The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-06
DESPERATE BATTLE
At VLAKEONTHN
One of The Fiercest Fights OF
the War.
TIE BRITISH LOSS HEAVY
Fifty Men Dropped at the Beers
First Volley.
TIE BRITISH LOSS HEAVY
COMMANDMENT KEMP LED THE BURGnERs
A Terrible Struggle For the Guns. jamestown
Captured by Krzinger. Lord Kitchener
Puts French in Command in
Cane Colony.
Cape Colony.
(By the Associated Press.)

London. June "Details received re-
garding the fighting at Vlakfontein show
that it was one of the most desperate
engagements of the war. General Dixon S
column was traversing the district and
establishing posts, when it was attack
ed by twelve hundred Beers under Com
mandant Kemp. The Beers were so close
that Sfty--3ritish fell at the first volley
The Yeomanry held the position, protect
ing the guns until they were nearly deci-
mated, and then, finding it impossible to
save the guns. the artillerymen shot the
gun horses to prevent the Beers moving
the guns The column quickly recovered
from the shock of the unexpected attack.
The Derbyshires charged with bayonets
and after short desperate fight, drove
off the Beers and recovered the guns
The Derbyshires and Yeomanry both lost
very heavily. 1t is asserted that while
the Beers had temporary possession of
the guns they shot two artillerymen in
cold blood for refusing to work them
against their own comrades.
Tie appointment of Gen. French, who has
Lesn recruiting his health in Cape Town.
to command the operations in cape
Colony indicates that Lord Kitchener
attaches considerable Importance to the
invasion.
The rccrudescence of serious fighting
brings further demands for the sending
out Of endorsements.
The surrender of jamestown is re-
garded al a disagreeable incident because
it has provided Commandant Kritzinger
with a fresh supply of the sinews of war.
LORD KITCHENER'S REPORT.
London, June 4.--Lord Kitchener, in a
dispatch from Pretoria, dated June 4th,
SAYS:
"Dixon's rercrt (of the fighting at
Vlakfontein, 40 miles from johannesburg,
MAY 29th), tust received. On our side
/ ,450 men, with seven guns were engaged.
The force was returning to camp at
Vlakfontein when the enemy under cover
of a veldt fire, rushed the rear guard,
consisting of two guns of the Twenty
eighth battery and $50 men of the Derby
shires and Yeomanry. They temporarily
captured the two guns. When the re-
mainder of the force came into action
the Beers were driven off, the guns were
rccaptured and the Boer position was
occupied Our casualties were six officers
and 81 men killed, 6 officers and lis men
wounded and one officer and seven men
missing One officer and four men have
since died of wounds. Fortyone Beers
were killed on the ground The further
Boer casualties are not known. Rein
forcements are being sent
The War Office tonight published the
following dispatch from Lord Kitchener,
dated Pretoria. June 18th:
Jamestown (Cape Colony, surrendered
to Kritzsnger's commando on the morning
of June End after four hours of fighting.
The town guard ard local volunteers We're
overpowcred before our pursuing columns
could come u.
"Our casualties we're killed and 2
wounded. The Boer loss is said to have
been greater.
1.-THE stores were looted, but the gar
rison was released.
Have placed General French in charge
of the operations in Cape Colony"