Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 2402, 15 March 1900, Page 22

THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

KRUGER SENDS AWAY HIS VALUABLES.

NORVALS

POINT SEIZED,

THE BRIDGE BLOWN UP. — MAFEKING- GARRISON IN A BAD WAY.

DEFENCE OF PRETORIA,

50,000 KAFFIES ENTEENCHED.— FOEEIGN ARTILLERISTS ENGAGED.

AUDACIOUS

PEACE OVERTURES,

BB!TA!M

WILL

DICTATE,

RUSSIA RAPIDLY MOBILISING,

BOER DEFEAT AT DRIEFONTEIN.

THE ENEMY SUFFICE HEAVILY.— GEOSS ABUSE OF THE WHIT.iI

FLAG.— A DISGEACE TO A CIVILISED POWEE.

LOBD EOBEETS STILL ADVANCING.

SIEGE OF MAFEKING

RAISED.

THE

10- miles ahead of the main body, reports t<hat the front is clear. The disorganisation of the enemy is confirmud. ' Reuter's correspondent states that the !Transvaalers, equally with the Free Staters, are disorganised. After the Osfontein retreat, Lord [Roberts destroyed several boxes of explosive bullets, marked by the Boers as manufactured for the British Government. March 11.

In the -operations at Osfontcin and Poplar Grove the Queensland Mounted infantry were conspicuous. Thsir scouting is described as excellent. Trooper Wargult (of the New South Wales Mounted Rifles) was dangerously, and Trooper M'Cracken (of New South Wales) severely, wounded at Poplar Grove. Major-general Broadwood's cavalry and General Kelly-Kenny's division had a severe but successful engagement at Driefontein, south of Abraham's Kraal, on Saturday last (the 10th). Forty Boers were taken prisoners and many left dead on the field. March 12.

The following report has been received from -Lord Roberts, dated Driefontein,

Sunday, March 11 : — Tiae enemy opposed

us. throughout yesterday s march, and ow- ■ ing to their intimate knowledge of the country gave us considerable trouble. The Welsh and Essex expelled the enemy from two strong positions at the bayonet's point. The Boers suffered heavily, and 102 of their dead were abandoned. Lord Roberts has telegraphed to the Presidents protesting against the continued abuse of the white flag, and stating : — "Your Honors' troops have committed such breaches of the recognised usages of ■war and the Geneva Convention that are a disgrace to any civilised Power." The .Boers at Driefontein numbered &000, newly-arrived from the south. Their mobility in moving their guns vas more remarkable than ever.

The New South Wales Mounted Rifles

displayed great gallantry. They attempted tj capture one of the guns, which outranged those of the British. The Bluejackets arrived too late to participate in the engagement. Major-general Broadwood, discovering the enemy's strength on the kopjes, posted mounted troops on a kopje facing the centre, and awaited General Kelly-Kenny's arrival. The enemy ,^ with three guns and two Vickers-Maxims, shelled freely and fought obstinately. The Essex, Yorkshires, Gloucesters, and Buffs were conspicuous. The Ist Australian Horse, with the Scots Greys, advanced to within 800 yards of the enemy under a heavy fire. One trooper was wounded in the shoulder, and another fractured his leg, through Ms horse being killed under him. The New South Wales Lancers, with Colonel Porter's brigade, were under shell fire.

After the enemy's position had been

turned the New South Wales Mounted Rifles, under Major Knight and Captain Antill, with Legallais's brigade, did splendid service. The New South Wales ambulance, under Surgeon Fiaschi, were engaged all night collecting .the wounded.

The enemy at Driefontein evacuated and -reoccupied tHeir positions, with subtlety, concealing their intentions and withdrawing the guns only when they were likely to be captured. The withdrawals fatigued the cavalry horses.

Lord Roberts reports that during Saturday's -mar^ch the conduct of the troops throughout was admirable.

The wounded include Colonel Umphelby, of Victoria, who was injured in the abdomen dangerously.

The following is the full test of one of Lord Roberts's communications :— " I have telegraphed the Presidents as follows : 'Another instance of the gross abuse' of the white flag and the raising of the hands in token of surrender was witnessed at East Driefontein by the staff of officers and myself, resulting in the wounding of seA r eral officers and men. If such abuse recurs I ■will be reluctantly compelled to disregard the white flag entirely. A large quantity of explosive bullets of three kinds was found in Cronje' s laager also. After every "engagement your Honors' troops have committed such breaches of the recognised usages of war and the Geneva Convention that are a disgrace to any civilised (Power. A copy of this telegram has been sent to my Government, requesting that it be communicated to the neutral Powers.'"

At the Driefontein engagement the Welsh in the evening carried the central position at the bayonet's point. The cavalry then turned the enemy's position, the enemy fleeing northwards under cover of the night.

The Australian Cavalry alone were able to pursue them.

After the Driefontein engagement Lord Roberts resumed his advance, and has arrived at Dasoogal.