Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-02
Beers MEAN fight.
Continued from page ~
movement, for which the forces may
now be termed organized"

London, May 1.-115 p. M.-The war
| office has received the following DIS
| patches from General Roberts:
| ''Bloemfontein May Ian Hamilton
marched, yesterday, in a northerly di-
| rection from Thaba N'Chu with body
of mounted infantry and Smith-Dorri
ans brigade of Clements division. At
Heutney, he found himself opposed by
a strong force commanded by Gen.
| Botha in person. ReinforcementS
reached this force during the day ana
| directed French to strengthen him
during the night from Thaba N'Chu.
This he was able to do, as the number
of Beers in the neishborhood of Thaba
N'Chu had considerably decreased. In
| addition to these troops. Hamilton
| should be reinforced during the day by
| Broadwood's cavalry and Bruce-Ham-
| ilton's infantry brigade.
Hamilton mentioned that his cas-
ualties. yesterday. were about 80.
"Maxwell's brigade of the eth divis-
| ion occupied Nlaksontors and Schaus-
| kraal. row of kopjes. without meet
ing with opposition. but the mounted
infantry We're engaged fer some hours. "
"Hlocmfontein. April 80. The Beers
made very persistent attacks round
Thaba N'Chu. Saturday and Sunday.
But the position which the Sth (Run-
dle's) Division holds is very strong and
he had the assistance Of Gordon and
bickson's BrigadeS, the cavalry under
French ana Smith DOrrienS Infantry
Brigade and body of mounted infan-
try under Ian Hamilton. Pole-Clrew's
division returned from DeWets dorp,
yesterday"
Lord Roberts also reports additional
casualties sustained during the fight
ing Of April eth around Thaba N'Chu,
consisting If Lieut.. Geary ana two en-
listed men killed and three enlisted
men wounded.
Neither the commanderin- chiefs
nor the correspondents dispatches
throw any light on the plans being
adopted to Dust the Eoers from the
n-ighborhoOd of Thaba N'Chu. and
how long before 4 determined effort to
rc-asscrt British superiority is only q
matter Of Surmisc. In the meantime
the Beers are remarkably aggressive
especially in view Of the large forces
opposing them.
y special dispatch from Thlba
N'Chu. dated yesterday, says they
made 2 daring attempt to cut off a
British convoy which got into broken
ground between Thaba N'rhu ana De-
Vets dOrp. opening fire from the al
iavcnt hills. In the nick OF time Cen
oral HrahaZ1n. with strong force of
ycomlnry. returning from Wcprncr.
arrived on the scene AM cxtricltcd
tho convoy
TIL" same special correspondent dc-
scTihcs the dispositions Of the forces AZ
Thahl N'Chu rs follows: General
rundlo IL covering the advanced camp
facing the Eocr positions to the east,
where they are strongly cntronch"d.
General Ian Hamilton ana Gen. Smith
Darricn occupy strong positions on the
road to tho north"
Another dispatch says column IN
der Cen. Hamilton located the Beers
70 til" northwest and an artillery duel
cnsucd, without rosult.
All accounts tell Of much artillery
firing. with scarcely any casualties. 1t
is hardly likely that two such forces
can much longer patiently face each
other without stirring occurrences.
Cen Branhant's columns is expected
to shortly join Gen. French. 4 num-
ber If Beers are reported to have been
seen retiring north but this il scarce
~ authoritative. Stringent measures
are being adopted to prevent the Bocr
arorillas from securing supplies from
other ccntcrS.
The little news from Thaba N'Chu is
absorbing all interest. The Cape Par
Lament has been summoned for
June %.
At the conclusion Of Cen. Sir George
Whites visit to Windsor, today. Queen
Victoria decorated the defender of
Ladysmith with the cross and star Of
the Royal Victorian Order. Her Maj
esty and the soldier had a lengthy con
ference. 1t is learned that the Queen
was more angry than for years over
the publication Of the Spion Kop dis
patches.
London. May 1-425 p. MA dis
patch from MafekinE, dated April 90
says:
THE Beers have been busy for sew
cral days blowing up the railway
southWards. There was little firing
during the past week. The town will
checrfully respond to Lord Roberts
request to hold out for another month
Fever is rife. but otherwise the health
Of the garrison is good and all are
WELL
London, May IA special dispatch
received here from Cape Town under
today's date says that Secretary of