THE BOER REBELLION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2172, 10 February 1881, Page 3

THE BOER REBELLION.

The following telegrams, extracted from files of the " Cape Argus," indicate the progress of the rebellion in the Transvaal, and the successes achieved by the Boers up to the end of the year : " Maritzburg, December 22nd.—An official report from the Landrost at Standerton, under date of yesterday, to the Governor, says that five to six thousand Boers took possession of Heidelberg on the 16th inst., and established their own Government under Paul Kr uger. Joubert is Commandant' General; Jorrissen, Attorney-General; Bok, Aoting State Secretary ; and Jacob Mare, Landrost at Heidelberg. No violence was used, and protection was afforded to the oanks by tbe Boers. The inhabitants of Heidelberg are not allowed to leave unless with passport from the Secretary of State or Commandant- General. News has since come to hand that the Boer army of the North-east have taken Middelberg. In consequence of the above news all available troops and guns are to be sent from here immediately." "Kimberley, December24th.—The "Diamond Fields Advertiser" publishes the following:—The post rider from Bloemhof states that Mr Clarke, son of Commissary Clarke, had arrived before he left, and reported that the wildest excitement prevailed at Potohefstroom and throughout the Transvaal, and that when the Boers took possession of Potohefstroom, on proceeding to hoist the Republican flag, the person who was hoisting it was shot through the arm by a captain of the regiment on duty, stated here to be Captain Lambert, of the 21st regiment, who was immediately shot dead from the side of the Boers. Messrs J. Collins (believed to be W. Collins, a Kimberley detective), Captain Raaf, Joseph Green (Transvaal coach manager), and Mr Reed, of Reed and Co., were murdered in the midst of an assembly of 4000 Boers, who actually fired three shots at their own minister, the Rev. Jooste, most likely for remonstrating with them on their folly."

" Bloemfontein, Deoember 27th The ' Friend' publishes following latest intelligence from Potohefstroom, from its speoial correspondent at Kronstadt, dated Deoember 26th:—The Boers have possession of Potohefstroom, but they have hitherto failed to take the fort. On tho morning of the 18th, tbe besieged in the Potohefstroom Court-house, which was barricaded with sand bags, finding all hope of escape cut off, and being «ithout food or water, although several ineffectual attempts had been made to sink a well in the yard of the Court-house, determined to surrender, but not until after three of their number, viz., Captain Falls, Mr Wood, an! one soldier had been killed, as also one loyal native wounded, and Mr Hale wounded in the thigh. Attempts had been previously made to set the thatched roof of the Court-house on fire, in one of whioh attempts young Vangratt, one of the insurgents, was killed. Eventually Major Clark and Commandant Raaf, with some thirty others, gave themselves up as prisoners to the Boers, and were marched down to their camp. After this the Boers sent a message to the fort, giving the colonel up to 4 p.m. to surrender. At 4 p.m. the answer oame in the shape of two well-directed cannon balls, right upon the Market square. On Monday, the 20th, the Boers kept up a continual fire on the fort, whioh was garrisoned by about 300 soldiers under Colonel Bellairs, and well fortified. On Tuesday, 21st, they again attacked the fort, 1000 strong, 200 mounted, and the remainder on foot. They oame up within 200 yards, but were repulsed by a volley from the soldiers and by two shells and two cannon balls. Seven Boers were killed, and five badly wounded, and many more slightly wounded; twelve horses were killed. How many dead were carried away It is impossible to say, for they bury their dead with all dispatoh, conveying them in covered waggons out to their camp. In this attack they managed to secure forty-five horses and three span of mules, which the colonel had driven out of the fort in order to save provisions. The fort is well strengthened with earthworks and trenches. Two wells have been dug. On Wednesday, the 22nd, Paul Kruger held a meeting of the Krygsraad, and it was then unanimously resolved to starve the garrison, as well as the women and children, out, also that Commandant [Raaff and. Inspector Collins should be shot on the 23rd. The town is almost deserted, and no business is done. Nearly all the shops have been broken open by the Boers, and their contents carried away in waggons. The Boer Committee issued placards on the 16th, stating that property would be respected. On the 17th they commaßdeered provisions, giving in some instances receipts. On the 18th they took all they wanted, with or without leave. On the 20th they looted and sacked."

" Fietermaritzburg, December 29th—The Newcastle correspondent of the " Witness " telegraphing yesterday morning, says that news has just been received that the Boers were entering Utreoht, that the Buff ok River is patrolled by Boers, and 600 are said to be watching the drift at Newcastle also. Sir Morrison Barlow and staff have been driven out of Derby. The Boers took three waggons of arms and ammunition from the 94.1 b, besides other waggons of stores. "Kimberley, December 30th—It is rumored that the natives near Bloemhof have risen, and intend joining the Boers. The Ohamber of Commerce has interviewed the Civil Commissioner, urging the necessity of an organised defence of Kimberley, which the Civil Commissioner agreed was quite necessary, and promised to do his utmost. Produce is rising. Kimberley is completely cut off in the Transvaal direotion from several members of families from Kimberley who are on a visit to the Transvaal. No news can be got from them. " Maritzburg, via Cmtata, December 29th. —Lydenburg, with a garrison of fifty men, under Lieutenant Lone, 94th .Regiment, is believed to have surrendered to the Boers on the 20th. [A London telegram, dated Jan. 22nd, informed us that this garrison had capitulated.! Middleburg has been in the hands of the Boers since the 16th instant. The Boer army st Heidelberg has not yet advanced. It numbers at least 6000 men. They have a few prisoners, who are well treated. The advanced division of the Boer forces is at Waterfall drift, twenty miles from Standerton, and Utrecht Drift, Buffalo Biver, Natal, flanking Newcastle. Boers occupy Imneberg, Komatn, Utreoht, Klerksdorp, Bloemhoff, Christiana, R&tenberg, ani all small villages. The Boer forces in the field are said to be 12,000, not inoluding after-riders." " Kimberley, December 31st.—The Boere have poßsetsion of Klerksdorp, which is five hours from Potohefstroom. Clark and Riaff were, on the 27fch, still prisoners. A black flag was, on the 27th, hoisted on the Pctchefstroom fort." " Bloemfontein, December 31st. The Boors have surrounded the English camp near Potehefstroom, and cut them completely off from water. The Rov. Jooste is at present near Cronetadt, on a farm, with two children. It is said his wife has been wounded."