This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 20 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Menzies Miner
Location
Menzies, Western Australia, Australia
Date
Mar 17, 1900
Page
15
From London and Rand reports the Boer forces captured a convoy of 200 wagons at the Piet River after the British advance to the Modder. Cronje’s surrender left 60 Boers dead found in a laager cave. Osfontein supplies are now plentiful, though prior shortages forced horse bran porridge.
Recalled reconnaissance by the Australian and New South Wales forces shows the enemy holding a position four miles from the frontier after Roberts led a turning move. The report notes a successful maneuver and ongoing siege operations with troops engaging near the identified area.
Lord Roberts announces that he has turned the Boers' left flank at Osfontein along the Modder River. The entrenched enemy now falls back in retreat as British forces threaten their position on both sides of the ten mile line.
North Cape Colony reports a sharp brush with the enemy. A patrol of Innis killing Dragoons and Victorian Mounted Rifls engaged Boers and heavy fighting followed amid the clash near Norval's Point.
British forces abandon Ladysmith due to the town's dreadful unsanitary state. General Baller leads troops westward toward Van Teeman's Pass.
General Cronje's officers admit they have been overwhelmed by kindness since capture. The government financial plan fails to move the Stock Exchange as Consols rise three quarters of a percent with no new permanent stock issues.
Sir Thomas Fitzgerald, a renowned surgeon, has offered to proceed to South Africa as an autgeon consultant. His offer has been accepted.
Griqualand West rebels seize Prieska and Kenhart and imprison the local magistrate and residents. About three thousand rebels move on Carnarvon as the area around Prieska, Kenhart, and Carnarvon remains in flux.
Major Prendergast commands a Royal Rifles battalion and Natal Mounted Police with a Maxim gun. The force enters the Transvaal near Catala and ambushes a group of about 60 Boers, killing three before they escape. Other Boer parties are dispersed.
A movement in the Datel Church in Cape Colony seeks an end to the war while insisting on preserving the independence of the Republics. The church presses for peace but rejects surrender or loss of sovereignty.
Cablegram reports total casualties in the Gadysmith relief campaign as 5000. Prior figures quoted 8958, adding 751 yields 4709. If 5000 is correct, 300 more casualties remain to be sourced.
Kimberley residents report a sortie by Lieutenants Turner and Scott led to Boer forces firing on British survivors unable to retreat. The incident darkerly notes civilian and military peril in the siege.
A strong proclamation from Steyn signals Boers resolve to resist with unwavering determination. The statement emphasizes fighting spirit and readiness for prolonged conflict, reflecting the mounting pressure as tensions escalate.
President Steyn, back with President Kroger in Pretoria, says Boers will fight to the last man and that the Free State skirmish is nothing beside the tougher trials expected if the Transvaal invasion proceeds.
President Kruger recently returned to Pretoria from Loemfontein where he conferred with President Steyn. He traveled with Mr Steyn who has been appointed to administer affairs during his absence.
Details from Lord Roberts describe a 10,000 strong Boer force under De Wet and Delarey occupying a four mile north and eleven mile south river line. Major-General Colville led the attack with Tucker and Kelly-Kenny to outflank from the south as cavalry and horse artillery pursued. The enemy retreated northeast with British losses at 50. French’s heavy artillery supported the pursuit and Poplar Grove was chosen for a new headquarters.
Poplar Grove on the Modder River becomes the site of the British headquarters, located about two miles east of Osfontein. The move places key command near Osfontein as the front lines shift.
After the Osfontein assault two New Zealanders are reported missing named Sadler and Aitken. Their status remains unclear as search efforts continue.
Reported Doers retreat from Ladysmith toward Biggarsberg destroy railway bridges to Glencoe and the Elands Laagte collieries. They threaten to flood nearby gold mines.
The British Government has resolved to send General Cronje and fellow prisoners to St Helena. The island in the South Atlantic is where Napoleon spent his final years and lies about 1700 miles from Cape Town.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.