The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-16
A BRILLIANT EXPLOIT.
Baden-Powelrs Daring Night Attack on
the Boer Trenches.

London, Nov. 15.-A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Mafeking, sent by way
of Magalpie because the runners sent
southwark were unable to traverse the
Boer lines gives an interesting account
of the fighting during the last week in
october. The correspondent says:
After the failure to rush the town.
General Cronje had recourse to the
tactics employed during the seige of
Potchefstroom in 1881, making an ad-
vance to the town by succession of
trenches in echelon. Such move had
been anticipated by us for some time,
and for that reason there had been sent
out parties to worry the Beers inces-
sanity by night attacks. These tactcs
the enemy disliked. but he contented
himself with daily shell fire, which eX-
posed him to so little personal risk.
Then Colonel Baden-Powell played his
trump card by sending out Captain
Fitzclarence's party to worry the occu-
pants of the trenches. The little force
stole out silently in the darkness. No
shot was fired and the men with fixed
bayonets, creeping rather than walk
ing along, approached the chief Boer
situation near the race course. Then.
as they closed in, there was a shrill
screech. 1t was Fitzclarence's whistle
and the signal for onslaught. A ring
ing cheer, which the listeners back in
as the party dashed into the trenches.
There was short struggle, the attack
ing forces catching and bayonetting
Beers under tarpaulins where they
crouched, crying for mercy. At least
so bayonets got to work and the havoc
wrought was terrible.
For just moment there was no sys-
tematic return fire. but then a perfect
hail storm of bullets poured in from the
trenches to the rear. Again Fitzclar-
ence's whistle sounded. 1t meant cease
firing and scatter homeward.'
"The British forces scattered, creep
ing back under the furious fire in the
darkness to the appointed rendezvous,
where the roll was called.
Colonel Baden-Powell met and con-
graduated Captain Fitzclarence and his
men upon their splendid work. saying
that it was a heavy price to pay, but
that the Beers had to be stopped maxi
ing rife trenches within range of the
town. The members of the party are
now the envy and pride of the gar
rison. Even the Boer commander, Bot
ha, expressed admirati for the attack
and added that he would take Mafe
king before long, for he meant to do one
thing or the other quickly.
'The shellng continued all Sunday
at intervals. About 4 o'clock in the
afternoon General Cronie sent in flag
of truce, giving Mafeking a last chance
to surrender at the 18th hour While
the flag was receiving attention the
heavy bombardment continued"
The dispatch then describes General
Cronje's attack of Monday, the details
of which have already been obtained
from Colonel Baden-Powell's official dis
patch.
THE end came" says the correspond
ent. after five hours fighting. The
enemy retired, being heavily beaten for
all time, SO far as Mafekirg is con-
cerned. II was the hottest dav of the
siege and the firing was terrific, the
Beers evidently recognizing that the
only way into Mafekipg. if any. is by
a kopje, which was galantly defended
by Colonel Watford. The garrison is