FIELD-MARSHAL ROBERTS' ADVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 53, 9 March 1900, Page 2

FIELD-MARSHAL ROBERTS' ADVANCE.

THE BOERS' STAND AT OSFONTEIN. THEIR LEFT FLANK TURNED BY THE | BRITISH.

THE ENEMY IN FULL RETREAT. [By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] |PHB PBBBB ASSOCIATION.] (Received 8, 9.10 a.m ) London, March 7. Though supplies are now plentiful at Osfontein, the British army lived for' three days on fresh meat and porridge made from bran provided for the horses, after the recent capture of a British convoy at Eiet River. (Received 8,3.3 p.m.) London, March 8. Lord Roberts has succeeded in turning the left flank of the 4000 Boers who were entrenching themselves and placing guns in position near Osfontein. The enemy is in full retreat. THE BOERS WERE STRONGLY POSTED.

A CUNNING MOVEMENT OF LORD ROBERTS. (Received 8,11 p m.) London, March-8. \ The position occupied by the Boers at Osfontein was extremely strong and ; cunningly arranged with a second line , of entrenchments. Lord Roberts istates that a direct attack would have caused heavy loss, I and the turning movement was neces- , sarily wide and the horses fatigued. , . General French's Horse Artillery batteries did great among the Boers' commandoes. , General Hewet and Delarey oomL manded the fleeiDg Boers. [ REPORT FROM LORD ROBERTS. 1 THE ENEMY ROUTED.

Received 8,11 p.m. I London, March 8. j Lord Roberts telegraphed from Oafontein yesterday that the enemy occupied a position extending four milea north and eleven miles south of the Modder River, Major-General Oolville, of the Guards Division, acting on the north, General Kenny's Division and General Tucker's Oavalry on the south. The cavalry outflanking the enemy, opened the way for Kenny, who advanced without firing a shot. The enemy retreated in a nortb-eaßterly direotion, closely followed by the cavalry, Horse Ar.illery, and Mounted Rifles; while Tucker, Ojlville, and PoleOar aw crossed the river at Poplar's Drift, where Lord Roberts says he intends to establish his head-quarters. In the evening L)rd Roberts said that a very successful day completely routed the enemy. Fighting was oonfiaed to the cavalry, which did exceedingly well, The British casualties number fifty. . THE FIGHT NEAR DORDRECHT. . (Received 8, 9 a.m.) London, March 7. During Major Maxwell's attack on a Boer position to the north of Dordrecht last Sunday, when the Oape Mounted Rifles scaled the breastwork, one of them was captured and compelled to hoist a white flag. The Boers thereupon hurriedly retreated, scattered by shell fire. The captured rifleman escaped unhurt amidst a terrific British fire.

BOERS AX ORANGE RIVER. (Received 8, 9 a.m.) London, M*rch 7. The Boers still occupy the hills south of the Orange lliver. A SHARP BRUSH NEAR NORVAL'S PONT. (Received 8, 9 a.m.) London, March 7. A patrol consisting of Inniskillings and Victorians had a sharp brush with a party of a hundred Boers near Pont. j ORONJE'S LATE RESISTANCE. (Received 8, 9 a.m.) London, March 7. Sixty dead Boers were found in a ] cave in Cronje's laager at Koodoosrand, C'ronje's staff admit that they have been overwhelmed with kindness since < they were taken prisoners.'