The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-16
BULLETS LIKE HAIL
6ALLANT MIDNIGHT SORTIE OF
BRITISH TROOPS AT TOWN
OF MAFEKING
CAUGHT BOERS IN TRENCHES
BAYONETTED MANY, AND THEN 81
LENTLY RETURNED WITHOUT
HAVING FIRED SHOT
STORM OF BULLETS FOLLOWED

Much Ammunition without Doing
Damage TO the Attacking Party
RumOr That Ladysmith Had Fall
en-, Emanating From Paris, Dis
credited in London,
LONDON, Nov. 16-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Mafeking, sent by way
pf Magalapye, because the runners sent
Fouthward We're unable to traverse the
Boer lines, gives an interesting account
of the lighting during the last week in
October. The correspondent says:
After the failure to rush the town
Gen. Cronje had recourse to the tactics
employed during the siege Of Potchef-
strom, in 1881, making an advance to the
town by a succession of trenches en-
echelOn. Such a move had been antici-
pated by us for some time, and for that
reason there had been sent out parties
to worry the Beers incessantly by night
attacks. These tactics the enemy dis
liked, but contended himself with q daily
shell fire, which exposed him to little
personal risk Then Col. Baden-Powell
played his trump card by sending out
F1tZ Clarence's party to worry the occu-
pants of the trenches. The little force
store out sfle 'iy in the darkness No
Fhot was fire and the men, with fixed
bayonets, creeping, rather than walking
along, gradually approached the chief
Boer position, near the race course.
Then, as they closed in, there was a
shrill screech. It was Fftz Clarence's
whistle, and the signal for onslaught. A
ringing British cheer, which the listeners
back in camp caught up, was the only
reply as the party dashed into the trench
es. There was fearful struggle, the at
tacking forces catching and bayoneting
the Beers under the tarpaulins where
they crouched, crying for mercy. AT
least fifty bayonets got TO work, and the
havoc they wrought was terrible
HAIL STORM OF BULLETS.
For just a moment there was no sys-
temauc return fire, but then a perfect
hail storm of bullets poured in from the
trenches TO the rear. Again Fitz -Clar-
ence's whistle sounded. 1t meant cease
firing, and scatter homeward.' The Brit
ish force scattered, .ilently creeping
back under the furious fire, in the dark
ness, 10 the appointed rendezvous, where
the roll was called
Col. Baden-POwel met and congrat-
ulated Capt FitZ Clarence and his men
upon their splendid work, saying that it
was a heavy price to pay, out that the
B0ers had to be stopped making rife
trenches within range of the town. The
members Of the party are now the envy
and pride Of the garrison, Even the
tlaa o.l
1lliradon- of the attack, and added that
he would take Mafeking before long for
he meant to 90 one thing or the other
quickly.
Sunday passed quietly, the volunteer
band playing in the Womens lager All
sunday night the Beers poured a rifle
E~e into the town. 1t was set going after
dinner Sunday evening, when Col Baden
IoWeu hoisted red lamp cn the college,
which was the signal for F'itz Clarence's
night attack. The ruse answered splen-
didiy The moment the light appeared
the Beers opened fire, and their fusil-
lade lasted throughout the whole night.
There has been a tremendous waste of
ammunition Indeed it is estimated that
$4,000 rounds Of ball cartridge was wasted
OH the occasion Of the night attack on
the Boer trenches. Double rations have
been served out to the men, who are
under shelter, so as to be on the safe side
IL the bOeIS SnOulQ sweep aside the town
by Il long range rifle gun
1.-The garrison is hanging on finely Col.
Baden-Fowell has the fullest confidence
in everybody, especially in the matter of
implicit obedience to the order to hold
the fire till the Beers get to close range.
Smelling continued all Sunday at in
tervals. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon
Gen. Cronje sent up a flag of truce, Civ
ing Mafeking a last chance to surrender
eleventh hn fla N1r1c
receiving attention the heavy lombard
ment continued"
GEN. CRONJE'S DEFEAT
The dispatch then describes Gen. Cron-
je's great attack of Monday, the details
of which have already been cabled from
Col. Baden Powells official dispatches.
'"The end came" says the -correspon-
dent, latter four hours Of fighting. The
enemy retired, being heavily beaten for
all time, so far as Mafeking is concerned.
It was the hottest day Of the siege, and
the firing was terrific, the Beers evident
ly recognizing that the way into Mafek-
irg If any, is by a kopje which was gall
lantly defended by Col. Walford's s men.
The garrison is jubilant, While the Boels
have been hurled back in disorder on
their laagar, and will have to content
themselves with a long range lombard
ment. unless they are strongly reinforced.
1.-The enemy lost heavily. For hours
after their fighting line had been rolled
back two wagons went slowly along their
position, picking up the wounded. The
kopje resembed a shambles after the
fight All the men were killed by bullets
or smells The outlook tower was shot to
pieces, while even the saddles Of the
horses were fearfully battered about.
The whole place was simply smashed up
by the concentrated fire Of seven guns
and 600 rifles.
1.-THE Beers at first held on to their ad-
vance pluckily, but they could not live
when they came to short range, the men
being shot down at 300 yards. The enemy
is expected to draw off early in order to
defend Pretoria.
''There is still no news from the south.
AS send this message about 600 Beers
have gone south with wagons. More next
mail"
DEFEATED BY NATIVES. ta
The Times publishes the following from
Bulowayo dated Thursday, Nov. 8:
1.-The Beers attacked the Bechuan Chief
Lahama, at Ska 1<op, on our side of
Crockodile river yesterday and were re-
1,,lsed. Lahama is confident and is work.
ing heartily with us. He is supported
hy 100 men from here. Chief Linchew,
who was at first loyal, is thought to be
wavering.
VATICAN NEUTRAL.
Cardinal Vaughan's letter to the pope
yoirtiug out the evil effect which attacks