Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1900 — BOERS' BOLD STROKE. [ARTICLE]

BOERS' BOLD STROKE.

Dewet Cuts Roberts’ Communication* and Captures 100 Highlanders. Gen. Dewet Succeeded in cutting Lord Roberts’ communications, both by railway and telegraph, nnd captured 100 of the Highlanders. The story of the Federal commander's bold raid reached London in the form of a telegram from Gen. Forestier-Walker, dated at Cape Town, forwarding a dispatch from Gen. Knox, as follow < , “Have followed commando since July 16. Hard, sharp fighting at Palmietfontein, July 19. Prevented from pursuing laager by darkness; 800 Boers found. Our casualties fiveJjL’lbd and seventy-six wounded. Enemj**®>\bled back through the Paardekral darkness. I believe the commando vonsists of 2,000 men and four guns and is accompanied by President Steyn and both the De*wets.” Gen Knox continued: “The wire and main line of the railway north of Honingspririt have been cut and also the telegraph to Pretoria aud Pochefstrom. According to my 1 information, Dewet has crossed the railway and going north.” Gen. Kelly-Kenny telegraphs from Bloemfontein: “The railway has been cut north of Iloningspruit and a supply train »nd 100 Highlanders captured by the enemy. A report was received this morning that a large force of the enemy is moving on Iloningspruit. All communication with Pretoria is cut off.

The British war office received a telegram from Lord Roberts which repeats the news contained in the telegram from Gen. Forestier-Walker, given above, aud continues: “Methuen continued his march after the occupation of Heckport, and engaged the enemy’s rear guard at Zindsfontein. Casualties, one killed and one wounded. Early Saturday he attacked the enbiny at Oliphant’s nek and completely dispersed them, inflicting heavy loss. Our casualties were slight. By these successes Rustenbnrg has been relieved, and Methuen and Baden-Powell have joined hands. Hunter reports that Bruce Hamilton secured a strong position on the Spitzray, with a battery and the Cameron Highlanders and 500 mounted men. Our casualties were three of the Camerons killed.”