Up to Friday all was going well on the Southern
border. where General Gatacre has crossed the Orange River and occupied Bethulie. He is in touch with General Clements and General Brabant, and has been reinforced by the Guards brigade from Bloemfontein, and will be able to compel the considerable force of Boers opposed to retreat towards the north. Indeed, there is a good chance that they will not be able to retreat, bat must fight a hopeless battle or capitulate. The strongest force of Boers is now accumulated in the Biggarsberg, hills north of Ladysmith, and General Buller apparently intends a serious attack upon that position, having summoned General Warren with his division, which had just embarked at Durban, to rejoin him. This may prove one of the most serious efforts of the war, but though the Trans- vaalers roundly abase the Free Staters for faintheartedness, they are themselves deeply impressed by the victories which have cost them the Free State.
