cOnCen-
trated the Third Cavalry Brigade on the
Helpmakaar Road On MAY Is he
sent Hamilton AID Bethune up Wit
chock Hill. and the enemy hurriedly
abandoned the position On May IA
the enemy evacuated Helpmakaar.
"BULLER"
Another despatch from General Butler.
sent through General Roberts, and dated
May Il, says.
-DundOnald drove the rear guard Of
the main body Of The enemy near ZUs-
linden. The enemy were 2,0OO strong.
We move on Dundee today
Hlldyard moved on Vessels Mex on
May 10. BULLER"
third despatch from General Butler,
dated Dundee, May 10, p m, says:
twenty-five hundred of the enemy
left Dundee yesterday for Glencoe,
where they entrained. Their wagons
left yesterday by De Jaager's Drift and
the Dannhauser Road. The Kaffirs
said the Beers were going to Laing's
Mex Almost every house in Dundee
was completely looted and damaged.
The machinery Of the collieries has
been destroyed. Hildyard occupied
Vessels Mex today. Our small loss
was due TO Hamilton's, DundonaId's,
and Bethune's excellent leading.
MAY 14.-The enemy evacuated
Helpmakaar Mex during the night
leaving a rear guard of l 600 in front Of
us. These we forced back throughout
the day under considerable difficulties
as they set fire to all the grass on top
of the berg while Tetreatng and the
wind being unfavorabIe TO us. we we're
scarcely able to see. 1 halted the in
fantry, who marched well through the
hot smoke at Beth. The cavalry has
not yet reported as they are some miles
ahead. We have taken a few prison.
ers"
hcup ) r arm. May l0-tb.yO .. m J.
-DundOnald reported late last night
that he had driven the rear guard or to
the main body of the enemy near Zus-
linden. where they occupied in force n
strong position with three powerful
guns. Major Cough, with a composite
regiment. maneuvred to the right
round their left flank The enemy re-
tired and Dundonald halted He was
twenty-five miles as the crow flies from
last nights biyouac. He had covered
nearly forty miles during the day in a
waterless country. most of the time
ridiI through smoke I think mis- pur-
suit vas very fine performance
r -om prisoners learn that the enc
my were over 1000 strong at Helm
mals2ar. Having been now Joined hv
these who had been isft at Van Jon
der'c Pass they must Se nearly 1900
strong. BULLER i"
1t is believed here that. after brief
rest at Dundee, General Buffers army will
continue the pursuit of the Beers In an ef-
fort 10 overtake them near the southern
border Of the Transvaa, and administer a
Fruehinp dofaa.