OPERATIONS IN THE FREE STATE.
MOVEMENTS OF POLE-CABEW. THE ENEMY CRIPPLED. STRATEGY OF BOTHA. (Received 1,10.10 a.m.) London, April 30. General Pole-Oarew's operations east of Bloemfontein have been directed towards depriving the Free Staters who surrendered, but afterwards broke the oath of neutrality, of thousands of stock, and commandeering forage in every direction. He insisted on the Free Staters delivering up Mausers with a reasonable amount of ammunition; otherwise he threatened to treat them as prisoners.
A colonist who accompanied the! column describes the results as equal in j effect to a brilliant victory, the enemy being really crippled. , General Pole-Carew has returned to Bloemfontein. General Bundle has reached Thaba N'chu. General French had a slight skirmish ten miles eastward of Thaba N'chu, A portion of the enemy went north, others towards Ladybrand. The Boars from Wepener, disliking the proximity of the Basutos, instead of going via Ladybrand, went towards Thaba N'chu, in the direction of Winburg.
The Transvaalera took their guns northwards.
Commandant Botha's strategy, in withdrawing the main force past Thaba N'chu and Patchoa up the Leeuw Biver Valley, forestalled British interception by twenty-four hours. Six New Zealand Bough Riders, while scouting beyond Bushman's Kop, fiercely fought six Boers at fifty yards, killing three and wounding three. One New Zealander was dangerously wounded in the shoulder.
The hospitals at Capetown are being cleared with a view to Lord Roberts's early advance.
The operations of the cavalry are slowly compelling a strong rear-guard, which is stubbornly defending the steep bills north of Thaba N'chu, to retreat [northwards, where most of the guns jand baggage have been withdrawn, Colonel Dalgety's force of 17,000 men at Wepener resisted 8000 of the enemy for seventeen days. They were heavily shelled throughout, losing 30 killed and 150 wounded.
Strong garrisons have been placed in Thaba N'chu and Dewetsdorp to prevent the Boers attacking the lines of communication.
The country eastward of the railway is now entirely cleared of the enemy. The commandos have been broken up, many of the Free Staters returning to their farms,
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 94, 2 May 1900, Page 2
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342OPERATIONS IN THE FREE STATE. Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 94, 2 May 1900, Page 2
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