The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-16
DESPERATE FIGHTING.
Details of the RepuIse Of Beers by Col.
Baden-PowelI at Mafeking.

baden-POwe11 at Mafeking.
LONDON, Nov. ia dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Mafeking. sent by way of
Magalapye, because the runners sent TO
the southwark were unable to traverse the
Boer lines, gives an interesting account of
the fighting during the last week in Octo-
Der. The correspondent says: After the
failure to rush the town General Cronje
had recourse TO the tactics employed dur
ing the siege of Potchefstroom in 1881, MAX
ing an advance TO the town by succession
OF trenches in echelon. Such move had
been anticipated by us for some time, and
for that reason there had been sent out
parties to worry the Beers necessarily by
night attacks. These tactics the enemy
disliked but he contented himself with a
daily shell fire, which exposed him to little
personal risk.
Then Colonel Baden-Powell played his
trump card by sending out Captain Fitz-
clarence and party to worry the occupants
of the trenches. The little force stole out
silently in the darkness. No shot was fired,
and the men, with fixed bayonets creeping
rather than walking along. gradually <ep-
preached the chief Boer position near the
race course. Then, as they closed in, there
was a shrill screech. 1t was Fitclarences
whistle and the signal for the onslaught.
A ringing British cheer, which the listeners
back in camp caught up, was the only re-
ply as the party dashed into the trenches.
There was fearful struggle. the attacking
forces catching and bayoneting the Beers
under the tarpauins. where they were
crouched ard crying for mercy. At least
fifty bayonets got TO work and the havoc
they wrought was terrible.
For just a moment there was no sys-
tematic return fire, but then a perfect hail
storm of bullets poured in from the trenches
to the rear. Again Fitzclarence's whistle
sounded. 1t meant cease firing and scat
ter homeward. The British forces scat
tered, silently creeping back under the furi-
Gus fire in the darkness TO the appointed
rendezvous, where the roll was called
Colonel Baden-Powell met and congratu-
lated Captain Fitzclarence and his men on
their splendid work, saying that it was
a heavy price to pay, but that the Beers
had to be stopped making rifle trenches
within range of the town. The members
of the party are now the envy and pride
of the garrison. Even the Boer commander.
Botha, expressed admiration OF the attack
and added that he would take Mafeking be-
fore long, for he meant t. do one thing or
the other quickly.
Sunday passed quietly the volunteer band
playing in the woman's laager. All Sunday
night the Beers poured rifle fire into the
town. 1t was set going after dinner Sunday
evening, when Col Baden-Powel hoisted a
red lamp on the commonage, which was
the scene of Captain Fitzclarence's night
attack. The ruse answered splendidly. The
moment the light appeared the Beers
and hnir frtcfl ln1 last to1 hn
whole night through.
There has been a tremendous waste of
ammunition. Indeed, it is estimated that
thirty thousand rounds of ball cartridges
were wasted on the occasion of the night
attack on the Boer trenches. Double ra-
tions have been served out TO the men, who
are under shelter. so as to be on the safe
side il the Beers should sweep the town by
long range rifle fire. The garrison is hang
ing on finely. Col. Baden-Powell has the
fullest confidence in everybody, especially
in the matter of implicit obedience to the
order to hold the fire until the Beers are in
close range.
1.-THE shelling continued all Sunday at in
tervals. About o'clock in the afternoon
General Cronje sent in a flag of truce. Civ
ing Mafeking last chance to surrender at
the eleventh hour. While the flag was re-
ceiving attention the heavy bombardment
continued"
The dispatch then describes General
Cronje's attack of Monday the details Of
which have already been cabled from Col.
Baden-Powell's official dispatches. 1.-The end
came" says the correspondent, 'after five
hours fighting. The enemy retired, being
heavily beaten for all time, so far as Mafe-
king is concerned. 1t was the hottest day of
the siege and the firing was terrific, the
Beers evidently recognizing that the way
into Mafeking, If any, was by kopje
which was gallantly defended by Colonel
Walford's men. The garrison is jubilant.
while the Beers have been hurled back in
disorder on their laager and will have to
content themselves with long-range bonn
bardment, unless they are strongly rein--
forced.
The enemy lost heavily. For hours after
their fighting line had been rolled back two
wagons went slowly along their position,
picking up the dead and wounded. The
kopje resembled a shambles after the fight.
All the men were killed by bullets or shells.
The lookout tower was shot TO pieces,
while even the saddles of the horses were
fearfully battered. The whole place was
simply smashed up by the concentrated fire
of seven guns and thousand rifles. The
Beers at first held on TO their advance
pluckily, but they could not live when
they came to short range. the men being
shot down at three hundred yards.
THE enemy is expected TO draw off early
in order TO defend Pretoria. There is sti..
no news from the south. AS L send this
message off six hundred Beers have gone
south with wagons and have commenced
shelling."
Another Account.
CAPE TOWN. Nov. 15.-An undated dis
patch from Mafeking. received by runner,
xia Nagalapva "Wednesday Mo-, : sa,s.