NOTES ON THE WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11795, 26 July 1900, Page 5

NOTES ON THE WAR.

15v Major Kennedy

Once again a successful raid lias been made by the Boers on the main line of ra-ihvay' from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. Honing Spruit and its vicinity have been so often the scene of Boer raids and British defeats that one wonders why the British troops in that district have been so often changed and the country left unguarded. A little while ago Lord Methuen's division was operating in that part of the Free State, north of Kroonslad, covering the head waters of all the branches of the Khenoster River, of whiclr Honing Spruit is the most southerly. Now we hear that General Methuen's command 'is operating between Krugersdorp and Rustenburg, to the north-west of Johannesburg, in the Transvaal. From this it is evident that, owing'to the reports sent to Lord Egberts regarding the position which the British cordon surrounding Commandant De Wet's forces occupied, and the apparent impossibility of the Boer commandant escaping the superior forces operating against him, that he (Lord Roberts) ordered General Methuen to the north-west to drive back the raiders which General Botha had sent to ' occupy the country to the west of Pretoria and Johannesburg, ■whereby' the Boer general hoped to capture Rustenburg, and possibly Krugersdorp, from the small British garrisons which occupied these places. General Botha's object in boldly advancing to the west and attempting to cut the British lines of communication was to try to draw off a portion of the troops forming the cordon about De Wet's commando, and thereby give that general a chance to escape from the position he then held, near the Basutoland, Natal, and Free State frontiers. How well Botha succeeded is plainly told,p as we now learn that General Methuen's division was ordered to the Transvaal. General Buller with the bulk of his army corps faced the north-west and left the railway he was guarding from .Trainer's Nek to Standerton in his rear, as he advanced to drive the Transvaa.lers out of the Standerton and Heidelberg districts, while General Clery's division of General Buller's army was scattered over a line extending from Volksrust to Vlakfontein, a distance of ovei 100 miles, where it ! united with General Hart's division (forj merly General lan Hamilton's), which guarded the line to the westward of Vlakfontein, past Heidelberg, and on to Elandsfontein. As a result of these changes, De Wet escaped, and we learn of his success in evading an engagement near Lindley, whither he was hotly pursued by Colonel Little's command, until pressed too hard. He gave battle to Colonel Little, and, as far as can be ascertained, he succeeded in holding Colonel Little with one portion of his command, while another portion marched to the north-west, keeping clear of Kroonslad, and cut the railway and telegraph lines at Honing Spruit, besides capturing 100 men of the Black Watch (42nd Royal Highlanders). The cable stated that a battle is impending in the vicinity of Honing Spruit, but unless the Boers are in a very good position and are superior to the British De Wet will evade an engagement, and once again a pursuit will have to be organised.

The soreness of catcliing De Wet in a corner "without serious (rouble evidently led to the withdrawal of troops from the Free State at a time when their presence was most desirable, and as a result De Wet has once again received a roving commission, and is-making the 'most of his opportunity. There is 'no place called Malmeilfontein on the map of South Africa. Probably Palmietfontein, to the south of Frankfort, and about five miles from that town, is the place indicated, where Colonel Broadwopd engaged the enemy, 2000 strong,. under ex-President Steyn and the two De Wet's, with four guns, on the 19th inst. There are evidently a number of Boer commandos operating in different parts of the Free State, from Ficksburg north to Frankfort, and unless the British cordon is re-established and continued pressure is brought to bear until the district is clear of the enemy it is to be feared the district will remain as it is for a long time.

Oliphant's Nek is seven miles south-east of Rustenburg, and not soutk-west as given in the despatches. There is a rough, stretch of country extending from Oliphant's Nek to Sterkstroom on the east, ajid to Kloppers on the south-east, where the western end of the Magaliessberg range may be said to begin. For some time past General Botha's forces have been trying to recapture Rustenburg without success, but it is clear that they made General BadenPowell's position at that place a very trying one until General Methuen's forces beat back their troops at Oliphant's Nek and relieved the town. The country about Rustenburg, along the Hex River Valley, is very productive, and the district is famous for the excellence of the fruit and tobacco it produces. The well-known Magaliesberg brand of tobacco is grown in. great abundance along the Hex, Magalies, Crocodile, and Elands Rivers, which rise along the foot hills of the Magaliesberg range from north of Krugersdorp as far as Doornpoort, 60 miles westward, and flow northward to a junction in one stream about 16 miles north of the Magaliesbergs, and from that point is known as the Limpopo or Crocodile River. A smoker who has had the pleasure of using Magaliesberg tobacco is always anxious to replenish his pouch with the "same brand, and the Boers are evidently trying to get possession of Rustenburg to keep their forces supplied with biltong made from_ the deer which abound in the district, and to secure a fresh supply of fragrant coffee and a stock of the weed which supplies such keqn enjoyment to the Boer commando. Supply the Boer with the three articles named and a little Boer bread, the blacker and sourer the better, and they are pleased, and contentment reigns supreme. Deprive them of these and the war would soon be over, for tlie Boer will not fight without these necessities.

Another militia battalion has been under filre. This time it is the Berkshire Regiment. The regular battalions of the Berkshire Regiment are composed of the 49th and 66th regiments of the line, and the Royal Berkshire Militia forms the 3rd battalion of the regiment. The 2nd and 3rd battalions are now in South Africa. The Ist battalion is at present at Gibraltar. The 2nd battalion was stationed at King Williamstown, Cape Colony, previous to the outbreak of war.