The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-16

berg district, under heavy Boer pres
sure and probably after brisk fight
ing. Thus, at a time when Lord Rob-
erts is apparently about to push an ar
my into the Free State, the Beers make
a counter stroke. in unknown but SEEM
ingly great force, Iot far from the
vital point of the railway connecting
De Aar and Orange river.
Military observers do not regard this
as more han a menace. Nevertheless
the news produces an unpleasant i'm
preston here. General French had
manOuvred the Beers out of Rensberg
in December On January LIST it was
reported that he could lake Colesberg
In two days with achievements.
These were sent but the Beers also
were reinforced. Since then the Brit
lsh lines have been extended east and
west. so that at the opening of this
week they constituted a great horse
shO twenty-five miles in length. The
lines We're not continuous, but all the
strong positions were held.
General French, when he joined Lord
Roberts. presumably took most of his
cavalry General Clements was left
with the infantry to hold the Beers in
check, but COmmandant De Larey.
with a double turning has
compelled the British to at
Rensberg, besides threatening Lord
Roberts communications.
The BOer mastery of the district has
caused a spread of the Instruction,
but this. no doubt, will be promptly
repressed, as large British forces are
available not far away.
The Indications as to General Buffers
ms n aJiatn inr1r+I0-- ~
tory One informant. who has intimate
relations with the war office, predicts
a movement within the next two days.
a number of correspondents who have
been with General Butler, however,
have gone to Durham for a few days
rest, under the impression that 10th
ing is to be done Immediately.
The wal office has directed the
Eighth division of 10000 men to pre-
pare to go out.
HARD FIGHTING NEAR COLES
BERG.
London, February IA dispatch to
The Daily Mail from Rensberg, dated
yesterday, says:
There has been hard fighting FOR
two days near Colesberg, the Beers
making efforts 20 outflank
the British left. The enemy occupies
strong positions from Achtertang.
NhlOOSH ~ " PO1AI NV
miles south of J~asfontein.
The fighting at the outpost camps
has been very severe during the last
few days. Yesterday the Beers at
tacked the position of the Worcesters,
to the southeast of Colesberg. Fighting
continued all day and after dark it
was considered necessary to
. to Rensberg. Our losses are not yet
! known. On the left the west Austral-
ians. Wiltshires and B~erkshires had
hot fighting. but held their positions
against long odds. The Boer losses
were considerable.
Owing to the growing difficulty ex-
perienced by cOnvoys in reaching the
camps all of the latter were vacated
last night. and the troops withdrew to
RenSberg.
The Beers are burning the farms
of the loyalists. but the latter have
contrived to get ava with their
stock"
LOndon February 13.-The war office
has posted a dispatch from Colonel
Kekewich. dated Sunday, February
18th. to the effect that Kimberley was
bombarded throughout Thursday, Feb
ruary Sth. During h morning of Feb
ruary 9th a small infantry engagement
lasting two hours occurred at Alexan-
der's fOntein. The situation, other
wise. is unchanged.
Rensberg, February 12.-HObkirk's
and Bastard's mex, of which the Beers
took possession Saturday, have been
re-occupied by the British. The Beers
We're shelled out.
Evening-The Beers have again driv-
en- in the British outposts OF the west
crn flank today. all outposts at Bas-
tard' Snek, HObkirk'S windmill and
other points, retiring to Maeder's farm.
There were several casualties, but de-
tails have not yet been received.
Rensberg, Cape Colony, February
13.-The Beers are actively pressing
around Rensberg. The British force,
under Lieutenant Colonel Page, con-
sisting of a section of artillery and $50
horses, which reached Slingersfonteln,
February 10th. has been compelled TO
fall back on Rensberg, owing to It's
eastern flank being threatened
London. February 13-6:40 p. ma
dispatch TO The Evening News from
Rensberg says severe fighting occur
red during the British retreat, the va
rious outposts on both sides suffering
heavy losses. The dispatch adds that
it is doubtful that Rensberg can De
held.
a private telegram received here says
that the force commanded by General
Wood has moved up from the south
ward and siezed S%outpan's drift, which
il now holds"
Iondon. February 13.-An undated
dispatch from Mafeking via Gaberone,
February 2nd. says Colonel Baden
Powell has received a communication
from Lord Roberts promising that re-
lief would be sent in a few weeks. The
food will last. The garrison is as game
as ever. The Beers have expressed
their intention not to fight but to
starve US out. All Well
ALL POSTS WEST OF RENSBERG
ARANDONED.
Rensberg. February 13.-Yesterday's
ro+iramanf Of fine western outpostS in
Guided the withdrawal from Coles kop
and all the surrounding posts Inc
Beers placed a 40-pounder at 6as-
tard's mex, commanding lne puIIoa
inc country and successfully shelled
the British positions. The Beers mum,
bered some thousands and We're nVe 10
one wherever fighting occurred. tns
British are chatting under the necesss
Of a retreat from their posts, some OF
which they had held sine the ne"