THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 357, 6 March 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 4. The women of the refugee camps, pastors, and members of the late Orange Free Slate Government at Heilbron have protested against the slanders on the British Arm/. Similar meetings are being held throughoue the Orange Colony. It is officially reported that early on the morning of the 25th ult. Delarey and Kemp, with from 1200 to 1700 men. thrice attacked Yondonop’s convoy, and were twice repulsed. Ten captured British officers and 245 men were released.

A pompom section headed by Yondonop’s convoy, a second company of mounted infantry was on the left flank and a third guarding the rear. The Yeomanry in advance were also on the both flanks and rear.

Miien ten miles from Klerksdorp the vanguard received a heavy fire. The scrub was so ciark that only the flashes

of the rifles were visible. After a sharp action the convoy closed up and repulsed the enemy. The march wax resumed and a second attack made on the left flank. The enemy got within one hundred yards, and some of the waggons stampeded. The bulk of the convoy maintained its formation, and the infantry repulsed the enemy again, the action occupying two hours. When the march was resumed tho ■rearguard was strongly assailed. The Boers boldly charged, interposing between tiie left flank guard and the convoy. The stampeding mules threw the

infantry into confusion. The Boers rode down and separated the units of the escort. The British fought gallantly, and

:ed most of their gun ammunition

Two hundred mounted troops in Klerksdorp, hearing the firing, hurried out. The Boers between them and the convoy held them in check until the stampeded mules showed they were bound to be captured. The Boers engaged were made up by rapid concentration of most of the commandos in the Western Transvaal. Delarey, Kemp, Cellier.s, Lemmer, Vadmads, Wolmarans, and Potgieter were present. It is reported that Lemmer was killed.

Lord Kitchener’s weekly -report states that (19 Boers were killed, 15

wounded, 903 taken prisoners, and 103 surrendered.... One thousand and thirtyfour rifles and 3000 horses were cap-

tured. Generals Kekewich and Grenfell are pursuing Delarey’s commando, which is reported to have scattered. Lord Methuen is marching from Vrvburg to Lichtenburg to try and intercept them. The following Queensland Bushmen were killed at Ouvermacht on January 4th : Sergeants Power and Berry, Corporal Macfarlane, Privates Salt, Challen, Lilly, Warwick, McCartney, Clarke, Goodall, Kelly, and Engleton. A Blue Book dealing with the remounts question has been issued, and shows that Lord Kitchener complains of the particularly bad selection of Australian horses. Colonel Birkbcclc, inspector of remounts at Capetown, reports that the New South Wales horses were very sadly disappointing. The draught horses were a positive scandal. The cobs were better, and the nuggets excellent. Other officers complain thatquite untrained and unbroken horses arrived in December by the Langton Grange. In the House of Commons, Mr Brodrick stated that 16,000 horses had been shipped to South Africa in January, 14,500 iii February, and 13,500 were going in March, which would be sufficient for all requirements. General French reports that scattered hands in North-east Cape Colony have crossed south of Stevnsberg, leaving only a few stragglers. Malans commando, forced across the western line, vainly attempted to re-cross, and are now south of Hanover. The enemy west of the western lino are being gradually pushed north of a new WtYrk’lo'iffi 'IYT- lli'YTlSmiyrn^iwp^^The newspapers complain t; at a defective Intelligence Service caused the Klerksdorp disaster. A company of infantry, two guns, and a pom-pom, headed Yondonop’s convoy. New York, March 4. Wessels and Wolmarans, Boers, have arrived at Washington. They have no plan of action. Adelaide, March 5. The Register says the deepest sympathy of Australians goes forth to the relatives of the New Zealauders who fell in the fierce fight near Vrede. At the same time, the narrative of the sanguinary struggle will create a thrill of patriotic pride and exaltation. New Zealand is not a member of the Commonwealth, but the blood ot her sons shed in South Africa, mingled with that which has freely flowed from the veins of our own volunteers, has bound her more closely to Australia as well as to the Motherland. The New Zealanders behaved with superb valor, and the incident will stand prominently in the history of a campaign marked with numerous deeds of heroism.

CABLES FROM NEW ZEALAND

OFFICERS.

COL. PORTER CONFIRMS ESCAPE OF DE WET AND STEYN.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Wellington, last night. His Excellency the Governor has received the following cables from Colonel Porter, dated Harrismith, March Ist: — “ Arrived yesterday. Lord Kitchener met the column. He specially paraded the Seventh Contingent, and thanked them for their gallantry in the midnight engagement on the 23rd.

“ He said that they had set an example to all the forces in the field, and were an honor to the people and country they represented.

“ Prisoners confirm that Do Wet and Steyn, with only 200 men, got through our lines. We found 27 Boers killed ; also 110 horses, numerous waggons, Cape carts, and 6000 cattle. The Boers carried off their wounded, but admit seventycasualties.

“ The correct casualty list of the Seventh is 23 killed and 40 wounded. The latter are doing well. “ We trek again on tho 4th.” MAJOR ANDREW’S CABLE.

Major Andrew, of the Sixth Contingent: sends the following : “ After four and a half months' continous and arduous treking in South Eastern Transvaal just returned to Standerton. With the exception of an outbreak of enteric in February, during which time 120 men were sent* into the Hospital, the health of the men has been good.

“ The following officers have received ap pointments :—Lieut. Morrison, Intelligence Branch ; Lieuts. Taylor and Wood, Army Service Corps. “ The following men have been appointed to the Intelligence Department, at 12s per day, with free rations 3492 Glass, 3529 Reid, 3551 Theobald, 3490 Harvey, 3639 Charles Quinn, 3836 Forsyth, 3617 Harrison, 736 McGoulcy, 375 McLennan, 513 Coleman, 379 S Tucker, 3704 Bettie, 3639 Mclntosh, 3679 White, 3638 ('.') Mill, 3472 Baker, 3463 Connop, 2386 Sweeney, 3703 Atkin, 3420 Stewart.

“ Sergeant-Major Lewis is with his regiment. He is well, and with Sergeant Beamish has been recommended for a commission.”