Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1901 — BOERS GIVE HARD BLOWS [ARTICLE]

BOERS GIVE HARD BLOWS

Victorian Rifles Surprised in Camp and Nearly Annihilated. Lord Kitchener has cabled from Pretoria as follows: "Near Welmansrust, twenty miles south of Middleburg, 250 Victorian mounted rifles from Gen. Beaston's column were surprised in camp at Steenkoolspruit by a superior force of Boers at 7:30 p. in., June 12. The enemy crept up to within short range and poured a deadly' fire into the camp, killing two officers and sixteen men, and wound* ing four officers nnd thirty-eight men, of whom twenty-eight were slightly wounded. Only two officers and fifty men escaped to Gen. Beaston's camp. The remainder were taken prisoners nnd released. Two pompoms were, captured by the enemy. Full detuils’have not yet been received." The serious reverse which Lord Kitchener reports is the first uccident of the kind that has happened to the Australian contingent, and it is supposed to be due to neglect qt proper picketing. Although it is offset by the defeat inflicted upon De Wet, the loss of the guns Is regarded as a serious matter which/ will encourage the Boers to continue the struggle.