Chasing De Wet.

Hastings Standard, Volume V, Issue 1298, 16 August 1900, Page 3

Chasing De Wet.

CABRINGTON AND HIS BUSHMEN'. f Per United Pre** Amtnriation — Cupyiyht. j Received August 16, 12 25 a.m. London, August 15. Lord Methueu overtook General De Wet's rear-guard across (he railway in the direction of Ventersbnrg on Sunday. He captured a gun and effectually shelled the main convoy. De Wet during the night exploded three waggons and abandoned some ammunition and 80 exhausted horses. President Steyn is UDder surveillance in the E %>• camp. Sixty Jpdsb prisoners escaped and joined EoVi Kitchener eight mile 3 eastward of Ventersdorp. General lan Hamilton marched south-west to Blaawbank, about 20 miles northward of Krugersdorp, hop ing to intercept De Wet, Colonel Mahon pushing west.

A field cornet and 182 Standerton burghers have surrendered to General Clery. Of 6000 horses, captured in the Fonriesburg district, the British are using 2000, which are in the pink of condition. General Carrington, with 600 New South Wales Bushmen and six guns, advanced on the s»h within two miles of Major Hoare's camp. He found it impossible to dislodge the Boers, who held a strongly entrenched position, nnd his force was too small to attempt flanking operations. The Boers tried to envelop General Carrington's force on both flanks, and only by the colonials displaying great steadiness and effective artillery fire, was a serious situation averted. General Carrington retired to Groot and Marico, and discovered the Boers barred the road to Zeerust. The Boers captured a small convoy at Kleinfontein, but the colonials repulsed a determined attack and regained Zeerust on the 7th. The casualties were 12 wounded and 17 missing. Most of the latter, however, rejoined the force later. The Bushmen showed great coolness in their first fight, scouting and skirmishing admirably.