The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-16


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ACCOUNTS OF FIGHTING IN LAST
WEEK OF OCTOBER.
LONDON, Nov: 15.1A dispatch to the
Daily Mali from Mafeking, sent by
way OF Magalpie, because the runners
sent southwark were unable to traverse
the Boer lines, gives an interesting &C
count OF the fighting during the last
week in October. The correspondent
says:
After the failure to rush the town.
General Cronje had recourse to the
tactics employed during the siege OF
Potchefsroom in 1881. making an adj
vance to the town by succession OF
trenches in Echelon. Such a move
ment 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 per-
sonal risk. Then Colonel Baden-Powell
played his trump card by sending ous
Captain Fitz-Clarence's party to worry
the occupants of the trenches. The lit
tie force stole out silently in the dark
ness. No shot was fired, and the men.
with fixed bayonets, creeping rather
than walking along, approached the
chief Boer position near the race course.
shrill screech. 1t was Fltz-Clarence 3
whistle and the signal for the on
slaught.
"A ringing cheer, which the listeners
back in camp caught up, was the only
reply as the party dashed into the
trenches. There was a short struggle.
the attacking forces, catching and bay
onetting Beers under tarpaulins, where
they crouched, crying for mercy. AT
least fifty bayonets got to work, ana
the havoc they did was terrible.
For just a moment there was no
systematic return fire, but then a per-
feet hailstorm of bullets poured in from
the trenches to the rear: Again F'itZ-
Clarence's whistle sounded. 1t meant
Cease firing and scatter hOneward.
The British forces scattered, creeping
back under the furious fire in the dark;
ness to the appointed rendezvous, where
the roll was called.
Colonel Baden Powell met and con-
graduated Captain Fitz-Clarence and
his men upon their spendid work, say,
ing 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 pride of the garrison. Even
the Boer commander Bothau, expressed
of the attack, and added
that he would take Mafeking before
long, for he meant to do one thing or
the other quickly.
Sunday passed quietly, the volunteer
band playing in the woman's lager
All Sunday night the Beers poured
rifle fire into the town. 1t was set 60
ing after dinner Sunday evening, when
Colonel Baden-Powell hoisted a red
lamp on the commonage, which was
the scene of Captain Fitz-Clarence's
night attack. The ruse answered splen-
didly. The moment the light appeared
the Beers opened fire and their fusillade
lasted the whole night through.
There has been tremendous waste
of ammunition Indeed, it is estimated
that 10000 rounds of ball cartridges
were wasted on the occasion OF the
night attack of the Boer trenches
Double rations have been served ous
to the men, who are under shelter SO
as to be on the safe side II the Boers
should sweep the town by long rlne
fire. The garrison is hanging on hnely.
Colonel Baden-Powell has the fullest
confidence in everybody, and especially
in the matter of implicit obedience to
hold the fire until the Beers are at close
range. The Smelling continued all sun
day at intervals. About O'CLOCK III
the afternoon General Cronje sent in
flag of truce, giving Mafeking a last
chance to surrender at the eleventh
hour. While the flag was receiving at
tention the heavy bombardment con-
tinued.''
The dispatch then describes General
Cronie's great attack of Monday, the
details of which have already been or
tanned from Colonel Baden-PowelIs. OF
cial dispatch.
s.The end CAME says the correspond
emit latter five hours fighting. lie
enemy retired, being heavily beaten fof'
all time so far as Mafeking is con
cerned. 1t was the hottest day ofsthe
siege, and the firing was terrific, the
Beers evidently recognizing that the
only way into Mafeking, if any, IS by
a kopje, which was gallantly defended
by Colonel Walford's men, Inc gar
rison .is tubilant, while the Beers nave
been hurled back in disorder on tnelr
lager and will have to content them
selves with a long range bombaromehl
until they are strongly reinforced.
1.-The enemy lost heavily. For hours
after their fighting line had been roiieo
back two wagons went slowly aions
their positions, picking up the oeau
and wounded. The kopje resempieo
shambles after the fight All the men
were killed by bullets or shells. me
lookout tower was shot to pieces, wniie
even the saddles of the horses were
fearfully battered about. The wnoie
place was simply smashed up by the
fire of seven guns ana II
f1es.
1.-The Beers at first held on 10 tneAs
advance pluckily, but they couid ho'
live when they came to short range
1.-THE enemy is expected to draw OH
early, in order to defend Pretoria Inere
is still no news from the south. AS
send this message 800 Beers have gone
south with wagons, and have COM
CHI IN