The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-21
Beers Drive the British
From Celesburg District.
Unknown Force Of Enemy
Near British Line Of
Communication.

London, Feb IA. 4.20 a. m.-The
news of the day is enforced retire
ment of the British from the Coles
berg district, under heavy Boer
pressue and probably after brisk
fighting. Thus, at time when Lord
Roberts is apparently about to push
an army into the Free State, the
Beers make counter stroke IN un
known but seemingly great force
rot far from the vital line of railway
connecting DeAar aud Orange river
Military observers do not regard
this as more than a menace Never
theiess, the news produces an nn-
pleasant impression here Gen
French had manouevered the Beers
out of Rensburg in December On
Jan Let it was reported that he could
take Colesburg in two days with rein
forcements These were sent, but
the Beers also were reinforced
Since then the British lines have
been extended east and west, so that
at the opening of this week they
constituted great horseshoe, 25
miles in length The lines were not
continuous but ali the strong posi-
tions were held.
Gen French when he joined Lord
Roberts. presumably took most Of
his cavalry, but Commandment
De Larey with double turning
movement has compelled the British
to concentrate at Rensburg besides
threatening Lord Roberts commnDi
cations
The Boer mastery of the district
has caused spread of the iosurrec
tion, but this, no doubt, will be
promptly represeed, as large British
forces are vailab!e NOT far away.
The indications as to Gen Buller's
immediate intentions are contraclc
tory One informant, who has init
mate relations with the war Office.
predicts movement within the next
two days A oumber of correspond
ents vino have been with Gen Butler,
however, have gone to Durham for q
few Gays rest. under the impression
tha. nothing is to be done Immediate
~.
The war Office has directed the
Eight division of 10000 men to pre-.
pare to go ont
London, Feb l3 The cessation Of
war news from South Africa is taken
to Indicate that the British prepara
tlons for move from Modder river
are about completed and that import
ant events can be anticipated within
a few days Interest centres almost
wholly upon Field Marshal Roberts,
especially since Gen Brller's report
of his withdrawal from Vaal Krantz
came, for the first time, through Lord
Roberts, showing that all the differ
ent operations over the wide field
will herereafter oe completely coor
dipated. 1t ia now known that the
military attaches have gone to Join
Lord Roberts at the Modder river,
another move preluding an advance
A dispatch from the McddeF river
announces the arrival there of 400
refugees from the Barkly West dis
trio, They had been ordered away
by the Beers because they refused to
join the republicans The refugees
reached the Modder river, via koo
doosberg 1t is learned tnat 200
Beers were killed or wounded during
Gen MacDonald's reconnaissance
There is no confirmation Of the re
ported sortie of British troops irom
Lsdysmith nor of the Boer ou;dank
ing movement.
A report comes from Durban that
British artillery forced tae Beers TO
evacuate their camp Oh I!iangwana
hill. south of Coienso
The absence of Gen French from
the Rensbufg district seems TO have
given the Beers an opportunity for
ene.ed activity They have appa
rentIy commenced an extended AT
tack on The British lines aud are
meeting with minor successes which
are having considerable mora! effect
on the border ;olonis's
TIE Boer invasion oi ZaiuIand IS
carsing keen axiety Apar, from
the fact tnat it threatens Gen Butler 8
supplies, it is difficult 90 believe that
the Zolus can long be KEEP, quiescent
while their cattle are coufsca'ed and
their country overrun by their hered
itary foes
The friends of Cecil Rhodes are