New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
BOER COML4NDS SCATTERED.
FRENCHS FRUITFUL CHASE AFTER
BOTHA-DE WET DRIVEN FROM
CAPE COLONY

London, Feb 24-The War Office has received
the following dispatch from Lord Kitchener:
Middelburg. TransvaaI Feb 24.-French re-
ports from Piet Retief, February %, that the
result OF the columns sweeping the country east
is that the Beers are retreating in scattered ard
dsorganiZed parties to the number of some five
thousand in front of him
Amsterdam and Piet Retief have been occu-
pied, and troops are protecting the Swat from
tier. French will push on, but is much ham
pered by the continuous heavy rains.
Summary of total losses inflicted upon the
enemy up TO February l6: Two hundred and
twelve Beers known to have been killed and
wounded in action. 56 taken prisoners, 1S3
surrendered. one lJ-pounder gun, 1862 rifles 16O,-
GOO rounds Of small ammunition, $500 horses.
20 mules. $3.50 trek oxen. 1900 cattle, lo5,4D
sheep and O70 wagons and carts captured.
our casualties: Five officers and forty-one
men killed and four officers and los men wound
ed- regret TO say that Major Howard, very
gallant officer of the Canadian Scouts was
killed February Il
Plumer reports that Colonel owen captured
De Vets 15-pounder and "pompom' on Febru
ary 23. well ffty-three prisoners and a
QUANTITY of ammunition. We had no casualties.
Enemy in full retreat and dispensing, being
vigorously pursued.
De Vets attempt to invade Cape Colony has
evidently completely failed
The Daily Telegraph publishes the following
from De Aar. ated February "a:
Mr.. Steyn addressed the Beers yesterday and
told them they must all shift for themselves. re-
turning to Orange River Colony as best they
could. He and General De Wet took three hum
uItu 'l bfle nest noTSeS WIN WHICH W SS'dpS-
A correspondent Of THE Daily Mali with
Henniker's column. telegraphing Saturday. says:
General De Wet was routed yesterday by
Colonel Plumer, with whom were Coonels Hen
mixer Craddock Jeffreys and Crahbe. This sue
cess was preceded by q series Of desperate at
tempts on the part OF the Beers TO escape from
the water belt of the Orange and the Brak rivers.
General De WI. after unsuccessfully attempt
ing cross tn" Brek at Clip Drift and the
Orange at Reads Drift and Marks Drift moved
along the bank of the Orange with one gun and
one pOmpOm and laagered opposite Kaneel Drift.
At dawn Colonel Plumer left WelSeVenden,
twenty-five miles west Of the Roer camp. and
moved northeast.
AT Zuurgat he attacked the enemy. taking
forty prisoners. The pursuit continued dur
ing the afternoon, the Beers moving toward
Hopetown Toward evening the leading troops
sighted the enemy. who had laagered beyond
gun range. Colonel owen charged the spot
where the Boer artillery was supposed To be. and
captured the whole Of IL The enemy fed' leaV-
ing their horses ready saddled and their cooking
pots full According to the latest reports only
four hundred Beers recrossed TO the north side
Of the river The Orange is greatly swollen.
Cape Town Feb. 24.-ColoneI PIumer engaged
General De Wet yesterday near Bisselfontein,
on the south bank of the Orange River. capt
uring gun and "pompom" and taking fifty
prisoners. The Beers were scattered and are
being pursued by Colonel Plumer.
II is reported that General De Wet escaped TO
the opposite bank in boat, and is now fleeing
with a handful Of followers
It is reported from Boer source at Zeerust
that General Delarey has been captured.
Halifax Y. s. Feb. 2i.-Lord Kitchener's cable
that Major a c. Howard. better known Cat
ling Gun" Howard, had been killed caused SEN
sation here. where he has been well known for
years. His connection with the Canadian forces
ates back the Riel rebellion, in 1855, when he
in charge Of a gatlng gun sent out with the
forces 10 the Northwest. Howard lived at Browns
VILE sixty miles from Ottawa, and left home last
year with the second contingent to assume charge
of Colt battery in the South African campaign.
He remained in Africa the departure Of the
Canadians for home, TO organize corps Of one
hnr-aE rl-l