THS WESTERN FRONTIER. CAPETOWN, February 14.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 22

THS WESTERN FRONTIER. CAPETOWN, February 14.

The Boevs sent Lord Methuen 1400 refugees from Windsorton.* Mafeking reports that there is a food supply sufficient to last until June. It is believed Lord Roberts commands the army corps cavalry division at the Modder; Major-general Sir H. E. Colvilla commands the 9th division formed at the Modder ; Colonel Pole-Carew commands the Guards' Brigade. February 15. The British have again s-eized Zoutpans Drift, on the Orange River, in order to facilitate their advance to the relief of Kimberley. Colonel Hannay's brigade of mounted infantry marched from the Orange River to Riunah, 12 miles over the Free State bolder, and fought a plight engagement on the 11th inst. They had four killed and 22 wounded, and 13 are missing. | General French's cavalry on the 12th in&L seized Dekiel Drift, 20 miles southeast of General Methuen" s position, enabling Colonsls Kelly-Kenny's and Tucker's division to encamp on the east bank of the Riet River. ; Captain Majendic, of Lord Roberts's Horse (one of the new regiments of the South African Light Horse), and one trooper were killed, and two wounded. Advices have been received from Mafeking that all was well. On the 2nd inst. Lord Roberts forwarded a message to Colonel Baden-Powell promising him speedy relief. The shelling by the 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, have both been slightly wounded by the fragments of a shell. February 16. Lieutenant-colonel Plunder's force has been engaged in a lively artillery duel with 600 Boers at Crocodile Pools. a February 17. Lord Roberts is much gratified at the admirable hospital arrangements at Jacobsdal by the German Ambulance, and Drs Kaetner and Hildebrand, who showed the greatest kindness to our wounded equally with the Boers. Two officers and 35 of our wounded are at Jacobsdal. LONDON, February 13. A' number of lefugees in the British camp report having passed heaps of Boer dead at Koodoosberg. The enemy's estimated loss is' given at 200. Lieutenant Grieve, of the Sydney Scottish Regiment, who was attached to the Black Watch during the fight at Koodoosberg, repaired the breastwork of a redoubt under heavy shelling from the enemy. A fragment of shell struck Grieve, but did not. harm him, although one of his assistants was killed and another wounded. The death roll from all causes among the whiles in Kimberley totals 60 per thousand, and of natives 138 per thousand. The infantile rate is appalling. February 15. Lord Roberts, telegraphing from Dekiel Drift, states that General French, with three brigades of cavalry, horse artillery, and mounted infantry, including several cf the colonial contingents, started on the 13th inst. to seize a crossing on the Modder River, distant 25 miles. He forced a passage at Kliep Drift, occupied the hills to the north of the river, and captured three laagers with supplies. Gordon's brigade and the Hussars seized Roundvald Drift and another drift in a westerly direction, capturing two laagers. Lord Roberts describes the operations as brilliant. They were carried out in excessive heat, and in a blinding dust storm. Owing to the rapidity of the movements the Boers offered but slight opposition, and the British losses we're 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 53 men have been prostrated by the heat. It is believed that Lord Roberts has 45,000 troops, and the presence of General Kelly-Kenny's division was a surprise to the Boers. Lord Roberts's positions have cut Cronje's communications with Bloemfontein, isolated Jacobsdal, and threaten Fauresmith. Lord Kitchener's movements are unknown. The Ist Dragoon Guards engaged the enemy at Rustenberg. They had seven captured and six wounded. February 16. i Kiinberlej; Uao been relieved. Lord

Roberts reached Jacobsdal and Genera] French Kimberley on Thursday last. Despatches from the front to the War Office do not mention whether General French encountered any opposition on his j road to Kimberley. | It is also unknown whether the Boer i lines of retreat are actually severed. There were indications on Wednesday that the Boers were withdrawing from Magersfontein, leaving behind them some 10,000 men to do the work. Lord Roberts'*, force consists of 50,000 men, including General French's mounted corps of 6000. Lord Roberts summoned Surgeon Sir William M'Cormac to accompany him prior to his advance to the relief of Kimberley. A large force of Rendsburg Boers, with 10 guns, reinforcing General Cronje, intercepted a convoy of 200 waggons on the Riet River, and captured them after a hot fight. The British casualties were 30. February 17. General French telegraphed that he completely dispersed the enemy south of Kimberley, capturing a laager continuing stores and ammunition. His casualties were 20 wounded. He found Kimberley cheerful and well. General French's splendid advance completely .surprised the enemy. At Rondesvaal Drift he captured a large number of cattle and 2000 sheep. Lord Roberts telegraphed that he has good rea&on to believe that Magersfontein has been abandoned, and that the Boers are endeavouring to escape. General French is scouring the country north of Kimberley, while one of General KellyKenny's brigades is pursuing a very large convoy in the direction of Bloemfontein. Later pavti«ulars show that the army responded magnificently to Lord Roberts's movement, involving he-ivy marching. The obstacles were insufficient water supply and transport. Skirmishes and artillery fire, inflicting losses on the retiring Boers, preceded the occupation of Jacobsdal, which was full of wounded, including a number of Britishers from Rendsburg. Prior to General French's arrival at Kimberley the Boers evacuated Alexandersfoiitein, Colonel Kekewich occupying the positions. The mounted troops occupy posts in General French's rear. General French covered 75 miles in four days, encumbered by a supply train, and fought two engagements. The Boers held Jacob&dal until General Kelly-Kenny outflanked them, driving them out with heavy loss across the Modder. Many prisoners were taken. Lord Roberts complimented the Lord Mayor's Regiment for their gallantry at Jacobsdal. General Tucker drove the Boers across the Riet River east of Koffkrontein, General Colville's division following up the advantage. " February 18. General Kelly -Kenny on the 16th inst. captured 78 waggons laden with stores, Mausers, and shells. Owing to his .oxen becoming fatigued, General Cronje in his retreat from Magersfontein outspanned and formed a laager, which General Kelly-Kenny is now shelling. The heat is intense, and the horses of the British troops are suffering severely. Kimberley frantically welcomed General French and his troops. The news of the relief of Kimberley was received with remarkable outbursts of enthusiasm in Durban, Maritzburg, and Toronto. At Capetown the crowds sang patriotic songs, gave an ovation to Sir Alfred Milner, and hooted unpopular members of the Ministry. The Queen and nation are pleased and thankful. The crowds around' the Loan Office and the London Stock Exchange showed demonstrations of delight. General French and Colonel Kekewich have been promoted, having their respective local ranks of major-general and colonel confirmed. The Highland Brigade has reinforced General Kelly-Kenny. The Guards' Brigade are now encamped on the position so long held, but now evacuated, by General Cronje at Magersfontein. Colonel Hannay's brigade, which consisted of colonials, while following up General Kelly-Kenny's force in their earlier movements on the road to Kimberley, engaged a body of 500 Boers. The fighting lasted all day (Sunday, the 11th), but the enemy were finally beaten back, and they retired during the night. By an abuse of the white flag, they were able to capture a water party consisting of 10 men. Lord Roberts's movement is pronounced as unsurpassed. General French's unwavering mobility through heat and dust storms, rain and lightning, a perfect transport service, and the infantry's splendid marching were conanicupus features,. The combination dove-

tailed maivellously, despite long marches across deep and waterless sand. The troops throughout displayed the incarnation of faith in their commander. February 19. The bulk of Cronje's forces, in order to avoid starvation, crossed the Modder River towards Bloemfontein. General French twice charged through a minor section of the enemy north- west of Kimberley. General Kelly-Kenny is harassing Cronje's rear guard. The bluejackets worked clieir guns to advantage, the enemy moving hem, kopje to kopje, holding each as long as possible, to enable Cronje's convoy m jp.oceed. It moved slowly, and the animals wcie dead-beat when they reached Klipkaal Drift. General De la Rey disobeyed the order to retreat, and attacked Jacobsdal on the 15th in.se, despite the fact that the red cross was flying. When the forces under Generals Tucker and Kenny reached the Riet River they freed General French for his march to Kimberley. They found that owing to the steepness of the northern bank of the river at Dekiel's Drift the mules connected with the transport service impeded the march, and relays of oxen were improvised to cooperato in dragging General French's loads throughout the night. The dust storms w ere terrible. Lord Kitchener accompanied General Tucker to within three miles of Jacobsdal, the column marching along the river for the sake of the water supply. Lord Kitchener here awaited the arrival of General Kenny's column. Immediately upon the junction of the forces, General Kenny advanced and occupied a position commanding the Klip Drift on the Modder River held by General French. The latter thereupon continued his inarch to Kimberley. Meantime General Methuen watched the Boers at Magersfontein, General Tucker held Jacob&dal, previously occupied by the British, and General Colville's column occupied a position in the vicinity of Jacobsdal. General French, commanding 10,000 men, has returned from Kimberley and joined General Kenny. The latter first attacked Cronje's rearguard of 1000 waggons at Klip Drjft and Drieput, whei'e the Boers held the kopjes. The battle was waged' all day. The British casualties were few in number. A telegram signed by Cronje, confessing that he had been completely surprised, wasfound at the place where * the Boers laagered, but have pince abandoned. The Times Modder River correspondent says that a day's unavoidable transport delay at Dekiel's Drift prevented the British surrounding the whole Boer force. Magersfontein was only evacuated on Thursday evening. The guns used by the Naval Brigade outran seed the Boer guns used to cover the retreat. The usual mobility of the Boers, owing to their oxen being overworked, vanished.