Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1902 — SCOUTS TRICKED BY BOERS. [ARTICLE]

SCOUTS TRICKED BY BOERS.

Wagons of Driscoll’* Command Are Captured and Burned., Bloemfontein dispatch: Four hundred men of Driscoll’s scouts left Springfontein Dec. 20 tfith the object of clearing the country In the Philippqlis district ot armed Boers. On Christmas day the scouts sighted a number of burghers attached to Herzog’s commando. When the Boers saw the scouts they immediately took flight. Colonel Driscoll, with the greater part of his command, gave chase. The rest of the scouts were left to guard the wagons. These were soon after attacked by another body of burghers from the rear; and a stiff fight ensued. Before Colonel Driscoll’s main bddy could return to assist the escort the Boers captured and burned the wagons and their contents, saving only the liquids. Whep Driscoll’s main force returned the Boers scattered. The Boers had five killed and many wounded. Eight prisoners were taken. -While the fight 'was proceeding Commandant Niewhoudt, with 250 men, watched the operations from the top of’ Heneweer’s kop, near Fauresmith. Colonel Dumoulin recently captured twenty-eight prisoners near Flenburg, Of this number twenty-four, including Field Cornet Dutoit, arrived here on New Year’s eve. A force of Boers 'attempted to cross the railway line between Springfontein and Kuilfontein on Monday night, but were repulsed by the blockhouse garrison. The Boers came from the direction of Bethulic. A commando of 400 men under Charles Niewhoudt, Munikherizog," Pretoria’s and Thaness;n~ls now hovering in the Fauersmith district. This force is being looked after by Weston Hamilton’s and Driscoll’s columns.