The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-12-06

Twelve days after Laingsnek the
British were again whipped In an en-
counter Of kind likely to be repeated
in this war The British secondary base
ls in Natal a long distance from the
Transvaal border Being an alert, hardy
race or norsemen, Jne Boers can De as
troublesome in fOrays as the Cossacks
of the Russian steppes, and from the
time that the enemy approached their
borders his column was harassed by
rough riding bands Of armed Beers To
guard against this General OOlley SGT
out with 800 soldiers to patrol the line
back toward his base. The column
started in broad daylight and was
scarcely in position at the crossing Of
the Ingogo river when the Beers attack
ed vigorously on all sides Darkness
ended the battle, and the British re-
treated, leaving dead and wounded be-
hind to the number of $50. AS at
Laingsnek, the killed in the British
ranks numbered about as many as the
wounded for the Boer rifeman shoots
to kill
Even the British acknowledge in this
war that the BoeT craftsmanship Is
deadly The casualties prove it.
Even after Laingsnek and Ingogo
river there might have been peace in
the Transvaal without Boer independ-
ence but for the impetuosity and bad
faith of General Colley and the inevita-
BILE accident which turns the tide in
war General Colley sent word to the
Beers that England would appoint a
commissioner to redress the grievances
complained of, giving As hours for the
return Of an acceptance to his head
quarters. President Kruger was not in
camp to act upon the message, but the
spirit of the people was for peace and
the chief men relaxed their vigilance.
Now, while the Boer right rested
theoretically upon Majuba Hill the
height was not occupied in force. 1t
commanded the Boer position, and Gen
eral Colley took advantage of the state
Of semitruce to throw a column on the
hill, for in his hands it would prove
another Round Top and decide the mil
itary situation at Laingsnek. A force
Of 600 men were marched up the slope
under cover of night, and next morning
the Beers saw the royal ensign floating
above their heads. They had been out
generated while trusting to promises Of
peace and entirely off their guard.
But no time was lost in Joubert's
camp in getting down to business. At
3 o'clock in the morning BOer skirmish-
ers were at the base Of the hill making
the Britons hunt cover from shots pour
ing upon them at the rate Of 80 per
minute. Long range fighting was kept
up all the forenoon, the British well
back from the brink and under the
shelter of rocks and ridges having the
best Of it. In the crisis General Colley
was very cool One Of his impetuous
subordinates said that the men couldn't
stand the fusillade much longer and the
best thing for the British would be a
charge. 'Wait till they come on. a" said
the general "We win give them a vol
ley and then charge The Beers did
"come on all right, but their coming
had for its prelude a shower Of bullets
no human line could stand before nor
hide from. The British ranks were
thrown into confusion. and the officers
had to threaten their men to keep them
from running away.
The heroes Of the hour were there in
the shape Of some highlanders and q