The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-22

btlu l4lG DVGAG 44tA AGEAAN AbAhAlah
The protests of the Beers against the
usurpation Of the British government
we're of no avail, and on D9cember l6
1850. at Heidelberg, the hag5of the re-
public was once more hoIsr4d. and steps
we're taken to expel the British troops
In occupation Of the country. This was
an act of war, and the British military
authorities began at oncsy 10 prepare
for emergencies. The first, fighting took
place at Bronkersprult between Brit
ish infantry regiment, the Ninety
fourth. which was on the S18rch to Pre-
torIa, and the Beers. Ala point on
their route they were met by a Boer
patrol, the commander of which warm
cd the British officer in COMMAND Of the
regiment that his orders MgEe to stop
him at n certain spot on the g6ad,which
he indicated. The British officer
naturally refused to TAKE any
notice OF this threat. and con-
tinued his march, escorted by a
body OF mounted Beers who kept line
parallel with the British troops at about
500 yards distance. whenrS1e British
column arrived at the point that had
been Indicated by the Boer commander
the Beers opened fire, and in less than
half an hour nearly all the British OFF,
GERS and nearly half the men were kill
ed or wounded and the rest made pris-
oners. Immediately the result of the
first engagement was known the Beers
all over the Transvaal rose. and by
their patrols cut of and isolated all the
British garrisons from communication
with each other and the rest Of the
world. Being short Of ammunitiop, the
Beers were unable to act vigorously on
the offensIv, and confined themselves to
dlsputIng the British advance from Ma
tai by Laing Mex. rDr
The first attempt to open a way
through to the relief OF the beIeaguer-
ed garrlsons was made by Sir George
Colley, who enjoyed high reputation
as a skilled and experienced officer
Moving up from Natal with 100 men
and six guns. he arrived at LathS's Mex
on January n. 1881. Here he was met
by body Of Beers. stated at 1880 men,
without artillery. The action opened
with bombardment Of the Boer In
trenohments ut distance Of a mile and
half. so great was the respect inspired
by the Boer sharpshooters. Meanwhile.
disposlng of his force in three torma-
lions, about one half in reserve. and the
naval brigade with the rocket tubes
and a portion of the SlxtIeth Rifles In
support, General Colley launched five
companies of the Fifty-eIghth regiment
with about hundred cavalry to the as
sault Of the Boer position, Ignorant Of
the full strength OF the force holding 1t.
In few minutes the cavalry were scat
tered and one-thlrd OF the infantry lay
dead or wounded on the slope The sur
vIvors retired In. disorder and reformed
behind the slxtleth Rifles. when the
British force was drawn on undlsturb-
ed by the Beers In this affair the
Boer loss was two men.
The Beers then followed up this VIC
tory by attacking General Colley's COM
munications. which forced him once
more TO take the Offensive. on Febru-
airy he marched from his camp near
the frontier with 1--WE companies Of the
sixtIeth Rifles, small force of cavalry.
and four guns to clear the road In his
rear. A few miles from the camp he