FIELD-MARSHAL ROBERTS' FORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 53, 8 March 1900, Page 2

FIELD-MARSHAL ROBERTS' FORCE.

STUBBORN FIGHT AT DORDRECHT. SPLENDID WORK OF THE COLONIALS. THE ENEMY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MODDER. [Br Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.} [per press association.] (Received 7, 9.30 a.m.) Lohdon, March 6. The Boers fought stubbornly at Dordrecht, the British casualties numbering 30. The colonial troops used to stiffen the regulars behaved splendidly. General Gatacro entered Stormberg after the town had been evacuated by the Boers. A reconnaissance by New South Wales Lancers and Inniskillicgs disclosed a force of Boers four miles from Osfontein, whore Field-Marshal Lord Koberts now is, occuping kopje) on both sides of the Modder River. The position has a length of ten miles, and is strongly entrenched, but easily turned.

A WAS CORRESPONDENT RELEASED. HE SAYS THE BOER FOROEB ARE DEMORALISED. Received 8,1.4E a.m. Capetown, March 7. Mr. Hales, the Westralian war correspondent, who was captured at Oolesburg when Mr. Lambie was killed, has been released from Bloemfonteio. He reports that the Boers are treating the British wounded splendidly. He says the Boer forces are demoralised. THE COMING BATTLE. BOERS MOUNTING GUNS AND ENTRENCHING. (Received 8,1.50 a.m.) London, March 7. The Boers facing the British position at Oifontein, near Paardeburg, are mounting guns and entrenching.

FURTHER BRITISH SUCOESSE3. IMPORTANT POSITIONS TAKEN. (Received 8, 1.45 a.m.) London, March 7. Colonel Brabant, with 1800 meD, including the Cape Mounted Police and Royal Scotp, are holding the captured j fort at Libushague's Nek. j Colonel Brabant placed two fifteenpounders on the oiber Nek, looking towards Jamestown. The 79th Battery mercilessly pounded and gradually expelled the Boers from the lower ridge. The mounted force then outflanked them, and captured the main position, occupying a high hill with the assistance of the Caps Rifles and a gun. The enejoy still held the hill opposite, but subsfquect'y fled. Oa Monday AJiwal North was subjected to a deadly artillery fire. A Boer laager, cattle, and a waggon load of rifles were captured. Tho enemy used explosive bullets, and others covered with verdigris. They also firjd a volloy nt th> Red Cross Ambulance, wounding sone cf tho bearers.