THE WAR

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 222053, 20 February 1900, Page 2

THE WAR

KIMBEKLEY RELIEVED. ARRIVAL OF GENERAL FRENCH. The following was issued as an Extra from this office on Saturday morning : “ The Agent - General reports that General French, with cavalry and horse artillery, reached Kimberley on Thursday evening.” LORD ROBERTS AT JAOGBSTALv London, Feb. 16. Kimberley has been relieved. Lord Roberts reached Jacubstal and General French arrived at Kimberley on Thursday. The despatches to the War Office do not mention whether General French encountered any opposition in getting to Kimberley. - It is also unknown whether the Boer lines of retreat are actually severed. There were indications on Wednes- . day that the Boers had withdrawn from Lord Roberts’ entire force consisted of 50,000, including General French’s mounted corps of 6000. CArsTOWu, February 16. French’s splendid advance completely surprised the enemy. At Rondeskarl Drift he captured a large number of ca tie and 2000 sheep. London, February 17. Later particulars sh*-w that the army responded magnificently to Lord Roberts’ appeal, the movement involving heavy marching. The obstacles were water supply and transport. Skirmishers and artillery fire inflicted losses on the retiring: Boers,, - " preceding the occupation of Jacobsdaal which is full of wounded, including a number of B.itisher* from Rendaherg. Previous to General French’s arrival at Kimberley the Boers evacuated. Al- xand©rsfon‘ein Colonel Kekewich occuping the position. Mounted troopers occupy the positions in General French’s rear. General French covered 75 miles four days, encumbered by a supply train, and f. ught two engagements. y The Boers held Jacobsdaal until General Kelly-Kennyouffl nkrd them, driving them out with heavy loss across the Modder xviver FOUR BOER GUNS DISABLED THE ENEMY’S MOVEMENTS BOMBARDMENT OF LaDYSMITH Durban, February 16. General Btiller’s fire at Dumkloof disabled two big guns, and another ia' w I so damaged at the mouth that its shells ine aimless. A fourth gun was destraye I. -

The Boers on Sunday were approaching Potuieter’s. They h <ve construct 'd trenches and oth-T defences on that side. The borabardnient of Ladysmith is becoming brisker. THR LATEST. THF RENDSBURG FIGHT Londov, February 18. The fighting which took place* at Rendsburg on Monday was fierce and determined.

Four thousand Boers attacked the, hill defended by the Worcester regiment and were badly repulsed, losing' at least one hundred killed.? 171'inmtely the Boers Rend-burg. Two companies of the Wiltshire- I Regiment holding post in the vicinity of Rendshurg were forgotten when I the Brirish retired to Arundel and I captured. I Colonel Hannav’s brigade of colonials I while following General Kenny’s-1 earlier movement engaged I the fighting lasting throughout Sun- I dav. I

Bv abusing, the white flag the Boers captured a water par f y of 10 men. The Highland Brigade is encamped in the nosition evacuated by Cronje at. Mn eei sfontem.

The colonials made a brilliant bayonet charge at Dordrecht on Friday)

night and the Boers fled before the charge.' Gen end Buffer is threatening thej Boers’ position at Inlalve hill. I

There is a considerable movemeni of Boers northward of Ladysmith, supposed to be the result of Ldrd Roberts’ invasion of the Free State.