The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-14
INDIANAPOLIS MORNING,

tired to place about fifteen miles east.
on the Middleburg road. He had small
force at first. but during the last few days
his numbers increased and his being so
near the town kept up the excitement In
the country, prevented the burghers from
laying down their arms, and interfered
with the collection of supplies 1t. there
fore, became necessary TO attack him. This
l did yesterday. He held very strong p0-
sition. practically unassailable in front,
which enabled him to place the main por-
ton of his troops on his fianks. which he
knew, from former experience, were his
vulnerable parts. / sent French. with Por-
ter's and Dixon's cavalry brigades and
Huttons mounted infantry round by our
left and Ian Hamilton, with Broadwood
and Gordons cavalry brigade, Ridley's
mounted infantry and Bruce Hamilton's in
fantry brigade around by our right. Both
columns met with great opposition. AT
about o'clock in the afternoon 1 saw two
of Hamilton's battalions advancing to what
appeared to be the key of the enemy's de-
fense. on their left flank This was almost
gained before dark, and l ordered the
force to bivouac on the ground they had
Woli. fole 1dreW, WITH MS ulNlSlOu, OCcu-
pied our center. AS 1 have explained, he
could not attack, but he gradually ad-
vanced so TO support Ian Hamilton. and
when / left the field he was on line held
by the enemy's outposts in the morning.
"I hurried back to get news of
Methuen's movement. On hearing that the
Free Staters had taken advantage of our
crossing the Vaal to interrupt our line of
communication / sent Kitchener with such
troops as could then spare to Yer (Vre-
defort), with orders to push south and
communicate with Methuen, who 1 know
had very compact force in the vicinity of
Heilborn. / also dispatched special mes
senger TO Methuen, instructing him TO push
on at all speed 70 the main line of railway.
These two officers met at Vredefort-road
station in the evening of June 10. They
marched. yesterday. TO Rhenoster river.
where Methuen gained a complete victory
over Dewet and took possession of his
camp and scattered his troops in all di-
rections. He and Kitchener marched. to-
day, towards Kroonstad
"Her Majesty's government need have
no apprehension as to the security OF the
army in South Africa. The enemy gained a
which will be remedied very shortly, and
it will not take long to repair the damage
done to the railway. AS these diversions
are all in existence, am now able to hold
the line between this and Rhenoster in
strength. Methuen will arrange to guard
it onward as he advances. Hunter should
be at Poatchefstroom to-day. He will then
move on johannesburg.
"We have communicated with Butler,
who will. no doubt, soon make the pres
ence of his force in the field felt.
" Our losses. yesterday, not, L
trust, serious. but deplore the death of
that gallant soldier. the Earl of Airlie The
only other casualties reported. yet, are:
seventeenth Lancers. Major the Hon.
Fortel Fortesaue. and Lieutenant the
Hon. Cavendish, both killed."
6:05 p. m.-The following dispatch has
been received at the War Office from Lord
Roberts:
"Katsbosch, June 12.-In yesterdays en-
gagement Methuen had one killed and
eighteen wounded. Among the latter is
Lieutenant Cearle. of the twelfth battalion
of Yeomanry.
ION June the Derbyshire militia lost
s'iiA - -oi~ nAico anu iVf WouHucus all Oh
whom were in the Yeomanry hospital.
which was captured by the Beers and re-
taken by Methuen."
The Earl of Airlie, whose death Lord
Roberts deplores, was one of the most pop
ular members of the nobility and COM
manded the Twelfth Lancers. Lieutenant
Cavendish was the son and heir of Lord
Chesham.
Major Fortescue was formerly aid-de-
camp to Lord Seymour in Canada.