Our Boys praised by Lord Roberts "Could not wish for Better Soldiers."

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6626, 19 February 1900, Page 2

Our Boys praised by Lord Roberts "Could not wish for Better Soldiers."

CAPTUEE OF JACOBSDAL,

FIGHTING IN THE ENEMY'S

Details of the Spionkop Fight. Boers capture Two Companies of the Wiltshire Regiment. They were Left in the Lurch.

Prominence of Colonial Troops. Gallant Stand against heavy odds.

COUNTRY,

(By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) ! (Per Press Association.) [ London, February 17. The army responded 1, magnificently to Lord Eoberts' movement, which iiu-. volved heavy marching. \ The obstacles in the_ way were those' attendant on' maintaining a water supply Und transport 1 difficulties. Several skirmishes with tbe enemy preceded the occupation of Jacobsdal, the British artillery fit* inflicting losses on the retiring commana\os. ' The town was held by the Boers until General Kelly-Kenny's brigade oirtflanked them and drove them out, withheavy loss, across the Modder river. Many prisoners were taken.

Operating in another direction, General Tucker's division drove the Boers across the Reit river, east of Koffkrontein, Major-General Sir H. E. Colville, with the 9th Division, following up the advantage.

On the entry of the British troops into Jacobasdal the place was found to be full af wounded, including a number of Britishers from as far south as Rensburg.

Lord Roberts was much gratified at the admirable hospital arrangements mode by a German ambulance corps and Drs Katener and Hildebiwnd. The greatest kindness had been shown to our wounded, who were treated equally as well as the Boers.

Lord Roberts summoned Sir William McCormac, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, from Natal, prior to the advance to the Relief of Kimberley. Lord Roberts has complimented the regiment of volunteers recently raised by the Lord Mayor of London for their gallantry at Jacobsdal.