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Home My WebLink AboutThe Blyth Standard, 1900-02-15, Page 1l$1 WAY OP ADV ItTIIIN0 IS iN A i1YltN8WIIPAPER, SUCH A PAPRR• is Tli8 Stdllaarij, tattbatb. imarigai VOL XIII E118 ATTEMPT TO OIITNANK M68. Roberts Arrives at the Modder River. RALIANS FIGHT WITH THE BOERS. Macdonald's Movements Des- cribed in Detail. Busy Have Apparently Removed All Their Big Guns From £Iageritontsin to Kimberley or Ftankward --Kimberley Living on Horse Flesh- -- Canadians Brigaded With the Ninth Division—Why Buller Retired —Large Reinforcements tor the Modder River. Leedo1, Feb. 10, 3 p. n1 -.-Den. Bni- 1* la once snore eolith of the Tugela River, and Gen. Macdonald le back at the Modder River. Yet to-day'x new., by Do manna called the acute disap- pointment attendant oa the failure to relieve Ladysmith. This can be attrib- uted to throe Willies: Flat, there is a atroag belief that Gen. Buller's& last attempt wan only a demonstration on a targe mole; the second, the wiser oritkte bad warned the public not to expect tho immediate relief of Gen. White; third, the nation has settled down tq the realisation that the war will last s long -time, and they aro rot 'swayed as at Bret by minor re - verso and tletorir*. The second and third reasons aro self -explaining. NOT A FORWARD MOVE. In favor of the opinion held by Mr. r Wilkinson, the military critic tits Itorning Poet, that Gen. Buller did not intend immediately putting o:t to Ladysmith, there la overwhelming e vtlenee t0 show, that Field Marshal Load Roberta ordered eystemattc nc- tlefty upon the part of all the forces. Oa this heels Oen. Buhler'* move may o�ppbe a repetition of Glen. Macdon- s d�Jyy Oen. French'' reconnau- santlee. Mr. A. J. Balfour's statement awaitInt the completion of plane is Wether strong repent for bellevinr• Baa. Seller never Intended to make the Mehl advance but • Wan acting undervia the Corder" atof Lord Roberta It is curious that the news of Gan. Buller'* retirement fleet came ttvn,s the Boer bead Mager, near Lady - a tit, and that the Brttpah elle e- ejleedente were freely ALLOWED TO SEND DESPATCHES bore anytbfag from Gen. Buller ryes pub:fatted. The unusual appeal at plot. Bennet -Burleigh, war c•orrea- tendent of the London Dail Telegraph, asking the public to suspend judg- ment and rely on Gen. Bullar, has also co*iderabie significance, On the ether hand Gen, Buller's recent speech to his troops in which he said he bopsd to ire fn Ladysmith within e Wide. some people claim, to STOW' doubt on the baited that he Mill been demonstrating in force. e float news from'Modder River' oWt from Koodooaberg aldWeretiresifromted to eorpptete order. The moat 1!ateenebie explanation of his move - Mgt le teat It was undertaken more TO IMPOST THE CONFIDENCE at the bland Brigade, still nervous 1' frltm theft terrible experience at tela, than to gain any int - tat objective. With this 'taper- ' ,lint MO Dimon. Methuen'* force is re- __rhltatad for a vigorous attack on OW fRrreonn and to attempt to re - Nee L i$rley may be looked ler •Inose #_ rt likely /ape ev dednth ¢- teM�y Roberta -while the seventh di- v tad pert of n. 1Arench's o4Ve , ttry ell emoted In a turning moie- utset east of.a7soobsdaaI. v' THELIMILESDKRO SITUATION, Asok from Reneberg, dated FridaVo ,activity agn�tnct mach ag- nilthe It reconnoitering arse declares Soave are in no Renee surround - 'hit esber'g. but are limply held sleek by a motes of camps form• elmttelrele from Rant to west. Boers; it le added, are still in n of their lines of row with the Free State and strong' position. around Colon - KILLING BOMBARDMENT. in the morning of Feb. 9th, rdment with Lyddite m• at Reieber'g, and the Boers' Vickers gene are believed to aliegoed. A datan dead toped on the kopjes, 'Roberts hae addres.aed au• letter to Presidents Kruger **e70, complaining -of tie' wan. 6sgttMstlon of property la Natal. • ' Merely Temporary. Vkb. 10.-A epeolat despatch tee Camp, of Friday, 'that Oen. Buller's re- erely temporary, owing inattkm to cheese teethe. it is added. wilt coon qr- tknw. The casaalttes were rlWt wounds. - Queea'e interest. 10. -The Queen's keen . Moudona d and the was eviteeeed by oho stowed at the We retirement Irom Majesty sent special War Ofiloe, but as ne.khowledge of the 10 b midnight the Queen 1-y telegraph tw:eo to 1 Agency, asking for the b whence the news Raaapptf it, a*d requesting tibSt leation of any ex- 1�Oe�tg6 OitilittpALP uriums. .'fliary Experla l'a„'I l'ndersl.utd it .,A. fes- tgebeele, Report. 0. -.-The situation on . so far as it 11 M not altterether en - a at ttrat hoped that move to 1oodws- Nlean Wee- att Borg's% in ti�IMM Ot Isis tonal dos been r'e- 1:ortod that Gen. Methuen has ordered the retnentett of Ma whole force, wlurh is pro -ceding. lieu. Lord Rob- erta, in : t'epsltch tinted Fels. 8t11, the 1;11111(1 date Ata the foregoing report, t Om not mention the retirement, wht'h in 1-.o; codlrme.1 by other telegrams cont the ram:: day, and It he doubted Imre. But co the remote of Oen. Ilnbhigton'o share In the operations are also conflicting, the Information ie too incompleete to reliably judge the position, Gen. Babington'e force marched to Ow north bank of the river, but, au - foram,. to ono account, he arrived too lata to effect the Intended purpose. The Standard's correspondent says he suet:moled In getting elo:o to the mtemy, but It was then nearly dark and too late for an effective charge. Moreover, the men and tweet were tired, !ming found the march exceed- htgly difficult, owing to the numerous fences and other obstacles, At any rate the Boers were aware of the approach of Gen. Babtngton'e command, but were unable to tater, cept it, Gen. Roberts states that the Boers evacuated their peelttmn and withdrew to their leager at Kam - eel hark. Gen, Roberts reports co:i6- c!dentally with the repo'it of General Macdonald's movements, that reports had been received that the railway between Orange }liver and Modder River was likely to be threatened. Colonel Broadwood, with a mounted force, accordingly went to Sunny- side, The enemy retired bohrre him, and It is reported that they crossed the Wet river. There is pans b:y a commotion be- tween the two movements. The milhtery critic of the Morning Peet thinks that general Macdonald fulfilled het mission, blocking Koo- d000berg drift, dispersing the Boers to the earth of the drift, and covering Colonel Broadwny'a expedition to Sunnyside. Both oporntlona seem to have been initiated by General Rebor'ts, who, It is guessed, U ettbar at Molder river or no his way therm and the expectation is that there will be a mote import- ant adios in that district shortly. THE RETIREMENT CONFIRMED, The Tinea now confirms the British retirement from ISoodostwrg. Its correspondent, n t, In a dispatch fait dated February 8th 7,28 p. In., says: "1t was reported that Boer rein- foroements were arriving from Meg- erefontele, Ogg position was easily tenable; but the entire force has been ordered to return to Modder River to- morrow." Title putt an unpleasant oomptexlon on the operation, and will loosen the !topes based thereon. The Thom' critic hints that Genera! Methuen sent the order without Ueneral Roberts' know- ledge. He says: "If Koodoeber'g wag worth men- croulti have been held, tthee ordered, 111 tore tire. acme inexplicable. If the stra- tegic conception of this eoaenttle movement wad feta, thea General Macdounid's tactical mum was nee turally unavailing, and the retire• meat appears to bo an admlethan of the initial mistake." e A despatch to the Morning Post from Modder River, dated Thursday, says that General Macdonald's and Gen. Rabin ton's forma' will return shortly. andel add, that the tultlative to the reoonnalamnce emayated, from headquarters , Gen. "Roberts' Deenatrh. London, Feb, 0.-A despatch from Lord Roberts to the War Office, dated Thursday, Feb. 8th, in reference to Oen. Maodonaid's operations, does not mention the retirement to Modder ,River. Iie says: "Macdonald wee despatched to pre- vent the Boers blocking the main drift nt hoodoosberg, and ,ucoewtulle es- tablished himself at Roodoosberg to spite of the determined eftortm of the Boers to dielolge him, At Macdonaid'e request, Batting - ton was dent with reinforcements, Wednesday, Feb, 711, Babingtou threatened the Boers north of Koo dooaberg, while another force drove off the Boors southward." The despatch concluded with the statement "The enemy have now mete - tutted their palitton and none aro in eight." Replying eo a question in the House of Commons this evening, 11r. Balfour, the Government leader, mid: 'The Concrement hal no tnformatief as to whether General Macdonald has retired." GEN. HUITTON OOINO. Hes Been Selected by the Wet Oftlee for Speelet Service In Africa. Ottawa, Feb. 9, --It is officially an- nounced tonight that efejor-flenerel Hutton has been selected by the War Office far special movie, In Bluth Africa. The announcement ilia tome ne a cunt e'trf'r?e" to sour. p..,tislc. To others who Tuve been cognisant of what bee been elm on in honer circles for lones time tho tow; was not un - exported. Om. Hut;o.t wan anxious to take command of the first contingent. but he eoold not do We without re- 1'anlnt bit ramnand bit's, and he was reluctant to do that. The prospeetivd Mottles of the war, however, 1e now Mthe geaeral r�ia�ti, d ldat$ Mummies So auk know 13LYTIT, ONTARIO. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15, 1900. and glory in the Transvaal, There b a very strong feeling that he should be succeeded by Col. the Hoa,11. Aylmer, adjutant -general, who it few weeks ego returned from Eng- land atter passing with dying color" nit examination on tactical fitness to command. The law at present pre- cludes the appo'ntmont of a Canadian, hat no Parliament 13 in session this steno -beck could Plumley he remedied. Indeed, Col. Doraville has n bill now before Parliament with title very object lit view. Cannot Sail Till Feb. 110. Halifax, N. 8., Feb. 9. -It has bean hound that it will be impouibte to have the transport ?Milwaukee fitted out by the 18tb. Col. Irving, 1), 0. C., informed the correspondent to- night that 1•t will be February 20th before the transport 1e ready to sail, bat he does not believe her departure CDT 8oudh Africa will be delayed atter that date. Our Army Doctors. London, Feb, 0, -ill the House of Commons today General J. W. Lau- rie, member for Pembroke, asked a question in reference to a telegram sent by Right Hon, Joseph Chamber- lain to the Earl op Moto on the 23rd of October, 1899. In repiy, Mr, George Wyndham, Parliamentary Under elearetary of State Ox War, stated that the Medi- cal Act of 1888 prohibits the appoint -I ment as army surgeon of a cotton -1 er unregletered in the United Rhy- thm. The general question of recip- rocity with the coiontee regarding medical qualifications was too broad a question for the War Office alone to deal with. Sympathy With Britain. Berlin, Feb. O-Durlag Emperor Wil- Iinm'e two visite yeeterday to the 1 siege aomma*Wtd. Ile wns killed on the Otlt of- Jaattary. He was the West vont of Mr. James Lindsay, of Helena avenue, Wyohwooi Park, Bracondale. His father 1s now in the Northwest, Several brothers and slaters are empkwed in Toronto. Deaths Froth Fever in Ladyandtk' London, Feb. t). -The War Office aahouucem that Oen. White at Lady- smith reports 28 deaths by disease from Fob. Bud to Feb. 6th, At Koodooaberg Drift. Laudon, Feb. 10. -Tice T -otos bee the following special today : Koodoosberg Ddit, Fen. 8. -Tile poo. -1 - ton of Koodooeborg drift Is lmpoortaut its preventbg Boer reinforcements caning by the elitef drift from Douglas or Magereforitit n, (len, Mnceonali en- trenched the position on Monday, and encountered the Boors on Tuesday. They held the summit of Koodootlterg drift kopje, and were also entrenching. Their forOes increasing to the west and north, Oen. Macdonald scut for four regiments of cavalry and two bat- teries of horse artillery, on Wednesday, when the Boars oeonp?ed a position at t)to west end of the kopje. With our guns we elienoed one of their guns temporarily, and with the 02nd Dat - tory of Field Artillery held Palate's drift, which had previously been held by the Boere. Gen. Babingtou, with cavalry and horse artillery, arrived during the afternoon ,and the fight continued all day. The Hlghlandere behaved with the utmost gallantry throughout. It was then reported that Boor reinforcements were arriving from Mege rsfontetn. Our poi itton was welly tenable, but the entire force Itae been ordered to return to Modder River tomorrow. With Oataere'a Force. London, Feb, 10. -Tire Times has the 4�i�lll i�j I. ;N�l'i�i,�� ;n fl `�� !a/ 1 ! 1 1� , i I� I i 1 i11, � I al,1111„'/ 111- e THE EXE.3 OF THE ARIIY: SCOUTS AT WORK. (From tbo Orapbte.l Ever since the war In South Africa brg'an the ory has been for more mounted men to be sent out. Not only aro the Boers mounted and the most mobilo of enemies, but the pountry is of atoll a nature that much molting has to bo donde. The enemy must be dlyoovenel, u they lurk he - bind perfect rover and watt for some brave British regiment of infantry to Mame them, And more titan once they have not waited in vain. 1 h 1 1\;� 1 Y\l\ 11i1'`4t� J�,; British Ambassador, Sir Frank Lar- ee)lee, elle Majesty expressed sympa- thy with Great Ornate, and touched upon tiro teaeibillly of friendly luter- t•entlon. Tho Kaiser also expressed lib" regret at the recent utterances oat Duke -Regent ,folutan Albrecht of Mecklenburg -Schwerin to the corre- spondent of the Eclair, adding that he had telegraphed the Dake -Regent, re- proving him far the indiscretion he had displayed. The utterances attributed to the Duke -Regent of Meckeeniturg by a re- prementatlye of the Eclair wiere, In ef- fect, that the evacuation of Egypt by (lyoat Britain and an arrangement as to, the distribution of power In South Airiest were matters of prime Import- ance, in accomplishing which Frame and Buena were sore to take the tut- ttative, with Germany undoubtedly following Whir lead. The German press, Including even the eemlofflclal papers, severely censured the Duke for thus Involving Germane lin an adven- turous policy, and declared Isle utter- ances to be simply an expression of his private opinion. Oen. Ciery Returning. London, Feb. 10. -The Dally Tele- graph announces that Gen. Sir Fran- cis Clery le on hie way to England invalided. Gen. Clery had charge of the Lady- smith relief column until Gen. Buller arrived on the scene, slue when be ins been in command of adivislon. London, Feb. 10, -The Daily Tele. graph's correspondent at Pletertnar- 1t,bur•g, lin a despatch dated Feb. 9tb, rays: "(len. Clery is here. He 1s indisposed, not wounded." Kimberley Bombarded. Loudon, Feb. 10. -The Times boa the following from Kimberley, dated Feb. 8th : " gine Boer bhg guns shelled ut all day yesterday, but, nobody was tilled," "Completely Failed." I elp.le, Feb. 0, -The Renate Nach- riehten prints n rpeelnl despatch eorrrslowl. nt who chime that Gen. Buller's third attempt to relieve Ladysmith has oompletely felted. Another Canadlan Killed. e Toronto, Feb, 10. - Word has reached this city that Pte. Robert Lindsay ham been killed at Lady. eolith. The deoeeaed belonged to the let Manchester Regiment, and had been le Ladysmith 'face the following special 1o•'Jay: 8terkstroom, Feb. 9. -The Boers at- tacked Bird River Camp yesterday Horning, shelling and causing Ilse easusitten, When reinforcements er- rived from here the Boers retired to- wards Dordrecht. Molteno was also thretened, but the attack wax not pushed. A patrol of seven men of Bra- nt'a Horse was captured near l'eu- hcek, nib on man of the ('nim Rlfies, his horse being shot, and his compnn- ton leaving him. Sir itdward Clarke Healer's. London, Feb. 9.-I11 consequence of Um adoption by the ('onoervative Ar sortation of I'ltmoutlt of a resolution deprecating 111.4 attitude toward the Goyernlnen 'a foot, African policy, Sir Edward George Clarke, who has mepnesented 11•vmouth la I'nrliantent rine 1880, has applied for the Chiltern Hundreds, --- Major-General Smith -Berrien. who is memtlo neo ky Mr. Hamilton as likely to command the brigade to which the Canadians are attached, saw arrive in the Zulu war of 1870, Egyptian war of 1882, Nile cam- patgn 18811, 8wdan 1886.80, N, W, frontier, Indht, 1807, Khartoum 1898. He hohfe the distinguished mom vire order, and many 'necktie and clasps. The brigading of the Cana- dians, taken to cenlonetlon with the fact of Lord Roberts' arrival at Modder River, undoubtedly means 'that the Canadians will take an important part In the active opera- tions on the western border. The lbrnwalis and Shropehires have been on the lbw of communication' be- tween Belmont and Modder River for several weeks, Tho Gordons have been in action at Eneen and Magers- fonteln. The militia battalion' of tete Highland regime are now aerie. Ing in South Afrien. All Quiet at Frere tamp, Prete Camp, leis. IL -MI is quint here to -day. The British troopi ere noting, and the Doers are inactive, Been ('rues the Tugela. London, Feb. 12,-A despatch to the Daily Mali from Pietermaritzburg, dated Feb. 11th, rays: "Tins Boers have occupied Bioy's farm, Louth of the Tugela, which it , under an hour's ride from Chteveley, and intro turned the ltauestead into a hospital. "011 the farm are lille commanding both bridges over the Tugela, as well as Forte Wylie and lifolyneut, aid from wide), a tlew of Bulimia and Lad smith le obtainable, "There Is much apprehension hero reegarding the Boor movements, and the authorities are oa the alert." 41,000 Mere to Outflank Huller. Durban, bolt. 10, 0 p.m, -.t eespatt`. ne published here atattag that 0,000 Boers are marching to outflank Oen. Buller. It loot not state where they come the Tugela Inver, The movements of the enemy in Zulninnd are creating uttenshteee here. It le expected that E ttowe will be nt' tacked, and Oreytowa is apprehensive. It is retorted that the Natal Gov- ernment h( aerlousiy coitaltering the wisdom of arming a totem of the Zulus to repel the invn'lon, and form- ing a native reserve. Why Huller Retired. London, Feb. 12, 4 a, ni.-tihtetou Churchill, the Morning fat's corre- e pondent wee' Oen. Buller, erode a tom despatch reviewing the situation itt Natal• He oleo that Oen. Buller from the outset regarded the relief of Ladysmith as a forlorn hope. He adds that the second attempt to relieve the beleaguered town was nearly'eoeoees- ltd. but, at the critical moment, Gan. , Warren shrank from ordering a bloody frontal attack oa the Boer right. Hegnrdhtg the third attempt, the correspo.tdent soya that unfortunately no regular Harvey of the country be- tween the Tagt'fa lllver and Lally. 1.111101) e11,te, \Chen Van)kr:unts was found to be an unsuitable position, Gen. huller gave the artillery one chance to kick the enemy from their povtttnns, lett the dlsappent•{:,g mount - Inge and the txtremo range, of their gulls protected them. Perhaps It would hate leen possible to have thrust the enemy back off Brnkfo,tein or 10ortikloot, but It would probably hare cost 8,000 men, end two brigades at least are neces- sary to keep the, door open behind the British. Too few tvotdd have remained to attack the • ittrenchaente on the Ladysmith plain. Moreover, the water question Waif moat serious. If Oen. Buller's force were only n Ladysmith relief Column all might Ito staked on the Mote of tee hnttte, with the chances headily against the Brit Islt, lint 1t Is also the only maty for the. dh'fenre of N tte1. Therefore But. Int• withdrew•(2111 math,, (0 attempt will be made nnortly'. The correspondent declarer that the country should prepnre for certain and henry hose, and a possible dire appointment. The task would strain 50,000 men, while 100,000 would not he nn unnecessary number. But the engagements have not been fruition.. The Boers admit heavy lou in each day's bombardment of Melon Kop and Vaalkrants. They cannot re - pinto a man or horse. Their rescuer* are already .trained to the utmoet. One any the British captured a man of 80 years and n boy of 10. Gen. Ituller'r spirit le unabated. The men only ask for n most decisive trial, belieting that, in spite of difficulties and numerical weakness, they would outweigh the adverse chanes with the bayonet. The regimental officer. re. Bard the general with sympathy and trust. 11' --- of hr,tun Churchill adds the follow- ing incidents to the reports already cabled regarding the fighting at Vaal• krentz. Seven armed Kaffirs were Mend fighting. Oneuf them killed an officer of the Durham Regiment. Tho* Met been absolutely authenticated A Maxim -Vickers gun that had been abandoned by tete enemy In a dongu was about to fall into- the hands of the British, when the notorious ruf- fian, the fearless Commandant VII- ;sten it'sten himself brought back a team of horses and escaped with the gun. mbetween the red d h wayt threading flashes and black clouds caused by the lyddlte Shelia which the artillery had concentrated on him. It was a splendid feat nt arms. General Hildyard by night odhtinu- ally fortified himself with much ekI:L building traverses and head covers. Consequently he lost only 41 mon, though exposed to a terrible shell the throughout Feb. 711,. In 12 minute. 88 shells exploded on the 11111• Two hundred and forty shells were count- ed 10 two hours, and in addition to Woe there was a steady fire from in. numerable Maxim -Vickers guns. Prtuoo Christian was knocked down by tlto concussion of a 100 -pound shell. which bout against a rook near which 3w sittingg. A Boar prWooer admitted`.that the enemy had sustained heavy. He declared their unfaltering detonating. Atom to resist the British to the uttermost. Ha mid: "Yat are not fighting the Boars. They would soon, have gtveh in; you are fighting En•- ro e.' The Flank Mot•enteel. London, Feb. 12, -Brio. Spenser Watk- i Soon, in the Morning Post co -day, &rereues Lite hope Chat the rumor from Durban that a Baer force is advancingin the hope of outflanking General' uller its earreot, for he aon- s(dere (bet General Imbert would thus expose himself no ,fust the sort of blow it fa so difficult to deliver e af5nstire @he.Tugelata. rtifeed posit iens nortb Are Mr. Wilkinamt dwells upon the evi- dence el the unexpected ,activity uad probable number of Boer•.. near Co;ee- berg, where they are not, enclosed, but only half surrounded en the south. Ile po:+nte out tbat the Beer poeitions cov- er a front of 80 melee, and infero that there must be several thouaand of the enemy off tbo ground. Kilehener Uctecte Spies, London, Feb. 12.-A daapateb to the Daly Newa from Cape Town, dated February 10th, says that a number of disaffected resident' of 11te colony endeavored enes:coeeefully to join Kitebgoer'e florae. One almost sua- ceeded in jeining Gen. Radtecte' body guard. At a social gathering at Stellen- bosch, a short distance from Cape Town, toasts were drunk to Gen, Jou- bete and the surcees d the Boer forces. Atrlkander youthe promenaded the streets wearing the colors of the Orange Free State. Prayers have been offered in many colleges for the em- cees of the Bore. Fifth Mouth of the N'ur. • men 1n South Atria, the Daily Mall fwd other papers are *410 baking for more troops. Mensetlon at Sydney. London, Feb. 12.-A despite)] to the Daily Mail from Sydney says that the Britten revered caused it great sensation in that city. Crowds gathered about the newspaper bui- tins, Sunday was appointed a day of intercession in the churches of New Pouth. Wales and Victoria. Cardinal Moran, Arrhblehop of 8yd. ney, made a remarkable speech, ad• tweeting compulsory mllltery nor - vice in Australia, in view of the per etbllitiee, Meted Irish Squndrou. Cape Town, Feb. 11. -Oen. Lord Roberts has authorized the forma- tion of a 'squadron of 100 picked Irishmen for special duty, Forty men have already been enrolled. Killed 100 Mere. Kooloosberg Drift, Feb. 8, tin dfud- dor Biter.--7ue Duerr, ettuagly rein- forced from the Zulaul Mager, 18 notes woet of the head auger at Kopplee- den,, made a determined attack on Oenerul Macdonald's forces ye.terday'• The, Hoerr opened at dawn with oc- cardonal sniping, During the morn- ing the firing laereaaed, especially to the westward. The Boers mounted a reveu-pounder autong ilia aurub uu tite fiat top of a kopje to the wait, and nt 0 oelook couuuauced xhelllnu three companies ut the 8eaforth Highland - ere, who were holding a breastwork on the back half of the kook:. The Boers found the range. which was about one thousand yards, and the first shot bit the base of the hill, Tho Boars thea maintained a hot ehrapnel fire for two hours. There were comparatively few cue:titles among the Brttdsh. Th1s was due to the fact that the men took :Oran" tbe fags of every bit of corer that could ound, Major Grunt with the 62nd Bat- tery oprm.,. on the L'.ser gun from a position south of the river and west of Aha British position. The ranges Avert• from 3,000 10 8.000 yards. The position of the Boer gun was ewer - tallied by the awoke when the gnu was fired, and the glad Battery poured in Melia and shrapnel until the gun was allowed In the middle of the af- ternoon, Meanwldle the Boars descended the hill they had been holding under cover of roma brush on the ride and moo pied Painter's farm and Sand Drift, two mikes to the want. Two com- panies of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders with their Maxim gun and a section of artillery held the Boars in title position until duek. The Boers kept sniping peraletently from a don• ga, but when they attempted to oreetveaet(wn we among the trees along both banks of the river they were driven back by the British. A cavalry brigade, oom,leting of a composite regiment, the Scots Greys' and the Sixteenth and Twelfth Lanc- ers, and two butteries of horse artil- lery, arrived from Madder River at 840 o'clock to the afternoon, and kept to the north, with a view to cutting off the burghers. The Boers thee retired to the west, generally between the Fond drift kopjee. Wire fence en- tnngtemente impeded trio advance of the cavalry brigade, but it le believed some exeantion was done among the Boers, who galloped away to the weft, The British cavalrymen were tooex- Itauated to continue the oft, and returned to camp. Thee may that if they had been able . Budrele Aha Boer pusitlon ryep�p� they would stare captured the gu* °*hioh lin l caused eo malt annoys p, and wad have inflicted heavy lass oe burghers. The Feafortlt Highlanders, 1' Me companies o the m. i ht om f I Flat Hi ri1n 4t Infun ry (formerly the Fevent Most), and two companla of tit, Bhtck Watch (Royal Highlanders) !rid the eastern kopje till sundown ..nd re- mained there for the Meet. The British were greedy hand- claaTcpkped The femddlmtdIniegthrmeaepdnlia, +coraeaodfmtiire ably. t Captured 4 Boers, Reneberg, Fel. 11.-A picket M five Victorian i. Ales, atter holding a post for some !More yesterday, was forced to rete a, the Boer, getting on n hill an ! tiring down upon them. Three were ;lightly wounded, one le missing nee one escaped unhurt. Out of patrol from Thtatoptein, under I',ei,t, Hamilton, composed of eight 'tnsmanlans and eight of Gen. Freni,'H eeoute, only two Tasman - Inns alai throe sponte returned. The other., were captured by the Boers, Natal'a local Force. The Agent -General for Natal fur- nishes us with the rub -Joined detail' of the names and numbers of the local boom which his colony lute placed Ill the field: Natal Naval Volunteers.:. Natal Carbineere... ,., ... .,. 488 Natal Mounted Rifles... ,..... ,200 Border Mounted Rifles...... ,., 270 I'Umvott Mounted Rifles ,.. 1110 Natal Field Artillery. ••. ••• ••• 120 Natal Royal Rifles,,.. 148 Durban Light Infantry......." 400 Medical Staff... .................. 7 Veterinary- .................. 3 Staff... ... ................. 19 Natal Mounted. Ponce (Euro- peans) at Ladysmith and other Portions of the colony... 040 Throneyoroft's Mounted infuse try... ... bon Imperial Light Infantry... ,.. .,.LOIN) Imperial Light Horse...... ,.. 100 Colonial Scouts.... ... 600 Ambulance Bearers tarot rec- tion) .................. 1, 000 AmbuIafCO Beaters (a?eoml sec tion... •„ .., 600 TotaL,. South African Light Hors, t itiete. ley (not yet ascertained). Boers Shelled the t'ra'it' London, Feb. 12. -There to no con• firmatton of the report of a sortie from Ladysmith. The latest de- spatch from there, dated Wednesday last, reports that all wan quiet then, and that instruction/ had been tenni to beware of the pos.l- ble approach of Boers in the guise of a British relief force. To -day Breen the beginning of for fifth month of the war. Although the British will moon have 200,000 Ramberg. Feb, 10. -The noerl trout. thBritish cunyb but withday Litt!oshelled effecte. LieIin; on tiorselieeh. Cape Town, Fell 11. -The ('ape Town .trgns .\ 14 that three-fourths t!, m .•t 1 in Iiinlberlej JuTnhe 1ol1uvi rHnbuennt hhoen s role speclul aernngemeets to were Dewe of any drnthv that may occur among the Canadian foots In South Africa and to keep till peewee most Interested 1n- tut,t1 ) MACDONALD 8 SORTIE. Lord Roberts at the dodder- 'Che Attack on Kimberley. Molder River, Feb. 10. -Field Rar - NO 2. slml Lord Roberts, cu mantlermoliest of the British' forces In 8 t,jp,y Africa, arrpetl here yesterday, alt its en- thusetstieally cheered upon itt'r arri- val. Early to -day ho vtsttel the camp of the Highland Brigade and cougratu- Intetl Gen. Macdonald's troops 111104 their rteady roaduut at Koodkto dreg. The brigade returned to camp kr!' day evening, tired, but fitter, after their bard work. The reconneiesdnee might have been ttrileently successful Imo the cavalry arrived sooner. As it wax, they wasted Ones in shelling en' o cupleh buaite', They mlvtook the Boer Iinex for British, but tortttnatelytttfaru W104 ro rer:otw result beyond delay. F. 0. Tait, the golfer, wee shot through the body while descending a kopJe. As !m was ha he ekelaimad, " They've got mo *4 teat " He was prev'ously woumlel at the battle of Mnger.fonteta. He died as he wall been led hack to camp, Before reVring the Highlanders found the MOWN of twelve Bowe. They believeburledtomesthe toes of the enemy were heavier than those of the Brttldt, Mt - cause it 1. known that in addition to the dead Bare reverat had been Apparently the Boers have brought ell titetr heavy suns from Meltking for the putpoee of shelling Kimberley. The sllenoe of their guns on Maaere- focteln ridge leads to the summation that they have retired their gone alto - g, and have blowethern up thethe runwayfaot beyondthatthey 0401-4011 Biding is resented 'Ito evidence that they prefer to destroy rather tutu to defend the Ihre. Though Borns still man the tramline at Magenfonteiu, their numbers apparently hive keen reduced, the bilk of theta havhlg „one to Klrnherley or flankward. Large 1telatureenteats. Writing from Belmont, under date of tar (itneditw contingent, mom;tJhe"teTt.reuop1el3ttt•thn,atmrewaanr1irceaycorrespondent rowhwenhe, non•, and from the number el batteries being sent to Modder River and the many stege guns being pushed up, there will before long be the g i aIMt (rattle In that tictnity that has "00' curred since the war began. . "Howitzer batteries and a number of 4.7 gene have been sent these/el here to the front this week, together with hundreds of horst* and great quantities of ammunition." Boer* and colonials., Romberg, Feb. 10. -The Deese yes- terday outflanked the Satish in con- siderable force to the eastward, three - teeing the communication.: between itensboag and Riegeraton:cin, twelve miles distant. The itfaiekilltppg Pudi- :era, with 20 Auet1,'*plans, roads a re- connaieeanoe fermi ti ingeateateie, and (Recovered the enemy in eoneidee- able force attempting t . lobate t gun to order to 'bell the I;ritlah camp from the southeast. l he Australitaa, who came in close:': , uktaet with Aha enemy, sought ewe on a hell yards foam the amp. Ile thereupon took , 00:44on, preventing (beer retirement. and soon approached to within :ft ,,irde of them, mid der m"db..; •,orrender, At :aended ne 1-w by filing their The bauyottteitral- and shoo „g defi, white e of them m • ') a dash past' the enemy un- der a ! •, tire, _sued took the newt to y3oi 'the(s'i oaancef erhco afe,titrand w,.,. pntdtmt ttot they ey could kap t! , ijare off matt! they would be able get away after dark, tdh:elf tbejr "entually did. 'Che Inniekillinga meanwhile of its a poe!,tfon wtbere they were a�ie to prevent the Boers trod piecing tette g,u'n in pesition. To -day the Boors hate only hese found in parties of twenty or tlttrpl' eastward of the Who, where several bruehet have occurred. Convoys have smite successfully through to Pagers. fonteln, The Austral'ans had one man k!Ikd as he was in the net of binding flop a comrade'', arm. Three of them wets wounded, Their conduct le highly pratmo'1. On Feb. 0th the 'Soars ate out- flanke:l the Drlttrh `t8 the westward and occup!ed q k, where they located a gu Aa Mos of Feb. 10th. They I - mouth to Hobkirk'e farm, lelguards re- tired after one qt them bed been flied. The Boers Occupied the place, and drove off the eattio, and also to thousand cheep which were within the British ottpotte. The Anetralinn and Tnamanlans made a plucky reconnaissance, but were forced to ret'rc. Two Australian correspondents are believed to have been taken lir:toners. Two eorreapnndente, Mr. Hales, of the London Daily News, and Mr. Lambie, of the Metrourne Age, fell behind. Mr. Hale, who one elightly wounded, was captured by the Boers and Mr. Lambie way killed, The British took two pri onerv. War Unice Despatch. Coulon, Feb. 11. -Midnight. - The War Office ham Just Issued the fel- lowing despatch, dated to -tins, from the commanding at Tonv:general Clement., refs)rts from RababOltg thattried onto FridaY'11110' . tura 1ie r'eb. u, Aha -pilots* hlKlrttatlapk, kat *ere beaten off. "Position main ainot Cdaueltte,. oma Il." curd to KlmbeMap. eseelon, Feb, 11. -The War Ofteeo to- nlµut Inti tt'd the ftillowhng doepatdlt from the general einamauding at Cape Town : • Kimberley rsr}iorte that the Boer fbthtln !Dues was apparently increas- ed an Wednesday, Feb. 7th. Neat day the Boer,mommenoed the conetrtic- Mbn of trenches to the east, nearly parallel to the glade, and 4,000 yards from Premier mine. "A native reported that he ae`om- panled some Boers who left Mafekhlg for Kimberley, carrying with thein a six-inch gun and it quick -firing fieldj. , gun. The former 01*10el fire on K1t0- berley. Otherwise the situation it uhf=" changed." — Robert's In Command. IA)tidon, Feb. 1:2. -In the House of Lords to -day, replying to a geietrtlon ox t1- whether Major•Oenerai f!Ir Frederick Carrington was destined for n command in 8buth Akita, and whether Oen. Methuen was still in command at the Modder River, Lord Lansdowne, the Oecretary of State for War, answered that p,a slob d the query referring to General Car- rington in the affirmative, and added: "Gowen{ Roberts is now at the Mod - der River and in command of the whole furca there." et 11111)1 /1. I1 1 u