The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-03-07
THE NEXT BATTLE.
Roberts Expected to Encounter the
Beers at Osfontein.

London, March 3.-There is a prospect
of early fighting near the scenes of Cron-
je's recent stand. A considerable Boer
force has been lowering east of Osfon-
TEN, near Paardeberg, for the last day
or two but has not ventured to attack.
Osfontein, near where the Beers are
massing, supposedly under the Joint COM
mand of Botha, Delarey and Dewet, is
eight miles northeast of Paardeberg
drift, where Cronje surrendered. There
one of which practically touches the Mod
der A little farther on, also on the
Modder. the Beers have taken up q DO
sition. presumably near Makauw's drift.
with the flank resting on the river This
position is not only not ON the direct road
TO Bloemfonteln, but quite away from it.
Expect Battle Soon.
Hence, sooner than leave a hostile
force of considerable strength operating
against his line of communication Lord
Roberts is certain to bring on an engage
ment. The Beers are said to be expect
ing further reinforcements from Joubert
AT present they have a total of 1000. and
hope TO have 1900 before risking a bat
tie
Again, it may be only detachment
from the Boer main army, with orders to
delay and hamper the British march up
on Bloemfontein while the Boer positions
are being prepared at Winburg. At the
same time it is quite possible that Gen
Dewet IS getting together the different
ends of the Transvaal and Orange Free
State forces to give the British another
serious engagement in the Modder river
district.
Beers Gather at Winburg.
The main Boer army from Natal is
said to be concentrating at Winburg. sew
enty miles northeast of Bloemfonten
Here the ground is favorable for defens-
i've tactics. If. however, the Beers make
II" uei rl1ined stand south Of this place
they will virtually abandon half of the
Grange Free State to the British. and
will also allow the railway line which
runs from Bloemfontein to Port Eliza
beth to fall into British hands, and thus
give Lord Roberts another valuable line
of communication.
Finally. it is not expected that the
Beers will leave their scattered forces at
Stormberg and Labuschasne's Mex iso-
lated and ia greatest peril.
Stand at BIoemfontein.
For these reasons it is considered hard
~ probable that the Beers will abandon
Bioemfontein and the railway south Of it
without an effort. 1t they DO, the moral
effect on the Orange Free Staters wbo
according to all British reports, are al
ready severely shaken by the event at
Paardeberg, will be serious.
The loss Of BlOemfontein itself will nor
be a serious matter, fer Bloemfontein is
only small country town, Judged NV
English standards, on an open plain. and
Rot situated IN strong position.
soliiers Share The r Food.
London, March 3.-Lord Roberts xviras
to the war office from Osfoptein. nnder
date of March 2. 4:15 p. NJ, as follows.
Il have just returned from paying Kim
berley hurried visit. was much graft
fed at finding the en nus asm among the
Kimberley people rega riding the. care of
the sick and wounded. All the houses
had been converted into hospitals and
the men had been made most comforts
able. | was struck with the friendly
manner in which the wounded Beers and
our men chatted together upon the expe-
riences of the campaign. 1t delighted
me to see our soldiers sharing their ra-
tions and biscuits with the Boer prison
ers before they commenced their march
for Modder river. Some of the poor fell
lows were very hungry after having
been half starved in the lager
Butler Can Find No Beers.
The war Office received the following
dispatch from Gen. Butler: "Ladysmith.
Friday, March 2, 6:3O p. nj find the
defeat of the Beers more complete than
/ had dared to anticipate. This whole
district is completely clear of them, and,
except at the top of Van Reenen's pass,
where several wagons are visible, l can
find no trace Of them. Their last train
left Modder Spruit station about o'clock
yesterday, and they then blew up the
bridge. They packed their wagons six
days ago, moving them to the north of
Ladysmith, so that we had no chance of
intercepting them; but they have left vast
quantities of ammunition OF all sorts,