The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-15

stores. The townsfolk thereupon became
panic-stricken and took to fight. They
left the place on horseback and afoot, max
ing their way through the darkness and
heavy rain to Koker's Farm and Rowan's
Farm, several miles south Of Dundee.
News reached Keker's Farm that General
Yule had urged instant retreat to Lady
smith, as the. Beers surrounded Dundee.
Then ensued pitiable panic. Three hun
dred persons, including women and chill
dren, plodded all night In the torrentlal
rain over the sodden reldt. Some took
refuge for part OF the night In kahir
kraal. The rest went on to Umsinga, Grey
town and Pietermarltzburg. to which
places they were followed by those who
had sought refuge In the kraal. The few
persons who had remained In Dundee
were startled when they found that the
troops had gone and they fed hurrledly.
The Beers wore swarming on the sur
rounding hills, especially Smiths Hill, on
which they had been defeated Friday.
They commenced shelling the hospital,
from which a party with flag OF truce
went and told Commandant Erasmus that
British and Boer wounded were In the
building. Commandant Erasmus expressed
regret for shellins the place and imme-
dlatcly ordered the firing to cease. he
said he had mistaken the Indian hospital
attendants for soldiers.
At 10 O'Clock large number OF Boer
soldiers entered the town and there was u
riotous scone. Then more disciplined
contingent entered and planted the Trans.
vaal flag on the courthouse. They informed
the few inhabitants that they would not
be molestcd, adding that the Beers only
needed provisions, but needed them badly.
Subsequently thore wos wild scene OF
looting. Tho stores were all broken into,
the Beers taking tho most inconRruous
mixture OF plunder, ladies' clothing,
parasols, etc. One burgher, In addition to
a load OF articles OF overy conceivable
variety, succeodoi 10 tying bicycle IN
trout OF him on his poay.
The correspondent, who had been ar
rested, managed 10 set away, his guard,
who had taken hilr outside the town, be-
coming drunk. The correspondent re-
turned to Dundee to see tile finish OF the
Boer occupation. By Tuesdayth had ap'
pointed town guard. The patrols pun
ished the Kaflrs who had presumed to Join
tn the looting. A proclamation was issued
promising safety to those who remained,
and, ven0rally speaking. the Beers were
well behaved.
The correspondent saw the funeral oil
Gehoral Symons. He was buried without
a coffin, tho body being wrapped In Union
Jack.
Meanwhile General Lucas Meyer was in
formed OF tho turn OF events and he re-
turned with tho Beers who had been de-
feated on Friday to re-enforce Command
ant Erasmus. In the afternoon the Beers
entered tue town in large numbers aud
securing more liquor they became excited
streets singing "Wo are soldiers OF the
Queen" popular song among the British
troops.
The correspondent then obtained Com
mandant Bothe's permit to 20 free. He
left On Thursday and reached LadySmith
on Saturday. He saYs that while among
the euemy hs learned that many OF t'em
were returning TO their homes, having de-
como tIreI Of the campaign, which was aot
liz what they expected.
The u ost important feature ofthe Parlta-
msnt session was the Queens propagation
spcesb, for It routniIs the assertion tina:
tie Transvaal is already pnrt of her En-
pl.e. The phraseology passed almost un.
noticed, bat the sentence, "I trust Shat
divine blessing will re.t on the s.orts to
restore peace and good government 10 that
portion OF my Empire" cannot be taken 10
mean anything but thut Great Britain re-
CARDS the Transvaal as already reverted to
her direct sovereignty. Another interest
Ing point OF tue speech WAS that the war
was referred to as military operations" ="
Tho large number OF British officers
killed In the battles which have already
taken place In Natal has brought out
strenuous protests from many quarters
against the ancient custom OF British Of
flcers In refusing to take cover when under
FIRE. From figures at Glencoe 1t is appar-
ent that one ont OF every four men killed
was nm officer whereas the organization
exists upon the principle that to every
TWENTY-FIVE men there Is one off1cer.