LORD ROBERTS ON" THE ROAD.

Evening Star, Issue 11167, 16 February 1900, Page 2

LORD ROBERTS ON" THE ROAD.

RIET AND MODDER RIVERS CROSSED

GENERAL FRENCH CAPTURES FIVE LAAGERS,

MAFEKING PROMISED SPEEDY RELIEF. GENERAL BULLER RETIRES TO CHIEVELEY.

HOW GOURLEY AND CORNELL ' FELL.

NEW ZEALANDERS GAIN RENOWN.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

botli been slightly wounded by the fragments of a shell.

LORD ROBERTS'S ADVANCE,

CROSSING THE MODDER, FRENCH CAPTURES FIVE LAAGERS. WELLINGTON, February 10 The Agent-General cables from Loudon, under date February 15, at 2 p.m. : " General French, with Lord Roberts's j troops, consisting of cavalry, with the I support of two brigades, has crossed the j Riet and Modder "Rivers, about twenty j miles east of their confluence. The movement looks like an attempt to turn the enemy's position at Magersfontein, but it may be an indication of a march to Bloemfontein." An earlier message, received at 11.35 a.m., states that Lord Roberts advances into the Free State. Five laagers .and several drifts over the Riet River were captured by General French. WORD FROM MAFEKING. A MESSAGE TO THE GARRISON. CAPE TOWN, February 15. Advices have been received from Mafeking that all was well. On the 2nd inst. Lord Roberts forwarded a message to Colonel BadenPoweli promising him speedy relief. ON THE ORANGE RIVER. CAPE TOWN, February 15. The British have again seized Zoutpans Drift, on the Orange River, in order to facilitate their advance to the relief of Kimberley. MAKING FOR THE FREE STATE. A SLIGHT BRUSH. CAPE TOWN, February 15. Colonel Hannay's brigade of mounted infantry marched from the Orange River to Ramdani'(? Ramah), twelve miles over the Free State border, and fought a slight engagement on the 11th inst. They had four killed and twenty-two wounded, and thirteen are missing. DEKIEL DRIFT CAPTURED BY FRENCH. FURTHER CASUALTIES. CAPE TOWN, February 15. General French's cavalry on the 12th inst. seized Dekiel Drift, twenty miles south-east of General Methueu's position, enabling Colonel Kelly-Kenny's and Tucker's division to encamp on the east bank of the Riet River. Captain Majendie, of Lord Roberts's Horse, one of the new regiments of the South African Light Horse, and one trooper were killed, and two wounded. i OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION. ROBERTS SAYS THE WORK WAS BRILLIANT. FEEBLE RESISTANCE BY THE ENEMY. EFFECT OF THE OPERATIONS. LONDON, February 15. Lord Roberts, telegraphing from Dekiel Drift, states that. General French, with three brigades of cavalry, horse artillery, and mounted infantry, including several of the colonial contingents, started on the 13th inst. to seize a crossing on the Modder River, distant twenty-five miles. He forced a passage at Kliep Drift, occupied the hills to the north of the river, aud captured three laagers with supplies. Gordon's Brigade and the Hussars seized Roundvald Drift and another drift in a westerly direction, capturing two laagers.

A SURPRISE IN STORE. LONDON, February 15. Lord Kitchener's movements are unknown. CAPTAIN MADOCK GAINS RENOWN. A SPLENDID CHARGE. HOW GOURLEYAND CONNELL FELL. SYDNEY, February 16. Referring to the fighting at Rendsburg, the 'Cape Times' publishes a telegram, stating that the distinguishing feature of the skirmish on Monday (? January 15) was the pluck and indomitablo courage of Captain Madock and the New Zealanders. On Monday morning the enemy commenced to open a desultory fire on the Yorkshires and New Zealanders, who had a picket on the hills to the north of Slmgersfontein. The fire increased in vehemence until it was one continuous roar, preventing our men from even looking out from under cover at their fire. The number of Boers was about 200, and they were creeping up the hill and taking advantage of every piece of cover. Captain Orr, of the Yorkshires, fell, badly wounded, and a few of his men also fell. Captain Madock, hearing the heavy fire on the Yorkshire side, rushed up and found the men wavering. He immediately gave the order to fix bayonets and charge. The effect was magical. The Yorkshires rushed forward, but the Boers did not wait for the cold steel—they simply fled in wild disorder, falling as they ran to the splendid, shooting of our men. Captain Madock then rushed across to his own men, and calling on them to follow they charged down hill, shooting as they ran. It was then and there that Trooper Oonnell and Sergeant Gourley fell. The Boer loss is estimated at forty killed. Twenty-five bodies were counted, as the enemy made no pretence to bury their dead.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES PATROL

A FEARFUL SIGHT.

SYDNEY, February 16. The 'Sydney Morning Herald's' special, describing the recovery of the wounded and killed after the New South Wales Lancers' patrol mishap, says that the relief party saw a man making efforts to lift his leg, in order to attract attention. It turned out to be Kilpatrick. He was a terrible sight. The lower part of his face had been shattered as if by an explosive bullet. He could not speak, and had lain on the ground all night. He had also traced with his finger on the ground the word "cold." His wounds had been dressed uproughly, evidently by the Boers. Griffin's body had been buried. It was evident that his death was instantaneous.

Lord Roborts describes the operations as brilliant. They were carried out in excessive heat, and iu a blinding dust storm. Owing to the rapidity of the movements the Boers offered but flight opposition, and the British losses were small. The Sixth Division reached Waterval Drift, north of the Riet River, on the 13th, advancing to the support of the cavalry. The Seventh Division were proceeding forward on the 14th. Four officers and fifty-three men have been prostrated by the heat. It is believed that Lord Roberts has 45,000 troops, and the presence of Ge era! Kelly-Kenny's division was a surprise to the J3oers. Lord Roberts's positions havo cut Cronje's communications with Bloemfontein, isolated Jacobsdal, and threaten Fauresmith. BULLER'S MOVEMENTS. CAPE TOWN, February 15. General Buller's force have withdrawn to Chieveloy. 'THE TIMES'S' OPINION. LONDON, February 15. The London 'Times' states that the present Imperial danger is the explanation of tho fact that facilities have this year been afforded to volunteers to train for >. month. The training will not, however, bo compulsory. KILLED IN ACTION. LONDON, February 15. Colonel Charles Coniogham, commanding the second battalion of the Worcester Regiment, was killed during the recent fighting at Rendsburg. DTJNDONALD ACTIVE. LONDON, February 15. During a reconnaissance made by Lord Dundonald to the east of Chieveley, six Britishers were wounded, including Lieutenant John Churchill. FURTHER CASUALTIES. LONDON, February 15. ' The First Dragoon Guards engaged the enemy at Rustenberg. They had seven captured and six wounded. AMAZONS EXULTANT. CAPE TOWN, February 15, The shelling by tho Boers of the women's laager at Mafeking continues. The Boer women are publicly applauding this conduct. Lady Sarah Wilson and her husband, who are at Mafeking, havo