Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-14

LourenZo. Marquee, Delagoa Bay.
Nov 9-Father Matthews, who has ar
rived here from Pretoria. says with
reference to the surrender of the Irish
Fusiliars ana the Worcestershire troops
at Nicholson's Mex. that after the
mules stampeded the force We're hard
pressed by the enemy They would
have held out. however but some sub
ordinate. without instructions. hoisted
a flag of truce. on his own RESPONSE
bil:ty. Nothing then remained but to
surrender.
we were sent out. says Father
Matthews. "Io occupy position with
he object Of preventing two Boer
forces from joining. We started at $50.
sunday evening, marched 10 miles aud
got to the hill about o'clock. Monday
morning. The first m.shap was that
the mouuta.l battery stampeded and
scattered the whole lot of mules. We
formed up again and gained the top of
the hill. The guns We're gone, but not
all the ammunition 1t was pitch
dark. We had one hours sleep. The
firing began just after daybreak. being
somewhat slack for time. But finally
the Beers crept round and then the fir
ing became furious. Our men made a
breastwork Of stones. Soon after L
o'clock noon there was general cry Of
cease fire, but our fellows would not
stop firing. Major Adye came up ana
confirmed the order and then the bugle
sounded cease fire.
I'm our locality there was a rumor
that a white flag was raised by young
officer who thought his batch of 10 men
were the sole survivors. but we were
900 alive. having started with perhaps
1000. I think many of the battery men
escaped. our officers and men were
furious at the surrender The Beers
did not seem to be in great numbers on
the spot. but | heard their main body
had galloped off. our men had To
give up their arms and the officers
We're sent to Commandant Steenkamp.
The officers then ordered the men tn
fan in
The officers We're taken away from
the men and sent To Gen. Joubert the
same day. travelling in mule wagons
ana sleeping that night in some store
on the way The next morning. they
took a train at Waschbank for Pre-
tora. They are very we'll treated and
so | have heard are their men. There
has been no unpleasantness at Preto-
ria The officers are in school build
ing and are allowed to walk rs they
please in the grounds.
The surrender. in my Judgment,
was great blunder caused by a mis-
understanding. Major Adye was much
put out. The white flag was not hoist
ed by the Irish Fusiliers
The story Of Father Matthews cabled
from Lorenzo Marques regarding the sur
render at Nicholson's Mex is too vague
to be very convincing. but in military
circles it is considered unpleasant read
ing ana it will be impossible to learn the
facts until the officer concerned has been
courtmartia led.
The report that the British cruiser
Magiciene had fired on the French steam
er Cordoba raises a doubtful point
whether Great Britain has actually de-
clared war. 1t is believed. however, that
European nations have been made &C
between Great Britain and the two re
publiCS. 1t is understood that the al
mralty on Gen. Buffers advice has ar
ranged that cruisers al the Cape should
go out to intercept the arriving trans
ports and inform them Of the latest or
dcrs respecting their destinations which
are to be kept secret.
F,stcourt, Natal Thursday Evening.
NOV. Am armored train company Of
the Royal Dublin Fusilers started at
I 1.30 p. NJ. and reached the break in the
railway lire. about half a mile from
Colenso. without incident. Capt. Hens
ley. with several men. reconnoitered